CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	GSE 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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock		0	58
Exercise of stock options and SARs			2
Stock-based compensation expense				1,490
Net (loss)/income attributable to Farmer Mac	24,933				24,933
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	18,161						18,161
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC									0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series C ($25.00 per share)						(1,440)
Common stock ($0.20 per share and $0.10 per share, respectively)					(1,031)
Issuance of stock		0	58	15
Tax effect of stock-based awards				(458)
Exercise of stock options and SARs			2
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2011	520,607	57,578	10,344	101,097	73,299		36,436	278,754	241,853
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2011		58	10,344
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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock		0	43
Exercise of stock options and SARs			83
Stock-based compensation expense				1,800
Net (loss)/income attributable to Farmer Mac	19,352				19,352
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	10,343						10,343
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC									0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series C ($25.00 per share)						(1,440)
Common stock ($0.20 per share and $0.10 per share, respectively)					(2,084)
Issuance of stock		0	43	7
Tax effect of stock-based awards				(609)
Exercise of stock options and SARs			83
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 582,028	$ 57,578	$ 10,483	$ 104,019	$ 78,382		$ 89,713	$ 340,175	$ 241,853
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2012		58	10,483