CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred stock:	Common stock:	Additional paid-in capital:	Retained earnings:	Retained earnings: Series C Preferred Stock	Accumulated other comprehensive income:	Total Stockholders' Equity	Non-controlling interest:
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 57,578	$ 10,284	$ 100,050	$ 50,837		$ 18,275		$ 241,853
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010		58	10,284
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(8,659)						(8,659)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock		0	15
Exercise of stock options and SARs			2
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	19,043				19,043
Stock-based compensation expense				715
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax and reclassification adjustments	(8,659)						(8,659)
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC									0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series C ($12.50 per share)						(720)
Common stock ($0.10 per share and $0.5 per share, respectively)					(515)
Issuance of stock		0	15	7
Tax effect of stock-based awards				(322)
Exercise of stock options and SARs			2
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2011	488,443	57,578	10,301	100,450	68,645		9,616	246,590	241,853
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2011		58	10,301
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011	554,533	57,578	10,357	102,821	62,554		79,370		241,853
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011		58	10,357
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(247)						(247)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock		0	0
Exercise of stock options and SARs			16
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	22,923				22,923
Stock-based compensation expense				956
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax and reclassification adjustments	(247)						(247)
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC									0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series C ($12.50 per share)						(720)
Common stock ($0.10 per share and $0.5 per share, respectively)					(1,038)
Issuance of stock		0	0	4
Tax effect of stock-based awards				429
Exercise of stock options and SARs			16
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 576,856	$ 57,578	$ 10,373	$ 104,210	$ 83,719		$ 79,123	$ 335,003	$ 241,853
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2012		58	10,373