BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Change in Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 156,565
Goodwill, end of period	125,607
Tyson Mexico [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	156,565
Additional fair value attributed to acquired property, plant and equipment	(51,387)
Goodwill, end of period	125,607
Tyson Mexico [Member] | Property, plant and equipment [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Deferred tax impact	15,416
Tyson Mexico [Member] | Finite-lived intangibles [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Deferred tax impact	$ 5,013