Seaboard (SEB) 10-K 26 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	SEABOARD CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	88121
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$806,102,028
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,170,550
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $846,076, $744,965 and $747,064)	$5,372,547	$5,431,402	$4,916,322
Service revenues	906,402	952,596	1,015,481
Other	194,127	286,416	257,330
Total net sales	6,473,076	6,670,414	6,189,133
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	4,818,242	5,089,959	4,536,582
Services	813,179	877,848	896,062
Other	163,633	233,758	195,431
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	5,795,054	6,201,565	5,628,075
Gross income	678,022	468,849	561,058
Selling, general and administrative expenses	254,463	263,985	251,397
Operating income	423,559	204,864	309,661
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	-20,178	-11,422	-11,049
Interest income	14,009	17,580	11,050
Interest income from affiliates	27,399	24,695	20,570
Income (loss) from affiliates	35,356	-10,292	30,707
Other investment income, net	2,146	7,846	8,461
Foreign currency gains (losses), net	-9,319	77	352
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	65,955
Miscellaneous, net	-5,128	5,867	-2,974
Total other income, net	110,240	34,351	57,117
Earnings before income taxes	533,799	239,215	366,778
Income tax expense	-167,799	-32,450	-84,190
Net earnings	366,000	206,765	282,588
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-730	-1,529	-277
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	365,270	205,236	282,311
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$309.96	$171.92	$234.54
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit (expense) of $26,835, $(10,318) and $9,197:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-38,624	-45,956	-15,788
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	853	-1,751	2,543
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	113		-113
Unrecognized pension cost	-33,182	37,454	-2,121
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-70,840	-10,253	-15,479
Comprehensive income	295,160	196,512	267,109
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	-718	-1,561	-279
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$294,442	$194,951	$266,830
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,178,441	1,193,801	1,203,698

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Products, sales to affiliates	$846,076	$744,965	$747,064
Other comprehensive income (loss), income tax benefit	$26,835	($10,318)	$9,197

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$36,459	$55,055
Short-term investments	490,566	290,649
Receivables:
Trade	328,015	419,598
Due from affiliates	201,870	145,041
Other	116,041	99,597
Gross receivables	645,926	664,236
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-11,961	-12,832
Net receivables	633,965	651,404
Inventories	736,302	698,998
Deferred income taxes	45,647	23,449
Other current assets	110,053	134,394
Total current assets	2,052,992	1,853,949
Net property, plant and equipment	846,757	863,573
Investments in and advances to affiliates	523,063	406,900
Notes receivable from affiliates	197,270	180,386
Goodwill	14,846	43,218
Other intangible assets, net	3,872	18,997
Other assets	38,520	51,025
Total Assets	3,677,320	3,418,048
Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks	75,524	67,699
Current maturities of long-term debt		11,697
Accounts payable	181,686	186,468
Payables due to affiliates	32,532	13,774
Accrued compensation and benefits	126,513	127,212
Deferred revenue	51,158	46,192
Accrued voyage costs	45,092	49,621
Accrued commodity inventory	29,532	29,248
Other current liabilities	92,795	83,416
Total current liabilities	634,832	615,327
Long-term debt, less current maturities		80,480
Accrued pension liability	135,673	80,918
Deferred income taxes	95,538	73,336
Other liabilities and deferred credits	91,004	88,017
Total non-current liabilities	322,215	322,751
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock of $1 par value. Authorized 1,250,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,170,550 and 1,188,955 shares	1,171	1,189
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-252,637	-181,797
Retained earnings	2,967,364	2,655,857
Total Seaboard stockholders' equity	2,715,898	2,475,249
Noncontrolling interests	4,375	4,721
Total equity	2,720,273	2,479,970
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$3,677,320	$3,418,048

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, Authorized shares	1,250,000	1,250,000
Common stock, issued shares	1,170,550	1,188,955
Common stock, outstanding shares	1,170,550	1,188,955

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$366,000	$206,765	$282,588
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	92,385	93,077	90,216
Gain from sale of fixed assets	-2,832	-4,433	-8,710
Gain on sale of power generating facility assets	-4,953
Deferred income taxes	25,900	30,233	-24,560
Pay-in-kind interest and accretion on notes receivable from affiliates	-15,837	-13,642	-11,936
(Income) loss from affiliates	-35,356	10,292	-30,707
Dividends received from affiliates	14,444	11,340	785
Other investment income, net	-2,146	-7,846	-8,461
Gain on sale of controlling interest in a subsidiary	-65,955
Foreign currency exchange gain	-239	-222	-244
Other, net	-296	1,585	3,614
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Receivables, net of allowance	-6,730	-154,036	-66,583
Inventories	-81,280	35,600	-64,943
Other current assets	23,833	-12,642	-18,167
Current liabilities, exclusive of debt	44,165	-73,210	93,246
Other, net	22,999	2,137	25,565
Net cash from operating activities	374,102	124,998	261,703
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments	-1,096,681	-611,737	-773,111
Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments	876,313	625,414	755,141
Proceeds from the maturity of short-term investments	18,058	5,612	36,693
Capital expenditures	-121,178	-149,652	-158,755
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets	7,663	14,538	15,906
Proceeds from the sale of power generating facility assets	8,115
Investments in and advances to affiliates, net	-31,368	-39,485	-24,927
Long-term notes receivable issued to affiliates	-1,179	-17,531	-81,231
Principal payments received on long-term notes receivable from affiliates	1,300	81,397	1,139
Principal payments received on notes receivable	1,709	19,483	1,499
Purchase of long-term investments	-2,597	-4,357	-9,789
Proceeds from the sale of controlling interest in a subsidiary	74,142
Other, net	1,200	-1,695	-3,836
Net cash from investing activities	-264,503	-78,013	-241,271
Cash flows from financing activities:
Notes payable to banks, net	16,917	41,092	12,592
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt			32,682
Principal payments of long-term debt	-91,403	-53,756	-43,947
Repurchase of common stock	-53,781	-23,578	-26,830
Dividends paid			-14,376
Other, net	-913	-1,416	-2,589
Net cash from financing activities	-129,180	-37,658	-42,468
Effect of exchange rate change on cash	985	-1,923	-1,823
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-18,596	7,404	-23,859
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	55,055	47,651	71,510
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$36,459	$55,055	$47,651

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $)	Common Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$1,211,000	($156,065,000)	$2,233,778,000	$543,000	$2,079,467,000
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings			282,311,000	277,000	282,588,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		-15,479,000		2,000	-15,477,000
Repurchase of common stock	-13,000		-26,817,000		-26,830,000
Dividends on common stock			-14,376,000		-14,376,000
Addition of (Reduction to) noncontrolling interests				2,853,000	2,853,000
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests				-36,000	-36,000
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	1,198,000	-171,544,000	2,474,896,000	3,639,000	2,308,189,000
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings			205,236,000	1,529,000	206,765,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		-10,253,000		32,000	-10,221,000
Repurchase of common stock	-9,000		-23,569,000		-23,578,000
Addition of (Reduction to) noncontrolling interests			-706,000	-254,000	-960,000
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests				-225,000	-225,000
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	1,189,000	-181,797,000	2,655,857,000	4,721,000	2,479,970,000
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings			365,270,000	730,000	366,000,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		-70,840,000		-12,000	-70,852,000
Repurchase of common stock	-18,000		-53,763,000		-53,781,000
Addition of (Reduction to) noncontrolling interests				-386,000	-386,000
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests				-678,000	-678,000
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,171,000	($252,637,000)	$2,967,364,000	$4,375,000	$2,720,273,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Note 1
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Operations of Seaboard Corporation and its Subsidiaries
	Seaboard Corporation and its subsidiaries (Seaboard) is a diverse global agribusiness and transportation company. In the United States, Seaboard is primarily engaged in pork production and processing and ocean transportation. Overseas, Seaboard is primarily engaged in commodity merchandising, grain processing, sugar production, and electric power generation.  Seaboard also has an interest in turkey operations in the United States. Seaboard Flour LLC and SFC Preferred LLC (Parent Companies) are the owners of 76.4 percent of Seaboard’s outstanding common stock.
	Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Seaboard Corporation and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in non-controlled affiliates are accounted for by the equity method. Financial information from certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates is reported on a one- to three-month lag, depending on the specific entity.
	Short-Term Investments
	Short-term investments are retained for future use in the business and may include money market funds, corporate bonds, U.S. government agency securities, high yield debt securities, equity mutual funds, domestic equity ETFs and, on a limited basis, foreign government bonds. Investments held by Seaboard that are categorized as available-for-sale are reported at their estimated fair value with any related unrealized gains and losses reported net of tax, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Investments held by Seaboard that are categorized as trading securities are reported at their estimated fair value with any unrealized gains and losses included in other investment income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Gains and losses on sale of investments are generally based on the specific identification method.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. The Power segment, however, collects interest on certain past due accounts, and the Commodity Trading and Milling segment provides extended payment terms for certain customers in certain countries due to local market conditions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is Seaboard’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. For most operating segments, Seaboard uses a specific identification approach to determine, in management’s judgment, the collection value of certain past due accounts based on contractual terms. For the Marine segment, the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an aging percentage methodology primarily based on historical write-off experience. Seaboard reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
	Inventories
	Seaboard uses the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market for determining inventory cost of live hogs, fresh pork product and related materials. Grain, flour and feed inventories at foreign milling operations are valued at the lower of weighted average cost or market.  All other inventories, including further processed pork products, are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and are being depreciated on the straight-line method over useful lives, ranging from 3 to 30 years.  Property, plant and equipment leases which are deemed to be installment purchase obligations have been capitalized and included in the property, plant and equipment accounts. Routine and planned major maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred, while major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, primarily property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
	Notes Receivable from Affiliates
	Seaboard monitors the credit quality of notes receivable from its affiliates by obtaining and reviewing financial information for these affiliates on a monthly basis and by having Seaboard representatives serve on the Board of Directors of these affiliates. If based on current information and events it is probable that Seaboard will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the Notes Receivable from Affiliates and an amount can be reasonably estimated, Seaboard will write down the Notes Receivable to estimated realizable value.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment by each reporting unit at the quarter end closest to the anniversary date of the acquisition, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment is likely. Separable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Any one event or a combination of events such as change in the business climate, a negative change in relationships with significant customers and changes to strategic decisions, including decisions to expand made in response to economic or competitive conditions could require an interim assessment prior to the next required annual assessment. Goodwill is primarily related to the repurchase in 2007 of a non-controlling interest of Seaboard Foods LLC in the Pork segment for a total of $12,256,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Both goodwill and other intangible assets, net decreased in 2014 as a result of a transaction in the Pork segment discussed in Supplemental Non—Cash Transactions below. Based on the annual assessments conducted by each reporting unit during 2014, there were no impairment charges recorded for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Accrued Self-Insurance
	Seaboard is self-insured for certain levels of workers’ compensation, health care coverage, property damage and general, vehicle and product recall liability. The cost of these self-insurance programs is accrued based upon estimated settlements for known and anticipated claims. Changes in estimates to previously recorded reserves are reflected in current operating results.
	Asset Retirement Obligation
	Seaboard has recorded long-lived assets and a related liability for the asset retirement obligation costs associated with the closure of the hog lagoons it is legally obligated to close in the future should Seaboard cease operations or plan to close such lagoons voluntarily in accordance with a changed operating plan. Based on detailed assessments and appraisals obtained to estimate the future retirement costs, Seaboard has determined and recorded the present value of the projected costs in non-current other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the retirement asset depreciated over the economic life of the related asset. The following table shows the changes in the asset retirement obligation during 2014 and 2013:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	15,578		$	14,315
	Accretion expense	1,263			1,177
	Disposals	(114		)	-
	Liability for additional lagoons placed in service	-			86
	Ending balance	$	16,727		$	15,578
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. However, in the future, as these timing differences reverse, a lower statutory tax rate may apply pursuant to the provisions for domestic manufacturers of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Seaboard will recognize the benefit or cost of this change in the future.
	Revenue Recognition
	As a result of a marketing agreement with Triumph Foods LLC (Triumph), Seaboard’s sales prices for its pork products included in product revenues are primarily based on a margin sharing arrangement that considers the average sales price and mix of products sold from both Seaboard’s and Triumph’s hog processing plants. Seaboard earns a fee for marketing the pork products of Triumph, and recognizes this fee as service revenue primarily based on the number of head processed by Triumph. Revenues for the commodity trading business are recognized when the commodity is delivered to the customer, collection is reasonably assured and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Revenues for cargo services are recognized ratably over the transit time for each voyage, with expenses associated with cargo services recognized as incurred. Revenues for all other commercial exchanges are recognized at the time products are shipped or delivered in accordance with shipping terms or services rendered, the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection is reasonably assured and the sales price is fixed or determinable.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include those related to allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventories, impairment of long-lived assets, potential write-down related to investments in and advances to affiliates and notes receivable from affiliates, income taxes and accrued pension liability. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Earnings Per Common Share
	Earnings per common share are based upon the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for all periods presented.
	Reclassifications
	Prior year amounts for accounts payable were increased and payables due to affiliates decreased by $10,552,000 on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 to properly reflect the obligations.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, management considers all demand deposits and overnight investments as cash equivalents. The following table shows the amounts paid for interest and income taxes:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Interest	$	20,177		$	11,119	$	11,674
	Income taxes (net of refunds)	135,393			59,899		69,760
	Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
	As more fully described in Note 4, as of September 27, 2014 Seaboard’s Pork segment sold to Triumph Foods LLC (Triumph) a 50% interest in its processed meats division, Daily’s Premium Meats (Daily’s).  As a result, Seaboard deconsolidated Daily’s from its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2014.  The following table summarizes the non-cash transactions resulting from this deconsolidation:
	(Thousands of dollars)
	Decrease in net working capital	$	21,070
	Increase in investment in and advances to affiliates	(74,142		)
	Decrease in fixed assets	16,038
	Decrease in goodwill	28,372
	Decrease in other intangible assets, net (not subject to amortization)	17,000
	Decrease in noncontrolling interest	(151		)
	Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	65,955
	Net proceeds from sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	$	74,142
	As discussed in Note 4, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Seaboard has notes receivable from affiliates which accrue pay-in-kind interest income.  Non-cash, pay-in-kind interest income and accretion of discount recognized on these notes receivable for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $15,837,000, $13,642,000 and $11,936,000, respectively.
	During the third quarter of 2013, Seaboard finalized the details of its investment in and long-term loan to a bakery business in the Democratic Republic of Congo in which Seaboard has a 50% non-controlling interest, resulting in decreasing investments in and advances to affiliates and increasing long-term notes receivable from affiliates by $26,290,000 for amounts previously advanced prior to 2013. See Note 4 for further discussion.
	Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
	Seaboard has operations in and transactions with customers in a number of foreign countries. The currencies of the countries fluctuate in relation to the U.S. dollar. Certain of the major contracts and transactions, however, are denominated in U.S. dollars. In addition, the value of the U.S. dollar fluctuates in relation to the currencies of countries where certain of Seaboard’s foreign subsidiaries and affiliates primarily conduct business. These fluctuations result in exchange gains and losses. The activities of these foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are primarily conducted with U.S. subsidiaries or operate in hyper-inflationary environments. As a result, the financial statements of certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are re-measured using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency.
	Seaboard’s Sugar segment, two consolidated subsidiaries (Commodity Trading and Milling segment businesses in Canada and Zambia) and eight non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates (Commodity Trading and Milling segment businesses in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa and Zambia), use local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates, and income and expense items are translated at average rates. Translation gains and losses are recorded as components of other comprehensive loss. For these entities, U.S. dollar denominated net asset or liability conversions to the local currency are recorded through income.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Seaboard recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities at their fair values. Accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on its designation and effectiveness. Derivatives qualify for treatment as hedges for accounting purposes when there is a high correlation between the change in fair value of the instrument and the related change in value of the underlying commitment. Additionally, in order to designate a derivative financial instrument as a hedge for accounting purposes, extensive record keeping is required. For derivatives that qualify as hedges for accounting purposes, the change in fair value has no net impact on earnings, to the extent the derivative is considered effective, until the hedged transaction affects earnings. For derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, or for the ineffective portion of a hedging instrument, the change in fair value does affect current period net earnings.
Seaboard uses various derivative instruments to manage various types of market risks from its day-to-day operations, primarily including commodity futures and option contracts, foreign currency exchange agreements and interest rate exchange agreements. While management believes each of these instruments primarily are entered into in order to effectively manage various market risks, as of December 31, 2014, none of the derivatives are designated and accounted for as hedges, primarily as a result of the extensive record-keeping requirements. Seaboard also enters into speculative derivative transactions not directly related to its raw material requirements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance to develop a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. Seaboard is currently evaluating the impact this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  Seaboard will be required to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2017 and it is currently anticipated that Seaboard will apply this guidance using the cumulative effect transition method.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Investments
	Note 2
	Investments
	All of Seaboard’s available-for-sale and trading securities are classified as current assets, as they are readily available to support Seaboard’s current operating needs. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, money market funds included $4,210,000 and $16,144,000 denominated in Canadian dollars, respectively, and $3,588,000 and $11,715,000 denominated in Euros, respectively. Unrealized gains (losses) related to trading securities were $(6,880,000), $(736,000) and $1,669,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The following is a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of short-term investments for both available for sale and trading securities at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014				2013
		Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	(Thousands of dollars)	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
	Money market funds	$	142,432	$	142,432	$	88,430	$	88,430
	Corporate bonds	11,000		11,015		69,591		70,258
	U.S. Government agency securities	9,684		9,666		27,299		27,147
	Asset backed debt securities	2,260		2,291		8,446		8,477
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	1,150		1,170		7,597		7,600
	U.S. Treasury securities	523		522		5,258		5,223
	Emerging markets debt mutual fund	-		-		17,693		16,941
	Total available-for-sale short-term investments	167,049		167,096		224,314		224,076
	High yield trading debt securities	187,491		181,483		49,352		50,428
	Equity mutual fund	83,809		82,542		-		-
	Domestic equity ETF	31,307		32,651		-		-
	Money market funds held in trading accounts	21,401		21,401		11,033		11,033
	Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund	3,323		2,614		3,202		2,858
	Other trading investments	2,850		2,779		2,141		2,254
	Total trading short-term investments	330,181		323,470		65,728		66,573
	Total short-term investments	$	497,230	$	490,566	$	290,042	$	290,649
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of fixed rate securities designated as available-for-sale, classified by the contractual maturity date of the security as of December 31, 2014:
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014
	Due within one year	$	546
	Due after one year through three years	9,956
	Due after three years	11,105
	Total fixed rate securities	$	21,607
	In addition to its short-term investments, Seaboard also has trading securities related to Seaboard’s deferred compensation plans classified in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for information on the types of trading securities held related to the deferred compensation plans and Note 9 for a discussion of assets held in conjunction with investments related to Seaboard’s defined benefit pension plan.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories
Inventories
	Note 3
	Inventories
	The following table is a summary of inventories at the end of each year:
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	At lower of LIFO cost or market:
	Live hogs and materials	$	208,641		$	207,310
	Fresh pork and materials	28,573			33,485
		237,214			240,795
	LIFO adjustment	(36,560		)	(62,236		)
	Total inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market	200,654			178,559
	At lower of FIFO cost or market:
	Grains, oilseeds and other commodities	320,066			299,229
	Sugar produced and in process	48,863			53,325
	Other	57,344			74,289
	Total inventories at lower of FIFO cost or market	426,273			426,843
	Grain, flour and feed at lower of weighted average cost or market	109,375			93,596
	Total inventories	$	736,302		$	698,998
	The use of the LIFO method increased 2014 and 2013 net earnings by $15,662,000 ($13.29 per common share) and by $17,381,000 ($14.56 per common share), respectively, and decreased 2012 net earnings by $20,098,000 ($16.70 per common share). If the FIFO method had been used for certain inventories of the Pork segment, inventories would have been higher by $36,560,000 and $62,236,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Investments_in_and_Advances_to

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
	Note 4
	Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
	Seaboard’s investments in and advances to non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates are primarily related to Butterball, LLC (Butterball), as discussed below, Commodity Trading and Milling segment foreign businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling, baking operations and poultry production and processing and Daily’s in the Pork segment, also discussed below. As of December 31, 2014, the location and percentage ownership of these foreign affiliates are as follows: Democratic Republic of Congo (50%), Gambia (50%), Kenya (35%-49%), Lesotho (50%), Nigeria (25%-48%), South Africa (30%-50%) and Zambia (49%) in Africa; Brazil (50%), Colombia (40%-42%) and Ecuador (25%-50%) in South America, and Haiti (23%) in the Caribbean. Also, Seaboard has investments in agricultural commodity trading businesses in Australia (25%) and Peru (50%). Seaboard generally is the primary provider of choice for grains, feed and supplies purchased by these non-controlled affiliates. As Seaboard conducts its agricultural commodity trading business with third parties, consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates on an interrelated basis, cost of sales on affiliates cannot be clearly distinguished without making numerous assumptions, primarily with respect to mark-to-market accounting for commodity derivatives. In addition, Seaboard has investments in and advances to a cargo terminal business in Jamaica (21%) in the Marine segment and two sugar-related businesses in Argentina (46%-50%) in the Sugar segment.  The equity method is used to account for all of the above investments.
	Seaboard Corporation also has a 50% non-controlling voting interest in Butterball. Butterball is a vertically integrated producer, processor and marketer of branded and non-branded turkey and other products. As of December 31, 2014, Butterball had intangible assets of $111,000,000 for trade name and $73,667,000 for goodwill.  The equity method is used to account for this investment.
	In connection with its initial investment in Butterball in December 2010, Seaboard provided Butterball with a $100,000,000 unsecured subordinated loan (the subordinated loan) with a seven-year maturity and interest of 15% per annum, comprised of 5% payable in cash semi-annually, plus 10% pay-in-kind interest, compounded semi-annually which accumulates and is paid at maturity.  In connection with providing the subordinated loan, Seaboard received detachable warrants, which upon exercise for a nominal price, would enable Seaboard to acquire an additional 5% equity interest in Butterball. Seaboard can exercise these warrants at any time before December 6, 2020. Butterball has the right to repurchase the warrants for fair market value. The warrant agreement essentially provides Seaboard with a 52.5% economic interest, as these warrants are in substance an additional equity interest. Therefore, Seaboard records 52.5% of Butterball’s earnings as Income from Affiliates in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. However, all significant corporate governance matters would continue to be shared equally between Seaboard and its partner in Butterball even if the warrants are exercised, unless Seaboard already owns a majority of the voting rights at the time of exercise. The warrants qualify for equity treatment under accounting standards. Accordingly, as of December 2010, the warrants were allocated a value of $10,586,000, classified as Investments in and Advances to Affiliates on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the subordinated loan was allocated a discounted value of $89,414,000, classified as Notes Receivable from Affiliates on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of the total $100,000,000 subordinated financing discussed above.  The discount on the subordinated loan is being accreted monthly in Interest Income From Affiliates through the maturity date of December 6, 2017.  At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the recorded balance of this Note Receivable from Affiliates was $141,260,000 and $126,082,000, respectively.
	On December 31, 2012, Seaboard provided a loan of $81,231,000 to Butterball and was included in Notes Receivable from Affiliates.  This loan was made to fund Butterball’s purchase of assets from Gusto Packing Company, Inc., a pork and turkey further processor located in Montgomery, Illinois.  In late March 2013, Butterball renegotiated its third party financing and on March 28, 2013 repaid in full this loan from Seaboard.
	During the third quarter of 2011, Seaboard provided a term loan of $13,037,000 to Butterball to pay off capital leases for certain fixed assets which originally were financed with third parties.  The effective interest rate on this term loan is approximately 12%.  Although the term loan expires on January 31, 2018, Butterball can pay off the term loan prior to such expiration date as Butterball has for sale all of the related assets and is required to remit the proceeds from such sale to Seaboard to repay the loan. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the balance of the term loan included in Notes Receivable from Affiliates was $7,606,000 and $8,905,000, respectively.
	As of September 27, 2014, Seaboard’s Pork segment sold to Triumph a 50% interest in Daily’s for cash proceeds of $74,142,000 resulting in a gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary of $65,955,000 ($40,233,000 net of taxes, or $34.14 per share) in 2014.  Daily’s produces and markets raw and pre-cooked bacon, ham and sausage and has two further processing plants located in Salt Lake City, Utah and Missoula, Montana.  The Pork segment currently has a business relationship with Triumph under which Seaboard markets substantially all of the pork products produced at Triumph’s plant in St. Joseph, Missouri.  Through September 27, 2014, Seaboard consolidated the operating results of Daily’s as part of its Pork segment operations. As a result of this transaction, Seaboard deconsolidated Daily’s from its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2014 (see Note 1, Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions, for details of the impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet from this deconsolidation).  Seaboard’s remaining 50% investment in Daily’s is accounted for in the Pork segment by using the equity method of accounting.  Based on the cash consideration received for this transaction and third party valuations for fixed assets and certain intangible assets, it was determined the fair value of Seaboard’s remaining 50% investment in Daily’s exceeded book value by $32,978,000, which is included in the gain on sale above, for a total fair value of $74,142,000.  In addition, both Seaboard and Triumph contributed $2,000,000 each to Daily’s as additional equity to provide Daily’s with additional working capital resulting in a beginning total investment in affiliate of $76,142,000 related to Daily’s.  Pro forma results of operations are not presented as the effects of deconsolidation are not material to Seaboard’s results of operations, primarily as Seaboard supplies raw product to Daily’s.  Triumph also supplies raw product to Daily’s.  It is expected that both Seaboard and Triumph will continue to sell raw product to Daily’s.
	Beginning in 2010, Seaboard invested in a bakery built in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for a 50% non-controlling interest in this business.  During 2014, 2013 and 2012, Seaboard invested $2,595,000, $4,531,000, and $24,814,000, respectively, in equity, long-term advances and long-term notes receivable. The bakery began operations in the fourth quarter of 2012.  During 2013, Seaboard finalized details of this investment resulting in decreasing investments in and advances to affiliates and increasing long-term notes receivable from affiliates by $26,290,000 for amounts previously advanced as noted above prior to 2013.  This interest bearing long-term note receivable from this affiliate has a decreasing balance with the first payment due in June 2015 and a final maturity date of December 2020.  Repayment of this note is primarily dependent upon this business improving existing operations to generate adequate future cash flows to make scheduled payments when due.  In addition, the bakery has been incurring operating losses since it began operations as it continues to resolve equipment problems and attempts to gain market share.  As a result of continuing equipment problems, other production challenges and unfavorable local market conditions causing challenges in gaining market share, Seaboard’s management determined achieving improved operating results would take significantly longer than initially and recently anticipated.   As a result, Seaboard’s management determined there was a decline in value considered other than temporary as of December 31, 2014 and thus Seaboard recorded a write-down of $10,772,000 in loss from affiliate in the fourth quarter of 2014, which represented the remaining equity investment in this business and suspended the use of the equity method as of December 31, 2014.  There was no tax benefit from this transaction.  In addition, Seaboard discontinued recognizing further interest income on the note receivable during the fourth quarter of 2014.  As of December 31, 2014, the recorded balance of this note receivable and previous accrued interest was $34,556,000, all classified as long-term given uncertainty of the timing of payments in the future.  If the future long-term cash flows of this bakery do not improve, there is a possibility that some of the recorded value of the Note Receivable from Affiliate could be deemed uncollectible in the future, which may result in a material charge to earnings.  Including this business, as of December 31, 2014 Seaboard had a total of $57,390,000 of investments in, advances to and notes receivable from all of its affiliates in the DRC, which represents the single largest foreign country risk exposure for Seaboard’s equity method investments.  One of the other affiliates in the DRC, to which Seaboard sells wheat, is the only supplier of flour to this bakery.
	In September 2013, Seaboard invested $17,000,000 in a flour production business in Brazil for a 50% non-controlling equity interest and provided a $13,000,000 long-term loan to this business.  Half of the interest on this long-term note receivable from affiliate is paid currently in cash and the other half accrues as pay-in-kind interest. This note receivable matures in September 2020 but can be repaid after one year with Seaboard having the option to convert the note receivable to equity after one year and the other equity holders having the option to match such conversion with a purchase of new shares to avoid dilution.  In addition, at the time of Seaboard’s initial investment in this business, plans included potential future equal additional investments by the owners to improve existing operations and expand operations to improve long-term operating results.  In 2014, Seaboard’s share of additional investment totaled $3,886,000.  This business also incurred significant operating losses in 2014.  Discussions are ongoing between the owners to determine the extent and timing of future additional investments for possible expansion plans to improve operating results.  As of December 31, 2014, the recorded balance of this Note Receivable from Affiliates was $13,849,000 and Seaboard’s equity investment in this business was $11,669,000.  As of December 31, 2014, Seaboard also has Receivables-Due from Affiliates of $13,969,000 from sales of grain and supplies related to this business.
	Also in September 2013, Seaboard invested $7,351,000 in a flour milling business located in South Africa for a 49% non-controlling interest.  In July 2013, Seaboard acquired a 50% non-controlling interest in a flour milling business located in Gambia by making a total investment in and advances to this affiliate of $9,099,000 during 2013.
	In September 2014, Seaboard invested $17,333,000 in a cargo terminal business in Jamaica for a 21% non-controlling interest. This investment will be accounted for in the Marine segment using the equity method reported on a three-month lag basis and thus Seaboard’s first proportionate share of earnings will not be recognized until the first quarter of 2015.
	Combined condensed financial information of the non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates for their fiscal periods ended within each of Seaboard’s years ended were as follows:
	Pork Segment						December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)						2014
	Net sales						$	71,173
	Net income						$	7,381
	Total assets						$	175,055
	Total liabilities						$	15,238
	Total equity						$	159,817
	Commodity Trading and Milling Segment	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Net sales	$	2,222,591		1,907,647		1,510,101
	Net income (loss)	$	(20,169	)	7,857		24,686
	Total assets	$	1,132,120		1,038,978		862,992
	Total liabilities	$	731,984		614,623		469,265
	Total equity	$	400,136		424,355		393,727
	Marine Segment						December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)						2014
	Total assets						$	118,823
	Total liabilities						$	36,379
	Total equity						$	82,444
	Sugar Segment	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Net sales	$	9,191		12,073		12,107
	Net income	$	1,684		1,349		194
	Total assets	$	8,178		9,271		8,865
	Total liabilities	$	1,660		3,158		2,839
	Total equity	$	6,518		6,113		6,026
	Turkey Segment	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Net sales	$	1,833,141		1,729,568		1,437,376
	Net income (loss)	$	104,130		(19,556	)	38,384
	Total assets	$	1,021,182		907,004		871,945
	Total liabilities	$	547,398		504,581		443,291
	Total equity	$	473,784		402,423		428,654
	At December 31, 2014, Seaboard’s carrying value of certain of these investments in affiliates in the Commodity Trading and Milling segment was $13,655,000 more than its share of the affiliate’s book value. The excess is attributable primarily to the valuation of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The amortizable assets are being amortized to income (loss) from affiliates over the remaining life of the assets.

Net_Property_Plant_and_Equipme

Net Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
	Note 5
	Net Property, Plant and Equipment
	The following table is a summary of property, plant and equipment at the end of each year:
		Useful	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	Lives	2014			2013
	Land and improvements	0-15 years	$	184,647		$	194,237
	Buildings and improvements	30 years	389,193			395,598
	Machinery and equipment	3-20 years	1,001,061			990,553
	Vessels and vehicles	3-18 years	160,310			126,502
	Office furniture and fixtures	5 years	25,965			30,102
	Construction in progress		25,535			40,317
			1,786,711			1,777,309
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(939,954		)	(913,736		)
	Net property, plant and equipment		$	846,757		$	863,573

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
	Note 6
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes attributable to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 differed from the amounts computed by applying the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35% to earnings before income taxes excluding non-controlling interest for the following reasons:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Computed “expected” tax expense excluding non-controlling interest	$	186,574		$	83,190		$	128,275
	Adjustments to tax expense attributable to:
	Foreign tax differences	4,314			1,808			(36,139		)
	Tax-exempt income	(8,793		)	(33,183		)	(62		)
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit	10,021			3,139			658
	Federal tax credits	(11,765		)	(21,095		)	(1,693		)
	Change in pension deferred tax	(331		)	(397		)	(1,252		)
	Domestic manufacturing deduction	(10,667		)	(1,488		)	(5,643		)
	Other	(1,554		)	476			46
	Total income tax expense	$	167,799		$	32,450		$	84,190
	Certain of Seaboard’s foreign operations are subject to no income tax or a tax rate which is considerably lower than the U.S. corporate tax rate.  Fluctuation of earnings or losses incurred from certain foreign operations conducting business in these jurisdictions can impact the mix of taxable earnings for each fiscal year.  The treatment of biodiesel production credits as tax-exempt income was clarified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2013 for 2013 and prior years and thus the amount of benefit recognized in 2013 above includes $16,523,000 for related refund claims for prior years not previously treated as tax-exempt.
	Earnings before income taxes consisted of the following:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	471,744		$	164,285		$	178,821
	Foreign	61,325			73,401			187,680
	Total earnings excluding non-controlling interest	533,069			237,686			366,501
	Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest	(730		)	(1,529		)	-277
	Total earnings before income taxes	$	533,799		$	239,215		$	366,778
	The components of total income taxes were as follows:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	111,120		$	(33,679	)	$	68,928
	Foreign	19,729			28,048			31,149
	State and local	11,505			3,093			6,507
	Deferred:
	Federal	19,953			24,698			(16,818		)
	Foreign	976			5,575			(935		)
	State and local	4,516			4,715			(4,641		)
	Income tax expense	167,799			32,450			84,190
	Unrealized changes in other comprehensive income	(26,835		)	10,318			(9,197		)
	Total income taxes	$	140,964		$	42,768		$	74,993
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Seaboard had income taxes receivable of $49,298,000 and $60,456,000, respectively, primarily related to domestic tax jurisdictions, and had income taxes payable of $4,673,000 and $2,974,000, respectively, primarily related to foreign tax jurisdictions.
	Components of the net deferred income tax liability at the end of each year were as follows:
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	107,091		$	114,519
	Domestic partnerships	48,592			29,871
	LIFO	42,193			17,212
	Cash basis farming adjustment	9,763			9,983
	Other	4,391			4,300
		$	212,030		$	175,885
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Reserves/accruals	$	110,662		$	83,408
	Deferred earnings of foreign subsidiaries	34,853			24,266
	Net operating and capital loss carry-forwards	18,853			17,725
	Tax credit carry-forwards	14,760			14,933
	Other	3,569			3,535
		182,697			143,867
	Valuation allowance	20,558			17,869
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	49,891		$	49,887
	Seaboard recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income tax expense. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, such interest and penalties were not material. The Company had approximately $3,097,000 and $2,120,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Seaboard had $6,888,000 and $7,301,000, respectively, in total unrecognized tax benefits all of which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Seaboard does not have any material uncertain tax positions in which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of the unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within 12 months of the reporting date.  The following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits:
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Beginning balance at January 1	$	7,301		$	5,053
	Additions for uncertain tax positions of prior years	454			2,300
Decreases for uncertain tax positions of prior years	-288			-238
Additions for uncertain tax positions of current year	44			422
Lapse of statute of limitations	-623			-236
Ending balance at December 31	$	6,888		$	7,301
Seaboard’s tax returns are regularly audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, which may result in material adjustments. Seaboard’s U.S. federal income tax years’ are closed through 2009. The IRS examination of Seaboard’s 2010 U.S. income tax return has been finalized. The jurisdictions that most significantly impact Seaboard’s effective tax rate are the United States and Argentina.
As of December 31 2014, Seaboard had not provided for U.S. Federal Income and foreign withholding taxes on $999,524,000 of undistributed earnings from foreign operations, as Seaboard intends to reinvest such earnings indefinitely outside of the United States. Determination of the tax that might be paid on these undistributed earnings if eventually remitted is not practical.  If Seaboard decided at a later date to repatriate these earnings to the U.S., Seaboard would be required to provide for the net tax effects on these amounts.
Management believes Seaboard’s future taxable income will be sufficient for full realization of the net deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance relates to the tax benefits from foreign net operating losses. Management does not believe these benefits are more likely than not to be realized due to limitations imposed on the deduction of these losses. At December 31, 2014, Seaboard had foreign net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $51,876,000 a portion of which expire in varying amounts between 2015 and 2032, while others have indefinite expiration periods.
At December 31, 2014, Seaboard had state tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $22,708,000, net of valuation allowance, all of which carry-forward indefinitely.
Seaboard has certain investments in various limited partnerships as a limited partner that are expected to enable Seaboard to obtain certain low income housing tax credits over a period of approximately ten years. Seaboard uses the proportional amortization method of accounting for all of its qualified affordable housing project investments by amortizing the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the income tax credits received and recognizing the net investment performance in the Comprehensive Statements of Income as a component of income tax expense.  The amounts of affordable housing tax credits and other tax benefits and related amortization expense recognized as components of income tax expense were not material for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  The balance of these investments recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $11,625,000 and $13,189,000, respectively.
On December 19, 2014, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (the 2014 Tax Act) was signed into law.  The 2014 Tax Act extended many expired corporate income tax provisions through December 31, 2014 which impacted current and deferred income taxes for financial reporting purposes. The total annual effects of the provisions in the new law on current and deferred taxes assets and liabilities for Seaboard were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.  The impact was a tax benefit of $11,410,000, or $9.68 per common share, recorded primarily related to certain income tax credits.  In addition to this amount was a credit of $15,450,000 for the Federal blender’s credits for 2014 that was recognized as revenues in the fourth quarter of 2014.  See Note 12 for further discussion of this Federal blender’s credit.  Since the 2014 Tax Act only extended these tax provisions, including the Federal blender’s credits, through December 31, 2014, future legislation would be required to extend these expired tax provisions.
On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the Tax Act) was signed into law.  The Tax Act extended many expired corporate income tax provisions that impact current and deferred taxes for financial reporting purposes.  In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the determination of current and deferred taxes is based on the provisions of the enacted law as of the balance sheet date; the effects of future changes in tax law are not anticipated.  The effects of changes in tax laws, including retroactive changes, are recognized in the financial statements in the period that the changes are enacted.  Accordingly, as the Tax Act was signed into law in 2013, the effects of the retroactive provisions in the new law on current and deferred taxes assets and liabilities for Seaboard were recorded in the first quarter of 2013.  The total impact was a one-time tax benefit of $7,945,000 recorded in the first quarter of 2013 related to certain 2012 income tax credits.  In addition to this amount was a credit of approximately $11,260,000 for 2012 Federal blender’s credits that was recognized as revenues in the first quarter of 2013.  See Note 12 for further discussion of this Federal blender’s credit.

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
	Note 7
	Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
	Notes payable amounting to $75,524,000 and $67,699,000 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, consisted of obligations due to banks on demand or based on Seaboard’s ability and intent to repay within one year. On October 24, 2014, Seaboard entered into a Credit Agreement for a committed line of credit totaling $50,000,000 related to a foreign subsidiary for the Commodity Trading and Milling segment, with a maturity date of October 23, 2015. At December 31, 2014, Seaboard also had another committed bank line totaling $200,000,000, with a maturity date of February 20, 2018, for a total of $250,000,000 in committed bank lines.  As of December 31, 2014, Seaboard also had uncommitted bank lines totaling $243,620,000, of which $193,620,000 of the uncommitted lines relate to foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under the committed lines and there were $75,524,000 outstanding under the uncommitted lines, respectively, all related to foreign subsidiaries.  The uncommitted borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2014 primarily represented $33,421,000 denominated in South African rand and $28,383,000 denominated in Argentine pesos. The weighted average interest rates for outstanding notes payable were 14.34% and 13.10% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	At December 31, 2014, Seaboard’s borrowing capacity under its committed and uncommitted lines was reduced by letters of credit totaling $10,000 and $1,534,000, respectively. The notes payable to banks under the credit lines are unsecured. The lines of credit do not require compensating balances. Facility fees on these agreements are not material.
	In July 2014, Seaboard provided notice of optional prepayment to its lenders related to a credit agreement with an original maturity of 2021.  The total principal payment of $85,500,000 was made on August 29, 2014.  In addition, Seaboard was required to pay an approximately $3,760,000 fee for early payment of this long-term debt that was charged to interest expense in the third quarter of 2014. In November 2013, Seaboard provided notice of call for early redemption to holders of certain IDRBs effective December 20, 2013 and paid $18,000,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. In April 2013, Seaboard provided notice of call for early redemption to holders of certain IDRBs effective May 13, 2013 and paid $10,800,000 in the second quarter of 2013.  In December 2012, Seaboard provided notice of call for early redemption to holders of certain IDRBs effective January 14, 2013 and paid $13,000,000 in the first quarter of 2013.
	The terms of the note agreements pursuant to which the bank debt and credit lines were issued require, among other terms, the maintenance of certain ratios and minimum net worth, the most restrictive of which requires an adjusted leverage ratio of less than 3.5 to 1.0; requires the maintenance of consolidated tangible net worth, as defined, of not less than $1,870,445,000, plus 25% of cumulative consolidated net income beginning after December 31, 2012; limits aggregate dividend payments to $25,000,000 per year under certain circumstances; limits the sum of subsidiary indebtedness and priority indebtedness to 20% of consolidated tangible net worth; and limits Seaboard’s ability to acquire investments and sell assets under certain circumstances. Seaboard is in compliance with all restrictive debt covenants relating to these agreements as of December 31, 2014.

Derivatives_and_Fair_Value_of_

Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Note 8
	Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	U.S. GAAP discusses several valuation techniques, such as the market approach (prices and other relevant information generated by market conditions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities), the income approach (techniques to convert future amounts to single present amounts based on market expectations including present value techniques and option pricing) and the cost approach (amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset which is often referred to as replacement cost). U.S. GAAP utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
	Level 1: Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets - Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
	Level 2: Significant Other Observable Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
	Level 3: Significant Unobservable Inputs - Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
	The following tables show assets and liabilities measured at fair value (derivatives exclude margin accounts) on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and also the level within the fair value hierarchy used to measure each category of assets.  Seaboard uses the end of the reporting period to determine if there were any transfers between levels.  There were no transfers between levels that occurred in 2014 and 2013.
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale securities-short-term investments:
	Money market funds	$	142,432		$	142,432		$	-		$	-
	Corporate bonds	11,015			-			11,015			-
	U.S. Government agency securities	9,666			-			9,666			-
	Asset backed debt securities	2,291			-			2,291			-
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	1,170			-			1,170			-
	U.S. Treasury securities	522			-			522			-
	Trading securities-short term investments:
	High yield debt securities	181,483			-			181,483			-
	Equity mutual fund	82,542			82,542			-			-
	Domestic equity ETF	32,651			32,651			-			-
	Money market funds held in trading accounts	21,401			21,401			-			-
	Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund	2,614			2,614			-			-
	Other trading investments	2,779			-			2,779			-
	Trading securities-other current assets:
	Domestic equity securities	33,857			33,857			-			-
	Foreign equity securities	6,532			6,532			-			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	4,570			4,570			-			-
	Other	2,676			2,405			271			-
	Derivatives
	Commodities (1)	6,136			6,136			-			-
	Foreign currencies	1,675			-			1,675			-
	Total Assets	$	546,012		$	335,140		$	210,872		$	-
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Commodities (1)	$	1,779		$	1,779		$	-		$	-
	Interest rate swaps	7,715			-			7,715			-
	Foreign currencies	407			-			407			-
	Total Liabilities	$	9,901		$	1,779		$	8,122		$	-
	(1) Seaboard’s commodities derivative assets and liabilities are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis, including netting the derivatives with the related margin accounts.  As of December 31, 2014, the commodity derivatives had a margin account balance of $4,314,000 resulting in a net other current asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $9,267,000 and other current liabilities of $596,000.
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2013			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale securities – short-term investments:
	Money market funds	$	88,430		$	88,430		$	-		$	-
	Corporate bonds	70,258			-			70,258			-
	U.S. Government agency securities	27,147			-			27,147			-
	Emerging markets debt mutual fund	16,941			16,941			-			-
	Asset backed debt securities	8,477			-			8,477			-
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	7,600			-			7,600			-
	U.S. Treasury securities	5,223			-			5,223			-
	Trading securities- short term investments:
	High yield debt securities	50,428			-			50,428			-
	Money market funds held in trading accounts	11,033			11,033			-			-
	Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund	2,858			2,858			-			-
	Other trading investments	2,254			-			2,254			-
	Trading securities – other current assets:
	Domestic equity securities	26,672			26,672			-			-
	Foreign equity securities	9,570			7,317			2,253			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	3,974			3,974			-			-
	Other	5,134			3,559			1,575			-
Derivatives
Commodities (1)	2,331			2,331			-			-
Foreign currencies	2,763			-			2,763			-
Total Assets	$	341,093		$	163,115		$	177,978		$	-
Liabilities:
Derivatives:
Commodities (1)	$	16,014		$	15,422		$	592		$	-
Interest rate swaps	4,103			-			4,103			-
Foreign currencies	101			-			101			-
Total Liabilities	$	20,218		$	15,422		$	4,796		$	-
(1) Seaboard’s commodities derivative assets and liabilities are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis, including netting the derivatives with the related margin accounts.  As of December 31, 2013, the commodity derivatives had a margin account balance of $29,822,000 resulting in a net other current asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $16,731,000 and other current liabilities of $592,000.
Financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, net receivables, notes payable and accounts payable are carried at cost, which approximates fair value, as a result of the short-term nature of the instruments.
The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by comparing interest rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. If Seaboard’s debt was measured at fair value on its Consolidated Balance Sheets, it would have been classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments and long-term debt at December 31, 2014 and 2013, are presented below:
December 31,	2014				2013
(Thousands of dollars)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Short-term investments, available-for-sale	$167,049		$167,096		$  224,314		$  224,076
Short-term investments, trading debt securities	330,181		323,470		65,728		66,573
Long-term debt	-		-		92,177		94,578
While management believes its derivatives are primarily economic hedges of its firm purchase and sales contracts or anticipated sales contracts, Seaboard does not perform the extensive record-keeping required to account for these types of transactions as hedges for accounting purposes.
Commodity Instruments
Seaboard uses various derivative futures and options to manage its risk to price fluctuations for raw materials and other inventories, finished product sales and firm sales commitments. Seaboard also enters into speculative derivative transactions not directly related to its raw material requirements. The nature of Seaboard’s market risk exposure has not changed materially since December 31, 2013. Commodity derivatives are recorded at fair value, with any changes in fair value being marked to market as a component of cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Since these derivatives are not accounted for as hedges, fluctuations in the related commodity prices could have a material impact on earnings in any given period.
At December 31, 2014, Seaboard had open net derivative contracts to purchase 19,800,000 pounds of hogs, 19,620,000 pounds of soybean oil, 15,551,000 pounds of sugar, 10,697,000 bushels of grain, 88,000 pounds of dry whey powder and 85,000 tons of soybean meal and open net derivative contracts to sell 4,326,000 gallons of heating oil.  At December 31, 2013, Seaboard had open net derivative contracts to purchase 51,184,000 pounds of sugar, 32,440,000 pounds of hogs, 6,540,000 bushels of grain, 440,000 pounds of cheese and 308,000 pounds of dry whey powder and open net derivative contracts to sell 12,125,000 pounds of palm oil and 76,000 tons of soybean meal. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, Seaboard recognized net realized and unrealized gains (losses) of $18,355,000, $(17,016,000) and $(6,098,000), respectively, related to commodity contracts, primarily included in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Foreign Currency Exchange Agreements
Seaboard enters into foreign currency exchange agreements to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange agreements that were primarily related to the underlying commodity transaction were recorded at fair value, with changes in value marked to market as a component of cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Foreign exchange agreements that were not related to an underlying commodity transaction were recorded at fair value, with changes in value marked to market as a component of foreign currency gains (losses), net on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Since these agreements are not accounted for as hedges, fluctuations in the related currency exchange rates could have a material impact on earnings in any given year.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Seaboard had trading foreign exchange contracts to cover its firm sales and purchase commitments and related trade receivables and payables, with notional amounts of $143,961,000 and $127,389,000, respectively, primarily related to the South African rand.
Interest Rate Exchange Agreements
During 2014, Seaboard put into place four, approximately eight-year interest rate exchange agreements with mandatory early termination dates in the second half of 2014 and 2015 for one of the agreements. Three of these agreements have since been terminated that had mandatory early termination dates in 2014.  Payments made by Seaboard to unwind these agreements were not material. Also in 2014, Seaboard entered into three new interest rate exchange agreements to replace the three that were terminated as noted above, each with a mandatory early termination in 2015 and similar terms as the interest rate exchange agreements terminated. These four exchange agreements, still outstanding as of December 31, 2014, involve the exchange of fixed-rate and variable-rate interest payments without the exchange of the underlying notional amounts to mitigate the potential effects of fluctuations in interest rates on the anticipated dry bulk vessel leases in 2015. Seaboard pays a fixed rate and receives a variable rate of interest on these four notional amounts of $22,000,000 each. In May 2010, Seaboard entered into three ten-year interest rate exchange agreements which involve the exchange of fixed-rate and variable-rate interest payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amounts to mitigate the effects of fluctuations in interest rates on variable rate debt. Seaboard pays a fixed rate and receives a variable rate of interest on three notional amounts of $25,000,000 each. In August 2010, Seaboard entered into another ten-year interest rate exchange agreement, with a notional amount of $25,000,000 that has terms similar to those for the other three interest rate exchange agreements referred to above. In September 2012, Seaboard terminated one interest rate exchange agreement with a notional value of $25,000,000. Seaboard made a payment in the amount of $3,861,000 to unwind this agreement. These interest rate exchange agreements do not qualify as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the changes in fair value of these agreements are recorded in Miscellaneous, net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Seaboard had seven agreements and three agreements outstanding, respectively, with a total notional value of $163,000,000 and $75,000,000, respectively.
The following table provides the amount of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and where it was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014		2013
(Thousands of dollars)
Commodities	Cost of sales-products		$ 18,355		$    (17,016	)
Foreign currencies	Cost of sales-products		4,302		15,801
Foreign currencies	Foreign currency gains, net		4,255		6,532
Interest rate	Miscellaneous, net		(7,988	)	3,535
The following table provides the fair value of each type of derivative held as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and where each derivative is included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(Thousands of dollars)	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
			2014		2013				2014			2013
Commodities(1)	Other current assets		$		$		Other current liabilities		$	1,779		$	16,014
			6,136		2,331
Foreign currencies	Other current assets		1,675		2,763		Other current liabilities		407			101
Interest rate	Other current assets		-		-		Other current liabilities		7,715			4,103
(1) Seaboard’s commodities derivative assets and liabilities are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis, including netting the derivatives with the related margin accounts.  As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the commodity derivatives had a margin account balance of $4,314,000 and $29,822,000, respectively, resulting in a net other current asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $9,267,000 and $16,731,000, respectively, and other current liabilities of $596,000 and $592,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Counterparty Credit Risk
From time to time Seaboard is subject to counterparty credit risk related to its foreign currency exchange agreements and interest rate swaps, should the counterparties fail to perform according to the terms of the contracts. As of December 31, 2014, Seaboard had $1,675,000 of credit risk to six counterparties related to its foreign currency exchange agreements and no credit risk related to its interest rate swaps.  Seaboard does not hold any collateral related to these agreements.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits
	Note 9
	Employee Benefits
	Seaboard maintains two defined benefit pension plans (“the Plans”) for its domestic salaried and clerical employees. The Plans generally provide eligibility for participation after one year of service upon attaining the age of 21. Effective January 1, 2014, newly hired employees do not qualify for participation. Benefits are generally based upon the number of years of service and a percentage of final average pay.
	Seaboard has historically based pension contributions on minimum funding standards to avoid the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) variable rate premiums established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974.  During the third quarter of 2013, Seaboard completed future funding analyses for these plans and in September 2013 made a deductible contribution of $10,000,000 for the 2012 plan year, principally to avoid future PBGC variable rate premiums established pursuant to the ERISA. Management did not make any contributions in 2014 and 2012 and currently does not plan on making any contributions to the Plans in 2015.
	Seaboard has separate investment policies for each Plan. The difference in target allocation percentages are based on one plan having more current retirees and thus a more conservative portfolio versus the other plan, which can assume greater risk as it will have a longer investment time horizon.  In July 2013, Seaboard modified its investment policy for each plan by decreasing the percentage of fixed income investments of the total for its allocation targets and actual investment composition within each plan.  Assets are invested in the Plans to achieve a diversified target allocation of approximately 40-50% in domestic equities, 20-25% in international equities, 10-25% in fixed income securities and 10-15% in alternative investments. The investment strategy provides investment managers’ discretion, and is periodically reviewed by management for adherence to policy and performance against benchmarks.
	As described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, U.S. GAAP utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following tables show the Plans’ assets measured at estimated fair value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and also the level within the fair value hierarchy used to measure each category of assets:
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Domestic equity securities	$     66,618		$  66,618		$	-		$	-
	Foreign equity securities	27,945		27,945		-			-
	Real estate mutual fund	8,977		8,977		-			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	4,683		4,683		-			-
	Commodity mutual funds	3,831		3,831		-			-
	International fixed income mutual funds	2,808		2,808		-			-
	Money market funds	2,205		2,205		-			-
	Other	5,037		174		4,863			-
	Total Assets	$    122,104		$  117,241		$	4,863		$	-
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2013		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Domestic equity securities	$    65,998		$  65,998		$	-		$	-
	Foreign equity securities	30,348		30,348		-			-
	Real estate mutual fund	8,866		8,866		-			-
	Commodity mutual funds	2,756		2,756		-			-
	International fixed income mutual funds	2,485		2,485		-			-
	Money market funds	1,938		1,938		-			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	1,786		1,786		-			-
	Corporate bonds	1,528		-		1,528			-
	Other	3,850		-		3,850			-
	Total Assets	$   119,555		$ 114,177		$	5,378		$	-
	Seaboard also sponsors non-qualified, unfunded supplemental executive plans, and has certain individual, non-qualified, unfunded supplemental retirement agreements for certain retired employees. The unamortized prior service cost is being amortized over the average remaining working lifetime of the active participants for these plans. Management has no plans to provide funding for these supplemental executive plans in advance of when the benefits are paid.
	Assumptions used in determining pension information for all of the above plans were:
		Years ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted-average assumptions
	Discount rate used to determine obligations	3.15-4.40%		3.55-5.20%		2.50-4.15%
	Discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost	3.55-5.20%		2.50-4.15%		3.75-4.70%
	Expected return on plan assets	7.00-8.00%		6.50-7.25%		6.50-7.25%
	Long-term rate of increase in compensation levels	4.00%		4.00%		4.00%
	Management selected the discount rate based on a model-based result where the timing and amount of cash flows approximates the estimated payouts. The expected returns on the Plans’ assets assumption are based on the weighted average of asset class expected returns that are consistent with historical returns. The assumed rate selected was based on model-based results that reflect the Plans’ asset allocation and related long-term projected returns. The measurement date for all plans is December 31. The unrecognized net actuarial losses are generally amortized over the average remaining working lifetime of the active participants for all of these plans.
	The changes in the plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of assets for the Plans, supplemental executive plans and retirement agreements and the funded status were as follows:
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Reconciliation of benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	203,263		$	226,725
	Service cost	7,701			9,427
	Interest cost	9,627			8,199
	Actuarial losses (gains)	44,322			(30,968		)
	Benefits paid	(6,699		)	(6,916		)
	Plan settlement	(638		)	-
	Agreement termination gain	-			(3,204		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	257,576		$	203,263
	Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	119,555		$	97,586
	Actual return on plan assets	6,473			15,494
	Employer contributions	3,413			13,391
	Benefits paid	(6,699		)	(6,916		)
	Plan settlement	(638		)	-
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	122,104		$	119,555
	Funded status	$	(135,472	)	$	(83,708	)
The net funded status of the Plans was $(47,725,000) and $(8,820,000) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The benefit obligation increased primarily due to a decrease in discount rates for all plans. The accumulated benefit obligation for the Plans was $144,110,000 and $110,653,000, and for all the other plans was $72,816,000 and $61,462,000 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Expected future net benefit payments for all plans during each of the next five years and in aggregate for the five year period beginning with the sixth year are as follows: $8,723,000, $10,751,000, $12,026,000, $13,667,000, $12,921,000, and $85,984,000, respectively.
In late April 2013, Mr. Joseph E. Rodrigues, Seaboard’s board member and retired former Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Seaboard Corporation, passed away.  During retirement, Mr. Rodrigues received retirement payments under an individual, non-qualified, unfunded supplemental retirement agreement.  Upon his death, this agreement terminated which eliminated the remaining accrued pension liability. This resulted in a one-time agreement termination gain of $3,204,000, or $1,954,000 net of tax, which was recognized in net earnings in addition to a gain of $2,148,000, or $1,310,000 net of tax, from the elimination of unrecognized pension cost in other comprehensive income in 2013.
The net periodic cost of benefits of these plans was as follows:
	Years ended December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	7,701		$	9,427		$	8,843
Interest cost	9,627			8,199			8,918
Expected return on plan assets	(8,695		)	(6,458		)	(6,431		)
Amortization and other	2,075			6,303			6,748
Agreement termination gain	-			(3,204		)	-
Settlement	156			-			1,796
Curtailment	-			-			1,134
Net periodic benefit cost	$	10,864		$	14,267		$	21,008
The amounts not reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) before taxes at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are $85,604,000 and $38,571,000, respectively.  Such amounts primarily represent accumulated losses, net of gain. The amounts in AOCL expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2015 are $5,494,000.
Seaboard participates in a multi-employer pension fund, the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union-Industry Pension Fund, which covers certain union employees under a collective bargaining agreement. This fund’s employer identification plan is 51-6055922 and this plan’s number is 001.  For the plan year beginning July 1, 2014, this plan’s “zone status” is green and is not subject to a funding improvement plan. Seaboard is required to make contributions to this plan in amounts established under the collective bargaining agreement that expires in July 2019. Contribution expense for this plan was $593,000, $594,000 and $584,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which represents less than five percent of total contributions to this plan. The applicable portion of the total plan benefits and net assets of this plan is not separately identifiable, although Seaboard has received notice that, under certain circumstances, it could be liable for unfunded vested benefits or other expenses of this jointly administered union plan.  Seaboard has not established any liabilities for potential future withdrawal, as such withdrawal from this plan is not probable.
Seaboard maintains a defined contribution plan covering most of its domestic salaried and clerical employees. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, Seaboard contributed to this plan an amount equal to 50% of the first 6% of each employee’s contributions to the plan. Employee vesting is based upon years of service, with 20% vested after one year of service and an additional 20% vesting with each additional complete year of service. Contribution expense for this plan was $2,245,000, $2,142,000 and $2,063,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Seaboard has a deferred compensation plan which allows certain employees to reduce their compensation in exchange for values in various investments. Seaboard also has an Investment Option Plan which allowed certain employees to reduce their compensation in exchange for an option to acquire interests measured by reference to three investments. However, as a result of U.S. tax legislation passed in 2004, reductions to compensation earned after 2004 are no longer allowed under the Investment Option Plan. The exercise price for each investment option was established based upon the fair market value of the underlying investment on the date of grant. Under both plans, Seaboard contributes 3% of the employees’ reduced compensation. Seaboard’s expense for these two deferred compensation plans, which primarily includes amounts related to the change in fair value of the underlying investment accounts, was $3,142,000, $5,942,000 and $4,148,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Included in other liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are $42,759,000 and $41,144,000, respectively, representing the market value of the payable to the employees upon distribution or exercise for each plan. In conjunction with these plans, Seaboard purchased the specified number of units of the employee-designated investment, plus the applicable option price for the Investment Option Plan. These investments are treated as trading securities and are stated at their fair market values. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $47,635,000 and $45,350,000, respectively, were included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investment income related to the mark-to-market of these investments for 2014, 2013, and 2012 totaled $3,086,000, $5,863,000 and $4,076,000, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
	Note 10
	Commitments and Contingencies
	On September 19, 2012, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) executed three search warrants authorizing the seizure of certain records from Seaboard’s offices in Merriam, Kansas and at the Seaboard Foods employment office and the human resources department in Guymon, Oklahoma.  The warrants generally called for the seizure of employment-related files, certain e-mails and other electronic records relating to Medicaid and Medicaid recipients, certain health care providers in the Guymon area, and Seaboard’s health plan and certain personnel issues.  The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma (“USAO”), which has been leading the investigation, previously advised Seaboard it intended to close its investigation and that no charges would be brought against Seaboard.  However, discussions with the USAO continue regarding the status of the investigation and the possibility of proceedings by the USAO, ICE and/or the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office remains.  No proceedings have been filed or brought as of this time.  It is not possible at this time to determine whether any agencies will continue to pursue an investigation or whether Seaboard will incur any material fines, penalties or liabilities in connection with this matter.
	Seaboard is subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings and other legal matters related to the normal conduct of its business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolutions of these items are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements of Seaboard.
	Contingent Obligations
	Certain of the non-consolidated affiliates and third party contractors who perform services for Seaboard have bank debt supporting their underlying operations. From time to time, Seaboard will provide guarantees of that debt in order to further business objectives. Seaboard does not issue guarantees of third parties for compensation. As of December 31, 2014, guarantees outstanding to third parties were not material. Seaboard has not accrued a liability for any of the third party or affiliate guarantees as management considers the likelihood of loss to be remote. See Note 7 for discussion of letters of credit.
	Commitments
	As of December 31, 2014 Seaboard had various firm non-cancelable purchase commitments and commitments under other agreements, arrangements and operating leases, as described in the table below:
	Purchase commitments	Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	Hog procurement contracts	$	188,281	$	134,284	$	76,084	$	56,090	$	-	$	-
	Grain and feed ingredients	80,989		1,535		220		-		-		-
	Grain purchase contracts for resale	370,540		-		-		-		-		-
	Fuel supply contract	43,251		-		-		-		-		-
	Equipment purchases and facility improvements	34,385		-		-		-		-		-
	Construction of new dry bulk vessels	58,842		-		-		-		-		-
	Other purchase commitments	10,000		745		34		34		34		66
	Total firm purchase commitments	786,288		136,564		76,338		56,124		34		66
	Vessel, time and voyage-charters	58,223		20,116		18,250		18,250		18,250		41,440
	Contract grower finishing agreements	11,124		10,438		10,184		7,318		2,369		22
	Other operating lease payments	25,407		23,342		24,137		23,711		23,640		212,389
	Total unrecognized firm commitments	$	881,042	$	190,460	$	128,909	$	105,403	$	44,293	$	253,917
	Seaboard has contracted with third parties for the purchase of live hogs to process at its pork processing plant, and has entered into grain and feed ingredient purchase contracts to support its live hog operations. The commitment amounts included in the table are based on projected market prices as of December 31, 2014.  During 2014, 2013 and 2012, this segment paid $226,925,000, $190,519,000 and $190,471,000, respectively, for live hogs purchased under committed contracts.
	The Commodity Trading and Milling segment enters into grain purchase contracts, primarily to support firm sales commitments. These contracts are valued based on projected commodity prices as of December 31, 2014.
	The Power segment has a natural gas supply contract for 2015 for a significant portion of the fuel required for the operation of the dual fuel power generating facility.  The commitment has both fixed and variable price components and thus the amount included in the table above is partially based on market prices as of December 31, 2014.
	In June 2012, Seaboard entered into an agreement to build four dry bulk vessels to be used by the Commodity Trading and Milling segment at an estimated total cost of $90,000,000. A down payment of $8,300,000 was made in July 2012.  Additional payments of $19,153,000 were made in 2014 and the final payments are scheduled to be made in 2015 when the vessels are delivered.  However, Seaboard currently anticipates selling and leasing back these four vessels as they are completed which would result in Seaboard receiving back the amounts spent to build at each individual lease inception with no gain or loss on sale.
	The Marine segment enters into contracts to time-charter vessels for use in its operations which include short-term time charters for a few months and long-term commitments ranging from one to ten years. This segment’s charter hire expenses during 2014, 2013 and 2012 totaled $86,816,000, $90,784,000 and $88,110,000, respectively.
	To support the operations of the Pork segment, Seaboard has contract grower finishing agreements in place with farmers to raise a portion of Seaboard’s hogs according to Seaboard’s specifications under long-term service agreements. Under the terms of the agreements, additional payments would be required if the grower achieves certain performance standards. The contract grower finishing obligations shown above do not reflect these incentive payments which, given current operating performance, total approximately $1,300,000 per year. In the event the farmer is unable to perform at an acceptable level, Seaboard has the right to terminate the contract. During the years ended 2014, 2013 and 2012, Seaboard paid $12,922,000, $13,194,000 and $13,641,000, respectively, under contract grower finishing agreements.
	Seaboard also leases various facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements including a terminal operations agreement at Port Miami which runs through 2028. Rental expense for operating leases for all segments amounted to $35,252,000, $33,995,000 and $29,224,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Stockholders_Equity_and_Accumu

Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Note 11
	Stockholders’ Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Seaboard has a share repurchase program in place which was initially approved by its Board of Directors in November 2009, and is in effect through October 31, 2015.  In May 2014, the Board of Directors increased the dollar amount of Seaboard common stock authorized to be repurchased under the share repurchase program by $20,000,000, and Seaboard commenced a tender offer to repurchase shares.  On June 19, 2014, Seaboard completed the tender offer, pursuant to which it repurchased 16,738 shares of common stock at a price per share of $2,950, for a total cost of $49,377,000.  As of December 31, 2014, $50,846,000 remained available for repurchases under this program.  Seaboard used cash to repurchase 18,405, 8,705 and 12,937 shares of common stock at a total price of $53,781,000, $23,578,000 and $26,830,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Under this share repurchase program, Seaboard is authorized to repurchase its Common Stock from time to time in open market or privately negotiated purchases, which may be above or below the traded market price. During the period that the share repurchase program remains in effect, from time to time, Seaboard may enter into a 10b5-1 plan authorizing a third party to make such purchases on behalf of Seaboard.  The stock repurchase will be funded by cash on hand.  Shares repurchased will be retired and resume the status of authorized and unissued shares.  All stock repurchased will be made in compliance with applicable legal requirements and the timing of the repurchases and the number of shares repurchased at any given time will depend upon market conditions, compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and other factors.  The Board’s stock repurchase authorization does not obligate Seaboard to acquire a specific amount of common stock and the stock repurchase program may be suspended at any time at Seaboard’s discretion.
	In December 2012, Seaboard declared and paid a dividend of $12.00 per share on the common stock.  The increased amount of the dividend (which has historically been $0.75 per share on a quarterly basis or $3.00 per share on an annual basis) represented a prepayment of the annual 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 dividends ($3.00 per share per year).  Seaboard does not currently intend to declare any further dividends for the years 2015 and 2016. Seaboard did not declare or pay a dividend in 2014, 2013 and 2011. In 2010, Seaboard declared and prepaid the 2012 and 2011 dividends of $3.00 per share per year.
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes, for 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
		Cumulative
		Foreign		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Currency		Gain (Loss)		Gain (Loss) on		Unrecognized
		Translation		on		Cash Flow		Pension
	(Thousands of dollars)	Adjustment		Investments		Hedges		Cost		Total
	Balance December 31, 2012	$	-109,457	$	2,232	$	-113	$	-64,206	$	-171,544
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-45,956		-1,124		-		32,938		-14,142
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings	-		(627)(1)		-		4,516(2)		3,889
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-45,956		-1,751		-		37,454		-10,253
	Balance December 31, 2013	$	-155,413	$	481	$	-113	$	-26,752	$	-181,797
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-38,624		775		-122		-34,664		-72,635
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings	-		78(1)		235		1,482(2)		1,795
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-38,624		853		113		-33,182		-70,840
	Balance December 31, 2014	$	-194,037	$	1,334	$	-	$	-59,934	$	-252,637
	(1) This represents realized gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities and was recorded in other investment income, net.
	(2) This primarily represents the amortization of actuarial losses that were included in net periodic pension cost and was recorded in operating income.  See Note 9 for further discussion.
	In 2013, Seaboard recognized a one-time retirement agreement termination gain of $1,310,000 net of tax, in unrecognized pension cost in other comprehensive income.  See Note 9 for further discussion.
	The foreign currency translation adjustment primarily represents the effect of the Argentine peso currency exchange fluctuation on the net assets of the Sugar segment. At December 31, 2014, the Sugar segment had $121,920,000 in net assets denominated in Argentine pesos and $492,000 in net assets denominated in U.S. dollars in Argentina.  At December 31, 2013, the Sugar segment had $151,769,000 in net assets denominated in Argentine pesos and $2,957,000 in net assets denominated in U.S. dollars in Argentina. Management anticipates that the Argentine peso could continue to weaken against the U.S. dollar and thus it is anticipated that Seaboard could incur additional foreign currency translation adjustment losses in other comprehensive loss in 2015.
	Income taxes for cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments were recorded using a 35% effective tax rate except for $55,745,000 and $41,380,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to certain subsidiaries for which no tax benefit was recorded.  Income taxes for all other components of accumulated other comprehensive loss were recorded using a 39% effective rate except for unrecognized pension cost of $20,001,000 and $8,663,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to employees at certain subsidiaries for which no tax benefit was recorded.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information
Segment Information
	Note 12
	Segment Information
	Seaboard Corporation had six reportable segments through December 31, 2014: Pork, Commodity Trading and Milling (CT&M), Marine, Sugar, Power and Turkey, each offering a specific product or service. Seaboard’s reporting segments are based on information used by Seaboard’s Chief Executive Officer in his capacity as chief operating decision maker to determine allocation of resources and assess performance. Each of the six main segments is separately managed, and each was started or acquired independent of the other segments. The Pork segment produces and sells fresh and frozen pork products to further processors, foodservice operators, grocery stores, distributors and retail outlets throughout the United States, and to Japan, Mexico and numerous other foreign markets. This segment also produces biodiesel primarily from pork fat for sale to third parties. The Commodity Trading and Milling segment is an integrated agricultural commodity trading and processing and logistics operation that internationally markets wheat, corn, soybean meal and other agricultural commodities in bulk to third party customers and to non-consolidated affiliates. This segment also operates flour, maize and feed mills, baking operations, and poultry production and processing in numerous foreign countries. The Marine segment, based in Miami, Florida, provides cargo shipping services between the United States, the Caribbean Basin and Central and South America. The Sugar segment produces and processes sugar and alcohol in Argentina, primarily to be marketed locally. The Power segment is an unregulated independent power producer in the Dominican Republic operating a floating power generating facility. The Turkey segment, accounted for using the equity method, produces and sells branded and non-branded turkeys and other turkey products. Total assets for the Turkey segment represents Seaboard’s investment in and notes receivable from this affiliate. Revenues for the All Other segment are primarily derived from a jalapeño pepper processing operation.
	As more fully described in Note 4, as of September 27, 2014 Seaboard’s Pork segment sold to Triumph a 50% interest in its processed meats division, Daily’s.  As a result, Seaboard deconsolidated Daily’s from its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2014.  Seaboard’s remaining 50% investment in Daily’s is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Substantially all of its hourly employees at its Guymon processing plant are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
	The 2014 Tax Act signed into law in December 2014 as discussed in Note 6, renewed the Federal blender’s credit that Seaboard is entitled to receive for biodiesel it blends which had previously expired on December 31, 2013 retroactively to January 1, 2014 with an expiration of December 31, 2014.  As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2014 the Pork segment recognized as revenues the 2014 Federal blender’s credits of $15,450,000. Also, the Tax Act signed into law in January 2013 as discussed in Note 6, renewed and extended the Federal blender’s credits which had previously expired on December 31, 2011 and renewed retroactively to January 1, 2012 with an expiration of December 31, 2013.  As a result, in the first quarter of 2013 the Pork segment recognized approximately $11,260,000 as revenues related to this Federal blender’s tax incentive for gallons produced and sold in fiscal 2012.
	In the fourth quarter of 2014, the CT&M segment recorded a $10,772,000 write-down in loss from affiliate from a decline in value considered other than temporary for its investment in a bakery located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  The CT&M segment historically derived a significant portion of its operating income from wheat sales to another non-consolidated affiliate in the DRC, although such portion has been declining significantly since 2012.  Also, Seaboard historically had derived a significant portion of its income from affiliates from this same affiliate but in 2014 and 2013 Seaboard incurred significant losses from this affiliate for its proportionate share.  See Note 4 for further discussion of the write-down and investments in affiliates in the DRC.
	The Power segment had been operating a floating power generating facility (72 megawatts) in the Dominican Republic under a short-term lease agreement.  On April 1, 2014, Seaboard provided notice to cancel the lease.  Seaboard ceased operations of the leased facility on September 3, 2014.  Seaboard had previously sold this facility to the current owner in 2011.  In conjunction with ceasing operations, Seaboard sold inventory related to these operations, the sale of which had been deferred until the end of the lease term.  In addition, $1,500,000 of the original sale price for this facility, which remained in escrow as security for the lease, was paid to Seaboard.  Finalization of the transfer of the leased facility to the owner and related settlement of all items occurred on September 18, 2014.  As a result, Seaboard recognized a $4,953,000 gain from sale of assets in operating income related to these items in the third quarter of 2014.
	The Turkey segment accounted for using the equity method, had operating income in 2014, 2013 and 2012 of $140,990,000, $4,892,000 and $65,694,000, respectively. In 2013, Butterball incurred charges for impairment of fixed assets related to the planned sale of its closed processing plant in Longmont, Colorado of which Seaboard’s proportionate share of these charges represented $(3,662,000) recognized in loss from affiliates.  This plant was sold in May 2014 for the approximate remaining net book value.
	The following tables set forth specific financial information about each segment as reviewed by management, except for the Turkey segment information previously disclosed in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating income for segment reporting is prepared on the same basis as that used for consolidated operating income. Operating income, along with income (loss) from affiliates for the Commodity Trading and Milling and Turkey segment, is used as the measure of evaluating segment performance because management does not consider interest and income tax expense on a segment basis.
	Sales to External Customers:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	1,717,329		$	1,713,077		$	1,638,404
	Commodity Trading and Milling	3,499,290			3,501,498			3,023,531
	Marine	852,749			913,776			969,575
	Sugar	199,503			245,541			288,315
	Power	189,119			283,796			255,390
	All Other	15,086			12,726			13,918
	Segment/Consolidated Totals	$	6,473,076		$	6,670,414		$	6,189,133
	Operating Income (Loss):
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	348,987		$	147,695		$	122,556
	Commodity Trading and Milling	53,941			38,339			71,852
	Marine	(2,693		)	(25,783		)	26,111
	Sugar	26,635			24,453			60,180
	Power	18,971			42,939			55,042
	All Other	1,173			745			607
	Segment Totals	447,014			228,388			336,348
	Corporate	(23,455		)	(23,524		)	(26,687		)
	Consolidated Totals	$	423,559		$	204,864		$	309,661
	Income (Loss) from Affiliates:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	3,690		$	-		$	-
	Commodity Trading and Milling	(23,740		)	(639		)	10,467
	Sugar	738			614			88
	Turkey	54,668			(10,267		)	20,152
	Segment/Consolidated Totals	$	35,356		$	(10,292	)	$	30,707
	Depreciation and Amortization:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	46,196		$	43,306		$	43,014
	Commodity Trading and Milling	5,146			5,553			6,330
	Marine	24,740			25,136			23,490
	Sugar	7,998			10,726			11,222
	Power	7,517			7,395			5,467
	All Other	382			363			366
	Segment Totals	91,979			92,479			89,889
	Corporate	406			598			327
	Consolidated Totals	$	92,385		$	93,077		$	90,216
	Total Assets:
					December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)				2014			2013
	Pork				$	821,172		$	773,641
	Commodity Trading and Milling				1,103,461			1,056,930
	Marine				283,276			271,012
	Sugar				198,271			226,245
	Power				199,256			267,431
	Turkey				393,425			342,083
	All Other				5,887			6,428
	Segment Totals				3,004,748			2,943,770
	Corporate				672,572			474,278
Consolidated Totals				$	3,677,320		$	3,418,048
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates:
				December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)				2014			2013
Pork				$	79,832		$	-
Commodity Trading and Milling				178,344			197,036
Marine				17,333			-
Sugar				2,994			2,768
Turkey				244,560			207,096
Segment/Consolidated Totals				$	523,063		$	406,900
Capital Expenditures:
	Years ended December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
Pork	$	54,244		$	79,637		$	52,333
Commodity Trading and Milling	21,351			24,213			22,817
Marine	29,381			22,817			35,365
Sugar	13,592			17,117			22,066
Power	2,243			4,207			25,022
All Other	115			247			112
Segment Totals	120,926			148,238			157,715
Corporate	252			1,414			1,040
Consolidated Totals	$	121,178		$	149,652		$	158,755
Administrative services provided by the corporate office allocated to the individual segments represent corporate services rendered to and costs incurred for each specific segment, with no allocation to individual segments of general corporate management oversight costs. Corporate assets include short-term investments, other current assets related to deferred compensation plans, fixed assets, deferred tax amounts and other miscellaneous items. Corporate operating losses represent certain operating costs not specifically allocated to individual segments and includes all costs related to Seaboard’s deferred compensation programs (which are offset by the effect of the mark-to-market investments recorded in Other Investment Income, Net).
Geographic Information
No individual foreign country accounted for 10% or more of sales to external customers. The following table provides a geographic summary of net sales based on the location of product delivery:
	Years ended December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
Caribbean, Central and South America	$	2,414,181		$	2,571,970		$	2,566,056
Africa	1,661,325			1,578,341			1,471,574
United States	1,396,769			1,389,784			1,303,533
Pacific Basin and Far East	424,551			383,105			334,215
Canada/Mexico	347,684			393,502			351,505
Eastern Mediterranean	156,167			186,127			74,509
Europe	72,399			167,585			87,741
Totals	$	6,473,076		$	6,670,414		$	6,189,133
The following table provides a geographic summary of Seaboard’s long-lived assets according to their physical location and primary port for the vessels:
	December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
United States	$	543,111		$	555,882
Dominican Republic	134,460			140,536
Argentina	70,531			90,367
All other	99,889			83,015
Totals	$	847,991		$	869,800
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Seaboard had approximately $266,510,000 and $340,748,000, respectively, of foreign receivables, excluding receivables due from affiliates, which generally represent more of a collection risk than the domestic receivables.  Management believes its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate and reduces receivables recorded to their expected net realizable value.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule II
	SEABOARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	(In Thousands)
		Balance at			Provision		Net deductions		Balance at
		beginning of year				-1		-2	end of year
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
	Year ended December 31, 2014		$	12,832		398		-1,269	$	11,961
	Year ended December 31, 2013		$	12,131		3,432		-2,731	$	12,832
	Year ended December 31, 2012		$	10,941		3,092		-1,902	$	12,131
	(1)The allowance for doubtful accounts provision is charged to selling, general and administrative expenses.
	(2)Includes write-offs net of recoveries and currency translation adjustments.
		Balance at			Charged (credit)		Balance at
		beginning of year			to expense		end of year
	Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets:
	Year ended December 31, 2014		$	17,869		2,689	$	20,558
	Year ended December 31, 2013		$	11,758		6,111	$	17,869
	Year ended December 31, 2012		$	16,320		-4,562	$	11,758
		Balance at			Charged (credit)		Balance at
		beginning of year			to expense		end of year
	Reserve for LIFO Valuation:
	Year ended December 31, 2014		$	62,236		-25,676	$	36,560
	Year ended December 31, 2013		$	90,730		-28,494	$	62,236
	Year ended December 31, 2012		$	57,783		32,947	$	90,730

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates
	Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Seaboard Corporation and its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in non-controlled affiliates are accounted for by the equity method. Financial information from certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates is reported on a one- to three-month lag, depending on the specific entity.
Short-Term Investments
	Short-Term Investments
	Short-term investments are retained for future use in the business and may include money market funds, corporate bonds, U.S. government agency securities, high yield debt securities, equity mutual funds, domestic equity ETFs and, on a limited basis, foreign government bonds. Investments held by Seaboard that are categorized as available-for-sale are reported at their estimated fair value with any related unrealized gains and losses reported net of tax, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  Investments held by Seaboard that are categorized as trading securities are reported at their estimated fair value with any unrealized gains and losses included in other investment income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Gains and losses on sale of investments are generally based on the specific identification method.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. The Power segment, however, collects interest on certain past due accounts, and the Commodity Trading and Milling segment provides extended payment terms for certain customers in certain countries due to local market conditions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is Seaboard’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. For most operating segments, Seaboard uses a specific identification approach to determine, in management’s judgment, the collection value of certain past due accounts based on contractual terms. For the Marine segment, the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an aging percentage methodology primarily based on historical write-off experience. Seaboard reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
Inventories	Inventories
	Seaboard uses the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market for determining inventory cost of live hogs, fresh pork product and related materials. Grain, flour and feed inventories at foreign milling operations are valued at the lower of weighted average cost or market.  All other inventories, including further processed pork products, are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and are being depreciated on the straight-line method over useful lives, ranging from 3 to 30 years.  Property, plant and equipment leases which are deemed to be installment purchase obligations have been capitalized and included in the property, plant and equipment accounts. Routine and planned major maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred, while major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, primarily property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Notes Receivable from Affiliates
	Notes Receivable from Affiliates
	Seaboard monitors the credit quality of notes receivable from its affiliates by obtaining and reviewing financial information for these affiliates on a monthly basis and by having Seaboard representatives serve on the Board of Directors of these affiliates. If based on current information and events it is probable that Seaboard will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the Notes Receivable from Affiliates and an amount can be reasonably estimated, Seaboard will write down the Notes Receivable to estimated realizable value.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment by each reporting unit at the quarter end closest to the anniversary date of the acquisition, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that impairment is likely. Separable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Any one event or a combination of events such as change in the business climate, a negative change in relationships with significant customers and changes to strategic decisions, including decisions to expand made in response to economic or competitive conditions could require an interim assessment prior to the next required annual assessment. Goodwill is primarily related to the repurchase in 2007 of a non-controlling interest of Seaboard Foods LLC in the Pork segment for a total of $12,256,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Both goodwill and other intangible assets, net decreased in 2014 as a result of a transaction in the Pork segment discussed in Supplemental Non—Cash Transactions below. Based on the annual assessments conducted by each reporting unit during 2014, there were no impairment charges recorded for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Accrued Self-Insurance	Accrued Self-Insurance
	Seaboard is self-insured for certain levels of workers’ compensation, health care coverage, property damage and general, vehicle and product recall liability. The cost of these self-insurance programs is accrued based upon estimated settlements for known and anticipated claims. Changes in estimates to previously recorded reserves are reflected in current operating results.
Asset Retirement Obligation	Asset Retirement Obligation
	Seaboard has recorded long-lived assets and a related liability for the asset retirement obligation costs associated with the closure of the hog lagoons it is legally obligated to close in the future should Seaboard cease operations or plan to close such lagoons voluntarily in accordance with a changed operating plan. Based on detailed assessments and appraisals obtained to estimate the future retirement costs, Seaboard has determined and recorded the present value of the projected costs in non-current other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the retirement asset depreciated over the economic life of the related asset. The following table shows the changes in the asset retirement obligation during 2014 and 2013:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	15,578		$	14,315
	Accretion expense	1,263			1,177
	Disposals	(114		)	-
	Liability for additional lagoons placed in service	-			86
	Ending balance	$	16,727		$	15,578
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. However, in the future, as these timing differences reverse, a lower statutory tax rate may apply pursuant to the provisions for domestic manufacturers of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Seaboard will recognize the benefit or cost of this change in the future.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	As a result of a marketing agreement with Triumph Foods LLC (Triumph), Seaboard’s sales prices for its pork products included in product revenues are primarily based on a margin sharing arrangement that considers the average sales price and mix of products sold from both Seaboard’s and Triumph’s hog processing plants. Seaboard earns a fee for marketing the pork products of Triumph, and recognizes this fee as service revenue primarily based on the number of head processed by Triumph. Revenues for the commodity trading business are recognized when the commodity is delivered to the customer, collection is reasonably assured and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Revenues for cargo services are recognized ratably over the transit time for each voyage, with expenses associated with cargo services recognized as incurred. Revenues for all other commercial exchanges are recognized at the time products are shipped or delivered in accordance with shipping terms or services rendered, the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection is reasonably assured and the sales price is fixed or determinable.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include those related to allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventories, impairment of long-lived assets, potential write-down related to investments in and advances to affiliates and notes receivable from affiliates, income taxes and accrued pension liability. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Earnings Per Common Share	Earnings Per Common Share
	Earnings per common share are based upon the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for all periods presented.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	Prior year amounts for accounts payable were increased and payables due to affiliates decreased by $10,552,000 on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 to properly reflect the obligations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, management considers all demand deposits and overnight investments as cash equivalents. The following table shows the amounts paid for interest and income taxes:
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Interest	$	20,177		$	11,119	$	11,674
	Income taxes (net of refunds)	135,393			59,899		69,760
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions	Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
	As more fully described in Note 4, as of September 27, 2014 Seaboard’s Pork segment sold to Triumph Foods LLC (Triumph) a 50% interest in its processed meats division, Daily’s Premium Meats (Daily’s).  As a result, Seaboard deconsolidated Daily’s from its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2014.  The following table summarizes the non-cash transactions resulting from this deconsolidation:
	(Thousands of dollars)
	Decrease in net working capital	$	21,070
	Increase in investment in and advances to affiliates	(74,142		)
	Decrease in fixed assets	16,038
	Decrease in goodwill	28,372
	Decrease in other intangible assets, net (not subject to amortization)	17,000
	Decrease in noncontrolling interest	(151		)
	Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	65,955
	Net proceeds from sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	$	74,142
	As discussed in Note 4, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, Seaboard has notes receivable from affiliates which accrue pay-in-kind interest income.  Non-cash, pay-in-kind interest income and accretion of discount recognized on these notes receivable for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $15,837,000, $13,642,000 and $11,936,000, respectively.
	During the third quarter of 2013, Seaboard finalized the details of its investment in and long-term loan to a bakery business in the Democratic Republic of Congo in which Seaboard has a 50% non-controlling interest, resulting in decreasing investments in and advances to affiliates and increasing long-term notes receivable from affiliates by $26,290,000 for amounts previously advanced prior to 2013. See Note 4 for further discussion.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation	Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
	Seaboard has operations in and transactions with customers in a number of foreign countries. The currencies of the countries fluctuate in relation to the U.S. dollar. Certain of the major contracts and transactions, however, are denominated in U.S. dollars. In addition, the value of the U.S. dollar fluctuates in relation to the currencies of countries where certain of Seaboard’s foreign subsidiaries and affiliates primarily conduct business. These fluctuations result in exchange gains and losses. The activities of these foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are primarily conducted with U.S. subsidiaries or operate in hyper-inflationary environments. As a result, the financial statements of certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are re-measured using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency.
	Seaboard’s Sugar segment, two consolidated subsidiaries (Commodity Trading and Milling segment businesses in Canada and Zambia) and eight non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates (Commodity Trading and Milling segment businesses in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa and Zambia), use local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates, and income and expense items are translated at average rates. Translation gains and losses are recorded as components of other comprehensive loss. For these entities, U.S. dollar denominated net asset or liability conversions to the local currency are recorded through income.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Seaboard recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities at their fair values. Accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on its designation and effectiveness. Derivatives qualify for treatment as hedges for accounting purposes when there is a high correlation between the change in fair value of the instrument and the related change in value of the underlying commitment. Additionally, in order to designate a derivative financial instrument as a hedge for accounting purposes, extensive record keeping is required. For derivatives that qualify as hedges for accounting purposes, the change in fair value has no net impact on earnings, to the extent the derivative is considered effective, until the hedged transaction affects earnings. For derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, or for the ineffective portion of a hedging instrument, the change in fair value does affect current period net earnings.
	Seaboard uses various derivative instruments to manage various types of market risks from its day-to-day operations, primarily including commodity futures and option contracts, foreign currency exchange agreements and interest rate exchange agreements. While management believes each of these instruments primarily are entered into in order to effectively manage various market risks, as of December 31, 2014, none of the derivatives are designated and accounted for as hedges, primarily as a result of the extensive record-keeping requirements. Seaboard also enters into speculative derivative transactions not directly related to its raw material requirements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance to develop a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. Seaboard is currently evaluating the impact this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  Seaboard will be required to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2017 and it is currently anticipated that Seaboard will apply this guidance using the cumulative effect transition method.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Schedule of changes in the asset retirement obligation
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	15,578		$	14,315
	Accretion expense	1,263			1,177
	Disposals	(114		)	-
	Liability for additional lagoons placed in service	-			86
	Ending balance	$	16,727		$	15,578
Schedule of amounts paid for interest and income taxes
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Interest	$	20,177		$	11,119	$	11,674
	Income taxes (net of refunds)	135,393			59,899		69,760
Schedule of non-cash transactions resulting from the deconsolidation
	(Thousands of dollars)
	Decrease in net working capital	$	21,070
	Increase in investment in and advances to affiliates	(74,142		)
	Decrease in fixed assets	16,038
	Decrease in goodwill	28,372
	Decrease in other intangible assets, net (not subject to amortization)	17,000
	Decrease in noncontrolling interest	(151		)
	Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	65,955
	Net proceeds from sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	$	74,142

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of short-term investments for both available-for-sale and trading securities
		2014				2013
		Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	(Thousands of dollars)	Cost		Value		Cost		Value
	Money market funds	$	142,432	$	142,432	$	88,430	$	88,430
	Corporate bonds	11,000		11,015		69,591		70,258
	U.S. Government agency securities	9,684		9,666		27,299		27,147
	Asset backed debt securities	2,260		2,291		8,446		8,477
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	1,150		1,170		7,597		7,600
	U.S. Treasury securities	523		522		5,258		5,223
	Emerging markets debt mutual fund	-		-		17,693		16,941
	Total available-for-sale short-term investments	167,049		167,096		224,314		224,076
	High yield trading debt securities	187,491		181,483		49,352		50,428
	Equity mutual fund	83,809		82,542		-		-
	Domestic equity ETF	31,307		32,651		-		-
	Money market funds held in trading accounts	21,401		21,401		11,033		11,033
	Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund	3,323		2,614		3,202		2,858
	Other trading investments	2,850		2,779		2,141		2,254
	Total trading short-term investments	330,181		323,470		65,728		66,573
	Total short-term investments	$	497,230	$	490,566	$	290,042	$	290,649
Summary of estimated fair value of fixed rate securities designated as available-for-sale, classified by the contractual maturity date of the security
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014
	Due within one year	$	546
	Due after one year through three years	9,956
	Due after three years	11,105
	Total fixed rate securities	$	21,607

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories
Summary of inventories
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	At lower of LIFO cost or market:
	Live hogs and materials	$	208,641		$	207,310
	Fresh pork and materials	28,573			33,485
		237,214			240,795
	LIFO adjustment	(36,560		)	(62,236		)
	Total inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market	200,654			178,559
	At lower of FIFO cost or market:
	Grains, oilseeds and other commodities	320,066			299,229
	Sugar produced and in process	48,863			53,325
	Other	57,344			74,289
	Total inventories at lower of FIFO cost or market	426,273			426,843
	Grain, flour and feed at lower of weighted average cost or market	109,375			93,596
	Total inventories	$	736,302		$	698,998

Investments_in_and_Advances_to1

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Pork segment
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Schedule of combined condensed financial information of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
	Pork Segment					December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)					2014
	Net sales					$	71,173
	Net income					$	7,381
	Total assets					$	175,055
	Total liabilities					$	15,238
	Total equity					$	159,817
Commodity Trading and Milling
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Schedule of combined condensed financial information of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
	Commodity Trading and Milling Segment	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Net sales	$	2,222,591		1,907,647		1,510,101
	Net income (loss)	$	(20,169	)	7,857		24,686
	Total assets	$	1,132,120		1,038,978		862,992
	Total liabilities	$	731,984		614,623		469,265
	Total equity	$	400,136		424,355		393,727
Marine
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Schedule of combined condensed financial information of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
	Marine Segment					December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)					2014
	Total assets					$	118,823
	Total liabilities					$	36,379
	Total equity					$	82,444
Sugar
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Schedule of combined condensed financial information of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
	Sugar Segment	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Net sales	$	9,191		12,073		12,107
	Net income	$	1,684		1,349		194
	Total assets	$	8,178		9,271		8,865
	Total liabilities	$	1,660		3,158		2,839
	Total equity	$	6,518		6,113		6,026
Turkey
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Schedule of combined condensed financial information of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
	Turkey Segment	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013		2012
	Net sales	$	1,833,141		1,729,568		1,437,376
	Net income (loss)	$	104,130		(19,556	)	38,384
	Total assets	$	1,021,182		907,004		871,945
	Total liabilities	$	547,398		504,581		443,291
	Total equity	$	473,784		402,423		428,654

Net_Property_Plant_and_Equipme1

Net Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Property, Plant and Equipment
Summary of property, plant and equipment
		Useful	December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	Lives	2014			2013
	Land and improvements	0-15 years	$	184,647		$	194,237
	Buildings and improvements	30 years	389,193			395,598
	Machinery and equipment	3-20 years	1,001,061			990,553
	Vessels and vehicles	3-18 years	160,310			126,502
	Office furniture and fixtures	5 years	25,965			30,102
	Construction in progress		25,535			40,317
			1,786,711			1,777,309
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(939,954		)	(913,736		)
	Net property, plant and equipment		$	846,757		$	863,573

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Schedule of reconciliation of computed expected tax expense excluding non-controlling interest to income tax expense (benefit) attributable to continuing operations
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Computed “expected” tax expense excluding non-controlling interest	$	186,574		$	83,190		$	128,275
	Adjustments to tax expense attributable to:
	Foreign tax differences	4,314			1,808			(36,139		)
	Tax-exempt income	(8,793		)	(33,183		)	(62		)
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit	10,021			3,139			658
	Federal tax credits	(11,765		)	(21,095		)	(1,693		)
	Change in pension deferred tax	(331		)	(397		)	(1,252		)
	Domestic manufacturing deduction	(10,667		)	(1,488		)	(5,643		)
	Other	(1,554		)	476			46
	Total income tax expense	$	167,799		$	32,450		$	84,190
Schedule of components of earnings before income taxes
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	471,744		$	164,285		$	178,821
	Foreign	61,325			73,401			187,680
	Total earnings excluding non-controlling interest	533,069			237,686			366,501
	Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest	(730		)	(1,529		)	-277
	Total earnings before income taxes	$	533,799		$	239,215		$	366,778
Schedule of components of total income taxes
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	111,120		$	(33,679	)	$	68,928
	Foreign	19,729			28,048			31,149
	State and local	11,505			3,093			6,507
	Deferred:
	Federal	19,953			24,698			(16,818		)
	Foreign	976			5,575			(935		)
	State and local	4,516			4,715			(4,641		)
	Income tax expense	167,799			32,450			84,190
	Unrealized changes in other comprehensive income	(26,835		)	10,318			(9,197		)
	Total income taxes	$	140,964		$	42,768		$	74,993
Schedule of components of the net deferred income tax liability
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	107,091		$	114,519
	Domestic partnerships	48,592			29,871
	LIFO	42,193			17,212
	Cash basis farming adjustment	9,763			9,983
	Other	4,391			4,300
		$	212,030		$	175,885
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Reserves/accruals	$	110,662		$	83,408
	Deferred earnings of foreign subsidiaries	34,853			24,266
	Net operating and capital loss carry-forwards	18,853			17,725
	Tax credit carry-forwards	14,760			14,933
	Other	3,569			3,535
		182,697			143,867
	Valuation allowance	20,558			17,869
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	49,891		$	49,887
Schedule of reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Beginning balance at January 1	$	7,301		$	5,053
	Additions for uncertain tax positions of prior years	454			2,300
	Decreases for uncertain tax positions of prior years	-288			-238
	Additions for uncertain tax positions of current year	44			422
	Lapse of statute of limitations	-623			-236
	Ending balance at December 31	$	6,888		$	7,301

Derivatives_and_Fair_Value_of_1

Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale securities-short-term investments:
	Money market funds	$	142,432		$	142,432		$	-		$	-
	Corporate bonds	11,015			-			11,015			-
	U.S. Government agency securities	9,666			-			9,666			-
	Asset backed debt securities	2,291			-			2,291			-
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	1,170			-			1,170			-
	U.S. Treasury securities	522			-			522			-
	Trading securities-short term investments:
	High yield debt securities	181,483			-			181,483			-
	Equity mutual fund	82,542			82,542			-			-
	Domestic equity ETF	32,651			32,651			-			-
	Money market funds held in trading accounts	21,401			21,401			-			-
	Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund	2,614			2,614			-			-
	Other trading investments	2,779			-			2,779			-
	Trading securities-other current assets:
	Domestic equity securities	33,857			33,857			-			-
	Foreign equity securities	6,532			6,532			-			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	4,570			4,570			-			-
	Other	2,676			2,405			271			-
	Derivatives
	Commodities (1)	6,136			6,136			-			-
	Foreign currencies	1,675			-			1,675			-
	Total Assets	$	546,012		$	335,140		$	210,872		$	-
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Commodities (1)	$	1,779		$	1,779		$	-		$	-
	Interest rate swaps	7,715			-			7,715			-
	Foreign currencies	407			-			407			-
	Total Liabilities	$	9,901		$	1,779		$	8,122		$	-
	(1) Seaboard’s commodities derivative assets and liabilities are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis, including netting the derivatives with the related margin accounts.  As of December 31, 2014, the commodity derivatives had a margin account balance of $4,314,000 resulting in a net other current asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $9,267,000 and other current liabilities of $596,000.
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2013			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Available-for-sale securities – short-term investments:
	Money market funds	$	88,430		$	88,430		$	-		$	-
	Corporate bonds	70,258			-			70,258			-
	U.S. Government agency securities	27,147			-			27,147			-
	Emerging markets debt mutual fund	16,941			16,941			-			-
	Asset backed debt securities	8,477			-			8,477			-
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	7,600			-			7,600			-
	U.S. Treasury securities	5,223			-			5,223			-
	Trading securities- short term investments:
	High yield debt securities	50,428			-			50,428			-
	Money market funds held in trading accounts	11,033			11,033			-			-
	Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund	2,858			2,858			-			-
	Other trading investments	2,254			-			2,254			-
	Trading securities – other current assets:
	Domestic equity securities	26,672			26,672			-			-
	Foreign equity securities	9,570			7,317			2,253			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	3,974			3,974			-			-
	Other	5,134			3,559			1,575			-
	Derivatives
	Commodities (1)	2,331			2,331			-			-
	Foreign currencies	2,763			-			2,763			-
	Total Assets	$	341,093		$	163,115		$	177,978		$	-
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives:
	Commodities (1)	$	16,014		$	15,422		$	592		$	-
Interest rate swaps	4,103			-			4,103			-
Foreign currencies	101			-			101			-
Total Liabilities	$	20,218		$	15,422		$	4,796		$	-
(1) Seaboard’s commodities derivative assets and liabilities are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis, including netting the derivatives with the related margin accounts.  As of December 31, 2013, the commodity derivatives had a margin account balance of $29,822,000 resulting in a net other current asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $16,731,000 and other current liabilities of $592,000.
Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments and long term debt
	December 31,	2014				2013
	(Thousands of dollars)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	Short-term investments, available-for-sale	$167,049		$167,096		$  224,314		$  224,076
	Short-term investments, trading debt securities	330,181		323,470		65,728		66,573
	Long-term debt	-		-		92,177		94,578
Schedule of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
				2014		2013
	(Thousands of dollars)
	Commodities	Cost of sales-products		$ 18,355		$    (17,016	)
	Foreign currencies	Cost of sales-products		4,302		15,801
	Foreign currencies	Foreign currency gains, net		4,255		6,532
	Interest rate	Miscellaneous, net		(7,988	)	3,535
Schedule of fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
	(Thousands of dollars)	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
				2014		2013				2014			2013
	Commodities(1)	Other current assets		$		$		Other current liabilities		$	1,779		$	16,014
				6,136		2,331
	Foreign currencies	Other current assets		1,675		2,763		Other current liabilities		407			101
	Interest rate	Other current assets		-		-		Other current liabilities		7,715			4,103
	(1) Seaboard’s commodities derivative assets and liabilities are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis, including netting the derivatives with the related margin accounts.  As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the commodity derivatives had a margin account balance of $4,314,000 and $29,822,000, respectively, resulting in a net other current asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of $9,267,000 and $16,731,000, respectively, and other current liabilities of $596,000 and $592,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Employee_Benefits_Tables

Employee Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefits
Schedule of Plans' assets measured at estimated fair value
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Domestic equity securities	$     66,618		$  66,618		$	-		$	-
	Foreign equity securities	27,945		27,945		-			-
	Real estate mutual fund	8,977		8,977		-			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	4,683		4,683		-			-
	Commodity mutual funds	3,831		3,831		-			-
	International fixed income mutual funds	2,808		2,808		-			-
	Money market funds	2,205		2,205		-			-
	Other	5,037		174		4,863			-
	Total Assets	$    122,104		$  117,241		$	4,863		$	-
		Balance
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2013		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Assets:
	Domestic equity securities	$    65,998		$  65,998		$	-		$	-
	Foreign equity securities	30,348		30,348		-			-
	Real estate mutual fund	8,866		8,866		-			-
	Commodity mutual funds	2,756		2,756		-			-
	International fixed income mutual funds	2,485		2,485		-			-
	Money market funds	1,938		1,938		-			-
	Fixed income mutual funds	1,786		1,786		-			-
	Corporate bonds	1,528		-		1,528			-
	Other	3,850		-		3,850			-
	Total Assets	$   119,555		$ 114,177		$	5,378		$	-
Schedule of assumptions used in determining pension information for plans
		Years ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Weighted-average assumptions
	Discount rate used to determine obligations	3.15-4.40%		3.55-5.20%		2.50-4.15%
	Discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost	3.55-5.20%		2.50-4.15%		3.75-4.70%
	Expected return on plan assets	7.00-8.00%		6.50-7.25%		6.50-7.25%
	Long-term rate of increase in compensation levels	4.00%		4.00%		4.00%
Schedule of the funded status
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Reconciliation of benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	203,263		$	226,725
	Service cost	7,701			9,427
	Interest cost	9,627			8,199
	Actuarial losses (gains)	44,322			(30,968		)
	Benefits paid	(6,699		)	(6,916		)
	Plan settlement	(638		)	-
	Agreement termination gain	-			(3,204		)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	257,576		$	203,263
	Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	119,555		$	97,586
	Actual return on plan assets	6,473			15,494
	Employer contributions	3,413			13,391
	Benefits paid	(6,699		)	(6,916		)
	Plan settlement	(638		)	-
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	122,104		$	119,555
	Funded status	$	(135,472	)	$	(83,708	)
Schedule of net periodic benefits cost of plans
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
	Service cost	$	7,701		$	9,427		$	8,843
	Interest cost	9,627			8,199			8,918
	Expected return on plan assets	(8,695		)	(6,458		)	(6,431		)
	Amortization and other	2,075			6,303			6,748
	Agreement termination gain	-			(3,204		)	-
	Settlement	156			-			1,796
	Curtailment	-			-			1,134
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	10,864		$	14,267		$	21,008

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Schedule of non-cancelable purchase commitments and commitments under other agreements
	Purchase commitments	Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	Hog procurement contracts	$	188,281	$	134,284	$	76,084	$	56,090	$	-	$	-
	Grain and feed ingredients	80,989		1,535		220		-		-		-
	Grain purchase contracts for resale	370,540		-		-		-		-		-
	Fuel supply contract	43,251		-		-		-		-		-
	Equipment purchases and facility improvements	34,385		-		-		-		-		-
	Construction of new dry bulk vessels	58,842		-		-		-		-		-
	Other purchase commitments	10,000		745		34		34		34		66
	Total firm purchase commitments	786,288		136,564		76,338		56,124		34		66
	Vessel, time and voyage-charters	58,223		20,116		18,250		18,250		18,250		41,440
	Contract grower finishing agreements	11,124		10,438		10,184		7,318		2,369		22
	Other operating lease payments	25,407		23,342		24,137		23,711		23,640		212,389
	Total unrecognized firm commitments	$	881,042	$	190,460	$	128,909	$	105,403	$	44,293	$	253,917

Stockholders_Equity_and_Accumu1

Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Schedule of components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes
		Cumulative
		Foreign		Unrealized		Unrealized
		Currency		Gain (Loss)		Gain (Loss) on		Unrecognized
		Translation		on		Cash Flow		Pension
	(Thousands of dollars)	Adjustment		Investments		Hedges		Cost		Total
	Balance December 31, 2012	$	-109,457	$	2,232	$	-113	$	-64,206	$	-171,544
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-45,956		-1,124		-		32,938		-14,142
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings	-		(627)(1)		-		4,516(2)		3,889
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-45,956		-1,751		-		37,454		-10,253
	Balance December 31, 2013	$	-155,413	$	481	$	-113	$	-26,752	$	-181,797
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-38,624		775		-122		-34,664		-72,635
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings	-		78(1)		235		1,482(2)		1,795
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-38,624		853		113		-33,182		-70,840
	Balance December 31, 2014	$	-194,037	$	1,334	$	-	$	-59,934	$	-252,637
	(1) This represents realized gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities and was recorded in other investment income, net.
	(2) This primarily represents the amortization of actuarial losses that were included in net periodic pension cost and was recorded in operating income.  See Note 9 for further discussion.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information
Summary of specific financial information related to sales to external customers
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	1,717,329		$	1,713,077		$	1,638,404
	Commodity Trading and Milling	3,499,290			3,501,498			3,023,531
	Marine	852,749			913,776			969,575
	Sugar	199,503			245,541			288,315
	Power	189,119			283,796			255,390
	All Other	15,086			12,726			13,918
	Segment/Consolidated Totals	$	6,473,076		$	6,670,414		$	6,189,133
Summary of specific financial information related to operating income (loss)
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	348,987		$	147,695		$	122,556
	Commodity Trading and Milling	53,941			38,339			71,852
	Marine	(2,693		)	(25,783		)	26,111
	Sugar	26,635			24,453			60,180
	Power	18,971			42,939			55,042
	All Other	1,173			745			607
	Segment Totals	447,014			228,388			336,348
	Corporate	(23,455		)	(23,524		)	(26,687		)
	Consolidated Totals	$	423,559		$	204,864		$	309,661
Summary of specific financial information related to income (loss) from affiliates
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	3,690		$	-		$	-
	Commodity Trading and Milling	(23,740		)	(639		)	10,467
	Sugar	738			614			88
	Turkey	54,668			(10,267		)	20,152
	Segment/Consolidated Totals	$	35,356		$	(10,292	)	$	30,707
Summary of specific financial information related to depreciation and amortization
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	46,196		$	43,306		$	43,014
	Commodity Trading and Milling	5,146			5,553			6,330
	Marine	24,740			25,136			23,490
	Sugar	7,998			10,726			11,222
	Power	7,517			7,395			5,467
	All Other	382			363			366
	Segment Totals	91,979			92,479			89,889
	Corporate	406			598			327
	Consolidated Totals	$	92,385		$	93,077		$	90,216
Summary of specific financial information related to total assets
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Pork	$	821,172		$	773,641
	Commodity Trading and Milling	1,103,461			1,056,930
	Marine	283,276			271,012
	Sugar	198,271			226,245
	Power	199,256			267,431
	Turkey	393,425			342,083
	All Other	5,887			6,428
	Segment Totals	3,004,748			2,943,770
	Corporate	672,572			474,278
	Consolidated Totals	$	3,677,320		$	3,418,048
Summary of specific financial information related to investments in and advances to affiliates
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	Pork	$	79,832		$	-
	Commodity Trading and Milling	178,344			197,036
	Marine	17,333			-
	Sugar	2,994			2,768
	Turkey	244,560			207,096
	Segment/Consolidated Totals	$	523,063		$	406,900
Summary of specific financial information related to capital expenditures
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Pork	$	54,244		$	79,637		$	52,333
	Commodity Trading and Milling	21,351			24,213			22,817
	Marine	29,381			22,817			35,365
	Sugar	13,592			17,117			22,066
	Power	2,243			4,207			25,022
	All Other	115			247			112
	Segment Totals	120,926			148,238			157,715
	Corporate	252			1,414			1,040
	Consolidated Totals	$	121,178		$	149,652		$	158,755
Geographic summary of net sales based on the location of product delivery
		Years ended December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013			2012
	Caribbean, Central and South America	$	2,414,181		$	2,571,970		$	2,566,056
	Africa	1,661,325			1,578,341			1,471,574
	United States	1,396,769			1,389,784			1,303,533
	Pacific Basin and Far East	424,551			383,105			334,215
	Canada/Mexico	347,684			393,502			351,505
	Eastern Mediterranean	156,167			186,127			74,509
	Europe	72,399			167,585			87,741
	Totals	$	6,473,076		$	6,670,414		$	6,189,133
Geographic summary of the entity's long-lived assets according to their physical location and primary port for the vessels
		December 31,
	(Thousands of dollars)	2014			2013
	United States	$	543,111		$	555,882
	Dominican Republic	134,460			140,536
	Argentina	70,531			90,367
	All other	99,889			83,015
	Totals	$	847,991		$	869,800

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010
	item
Operations of Seaboard Corporation and its Subsidiaries
Percentage of ownership interest held by Seaboard Flour LLC and SFC Preferred LLC (Parent Companies)	76.40%
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill	$14,846,000	$43,218,000
Impairment charges	0
Changes in the asset retirement obligation
Beginning balance	15,578,000	14,315,000		15,578,000
Accretion Expense	1,263,000	1,177,000
Disposals	-114,000
Liability for additional lagoons placed in service		86,000
Ending balance	16,727,000	15,578,000	14,315,000
Reclassifications
Increase in accounts payable due to reclassification		10,552,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Interest	20,177,000	11,119,000	11,674,000
Income taxes (net of refunds)	135,393,000	59,899,000	69,760,000
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	65,955,000
Net proceeds from sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	74,142,000
Non-cash, pay-in-kind interest income and accretion of discount recognized on a note receivable from an affiliate	15,837,000	13,642,000	11,936,000
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
Number of consolidated subsidiaries using local currency as their functional currency	2
Number of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates using local currency as their functional currency	8
Minimum
Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates
Time lag for reporting financial information of certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates	1 month
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful Lives	3 years
Maximum
Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates
Time lag for reporting financial information of certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates	3 months
Property, Plant and Equipment
Useful Lives	30 years
Divestiture of a 50% interest in Daily's
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
Decrease in net working capital				21,070,000
Decrease (increase) in investments in and advances to affiliates				-74,142,000
Decrease in fixed assets				16,038,000
Decrease in goodwill				28,372,000
Decrease in other intangible assets, net (not subject to amortization)				17,000,000
Decrease in noncontrolling interest				-151,000
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary				65,955,000
Net proceeds from sale of controlling interest in subsidiary				74,142,000
Bakery business | Democratic Republic of Congo
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
Decrease (increase) in investments in and advances to affiliates					26,290,000
Increase in long-term notes receivable from affiliates		26,290,000			26,290,000
Percentage of ownership					50.00%		50.00%
Pork segment
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill	12,256,000	12,256,000
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
Percentage of ownership	50.00%			50.00%		50.00%
Pork segment | Triumph
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
Percentage of ownership interest sold				50.00%		50.00%
Pork segment | Triumph | Divestiture of a 50% interest in Daily's
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
Percentage of ownership interest sold				50.00%		50.00%
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary						65,955,000
Net proceeds from sale of controlling interest in subsidiary						$74,142,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (Designated as hedge)	Dec. 31, 2014
	item
Designated as hedge
Derivative commodity instruments
Number of derivative agreements	0

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments
Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities	($6,880,000)	($736,000)	$1,669,000
Total available-for-sale and trading short term investments, amortized cost	497,230,000	290,042,000
Total available-for-sale and trading short term investments, fair value	490,566,000	290,649,000
Estimated fair value of fixed rate securities designated as available-for-sale, classified by the contractual maturity date of the security
Due within one year	546,000
Due after one year through three years	9,956,000
Due after three years	11,105,000
Total fixed rate securities	21,607,000
Available-for-sale securities.
Investments
Amortized Cost	167,049,000	224,314,000
Fair Value	167,096,000	224,076,000
Money market funds
Investments
Amortized Cost	142,432,000	88,430,000
Fair Value	142,432,000	88,430,000
Money market funds | Denominated in Canadian dollars
Investments
Fair Value	4,210,000	16,144,000
Money market funds | Denominated in Euros
Investments
Fair Value	3,588,000	11,715,000
Corporate bonds
Investments
Amortized Cost	11,000,000	69,591,000
Fair Value	11,015,000	70,258,000
U.S. Government agency securities
Investments
Amortized Cost	9,684,000	27,299,000
Fair Value	9,666,000	27,147,000
Asset backed debt securities
Investments
Amortized Cost	2,260,000	8,446,000
Fair Value	2,291,000	8,477,000
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Investments
Amortized Cost	1,150,000	7,597,000
Fair Value	1,170,000	7,600,000
U.S. Treasury securities
Investments
Amortized Cost	523,000	5,258,000
Fair Value	522,000	5,223,000
Emerging markets debt mutual fund
Investments
Amortized Cost		17,693,000
Fair Value		16,941,000
Trading securities.
Investments
Amortized Cost	330,181,000	65,728,000
Fair Value	323,470,000	66,573,000
High yield debt securities
Investments
Amortized Cost	187,491,000	49,352,000
Fair Value	181,483,000	50,428,000
Equity mutual fund
Investments
Amortized Cost	83,809,000
Fair Value	82,542,000
Domestic equity ETF
Investments
Amortized Cost	31,307,000
Fair Value	32,651,000
Money market funds held in trading accounts
Investments
Amortized Cost	21,401,000	11,033,000
Fair Value	21,401,000	11,033,000
Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund
Investments
Amortized Cost	3,323,000	3,202,000
Fair Value	2,614,000	2,858,000
Other trading investments
Investments
Amortized Cost	2,850,000	2,141,000
Fair Value	$2,779,000	$2,254,000

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
At lower of LIFO cost or market:
Live hogs and materials	$208,641,000	$207,310,000
Fresh pork and materials	28,573,000	33,485,000
Inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market, Gross	237,214,000	240,795,000
LIFO adjustment	-36,560,000	-62,236,000
Total inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market	200,654,000	178,559,000
At lower of FIFO cost or market:
Grains, oilseeds and other commodities	320,066,000	299,229,000
Sugar produced and in process	48,863,000	53,325,000
Other	57,344,000	74,289,000
Total inventories at lower of FIFO cost or market	426,273,000	426,843,000
Grain, flour and feed at lower of weighted average cost or market	109,375,000	93,596,000
Total inventories	736,302,000	698,998,000
LIFO method increase (decrease) in earnings	15,662,000	17,381,000	-20,098,000
LIFO method increase (decrease) in earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$13.29	$14.56	($16.70)
Amount that inventories would have been higher by if the FIFO method had been used	$36,560,000	$62,236,000

Investments_in_and_Advances_to2

Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Jul. 27, 2013
		item
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investments in and advances to affiliates	$523,063,000			$406,900,000			$523,063,000
Notes receivable from affiliates	197,270,000			180,386,000			197,270,000
Proceeds from the sale of controlling interest in a subsidiary	74,142,000
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary	65,955,000
Additional investment or capital contribution	3,886,000
Receivables due from affiliates	201,870,000			145,041,000			201,870,000
Divestiture of a 50% interest in Daily's
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Proceeds from the sale of controlling interest in a subsidiary		74,142,000
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary		65,955,000
Number of processing plants		2	2
Decrease (increase) in investments in and advances to affiliates		74,142,000
Pork segment
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%				50.00%
Investments in and advances to affiliates	79,832,000						79,832,000
Combined condensed financial information of the non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
Net sales	71,173,000
Net income (loss)	7,381,000
Total assets	175,055,000						175,055,000
Total liabilities	15,238,000						15,238,000
Total equity	159,817,000						159,817,000
Pork segment | Divestiture of a 50% interest in Daily's
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Excess of fair value over book value on sale			32,978,000
Fair value of investment		74,142,000	74,142,000
Additional investment or capital contribution			2,000,000
Beginning total investment in affiliate		76,142,000	76,142,000
Commodity Trading and Milling
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investments in and advances to affiliates	178,344,000			197,036,000			178,344,000
Excess of carrying value of investment in affiliates over entity's share of affiliates' book value	13,655,000						13,655,000
Combined condensed financial information of the non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
Net sales	2,222,591,000			1,907,647,000	1,510,101,000
Net income (loss)	-20,169,000			7,857,000	24,686,000
Total assets	1,132,120,000			1,038,978,000	862,992,000		1,132,120,000
Total liabilities	731,984,000			614,623,000	469,265,000		731,984,000
Total equity	400,136,000			424,355,000	393,727,000		400,136,000
Marine
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investments in and advances to affiliates	17,333,000						17,333,000
Combined condensed financial information of the non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
Total assets	118,823,000						118,823,000
Total liabilities	36,379,000						36,379,000
Total equity	82,444,000						82,444,000
Sugar
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investments in and advances to affiliates	2,994,000			2,768,000			2,994,000
Combined condensed financial information of the non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
Net sales	9,191,000			12,073,000	12,107,000
Net income (loss)	1,684,000			1,349,000	194,000
Total assets	8,178,000			9,271,000	8,865,000		8,178,000
Total liabilities	1,660,000			3,158,000	2,839,000		1,660,000
Total equity	6,518,000			6,113,000	6,026,000		6,518,000
Turkey
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investments in and advances to affiliates	244,560,000			207,096,000			244,560,000
Combined condensed financial information of the non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
Net sales	1,833,141,000			1,729,568,000	1,437,376,000
Net income (loss)	104,130,000			-19,556,000	38,384,000
Total assets	1,021,182,000			907,004,000	871,945,000		1,021,182,000
Total liabilities	547,398,000			504,581,000	443,291,000		547,398,000
Total equity	473,784,000			402,423,000	428,654,000		473,784,000
Triumph | Pork segment
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership interest sold		50.00%	50.00%
Triumph | Pork segment | Divestiture of a 50% interest in Daily's
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership interest sold		50.00%	50.00%
Proceeds from the sale of controlling interest in a subsidiary			74,142,000
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary			65,955,000
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary, net of tax			40,233,000
Gain on sale of controlling interest in subsidiary, net of tax (in dollars per share)			$34.14
Democratic Republic of Congo
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Notes receivable from affiliates	57,390,000						57,390,000
Increase in long-term notes receivable from affiliates				26,290,000
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Brazil
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Democratic Republic of Congo
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Gambia
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Kenya | Minimum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	35.00%						35.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Kenya | Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	49.00%						49.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Lesotho
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Nigeria | Minimum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	25.00%						25.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Nigeria | Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	48.00%						48.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | South Africa | Minimum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	30.00%						30.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | South Africa | Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Zambia
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	49.00%						49.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Colombia | Minimum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	40.00%						40.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Colombia | Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	42.00%						42.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Ecuador | Minimum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	25.00%						25.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Ecuador | Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing | Haiti
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	23.00%						23.00%
Bakery business | Democratic Republic of Congo
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership						50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Investment in equity and long-term advances	34,556,000
Decrease (increase) in investments in and advances to affiliates						-26,290,000
Increase in long-term notes receivable from affiliates				26,290,000		26,290,000
Bakery business | Democratic Republic of Congo | Commodity Trading and Milling
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Write-down in loss from affiliate							10,772,000
Bakery business | Democratic Republic of Congo | Seaboard
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investment in equity and long-term advances	2,595,000			4,531,000	24,814,000
Agricultural commodity trading businesses | Australia
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	25.00%						25.00%
Agricultural commodity trading businesses | Peru
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Cargo terminal business | Jamaica | Marine
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%				21.00%
Investments in and advances to affiliates		17,333,000	17,333,000
Sugar related businesses | Argentina
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Number of businesses	2
Sugar related businesses | Argentina | Minimum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	46.00%						46.00%
Sugar related businesses | Argentina | Maximum
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership	50.00%						50.00%
Butterball, LLC
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage ownership acquired	50.00%						50.00%
Investee's intangible assets for trade name	111,000,000						111,000,000
Investee's intangible assets for goodwill	73,667,000						73,667,000
Loan provided to affiliate					81,231,000
Butterball, LLC | Subordinated loan
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Loan provided to affiliate								100,000,000
Maturity period of unsecured subordinated loan provided								7 years
Interest rate on loan provided (as a percent)								15.00%
Percentage of interest payable in cash								5.00%
Percentage of pay-in-kind interest								10.00%
Notes receivable from affiliates	141,260,000			126,082,000			141,260,000	89,414,000
Butterball, LLC | Detachable warrants
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Additional equity interest that can be acquired upon exercise of warrants (as a percent)	5.00%						5.00%
Economic interest (as a percent)	52.50%						52.50%
Investments in and advances to affiliates								10,586,000
Butterball, LLC | Term loan
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Loan provided to affiliate									13,037,000
Interest rate on loan provided (as a percent)	12.00%						12.00%
Notes receivable from affiliates	7,606,000			8,905,000			7,606,000
Flour production business | Brazil
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership						50.00%				50.00%
Investments in and advances to affiliates						17,000,000				17,000,000
Flour production business | Brazil | Term loan
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Loan provided to affiliate										13,000,000
Investments in and advances to affiliates	11,669,000						11,669,000
Receivable from affiliate	13,849,000						13,849,000
Period after which loan provided to affiliates can be repaid										1 year
Period after which loan provided to affiliates can be converted into equity										1 year
Receivables due from affiliates	13,969,000						13,969,000
Flour milling business | Gambia
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership											50.00%
Investments in and advances to affiliates											9,099,000
Flour milling business | South Africa
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Percentage of ownership						49.00%				49.00%
Investments in and advances to affiliates						$7,351,000				$7,351,000

Net_Property_Plant_and_Equipme2

Net Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, plant and equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$1,786,711	$1,777,309
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-939,954	-913,736
Net property, plant and equipment	846,757	863,573
Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	3 years
Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	30 years
Land and improvements
Property, plant and equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	184,647	194,237
Land and improvements | Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	0 years
Land and improvements | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	15 years
Buildings and improvements
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	30 years
Gross property, plant and equipment	389,193	395,598
Machinery and equipment
Property, plant and equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	1,001,061	990,553
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	20 years
Vessels and vehicles
Property, plant and equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	160,310	126,502
Vessels and vehicles | Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	3 years
Vessels and vehicles | Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	18 years
Office furniture and fixtures
Property, plant and equipment
Useful Lives	5 years
Gross property, plant and equipment	25,965	30,102
Construction in progress
Property, plant and equipment
Gross property, plant and equipment	$25,535	$40,317

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 19, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Income Taxes
Federal income tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Reconciliation of computed expected tax expense excluding non-controlling interest to income tax expense (benefit) attributable to continuing operations
Computed "expected" tax expense excluding non-controlling interest	$186,574,000	$83,190,000	$128,275,000
Adjustments to tax expense attributable to:
Foreign tax differences	4,314,000	1,808,000	-36,139,000
Tax-exempt income	-8,793,000	-33,183,000	-62,000
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	10,021,000	3,139,000	658,000
Federal tax credits	-11,765,000	-21,095,000	-1,693,000
Change in pension deferred tax	-331,000	-397,000	-1,252,000
Domestic manufacturing deduction	-10,667,000	-1,488,000	-5,643,000
Other	-1,554,000	476,000	46,000
Income tax expense	167,799,000	32,450,000	84,190,000
Amount of refund claims for prior years not previously treated as tax-exempt included in income tax benefit recognized		16,523,000
Components of earnings before income taxes
United States	471,744,000	164,285,000	178,821,000
Foreign	61,325,000	73,401,000	187,680,000
Total earnings excluding non-controlling interest	533,069,000	237,686,000	366,501,000
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-730,000	-1,529,000	-277,000
Earnings before income taxes	533,799,000	239,215,000	366,778,000
Current:
Federal	111,120,000	-33,679,000	68,928,000
Foreign	19,729,000	28,048,000	31,149,000
State and local	11,505,000	3,093,000	6,507,000
Deferred:
Federal	19,953,000	24,698,000	-16,818,000
Foreign	976,000	5,575,000	-935,000
State and local	4,516,000	4,715,000	-4,641,000
Income tax expense	167,799,000	32,450,000	84,190,000
Unrealized changes in other comprehensive income	-26,835,000	10,318,000	-9,197,000
Total income taxes	140,964,000	42,768,000	74,993,000
Income taxes receivable	49,298,000	60,456,000
Income taxes payable	4,673,000	2,974,000
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation	107,091,000	114,519,000
Domestic partnerships	48,592,000	29,871,000
LIFO	42,193,000	17,212,000
Cash basis farming adjustment	9,763,000	9,983,000
Other	4,391,000	4,300,000
Aggregate deferred income tax liabilities	212,030,000	175,885,000
Deferred income tax assets:
Reserves/accruals	110,662,000	83,408,000
Deferred earnings of foreign subsidiaries	34,853,000	24,266,000
Net operating and capital loss carry-forwards	18,853,000	17,725,000
Tax credit carry-forwards	14,760,000	14,933,000
Other	3,569,000	3,535,000
Aggregate deferred income tax assets	182,697,000	143,867,000
Valuation allowance	20,558,000	17,869,000
Net deferred income tax liability	49,891,000	49,887,000
Accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions	3,097,000	2,120,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate	6,888,000	7,301,000
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at the beginning of the year	7,301,000	5,053,000
Additions for uncertain tax positions of prior years	454,000	2,300,000
Decreases for uncertain tax positions of prior years	-288,000	-238,000
Additions for uncertain tax positions of current year	44,000	422,000
Lapse of statute of limitations	-623,000	-236,000
Balance at the end of the year	6,888,000	7,301,000	5,053,000
Undistributed earnings from foreign operations	999,524,000
Net operating loss carry-forwards and tax credit carry-forwards
Period of low income housing tax credits on investments in various limited partnerships	10 years
Investments in limited partnerships	11,625,000	13,189,000
Tax benefit arising due to difference between current and deferred taxes				11,410,000
Tax benefit arising due to difference between current and deferred taxes per common share				$9.68
One-time tax benefit on enactment of law					7,945,000
One-time Federal blender's credits recognized as revenue	15,450,000				11,260,000
Foreign
Net operating loss carry-forwards and tax credit carry-forwards
Net operating loss carry-forwards (NOLs)	51,876,000
State
Net operating loss carry-forwards and tax credit carry-forwards
Tax credit carry-forwards	$22,708,000

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb1

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 29, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Oct. 24, 2014
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Maximum capacity	$250,000,000
Payments of long-term debt	91,403,000	53,756,000	43,947,000
Credit Agreement
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Payments of long-term debt				85,500,000
Credit Agreement | Interest expense.
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Fee for early payment					3,760,000
Notes payable to bank
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Notes payable to banks	75,524,000	67,699,000				67,699,000
Repayment term	1 year
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)	14.34%	13.10%				13.10%
Committed bank line
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Maximum capacity	200,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding	10,000
Committed bank line | Foreign subsidiaries
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Notes payable to banks	0
Maximum capacity									50,000,000
Uncommitted bank lines
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Notes payable to banks	243,620,000
Letters of credit outstanding	1,534,000
Uncommitted bank lines | Foreign subsidiaries
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Notes payable to banks	75,524,000
Uncommitted bank lines | Foreign subsidiaries | South African Rand
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Notes payable to banks	33,421,000
Uncommitted bank lines | Foreign subsidiaries | Argentine pesos
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Notes payable to banks	28,383,000
Uncommitted bank lines | Seaboard | Foreign subsidiaries
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Notes payable to banks	193,620,000
IDRBs
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Payments of long-term debt						$18,000,000	$10,800,000	$13,000,000

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb2

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Adjusted leverage ratio, maximum	3.5
Minimum net worth base requirement	$1,870,445,000
Percentage of consolidated net income added to net worth base amount	25.00%
Maximum dividends per year	$25,000,000
Sum of subsidiary indebtedness and priority indebtedness as a percentage of consolidated tangible net worth, maximum	20.00%

Derivatives_and_Fair_Value_of_2

Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Transfers that occurred into or out of level 1	$0	$0
Transfers that occurred into or out of level 2	0	0
Transfers that occurred into or out of level 3	0	0
Commodities
Assets:
Margin account	4,314,000	29,822,000
Other accrued liabilities | Commodities
Liabilities:
Derivatives	596,000	592,000
Money market funds
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	142,432,000	88,430,000
Corporate bonds
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	11,015,000	70,258,000
U.S. Government agency securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	9,666,000	27,147,000
Asset backed debt securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	2,291,000	8,477,000
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	1,170,000	7,600,000
U.S. Treasury securities
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	522,000	5,223,000
Emerging markets debt mutual fund
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		16,941,000
High yield debt securities
Assets:
Trading securities	181,483,000	50,428,000
Equity mutual fund
Assets:
Trading securities	82,542,000
Domestic equity ETF
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	32,651,000
Money market funds held in trading accounts
Assets:
Trading securities	21,401,000	11,033,000
Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund
Assets:
Trading securities	2,614,000	2,858,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value
Assets:
Total Assets	546,012,000	341,093,000
Liabilities:
Total Liabilities	9,901,000	20,218,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Commodities
Assets:
Derivatives	6,136,000	2,331,000
Margin account	4,314,000	29,822,000
Derivative assets and liabilities, net basis	9,267,000	16,731,000
Liabilities:
Derivatives	1,779,000	16,014,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Interest rate swaps
Liabilities:
Derivatives	7,715,000	4,103,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Foreign currencies
Assets:
Derivatives	1,675,000	2,763,000
Liabilities:
Derivatives	407,000	101,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Money market funds | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	142,432,000	88,430,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Corporate bonds | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	11,015,000	70,258,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | U.S. Government agency securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	9,666,000	27,147,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Asset backed debt securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	2,291,000	8,477,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	1,170,000	7,600,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | U.S. Treasury securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	522,000	5,223,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Emerging markets debt mutual fund | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		16,941,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | High yield debt securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	181,483,000	50,428,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Equity mutual fund | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	82,542,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Domestic equity ETF
Assets:
Trading securities	32,651,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Money market funds held in trading accounts | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	21,401,000	11,033,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	2,614,000	2,858,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Other trading investments | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	2,779,000	2,254,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Domestic equity securities | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	33,857,000	26,672,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Foreign equity securities | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	6,532,000	9,570,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Fixed income mutual funds | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	4,570,000	3,974,000
Recurring basis | Fair Value | Other | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	2,676,000	5,134,000
Recurring basis | Level 1
Assets:
Total Assets	335,140,000	163,115,000
Liabilities:
Total Liabilities	1,779,000	15,422,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Commodities
Assets:
Derivatives	6,136,000	2,331,000
Liabilities:
Derivatives	1,779,000	15,422,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Money market funds | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	142,432,000	88,430,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Emerging markets debt mutual fund | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities		16,941,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Equity mutual fund | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	82,542,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Domestic equity ETF
Assets:
Trading securities	32,651,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Money market funds held in trading accounts | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	21,401,000	11,033,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	2,614,000	2,858,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Domestic equity securities | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	33,857,000	26,672,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Foreign equity securities | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	6,532,000	7,317,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Fixed income mutual funds | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	4,570,000	3,974,000
Recurring basis | Level 1 | Other | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	2,405,000	3,559,000
Recurring basis | Level 2
Assets:
Total Assets	210,872,000	177,978,000
Liabilities:
Total Liabilities	8,122,000	4,796,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Commodities
Liabilities:
Derivatives		592,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Interest rate swaps
Liabilities:
Derivatives	7,715,000	4,103,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Foreign currencies
Assets:
Derivatives	1,675,000	2,763,000
Liabilities:
Derivatives	407,000	101,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	11,015,000	70,258,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | U.S. Government agency securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	9,666,000	27,147,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Asset backed debt securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	2,291,000	8,477,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	1,170,000	7,600,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | U.S. Treasury securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities	522,000	5,223,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | High yield debt securities | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	181,483,000	50,428,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Other trading investments | Short-term investments.
Assets:
Trading securities	2,779,000	2,254,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Foreign equity securities | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities		2,253,000
Recurring basis | Level 2 | Other | Other current assets
Assets:
Trading securities	$271,000	$1,575,000

Derivatives_and_Fair_Value_of_3

Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Amortized Cost
Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments and long term debt
Short-term investments, available-for-sale	$167,049,000	$224,314,000
Short-term investments, trading debt securities	330,181,000	65,728,000
Long-term debt		92,177,000
Fair Value
Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments and long term debt
Short-term investments, available-for-sale	167,096,000	224,076,000
Short-term investments, trading debt securities	323,470,000	66,573,000
Long-term debt		$94,578,000

Derivatives_and_Fair_Value_of_4

Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	29-May-10	Aug. 28, 2010
				agreement	agreement
Commodities
Derivative commodity instruments
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$18,355,000	($17,016,000)	($6,098,000)
Net commodity purchase contracts | Sugar
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount	15,551,000	51,184,000
Net commodity purchase contracts | Hogs
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount	19,800,000	32,440,000
Net commodity purchase contracts | Grain
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount	10,697,000	6,540,000
Net commodity purchase contracts | Cheese
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount		440,000
Net commodity purchase contracts | Dry whey powder
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount	88,000	308,000
Net commodity purchase contracts | Soybean meal
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount	85,000
Net commodity purchase contracts | Soybean oil
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount	19,620,000
Net commodity sale contracts | Palm oil
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount		12,125,000
Net commodity sale contracts | Soybean meal
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount		76,000
Net commodity sale contracts | Heating oil
Derivative commodity instruments
Nonmonetary notional amount	4,326,000
Foreign currencies
Derivative commodity instruments
Notional amounts	143,961,000	127,389,000
Interest rate swaps
Derivative commodity instruments
Notional amounts	163,000,000	75,000,000		25,000,000	25,000,000	25,000,000
Number of derivative agreements	7	3			3
Number of derivative agreements terminated				1
Term of derivative contract					10 years
Payment to terminate derivative agreement				3,861,000
Eight-year interest rate exchange agreements
Derivative commodity instruments
Notional amounts	$22,000,000
Number of derivative agreements	4
Number of derivative agreements terminated	3
Number of agreements entered into to replace the terminated agreements	3
Term of derivative contract	8 years

Derivatives_and_Fair_Value_of_5

Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commodities
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$18,355,000	($17,016,000)	($6,098,000)
Commodities | Cost of sales
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	18,355,000	-17,016,000
Foreign currencies | Cost of sales
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	4,302,000	15,801,000
Foreign currencies | Foreign currency
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	4,255,000	6,532,000
Interest rate swaps | Miscellaneous, net
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	($7,988,000)	$3,535,000

Derivatives_and_Fair_Value_of_6

Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	item
Commodities
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Margin account	$4,314,000	$29,822,000
Commodities | Other current assets
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Asset Derivatives	6,136,000	2,331,000
Derivative assets and liabilities, net basis	9,267,000	16,731,000
Commodities | Other current liabilities
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Liability Derivatives	1,779,000	16,014,000
Derivative assets and liabilities, net basis	596,000	592,000
Foreign currencies
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Loss due to credit risk associated with derivative contracts	1,675,000
Number of counterparties	6
Foreign currencies | Other current assets
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Asset Derivatives	1,675,000	2,763,000
Foreign currencies | Other current liabilities
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Liability Derivatives	407,000	101,000
Interest rate swaps
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Loss due to credit risk associated with derivative contracts	0
Interest rate swaps | Other current liabilities
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Liability Derivatives	$7,715,000	$4,103,000

Employee_Benefits_Details

Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Jul. 27, 2013
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Contributions made to defined benefit pension plans	$3,413,000	$13,391,000
Estimated fair value of plan assets	122,104,000	119,555,000	97,586,000
Reconciliation of benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	203,263,000	226,725,000
Service cost	7,701,000	9,427,000	8,843,000
Interest cost	9,627,000	8,199,000	8,918,000
Actuarial losses (gains)	44,322,000	-30,968,000
Benefits paid	-6,699,000	-6,916,000
Plan settlement	-638,000
Agreement termination gain		-3,204,000
Benefit obligation at end of year	257,576,000	203,263,000	226,725,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	119,555,000	97,586,000
Actual return on plan assets	6,473,000	15,494,000
Employer contributions	3,413,000	13,391,000
Benefits paid	-6,699,000	-6,916,000
Plan settlement	-638,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	122,104,000	119,555,000	97,586,000
Expected future net benefit payments
2015	8,723,000
2016	10,751,000
2017	12,026,000
2018	13,667,000
2019	12,921,000
2020 - 2024	85,984,000
Agreement termination gain, net of tax		1,954,000
Agreement termination gain, before tax		3,204,000
Agreement termination gain unrecognized in other comprehensive income, before tax		2,148,000
Agreement termination gain unrecognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax		1,310,000
Settlement	156,000		1,796,000
Funded status	-135,472,000	-83,708,000
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	7,701,000	9,427,000	8,843,000
Interest cost	9,627,000	8,199,000	8,918,000
Expected return on plan assets	-8,695,000	-6,458,000	-6,431,000
Amortization and other	2,075,000	6,303,000	6,748,000
Agreement termination gain		-3,204,000
Settlement	156,000		1,796,000
Curtailment			1,134,000
Net periodic benefit cost	10,864,000	14,267,000	21,008,000
Amounts not reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) before taxes
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	85,604,000	38,571,000
Amounts in AOCL expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2014
Amounts in AOCL expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2014	5,494,000
Contribution expense for multi-employer pension fund, the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union-Industry Pension Fund, which covers certain union employees under a collective bargaining agreement	593,000	594,000	584,000
Maximum percentage of total contributions to multi-employer pension fund	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Defined benefit pension plan
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Number of defined benefit plans	2
Requisite service period upon attaining age of 21 to be eligible for participation	1 year
Requisite age of employees to be eligible for participation	21 years
Contributions made to defined benefit pension plans				10,000,000
Estimated fair value of plan assets	122,104,000	119,555,000
Weighted-average assumptions
Long-term rate of increase in compensation levels (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	119,555,000
Employer contributions				10,000,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	122,104,000	119,555,000
Expected future net benefit payments
Funded status	-47,725,000	-8,820,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	144,110,000	110,653,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	117,241,000	114,177,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	117,241,000	114,177,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Level 2
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	4,863,000	5,378,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	4,863,000	5,378,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Foreign equity securities
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	27,945,000	30,348,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	27,945,000	30,348,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Foreign equity securities | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	27,945,000	30,348,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	27,945,000	30,348,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Domestic equity securities
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	66,618,000	65,998,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	66,618,000	65,998,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Domestic equity securities | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	66,618,000	65,998,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	66,618,000	65,998,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Real estate mutual fund
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	8,977,000	8,866,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	8,977,000	8,866,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Real estate mutual fund | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	8,977,000	8,866,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	8,977,000	8,866,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Fixed income mutual funds
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	4,683,000	1,786,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	4,683,000	1,786,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Fixed income mutual funds | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	4,683,000	1,786,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	4,683,000	1,786,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Commodity mutual funds
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	3,831,000	2,756,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	3,831,000	2,756,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Commodity mutual funds | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	3,831,000	2,756,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	3,831,000	2,756,000
Defined benefit pension plan | International fixed income mutual funds
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	2,808,000	2,485,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,808,000	2,485,000
Defined benefit pension plan | International fixed income mutual funds | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	2,808,000	2,485,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,808,000	2,485,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Money market funds
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	2,205,000	1,938,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,205,000	1,938,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Money market funds | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	2,205,000	1,938,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,205,000	1,938,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Corporate bonds
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets		1,528,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		1,528,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Corporate bonds | Level 2
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets		1,528,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		1,528,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Other
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	5,037,000	3,850,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	5,037,000	3,850,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Other | Level 1
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	174,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	174,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Other | Level 2
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Estimated fair value of plan assets	4,863,000	3,850,000
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	4,863,000	3,850,000
Defined benefit pension plan | Minimum
Weighted-average assumptions
Discount rate used to determine obligations (as a percent)	3.15%	3.55%	2.50%
Discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost (as a percent)	3.55%	2.50%	3.75%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	7.00%	6.50%	6.50%
Defined benefit pension plan | Minimum | Foreign equity securities
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					20.00%
Defined benefit pension plan | Minimum | Fixed income
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					10.00%
Defined benefit pension plan | Minimum | Alternative investments
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					10.00%
Defined benefit pension plan | Minimum | Domestic equity securities
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					40.00%
Defined benefit pension plan | Maximum
Weighted-average assumptions
Discount rate used to determine obligations (as a percent)	4.40%	5.20%	4.15%
Discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost (as a percent)	5.20%	4.15%	4.70%
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)	8.00%	7.25%	7.25%
Defined benefit pension plan | Maximum | Foreign equity securities
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					25.00%
Defined benefit pension plan | Maximum | Fixed income
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					25.00%
Defined benefit pension plan | Maximum | Alternative investments
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					15.00%
Defined benefit pension plan | Maximum | Domestic equity securities
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Target Allocations (as a percent)					50.00%
Supplemental executive plans and retirement agreements
Expected future net benefit payments
Accumulated benefit obligation	$72,816,000	$61,462,000

Employee_Benefits_Details_2

Employee Benefits (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item
Deferred compensation plan
Number of investments, which are taken as reference to measure the interest that may be acquired	3
Employer contribution as percentage of the employees' reduced compensation	3.00%
Number of deferred compensation plans	2
Deferred compensation plan expense	$3,142,000	$5,942,000	$4,148,000
Deferred compensation plan liability included in other liabilities	42,759,000	41,144,000
Deferred compensation plan assets included in other current assets	47,635,000	45,350,000
Investment income related to the mark-to-market of investments treated as trading securities	3,086,000	5,863,000	4,076,000
Defined contribution plan covering domestic, salaried and clerical employees
Defined contribution plans
Employer contribution (as a percent of employee contributions)	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Employer contribution limit per calendar year (as a percent of compensation)	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Vesting percentage after one year of service	20.00%
Additional vesting percentage with each additional complete year of service	20.00%
Contribution expense	$2,245,000	$2,142,000	$2,063,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 19, 2012
	item	item
Commitments and Contingencies
Number of search warrants executed authorizing the seizure of certain records from Seaboard's offices in Merriam, Kansas and at the Seaboard Foods employment office and the human resources department in Guymon, Oklahoma.		3
Number of civil or criminal proceedings or charges filed	0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 28, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
					item
Commitments
2015	$881,042,000
2016	190,460,000
2017	128,909,000
2018	105,403,000
2019	44,293,000
Thereafter	253,917,000
Operating Leases
2015	25,407,000
2016	23,342,000
2017	24,137,000
2018	23,711,000
2019	23,640,000
Thereafter	212,389,000
Rental expense for operating leases	35,252,000	33,995,000	29,224,000
Commodity Trading and Milling
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments
Number of dry bulk vessels to be built					4
Cost of dry bulk vessels to be built					90,000,000
Amount paid under the agreement				8,300,000
Additional payments over the course of the agreement	19,153,000
Hog procurement contracts
Commitments
2015	188,281,000
2016	134,284,000
2017	76,084,000
2018	56,090,000
Hog procurement contracts | Pork segment
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments
Amount paid under the contract	226,925,000	190,519,000	190,471,000
Grain and feed ingredients
Commitments
2015	80,989,000
2016	1,535,000
2017	220,000
Grain purchase contracts for resale
Commitments
2015	370,540,000
Fuel supply contract
Commitments
2015	43,251,000
Equipment purchases and facility improvements
Commitments
2015	34,385,000
Construction of new dry bulk vessels
Commitments
2015	58,842,000
Other purchase commitments
Commitments
2015	10,000,000
2016	745,000
2017	34,000
2018	34,000
2019	34,000
Thereafter	66,000
Total firm purchase commitments
Commitments
2015	786,288,000
2016	136,564,000
2017	76,338,000
2018	56,124,000
2019	34,000
Thereafter	66,000
Vessel, time and voyage-charters
Commitments
2015	58,223,000
2016	20,116,000
2017	18,250,000
2018	18,250,000
2019	18,250,000
Thereafter	41,440,000
Vessel, time and voyage-charters | Marine
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments
Amount paid under the contract	86,816,000	90,784,000	88,110,000
Vessel, time and voyage-charters | Marine | Minimum
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments
Contract period	1 year
Vessel, time and voyage-charters | Marine | Maximum
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments
Contract period	10 years
Contract grower finishing agreements
Commitments
2015	11,124,000
2016	10,438,000
2017	10,184,000
2018	7,318,000
2019	2,369,000
Thereafter	22,000
Contract grower finishing agreements | Pork segment
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments
Amount paid under the agreement	12,922,000	13,194,000	13,641,000
Incentive payments for achieving certain performance standards	$1,300,000

Stockholders_Equity_and_Accumu2

Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 19, 2014	24-May-14	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 19, 2014
Components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at beginning of the period				($181,797,000)	($171,544,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				-72,635,000	-14,142,000
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings				1,795,000	3,889,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax				-70,840,000	-10,253,000	-15,479,000
Balance at end of the period			-171,544,000	-252,637,000	-181,797,000	-171,544,000
Additional authorized repurchase amount under the November 2009 share repurchase program		20,000,000
Common shares repurchased	16,738			18,405	8,705	12,937
Repurchase price (in dollars per share)	$2,950							$2,950
Repurchase of common stock	49,377,000			53,781,000	23,578,000	26,830,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount before additional amount authorized under the share repurchase program				50,846,000
Common stock dividend declared and paid (in dollars per share)			$12
Common stock dividend historical amount on a quarterly basis (in dollars per share)						$0.75
Common stock dividend historical amount on annual basis (in dollars per share)						$3
Portion of dividend serving as prepayment for next succeeding year (in dollars per share)			$3				$3
Portion of dividend serving as prepayment for second succeeding year (in dollars per share)			$3				$3
Portion of dividend serving as prepayment for third succeeding year (in dollars per share)			$3
Portion of dividend serving as prepayment for fourth succeeding year (in dollars per share)			$3
Agreement termination gain unrecognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax					1,310,000
Income tax rate for foreign currency translation gains and losses (as a percent)				35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment, net of related taxes				55,745,000	41,380,000
Tax benefit recorded on unrecognized pension cost				0	0
Effective income tax rate for components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (as a percent)				39.00%	39.00%
Unrecognized pension cost related to employees at certain subsidiaries				20,001,000	8,663,000
Argentine pesos | Sugar
Components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Net assets of Sugar segment				121,920,000	151,769,000
U.S. dollars | Sugar
Components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Net assets of Sugar segment				492,000	2,957,000
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
Components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at beginning of the period				-155,413,000	-109,457,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				-38,624,000	-45,956,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax				-38,624,000	-45,956,000
Balance at end of the period				-194,037,000	-155,413,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
Components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at beginning of the period				481,000	2,232,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				775,000	-1,124,000
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings				78,000	-627,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax				853,000	-1,751,000
Balance at end of the period				1,334,000	481,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges
Components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at beginning of the period				-113,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				-122,000
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings				235,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax				113,000
Balance at end of the period			-113,000			-113,000
Unrecognized Pension Cost
Components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at beginning of the period				-26,752,000	-64,206,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications				-34,664,000	32,938,000
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings				1,482,000	4,516,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax				-33,182,000	37,454,000
Balance at end of the period				($59,934,000)	($26,752,000)

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010
	segment				MW
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	6
Segment Information
One-time Federal blender's credits recognized as revenue	$15,450,000			$15,450,000		$11,260,000
Income (loss) from affiliates	35,356,000	-10,292,000	30,707,000
Gain on sale of assets	4,953,000
Bakery business | Democratic Republic of Congo
Segment Information
Remaining percent of ownership							50.00%	50.00%
Pork segment
Segment Information
Remaining percent of ownership	50.00%			50.00%	50.00%
One-time Federal blender's credits recognized as revenue	15,450,000			15,450,000		11,260,000
Income (loss) from affiliates	3,690,000
Pork segment | Triumph
Segment Information
Percentage of ownership interest sold					50.00%
Commodity Trading and Milling
Segment Information
Income (loss) from affiliates	-23,740,000	-639,000	10,467,000
Commodity Trading and Milling | Bakery business | Democratic Republic of Congo
Segment Information
Write-down in loss from affiliate				10,772,000
Power
Segment Information
Capacity of power facility leased (in megawatts)					72
Portion of sales price remaining in escrow					1,500,000
Gain on sale of assets					4,953,000
Turkey
Segment Information
Income (loss) from affiliates	54,668,000	-10,267,000	20,152,000
Operating income (loss)	140,990,000	4,892,000	65,694,000
Turkey | Butterball, LLC
Segment Information
Proportionate share of impairment charges of fixed assets recognized in loss from affiliate		($3,662,000)

Segment_Information_Details_2

Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	$6,473,076,000	$6,670,414,000	$6,189,133,000
Operating Income (Loss):	423,559,000	204,864,000	309,661,000
Income (loss) from affiliates	35,356,000	-10,292,000	30,707,000
Depreciation and amortization	92,385,000	93,077,000	90,216,000
Total Assets:	3,677,320,000	3,418,048,000
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	523,063,000	406,900,000
Capital expenditures	121,178,000	149,652,000	158,755,000
Pork segment
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	1,717,329,000	1,713,077,000	1,638,404,000
Operating Income (Loss):	348,987,000	147,695,000	122,556,000
Income (loss) from affiliates	3,690,000
Depreciation and amortization	46,196,000	43,306,000	43,014,000
Total Assets:	821,172,000	773,641,000
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	79,832,000
Capital expenditures	54,244,000	79,637,000	52,333,000
Commodity Trading and Milling
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	3,499,290,000	3,501,498,000	3,023,531,000
Operating Income (Loss):	53,941,000	38,339,000	71,852,000
Income (loss) from affiliates	-23,740,000	-639,000	10,467,000
Depreciation and amortization	5,146,000	5,553,000	6,330,000
Total Assets:	1,103,461,000	1,056,930,000
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	178,344,000	197,036,000
Capital expenditures	21,351,000	24,213,000	22,817,000
Marine
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	852,749,000	913,776,000	969,575,000
Operating Income (Loss):	-2,693,000	-25,783,000	26,111,000
Depreciation and amortization	24,740,000	25,136,000	23,490,000
Total Assets:	283,276,000	271,012,000
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	17,333,000
Capital expenditures	29,381,000	22,817,000	35,365,000
Sugar
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	199,503,000	245,541,000	288,315,000
Operating Income (Loss):	26,635,000	24,453,000	60,180,000
Income (loss) from affiliates	738,000	614,000	88,000
Depreciation and amortization	7,998,000	10,726,000	11,222,000
Total Assets:	198,271,000	226,245,000
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	2,994,000	2,768,000
Capital expenditures	13,592,000	17,117,000	22,066,000
Power
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	189,119,000	283,796,000	255,390,000
Operating Income (Loss):	18,971,000	42,939,000	55,042,000
Depreciation and amortization	7,517,000	7,395,000	5,467,000
Total Assets:	199,256,000	267,431,000
Capital expenditures	2,243,000	4,207,000	25,022,000
Turkey
Segment Information
Income (loss) from affiliates	54,668,000	-10,267,000	20,152,000
Total Assets:	393,425,000	342,083,000
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	244,560,000	207,096,000
All Other
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	15,086,000	12,726,000	13,918,000
Operating Income (Loss):	1,173,000	745,000	607,000
Depreciation and amortization	382,000	363,000	366,000
Total Assets:	5,887,000	6,428,000
Capital expenditures	115,000	247,000	112,000
Segment Totals
Segment Information
Operating Income (Loss):	447,014,000	228,388,000	336,348,000
Depreciation and amortization	91,979,000	92,479,000	89,889,000
Total Assets:	3,004,748,000	2,943,770,000
Capital expenditures	120,926,000	148,238,000	157,715,000
Corporate Items
Segment Information
Operating Income (Loss):	-23,455,000	-23,524,000	-26,687,000
Depreciation and amortization	406,000	598,000	327,000
Total Assets:	672,572,000	474,278,000
Capital expenditures	$252,000	$1,414,000	$1,040,000

Segment_Information_Details_3

Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	$6,473,076	$6,670,414	$6,189,133
Long-lived assets	847,991	869,800
Caribbean, Central and South America
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	2,414,181	2,571,970	2,566,056
Africa
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	1,661,325	1,578,341	1,471,574
United States
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	1,396,769	1,389,784	1,303,533
Long-lived assets	543,111	555,882
Pacific Basin and Far East
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	424,551	383,105	334,215
Canada/Mexico
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	347,684	393,502	351,505
Eastern Mediterranean
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	156,167	186,127	74,509
Europe
Geographic Information
Revenue, Net	72,399	167,585	87,741
Dominican Republic
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	134,460	140,536
Argentina
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	70,531	90,367
All Other
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$99,889	$83,015

Segment_Information_Details_4

Segment Information (Details 4) (Accounts Receivable, Geographic concentration, Foreign Country, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable | Geographic concentration | Foreign Country
Concentration Risk
Foreign receivables, excluding receivables due from affiliates	$266,510,000	$340,748,000

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
Movement in valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of year	$12,832	$12,131	$10,941
Provision/ charged (credit) to expense	398	3,432	3,092
Net deductions/ Other	-1,269	-2,731	-1,902
Balance at end of year	11,961	12,832	12,131
Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets:
Movement in valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of year	17,869	11,758	16,320
Provision/ charged (credit) to expense	2,689	6,111	-4,562
Balance at end of year	20,558	17,869	11,758
Reserve for LIFO Valuation:
Movement in valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at beginning of year	62,236	90,730	57,783
Provision/ charged (credit) to expense	-25,676	-28,494	32,947
Balance at end of year	$36,560	$62,236	$90,730