Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Expenses	$ (21,096)	$ (9,516)	$ (9,653)	$ (5,171)	$ (16,167)	$ (6,694)	$ (7,837)	$ (8,128)	$ (45,436)	$ (38,826)	$ (77,155)
Non-operating loss	(19,577)	(7,764)	(1,273)	2,253	(6,832)	(1,734)	(3,085)	(2,279)
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(40,673)	(17,280)	(10,926)	(2,918)	(22,999)	(8,428)	(10,922)	(10,407)	(71,797)	(52,756)	(88,502)
Income tax expense (benefit)	75,228	(765)	(1,415)	39	(90)	1,723	(1,022)	(1,220)	(73,087)	609	(1,057)
Loss from continuing operations	(115,901)	(16,515)	(9,511)	(2,957)	(22,909)	(10,151)	(9,900)	(9,187)	(144,884)	(52,147)	(89,559)
Earnings (loss) from equity affiliate	(10,242)	25,747	7,602	49,471	7,745	20,299	22,829	16,896	72,578	67,769	73,451
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(126,143)	9,232	(1,909)	46,514	(15,164)	10,148	12,929	7,709	(72,306)	15,622	(16,108)
Discontinued operations	(1,073)	(2,586)	(1,006)	(485)	(6,472)	(347)	(2,164)	(5,427)	(5,150)	(14,410)	86,245
Net income (loss)	(127,216)	6,646	(2,915)	46,029	(21,636)	9,801	10,765	2,282	(77,456)	1,212	70,137
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,536)	4,693	1,551	9,932	1,511	4,050	4,540	3,322	(11,640)	(13,423)	(14,177)
Net income (loss) attributable to Harvest	$ (122,680)	$ 1,953	$ (4,466)	$ 36,097	$ (23,147)	$ 5,751	$ 6,225	$ (1,040)	$ (89,096)	$ (12,211)	$ 55,960
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (2.99)	$ 0.12	$ (0.09)	$ 0.93	$ (0.43)	$ 0.16	$ 0.23	$ 0.13	$ (2.12)	$ 0.06	$ (0.89)
Discontinued operations	$ (0.03)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.39)	$ 2.53
Net income (loss) attributable to Harvest	$ (3.02)	$ 0.05	$ (0.12)	$ 0.92	$ (0.59)	$ 0.15	$ 0.17	$ (0.03)	$ (2.25)	$ (0.33)	$ 1.64
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (2.99)	$ 0.12	$ (0.09)	$ 0.92	$ (0.43)	$ 0.16	$ 0.21	$ 0.12	$ (2.12)	$ 0.06	$ (0.89)
Discontinued operations	$ (0.03)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.39)	$ 2.53
Net income (loss) attributable to Harvest	$ (3.02)	$ 0.05	$ (0.12)	$ 0.91	$ (0.59)	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ (0.02)	$ (2.25)	$ (0.33)	$ 1.64