CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 25,170	$ 25,819
Other comprehensive income before taxes:
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	3,241	21,228
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(2,262)	(1,310)
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges	(5,665)	6,663
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before tax	(4,686)	26,581
Income tax benefit/(expense) related to other comprehensive (loss)/income	984	(5,582)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax	(3,702)	20,999
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 21,468	$ 46,818