Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,894,066	$ 1,937,620	$ 5,825,803	$ 5,860,028
Reduction of cost of sales	1,503,469	1,495,782	4,553,919	4,488,491
Product
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,735,790	1,901,279	5,326,618	5,786,698
Fluid milk
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,118,474	1,266,951	3,535,696	3,950,295
Ice cream
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	303,740	307,319	864,343	887,658
Fresh cream
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	99,771	99,930	291,537	280,712
Extended shelf life and other dairy products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	44,379	47,410	135,804	142,126
Cultured
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	65,343	72,223	195,013	216,408
Other beverages
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	71,506	73,825	208,550	220,859
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	32,577	33,621	95,675	88,640
Branded products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	844,356	909,186	2,607,751	2,816,782
Private label products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	891,434	992,093	2,718,867	2,969,916
Sales of excess raw materials
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	112,446	0	387,128	0
Reduction of cost of sales		148,300		456,500
Sales of other bulk commodities
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 45,830	36,341	$ 112,057	73,330
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		148,324		456,531
Reduction of cost of sales		$ 148,324		$ 456,531