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	59
Exercise of stock options and SARs			14
Stock-based compensation expense				2,254
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	2,620				2,620
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	67,440						67,440
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC									0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series C ($37.50 per share)						(2,159)
Common stock ($0.30 per share and $0.15 per share, respectively)					(1,549)
Issuance of stock		0	59	19
Tax effect of stock-based awards				(514)
Exercise of stock options and SARs			14
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2011	547,061	57,578	10,357	101,809	49,749		85,715	305,208	241,853
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2011		58	10,357
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			96
Stock-based compensation expense				2,721
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	36,452				36,452
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	12,435						12,435
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC									0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series C ($37.50 per share)						(2,159)
Common stock ($0.30 per share and $0.15 per share, respectively)					(3,135)
Issuance of stock		0	43	11
Tax effect of stock-based awards				(684)
Exercise of stock options and SARs			96
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 600,313	$ 57,578	$ 10,496	$ 104,869	$ 93,712		$ 91,805	$ 358,460	$ 241,853
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2012		58	10,496