Segment Information (Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information, By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	$ 2,187,495	$ 199,751	$ 6,682,549	$ 1,173,023
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	195,835	(441,608)	679,971	(117,101)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	33,532	16,750	109,285	47,947
Beef Processing Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	1,909,358		5,615,003
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	41,959		71,299
Depreciation and amortization expenses	20,803		61,868
Idaho Timber [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	42,241	42,116	123,949	124,129
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	1,700	(290)	6,030	(2,285)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	1,333	1,327	3,995	3,971
Conwed Plastics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	24,416	21,256	68,005	67,695
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	4,079	1,221	9,479	6,251
Depreciation and amortization expenses	1,836	1,599	4,522	5,082
Gaming Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	30,257	28,616	91,972	89,918
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	3,345	1,989	9,329	10,482
Depreciation and amortization expenses	2,324	4,177	10,838	12,561
Domestic Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	3,474	3,110	10,304	91,861
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(4,217)	(792)	(7,399)	80,481
Depreciation and amortization expenses	897	854	2,640	2,602
Medical Product Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	81	105	280	278
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(11,254)	(18,457)	(32,559)	(31,900)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	206	214	629	635
Other Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	18,735	18,882	55,386	49,628
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(4,244)	(472)	(13,564)	(14,465)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	2,748	2,998	8,272	7,031
Associated Companies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	53,699	(458,328)	105,391	(728,440)
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues and other income	158,933	85,666	717,650	749,514
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	110,768	33,521	531,965	562,775
Depreciation and amortization expenses	$ 3,385	$ 5,581	$ 16,521	$ 16,065