Guarantees - Significant Cash Flows Received From and Paid to Trusts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$ 28,050	$ 166,351
Guarantee fees received	$ 894	$ 861

Cash received for fees during the current period. This element excludes cash proceeds from license fees.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3536-108585

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromFeesReceived
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration