CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)	$ 22,647		$ (16,766)		$ 53,093		$ 19,261
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains on securities	5,507	[1]	49,661	[1]	16,370	[1]	70,573	[1]
Reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income, net of tax	(3,415)	[2]	(383)	[2]	(3,935)	[2]	(3,133)	[2]
Other comprehensive income	2,092		49,278		12,435		67,440
Comprehensive income	24,739		32,512		65,528		86,701
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest - preferred stock dividends	(5,547)		(5,547)		(16,641)		(16,641)
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 19,192		$ 26,965		$ 48,887		$ 70,060

[1] Presented net of income tax expense of $3.0 million and $26.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and income tax expense of $8.8 million and $38.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[2] Presented net of income tax benefit of $1.8 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and income tax benefit of $2.1 million and $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.