CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 678,975	$ 628,828	$ 574,469
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	1,765	17,041
Cash dividends:
Balance, end of period	678,975	628,828	574,469
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period (Shares)	5,400	2,400	2,400	58
Balance, beginning of period	131,639	58,333	58,333	57,578
Cash dividends:
Balance, end of period (Shares)	5,400	2,400	2,400	58
Balance, end of period	131,639	58,333	58,333	57,578
Preferred Stock [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Series preferred stock (Shares)	0	2,400
Issuance of Series preferred stock	0	58,333
Issuance of Class C common stock (Shares)	0	2,400
Issuance of Class C common stock	0	58,333
Preferred Stock [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Series preferred stock (Shares)	3,000	0
Issuance of Series preferred stock	73,306	0
Issuance of Class C common stock (Shares)	3,000	0
Issuance of Class C common stock	73,306	0
Preferred Stock [Member] | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Redemption of Series C preferred stock (Shares)	0	(58)
Redemption of Series C preferred stock	0	(57,578)
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period (Shares)	10,886	10,754	10,886	10,702
Balance, beginning of period	10,886	10,754	10,886	10,702
Issuance of Series preferred stock (Shares)	0	52
Issuance of Series preferred stock	0	52
Issuance of Class C common stock (Shares)	0	52
Issuance of Class C common stock	0	52
Cash dividends:
Balance, end of period (Shares)	10,886	10,754	10,886	10,702
Balance, end of period	10,886	10,754	10,886	10,702
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	111,477	108,386	110,722	106,617
Issuance of Series preferred stock	6	3
Issuance of Class C common stock	6	3
Stock-based compensation expense	713	866
Tax effect of stock-based awards	36	900
Cash dividends:
Balance, end of period	111,477	108,386	110,722	106,617
Retaine Earnings [Member}
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	168,166	117,143	168,877	102,243
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	1,765	17,041
Cash dividends:
Common stock ($0.14 per share in 2014 and $0.12 per share in 2013)	(1,524)	(1,290)
Balance, end of period	168,166	117,143	168,877	102,243
Retaine Earnings [Member} | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash dividends:
Preferred Stock Series A ($0.3672 per share) Preferred stock, Series B ($0.105 per share) Preferred stock, Series C ($2.36 per share)	(881)	(715)
Retaine Earnings [Member} | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash dividends:
Preferred Stock Series A ($0.3672 per share) Preferred stock, Series B ($0.105 per share) Preferred stock, Series C ($2.36 per share)	(71)	0
Retaine Earnings [Member} | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Cash dividends:
Preferred Stock Series A ($0.3672 per share) Preferred stock, Series B ($0.105 per share) Preferred stock, Series C ($2.36 per share)	0	(136)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	14,954	92,359	(16,202)	73,969
Cash dividends:
Other comprehensive income	31,156	18,390
Balance, end of period	14,954	92,359	(16,202)	73,969
Total Stockholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	437,122	386,975
Cash dividends:
Balance, end of period	437,122	386,975
Non-controlling Interest - Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	241,853	241,853	241,853	241,853
Cash dividends:
Balance, end of period	$ 241,853	$ 241,853	$ 241,853	$ 241,853