CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 19,641	$ 11,618	$ 48,511	$ 55,571
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before taxes:
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for sale securities	552	(56,949)	46,305	(40,363)
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(73)	(2,236)	(2,081)	(8,930)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	1,336	(3,195)	(6,403)	(2,012)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before tax	1,815	(62,380)	37,821	(51,305)
Income tax (expense)/benefit related to other comprehensive income	(635)	21,833	(13,238)	17,958
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	1,180	(40,547)	24,583	(33,347)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	20,821	(28,929)	73,094	22,224
Less: comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	18	36	62	(5,199)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 20,839	$ (28,893)	$ 73,156	$ 17,025