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Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Mar. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Rural Utilities
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
loans held for investment [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
REO
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Trading Account Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Corporate Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Floating Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Agency Debt Securities
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Mar. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 1
Mar. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 2
Mar. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Stock [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member]
Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Rural Utilities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Rural Utilities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Rural Utilities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Rural Utilities [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2013
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Mar. 31, 2012
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2012
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Dec. 31, 2011
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Farmer Mac Guarantee
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value             $ 6,823,086 $ 5,963,474 $ 6,421,447 $ 5,843,186                         $ 5,100,080 $ 4,389,861 $ 4,766,258 $ 4,289,272 $ 65,446 $ 58,868 $ 63,159 $ 60,213 $ 1,129 $ 1,646 $ 1,247 $ 1,796 $ 66,575 $ 60,514 $ 64,406 $ 62,009                                                                         $ 1,656,431 $ 1,513,099 $ 1,590,783 $ 1,491,905                                               $ 87,271 [1] $ 184,397 [2] $ 104,188 [1] $ 212,359 [2]             $ 65,213 $ 58,868 $ 63,159 $ 60,213                                             $ 1,569,160 $ 1,328,702 $ 1,486,595 $ 1,279,546         $ 1,129 [3] $ 1,646 [4] $ 1,247 [3] $ 1,796 [4]                                                             $ 233 $ 0                                                                                                                                                   $ 27,198 $ 36,129 $ 26,681 $ 35,599 $ 1,544,362 $ 1,345,509 $ 1,313,088 $ 1,446,046 $ 3,528,520 $ 3,008,223 $ 3,426,489 $ 2,807,627
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases             547,420 301,725                             425,000 200,000     233 0     0 0     233 0                                                                             122,187 101,725                                                   0 [1] 0 [2]                 0 0                                                 122,187 101,725             0 [3] 0 [4]                                                                 233                                                                                                                                                     0 0     325,000 0     100,000 200,000    
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales             0 0                             0 0     0 0     0 0     0 0                                                                             0 0                                                   0 [1] 0 [2]                 0 0                                                 0 0             0 [3] 0 [4]                                                                 0                                                                                                                                                     0 0     0 0     0 0    
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements             (164,763) (179,166)                             (78,316) (95,937)     0 0     (314) (288)     (314) (288)                                                                             (86,133) (82,941)                                                   (16,931) [1] (28,923) [2]                 0 0                                                 (69,202) (54,018)             (314) [3] (288) [4]                                                                 0                                                                                                                                                     (383) (228)     (77,924) (95,701)     (9) (8)    
Available-for-sale securities     909,264 1,165,889 1,321,477 1,269,334 65,446   63,159   2,296,187 2,498,382                 5,100,080 4,766,258                                 0 0 0 0 5,100,080 4,766,258 5,100,080 4,766,258 0 0 0 0 3,528,520 3,426,489 3,528,520 3,426,489 0 0 0 0 27,198 26,681 27,198 26,681 0 0 0 0 1,544,362 1,313,088 1,544,362 1,313,088 0 0 0 0 1,569,160   1,486,595   1,569,160 1,486,595                                                   65,213 63,159 0 0 0 0 65,213   63,159   65,213 63,159 146,678 151,044 2,980 6,501 0 0 146,678 151,044 0 0 146,678 151,044 0 0 2,980 6,501 0 0 2,980 6,501                             91,804 76,763 62,357 52,416 0 0 91,804 76,763 0 0 91,804 76,763 0 0 62,357 52,416 0 0 62,357 52,416 687,978 712,859 1,704 2,065 0 0 687,745 712,859 233 0 687,978 712,859 0 0 1,704 2,065 0 0 1,704 2,065 63,151 57,431 0 0 63,151 57,431 0 0 63,151 57,431 0 0 0 0 909,264 1,165,889 909,264 1,165,889 0 0 0 0 909,264 1,165,889 8,597 0 8,597 0 8,597 50,048 50,055 119,621 73,114 0 0 50,048 50,055 0 0 50,048 50,055 0 0 119,621 73,114 0 0 119,621 73,114 86,792 87,086 0 0 86,792 87,086 0 0 86,792 87,086                                
Trading securities     0 0 0 0 1,129   1,247   1,129 1,247                                                                                                                     0 0 0 0 87,271   104,188   87,271 104,188                                                                           1,129 1,247                                             0 0 0 0 1,129   1,247   1,129 1,247                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Marketable Securities     909,264 1,165,889 1,321,477 1,269,334 66,575   64,406   2,297,316 2,499,629                                                                                                                     0 0 0 0 1,656,431   1,590,783   1,656,431 1,590,783                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Derivative Assets (24,759) (29,523) 13 0 26,241 31,173 0   0   26,254 31,173                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Assets at fair value     909,277 1,165,889 1,347,718 1,300,507 6,823,086   6,421,447   9,080,081 8,887,843 0 0 0 0 8,171 666,988 8,171 666,988                                                                                                                         0 0 657,154 657,154 0 0 0 0 5,939 8,130 5,939 8,130 0 0 0 0 2,232 1,704 2,232 1,704                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Financial derivatives, Liabilities     0 12 133,306 149,979 532   691   133,838 150,682                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Liabilities at fair value     0 12 133,306 149,979 532   691   133,838 150,682                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value             (532) (1,225) (691) (1,335)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (532) [5] (1,225) [6] (691) [5] (1,335) [6]                        
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings             159 110                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     159 [5] 110 [6]                            
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)             0 0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     0 [5] 0 [6]                            
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings             (2,928) 1,099                             (3,138) 0     0 0     196 138     196 138                                                                             14 961                                                   14 [1] 961 [2]                 0 0                                                 0 0             196 [3] 138 [4]                                                                 0                                                                                                                                                     0 0     0 0     (3,138) 0    
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)             21,910 (3,370)                             (9,724) (3,474)     2,054 (1,345)     0 0     2,054 (1,345)                                                                             29,580 1,449                                                   0 [1] 0 [2]                 2,054 (1,345)                                                 29,580 1,449             0 [3] 0 [4]                                                                 0                                                                                                                                                     900 758     (15,802) (4,836)     5,178 604    
Trading Securities, Unrealized Holding Loss                                                                                                                                                                                                         $ 100                                 $ 2,884 $ 3,080                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
[1] Includes unrealized gains of $0.8 million attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2012 that are recorded in Gains on trading assets.
[2] Includes unrealized losses of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2013 that are recorded in Gains on trading assets.
[3] Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of March 31, 2013 and are recorded in Gains on trading assets.
[4] Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2012 and are recorded in Gains on trading assets.
[5] Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of March 31, 2013 and are recorded in Gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities.
[6] Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of December 31, 2012 and are recorded in Gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities.