Segment, Geographic And Customers Information (Schedule Of Assets, By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 5,758,632	$ 5,754,363
Fresh Dairy Direct [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	2,650,241	2,669,001
WhiteWave-Alpro [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	2,111,413	2,086,097
Morningstar [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	675,221	670,870
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	321,757	325,213
Assets Held For Sale [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets		$ 3,182