CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member] Series C Preferred Stock	Common stock:	Additional paid-in capital:	Additional paid-in capital: Common stock, Class C Non-Voting	Retained earnings:	Retained earnings: Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	Retained earnings: Series C Preferred Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity	Non-controlling interest:
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 57,578			$ 10,357	$ 102,821		$ 62,554			$ 79,370		$ 241,853
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011		58			10,357
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock			0		16
Stock-based compensation expense						956
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	22,923							22,923
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											(247)
Cash dividends:
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash									0	(720)
Common stock ($0.12 per share in 2013 and $0.10 per share in 2012)								(1,038)
Issuance of stock			0		16		4						0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares				0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value				0
Tax effect of stock-based awards						429
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2012	576,856	57,578			10,373	104,210		83,719			79,123	335,003	241,853
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2012		58			10,373
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	592,962	57,578			10,702	106,617		102,243			73,969		241,853
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012		58			10,702
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of stock			2,400		52
Stock-based compensation expense						866
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	17,041							17,041
Other comprehensive income, net of tax											18,390
Cash dividends:
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash									(715)	(136)
Common stock ($0.12 per share in 2013 and $0.10 per share in 2012)								(1,290)
Issuance of stock			58,333		52		3						0
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares				(58)
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value				(57,578)
Tax effect of stock-based awards						900
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 628,828	$ 58,333			$ 10,754	$ 108,386		$ 117,143			$ 92,359	$ 386,975	$ 241,853
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2013		2,400			10,754