CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 12,830	$ 25,170
Other comprehensive income before taxes:
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities	(99,316)	3,241
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(5,688)	(2,262)
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(28,256)	(5,665)
Other comprehensive loss before tax	(133,260)	(4,686)
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive loss	27,984	984
Other comprehensive loss net of tax	(105,276)	(3,702)
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ (92,446)	$ 21,468