Equity - Non-Controlling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2010	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Redemption of Farmer Mac II LLC preferred stock			$ (244,000)	$ (6,000)
Issuance Costs on the retirement of Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock		$ 0	$ 8,147
Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction	$ 250,000
Farmer Mac II LLC [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share		$ 1,000
Private Placement [Member] | Farmer Mac II LLC [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction	250,000