XML 47 R97.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Indebtedness (Parent Company Debt) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2011
Selling, General And Other Expenses [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Selling, General And Other Expenses [Member]
Dec. 31, 2009
Investment And Other Income [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
7 3/4% Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
7 3/4% Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
7 1/8% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
7 1/8% Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
8 1/8% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
8 1/8% Senior Notes Due 2015 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
3 3/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
3 3/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Apr. 30, 2004
3 3/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
8.65% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2027 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
8.65% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2027 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Term Loan [Member]
National Beef [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
National Beef [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                      
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes                         $ 97,581,000 $ 97,581,000 $ 350,000,000        
Interest rate             7.75% 7.75% 7.125% 7.125% 8.125% 8.125% 3.75% 3.75% 3.75% 8.65% 8.65% 2.10% 2.20%
Aggregate pre-tax gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt (6,352,000) (5,138,000) 6,693,000 (6,352,000) (5,138,000) 6,693,000                          
Shares issuable upon potential conversion of convertible notes 4,327,317                                    
Incremental principal amount of notes                         1,000            
Conversion price per common share for convertible notes                         $ 22.55            
Conversion rate of shares per one thousand dollars of principal amount                         44.3459            
Principal amount converted of convertible notes     123,529,000                                
Amount paid to note holders to induce conversion of convertible debt     25,990,000                                
Shares issued upon conversion of convertible notes     5,378,606                                
Expected aggregate principal payments to redeem bonds in March 2012 $ 528,308,000