CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Class C non-voting common stock	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	Retained Earnings Class C non-voting common stock
Beginning balance ( in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018			8,400	10,669
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 752,557		$ 204,759	$ 10,669		$ 118,822		$ 24,956	$ 393,351
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	25,170								25,170
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,702)							(3,702)
Cash dividends, preferred stock	(3,296)								(3,296)
Cash dividends, common stock	(7,470)								(7,470)
Issuance of stock (in shares)					20
Issuance of stock		$ 23		$ 20		3
Stock-based compensation cost	724					724
Other stock-based award activity	(708)					(708)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019			8,400	10,689
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	763,298		$ 204,759	$ 10,689		118,841		21,254	407,755
Beginning balance ( in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			9,400	10,712
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	799,276		$ 228,374	$ 10,712		119,304		(16,161)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	12,830								12,830
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(105,276)							(105,276)
Cash dividends, preferred stock	(3,431)								(3,431)
Cash dividends, common stock	(8,571)								(8,571)
Issuance of stock (in shares)					15
Issuance of stock		34			$ 15		$ 19
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock (in shares)					(4)
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock		$ (235)			$ (4)					$ (231)
Stock-based compensation cost	1,293					1,293
Other stock-based award activity	(204)					(204)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			9,400	10,723
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 693,617		$ 228,374	$ 10,723		$ 120,412		$ (121,437)	$ 455,545