CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Class C non-voting common stock	5.700% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D	Series B Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock 5.700% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D	Preferred Stock Series B Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Common Stock Class C non-voting common stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Additional Paid-in Capital Class C non-voting common stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance ( in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016					8,400			10,539
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 643,647				$ 204,759			$ 10,539		$ 118,655		$ 33,758	$ 275,714	$ 222
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Farmer Mac	84,482												84,482
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	(165)													(165)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax	8,274											8,274
Reclassification of stranded tax effects due to enactment of new tax legislation	0											9,053	(9,053)
Cash dividends, preferred stock	(13,182)												(13,182)
Common stock	(15,257)												(15,257)
Issuance of stock (in shares)									80
Issuance of stock		$ 311							$ 80		$ 231
Loss on retirement of preferred stock	0
Stock-based compensation cost	2,701									2,701
Other stock-based award activity	(2,608)									(2,608)
Redemption of interest in subsidiary	(57)													(57)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017					8,400			10,619
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	708,146				$ 204,759			$ 10,619		118,979		51,085	322,704	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, as adjusted					$ 204,759			$ 10,619		118,979				0
Net income (loss) attributable to Farmer Mac	108,080												108,080
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	0
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax	(26,156)											(26,156)
Cash dividends, preferred stock	(13,182)												(13,182)
Common stock	(24,722)												(24,722)
Issuance of stock (in shares)									50
Issuance of stock		57							$ 50		7
Loss on retirement of preferred stock	0
Stock-based compensation cost	2,518									2,518
Other stock-based award activity	(2,682)									(2,682)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018					8,400			10,669
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	752,557				$ 204,759			$ 10,669		118,822		24,956	393,351	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to Farmer Mac	109,546												109,546
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest	0
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax	(41,117)											(41,117)
Cash dividends, preferred stock	(13,940)												(13,940)
Common stock (in shares)								0
Common stock	(29,954)												(29,954)
Issuance of stock (in shares)						4,000			43
Issuance of stock		$ 87	$ 96,659			$ 96,659			$ 43		$ 44
Redemption of Series B preferred stock (in shares)							(3,000)
Redemption of Series B preferred stock				$ (73,044)			$ (73,044)
Loss on retirement of preferred stock	(1,956)												(1,956)
Stock-based compensation cost	2,258									2,258
Other stock-based award activity	(1,820)									(1,820)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019					9,400			10,712
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 799,276				$ 228,374			$ 10,712		$ 119,304		$ (16,161)	$ 457,047	$ 0