Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 3,531		$ 3,454
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,747)		(1,483)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,784		1,971
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		2,003		2,173
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		5,534		5,627
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,747)		(1,483)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill		3,787		4,144
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		73		72
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		306		306
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		1,056		1,048
Trademarks / Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived (excluding goodwill)		158
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	[1]	568		747
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,625		1,621
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(580)		(529)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,045		1,092
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		503		454
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(257)		(220)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		246		234
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,170		1,173
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(815)		(649)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		355		524
Trademarks / Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		54	[1]	26
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(14)	[1]	(13)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		40	[1]	13
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[2]	179		180
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[2]	(81)		(72)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[2]	$ 98		$ 108

[1] The decrease in indefinite-lived intangible trademarks / trade names is the result of a $158 impairment charge recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 associated with certain acquired trade names. The remaining net book value of the trade names are reflected in definite-lived trademarks / trade names at September 30, 2016. See Note 4 for additional information.

[2] Primarily consists of sales and grower networks, marketing and manufacturing alliances and noncompetition agreements.