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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Apr. 29, 2012
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] |
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] | Inventories consist of the following:
|  | April 29, 2012 |  | May 1, 2011
|  | (in millions)
Livestock |  | $ | 962.8 |  |  | $ | 963.9 |
Fresh and packaged meats |  | 912.1 |  |  | 854.1 |
Grains |  | 90.4 |  |  | 89.8 |
Manufacturing supplies |  | 59.1 |  |  | 60.0 |
Other |  | 48.0 |  |  | 52.1 |
Total inventories |  | $ | 2,072.4 |  |  | $ | 2,019.9 |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] | Property, plant and equipment, net, consists of the following:
|  | Useful Life |  | April 29, 2012 |  | May 1, 2011
|  | (in Years) |  | (in millions)
Land and improvements |  | 0-20 |  | $ | 268.9 |  |  | $ | 271.7 |
Buildings and improvements |  | 20-40 |  | 1,690.6 |  |  | 1,717.8 |
Machinery and equipment |  | 5-25 |  | 1,780.6 |  |  | 1,714.0 |
Breeding stock |  | 2 |  | 182.1 |  |  | 159.3 |
Computer hardware and software |  | 3-5 |  | 148.4 |  |  | 137.1 |
Other |  | 3-10 |  | 89.1 |  |  | 53.2 |
Construction in progress |  |  |  | 110.2 |  |  | 133.6 |
|  |  |  | 4,269.9 |  |  | 4,186.7 |
Accumulated depreciation |  |  |  | (1,992.7 | ) |  | (1,877.6 | )
Property, plant and equipment, net |  |  |  | $ | 2,277.2 |  |  | $ | 2,309.1 |
Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] | Intangible assets consist of the following:
|  | Useful Life |  | April 29, 2012 |  | May 1, 2011
|  | (in Years) |  | (in millions)
Amortized intangible assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Customer relations assets |  | 15-16 |  | $ | 13.3 |  |  | $ | 13.3 |
Patents, rights and leasehold interests |  | 5-25 |  | 11.8 |  |  | 11.8 |
Contractual relationships |  | 22 |  | 33.1 |  |  | 33.1 |
Accumulated amortization |  |  |  | (22.6 | ) |  | (19.6 | )
Amortized intangible assets, net |  |  |  | 35.6 |  |  | 38.6 |
Unamortized intangible assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Trademarks |  | Indefinite |  | 340.1 |  |  | 341.9 |
Permits |  | Indefinite |  | 6.1 |  |  | 6.1 |
Intangible assets, net |  |  |  | $ | 381.8 |  |  | $ | 386.6 |

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- Definition Schedule of Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies held for future sale or to be used in manufacturing, servicing or production process. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 2 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a,b,c -Article 5 + Details
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