Other Intangible Assets Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 10,730	$ 10,750	$ 4,518
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,541)	(1,207)	(968)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net		9,189	9,543	3,550
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		1,881	1,881	8,282
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)		12,611	12,631	12,800
Total other intangible assets		11,070	11,424	11,832
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		1,871	1,871	1,871
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		10	10	146
Germplasm [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	[1]			6,265
Germplasm [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[1]	6,265	6,265
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[1]	(190)	(63)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	[1]	6,075	6,202
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,961	1,977	1,981
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(322)	(268)	(211)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,639	1,709	1,770
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,463	1,463	1,467
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(462)	(370)	(297)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,001	1,093	1,170
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		161	166	166
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(85)	(86)	(83)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net		76	80	83
Favorable Supply Contract [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		475	475	475
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(255)	(207)	(159)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net		220	268	316
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[2]	405	404	429
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[2]	(227)	(213)	(218)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	[2]	$ 178	$ 191	$ 211

[1] Beginning on October 1, 2019, the company changed its indefinite life assertion of the germplasm assets to definite lived with a useful life of 25 years.  This change is the result of a more focused development effort of new seed products coupled with an intent to out license select germplasm on a non-exclusive basis. Prior to changing the useful life of the germplasm assets, the company tested the assets for impairment under ASC 350 - Intangibles, Goodwill and Other, concluding the assets were not impaired.

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