Accounting Policies - Supplemental Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
cash paid during the period for: [Abstract]
Interest		$ 55,131	$ 49,261
Income taxes		13,500	11,500
Non-cash activity:
Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation		0	2,639
Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities		12,301	8,729
Consolidation of Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties		12,301	8,729
Deconsolidation of loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties - transferred to off-balance sheet Farmer Mac I Guaranteed Securities	460,300	460,261	0
Transfers of loans held for sale to loans held for investment		$ 0	$ 878,798