Equity Method Investment	6 Months Ended
Equity Method Investment	Oct. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investment	Note 4: Equity Method Investment On March 26, 2012, the Company acquired a 25 percent equity interest in Guilin Seamild Biologic Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Seamild”), a privately-owned manufacturer and marketer of oats products headquartered in Guilin in the Guangxi province of China, for $35.9 million. Seamild’s products, primarily oatmeal and oat-based cereals, are sold under the leading Seamild brand with distribution in retail channels throughout China. Seamild’s portfolio of quality, trusted products aligns with the Company’s strategy of owning and marketing leading food brands. The initial investment in Seamild was recorded at cost and is included in other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The difference between the carrying amount of the investment and the underlying equity in net assets is primarily attributable to goodwill and other intangible assets. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of earnings or losses, including consideration of basis differences resulting from the difference between the initial carrying amount of the investment and the underlying equity in net assets. The investment did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three months or six months ended October 31, 2012.

The entire disclosure for equity investment, or group of investments, for which combined disclosure is appropriate, including: (a) the name of each investee and percentage of ownership of common stock, (b) accounting policies for investments in common stock, (c) difference between the amount at which the investment is carried and the amount of underlying equity in net assets and the accounting treatment of the difference, (d) the total fair value of each identified investment for which a market value is available, (e) summarized information as to assets, liabilities, and results of operations of the investees (for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, common stock of joint ventures, or other investments using the equity method), and (f) material effects of possible conversions, exercises, or contingent issuances of the investee. Other disclosures include (a) the names of any investee in which the investor owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock and investment is not accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why not, and (b) the names of any investee in which the investor owns less than 20 percent of the voting stock and the investment is accounted for using the equity method, and the reasons why it is.

+ References+ Details