CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common stock:	Additional paid-in capital:	Retained earnings:	Retained earnings: Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	Retained earnings: Series C Preferred Stock	Accumulated other comprehensive income:	Total Stockholders' Equity	Non-controlling interest:
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2009			$ 57,578	$ 10,142	$ 97,090	$ 28,127			$ 3,254		$ 0
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2009			58	10,142
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock			0	142
Stock-based compensation expense					2,774
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	31,993					31,993
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	15,021								15,021
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC											241,853
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series B ($8.33 per share) and Series C ($50.00 per share)							(1,250)	(2,879)
Common stock ($0.40 per share in 2012 and $0.20 per share, in 2011 and 2010)						(2,049)
Issuance of stock			0	142	40
Tax effect of stock-based awards					146
Loss On Retirement Of Preferred Stock	(5,784)	(5,800)				(5,784)
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, before Tax						2,679
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2010	478,877		57,578	10,284	100,050	50,837			18,275	237,024	241,853
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2010			58	10,284
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock			0	73
Stock-based compensation expense					2,929
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	16,663					16,663
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	61,095								61,095
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC											0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series B ($8.33 per share) and Series C ($50.00 per share)							0	(2,879)
Common stock ($0.40 per share in 2012 and $0.20 per share, in 2011 and 2010)						(2,067)
Issuance of stock			0	73	22
Tax effect of stock-based awards					(180)
Loss On Retirement Of Preferred Stock	0					0
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, before Tax						0
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2011	554,533		57,578	10,357	102,821	62,554			79,370	312,680	241,853
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2011			58	10,357
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock			0	345
Stock-based compensation expense					2,428
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	46,773					46,773
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(5,401)								(5,401)
Issuance of Preferred stock - Farmer Mac II LLC											0
Cash dividends:
Preferred stock, Series B ($8.33 per share) and Series C ($50.00 per share)							0	(2,879)
Common stock ($0.40 per share in 2012 and $0.20 per share, in 2011 and 2010)						(4,205)
Issuance of stock			0	345	14
Tax effect of stock-based awards					1,354
Loss On Retirement Of Preferred Stock	0					0
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, before Tax						0
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 592,962		$ 57,578	$ 10,702	$ 106,617	$ 102,243			$ 73,969	$ 351,109	$ 241,853
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2012			58	10,702