Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Carrying Value and Fair Value of Senior Notes and Subsidiary Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Notes Due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Carrying Value	$ 475,600
Subsidiary Debt Obligation \| Senior Notes Due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Carrying Value	132,808	130,879
Senior Notes, Fair Value	153,005	155,135
Dean Foods Company \| Senior Notes Due 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Carrying Value	475,579	499,167
Senior Notes, Fair Value	527,378	551,875
Dean Foods Company \| Senior Notes Due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Carrying Value	23,812	400,000
Senior Notes, Fair Value	$ 26,908	$ 459,000

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Name:	us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant