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 [Member]	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member] Common stock, Class C Non-Voting [Member]	Retained earnings [Member}	Retained earnings [Member} Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Retained earnings [Member} Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity [Member}	Non-controlling interest [Member]
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		139
Stock-based compensation expense						2,721
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	36,452							36,452
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											12,435
Cash dividends:
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash									0	(2,159)
Common stock ($0.12 per share in 2013 and $0.10 per share in 2012)								(3,135)
Issuance of stock			0		139		11						0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares				0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value				0
Tax effect of stock-based awards						(684)
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
Balance, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	17,100
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											2,092
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2012	600,313	57,578									91,805	358,460
Balance, end of period at Sep. 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		158
Stock-based compensation expense						2,287
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	61,961							61,961
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											(47,141)
Cash dividends:
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash									(2,477)	(136)
Common stock ($0.12 per share in 2013 and $0.10 per share in 2012)								(3,892)
Issuance of stock			58,333		158		19						0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares				(58)
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value				(57,578)
Tax effect of stock-based awards						752
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	605,248	58,333			10,860	109,675		157,699			26,828	363,395	241,853
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2013		2,400			10,860
Balance, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	16,294
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											(11,892)
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 605,248	$ 58,333									$ 26,828	$ 363,395
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2013		2,400