CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income	$ 28,470		$ 24,590
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on securities	36	[1]	(6,554)	[1]
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(283)	[2]	(2,105)	[2]
Other comprehensive loss	(247)		(8,659)
Comprehensive income	28,223		15,931
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest - preferred stock dividends	(5,547)		(5,547)
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 22,676		$ 10,384

[1] Presented net of income tax expense of $19,000 and tax benefit of $3.5 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

[2] Presented net of income tax benefit of $0.2 million and of $1.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.