CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Series C Preferred Stock	Common stock:	Additional paid-in capital:	Additional paid-in capital: Common stock, Class C Non-Voting	Retained earnings:	Retained earnings: Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Retained earnings: Series C Preferred Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity	Non-controlling interest:
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 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		126
Stock-based compensation expense						1,800
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	19,352							19,352
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											10,343
Cash dividends:
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash									0	(1,440)
Common stock ($0.12 per share in 2013 and $0.10 per share in 2012)								(2,084)
Issuance of stock			0		126		7						0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares				0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value				0
Tax effect of stock-based awards						(609)
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
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	(3,571)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											10,590
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2012	582,028	57,578									89,713	340,175
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2012		58
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	592,962	57,578			10,702	106,617		102,243			73,969		241,853
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012		58			10,702
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock			2,400		122
Stock-based compensation expense						1,540
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	45,667							45,667
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											(35,248)
Cash dividends:
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash									(1,596)	(136)
Common stock ($0.12 per share in 2013 and $0.10 per share in 2012)								(2,589)
Issuance of stock			58,333		122		3						0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares				(58)
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value				(57,578)
Tax effect of stock-based awards						841
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2013	602,321	58,333			10,824	109,001		143,589			38,721	360,468	241,853
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2013		2,400			10,824
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	28,626
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											(53,638)
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 602,321	$ 58,333									$ 38,721	$ 360,468
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2013		2,400