BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Change in Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning of period	$ 1,072,206
Goodwill, end of period	887,221
Tyson Mexico
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 | Deferred tax impact related to additional fair value attributed to acquired property, plant and equipment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Deferred tax impact	15,416
Tyson Mexico | Deferred tax impact related to customer relationship intangibles
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Deferred tax impact	$ 5,013