Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,929,480	$ 1,894,066	$ 1,951,230	$ 1,980,507	$ 1,934,997	$ 1,937,620	$ 1,926,722	$ 1,995,686	$ 7,755,283	$ 7,795,025	$ 7,710,226
Reduction of cost of sales									(6,100,005)	(5,976,958)	(5,722,112)
Product
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									7,082,397	7,696,584	7,693,586
Fluid milk
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									4,756,360	5,315,731	5,338,789
Ice cream
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									1,077,027	1,107,665	1,041,176
Fresh cream
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									397,206	388,514	359,405
Extended shelf life and other dairy products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									189,860	196,374	230,832
Cultured
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									260,044	282,432	298,689
Other beverages
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									278,838	290,970	308,020
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									123,062	114,898	116,675
Branded products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									3,531,656	3,808,496	3,791,444
Private label products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									3,550,741	3,888,088	3,902,142
Sales of excess raw materials
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									515,162	0	0
Reduction of cost of sales										606,900	551,500
Sales of other bulk commodities
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									157,724	98,441	16,640
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									515,162
Reduction of cost of sales									$ (515,162)	$ 606,900	$ 551,500