Tyson Foods (TSN) 10-Q4 May 152015 Q2 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Mar. 28, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	TYSON FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	100493
Current Fiscal Year End Date	7
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	28-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	304,003,272
Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	70,010,805

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme

Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Sales	$9,979	$9,032	$20,796	$17,793
Cost of Sales	8,990	8,381	18,851	16,457
Gross Profit	989	651	1,945	1,336
Operating Expenses:
Selling, General and Administrative	442	290	889	563
Operating Income	547	361	1,056	773
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest income	-1	-3	-3	-5
Interest expense	71	25	148	53
Other, net	-6	-2	-7	1
Total Other (Income) Expense	64	20	138	49
Income before Income Taxes	483	341	918	724
Income Tax Expense	172	131	297	262
Net Income	311	210	621	462
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	-3	2	-5
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$310	$213	$619	$467
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Diluted, Shares	415	356	416	355
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Diluted (USD per share)	$0.75	$0.60	$1.49	$1.32
Class A [Member]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic, Shares	334	273	335	272
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Basic (USD per share)	$0.78	$0.64	$1.55	$1.40
Dividends Declared Per Share:
Dividends Declared (USD per share)	$0.10	$0.08	$0.23	$0.18
Class B [Member]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic, Shares	70	70	70	70
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Basic (USD per share)	$0.71	$0.58	$1.42	$1.26
Dividends Declared Per Share:
Dividends Declared (USD per share)	$0.09	$0.07	$0.20	$0.16

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme1

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$311	$210	$621	$462
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes:
Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges	-1	7	0	5
Investments	2	0	11	3
Currency translation	-25	6	-19	-5
Postretirement benefits	0	0	7	2
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes	-24	13	-1	5
Comprehensive Income	287	223	620	467
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1	-3	2	-5
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Tyson	$286	$226	$618	$472

Consolidated_Condensed_Balance

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$223	$438
Accounts receivable, net	1,632	1,684
Inventories	3,262	3,274
Other current assets	346	379
Assets held for sale	205	446
Total Current Assets	5,668	6,221
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	5,278	5,130
Goodwill	6,689	6,706
Intangible Assets, net	5,223	5,276
Other Assets	668	623
Total Assets	23,526	23,956
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current debt	1,236	643
Accounts payable	1,694	1,806
Other current liabilities	1,072	1,207
Liabilities held for sale	49	141
Total Current Liabilities	4,051	3,797
Long-Term Debt	6,438	7,535
Deferred Income Taxes	2,452	2,450
Other Liabilities	1,215	1,270
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders' Equity:
Capital in excess of par value	4,282	4,257
Retained earnings	6,285	5,748
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-148	-147
Treasury stock, at cost - 42 million shares at March 28, 2015 and 40 million shares at September 27, 2014	-1,106	-1,010
Total Tyson Shareholders' Equity	9,355	8,890
Noncontrolling Interest	15	14
Total Shareholders' Equity	9,370	8,904
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	23,526	23,956
Class A [Member]
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock	35	35
Convertible Class B [Member]
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock	$7	$7

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Treasury Stock, shares	42	40
Class A [Member]
Common stock, par value	0.1	0.1
Common stock, shares authorized	900	900
Common stock, shares issued	346	346
Convertible Class B [Member]
Common stock, par value	0.1	0.1
Common stock, shares authorized	900	900
Common stock, shares issued	70	70

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme2

Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net Income	$621	$462
Depreciation and amortization	347	254
Deferred income taxes	12	-24
Convertible debt discount	0	-92
Other, net	36	32
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities	-208	-367
Cash Provided by Operating Activities	808	265
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-435	-293
Purchases of marketable securities	-17	-21
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	15	18
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-56
Proceeds from sale of businesses	142	0
Other, net	4	8
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	-291	-344
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments on debt	-715	-390
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	14
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	1,080	0
Payments on revolving credit facility	-905	0
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	-150	-275
Dividends	-75	-50
Stock options exercised	34	49
Other, net	10	19
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	-721	-633
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	-11	5
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-215	-707
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	438	1,145
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$223	$438

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Accounting Policies	Mar. 28, 2015
Policy Text Block [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated condensed financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Tyson Foods, Inc. (“Tyson,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). Certain information and accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, these consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014. Preparation of consolidated condensed financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	We believe the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to state fairly our financial position as of March 28, 2015, and the results of operations for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014. Results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
	Consolidation
	The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of all wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as majority-owned subsidiaries over which we exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which we have a controlling financial interest or variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance changing the criteria for recognizing revenue. The guidance provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either a retrospective approach or cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the standard. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, our fiscal 2018. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance changing the analysis procedures that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The new guidance affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest, (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination, (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (5) certain investment funds. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, our fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, our fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations and Disposal Group Operation	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
	Acquisitions
	On August 28, 2014, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of The Hillshire Brands Company ("Hillshire Brands") as part of our strategic expansion initiative. The purchase price was equal to $63.00 per share for Hillshire Brands' outstanding common stock, or $8,081 million. In addition, we paid $163 million in cash for breakage costs incurred by Hillshire Brands related to a previously announced acquisition. We funded the acquisition with existing cash on hand, net proceeds from the issuance of new senior notes, Class A common stock (Class A stock), and tangible equity units as well as borrowings under a new term loan facility (refer to Note 6: Debt and Note 7: Equity). Hillshire Brands' results from operations subsequent to the acquisition closing are included in the Prepared Foods segment.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Certain estimated values for the acquisition, including goodwill, intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and deferred taxes, are not yet finalized and the preliminary purchase price allocations are subject to change as we complete our analysis of the fair value at the date of acquisition. The purchase price was allocated based on information available at the acquisition date. During the first six months of fiscal 2015, we recorded measurement period adjustments, which reduced goodwill by $15 million, after obtaining additional information regarding, among other things, asset valuations and liabilities assumed. The amount was not considered material and therefore prior periods have not been revised.


		in millions
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	72

	Accounts receivable		236

	Inventories		414

	Other current assets		337

	Property, Plant and Equipment		1,301

	Goodwill		4,789

	Intangible Assets		5,141

	Other Assets		65

	Accounts payable		(347		)
	Other current liabilities		(326		)
	Long-Term Debt		(869		)
	Deferred Income Taxes		(2,072		)
	Other Liabilities		(497		)
	Net assets acquired		$	8,244

	The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in millions):


	Intangible Asset Category		Type		Life in Years		Fair Value
	Brands & trademarks		Non-amortizable		Indefinite		$	4,062

	Brands & trademarks		Amortizable		20 years		532

	Customer relationships		Amortizable		Weighted average life of 16 years		541

	Non-compete agreements		Amortizable		One year		6

	Total identifiable intangible assets						$	5,141

	As a result of the acquisition, we recognized a total of $4,789 million of goodwill. The purchase price was assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition, and any excess was allocated to goodwill, as shown in the table above. Goodwill represents the value we expect to achieve through the implementation of operational synergies and growth opportunities primarily in our Prepared Foods segment. The allocation of goodwill to our reporting units is pending finalization of the expected synergies and the impact of the synergies to our reporting units. The fair value of goodwill is not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.
	We used various valuation techniques to determine fair value, with the primary techniques being discounted cash flow analysis, relief-from-royalty and excess earnings valuation approaches, each of which use significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy. Under these valuation approaches, we are required to make estimates and assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates, royalty rates and discount rates based on budgets, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data.
	The acquisition of Hillshire Brands was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, and consequently, the results of operations for Hillshire Brands are reported in our consolidated condensed financial statements from the date of acquisition.
	The following pro forma information presents the combined results of operations as if the acquisition of Hillshire Brands had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2013. Hillshire Brands' pre-acquisition results have been added to our historical results. The pro forma results contained in the following table include adjustments for amortization of acquired intangibles, depreciation expense, interest expense related to the financing and related income taxes. Any potential cost savings or other operational efficiencies that could result from the acquisition are not included in these pro forma results.
	The pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the acquisition occurred on the assumed date, nor is it necessarily an indication of future operating results. The pro forma results for the six months ended March 29, 2014 include a nonrecurring tax benefit of $46 million recognized by Hillshire Brands primarily related to the release of valuation allowances on state deferred tax assets.


	in millions	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		29-Mar-14				29-Mar-14
	Pro forma sales	$	9,970			$	19,787

	Pro forma net income from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$	223			$	561

	Pro forma net income per diluted share from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$	0.53			$	1.34

	Additionally, during the second quarter of fiscal 2014 we acquired a value-added food business as part of our strategic expansion initiative, which is also included in our Prepared Foods segment. The aggregate purchase price of the acquisition was $56 million, which included $12 million for Property, Plant and Equipment, $27 million allocated to Intangible Assets and $18 million allocated to Goodwill.
	Dispositions
	In fiscal 2014, we announced our plan to sell our Brazil and Mexico operations, which are included in our International segment, to JBS SA ("JBS") for a combined $575 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. As a result, we conducted an impairment test and recorded a $39 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 related to the Brazil operation. We completed the sale of the Brazil operation in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 for net proceeds of $130 million subject to working capital and net debt adjustments. The sale did not result in a significant gain or loss as the carrying value of the Brazil operation approximated the sales proceeds at the time of sale. In April 2015, we received additional net proceeds of $23 million related to the working capital and net debt adjustments. The additional proceeds did not result in a significant gain or loss. The assets and liabilities associated with the Brazil operation were classified as held for sale on the balance sheet at September 27, 2014. The sale of the Mexico operation is pending the necessary government approvals, and we expect to receive a decision during fiscal 2015. Subject to governmental approval and completion of the sale, we would realize a gain on the sale. The assets and liabilities related to the Mexico operation are classified as held for sale on the balance sheet at March 28, 2015 and September 27, 2014.
	The following table summarizes the net assets and liabilities held for sale (in millions):


	28-Mar-15				27-Sep-14
Assets held for sale:
Accounts receivable, net	$	17			$	74

Inventories	76				141

Other current assets	15				72

Net property, plant and equipment	75				132

Goodwill	14				16

Other assets	8				11

Total assets held for sale	$	205			$	446

Liabilities held for sale:
Current debt	$	—			$	32

Accounts payable	25				61

Other current liabilities	14				27

Long-term debt	—				9

Deferred income taxes	10				12

Total liabilities held for sale	$	49			$	141


In fiscal 2014, we sold our 50 percent ownership interest of Dynamic Fuels LLC (Dynamic Fuels) for $30 million cash consideration at closing and up to $35 million in future cash payments contingent on Dynamic Fuels' production volumes over a period of up to 11.5 years. Additionally as part of the terms of the sale, we were released from our guarantee of the $100 million Gulf Opportunity Zone tax-exempt bonds, which were issued in October 2008 to fund a portion of the plant construction costs. Dynamic Fuels previously qualified as a variable interest entity which we consolidated, as we were the primary beneficiary. As a result of the sale, we deconsolidated Dynamic Fuels and recorded a gain of approximately $3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. We will recognize the future contingent payments in income as the required volumes are produced.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, as part of our ongoing efforts to increase efficiencies in our Chicken business, we announced the planned closure of our Buena Vista, Georgia plant. Due to a combination of factors that included changing product needs, the age of the facility and the prohibitive cost of its renovation, operations are expected to cease during the third quarter of fiscal 2015. The closure is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's operating results.
In fiscal 2014, we recorded impairment charges of $52 million related to the planned closure of three Prepared Foods plants. The Company’s Cherokee, Iowa plant closed in September 2014 and the Buffalo, New York and Santa Teresa, New Mexico plants each closed in January 2015. Additionally, in April 2014, Hillshire Brands announced that it would discontinue all production at its Florence, Alabama plant. The plant closed in December 2014 and the closure costs did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial results.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	INVENTORIES
	Processed products, livestock and supplies and other are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes purchased raw materials, live purchase costs, growout costs (primarily feed, grower pay and catch and haul costs), labor and manufacturing and production overhead, which are related to the purchase and production of inventories.
	At March 28, 2015, 68% of the cost of inventories was determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method as compared to 66% at September 27, 2014. The remaining cost of inventories for both years is determined by the weighted-average method.
	The following table reflects the major components of inventory (in millions):


		March 28, 2015		September 27, 2014
	Processed products	$	1,788	$	1,794

	Livestock	1,060		1,066

	Supplies and other	414		414

	Total inventory	$	3,262	$	3,274

Property_Plant_And_Equipment

Property, Plant And Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, Plant And Equipment	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	The major categories of property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation are as follows (in millions):


		March 28, 2015		September 27, 2014

	Land	$	128	$	126

	Buildings and leasehold improvements	3,578		3,501

	Machinery and equipment	6,322		6,144

	Land improvements and other	281		276

	Buildings and equipment under construction	444		334

		10,753		10,381

	Less accumulated depreciation	5,475		5,251

	Net property, plant and equipment	$	5,278	$	5,130

Other_Current_Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Other Current Liabilities	OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Other current liabilities are as follows (in millions):


		March 28, 2015		September 27, 2014
	Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	$	393	$	490

	Other	679		717

	Total other current liabilities	$	1,072	$	1,207

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Debt	DEBT
	The major components of debt are as follows (in millions):


		March 28, 2015			September 27, 2014
	Revolving credit facility	$	175		$	—

	Senior notes:
	2.75% Senior notes due September 2015 (2015 Notes)	403			407

	6.60% Senior notes due April 2016 (2016 Notes)	638			638

	7.00% Notes due May 2018	120			120

	2.65% Notes due August 2019 (2019 Notes)	1,000			1,000

	4.10% Notes due September 2020 (2020 Notes)	286			287

	4.50% Senior notes due June 2022 (2022 Notes)	1,000			1,000

	3.95% Notes due August 2024 (2024 Notes)	1,250			1,250

	7.00% Notes due January 2028	18			18

	6.13% Notes due November 2032 (2032 Notes)	164			164

	4.88% Notes due August 2034 (2034 Notes)	500			500

	5.15% Notes due August 2044 (2044 Notes)	500			500

	Discount on senior notes	(10		)	(12		)
	Term loan facility:
	3-year tranche A (1.56% at 03/28/2015)	842			1,172

	5-year tranche A	—			353

	5-year tranche B (1.69% at 03/28/2015)	552			552

	Amortizing Notes - Tangible Equity Units (see Note 7: Equity)	175			205

	Other	61			24

	Total debt	7,674			8,178

	Less current debt	1,236			643

	Total long-term debt	$	6,438		$	7,535

	Revolving Credit Facility
	We have a $1.25 billion revolving credit facility that supports short-term funding needs and letters of credit. The facility will mature and the commitments thereunder will terminate in September 2019. After reducing for the amount borrowed and outstanding letters of credit issued under this facility, the amount available for borrowing at March 28, 2015, was $1,069 million. At March 28, 2015, we had outstanding letters of credit issued under this facility totaling $6 million, none of which were drawn upon. We had an additional $95 million of bilateral letters of credit issued separately from the revolving credit facility, none of which were drawn upon. Our letters of credit are issued primarily in support of workers’ compensation insurance programs and derivative activities.
	The revolving credit facility is unsecured and is fully guaranteed by Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (TFM Parent), our wholly owned subsidiary, until such date TFM Parent is released from all of its guarantees of other material indebtedness. If in the future any of our other subsidiaries shall guarantee any of our material indebtedness, such subsidiary shall also be required to guarantee the indebtedness, obligations and liabilities under this facility.
	2019 / 2024 / 2034 / 2044 Notes
	In August 2014, we issued senior unsecured notes with an aggregate principal amount of $3,250 million, consisting of $1,000 million due August 2019, $1,250 million due August 2024, $500 million due August 2034, and $500 million due August 2044. The 2019 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2034 Notes, and 2044 Notes carry interest rates of 2.65%, 3.95%, 4.88% and 5.15%, respectively, with interest payments due semi-annually on August 15 and February 15. After the original issue discounts of $7 million, we received net proceeds of $3,243 million. In addition, we incurred offering expenses of $27 million.
	Term Loan Facility
	In August 2014, we borrowed under an unsecured term loan facility, which provided for total term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $2,300 million, consisting of a $1,202 million 3-year tranche A facility, a $546 million 5-year tranche A facility, and a $552 million 5-year tranche B facility. The principal of the 3-year tranche A facility amortizes at 2.5% per quarter. Interest is reset based on the selected LIBOR interest period plus 1.375% for the 3-year tranche A facility and 1.50% for the 5-year tranche B facility. In addition, we incurred term loan issuance costs of approximately $11 million.

	On April 7, 2015, we entered into a term loan agreement, which provided total borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million, the full balance of which was used to prepay outstanding borrowings under the existing 3-year tranche A term loan facility. The new $500 million term loan facility is due April 7, 2018. Interest is reset based on the selected LIBOR interest period plus 1.125%.
	2015 / 2020 / 2032 Notes
	In August 2014, in connection with our acquisition of Hillshire Brands, we assumed $840 million of Hillshire Brands' debt, which had an estimated fair value of approximately $868 million as of the acquisition date. We recorded the assumed debt at fair value. The fair value adjustment is being amortized and recorded as a reduction of interest expense. The debt assumed is mainly comprised of senior unsecured notes which consist of $400 million due September 2015, $278 million due September 2020, and $152 million due November 2032. The 2015 Notes, 2020 Notes, and the 2032 Notes carry interest rates of 2.75%, 4.10%, and 6.13%, respectively.
	Debt Covenants
	Our revolving credit and term loan facilities contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, may limit or restrict our ability to: create liens and encumbrances; incur debt; merge, dissolve, liquidate or consolidate; make acquisitions and investments; dispose of or transfer assets; change the nature of our business; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and enter into hedging transactions, in each case, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions. In addition, we are required to maintain minimum interest expense coverage and maximum debt-to-capitalization ratios.
	Our senior notes also contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, may limit or restrict our ability to: create liens; engage in certain sale/leaseback transactions; and engage in certain consolidations, mergers and sales of assets.
	We were in compliance with all debt covenants at March 28, 2015.

Equity_Notes

Equity (Notes)	6 Months Ended
Equity (Notes)	Mar. 28, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	EQUITY
	Share Repurchases
	In fiscal 2014, our Board of Directors approved an increase of 25 million shares authorized for repurchase under our share repurchase program. As of March 28, 2015, 28.8 million shares remained available for repurchases under this program. The share repurchase program has no fixed or scheduled termination date and the timing and extent to which we repurchase shares will depend upon, among other things, our working capital needs, markets, industry conditions, liquidity targets, limitations under our debt obligations and regulatory requirements. In addition to the share repurchase program, we purchase shares on the open market to fund certain obligations under our equity compensation plans.
	A summary of cumulative share repurchases of our Class A stock is as follows (in millions):


			Three Months Ended										Six Months Ended
			March 28, 2015					March 29, 2014					March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014
			Shares		Dollars			Shares			Dollars		Shares	Dollars		Shares	Dollars
	Shares repurchased:
	Under share repurchase program		1.3		$	50		2.5			$	100	3.3	$	131	7.1	$	250
	Under share repurchase program		1.3		$	50		2.5			$	100	3.3	$	131	7.1	$	250
	To fund certain obligations under equity compensation plans		0.2		9			0.4			16		0.4	19		0.7	25
	To fund certain obligations under equity compensation plans		0.2		9			0.4			16		0.4	19		0.7	25
	Total share repurchases		1.5		$	59		2.9			$	116	3.7	$	150	7.8	$	275
	Total share repurchases		1.5		$	59		2.9			$	116	3.7	$	150	7.8	$	275
	Share Issuance
	In fiscal 2014, we issued 23.8 million shares of our Class A stock to provide funding for the Hillshire Brands acquisition. Total proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and other offering related fees and expenses were $873 million.
	Tangible Equity Units
	In fiscal 2014, we completed the public issuance of 30 million 4.75% tangible equity units (TEUs). Total proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and other expenses, were $1,454 million. Each TEU, which has a stated amount of $50, is comprised of a prepaid stock purchase contract and a senior amortizing note due July 15, 2017. We allocated the proceeds from the issuance of the TEUs to equity and debt based on the relative fair values of the respective components of each TEU. The fair value of the prepaid stock purchase contracts, which was $1,295 million, is recorded in Capital in Excess of Par Value, net of issuance costs. The fair value of the senior amortizing notes, which was $205 million, was recorded in debt, of which $65 million was current. Issuance costs associated with the TEU debt were recorded as deferred financing costs in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets in Other Assets and are amortized over the term of the instrument to July 15, 2017.
	The aggregate values assigned upon issuance of each component of the TEUs, based on the relative fair value of the respective components of each TEU, were as follows (in millions, except price per TEU):


		Equity Component			Debt Component			Total
	Price per TEU	$	43.17		$	6.83		$	50
	Price per TEU	$	43.17		$	6.83		$	50
	Gross Proceeds	1,295			205			1,500
	Gross Proceeds	1,295			205			1,500
	Issuance cost	(40		)	(6		)	(46		)
	Net proceeds	$	1,255		$	199		$	1,454
	Net proceeds	$	1,255		$	199		$	1,454
	Each senior amortizing note has an initial principal amount of $6.83 and bears interest at 1.5% per annum. On each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, we will pay equal quarterly cash installments of $0.59 per amortizing note, which cash payment in the aggregate (principal and interest) is equivalent to 4.75% per year with respect to the $50 stated amount per TEU. Each installment constitutes a payment of interest and partial repayment of principal. Unless settled earlier at the holder's or the Company's option, each purchase contract will automatically settle on July 15, 2017, subject to postponement in certain limited circumstances. We will deliver between a minimum of 31.8 million shares and a maximum of 39.7 million shares of our Class A stock, subject to adjustment, based upon the Applicable Market Value (as defined below) of our Class A stock as described below:

	•	If the Applicable Market Value is equal to or greater than the conversion price of $47.20 per share, we will deliver 1.0594 shares of Class A stock per purchase contract, or a minimum of 31.8 million Class A shares.

	•	If the Applicable Market Value is greater than the reference price of $37.76 but less than the conversion price of $47.20 per share, we will deliver a number of shares per purchase contract equal to $50, divided by the Applicable Market Value.

	•	If the Applicable Market Value is less than or equal to the reference price of $37.76 per share, we will deliver 1.3244 shares of Class A stock per purchase contract, or a maximum of 39.7 million Class A shares.
	The "Applicable Market Value" means the average of the closing prices of our Class A stock on each of the 20 consecutive trading days beginning on, and including, the 23rd scheduled trading day immediately preceding July 15, 2017.
	On March 13, 2015, we paid our quarterly dividend to shareholders of record at February 27, 2015 equal to $0.10 per share on our Class A stock. The amount of the distribution exceeded the $0.075 per share dividend threshold amount. Consequently, the settlements rates, reference price and conversion price were adjusted and are reflected above.
	The TEUs have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share. The 31.8 million minimum shares to be issued are included in the calculation of Class A Basic weighted average shares. The 7.9 million share difference between the minimum shares and the 39.7 million maximum shares are potentially dilutive securities, and accordingly, are included in our diluted earnings per share on a pro rata basis to the extent the Applicable Market Value is higher than the reference price but is less than the conversion price at period end.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 28, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES
	The effective tax rate was 35.6% and 38.3% for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 32.4% and 36.2% for the first six months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effective tax rates for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 were impacted by such items as the domestic production deduction, state income taxes and losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no benefit is recognized. In addition, changes in tax reserves resulting from the expiration of statutes of limitations reduced the effective tax rate for the first six months of fiscal 2015 by 3.2%.
	Unrecognized tax benefits were $229 million and $272 million at March 28, 2015, and September 27, 2014, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, that would impact our effective tax rate was $200 million and $241 million at March 28, 2015, and September 27, 2014, respectively.
	We classify interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. At March 28, 2015, and September 27, 2014, before tax benefits, we had $49 million and $54 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.
	We are subject to income tax assessments for U.S. federal income taxes for fiscal years 2011 through 2013. We are also subject to income tax assessments by major state and foreign jurisdictions for fiscal years 2005 through 2013 and 2002 through 2013, respectively. We estimate that during the next twelve months it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could decrease up to $18 million primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions.

Other_Income_And_Charges

Other Income And Charges	6 Months Ended
Other Income And Charges	Mar. 28, 2015
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income And Charges	OTHER INCOME AND CHARGES
	During the first six months of fiscal 2015, we recorded $3 million of equity earnings in joint ventures and $1 million in net foreign currency exchange gains, which were recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net.
	During the first six months of fiscal 2014, we recorded $4 million of equity earnings in joint ventures, $1 million in net foreign currency exchange gains and $6 million of other than temporary impairment related to an available-for-sale security, which were recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in millions, except per share data):


		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015		March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015		March 29, 2014
	Numerator:
	Net Income	$	311	$	210		$	621	$	462

	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		(3		)	2		(5		)

	Net income attributable to Tyson	310		213			619		467

	Less dividends declared:
	Class A	31		20			69		48

	Class B	6		5			14		11

	Undistributed earnings	$	273	$	188		$	536	$	408


	Class A undistributed earnings	$	230	$	153		$	451	$	332

	Class B undistributed earnings	43		35			85		76

	Total undistributed earnings	$	273	$	188		$	536	$	408

	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Class A weighted average shares	334		273			335		272

	Class B weighted average shares, and shares under the if-converted method for diluted earnings per share	70		70			70		70

	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock	5		6			5		5

	Tangible Equity Units	6		—			6		—

	Warrants	—		7			—		8

	Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions	415		356			416		355


	Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
	Class A Basic	$	0.78	$	0.64		$	1.55	$	1.4

	Class B Basic	$	0.71	$	0.58		$	1.42	$	1.26

	Diluted	$	0.75	$	0.6		$	1.49	$	1.32

	Approximately 5 million of our stock-based compensation shares were antidilutive for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015. Approximately 4 million of our stock-based compensation shares were antidilutive for the three and six months ended March 29, 2014. These shares were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.
	We have two classes of capital stock, Class A stock and Class B stock. Cash dividends cannot be paid to holders of Class B stock unless they are simultaneously paid to holders of Class A stock. The per share amount of cash dividends paid to holders of Class B stock cannot exceed 90% of the cash dividends paid to holders of Class A stock.
	We allocate undistributed earnings based upon a 1 to 0.9 ratio per share to Class A stock and Class B stock, respectively. We allocate undistributed earnings based on this ratio due to historical dividend patterns, voting control of Class B shareholders and contractual limitations of dividends to Class B stock.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Our business operations give rise to certain market risk exposures mostly due to changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We manage a portion of these risks through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily futures and options, to reduce our exposure to commodity price risk, foreign currency risk and interest rate risk. Forward contracts on various commodities, including grains, livestock and energy, are primarily entered into to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of these inputs used in our production processes. Foreign exchange forward contracts are entered into to manage the fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily as a result of certain receivable and payable balances. We also periodically utilize interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk associated with our variable-rate borrowings.
	Our risk management programs are periodically reviewed by our Board of Directors’ Audit Committee. These programs are monitored by senior management and may be revised as market conditions dictate. Our current risk management programs utilize industry-standard models that take into account the implicit cost of hedging. Risks associated with our market risks and those created by derivative instruments and the fair values are strictly monitored, using Value-at-Risk and stress tests. Credit risks associated with our derivative contracts are not significant as we minimize counterparty concentrations, utilize margin accounts or letters of credit, and deal with credit-worthy counterparties. Additionally, our derivative contracts are mostly short-term in duration and we generally do not make use of credit-risk-related contingent features. No significant concentrations of credit risk existed at March 28, 2015.
	We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, with the exception of normal purchases and normal sales expected to result in physical delivery. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we designate the hedging instrument based upon the exposure being hedged (i.e., cash flow hedge or fair value hedge). We qualify, or designate, a derivative financial instrument as a hedge when contract terms closely mirror those of the hedged item, providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. If a derivative instrument is accounted for as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument either will be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings, or be recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of an instrument’s change in fair value is recognized in earnings immediately. We designate certain forward contracts as follows:

	•	Cash Flow Hedges - include certain commodity forward and option contracts of forecasted purchases (i.e., grains) and certain foreign exchange forward contracts.

	•	Fair Value Hedges - include certain commodity forward contracts of firm commitments (i.e., livestock).
	Cash Flow Hedges
	Derivative instruments, such as futures and options, are designated as hedges against changes in the amount of future cash flows related to procurement of certain commodities utilized in our production processes. We do not purchase forward and option commodity contracts in excess of our physical consumption requirements and generally do not hedge forecasted transactions beyond 18 months. The objective of these hedges is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase of those commodities. For the derivative instruments we designate and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in earnings in the current period. Ineffectiveness related to our cash flow hedges was not significant for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014.
	We had the following aggregated notional values of outstanding forward and option contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges (in millions, except soy meal tons):


		Metric		March 28, 2015				September 27, 2014
	Commodity:
	Corn	Bushels		—				—

	Soy meal	Tons		2,300				2,300

	Foreign Currency	United States dollar		$	—			$	1

	As of March 28, 2015, the net amounts expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months are pretax losses of $2 million related to grains. During the three and six months ended March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014, we did not reclassify significant pretax gains/losses into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the probability the original forecasted transaction would not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within the additional period of time allowed by generally accepted accounting principles.
	The following table sets forth the pretax impact of cash flow hedge derivative instruments on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (in millions):


		Gain/(Loss)								Consolidated Condensed		Gain/(Loss)
		Recognized in OCI								Statements of Income		Reclassified from
		On Derivatives								Classification		OCI to Earnings
		Three Months Ended										Three Months Ended
		March 28,				March 29,						March 28,				March 29,
		2015				2014						2015				2014
	Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	$	(2	)		$	8			Cost of Sales		$	(1	)		$	(3	)

	Foreign exchange contracts	—				—				Other Income/Expense		—				—

	Total	$	(2	)		$	8					$	(1	)		$	(3	)


		Gain/(Loss)								Consolidated Condensed		Gain/(Loss)
		Recognized in OCI								Statements of Income		Reclassified from
		On Derivatives								Classification		OCI to Earnings
		Six Months Ended										Six Months Ended
		March 28,				March 29,						March 28,				March 29,
		2015				2014						2015				2014
	Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	$	(2	)		$	6			Cost of Sales		$	(4	)		$	(3	)

	Foreign exchange contracts	—				(1		)		Other Income/Expense		—				—

	Total	$	(2	)		$	5					$	(4	)		$	(3	)

	Fair Value Hedges
	We designate certain futures contracts as fair value hedges of firm commitments to purchase livestock for slaughter. Our objective of these hedges is to minimize the risk of changes in fair value created by fluctuations in commodity prices associated with fixed price livestock firm commitments. We had the following aggregated notional values of outstanding forward contracts entered into to hedge firm commitments which are accounted for as a fair value hedge (in millions):


		Metric		March 28, 2015			September 27, 2014
	Commodity:
	Live Cattle	Pounds		359			427

	Lean Hogs	Pounds		122			329

	For these derivative instruments we designate and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in earnings in the same period. We include the gain or loss on the hedged items (i.e., livestock purchase firm commitments) in the same line item, Cost of Sales, as the offsetting gain or loss on the related livestock forward position.


															in millions

	Consolidated Condensed		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	Statements of Income
	Classification		March 28,				March 29,				March 28,				March 29,
			2015				2014				2015				2014
Gain/(Loss) on forwards	Cost of Sales		$	32			$	(34	)		$	(8	)		$	(40	)

Gain/(Loss) on purchase contract	Cost of Sales		(32		)		34				8				40

Ineffectiveness related to our fair value hedges was not significant for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014.
Undesignated Positions
In addition to our designated positions, we also hold forward and option contracts for which we do not apply hedge accounting. These include certain derivative instruments related to commodities price risk, including grains, livestock, energy and foreign currency risk. We mark these positions to fair value through earnings at each reporting date. We generally do not enter into undesignated positions beyond 18 months.
The objective of our undesignated grains, livestock and energy commodity positions is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase of certain grains, energy and livestock inputs to our production processes. We also enter into certain forward sales of boxed beef and boxed pork and forward purchases of cattle and hogs at fixed prices. The fixed price sales contracts lock in the proceeds from a future sale and the fixed cattle and hog purchases lock in the cost. However, the cost of the livestock and the related boxed beef and boxed pork market prices at the time of the sale or purchase could vary from this fixed price. As we enter into fixed forward sales of boxed beef and boxed pork and forward purchases of cattle and hogs, we also enter into the appropriate number of livestock options and futures positions to mitigate a portion of this risk. Changes in market value of the open livestock options and futures positions are marked to market and reported in earnings at each reporting date, even though the economic impact of our fixed prices being above or below the market price is only realized at the time of sale or purchase. These positions generally do not qualify for hedge treatment due to location basis differences between the commodity exchanges and the actual locations when we purchase the commodities.

We have a foreign currency cash flow hedging program to hedge portions of forecasted transactions denominated in foreign currencies, primarily with forward and option contracts, to protect against the reduction in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows. Our undesignated foreign currency positions generally would qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. However, to reduce earnings volatility, we normally will not elect hedge accounting treatment when the position provides an offset to the underlying related transaction that impacts current earnings.
We had the following aggregate outstanding notional values related to our undesignated positions (in millions, except soy meal tons):


	Metric		March 28, 2015				September 27, 2014
Commodity:
Corn	Bushels		91				—

Soy Meal	Tons		247,100				195,800

Soy Oil	Pounds		5				3

Live Cattle	Pounds		91				22

Lean Hogs	Pounds		46				22

Foreign Currency	United States dollars		$	46			$	108

The following table sets forth the pretax impact of the undesignated derivative instruments on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (in millions):


	Consolidated Condensed		Gain/(Loss)								Gain/(Loss)
	Statements of Income		Recognized in Earnings								Recognized in Earnings
	Classification
			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			March 28, 2015				March 29, 2014				March 28, 2015				March 29, 2014
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Sales		$	(7	)		$	30			$	(8	)		$	32

Commodity contracts	Cost of Sales		(8		)		(40		)		(34		)		(42		)
Foreign exchange contracts	Other Income/Expense		(2		)		2				(4		)		1

Total			$	(17	)		$	(8	)		$	(46	)		$	(9	)
The following table sets forth the fair value of all derivative instruments outstanding in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions):


	Fair Value
	March 28, 2015				September 27, 2014
Derivative Assets:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	$	25			$	17

Foreign exchange contracts	—				—

Total derivative assets – designated	25				17


Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	21				42

Foreign exchange contracts	—				—

Total derivative assets – not designated	21				42

Total derivative assets	$	46			$	59

Derivative Liabilities:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	$	15			$	78

Foreign exchange contracts	—				—

Total derivative liabilities – designated	15				78

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	17				80

Foreign exchange contracts	2				2

Total derivative liabilities – not designated	19				82

Total derivative liabilities	$	34			$	160

Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. See Note 12: Fair Value Measurements for a reconciliation to amounts reported in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets in Other current assets and Other current liabilities.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy contains three levels as follows:
	Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
	Level 2 — Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:

	•	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

	•	Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets;

	•	Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

	•	Inputs derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.
	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.
	The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values (in millions):


	March 28, 2015	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Netting (a)				Total
	Assets:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	46		$	—		$	(23	)		$	23

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			—			—			—				—

	Available-for-Sale Securities:
	Current	—			2			—			—				2

	Non-current	20			29			63			—				112

	Deferred Compensation Assets	9			235			—			—				244

	Total Assets	$	29		$	312		$	63		$	(23	)		$	381

	Liabilities:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	32		$	—		$	(32	)		$	—

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			2			—			(1		)		1

	Total Liabilities	$	—		$	34		$	—		$	(33	)		$	1



	September 27, 2014	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Netting (a)				Total
	Assets:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	59		$	—		$	(50	)		$	9

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			—			—			—				—

	Available-for-Sale Securities:
	Current	—			1			—			—				1

	Non-current	1			24			67			—				92

	Deferred Compensation Assets	15			218			—			—				233

	Total Assets	$	16		$	302		$	67		$	(50	)		$	335

	Liabilities:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	158		$	—		$	(148	)		$	10

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			2			—			—				2

	Total Liabilities	$	—		$	160		$	—		$	(148	)		$	12



(a)	Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral, when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. At March 28, 2015 and September 27, 2014, we had posted with various counterparties $10 million and $98 million, respectively, of cash collateral related to our commodity derivatives and held no cash collateral.
The following table provides a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balance of debt securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions):


	Six Months Ended
	March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	67		$	65

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in earnings	—			—

Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—

Purchases	9			15

Issuances	—			—

Settlements	(13		)	(13		)
Balance at end of period	$	63		$	67

Total gains (losses) for the six-month period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at end of period	$	—		$	—

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Derivative Assets and Liabilities: Our commodities and foreign exchange forward contracts primarily include exchange-traded and over-the-counter contracts which are further described in Note 11: Derivative Financial Instruments. We record our commodity derivatives at fair value using quoted market prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk and internal models that use as their basis readily observable market inputs including current and forward commodity market prices. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices and spot and forward currency prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk. We classify these instruments in Level 2 when quoted market prices can be corroborated utilizing observable current and forward commodity market prices on active exchanges or observable market transactions of spot currency rates and forward currency prices.
Available-for-Sale Securities: Our investments in marketable debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value based on pricing models and quoted market prices adjusted for credit and non-performance risk. Short-term investments with maturities of less than 12 months are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets and primarily include certificates of deposit and commercial paper. All other marketable debt securities are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets and have maturities ranging up to 35 years. We classify our investments in U.S. government, U.S. agency, certificates of deposit and commercial paper debt securities as Level 2 as fair value is generally estimated using discounted cash flow models that are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value and yield curve as well as other readily available relevant economic measures. We classify certain corporate, asset-backed and other debt securities as Level 3 as there is limited activity or less observable inputs into valuation models, including current interest rates and estimated prepayment, default and recovery rates on the underlying portfolio or structured investment vehicle. Significant changes to assumptions or unobservable inputs in the valuation of our Level 3 instruments would not have a significant impact to our consolidated condensed financial statements.
The following table sets forth our available-for-sale securities' amortized cost basis, fair value and unrealized gain (loss) by significant investment category (in millions):


	March 28, 2015									September 27, 2014
	Amortized			Fair			Unrealized			Amortized				Fair			Unrealized
	Cost Basis			Value			Gain/(Loss)			Cost Basis				Value			Gain/(Loss)
Available-for-Sale Securities:
Debt Securities:
U.S. Treasury and Agency	$	31		$	31		$	—		$	25			$	25		$	—

Corporate and Asset-Backed	62			63			1			65				67			2

Equity Securities:
Common Stock (a)	—			20			20			1				1			—



(a)	At March 28, 2015 and September 27, 2014, the amortized cost basis for Equity Securities had been reduced by accumulated other than temporary impairment of nil and $2 million, respectively.
Unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax, are excluded from earnings and reported in OCI until the security is settled or sold. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate whether losses related to our available-for-sale securities are temporary in nature. Losses on equity securities are recognized in earnings if the decline in value is judged to be other than temporary. If losses related to our debt securities are determined to be other than temporary, the loss would be recognized in earnings if we intend, or more likely than not will be required, to sell the security prior to recovery. For debt securities in which we have the intent and ability to hold until maturity, losses determined to be other than temporary would remain in OCI, other than expected credit losses which are recognized in earnings. We consider many factors in determining whether a loss is temporary, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery. We recognized no other than temporary impairment in earnings for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015 and $6 million for the six months ended March 29, 2014, which was recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income in Other, net. No other than temporary losses were deferred in OCI as of March 28, 2015, and September 27, 2014.
Deferred Compensation Assets: We maintain non-qualified deferred compensation plans for certain executives and other highly compensated employees. Investments are maintained within a trust and include money market funds, mutual funds and life insurance policies. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies is invested primarily in mutual funds. The investments are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. We classify the investments which have observable market prices in active markets in Level 1 as these are generally publicly-traded mutual funds. The remaining deferred compensation assets are classified in Level 2, as fair value can be corroborated based on observable market data. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on deferred compensation are included in earnings.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. We did not have any significant measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition during the three and six months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014.
Other Financial Instruments
Fair value of our debt is principally estimated using Level 2 inputs based on quoted prices for those or similar instruments. Fair value and carrying value for our debt are as follows (in millions):


	March 28, 2015						September 27, 2014
	Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value
Total Debt	$	8,057		$	7,674		$	8,347		$	8,178

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
	The components of the net periodic cost for the pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are as follows (in millions):


		Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014

	Service cost	$	4		$	1		$	8		$	3

	Interest cost	21			2			42			4

	Expected return on plan assets	(25		)	(1		)	(50		)	(2		)
	Amortization of:

	Net actuarial loss	2			1			3			2

	Settlement loss	—			—			8			—

	Net periodic cost	$	2		$	3		$	11		$	7




		Postretirement Benefit Plans
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014

	Service cost	$	1		$	1		$	2		$	1

	Interest cost	1			1			3			2

	Net periodic cost	$	2		$	2		$	5		$	3

	We contributed $6 million and $9 million to our pension plans for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015, respectively. We contributed $3 million and $5 million to our pension plans for the three and six months ended March 29, 2014, respectively. We expect to contribute an additional $6 million during the remainder of fiscal 2015. The amount of contributions made to pension plans in any year is dependent upon a number of factors including minimum funding requirements in the jurisdictions in which we operate. As a result, the actual funding in fiscal 2015 may differ from the current estimate.

Other_Comprehensive_Income

Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	The before and after tax changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions):


		Three Months Ended																Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015									March 29, 2014							March 28, 2015									March 29, 2014
		Before Tax			Tax			After Tax			Before Tax		Tax			After Tax		Before Tax			Tax			After Tax			Before Tax			Tax			After Tax

	Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges:
	(Gain) loss reclassified to Cost of Sales	$	1		$	—		$	1		$	3	$	(1	)	$	2	$	4		$	(2	)	$	2		$	3		$	(1	)	$	2

	Unrealized gain (loss)	(2		)	—			(2		)	8		(3		)	5		(2		)	—			(2		)	5			(2		)	3


	Investments:
	(Gain) loss reclassified to Other Income/Expense	—			—			—			—		—			—		—			—			—			6			(2		)	4

	Unrealized gain (loss)	4			(2		)	2			—		—			—		19			(8		)	11			(1		)	—			(1		)


	Currency translation:
	Translation loss reclassified to Cost of Sales (a)	—			—			—			—		—			—		37			(1		)	36			—			—			—

	Translation adjustment	(27		)	2			(25		)	6		—			6		(64		)	9			(55		)	(5		)	—			(5		)


	Postretirement benefits	1			(1		)	—			1		(1		)	—		10			(3		)	7			2			—			2

	Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	(23	)	$	(1	)	$	(24	)	$	18	$	(5	)	$	13	$	4		$	(5	)	$	(1	)	$	10		$	(5	)	$	5


	(a) Translation loss reclassified to Cost of Sales related to disposition of a foreign operation, which is further described in Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	SEGMENT REPORTING
	We operate in five segments: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Prepared Foods and International. We measure segment profit as operating income (loss).
	Chicken: Chicken includes our domestic operations related to raising and processing live chickens into fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products, as well as sales from allied products. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets. This segment also includes logistics operations to move products through our domestic supply chain and the global operations of our chicken breeding stock subsidiary.
	Beef: Beef includes our operations related to processing live fed cattle and fabricating dressed beef carcasses into primal and sub-primal meat cuts and case-ready products. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets. This segment also includes sales from allied products such as hides and variety meats, as well as logistics operations to move products through the supply chain.
	Pork: Pork includes our operations related to processing live market hogs and fabricating pork carcasses into primal and sub-primal cuts and case-ready products. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets. This segment also includes our live swine group, related allied product processing activities and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain.
	Prepared Foods: Prepared Foods includes our operations related to manufacturing and marketing frozen and refrigerated food products and logistics operations to move products through the supply chain. Products primarily include pepperoni, bacon, sausage, beef and pork pizza toppings, pizza crusts, flour and corn tortilla products, appetizers, prepared meals, ethnic foods, soups, sauces, side dishes, meat dishes, breadsticks and processed meats. Products are marketed domestically to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains and noncommercial foodservice establishments such as schools, healthcare facilities, the military and other food processors, as well as to international export markets.
	In fiscal 2014, we acquired Hillshire Brands, a manufacturer and marketer of branded, convenient foods which includes brands such as Jimmy Dean®, Ball Park®, Hillshire Farm®, State Fair®, Van's®, Sara Lee® frozen bakery and Chef Pierre® pies as well as artisanal brands Aidells®, Gallo Salame®, and Golden Island® premium jerky. Hillshire Brands' results from operations are included in the Prepared Foods segment.
	International: International includes our foreign operations primarily related to raising and processing live chickens into fresh, frozen and value-added chicken products in Brazil, China, India and Mexico. Products are marketed in each respective country to food retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurant operators, hotel chains, noncommercial foodservice establishments and live markets, as well as to other international export markets.
	In fiscal 2014, we announced our plan to sell our Brazil and Mexico operations, part of our International segment, to JBS for $575 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. As further described in Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions, we sold the Brazil operation in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The sale of the Mexico operation is pending the necessary government approvals, and we expect to receive a decision during fiscal 2015. Subject to governmental approval and completion of the sale, we would realize a gain on the sale.
	The results from Dynamic Fuels are included in Other in fiscal 2014. We allocate expenses related to corporate activities to the segments, except for third-party merger and integration costs of $9 million and $24 million for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015, respectively, which is included in Other.
	Information on segments and a reconciliation to income before income taxes are as follows (in millions):


		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Sales:
	Chicken	$	2,829		$	2,842		$	5,609		$	5,498

	Beef	4,130			3,825			8,521			7,559

	Pork	1,204			1,487			2,744			2,911

	Prepared Foods	1,871			861			4,004			1,768

	International	222			328			527			655

	Other	—			—			—			—

	Intersegment Sales	(277		)	(311		)	(609		)	(598		)
	Total Sales	$	9,979		$	9,032		$	20,796		$	17,793


	Operating Income (Loss):
	Chicken	$	332		$	234		$	683		$	487

	Beef	(20		)	35			(26		)	93

	Pork	99			107			221			228

	Prepared Foods	160			21			231			37

	International	(15		)	(30		)	(29		)	(58		)
	Other	(9		)	(6		)	(24		)	(14		)
	Total Operating Income	547			361			1,056			773


	Total Other (Income) Expense	64			20			138			49


	Income before Income Taxes	$	483		$	341		$	918		$	724

	The Chicken segment had sales of $6 million and $2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, and sales of $7 million and $4 million in the first six months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The Beef segment had sales of $77 million and $67 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, and sales of $155 million and $130 million in the first six months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The Pork segment had sales of $194 million and $242 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, and sales of $447 million and $464 million in the first six months of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, from transactions with other operating segments of the Company. The aforementioned sales from intersegment transactions, which were at market prices, were included in the segment sales in the above table.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies	Mar. 28, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Commitments
	We guarantee obligations of certain outside third parties, consisting primarily of leases and grower loans, which are substantially collateralized by the underlying assets. Terms of the underlying debt cover periods up to 10 years, and the maximum potential amount of future payments as of March 28, 2015, was $53 million. We also maintain operating leases for various types of equipment, some of which contain residual value guarantees for the market value of the underlying leased assets at the end of the term of the lease. The remaining terms of the lease maturities cover periods over the next 13 years. The maximum potential amount of the residual value guarantees is $53 million, of which $46 million could be recoverable through various recourse provisions and an additional undeterminable recoverable amount based on the fair value of the underlying leased assets. The likelihood of material payments under these guarantees is not considered probable. At March 28, 2015, and September 27, 2014, no material liabilities for guarantees were recorded.
	We have cash flow assistance programs in which certain livestock suppliers participate. Under these programs, we pay an amount for livestock equivalent to a standard cost to grow such livestock during periods of low market sales prices. The amounts of such payments that are in excess of the market sales price are recorded as receivables and accrue interest. Participating suppliers are obligated to repay these receivables balances when market sales prices exceed this standard cost, or upon termination of the agreement. Our maximum obligation associated with these programs is limited to the fair value of each participating livestock supplier’s net tangible assets. The potential maximum obligation as of March 28, 2015, was approximately $320 million. The total receivables under these programs were $1 million and $4 million at March 28, 2015 and September 27, 2014, respectively. These receivables are included, net of allowance for uncollectible amounts, in Accounts Receivable in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. Even though these programs are limited to the net tangible assets of the participating livestock suppliers, we also manage a portion of our credit risk associated with these programs by obtaining security interests in livestock suppliers’ assets. After analyzing residual credit risks and general market conditions, we have no allowance for these programs’ estimated uncollectible receivables at March 28, 2015, and September 27, 2014.
	Contingencies
	We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings. We routinely assess the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes to those matters, as well as ranges of probable losses, to the extent losses are reasonably estimable. We record accruals for such matters to the extent that we conclude a loss is probable and the financial impact, should an adverse outcome occur, is reasonably estimable. Such accruals are reflected in the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements. In our opinion, we have made appropriate and adequate accruals for these matters and believe the probability of a material loss beyond the amounts accrued to be remote; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if accruals are not adequate, an adverse outcome could have a material effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Listed below are certain claims made against the Company and/or our subsidiaries for which the potential exposure is considered material to the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements. We believe we have substantial defenses to the claims made and intend to vigorously defend these matters.
	There are nine pending lawsuits involving our beef, pork and prepared foods plants, in which certain present and past employees allege that we failed to compensate them for the time it takes to engage in pre- and post-shift activities, such as changing into and out of protective and sanitary clothing and walking to and from the changing area, work areas and break areas in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and various state laws. The plaintiffs seek back wages, liquidated damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. Each case is proceeding in its jurisdiction.

	•	Garcia, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., D. Kansas, May 15, 2006 - After a trial involving our Garden City, Kansas beef plant, a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs was entered on March 17, 2011. Exclusive of pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, the jury found violations of federal and state laws for pre- and post-shift work activities and awarded damages in the amount of $503,011. Plaintiffs’ counsel filed an application for attorneys’ fees and expenses which we contested. On December 7, 2012, the court granted plaintiffs' counsel's application and awarded a total of $3,609,723. We appealed the jury’s verdict and trial court’s award to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appellate court affirmed the jury verdict and judgment and subsequently denied our petition for rehearing. We subsequently paid the judgment.

	•	Bouaphakeo (f/k/a Sharp), et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., N.D. Iowa, February 6, 2007 - A jury trial was held involving our Storm Lake, Iowa pork plant which resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs for violations of federal and state laws for pre- and post-shift work activities. The trial court also awarded the plaintiffs liquidated damages, resulting in total damages awarded in the amount of $5,784,758. The plaintiffs' counsel has also filed an application for attorneys' fees and expenses in the amount of $2,692,145. We appealed the jury's verdict and trial court's award to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appellate court affirmed the jury verdict and judgment on August 25, 2014, and we filed a petition for rehearing on September 22, 2014, which was denied. We filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on March 19, 2015.

	•	Acosta, et al. v Tyson Foods, Inc. dba Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., D. Nebraska, February 29, 2008 - A bench trial was held involving our Madison, Nebraska pork plant, in January 2013. In May 2013 the trial court awarded the plaintiffs $5,733,943 for unpaid overtime wages. Subsequently, the court ordered the class of plaintiffs expanded, and the plaintiffs submitted an updated calculation of $6,258,330 for unpaid overtime wages as reflected by payroll data through May 2013. On January 30, 2014, the trial court entered judgment in favor of the plaintiffs in the amount of $18,774,989, which represents a tripling of the plaintiffs’ alleged damages. The court denied our post-trial motions, and we appealed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument was held before the appellate court on January 15, 2015.

	•	Gomez, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., D. Nebraska, January 16, 2008 - A jury trial involving our Dakota City, Nebraska beef plant, was held, and the jury found in favor of the plaintiffs on April 3, 2013. On October 2, 2013, the trial court denied the parties’ post-trial motions and entered judgment awarding unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages, and penalties totaling $4,960,787. We appealed the jury’s verdict and trial court’s award to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument was held before the appellate court on January 15, 2015.

	•	Edwards, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. dba Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., S.D. Iowa, March 20, 2008 - The trial court in this case, which involves our Perry and Waterloo, Iowa pork plants, decertified the state law class and granted other pre-trial motions that resulted in judgment in our favor with respect to the plaintiffs’ claims. The plaintiffs have filed a motion to modify this judgment.

	•	Abdiaziz, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., D. Kansas, September 30, 2011 - This case involves our Emporia, Kansas beef plant, and was bifurcated from the case involving our Garden City, Kansas beef plant. The parties filed a joint motion for approval of a settlement, totaling $730,548 in back pay and attorneys’ fees and costs, which the court approved on March 30, 2015.

	•	Murray, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc., C.D. Illinois, January 2, 2008; and DeVoss v. Tyson Foods, Inc. d.b.a. Tyson Fresh Meats, C.D. Illinois, March 2, 2011 - These cases involve our Joslin, Illinois beef plant and are in their preliminary stages.

	•	Dozier, Southerland, et al. v. Hillshire Brands, Co., Inc. E.D. North Carolina, September 2, 2014 - This case involves our Tarboro, North Carolina prepared foods plant and is in its preliminary stages.

	•	Awad, et al. v. Tyson Foods, Inc. and Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., M.D. Tennessee, February 12, 2015 - This case involves our Goodlettsville, Tennessee case ready beef plant and is in its preliminary stages.
	Our subsidiary, The Hillshire Brands Company (formerly named Sara Lee Corporation), is a party to a consolidation of cases filed by individual complainants with the Republic of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) from 1998 through July 1999. The complaint is filed against Aris Philippines, Inc., Sara Lee Corporation, Sara Lee Philippines, Inc., Fashion Accessories Philippines, Inc., and Attorney Cesar C. Cruz (collectively, the “respondents”). The complaint alleges, among other things, that the respondents engaged in unfair labor practices in connection with the termination of manufacturing operations in the Philippines by Aris Philippines, Inc., a former subsidiary of The Hillshire Brands Company. In 2006, an arbitrator ruled against the respondents and awarded the complainants PHP3,453,664,710 (approximately US$77 million) in damages and fees. The respondents appealed the arbitrator’s ruling and it was subsequently set aside by the NLRC in December 2006. Subsequent to the NLRC’s decision, the parties filed numerous appeals, motions for reconsideration and petitions for review, certain of which remained outstanding for several years. While various of those appeals, motions and/or petitions were pending, The Hillshire Brands Company, on June 23, 2014, without admitting liability, filed a settlement motion requesting that the Supreme Court of the Philippines order dismissal with prejudice of all claims against it and its predecessors-in-interest in exchange for payments allocated by the court among the complainants in an amount not to exceed PHP342,287,800 (approximately US$8 million). While such settlement motion remained pending, however, the Supreme Court of the Philippines set aside as premature the NLRC’s December 2006 ruling. The respondents subsequently filed with the court a motion for reconsideration bringing to the court’s attention the settlement motion that was recently filed. Based in part on its finding that the consideration to be paid to the complainants as part of such settlement was insufficient, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, in a decision dated January 14, 2015, denied the respondents’ motion for reconsideration and the settlement motion. A motion seeking leave to file a second motion for reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s January 14, 2015 decision was filed on March 13, 2015 and remains pending before the court.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	TFM Parent, our wholly-owned subsidiary, has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2016 Notes. Additionally, TFM Parent has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 2022 Notes until such date TFM Parent has been released of its guarantee of both (i) Tyson's $1.25 billion revolving credit facility and (ii) the 2016 Notes, at which time TFM Parent's guarantee of the 2019, 2022, 2024, 2034 and 2044 Notes is permanently released. The following financial information presents condensed consolidating financial statements, which include Tyson Foods, Inc. (TFI Parent); TFM Parent; the Non-Guarantors Subsidiaries (Non-Guarantors) on a combined basis; the elimination entries necessary to consolidate TFI Parent, TFM Parent and the Non-Guarantors; and Tyson Foods, Inc. on a consolidated basis, and is provided as an alternative to providing separate financial statements for the guarantor.



	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 28, 2015																	in millions

		TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
		Parent				Parent				Guarantors
	Sales	$	221			$	5,252			$	4,977			$	(471	)		$	9,979

	Cost of Sales	17				5,122				4,321				(470		)		8,990

	Gross Profit	204				130				656				(1		)		989

	Selling, General and Administrative	32				59				352				(1		)		442

	Operating Income	172				71				304				—				547

	Other (Income) Expense:
	Interest expense, net	64				1				5				—				70

	Other, net	(1		)		(2		)		(3		)		—				(6		)

	Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(247		)		(50		)		—				297				—

	Total Other (Income) Expense	(184		)		(51		)		2				297				64

	Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	356				122				302				(297		)		483

	Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	46				24				102				—				172

	Net Income	310				98				200				(297		)		311

	Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				1				—				1

	Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	310			$	98			$	199			$	(297	)		$	310


	Comprehensive Income (Loss)	288				72				176				(249		)		287

	Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				1				—				1

	Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	288			$	72			$	175			$	(249	)		$	286





	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 29, 2014																	in millions

		TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
		Parent				Parent				Guarantors
	Sales	$	148			$	5,168			$	4,159			$	(443	)		$	9,032

	Cost of Sales	4				4,953				3,867				(443		)		8,381

	Gross Profit	144				215				292				—				651

	Selling, General and Administrative	28				57				205				—				290

	Operating Income	116				158				87				—				361

	Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	(15		)		34				3				—				22

Other, net	1				—				(3		)		—				(2		)

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(128		)		(6		)		—				134				—

Total Other (Income) Expense	(142		)		28				—				134				20

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	258				130				87				(134		)		341

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	45				44				42				—				131

Net Income	213				86				45				(134		)		210

Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(3		)		—				(3		)

Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	213			$	86			$	48			$	(134	)		$	213


Comprehensive Income (Loss)	224				91				51				(143		)		223

Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(3		)		—				(3		)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	224			$	91			$	54			$	(143	)		$	226





Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the six months ended March 28, 2015																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Sales	$	449			$	11,061			$	10,302			$	(1,016	)		$	20,796

Cost of Sales	36				10,784				9,043				(1,012		)		18,851

Gross Profit	413				277				1,259				(4		)		1,945

Selling, General and Administrative	66				120				707				(4		)		889

Operating Income	347				157				552				—				1,056

Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	133				1				11				—				145

Other, net	(2		)		(2		)		(3		)		—				(7		)

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(484		)		(88		)		—				572				—

Total Other (Income) Expense	(353		)		(89		)		8				572				138

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	700				246				544				(572		)		918

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	81				54				162				—				297

Net Income	619				192				382				(572		)		621

Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				2				—				2

Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	619			$	192			$	380			$	(572	)		$	619


Comprehensive Income (Loss)	620				176				362				(538		)		620

Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				2				—				2

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	620			$	176			$	360			$	(538	)		$	618





Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the six months ended March 29, 2014																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Sales	$	315			$	10,216			$	8,146			$	(884	)		$	17,793

Cost of Sales	21				9,779				7,541				(884		)		16,457

Gross Profit	294				437				605				—				1,336

Selling, General and Administrative	51				112				400				—				563

Operating Income	243				325				205				—				773

Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	(10		)		49				9				—				48

Other, net	7				(1		)		(5		)		—				1

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(303		)		(12		)		—				315				—

Total Other (Income) Expense	(306		)		36				4				315				49

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	549				289				201				(315		)		724

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	82				96				84				—				262

Net Income	467				193				117				(315		)		462

Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(5		)		—				(5		)

Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	467			$	193			$	122			$	(315	)		$	467


Comprehensive Income (Loss)	467				192				114				(306		)		467

Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(5		)		—				(5		)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	467			$	192			$	119			$	(306	)		$	472






Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 28, 2015																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	30			$	193			$	—			$	223

Accounts receivable, net	—				587				1,045				—				1,632

Inventories	—				1,405				1,857				—				3,262

Other current assets	35				62				280				(31		)		346

Assets held for sale	3				—				202				—				205

Total Current Assets	38				2,084				3,577				(31		)		5,668

Net Property, Plant and Equipment	27				965				4,286				—				5,278

Goodwill	—				881				5,808				—				6,689

Intangible Assets, net	—				13				5,210				—				5,223

Other Assets	162				154				352				—				668

Investment in Subsidiaries	21,365				2,115				—				(23,480		)		—

Total Assets	$	21,592			$	6,212			$	19,233			$	(23,511	)		$	23,526


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current debt	$	827			$	1			$	409			$	(1	)		$	1,236

Accounts payable	32				761				901				—				1,694

Other current liabilities	5,259				148				804				(5,139		)		1,072

Liabilities held for sale	—				—				49				—				49

Total Current Liabilities	6,118				910				2,163				(5,140		)		4,051

Long-Term Debt	5,932				1				505				—				6,438

Deferred Income Taxes	12				98				2,342				—				2,452

Other Liabilities	175				118				922				—				1,215


Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity	9,355				5,085				13,286				(18,371		)		9,355

Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				15				—				15

Total Shareholders’ Equity	9,355				5,085				13,301				(18,371		)		9,370

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	21,592			$	6,212			$	19,233			$	(23,511	)		$	23,526



Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2014																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	41			$	397			$	—			$	438

Accounts receivable, net	3				665				1,016				—				1,684

Inventories	—				1,272				2,002				—				3,274

Other current assets	42				78				379				(120		)		379

Assets held for sale	3				—				443				—				446

Total Current Assets	48				2,056				4,237				(120		)		6,221

Net Property, Plant and Equipment	30				932				4,168				—				5,130

Goodwill	—				881				5,825				—				6,706

Intangible Assets, net	—				15				5,261				—				5,276

Other Assets	204				148				326				(55		)		623

Investment in Subsidiaries	20,845				2,049				—				(22,894		)		—

Total Assets	$	21,127			$	6,081			$	19,817			$	(23,069	)		$	23,956


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current debt	$	240			$	—			$	403			$	—			$	643

Accounts payable	35				755				1,016				—				1,806

Other current liabilities	4,718				235				921				(4,667		)		1,207

Liabilities held for sale	—				—				141				—				141

Total Current Liabilities	4,993				990				2,481				(4,667		)		3,797

Long-Term Debt	7,056				2				532				(55		)		7,535

Deferred Income Taxes	21				96				2,333				—				2,450

Other Liabilities	167				125				978				—				1,270


Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity	8,890				4,868				13,479				(18,347		)		8,890

Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				14				—				14

Total Shareholders’ Equity	8,890				4,868				13,493				(18,347		)		8,904

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	21,127			$	6,081			$	19,817			$	(23,069	)		$	23,956



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 28, 2015																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	$	113			$	33			$	672			$	(10	)		$	808

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	—				(86		)		(349		)		—				(435		)

(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net	—				—				(2		)		—				(2		)

Proceeds from sale of businesses	—				—				142				—				142

Other, net	—				2				2				—				4

Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	—				(84		)		(207		)		—				(291		)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	(539		)		—				(1		)		—				(540		)

Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(150		)		—				—				—				(150		)

Dividends	(75		)		—				(10		)		10				(75		)

Stock options exercised	34				—				—				—				34

Other, net	4				—				6				—				10

Net change in intercompany balances	613				40				(653		)		—				—

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(113		)		40				(658		)		10				(721		)

Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash	—				—				(11		)		—				(11		)

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	—				(11		)		(204		)		—				(215		)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	—				41				397				—				438

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	—			$	30			$	193			$	—			$	223



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 29, 2014																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	$	10			$	129			$	171			$	(45	)		$	265

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(1		)		(67		)		(225		)		—				(293		)

(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net	—				—				(3		)		—				(3		)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				—				(56		)		—				(56		)

Other, net	—				1				7				—				8

Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	(1		)		(66		)		(277		)		—				(344		)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	(370		)		—				(6		)		—				(376		)

Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(275		)		—				—				—				(275		)

Dividends	(50		)		—				(45		)		45				(50		)

Stock options exercised	49				—				—				—				49

Other, net	19				—				—				—				19

Net change in intercompany balances	618				(64		)		(554		)		—				—

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(9		)		(64		)		(605		)		45				(633		)

Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash	—				—				5				—				5

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	—				(1		)		(706		)		—				(707		)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	—				21				1,124				—				1,145

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	—			$	20			$	418			$	—			$	438

Accounting_Policies_Policy

Accounting Policies (Policy)	6 Months Ended
Accounting Policies (Policy)	Mar. 28, 2015
Policy Text Block [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated condensed financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Tyson Foods, Inc. (“Tyson,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). Certain information and accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, these consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014. Preparation of consolidated condensed financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	We believe the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to state fairly our financial position as of March 28, 2015, and the results of operations for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015, and March 29, 2014. Results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
Consolidation	Consolidation
Consolidation	The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of all wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as majority-owned subsidiaries over which we exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which we have a controlling financial interest or variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance changing the criteria for recognizing revenue. The guidance provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The standard also requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either a retrospective approach or cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the standard. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, our fiscal 2018. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance changing the analysis procedures that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The new guidance affects the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities, (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest, (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination, (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination, and (5) certain investment funds. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, our fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, our fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories_Policy

Inventories (Policy)	6 Months Ended
Inventories (Policy)	Mar. 28, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	INVENTORIES
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Processed products, livestock and supplies and other are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes purchased raw materials, live purchase costs, growout costs (primarily feed, grower pay and catch and haul costs), labor and manufacturing and production overhead, which are related to the purchase and production of inventories.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Certain estimated values for the acquisition, including goodwill, intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and deferred taxes, are not yet finalized and the preliminary purchase price allocations are subject to change as we complete our analysis of the fair value at the date of acquisition. The purchase price was allocated based on information available at the acquisition date. During the first six months of fiscal 2015, we recorded measurement period adjustments, which reduced goodwill by $15 million, after obtaining additional information regarding, among other things, asset valuations and liabilities assumed. The amount was not considered material and therefore prior periods have not been revised.


		in millions
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	72

	Accounts receivable		236

	Inventories		414

	Other current assets		337

	Property, Plant and Equipment		1,301

	Goodwill		4,789

	Intangible Assets		5,141

	Other Assets		65

	Accounts payable		(347		)
	Other current liabilities		(326		)
	Long-Term Debt		(869		)
	Deferred Income Taxes		(2,072		)
	Other Liabilities		(497		)
	Net assets acquired		$	8,244

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in millions):


	Intangible Asset Category		Type		Life in Years		Fair Value
	Brands & trademarks		Non-amortizable		Indefinite		$	4,062

	Brands & trademarks		Amortizable		20 years		532

	Customer relationships		Amortizable		Weighted average life of 16 years		541

	Non-compete agreements		Amortizable		One year		6

	Total identifiable intangible assets						$	5,141

Schedule of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in millions):


	Intangible Asset Category		Type		Life in Years		Fair Value
	Brands & trademarks		Non-amortizable		Indefinite		$	4,062

	Brands & trademarks		Amortizable		20 years		532

	Customer relationships		Amortizable		Weighted average life of 16 years		541

	Non-compete agreements		Amortizable		One year		6

	Total identifiable intangible assets						$	5,141

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	The pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the acquisition occurred on the assumed date, nor is it necessarily an indication of future operating results. The pro forma results for the six months ended March 29, 2014 include a nonrecurring tax benefit of $46 million recognized by Hillshire Brands primarily related to the release of valuation allowances on state deferred tax assets.


	in millions	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		29-Mar-14				29-Mar-14
	Pro forma sales	$	9,970			$	19,787

	Pro forma net income from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$	223			$	561

	Pro forma net income per diluted share from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$	0.53			$	1.34

Summary of Net Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale	The following table summarizes the net assets and liabilities held for sale (in millions):


		28-Mar-15				27-Sep-14
	Assets held for sale:
	Accounts receivable, net	$	17			$	74

	Inventories	76				141

	Other current assets	15				72

	Net property, plant and equipment	75				132

	Goodwill	14				16

	Other assets	8				11

	Total assets held for sale	$	205			$	446

	Liabilities held for sale:
	Current debt	$	—			$	32

	Accounts payable	25				61

	Other current liabilities	14				27

	Long-term debt	—				9

	Deferred income taxes	10				12

	Total liabilities held for sale	$	49			$	141

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	The following table reflects the major components of inventory (in millions):


		March 28, 2015		September 27, 2014
	Processed products	$	1,788	$	1,794

	Livestock	1,060		1,066

	Supplies and other	414		414

	Total inventory	$	3,262	$	3,274

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_T

Property, Plant And Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property, Plant And Equipment And Accumulated Depreciation	The major categories of property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation are as follows (in millions):


		March 28, 2015		September 27, 2014

	Land	$	128	$	126

	Buildings and leasehold improvements	3,578		3,501

	Machinery and equipment	6,322		6,144

	Land improvements and other	281		276

	Buildings and equipment under construction	444		334

		10,753		10,381

	Less accumulated depreciation	5,475		5,251

	Net property, plant and equipment	$	5,278	$	5,130

Other_Current_Liabilities_Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Schedule Of Other Current Liabilities	Other current liabilities are as follows (in millions):


		March 28, 2015		September 27, 2014
	Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	$	393	$	490

	Other	679		717

	Total other current liabilities	$	1,072	$	1,207

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Schedule of Major Components Of Debt	The major components of debt are as follows (in millions):


		March 28, 2015			September 27, 2014
	Revolving credit facility	$	175		$	—

	Senior notes:
	2.75% Senior notes due September 2015 (2015 Notes)	403			407

	6.60% Senior notes due April 2016 (2016 Notes)	638			638

	7.00% Notes due May 2018	120			120

	2.65% Notes due August 2019 (2019 Notes)	1,000			1,000

	4.10% Notes due September 2020 (2020 Notes)	286			287

	4.50% Senior notes due June 2022 (2022 Notes)	1,000			1,000

	3.95% Notes due August 2024 (2024 Notes)	1,250			1,250

	7.00% Notes due January 2028	18			18

	6.13% Notes due November 2032 (2032 Notes)	164			164

	4.88% Notes due August 2034 (2034 Notes)	500			500

	5.15% Notes due August 2044 (2044 Notes)	500			500

	Discount on senior notes	(10		)	(12		)
	Term loan facility:
	3-year tranche A (1.56% at 03/28/2015)	842			1,172

	5-year tranche A	—			353

	5-year tranche B (1.69% at 03/28/2015)	552			552

	Amortizing Notes - Tangible Equity Units (see Note 7: Equity)	175			205

	Other	61			24

	Total debt	7,674			8,178

	Less current debt	1,236			643

	Total long-term debt	$	6,438		$	7,535

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Share Repurchase	A summary of cumulative share repurchases of our Class A stock is as follows (in millions):


			Three Months Ended										Six Months Ended
			March 28, 2015					March 29, 2014					March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014
			Shares		Dollars			Shares			Dollars		Shares	Dollars		Shares	Dollars
	Shares repurchased:
	Under share repurchase program		1.3		$	50		2.5			$	100	3.3	$	131	7.1	$	250

	To fund certain obligations under equity compensation plans		0.2		9			0.4			16		0.4	19		0.7	25

	Total share repurchases		1.5		$	59		2.9			$	116	3.7	$	150	7.8	$	275

Schedule of Tangible Equity Units	The aggregate values assigned upon issuance of each component of the TEUs, based on the relative fair value of the respective components of each TEU, were as follows (in millions, except price per TEU):


		Equity Component			Debt Component			Total
	Price per TEU	$	43.17		$	6.83		$	50

	Gross Proceeds	1,295			205			1,500

	Issuance cost	(40		)	(6		)	(46		)
	Net proceeds	$	1,255		$	199		$	1,454

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in millions, except per share data):


		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015		March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015		March 29, 2014
	Numerator:
	Net Income	$	311	$	210		$	621	$	462

	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		(3		)	2		(5		)

	Net income attributable to Tyson	310		213			619		467

	Less dividends declared:
	Class A	31		20			69		48

	Class B	6		5			14		11

	Undistributed earnings	$	273	$	188		$	536	$	408


	Class A undistributed earnings	$	230	$	153		$	451	$	332

	Class B undistributed earnings	43		35			85		76

	Total undistributed earnings	$	273	$	188		$	536	$	408

	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic earnings per share:
	Class A weighted average shares	334		273			335		272

	Class B weighted average shares, and shares under the if-converted method for diluted earnings per share	70		70			70		70

	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock	5		6			5		5

	Tangible Equity Units	6		—			6		—

	Warrants	—		7			—		8

	Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions	415		356			416		355


	Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
	Class A Basic	$	0.78	$	0.64		$	1.55	$	1.4

	Class B Basic	$	0.71	$	0.58		$	1.42	$	1.26

	Diluted	$	0.75	$	0.6		$	1.49	$	1.32

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Schedule Of Derivative Instruments In Statement Of Financial Position, Fair Value	The following table sets forth the fair value of all derivative instruments outstanding in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions):


		Fair Value
		March 28, 2015				September 27, 2014
	Derivative Assets:
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	$	25			$	17

	Foreign exchange contracts	—				—

	Total derivative assets – designated	25				17


	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	21				42

	Foreign exchange contracts	—				—

	Total derivative assets – not designated	21				42

	Total derivative assets	$	46			$	59

	Derivative Liabilities:
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	$	15			$	78

	Foreign exchange contracts	—				—

	Total derivative liabilities – designated	15				78

	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	17				80

	Foreign exchange contracts	2				2

	Total derivative liabilities – not designated	19				82

	Total derivative liabilities	$	34			$	160

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Schedule Of Notional Amount Of Derivatives	We had the following aggregated notional values of outstanding forward and option contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges (in millions, except soy meal tons):


		Metric		March 28, 2015				September 27, 2014
	Commodity:
	Corn	Bushels		—				—

	Soy meal	Tons		2,300				2,300

	Foreign Currency	United States dollar		$	—			$	1

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth the pretax impact of cash flow hedge derivative instruments on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (in millions):


		Gain/(Loss)								Consolidated Condensed	Gain/(Loss)
		Recognized in OCI								Statements of Income	Reclassified from
		On Derivatives								Classification	OCI to Earnings
		Three Months Ended									Three Months Ended
		March 28,				March 29,					March 28,			March 29,
		2015				2014					2015			2014
	Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	$	(2	)		$	8			Cost of Sales	$	(1	)	$	(3	)

	Foreign exchange contracts	—				—				Other Income/Expense	—			—

	Total	$	(2	)		$	8				$	(1	)	$	(3	)


		Gain/(Loss)								Consolidated Condensed	Gain/(Loss)
		Recognized in OCI								Statements of Income	Reclassified from
		On Derivatives								Classification	OCI to Earnings
		Six Months Ended									Six Months Ended
		March 28,				March 29,					March 28,			March 29,
		2015				2014					2015			2014
	Cash Flow Hedge – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	$	(2	)		$	6			Cost of Sales	$	(4	)	$	(3	)

	Foreign exchange contracts	—				(1		)		Other Income/Expense	—			—

	Total	$	(2	)		$	5				$	(4	)	$	(3	)

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Schedule Of Notional Amount Of Derivatives	We had the following aggregated notional values of outstanding forward contracts entered into to hedge firm commitments which are accounted for as a fair value hedge (in millions):


		Metric		March 28, 2015			September 27, 2014
	Commodity:
	Live Cattle	Pounds		359			427

	Lean Hogs	Pounds		122			329

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]

														in millions

		Consolidated Condensed		Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
		Statements of Income
		Classification		March 28,				March 29,			March 28,			March 29,
				2015				2014			2015			2014
	Gain/(Loss) on forwards	Cost of Sales		$	32			$	(34	)	$	(8	)	$	(40	)

	Gain/(Loss) on purchase contract	Cost of Sales		(32		)		34			8			40

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Schedule Of Notional Amount Of Derivatives	We had the following aggregate outstanding notional values related to our undesignated positions (in millions, except soy meal tons):


		Metric		March 28, 2015				September 27, 2014
	Commodity:
	Corn	Bushels		91				—

	Soy Meal	Tons		247,100				195,800

	Soy Oil	Pounds		5				3

	Live Cattle	Pounds		91				22

	Lean Hogs	Pounds		46				22

	Foreign Currency	United States dollars		$	46			$	108

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth the pretax impact of the undesignated derivative instruments on the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (in millions):


		Consolidated Condensed		Gain/(Loss)							Gain/(Loss)
		Statements of Income		Recognized in Earnings							Recognized in Earnings
		Classification
				Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
				March 28, 2015				March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	Sales		$	(7	)		$	30		$	(8	)	$	32

	Commodity contracts	Cost of Sales		(8		)		(40		)	(34		)	(42		)
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other Income/Expense		(2		)		2			(4		)	1

	Total			$	(17	)		$	(8	)	$	(46	)	$	(9	)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis	The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values (in millions):


	March 28, 2015	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Netting (a)			Total
	Assets:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	46		$	—	$	(23	)	$	23

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			—			—		—			—

	Available-for-Sale Securities:
	Current	—			2			—		—			2

	Non-current	20			29			63		—			112

	Deferred Compensation Assets	9			235			—		—			244

	Total Assets	$	29		$	312		$	63	$	(23	)	$	381

	Liabilities:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	32		$	—	$	(32	)	$	—

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			2			—		(1		)	1

	Total Liabilities	$	—		$	34		$	—	$	(33	)	$	1



	September 27, 2014	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Netting (a)			Total
	Assets:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	59		$	—	$	(50	)	$	9

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			—			—		—			—

	Available-for-Sale Securities:
	Current	—			1			—		—			1

	Non-current	1			24			67		—			92

	Deferred Compensation Assets	15			218			—		—			233

	Total Assets	$	16		$	302		$	67	$	(50	)	$	335

	Liabilities:
	Commodity Derivatives	$	—		$	158		$	—	$	(148	)	$	10

	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts	—			2			—		—			2

	Total Liabilities	$	—		$	160		$	—	$	(148	)	$	12



	(a)	Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral, when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. At March 28, 2015 and September 27, 2014, we had posted with various counterparties $10 million and $98 million, respectively, of cash collateral related to our commodity derivatives and held no cash collateral.
Schedule Of Debt Securities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following table provides a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balance of debt securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions):


		Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Balance at beginning of year	$	67		$	65

	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
	Included in earnings	—			—

	Included in other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—

	Purchases	9			15

	Issuances	—			—

	Settlements	(13		)	(13		)
	Balance at end of period	$	63		$	67

	Total gains (losses) for the six-month period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at end of period	$	—		$	—

Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities	The following table sets forth our available-for-sale securities' amortized cost basis, fair value and unrealized gain (loss) by significant investment category (in millions):


		March 28, 2015								September 27, 2014
		Amortized			Fair			Unrealized		Amortized			Fair		Unrealized
		Cost Basis			Value			Gain/(Loss)		Cost Basis			Value		Gain/(Loss)
	Available-for-Sale Securities:
	Debt Securities:
	U.S. Treasury and Agency	$	31		$	31		$	—	$	25		$	25	$	—

	Corporate and Asset-Backed	62			63			1		65			67		2

	Equity Securities:
	Common Stock (a)	—			20			20		1			1		—



	(a)	At March 28, 2015 and September 27, 2014, the amortized cost basis for Equity Securities had been reduced by accumulated other than temporary impairment of nil and $2 million, respectively.
Schedule Of Fair Value And Carrying Value Of Debt	Fair value of our debt is principally estimated using Level 2 inputs based on quoted prices for those or similar instruments. Fair value and carrying value for our debt are as follows (in millions):


		March 28, 2015						September 27, 2014
		Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value		Carrying Value
	Total Debt	$	8,057		$	7,674		$	8,347	$	8,178

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	The components of the net periodic cost for the pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three and six months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are as follows (in millions):


		Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014

	Service cost	$	4		$	1		$	8		$	3

	Interest cost	21			2			42			4

	Expected return on plan assets	(25		)	(1		)	(50		)	(2		)
	Amortization of:

	Net actuarial loss	2			1			3			2

	Settlement loss	—			—			8			—

	Net periodic cost	$	2		$	3		$	11		$	7




		Postretirement Benefit Plans
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014

	Service cost	$	1		$	1		$	2		$	1

	Interest cost	1			1			3			2

	Net periodic cost	$	2		$	2		$	5		$	3

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Components Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The before and after tax changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions):


		Three Months Ended																Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015									March 29, 2014							March 28, 2015									March 29, 2014
		Before Tax			Tax			After Tax			Before Tax		Tax			After Tax		Before Tax			Tax			After Tax			Before Tax			Tax			After Tax

	Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges:
	(Gain) loss reclassified to Cost of Sales	$	1		$	—		$	1		$	3	$	(1	)	$	2	$	4		$	(2	)	$	2		$	3		$	(1	)	$	2

	Unrealized gain (loss)	(2		)	—			(2		)	8		(3		)	5		(2		)	—			(2		)	5			(2		)	3


	Investments:
	(Gain) loss reclassified to Other Income/Expense	—			—			—			—		—			—		—			—			—			6			(2		)	4

	Unrealized gain (loss)	4			(2		)	2			—		—			—		19			(8		)	11			(1		)	—			(1		)


	Currency translation:
	Translation loss reclassified to Cost of Sales (a)	—			—			—			—		—			—		37			(1		)	36			—			—			—

	Translation adjustment	(27		)	2			(25		)	6		—			6		(64		)	9			(55		)	(5		)	—			(5		)


	Postretirement benefits	1			(1		)	—			1		(1		)	—		10			(3		)	7			2			—			2

	Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$	(23	)	$	(1	)	$	(24	)	$	18	$	(5	)	$	13	$	4		$	(5	)	$	(1	)	$	10		$	(5	)	$	5


	(a) Translation loss reclassified to Cost of Sales related to disposition of a foreign operation, which is further described in Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information, By Segment	Information on segments and a reconciliation to income before income taxes are as follows (in millions):


		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014			March 28, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Sales:
	Chicken	$	2,829		$	2,842		$	5,609		$	5,498

	Beef	4,130			3,825			8,521			7,559

	Pork	1,204			1,487			2,744			2,911

	Prepared Foods	1,871			861			4,004			1,768

	International	222			328			527			655

	Other	—			—			—			—

	Intersegment Sales	(277		)	(311		)	(609		)	(598		)
	Total Sales	$	9,979		$	9,032		$	20,796		$	17,793


	Operating Income (Loss):
	Chicken	$	332		$	234		$	683		$	487

	Beef	(20		)	35			(26		)	93

	Pork	99			107			221			228

	Prepared Foods	160			21			231			37

	International	(15		)	(30		)	(29		)	(58		)
	Other	(9		)	(6		)	(24		)	(14		)
	Total Operating Income	547			361			1,056			773


	Total Other (Income) Expense	64			20			138			49


	Income before Income Taxes	$	483		$	341		$	918		$	724

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Income and Comprehensive Income


	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 28, 2015																	in millions

		TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
		Parent				Parent				Guarantors
	Sales	$	221			$	5,252			$	4,977			$	(471	)		$	9,979

	Cost of Sales	17				5,122				4,321				(470		)		8,990

	Gross Profit	204				130				656				(1		)		989

	Selling, General and Administrative	32				59				352				(1		)		442

	Operating Income	172				71				304				—				547

	Other (Income) Expense:
	Interest expense, net	64				1				5				—				70

	Other, net	(1		)		(2		)		(3		)		—				(6		)

	Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(247		)		(50		)		—				297				—

	Total Other (Income) Expense	(184		)		(51		)		2				297				64

	Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	356				122				302				(297		)		483

	Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	46				24				102				—				172

	Net Income	310				98				200				(297		)		311

	Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				1				—				1

	Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	310			$	98			$	199			$	(297	)		$	310


	Comprehensive Income (Loss)	288				72				176				(249		)		287

	Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				1				—				1

	Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	288			$	72			$	175			$	(249	)		$	286





	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 29, 2014																	in millions

		TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
		Parent				Parent				Guarantors
	Sales	$	148			$	5,168			$	4,159			$	(443	)		$	9,032

	Cost of Sales	4				4,953				3,867				(443		)		8,381

	Gross Profit	144				215				292				—				651

	Selling, General and Administrative	28				57				205				—				290

	Operating Income	116				158				87				—				361

	Other (Income) Expense:
	Interest expense, net	(15		)		34				3				—				22

Other, net	1				—				(3		)		—				(2		)

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(128		)		(6		)		—				134				—

Total Other (Income) Expense	(142		)		28				—				134				20

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	258				130				87				(134		)		341

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	45				44				42				—				131

Net Income	213				86				45				(134		)		210

Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(3		)		—				(3		)

Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	213			$	86			$	48			$	(134	)		$	213


Comprehensive Income (Loss)	224				91				51				(143		)		223

Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(3		)		—				(3		)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	224			$	91			$	54			$	(143	)		$	226





Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the six months ended March 28, 2015																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Sales	$	449			$	11,061			$	10,302			$	(1,016	)		$	20,796

Cost of Sales	36				10,784				9,043				(1,012		)		18,851

Gross Profit	413				277				1,259				(4		)		1,945

Selling, General and Administrative	66				120				707				(4		)		889

Operating Income	347				157				552				—				1,056

Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	133				1				11				—				145

Other, net	(2		)		(2		)		(3		)		—				(7		)

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(484		)		(88		)		—				572				—

Total Other (Income) Expense	(353		)		(89		)		8				572				138

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	700				246				544				(572		)		918

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	81				54				162				—				297

Net Income	619				192				382				(572		)		621

Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				2				—				2

Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	619			$	192			$	380			$	(572	)		$	619


Comprehensive Income (Loss)	620				176				362				(538		)		620

Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				2				—				2

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	620			$	176			$	360			$	(538	)		$	618





Condensed Consolidating Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the six months ended March 29, 2014																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Sales	$	315			$	10,216			$	8,146			$	(884	)		$	17,793

Cost of Sales	21				9,779				7,541				(884		)		16,457

Gross Profit	294				437				605				—				1,336

Selling, General and Administrative	51				112				400				—				563

Operating Income	243				325				205				—				773

Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	(10		)		49				9				—				48

Other, net	7				(1		)		(5		)		—				1

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(303		)		(12		)		—				315				—

Total Other (Income) Expense	(306		)		36				4				315				49

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	549				289				201				(315		)		724

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	82				96				84				—				262

Net Income	467				193				117				(315		)		462

Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(5		)		—				(5		)

Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$	467			$	193			$	122			$	(315	)		$	467


Comprehensive Income (Loss)	467				192				114				(306		)		467

Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				(5		)		—				(5		)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Tyson	$	467			$	192			$	119			$	(306	)		$	472

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 28, 2015																	in millions

		TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
		Parent				Parent				Guarantors
	Assets
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	30			$	193			$	—			$	223

	Accounts receivable, net	—				587				1,045				—				1,632

	Inventories	—				1,405				1,857				—				3,262

	Other current assets	35				62				280				(31		)		346

	Assets held for sale	3				—				202				—				205

	Total Current Assets	38				2,084				3,577				(31		)		5,668

	Net Property, Plant and Equipment	27				965				4,286				—				5,278

	Goodwill	—				881				5,808				—				6,689

	Intangible Assets, net	—				13				5,210				—				5,223

	Other Assets	162				154				352				—				668

	Investment in Subsidiaries	21,365				2,115				—				(23,480		)		—

	Total Assets	$	21,592			$	6,212			$	19,233			$	(23,511	)		$	23,526


	Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
	Current Liabilities:
	Current debt	$	827			$	1			$	409			$	(1	)		$	1,236

	Accounts payable	32				761				901				—				1,694

	Other current liabilities	5,259				148				804				(5,139		)		1,072

	Liabilities held for sale	—				—				49				—				49

	Total Current Liabilities	6,118				910				2,163				(5,140		)		4,051

	Long-Term Debt	5,932				1				505				—				6,438

	Deferred Income Taxes	12				98				2,342				—				2,452

	Other Liabilities	175				118				922				—				1,215


	Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity	9,355				5,085				13,286				(18,371		)		9,355

	Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				15				—				15

	Total Shareholders’ Equity	9,355				5,085				13,301				(18,371		)		9,370

	Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	21,592			$	6,212			$	19,233			$	(23,511	)		$	23,526



	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2014																	in millions

	TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
	Parent				Parent				Guarantors
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—			$	41			$	397			$	—			$	438

Accounts receivable, net	3				665				1,016				—				1,684

Inventories	—				1,272				2,002				—				3,274

Other current assets	42				78				379				(120		)		379

Assets held for sale	3				—				443				—				446

Total Current Assets	48				2,056				4,237				(120		)		6,221

Net Property, Plant and Equipment	30				932				4,168				—				5,130

Goodwill	—				881				5,825				—				6,706

Intangible Assets, net	—				15				5,261				—				5,276

Other Assets	204				148				326				(55		)		623

Investment in Subsidiaries	20,845				2,049				—				(22,894		)		—

Total Assets	$	21,127			$	6,081			$	19,817			$	(23,069	)		$	23,956


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current debt	$	240			$	—			$	403			$	—			$	643

Accounts payable	35				755				1,016				—				1,806

Other current liabilities	4,718				235				921				(4,667		)		1,207

Liabilities held for sale	—				—				141				—				141

Total Current Liabilities	4,993				990				2,481				(4,667		)		3,797

Long-Term Debt	7,056				2				532				(55		)		7,535

Deferred Income Taxes	21				96				2,333				—				2,450

Other Liabilities	167				125				978				—				1,270


Total Tyson Shareholders’ Equity	8,890				4,868				13,479				(18,347		)		8,890

Noncontrolling Interest	—				—				14				—				14

Total Shareholders’ Equity	8,890				4,868				13,493				(18,347		)		8,904

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	21,127			$	6,081			$	19,817			$	(23,069	)		$	23,956

Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 28, 2015																	in millions

		TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
		Parent				Parent				Guarantors
	Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	$	113			$	33			$	672			$	(10	)		$	808

	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	—				(86		)		(349		)		—				(435		)

	(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net	—				—				(2		)		—				(2		)

	Proceeds from sale of businesses	—				—				142				—				142

	Other, net	—				2				2				—				4

	Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	—				(84		)		(207		)		—				(291		)

	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Net change in debt	(539		)		—				(1		)		—				(540		)

	Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(150		)		—				—				—				(150		)

	Dividends	(75		)		—				(10		)		10				(75		)

	Stock options exercised	34				—				—				—				34

	Other, net	4				—				6				—				10

	Net change in intercompany balances	613				40				(653		)		—				—

	Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(113		)		40				(658		)		10				(721		)

	Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash	—				—				(11		)		—				(11		)

	Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	—				(11		)		(204		)		—				(215		)

	Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	—				41				397				—				438

	Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	—			$	30			$	193			$	—			$	223



	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 29, 2014																	in millions

		TFI				TFM				Non-				Eliminations				Total
		Parent				Parent				Guarantors
	Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	$	10			$	129			$	171			$	(45	)		$	265

	Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment	(1		)		(67		)		(225		)		—				(293		)

	(Purchases of)/Proceeds from marketable securities, net	—				—				(3		)		—				(3		)

	Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				—				(56		)		—				(56		)

	Other, net	—				1				7				—				8

	Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	(1		)		(66		)		(277		)		—				(344		)

	Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
	Net change in debt	(370		)		—				(6		)		—				(376		)

Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	(275		)		—				—				—				(275		)

Dividends	(50		)		—				(45		)		45				(50		)

Stock options exercised	49				—				—				—				49

Other, net	19				—				—				—				19

Net change in intercompany balances	618				(64		)		(554		)		—				—

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	(9		)		(64		)		(605		)		45				(633		)

Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash	—				—				5				—				5

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	—				(1		)		(706		)		—				(707		)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	—				21				1,124				—				1,145

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	—			$	20			$	418			$	—			$	438

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_1

Acquisitions and Dispositions Preliminary Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed at Acquisition Date (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Aug. 28, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Aug. 28, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$6,689	$6,706
Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			72
Accounts receivable			236
Inventories			414
Other current assets			337
Property, Plant, and Equipment			1,301
Goodwill			4,789
Intangible Assets			5,141
Other Assets			65
Accounts payable			-347
Other current liabilities			-326
Long-term Debt			-869
Deferred Income taxes			-2,072
Other Liabilities			-497
Net asset acquired			$8,244

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_2

Acquisitions and Dispositions Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination (Details) (Hillshire Brands Company [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 28, 2014
Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Line Items]
Total identifiable intangible assets	$5,141
Trademarks [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Line Items]
Fair Value, Finite-lived Intangible Assets	532
Life in Years	20 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Line Items]
Fair Value, Finite-lived Intangible Assets	541
Life in Years	16 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Line Items]
Fair Value, Finite-lived Intangible Assets	6
Life in Years	1 year
Trademarks [Member]
Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Line Items]
Fair Value, Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	$4,062

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_3

Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisition Pro Forma information (Details) (Hillshire Brands Company [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014
Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma sales	$9,970	$19,787
Pro forma net income from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$223	$561
Pro Forma net income per diluted share from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	$0.53	$1.34

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_4

Acquisitions and Dispositions Summary of Assets Held for Sale (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total assets held for sale	$205	$446
Liabilities held for sale	49	141
International [Member] \| Chicken Production Operations in Mexico [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	17
Inventories	76
Other current assets	15
Net property, plant and equipment	75
Goodwill	14
Other assets	8
Total assets held for sale	205
Current debt	0
Accounts payable	25
Other current liabilities	14
Long-term debt	0
Deferred income taxes	10
Liabilities held for sale	49
International [Member] \| Chicken Production Operations in Brazil and Mexico [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net		74
Inventories		141
Other current assets		72
Net property, plant and equipment		132
Goodwill		16
Other assets		11
Total assets held for sale		446
Current debt		32
Accounts payable		61
Other current liabilities		27
Long-term debt		9
Deferred income taxes		12
Liabilities held for sale		$141

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Aug. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Aug. 28, 2014	business	Sep. 27, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$6,689				$6,706
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	56
Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price per share of acquired entity's common stock			$63
Purchase Price			8,081
Breakage costs incurred related to previously proposed acquisition			163
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	15
Goodwill			4,789
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Adjustments		46
Property, Plant, and Equipment			1,301
Intangible Assets			5,141
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		18		18
Number of Businesses Acquired				1
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired				56
Property, Plant, and Equipment		12		12
Intangible Assets		$27		$27

Dispositions_Details

Dispositions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
	Facilities	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Prepared Foods [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Plants Closed	3
Prepared Foods [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	52
Chicken Production Operations in Brazil and Mexico [Member] \| International [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Consideration	575	575
Chicken Production Operations in Brazil [Member] \| International [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Consideration				130
Asset Impairment Charges		39
Dynamic Fuels Deconsolidation [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Future Contingent Consideration, Period of production volumes	11 years 6 months
Guarantor Obligations Release of Guarantees	100
Dynamic Fuels Deconsolidation [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	30
Future Contingent Cash Payment	35
Dynamic Fuels Deconsolidation [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business			3
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Chicken Production Operations in Brazil [Member] \| International [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Consideration					$23

Inventories_Schedule_Of_Invent

Inventories (Schedule Of Inventory) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Processed products	$1,788	$1,794
Livestock	1,060	1,066
Supplies and other	414	414
Total inventories	$3,262	$3,274

Inventories_Narrative_Details

Inventories (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of FIFO Inventory	68.00%	66.00%

Property_Plant_And_Equipment_D

Property, Plant And Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$10,753	$10,381
Less accumulated depreciation	5,475	5,251
Net property, plant and equipment	5,278	5,130
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	128	126
Buildings And Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,578	3,501
Machinery And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	6,322	6,144
Land Improvements And Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	281	276
Buildings And Equipment Under Construction [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$444	$334

Other_Current_Liabilities_Sche

Other Current Liabilities (Schedule of Other Current Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	$393	$490
Other	679	717
Total other current liabilities	$1,072	$1,207

Debt_Major_Components_Of_Debt_

Debt (Major Components Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility		$175	$0
Discount on senior notes		-10	-12
Amortizing Notes- Tangible Equity Units		175	205
Other		61	24
Total debt		7,674	8,178
Less current debt		1,236	643
Total long-term debt		6,438	7,535
2.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due September Two Thousand And Fifteen [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		403	407
Stated interest rate		2.75%
6.60% Senior Notes Due April 2016 (2016 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		638	638
Stated interest rate		6.60%
7.00% Notes Due May 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		120	120
Stated interest rate		7.00%
2.65% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Nineteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		1,000	1,000
Stated interest rate		2.65%
4.10% Percentage Unsecured Notes Due September Two Thousand And Twenty [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		286	287
Stated interest rate		4.10%
4.50% Senior Notes Due June 2022 (2022 Notes) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		1,000	1,000
Stated interest rate		4.50%
3.95% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Twenty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		1,250	1,250
Stated interest rate		3.95%
7.00% Notes Due January 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		18	18
Stated interest rate		7.00%
6.13% Unsecured Notes Due November Two Thousand And Thirty Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		164	164
Stated interest rate		6.13%
4.88% Percentage Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Thirty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		500	500
Stated interest rate		4.88%
5.15% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Forty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		500	500
Stated interest rate		5.15%
3-Year Tranche A [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		842	1,172
Stated interest rate		1.56%
Debt Instrument, Term	3 years	3 years
5-Year Tranche A [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		0	353
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years	5 years
5-Year Tranche B [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes/Term Loans		$552	$552
Stated interest rate		1.69%
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years	5 years

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Apr. 07, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		1,250,000,000
Amount available for borrowing under credit facility		1,069,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		10,000,000	12,000,000
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure		8,057,000,000	8,347,000,000
Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	840,000,000
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	868,000,000
2.65% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Nineteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.65%
3.95% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Twenty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.95%
4.88% Percentage Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Thirty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.88%
5.15% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Forty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.15%
2.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due September Two Thousand And Fifteen [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.75%
2.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due September Two Thousand And Fifteen [Member] [Member] \| Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.75%
4.10% Percentage Unsecured Notes Due September Two Thousand And Twenty [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.10%
4.10% Percentage Unsecured Notes Due September Two Thousand And Twenty [Member] \| Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	278,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.10%
6.13% Unsecured Notes Due November Two Thousand And Thirty Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		6.13%
6.13% Unsecured Notes Due November Two Thousand And Thirty Two [Member] \| Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	152,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.13%
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	3,250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	7,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	3,243,000,000
Debt Issuance Cost	27,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| 2.65% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Nineteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	1,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.65%
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| 3.95% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Twenty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	1,250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.95%
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| 4.88% Percentage Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Thirty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.88%
Unsecured Debt [Member] \| 5.15% Senior Unsecured Notes Due August, Two Thousand and Forty Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.15%
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		6,000,000
Bilateral Letters Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		95,000,000
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Cost	11,000,000
Loans Payable to Bank	2,300,000,000
Term Loan [Member] \| 3-Year Tranche A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.56%
Loans Payable to Bank	1,202,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term	3 years	3 years
Required Quarterly Principal Payment as a Percentage of Remaining Balance	2.50%
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.38%
Term Loan [Member] \| 5-Year Tranche A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable to Bank	546,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years	5 years
Term Loan [Member] \| 5-Year Tranche B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.69%
Loans Payable to Bank	552,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term	5 years	5 years
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Term Loan [Member] \| 3-Year Tranche B [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable to Bank				$500,000,000
Loans Receivable, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				1.13%

Equity_Schedule_of_Share_Repur

Equity (Schedule of Share Repurchases) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock			$150	$275
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	1.5	2.9	3.7	7.8
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	59	116	150	275
Share Repurchase Program [Member] \| Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	1.3	2.5	3.3	7.1
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	50	100	131	250
Open Market Repurchases [Member] \| Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	0.2	0.4	0.4	0.7
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$9	$16	$19	$25

Equity_Schedule_of_Tangible_Eq

Equity (Schedule of Tangible Equity Units) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 27, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Price per TEU, Equity Component (in dollars per share)	$43.17
Price per TEU, Debt Component (in dollars per share)	$6.83
Price per TEU, Total (in dollars per share)	$50
Gross Proceeds, Equity Component	$1,295
Gross Proceeds, Debt Component	205
Gross Proceeds, Total	1,500
Issuance cost, Equity Component	-40
Issuance cost, Debt Component	-6
Issuance cost, Total	46
Net Proceeds, Equity Component	1,255
Net Proceeds, Debt Component	199
Net proceeds, Total	$1,454

Equity_Narrative_Details

Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 27, 2014	Mar. 13, 2015	Mar. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased			28,800,000
TEU's issued (in units)	30,000,000
TEU's Dividend Rate	4.75%
Proceeds from Issuance of Tangible Equity Units, Net	$1,454,000,000
TEUs, stated amount per unit (in dollars per unit)	$50
TEUs, Equity Component	1,295,000,000
TEUs, Debt Component	205,000,000		175,000,000
TEUs, Debt Component, Current	65,000,000
Convertible Debt [Member] \| Tangible Equity Unit, Senior Amortizing Note [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Senior amortizing note, initial principal amount	6.83
Senior amortizing note, interest rate	1.50%
Senior amortizing note, quarterly principal and interest payment, first three annual quarters	0.59
Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	873,000,000
Senior amortizing note, initial principal amount				$840,000,000
Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$0.10
Class A [Member] \| Convertible Debt [Member] \| Tangible Equity Unit, Senior Amortizing Note [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Senior amortizing note, conversion price			$47.20
Senior amortizing note, number of shares per contract if applicable market value equal to or greater than conversion price			1.0594
Senior amortizing note, reference price			$37.76
Senior amortizing note, if applicable market value greater than reference price, number of shares equal to aount divided by Applicable Market Value			$50
Senior amortizing note, number of shares per contract, if Applicable Market Value is less than or equal to reference price			1.3244
Senior amortizing note, consecutive trading days for calculation of applicable market value			20 days
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Dividend Threshold Amount			$0.08
Senior amortizing note, incremental common shares attributable to dilutive effect of conversion, if applicable market value higher than reference price			7,900,000
Class A [Member] \| Convertible Debt [Member] \| Tangible Equity Unit, Senior Amortizing Note [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Senior amortizing note, number of shares to be issued			31,800,000
Class A [Member] \| Convertible Debt [Member] \| Tangible Equity Unit, Senior Amortizing Note [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Senior amortizing note, number of shares to be issued			39,700,000
Class A [Member] \| Hillshire Brands Company [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	23,800,000
Class A [Member] \| Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Increase (Decrease) in Authorized Shares	25,000,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate for continuing operations	35.60%	38.30%	32.40%	36.20%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	3.20%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$229		$229		$272
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	200		200		241
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	49		49		54
Unrecognized tax benefits, reductions that could result from tax audit resolutions	$18		$18

Other_Income_And_Charges_Detai

Other Income And Charges (Details) (Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Components of Other Income and Expenses [Line Items]
Equity Earnings in Joint Ventures	$3	$4
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized	1	1
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities		$6

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_Of

Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Net income	$311	$210	$621	$462
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	-3	2	-5
Net income attributable to Tyson	310	213	619	467
Undistributed earnings	273	188	536	408
Stock options and restricted stock	5	6	5	5
Tangible Equity Units	6	0	6	0
Warrants	0	7	0	8
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions	415	356	416	355
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson - Diluted	$0.75	$0.60	$1.49	$1.32
Class A [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Less Dividends Declared:	31	20	69	48
Undistributed earnings	230	153	451	332
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic	334	273	335	272
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson - Basic	$0.78	$0.64	$1.55	$1.40
Class B [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Less Dividends Declared:	6	5	14	11
Undistributed earnings	$43	$35	$85	$76
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic	70	70	70	70
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson - Basic	$0.71	$0.58	$1.42	$1.26

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Number Of Classes Of Common Stock			2
Percentage amount of per share cash dividends paid to holders of Class B stock that cannot exceed paid to holders of Class A stock	90.00%		90.00%
Class A [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Undistributed earnings (losses), ratio used to calculate allocation to class of stock			1
Class B [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Undistributed earnings (losses), ratio used to calculate allocation to class of stock			0.9
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, shares	5	4	5	4

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Aggregate Outstanding Notionals Related To Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	bu	bu
Corn (in bushels)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	0	0
Soy Meal (in tons)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	2,300	2,300
Foreign Currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0	1

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Pretax Impact Of Cash Flow Hedge Derivative Instruments On The Consolidated Statements Of Income) (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives	($2)	$8	($2)	$5
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from OCI to Earnings	-1	-3	-4	-3
Commodity Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives	-2	8	-2	6
Commodity Contracts [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from OCI to Earnings	-1	-3	-4	-3
Foreign Currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives	0	0	0	-1
Foreign Currency [Member] \| Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from OCI to Earnings	$0	$0	$0	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Aggregate Outstanding Notionals Related To Fair Value Hedges) (Details) (Fair Value Hedging [Member], Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member])	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
	lb	lb
Live Cattle (in pounds)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	359,000,000	427,000,000
Lean Hogs (in pounds)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	122,000,000	329,000,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments (Pretax Impact Of Fair Value Hedge Derivative Instruments On The Consolidated Statements of Income) (Details) (Fair Value Hedging [Member], Cost of Sales [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) on forwards	$32	($34)	($8)	($40)
Purchase Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) on forwards	($32)	$34	$8	$40

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen6

Derivative Financial Instruments (Aggregate Outstanding Notionals Related To Undesignated Positions) (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	bu	bu
Corn (in bushels)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	91,000,000	0
Soy Meal (in tons)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	247,100	195,800
Soy Oil (in pounds)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	5,000,000	3,000,000
Live Cattle (in pounds)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	91,000,000	22,000,000
Lean Hogs (in pounds)
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	46,000,000	22,000,000
Foreign Currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	46	108

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen7

Derivative Financial Instruments (Pretax Impact Of Undesignated Derivative Instruments On The Consolidated Statements Of Income) (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings	($17)	($8)	($46)	($9)
Commodity Contracts [Member] \| Sales [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings	-7	30	-8	32
Commodity Contracts [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings	-8	-40	-34	-42
Foreign Currency [Member] \| Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Earnings	($2)	$2	($4)	$1

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen8

Derivative Financial Instruments (Fair Value Of All Derivative Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	$46	$59
Derivative Liabilities	34	160
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	25	17
Derivative Liabilities	15	78
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Commodity Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	25	17
Derivative Liabilities	15	78
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Foreign Currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	21	42
Derivative Liabilities	19	82
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Commodity Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	21	42
Derivative Liabilities	17	80
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Foreign Currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	0	0
Derivative Liabilities	$2	$2

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen9

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum length of time hedged forecasted transactions, months	18 months
Maximum Length Of Time Hedged Undesignated Positions	18 months
Grain [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months	-2

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015		Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015		Sep. 27, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets and liabilities posted cash collateral	$10		$98
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities, Current	2		1
Available for Sale Securities, Noncurrent	112		92
Deferred Compensation Assets	244		233
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	-23	[1]	-50	[1]
Total Assets	381		335
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	-33	[1]	-148	[1]
Total Liabilities	1		12
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities, Current	0		0
Available for Sale Securities, Noncurrent	20		1
Deferred Compensation Assets	9		15
Total Assets	29		16
Total Liabilities	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities, Current	2		1
Available for Sale Securities, Noncurrent	29		24
Deferred Compensation Assets	235		218
Total Assets	312		302
Total Liabilities	34		160
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities, Current	0		0
Available for Sale Securities, Noncurrent	63		67
Deferred Compensation Assets	0		0
Total Assets	63		67
Total Liabilities	0		0
Commodity [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity Derivatives	23		9
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	-23		-50
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	0		10
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	-32		-148
Commodity [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity Derivatives	0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	0		0
Commodity [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity Derivatives	46		59
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	32		158
Commodity [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Commodity Derivatives	0		0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	0		0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability and Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	0		0
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts, Liabilities	1		2
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset and Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	-1		0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts, Liabilities	0		0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts, Liabilities	2		2
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts, Liabilities	$0		$0

[1]	Our derivative assets and liabilities are presented in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets on a net basis. We net derivative assets and liabilities, including cash collateral, when a legally enforceable master netting arrangement exists between the counterparty to a derivative contract and us. At March 28, 2015 and SeptemberB 27, 2014, we had posted with various counterparties $10 million and $98 million, respectively, of cash collateral related to our commodity derivatives and held no cash collateral.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Debt Securities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$67	$65
Total realized gains (losses) included in earnings	0	0
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Purchases	9	15
Issuances	0	0
Settlements	-13	-13
Balance at end of period	63	67
Total gains (losses) for the six-month period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at end of period	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu2

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015		Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015		Sep. 27, 2014
U.S. Treasury and Agency [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	$31		$25
Fair Value	31		25
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	0		0
Corporate And Asset-Backed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	62		65
Fair Value	63		67
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	1		2
Common Stock and Warrants [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized Cost Basis	0	[1]	1	[1]
Fair Value	20		1
Unrealized Gain/(Loss)	20		0
Cumulative Other-than-Temporary Impairment Loss	$0		$2

[1]	At March 28, 2015 and September 27, 2014, the amortized cost basis for Equity Securities had been reduced by accumulated other than temporary impairment of nil and $2 million, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu3

Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Fair Value And Carrying Value Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Total Debt, Fair Value	$8,057	$8,347
Total Debt, Carrying Value	$7,674	$8,178

Fair_Value_Measurement_Narrati

Fair Value Measurement (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$0	$0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	0	0
Common Stock and Warrants [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	0	6
Cumulative Other-than-Temporary Impairment Loss	0		2
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion in Other Comprehensive Loss, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	$0		$0
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short Term Investment Maturity Period	12 months
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturity Period	35 years

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service Cost	$4	$1	$8	$3
Interest Cost	21	2	42	4
Expected Return on Plan Assets	-25	-1	-50	-2
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2	1	3	2
Settlement loss	0	0	8	0
Net Periodic Cost	2	3	11	7
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service Cost	1	1	2	1
Interest Cost	1	1	3	2
Net Periodic Cost	$2	$2	$5	$3

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	$6	$3	$9	$5
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year			$6

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Com

Other Comprehensive Income (Components Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015		Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015		Mar. 29, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax	($23)		$18	$4		$10
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-1		-5	-5		-5
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes	-24		13	-1		5
Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Before Tax	-2		8	-2		5
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Tax	0		-3	0		-2
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-2		5	-2		3
Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax	1		3	4		3
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Tax	0		-1	-2		-1
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	1		2	2		2
Investments [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Before Tax	4		0	19		-1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Tax	-2		0	-8		0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	2		0	11		-1
Investments [Member] \| Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax	0		0	0		6
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Tax	0		0	0		-2
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	0		0	0		4
Currency translation [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Before Tax	-27		6	-64		-5
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Tax	2		0	9		0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	-25		6	-55		-5
Currency translation [Member] \| Cost of Sales [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax	0	[1]	0	37	[1]	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Tax	0	[1]	0	-1	[1]	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	0	[1]	0	36	[1]	0
Postretirement benefits [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax	1		1	10		2
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	-1		-1	-3		0
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes	$0		$0	$7		$2

[1]	Translation loss reclassified to Cost of Sales related to disposition of a foreign operation, which is further described in Note 2: Acquisitions and Dispositions.

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Repo

Segment Reporting (Segment Reporting Information, By Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$9,979	$9,032	$20,796	$17,793
Operating Income (Loss)	547	361	1,056	773
Total Other (Income) Expense	64	20	138	49
Income before Income Taxes	483	341	918	724
Operating Segments [Member] \| Chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	2,829	2,842	5,609	5,498
Operating Income (Loss)	332	234	683	487
Operating Segments [Member] \| Beef [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	4,130	3,825	8,521	7,559
Operating Income (Loss)	-20	35	-26	93
Operating Segments [Member] \| Pork [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	1,204	1,487	2,744	2,911
Operating Income (Loss)	99	107	221	228
Operating Segments [Member] \| Prepared Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	1,871	861	4,004	1,768
Operating Income (Loss)	160	21	231	37
Operating Segments [Member] \| International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	222	328	527	655
Operating Income (Loss)	-15	-30	-29	-58
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	0	0	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)	-9	-6	-24	-14
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	-277	-311	-609	-598
Intersegment Elimination [Member] \| Chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	6	2	7	4
Intersegment Elimination [Member] \| Beef [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	77	67	155	130
Intersegment Elimination [Member] \| Pork [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$194	$242	$447	$464

Segment_Reporting_Narrative_De

Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Segments	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments			5
Sales	$9,979	$9,032	$20,796	$17,793
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	9		24
Sales	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	-277	-311	-609	-598
Intersegment Elimination [Member] \| Chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	6	2	7	4
Intersegment Elimination [Member] \| Beef [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	77	67	155	130
Intersegment Elimination [Member] \| Pork [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	194	242	447	464
Chicken Production Operations in Brazil and Mexico [Member] \| International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Consideration					$575

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies Commitments (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Potential maximum obligation under cash flow assistance programs	$320
Total receivables under cash flow assistance programs	1	4
Uncollectible receivables estimated under cash flow assistance programs	0	0
Guarantee of Indebtedness of Others [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Period (in years)	10 years
Maximum potential amount	53
Residual Value Guarantees [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum potential amount	53
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Remaining Lease Period (in years)	13 years
Amount recoverable through various recourse provisions	$46

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies Contingencies (Details)

Mar. 28, 2015

Dec. 07, 2012

Mar. 17, 2011

Sep. 22, 2014

Aug. 25, 2014

Jan. 30, 2014

31-May-13

Oct. 02, 2013

Mar. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2006

Jun. 23, 2014

Claims

Garcia Case [Member]

Bouaphakeo Case [Member]

Acosta Case [Member]

Gomez Case [Member]

Abdiaziz Case [Member]

Republic of the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment and the National Labor Relations Commission [Member]

USD ($)

Subsequent Event [Member]

USD ($)

PHP

USD ($)

PHP

USD ($)

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Number of cases filed

Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value

$3,609,723

$503,011

$5,784,758

$18,774,989

$5,733,943

$4,960,787

$730,548

$77,000,000

3,453,664,710

Loss contingency, damages sought

2,692,145

6,258,330

Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum

$8,000,000

342,287,800

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Income and Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Sales	$9,979	$9,032	$20,796	$17,793
Cost of Sales	8,990	8,381	18,851	16,457
Gross Profit	989	651	1,945	1,336
Selling, General and Administrative	442	290	889	563
Operating Income	547	361	1,056	773
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	70	22	145	48
Other, net	-6	-2	-7	1
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Total Other (Income) Expense	64	20	138	49
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	483	341	918	724
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	172	131	297	262
Net Income	311	210	621	462
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	-3	2	-5
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	310	213	619	467
Comprehensive Income	287	223	620	467
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1	-3	2	-5
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Tyson	286	226	618	472
TFI Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Sales	221	148	449	315
Cost of Sales	17	4	36	21
Gross Profit	204	144	413	294
Selling, General and Administrative	32	28	66	51
Operating Income	172	116	347	243
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	64	-15	133	-10
Other, net	-1	1	-2	7
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	-247	-128	-484	-303
Total Other (Income) Expense	-184	-142	-353	-306
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	356	258	700	549
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	46	45	81	82
Net Income	310	213	619	467
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	310	213	619	467
Comprehensive Income	288	224	620	467
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Tyson	288	224	620	467
TFM Parent, Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Sales	5,252	5,168	11,061	10,216
Cost of Sales	5,122	4,953	10,784	9,779
Gross Profit	130	215	277	437
Selling, General and Administrative	59	57	120	112
Operating Income	71	158	157	325
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	1	34	1	49
Other, net	-2	0	-2	-1
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	-50	-6	-88	-12
Total Other (Income) Expense	-51	28	-89	36
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	122	130	246	289
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	24	44	54	96
Net Income	98	86	192	193
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	98	86	192	193
Comprehensive Income	72	91	176	192
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Tyson	72	91	176	192
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Sales	4,977	4,159	10,302	8,146
Cost of Sales	4,321	3,867	9,043	7,541
Gross Profit	656	292	1,259	605
Selling, General and Administrative	352	205	707	400
Operating Income	304	87	552	205
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	5	3	11	9
Other, net	-3	-3	-3	-5
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Total Other (Income) Expense	2	0	8	4
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	302	87	544	201
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	102	42	162	84
Net Income	200	45	382	117
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	1	-3	2	-5
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	199	48	380	122
Comprehensive Income	176	51	362	114
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	1	-3	2	-5
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Tyson	175	54	360	119
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Sales	-471	-443	-1,016	-884
Cost of Sales	-470	-443	-1,012	-884
Gross Profit	-1	0	-4	0
Selling, General and Administrative	-1	0	-4	0
Operating Income	0	0	0	0
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Other, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	297	134	572	315
Total Other (Income) Expense	297	134	572	315
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes	-297	-134	-572	-315
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	0	0	0	0
Net Income	-297	-134	-572	-315
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	-297	-134	-572	-315
Comprehensive Income	-249	-143	-538	-306
Less: Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Tyson	($249)	($143)	($538)	($306)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$223	$438	$438	$1,145
Accounts receivable, net	1,632	1,684
Inventories	3,262	3,274
Other current assets	346	379
Assets held for sale	205	446
Total Current Assets	5,668	6,221
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	5,278	5,130
Goodwill	6,689	6,706
Intangible Assets, net	5,223	5,276
Other Assets	668	623
Investment in Subsidiaries	0	0
Total Assets	23,526	23,956
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current debt	1,236	643
Accounts payable	1,694	1,806
Other current liabilities	1,072	1,207
Liabilities held for sale	49	141
Total Current Liabilities	4,051	3,797
Long-Term Debt	6,438	7,535
Deferred Income Taxes	2,452	2,450
Other Liabilities	1,215	1,270
Total Tyson Shareholders' Equity	9,355	8,890
Noncontrolling Interest	15	14
Total Shareholders' Equity	9,370	8,904
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	23,526	23,956
TFI Parent [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	3
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	35	42
Assets held for sale	3	3
Total Current Assets	38	48
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	27	30
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible Assets, net	0	0
Other Assets	162	204
Investment in Subsidiaries	21,365	20,845
Total Assets	21,592	21,127
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current debt	827	240
Accounts payable	32	35
Other current liabilities	5,259	4,718
Liabilities held for sale	0	0
Total Current Liabilities	6,118	4,993
Long-Term Debt	5,932	7,056
Deferred Income Taxes	12	21
Other Liabilities	175	167
Total Tyson Shareholders' Equity	9,355	8,890
Noncontrolling Interest	0	0
Total Shareholders' Equity	9,355	8,890
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	21,592	21,127
TFM Parent, Guarantors [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	30	41	20	21
Accounts receivable, net	587	665
Inventories	1,405	1,272
Other current assets	62	78
Assets held for sale	0	0
Total Current Assets	2,084	2,056
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	965	932
Goodwill	881	881
Intangible Assets, net	13	15
Other Assets	154	148
Investment in Subsidiaries	2,115	2,049
Total Assets	6,212	6,081
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current debt	1	0
Accounts payable	761	755
Other current liabilities	148	235
Liabilities held for sale	0	0
Total Current Liabilities	910	990
Long-Term Debt	1	2
Deferred Income Taxes	98	96
Other Liabilities	118	125
Total Tyson Shareholders' Equity	5,085	4,868
Noncontrolling Interest	0	0
Total Shareholders' Equity	5,085	4,868
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	6,212	6,081
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	193	397	418	1,124
Accounts receivable, net	1,045	1,016
Inventories	1,857	2,002
Other current assets	280	379
Assets held for sale	202	443
Total Current Assets	3,577	4,237
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	4,286	4,168
Goodwill	5,808	5,825
Intangible Assets, net	5,210	5,261
Other Assets	352	326
Investment in Subsidiaries	0	0
Total Assets	19,233	19,817
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current debt	409	403
Accounts payable	901	1,016
Other current liabilities	804	921
Liabilities held for sale	49	141
Total Current Liabilities	2,163	2,481
Long-Term Debt	505	532
Deferred Income Taxes	2,342	2,333
Other Liabilities	922	978
Total Tyson Shareholders' Equity	13,286	13,479
Noncontrolling Interest	15	14
Total Shareholders' Equity	13,301	13,493
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	19,233	19,817
Eliminations [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Other current assets	-31	-120
Assets held for sale	0	0
Total Current Assets	-31	-120
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Intangible Assets, net	0	0
Other Assets	0	-55
Investment in Subsidiaries	-23,480	-22,894
Total Assets	-23,511	-23,069
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current debt	-1	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Other current liabilities	-5,139	-4,667
Liabilities held for sale	0	0
Total Current Liabilities	-5,140	-4,667
Long-Term Debt	0	-55
Deferred Income Taxes	0	0
Other Liabilities	0	0
Total Tyson Shareholders' Equity	-18,371	-18,347
Noncontrolling Interest	0	0
Total Shareholders' Equity	-18,371	-18,347
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	($23,511)	($23,069)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract]
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	$808	$265
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-435	-293
(Purchases of)/ Proceeds from marketable securities, net	-2	-3
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-56
Proceeds from sale of businesses	142	0
Other, net	4	8
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	-291	-344
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	-540	-376
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	-150	-275
Dividends	-75	-50
Stock options exercised	34	49
Other, net	10	19
Net change in intercompany balances	0	0
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	-721	-633
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	-11	5
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-215	-707
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	438	1,145
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	223	438
TFI Parent [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract]
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	113	10
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	-1
(Purchases of)/ Proceeds from marketable securities, net	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		0
Proceeds from sale of businesses	0
Other, net	0	0
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	0	-1
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	-539	-370
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	-150	-275
Dividends	-75	-50
Stock options exercised	34	49
Other, net	4	19
Net change in intercompany balances	613	618
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	-113	-9
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	0	0
TFM Parent, Guarantors [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract]
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	33	129
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-86	-67
(Purchases of)/ Proceeds from marketable securities, net	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		0
Proceeds from sale of businesses	0
Other, net	2	1
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	-84	-66
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	0	0
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	0	0
Dividends	0	0
Stock options exercised	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net change in intercompany balances	40	-64
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	40	-64
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-11	-1
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	41	21
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	30	20
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract]
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	672	171
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-349	-225
(Purchases of)/ Proceeds from marketable securities, net	-2	-3
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		-56
Proceeds from sale of businesses	142
Other, net	2	7
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	-207	-277
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	-1	-6
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	0	0
Dividends	-10	-45
Stock options exercised	0	0
Other, net	6	0
Net change in intercompany balances	-653	-554
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	-658	-605
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	-11	5
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-204	-706
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	397	1,124
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	193	418
Eliminations [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) [Abstract]
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities	-10	-45
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	0
(Purchases of)/ Proceeds from marketable securities, net	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		0
Proceeds from sale of businesses	0
Other, net	0	0
Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities	0	0
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net change in debt	0	0
Purchases of Tyson Class A common stock	0	0
Dividends	10	45
Stock options exercised	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net change in intercompany balances	0	0
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities	10	45
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	0	0
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Amount available under credit facility	$1,250,000,000