Assets pledged for indebtedness

No definition available.

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- Definition

Debt Instrument, Amount Drawn

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Principal Amount of Debt Issued, Net of Retirements

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Decrease On Each Annual Anniversary Of Debt Agreement

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Number of Warehouse Credit Commitment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Revolving Credit Facility, Amount Available

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

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+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

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

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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Period Type:	instant

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Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Contract	Jan. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets pledged for indebtedness	$ 2,200,000,000
Nonrecourse indebtedness collateralized by assets	484,300,000
Structured notes matures in 2018	1,016,300,000
Debt subject to mandatory redemption, 2019	777,700,000
Debt subject to mandatory redemption, 2020	125,200,000
Debt subject to mandatory redemption, 2021	766,500,000
Structured notes matures in 2022	232,500,000
Long-term debt, fair value	606,956,000			$ 248,856,000
Long-term debt	7,885,783,000			7,380,443,000
National Beef
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate outstanding letters of credit	13,900,000
Foursight Capital \| Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 170,455,000			$ 97,138,000
3.875% Convertible Senior Debentures, due November 1, 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.875%			3.875%	3.875%
3.875% Convertible Senior Debentures, due November 1, 2029 \| Jefferies
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt called amount	$ 20,200,000
Interest rate	3.875%
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 345,000,000.0
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount redeemed	100.00%
Structured Notes \| Jefferies
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Principal Amount of Debt Issued, Net of Retirements	$ 329,900,000
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 607,000,000			$ 248,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| National Beef
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.30%
Credit facility term loan, maximum amount	$ 275,000,000.0
Long-term debt	76,809,000			0
Amount drawn on debt	80,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| National Beef \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of revolver available	$ 87,100,000
Senior Notes Due 2027 \| Jefferies \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate			4.85%
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 750,000,000.0
Reducing Revolver Loan \| National Beef
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.30%
Credit facility term loan, maximum amount	$ 275,000,000.0
Decrease on each annual anniversary of debt agreement	13,800,000
Long-term debt	120,000,000			$ 0
Amount of revolver available	155,000,000
Foursight Credit Facilities \| Foursight Capital \| Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Assets pledged for indebtedness	200,500,000
Credit facility term loan, maximum amount	$ 225,000,000.0
Number of warehouse credit commitment \| Contract	2
Subsequent Event \| Senior Notes Due 2030 \| Jefferies \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		4.15%
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 1,000,000,000.0
LIBOR \| Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan \| National Beef \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage added to base rate or LIBOR rate	0.75%
LIBOR \| Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan \| National Beef \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage added to base rate or LIBOR rate	2.75%