Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2009	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010	Sep. 26, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 33,925	$ (495,690)	$ 90,326	$ (151,664)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	56,705	209,061	231,045	236,005
Asset impairment	0	22,895	26,484	5,409
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	(754)	9,980	(1,111)	(5,102)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	11,726	0
Noncash loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized as a reorganization item	0	0	13,654	0
Accretion of bond discount	0	453	38	0
Loss (gain) on property disposals	(1,377)	(4,271)	(401)	(26,353)
Share-based compensation	1,790	567	0	0
Deferred income tax benefit	(112,392)	(7,097)	(69,260)	(21,478)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	53,273	(55,881)	(10,072)
Trade accounts and other receivables	6,577	(63,987)	(9,045)	(173,915)
Inventories	26,006	122,827	(285,839)	284,678
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,897	27,068	(45,315)	24,036
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	16,540	(7,274)	(91,119)	(101,255)
Income taxes	10,909	4,683	145,056	(2,269)
Deposits	(49,635)	2,174	56,552	0
Other operating assets and liabilities	(2,248)	(3,653)	(2,305)	6,914
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(4,057)	(128,991)	14,605	64,934
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	(30,463)	(135,968)	(179,332)	(88,193)
Purchases of investment securities	(6,024)	(4,596)	(17,201)	(19,958)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities	4,511	15,852	68,100	18,946
Proceeds from business dispositions to Swift Pork Company, a subsidiary of JBS USA, LLC	0	13,000	0	0
Proceeds from business dispositions to JBS Trading International, Inc., a subsidiary of JBS USA, LLC	0	24,479	0	0
Proceeds from property disposals	3,522	29,044	14,698	85,736
Cash used in investing activities	(28,454)	(58,189)	(113,735)	(3,469)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term notes payable	0	0	0	430,817
Payments on short-term notes payable	0	0	0	(430,817)
Proceeds from notes payable to JBS USA	0	50,000	0	0
Proceeds from revolving line of credit and long-term borrowings	60,370	965,689	2,438,855	833,424
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations	(10,144)	(881,833)	(3,197,399)	(719,762)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	0	0	800,000	0
Change in outstanding cash management obligations	0	0	0	(11,172)
Purchase of remaining interest in subsidiary	0	(2,504)	(7,637)	0
Payment of capitalized loan costs	0	(4,395)	(62,788)	0
Other financing activities	(1,976)	(107)	(511)	(1,337)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	48,250	126,850	(29,480)	101,153
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	532	(4,138)	(1,613)	(4,142)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	16,271	(64,468)	(130,223)	158,476
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	220,029	106,077	236,300	61,553
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	236,300	41,609	106,077	220,029
Interest paid (net of amount capitalized)	16,298	104,430	66,044	79,689
Income taxes paid (received)	$ (86)	$ 3,957	$ (115,974)	$ 11,228