Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM) 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_Entity_Information_St

Document Entity Information Statement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
		Common Class A, Voting [Member]	Common Class B, Voting [Member]	Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORP	'	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000845877	'	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'
Trading Symbol	'AGM	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	1,030,780	500,301	9,404,710

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$627,670	$749,313
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	1,630,427	0
Loans:	'	'
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	2,689,531	2,570,125
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	670,140	629,989
Allowance for loan losses	-6,326	-6,866
Total loans, net of allowance	3,353,345	3,193,248
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,182	2,617
Financial derivatives, at fair value	5,743	19,718
Interest receivable (includes $4,256 and $9,276, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	65,522	107,201
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	42,078	43,904
Deferred tax asset, net	39,781	44,045
Prepaid expenses and other assets	33,938	14,046
Total Assets	14,525,697	13,361,780
Notes payable:	'	'
Due within one year	6,332,887	7,338,781
Due after one year	5,186,393	5,001,169
Total notes payable	11,519,280	12,339,950
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901	0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	400,012	261,760
Financial derivatives, at fair value	69,995	75,708
Accrued interest payable (includes $2,731 and $2,823, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	34,853	53,772
Guarantee and commitment obligation	38,957	39,667
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	18,019	9,986
Reserve for losses	4,280	6,468
Total Liabilities	13,743,297	12,787,311
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	112,861	110,722
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	21,080	-16,202
Retained earnings	196,897	168,877
Total Stockholders' Equity	546,547	332,616
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	235,853	241,853
Total Equity	782,400	574,469
Total Liabilities and Equity	14,525,697	13,361,780
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock:	'	'
Preferred stock	58,333	58,333
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock:	'	'
Preferred stock	73,061	0
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock:	'	'
Preferred stock	73,379	0
Common Class A, Voting [Member]	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Common Stock	1,031	1,031
Common Class B, Voting [Member]	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Common Stock	500	500
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	'	'
Common stock:	'	'
Common Stock	9,405	9,355
Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,984,983	2,483,147
Trading, at fair value	777	928
Marketable Securities	1,985,760	2,484,075
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	3,356,775	5,091,600
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	1,652,631	0
Marketable Securities	5,009,406	5,091,600
USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,687,881	1,553,669
Trading, at fair value	42,964	58,344
Marketable Securities	$1,730,845	$1,612,013

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$65,522	$107,201
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	34,853	53,772
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$25	$25
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,400,000	2,400,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	2,400,000	2,400,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	2,400,000	2,400,000
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$25	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	0
Preferred Stock, shares issued	3,000,000	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	3,000,000	0
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value	$25	$0
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	0
Preferred Stock, shares issued	3,000,000	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	3,000,000	0
Common Class A, Voting [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,030,780	1,030,780
Common Class B, Voting [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares outstanding	500,301	500,301
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,404,592	9,354,804
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'	'
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	4,256	9,276
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$2,731	$2,823

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Interest income:	'		'		'		'
Investments and cash equivalents	$4,507		$5,263		$14,845		$16,468
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities	30,004		32,746		90,373		96,072
Loans	26,371		24,966		67,157		73,678
Total interest income	60,882	[1]	62,975	[2]	172,375	[1]	186,218	[2]
Total interest expense	48,886	[3]	34,787	[4]	126,114	[3]	101,499	[4]
Net interest income	11,996		28,188		46,261		84,719
(Provision for)/release of loan losses	-511		499		499		598
Net interest income after (provision for)/release of loan losses	11,485		28,687		46,760		85,317
Non-interest income:	'		'		'		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	6,172		6,819		19,093		20,190
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	808		3,024		-12,468		22,501
Gains/(losses) on trading securities	16,369		-626		24,772		-743
(Losses)/gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	-396		0		-238		3,073
Gains on sale of real estate owned	0		39		165		1,210
Other income	502		565		794		2,518
Non-interest income	23,455		9,821		32,118		48,749
Non-interest expense:	'		'		'		'
Compensation and employee benefits	4,693		4,523		14,038		13,792
General and administrative	3,123		2,827		9,205		8,459
Regulatory fees	593		593		1,781		1,781
Real estate owned operating costs, net	1		35		62		420
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	-1,315		463		-2,188		1,034
Non-interest expense	7,095	[5]	8,441	[5]	22,898	[5]	25,486	[5]
Income before income taxes	27,845		30,067		55,980		108,580
Income tax expense	7,564		8,226		55		29,978
Net income	20,281		21,841		55,925		78,602
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	-5,412		-5,547		-16,778		-16,641
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	14,869		16,294		39,147		61,961
Preferred stock dividends	-3,283		-881		-6,543		-2,613
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$11,586		$15,413		$32,604		$59,348
Earnings per common share and dividends:	'		'		'		'
Basic earnings per common share	$1.06		$1.42		$2.99		$5.50
Diluted earnings per common share	$1.02		$1.37		$2.87		$5.30
Common stock dividends per common share	$0.14		$0.12		$0.42		$0.36
[1]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.
[2]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
[3]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.
[4]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
[5]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income	'		'		'		'
Net income	$20,281,000		$21,841,000		$55,925,000		$78,602,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities (1)	2,070,000	[1]	-8,675,000	[1]	46,612,000	[1]	-35,053,000	[1]
(Losses)/gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (4)	-258,000	[2]	0	[2]	-155,000	[2]	1,997,000	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges (2)	30,000	[3]	0	[3]	-99,000	[3]	0	[3]
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (3)	3,131,000	[4]	3,087,000	[4]	9,338,000	[4]	9,506,000	[4]
Other income (5)	70,000	[5]	130,000	[5]	48,000	[5]	585,000	[5]
Other comprehensive (loss)/income	-843,000		-11,892,000		37,282,000		-47,141,000
Comprehensive income	19,438,000		9,949,000		93,207,000		31,461,000
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest - preferred stock dividends	5,412,000		5,547,000		16,778,000		16,641,000
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	14,026,000		4,402,000		76,429,000		14,820,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	1,100,000		-4,700,000		25,100,000		-18,900,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	100,000		0		100,000		-1,100,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Effect [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	16,000		0		-100,000		0
financial derivatives and hedging activities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Effect [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Tax effects of reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, tax	-1,700,000		-1,700,000		-5,000,000		-5,100,000
Other Income [Member]	'		'		'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax Effect [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Tax effects of reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, tax	($38,000)		($100,000)		($26,000)		($300,000)
[1]	Presented net of income tax expense of $1.1 million and benefit of $4.7 million for the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and income tax expense of $25.1 million and benefit of $18.9 million for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[2]	Represents realized gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities. Presented net of income tax expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014. There were no sales of available-for-sale investment securities for the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2013. Presented net of income tax expense of $0.1 million and tax benefit of $1.1 million for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[3]	Presented net of income tax expense of $16,000 for the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and tax benefit of $0.1 million for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014.
[4]	Relates to the amortization of the unrealized gains on the hedged items prior to application of hedge accounting. Presented net of income tax benefit of $1.7 million for both the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, and tax benefit of $5.0 million and $5.1 million for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
[5]	Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Presented net of income tax benefit of $38,000 and $0.1 million for the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and income tax benefit of $26,000 and $0.3 million for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Retained Earnings [Member}

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Total Stockholders Equity [Member]

Total Stockholders Equity [Member]

Non-controlling Interest - Preferred Stock [Member]

Non-controlling Interest - Preferred Stock [Member]

Non-controlling Interest - Preferred Stock [Member]

Non-controlling Interest - Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Retired Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Retired Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series A Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

Series B Preferred Stock [Member]

Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Retired Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Retired Series C Preferred Stock [Member]

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance, beginning of period (Shares)

8,400

2,400

2,400

58

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,936

10,860

10,886

10,702

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance, beginning of period

$204,773

$58,333

$58,333

$57,578

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,936

$10,860

$10,886

$10,702

$112,861

$109,675

$110,722

$106,617

$196,897

$157,699

$168,877

$102,243

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$21,080

$26,828

($16,202)

$73,969

$546,547

$363,395

$235,853

$241,853

$241,853

$241,853

Issuance of Series preferred stock (Shares)

'

'

'

'

0

2,400

3,000

0

3,000

0

'

'

50

158

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of Series preferred stock

'

'

'

'

0

58,333

73,061

0

73,379

0

'

'

50

158

'

'

16

19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption of Series C preferred stock (Shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-58

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption of Series C preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-57,578

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of Class C common stock (Shares)

'

'

'

'

0

2,400

3,000

0

3,000

0

'

'

50

158

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issuance of Class C common stock

'

'

'

'

0

58,333

73,061

0

73,379

0

'

'

50

158

'

'

16

19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,182

2,287

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax effect of stock-based awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-59

752

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income attributable to Farmer Mac

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

39,147

61,961

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance, end of period

204,773

58,333

58,333

57,578

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,936

10,860

10,886

10,702

112,861

109,675

110,722

106,617

196,897

157,699

168,877

102,243

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,080

26,828

-16,202

73,969

546,547

363,395

235,853

241,853

241,853

241,853

Balance, end of period (Shares)

8,400

2,400

2,400

58

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,936

10,860

10,886

10,702

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash dividends:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock Series A ($1.1016 per share in 2014 and $1.0322 per share in 2013) Preferred stock, Series B ($0.8330 per share), Preferred stock Series C ($0.4167 per share), Preferred stock, retired Series C ($2.36) per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,644

-2,477

-2,649

0

-1,250

0

0

-136

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock ($0.42 per share in 2014 and $0.36 per share in 2013)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-4,584

-3,892

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,282

-47,141

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of interest - Non-controlling interest - preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($6,000)

$0

'

'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Common stock dividend, per share, cash paid	$0.42	$0.36
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock (in usd per share)	$1.10	$1.03
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock (in usd per share)	$0.88	$0
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock (in usd per share)	$0.42	$0
Retired Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock (in usd per share)	$0	$2.36

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$55,925	$78,602
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Net amortization of deferred gains, premiums, and discounts on loans, investments, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities	16,624	7,716
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs	7,384	9,119
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives	3,537	-32,126
Losses/(gains) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	238	-3,073
Gains on sale of real estate owned	165	1,210
Total (release of)/provision for losses	-2,687	436
Deferred income taxes	-16,340	10,400
Stock-based compensation expense	2,183	2,287
Proceeds from repayment of trading investment securities	541	656
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale	95,194	149,675
Net change in:	'	'
Interest receivable	41,679	32,754
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	1,826	-1,707
Other assets	-19,179	48,887
Securities sold not yet purchased	1,657,901	0
Accrued interest payable	-18,919	-14,319
Other liabilities	4,910	37
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,830,652	288,134
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell	-1,630,427	0
Purchases of loans held for investment	-567,774	-624,702
Purchases of defaulted loans	-440	-6,704
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment	303,905	216,506
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	169,820	64,609
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned	1,224	3,774
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,205,249	-796,116
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards	57	995
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts	-34,080	-54,154
Proceeds from common stock issuance	209	1,477
Purchase of interest - Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	-6,000	0
Dividends paid - Non-controlling interest - preferred stock	-16,778	-16,641
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock	-8,832	-5,790
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities	-747,046	374,131
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-121,643	-133,851
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	749,313	785,564
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	627,670	651,713
Medium-term Notes [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	2,644,707	2,273,350
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	-2,121,000	-1,362,000
Discount Notes [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	32,008,889	49,070,788
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	-33,360,658	-49,534,649
Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	-1,171,063	-1,141,601
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	894,475	1,026,745
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	770,149	170,614
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	-1,074,019	-1,281,956
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	1,098,901	776,599
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Preferred Stock Issuances	0	58,333
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Preferred Stock Issuances	73,061	0
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Preferred Stock Issuances	73,379	0
Retired Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Retirement of Series C Preferred stock	$0	($57,578)

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Accounting Policies Disclosure	'
	ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. The December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2013 consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2013 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 6, 2014 (the "Segment Recast 8-K"). The Segment Recast 8-K describes Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies, which include its policies on Principles of Consolidation; Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows; Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities; Loans; Securitization of Loans; Non-accrual Loans; Real Estate Owned; Financial Derivatives; Notes Payable; Allowance for Losses; Earnings Per Common Share; Income Taxes; Stock-Based Compensation; Comprehensive Income; Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments; Fair Value Measurement; and Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain updated information for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of securities guaranteed by Farmer Mac that represent interests in, or obligations secured by, pools of eligible loans ("Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities") and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities.  The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.
	The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs:
	Table 1.1
		Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
		As of September 30, 2014
		Farm & Ranch		USDA Guarantees			Rural Utilities			Institutional Credit			Corporate				Total
		(in thousands)
	On-Balance Sheet:
	Consolidated VIEs:
	Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	$	398,992	$	—		$	271,148		$	—		$	—			$	670,140
	Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	400,012		—			—			—			—				400,012
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Carrying value (3)	—		20,449			—			32,631			—				53,080
	Maximum exposure to loss (4)	—		20,449			—			30,000			—				50,449
	Investment securities:
	Carrying value (5)	—		—			—			—			447,550				447,550
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (5)	—		—			—			—			450,505				450,505
	Off-Balance Sheet:
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (6)	677,814		14,693			—			970,000			—				1,662,507
	(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to the Rural Utilities line of business of $3.8 million.
	(2) Includes borrower remittances of $1.0 million. The borrower remittances have not been passed through to third party investors as of September 30, 2014.
	(3) Includes an immaterial amount of unamortized premiums and discounts related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $2.6 million.
	(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
	(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
	(6) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
		Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
		As of December 31, 2013
		Farm & Ranch		USDA Guarantees			Rural Utilities			Institutional Credit			Corporate				Total
		(in thousands)
	On-Balance Sheet:
	Consolidated VIEs:
	Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	$	259,509	$	—		$	370,480		$	—		$	—			$	629,989
	Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	261,760		—			—			—			—				261,760
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Carrying value (3)	—		21,234			—			33,248			—				54,482
	Maximum exposure to loss (4)	—		21,088			—			30,000			—				51,088
	Investment securities:
	Carrying value (5)	—		—			—			—			533,688				533,688
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (5)	—		—			—			—			540,726				540,726
	Off-Balance Sheet:
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (6)	765,751		20,222			—			970,000			—				1,755,973
	(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to the Rural Utilities line of business of $16.2 million.
	(2) Includes borrower remittances of $2.3 million, which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2013.
	(3) Includes unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees and Institutional Credit lines of business of $0.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
	(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
	(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
	(6) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
	A guarantee by Farmer Mac of timely payment of principal and interest is an explicit element of the terms of all Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.  When Farmer Mac retains such securities in its portfolio, that guarantee is not extinguished.  For Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities held in Farmer Mac's portfolio, Farmer Mac has entered into guarantee arrangements with FMMSC.  The guarantee fee rate established between Farmer Mac and FMMSC is an element in determining the fair value of these Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and guarantee fees related to these securities are reflected in guarantee and commitment fees in the consolidated statements of operations.  These guarantee fees totaled $2.4 million and $7.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to $2.8 million and $8.2 million for the same periods in 2013. The corresponding expense of FMMSC has been eliminated against interest income in consolidation.  All other inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Transfers of Financial Assets and Liabilities
	Securities purchased under agreements to resell are treated as collateralized lending transactions. Farmer Mac's counterparties are required to pledge collateral for transactions involving securities purchased under agreements to resell. Farmer Mac considers the types of securities being pledged as collateral when determining how much to lend in these transactions. Additionally, on a daily basis, Farmer Mac reviews the fair values of these securities compared to amounts loaned and derivative counterparty collateral posting thresholds in an effort to minimize exposure to losses. These transactions are reported as securities purchased under agreements to resell in the consolidated balance sheets except for securities purchased under agreements to resell on an overnight basis, which are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets. Farmer Mac records securities purchased under agreements to resell at the amount loaned in the consolidated balance sheets. The resulting fees for these transactions are included in interest income in the consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2014, the fair value of non-cash collateral accepted for securities purchased under agreements to resell or similar arrangements was $1.6 billion, all of which could be sold or repledged; $1.6 billion of the underlying collateral was sold or repledged as of September 30, 2014. There were no securities purchased under agreements to resell as of December 31, 2013.
	Securities sold, not yet purchased, represent obligations of Farmer Mac to deliver specified securities at contracted prices, which would thereby require Farmer Mac to purchase the securities in the market at prevailing prices. Securities sold, not yet purchased consist of fixed rate U.S. Treasury securities. Farmer Mac records securities sold, not yet purchased in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities" in the consolidated statements of operations. The resulting interest expense for these transactions is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows
	Farmer Mac considers highly liquid investment securities with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Farmer Mac does not consider securities purchased under agreements to resell to be cash equivalents if it intends to reinvest the funds from maturing repurchase agreements into new repurchase agreements and the aggregate term of the repurchase agreements exceeds three months. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value.  Changes in the balance of cash and cash equivalents are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
	The following table sets forth information regarding certain cash and non-cash transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
Table 1.2
	For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	113,680	$	90,052
Income taxes	12,750		17,000
Non-cash activity:
Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation	—		1,443
Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	169,820		64,609
Purchases of investment securities traded, not yet settled	—		57,001
Consolidation of Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	172,268		64,609
Transfers of loans held for sale to loans held for investment	—		673,991
Transfers of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity	1,589,775		—
On January 1, 2014, Farmer Mac transferred $1.6 billion of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity because Farmer Mac determined it has the ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity or payoff. Farmer Mac transferred these securities at fair value which reflected an unrealized holding gain of $22.3 million. Farmer Mac accounts for held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. The unrealized holding gain is being amortized out of accumulated other comprehensive income over the remaining life of the transferred securities.
On January 1, 2013, Farmer Mac transferred $674.0 million of loans from held for sale to held for investment because Farmer Mac either (1) no longer intends to sell these loans in the foreseeable future or (2) securitizes these loans using VIEs that are ultimately consolidated on Farmer Mac's balance sheet and reported as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost." Farmer Mac transferred these loans at the lower of cost or fair value (determined on a pooled basis). Farmer Mac recorded a $5.9 million unamortized discount for loans transferred at fair value. At the time of purchase, loans are classified as either held for sale or held for investment depending upon management's intent and ability to hold the loans for the foreseeable future. Cash receipts from the repayment of loans are classified within the statements of cash flows based on management's intent upon purchase of the loan.
(b)	Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding.  Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive common stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and non-vested restricted stock awards.  The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
Table 1.3
	For the Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2014							September 30, 2013
	Net		Weighted-Average Shares		$ per			Net			Weighted-Average Shares			$ per
	Income				Share			Income						Share
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	11,586	10,930		$	1.06		$	15,413		10,843			$	1.42
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	—		442		(0.04		)	—			370			(0.05		)
Diluted EPS	$	11,586	11,372		$	1.02		$	15,413		11,213			$	1.37
-1	For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, stock options and SARs of 118,583 and 36,983, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 42,514 and 44,894, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions were not met.
	For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2014							September 30, 2013
	Net		Weighted-Average Shares		$ per			Net			Weighted-Average Shares			$ per
	Income				Share			Income						Share
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic EPS
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	32,604	10,914		$	2.99		$	59,348		10,799			$	5.5
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	—		446		(0.12		)	—			392			(0.20		)
Diluted EPS	$	32,604	11,360		$	2.87		$	59,348		11,191			$	5.3
-1	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, stock options and SARs of 91,011 and 43,640, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 38,874 and 38,363, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions were not met.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.

Investment_Securities

Investment Securities (Investment Securities [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment Securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	INVESTMENT SECURITIES
	The following tables present the amount outstanding, amortized cost, and fair values of Farmer Mac's investment securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 2.1
		As of September 30, 2014
		Amount Outstanding		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains			Losses
		(in thousands)
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	46,600	$	—		$	46,600	$	—		$	(5,826	)	$	40,774
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	108,276		(108		)	108,168		181			(24		)	108,325
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	10,000		—			10,000		126			—			10,126
	Fixed rate corporate debt securities	30,000		(16		)	29,984		97			—			30,081
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	627,432		3,631			631,063		5,054			(279		)	635,838
	Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1)	892		3,648			4,540		3,731			—			8,271
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	70,000		—			70,000		—			(6,615		)	63,385
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	78,500		17			78,517		—			(17		)	78,500
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	3,960		2			3,962		1			—			3,963
	Floating rate U.S. Treasuries	75,000		(12		)	74,988		27			—			75,015
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	930,000		555			930,555		154			(4		)	930,705
	Total available-for-sale	1,980,660		7,717			1,988,377		9,371			(12,765		)	1,984,983
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	3,012		—			3,012		—			(2,235		)	777
	Total investment securities	$	1,983,672	$	7,717		$	1,991,389	$	9,371		$	(15,000	)	$	1,985,760
	-1	Fair value includes $7.3 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $152.4 million.
		As of December 31, 2013
		Amount Outstanding		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains			Losses
		(in thousands)
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	74,100	$	—		$	74,100	$	—		$	(8,815	)	$	65,285
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	166,185		(217		)	165,968		195			(59		)	166,104
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	109,345		(3		)	109,342		445			(18		)	109,769
	Fixed rate corporate debt securities	55,000		48			55,048		97			(4		)	55,141
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	612,413		4,336			616,749		4,955			(435		)	621,269
	Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1)	1,173		3,966			5,139		3,518			—			8,657
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	70,000		—			70,000		—			(6,615		)	63,385
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	78,500		365			78,865		4,296			—			83,161
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	30,595		84			30,679		5			(3		)	30,681
	Fixed rate senior agency debt	523,691		294			523,985		107			(30		)	524,062
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	754,405		1,141			755,546		95			(8		)	755,633
	Total available-for-sale	2,475,407		10,014			2,485,421		13,713			(15,987		)	2,483,147
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	3,553		—			3,553		—			(2,625		)	928
	Total investment securities	$	2,478,960	$	10,014		$	2,488,974	$	13,713		$	(18,612	)	$	2,484,075
	-1	Fair value includes $7.4 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $152.4 million.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $39.7 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized losses of $0.5 million and gross realized gains of $0.1 million. Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the three months ended September 30, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $770.1 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized losses of $0.8 million and gross realized gains of $0.6 million, compared to proceeds of $170.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, resulting in gross realized gains of $3.1 million.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows:
	Table 2.2
		As of September 30, 2014
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Unrealized loss position for					Unrealized loss position for
		less than 12 months					more than 12 months
		Fair Value		Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
		(in thousands)
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—	$	—		$	40,773	$	(5,827	)
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	25,703		(23		)	1,988		(1		)
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	149,196		(269		)	6,275		(9		)
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—		—			63,385		(6,615		)
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	78,500		(17		)	—		—
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	296,083		(4		)	—		—
	Total	$	549,482	$	(313	)	$	112,421	$	(12,452	)
		As of December 31, 2013
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	Unrealized loss position for					Unrealized loss position for
	less than 12 months					more than 12 months
	Fair Value		Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
			Loss					Loss
	(in thousands)
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—	$	—		$	65,285	$	(8,815	)
Floating rate asset-backed securities	50,129		(59		)	—		—
Floating rate corporate debt securities	19,982		(18		)	—		—
Fixed rate corporate debt securities	10,058		(4		)	—		—
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	161,960		(435		)	—		—
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—		—			63,385		(6,615		)
Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	8,041		(3		)	—		—
Fixed rate senior agency debt	316,273		(30		)	—		—
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	118,056		(8		)	—		—
Total	$	684,499	$	(557	)	$	128,670	$	(15,430	)
The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of credit spreads from the dates of acquisition to September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflects an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of September 30, 2014, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except two that were rated "A-" and one that was rated "BBB+." As of December 31, 2013, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except two that were rated "A-" and one that was rated "BBB+." The unrealized losses were on 37 and 64 individual investment securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
As of September 30, 2014, 9 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $12.5 million. As of December 31, 2013, 7 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $15.4 million.  Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of September 30, 2014 that is, on average, approximately 90.0 percent of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of changes in credit spreads or maturity. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities represents other-than-temporary impairment as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
Farmer Mac did not own any held-to-maturity investment securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. As of September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac owned trading investment securities with an amortized cost of $3.0 million, a fair value of $0.8 million, and a weighted average yield of 4.24 percent. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac owned trading investment securities with an amortized cost of $3.6 million, a fair value of $0.9 million, and a weighted average yield of 4.25 percent.
The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of September 30, 2014 are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
Table 2.3
	As of September 30, 2014
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	Amortized		Fair Value			Weighted-
	Cost					Average
						Yield
	(dollars in thousands)
Due within one year	$	954,530	$	954,742		0.28%
Due after one year through five years	158,655		159,441			0.92%
Due after five years through ten years	288,764		286,868			0.78%
Due after ten years	586,428		583,932			2.38%
Total	$	1,988,377	$	1,984,983		1.02%

Farmer_Mac_Guaranteed_Securiti

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities (Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	FARMER MAC GUARANTEED SECURITIES AND USDA SECURITIES
	The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 3.1
		As of September 30, 2014
		Unpaid Principal Balance		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Held-to-maturity:
	AgVantage	$	1,640,150	$	12,481		$	1,652,631	$	4,236	$	(604	)	$	1,656,263
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	$	3,323,463	$	—		$	3,323,463	$	36,779	$	(23,916	)	$	3,336,326
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	20,449		(441		)	20,008		445		(4		)	20,449
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	3,343,912		(441		)	3,343,471		37,224		(23,920		)	3,356,775
	USDA Securities	1,683,973		4,172			1,688,145		4,326		(4,590		)	1,687,881
	Total available-for-sale	$	5,027,885	$	3,731		$	5,031,616	$	41,550	$	(28,510	)	$	5,044,656
	Trading:
	USDA Securities	$	40,833	$	3,969		$	44,802	$	130	$	(1,968	)	$	42,964
		As of December 31, 2013
		Unpaid Principal Balance		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	$	5,066,855	$	125		$	5,066,980	$	64,051	$	(60,665	)	$	5,070,366
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	21,089		(518		)	20,571		669		(6		)	21,234
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,087,944		(393		)	5,087,551		64,720		(60,671		)	5,091,600
	USDA Securities	1,590,433		4,585			1,595,018		2,753		(44,102		)	1,553,669
	Total available-for-sale	$	6,678,377	$	4,192		$	6,682,569	$	67,473	$	(104,773	)	$	6,645,269
	Trading:
	USDA Securities	$	55,373	$	4,972		$	60,345	$	193	$	(2,194	)	$	58,344
	The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable.  The credit exposure related to Farmer Mac's USDA Guarantees line of business is covered by the full faith and credit guarantee of the United States.  As of September 30, 2014, 17 AgVantage securities in loss positions that are secured by Farm & Ranch loans had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $15.2 million. AgVantage® is a registered trademark of Farmer Mac used to designate Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that are general obligations of lenders secured by pools of eligible loans, with such Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities referred to herein as AgVantage securities. Each AgVantage security backed by agricultural mortgages requires some level of overcollateralization, or, in the case of rural utilities loans, 100 percent collateralization, and is secured by eligible loans of the issuing institution with a requirement that delinquent loans be removed from the collateral pool and then replaced with current eligible loans. Thus, Farmer Mac does not believe it will realize any of the losses presented above. Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, Farmer Mac realized no gains or losses from the sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
	The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of September 30, 2014 are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
	Table 3.2
		As of September 30, 2014
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Amortized		Fair Value			Weighted-
		Cost					Average
							Yield
		(dollars in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	108,230	$	103,969		0.91	%
	Due after one year through five years	1,606,307		1,631,275			1.87	%
	Due after five years through ten years	1,291,284		1,294,016			1.89	%
	Due after ten years	2,025,795		2,015,396			2.61	%
	Total	$	5,031,616	$	5,044,656		2.15	%
		As of September 30, 2014
		Held-to-Maturity Securities
		Amortized		Fair Value			Weighted-
		Cost					Average
							Yield
		(dollars in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	558,291	$	558,749		2.95	%
	Due after one year through five years	1,094,340		1,097,514			2.21	%
	Total	$	1,652,631	$	1,656,263		2.44	%
	Farmer Mac did not own any held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities or USDA Securities as of December 31, 2013. See Note 1(a) for more information about the transfer of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity as of January 1, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $44.8 million, a fair value of $43.0 million, and a weighted average yield of 5.84 percent. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $60.3 million, a fair value of $58.3 million, and a weighted average yield of 5.60 percent.

Financial_Derivatives

Financial Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure	'
	FINANCIAL DERIVATIVES
	Farmer Mac enters into financial derivative transactions principally to protect against risk from the effects of market price or interest rate movements on the value of certain assets, future cash flows, or debt issuance, and not for trading or speculative purposes.  Certain financial derivatives are designated as fair value hedges of fixed rate assets classified as available-for-sale to protect against fair value changes in the assets related to a benchmark interest rate (i.e., LIBOR). Other financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate debt.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties, excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but including accrued interest, was $8.1 million and $25.1 million, respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, Farmer Mac's credit exposure was $1.3 million and $3.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac held no cash as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions, resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $1.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively. Farmer Mac records cash held as collateral as an increase in the balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of accounts payable and accrued expenses.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of Farmer Mac's derivatives in a net liability position including accrued interest but excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, was $79.1 million and $92.0 million, respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, the fair value of Farmer Mac's derivatives in a net liability position at the counterparty level, was $81.7 million and $74.8 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Farmer Mac posted cash of $29.8 million and no investment securities as of September 30, 2014 and posted cash of $9.8 million and investment securities with a fair value of $1.5 million as of December 31, 2013 as collateral for its derivatives in net liability positions.  Farmer Mac records posted cash as a reduction in the outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents and an increase in the balance of prepaid expenses and other assets. The investment securities posted as collateral are included in the investment securities balances on the consolidated balance sheets.  If Farmer Mac had breached certain provisions of the derivative contracts as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements or post additional collateral of $51.9 million and $63.5 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no financial derivatives in a net payable position where Farmer Mac was required to pledge collateral which the counterparty had the right to sell or repledge.
	Effective in second quarter 2013, Farmer Mac expanded its use of centrally-cleared derivatives by clearing through a clearinghouse certain interest rate swaps. Farmer Mac posts initial and variation margin to the clearinghouses through which centrally-cleared derivatives and futures contracts are traded. These collateral postings expose Farmer Mac to institutional credit risk in the event that either the clearinghouse or the futures commission merchant that Farmer Mac uses to post collateral to the clearinghouse fails to meet its obligations. Conversely, the use of centrally-cleared derivatives mitigates Farmer Mac's credit risk to individual counterparties because clearinghouses assume the credit risk among counterparties in centrally-cleared derivatives transactions. Of Farmer Mac's $6.6 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of September 30, 2014, $3.8 billion were cleared through swap clearinghouses. Of Farmer Mac's $6.6 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2013, $2.3 billion were cleared through swap clearinghouses.
	The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 4.1
		As of September 30, 2014
					Fair Value						Weighted-		Weighted-	Weighted-	Weighted-
											Average		Average Receive Rate	Average	Average
											Pay Rate			Forward	Remaining
		Notional Amount			Asset			(Liability)						Price	Life (in years)
		(dollars in thousands)
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	$	1,000,000		$	—		$	(23,979	)	2.47%		0.24%		4.23
	Cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	10,000			—			(81		)	2.50%		0.48%		6.2
	No hedge designation:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	492,496			1,775			(43,694		)	4.23%		0.23%		7.27
	Receive fixed non-callable	3,818,832			3,806			(564		)	0.14%		0.24%		0.48
	Receive fixed callable	296,000			—			(1,152		)	0.09%		0.86%		3.05
	Basis swaps	1,030,000			238			(758		)	0.12%		0.29%		2.27
	Agency forwards	17,352			—			(10		)				98.01
	Treasury futures	6,700			—			(21		)				124.33
	Credit valuation adjustment				(76		)	264
	Total financial derivatives	$	6,671,380		$	5,743		$	(69,995	)
	Collateral pledged				—			29,788
	Net amount				$	5,743		$	(40,207	)
		As of December 31, 2013
					Fair Value						Weighted-		Weighted-	Weighted-	Weighted-
											Average		Average Receive Rate	Average	Average
											Pay Rate			Forward	Remaining
		Notional Amount			Asset			(Liability)						Price	Life (in years)
		(dollars in thousands)
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	$	900,000		$	—		$	(28,989	)	2.25%		0.24%		3.25
	Cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	10,000			68			—			2.50%		0.48%		6.95
	No hedge designation:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	806,596			7,570			(45,360		)	4.63%		0.24%		4.86
	Receive fixed non-callable	4,324,663			11,836			(262		)	0.27%		0.70%		0.53
	Receive fixed callable	175,000			83			(934		)	0.10%		0.65%		3.3
	Basis swaps	404,288			276			(318		)	0.32%		0.29%		1.52
	Agency forwards	65,704			86			—						98.91
	Treasury futures	5,600			—			(1		)				123.02
	Credit valuation adjustment				(201		)	156
	Total financial derivatives	$	6,691,851		$	19,718		$	(75,708	)
	Collateral pledged				—			11,320
	Net amount				$	19,718		$	(64,388	)
	Table 4.2
		Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013			September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps (1)	$	5,610		$	4		$	5,010		$	23,329
	Hedged items	(2,549		)	2,996			4,019			(14,871		)
Gains on hedging activities	3,061			3,000			9,029			8,458
No hedge designation:
Interest rate swaps	(2,074		)	1,192			(19,748		)	14,950
Agency forwards	(210		)	(861		)	(1,297		)	(768		)
Treasury futures	31			(307		)	(452		)	(139		)
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships	(2,253		)	24			(21,497		)	14,043
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	$	808		$	3,024		$	(12,468	)	$	22,501
-1	Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness at September 30, 2014, but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $2.9 million and $8.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were gains of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The comparable amounts at September 30, 2013 were losses of $3.1 million and $8.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, losses of $0.1 million and gains of $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, attributable to hedge ineffectiveness.

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses and Concentration Risk Disclosure	'
		LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES
	Loans
	Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost adjustments. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 5.1
		As of September 30, 2014									As of December 31, 2013
		Unsecuritized			In Consolidated Trusts			Total			Unsecuritized			In Consolidated Trusts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Farm & Ranch	$	1,981,456		$	398,992		$	2,380,448		$	1,875,958		$	259,509		$	2,135,467
	Rural Utilities	711,242			267,395			978,637			698,010			354,241			1,052,251
	Total unpaid principal balance (1)	2,692,698			666,387			3,359,085			2,573,968			613,750			3,187,718
	Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments	(3,167		)	3,753			586			(3,843		)	16,239			12,396
	Total loans	2,689,531			670,140			3,359,671			2,570,125			629,989			3,200,114
	Allowance for loan losses	(5,837		)	(489		)	(6,326		)	(6,587		)	(279		)	(6,866		)
	Total loans, net of allowance	$	2,683,694		$	669,651		$	3,353,345		$	2,563,538		$	629,710		$	3,193,248
	-1	Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.
	Allowances for Losses
	Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for loan losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans held and a reserve for losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans underlying long-term standby purchase commitments ("LTSPCs") and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.  As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac recorded allowances for losses of $10.6 million and $13.3 million, respectively. See Note 3 and Note 6 for more information about Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.  Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities do not include AgVantage securities with regard to the allowance for losses discussion.
	Farmer Mac's allowance for losses is presented in two components on its consolidated balance sheets:
	•	an "Allowance for loan losses" on loans held; and
	•	a "Reserve for losses" on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
	The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 5.2
		30-Sep-14									30-Sep-13
		Allowance			Reserve			Total			Allowance			Reserve			Total
		for Loan			for Losses			Allowance			for Loan			for Losses			Allowance
		Losses						for Losses			Losses						for Losses
	For the Three Months Ended:	(in thousands)
	Beginning Balance	$	5,770		$	5,595		$	11,365		$	7,368		$	6,110		$	13,478
	Provision for/(release of) losses	511			(1,315		)	(804		)	(499		)	463			(36		)
	Charge-offs	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Recoveries	45			—			45			—			—			—
	Ending Balance	$	6,326		$	4,280		$	10,606		$	6,869		$	6,573		$	13,442
	For the Nine Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	6,866		$	6,468		$	13,334		$	11,351		$	5,539		$	16,890
	(Release of)/provision for losses	(499		)	(2,188		)	(2,687		)	(598		)	1,034			436
	Charge-offs	(86		)	—			(86		)	(3,884		)	—			(3,884		)
	Recoveries	45			—			45			—			—			—
	Ending Balance	$	6,326		$	4,280		$	10,606		$	6,869		$	6,573		$	13,442
	During third quarter 2014, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.5 million and releases to its reserve for losses of $1.3 million, primarily related to a decline in the balance of its ethanol-related Agricultural Storage and Processing portfolio. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs and recoveries of $45,000 to its allowance for loan losses during third quarter 2014. During third quarter 2013, Farmer Mac recorded a release of its allowance for loan losses of $0.5 million and a provision for its reserve for losses of $0.5 million. Charge-offs recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included a $3.6 million charge-off related to one ethanol loan that transitioned to real estate owned ("REO") for which Farmer Mac had previously provided a specific allowance.
	The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 by commodity type:
	Table 5.3
		30-Sep-14
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	For the Three Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	2,390		$	2,217		$	1,311		$	444		$	4,999		$	4		$	11,365
	Provision for/(release of) losses	123			74			(6		)	(3		)	(992		)	—			(804		)
	Charge-offs	—			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Recoveries	—			45			—			—			—			—			45
	Ending Balance	$	2,513		$	2,336		$	1,305		$	441		$	4,007		$	4		$	10,606
	For the Nine Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	2,124		$	2,186		$	1,271		$	454		$	7,292		$	7		$	13,334
	Provision for/(release of) losses	389			105			91			16			(3,285		)	(3		)	(2,687		)
	Charge-offs	—			—			(57		)	(29		)	—			—			(86		)
	Recoveries	—			45			—			—			—			—			45
	Ending Balance	$	2,513		$	2,336		$	1,305		$	441		$	4,007		$	4		$	10,606
		30-Sep-13
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
											facilities)
	(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Beginning Balance	$	2,405		$	2,168		$	1,279		$	425		$	7,196		$	5		$	13,478
(Release of)/provision for losses	(225		)	(105		)	(84		)	13			364			1			(36		)
Charge-offs	—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Ending Balance	$	2,180		$	2,063		$	1,195		$	438		$	7,560		$	6		$	13,442
For the Nine Months Ended:
Beginning Balance	$	2,589		$	2,316		$	1,534		$	784		$	9,661		$	6		$	16,890
(Release of)/provision for losses	(409		)	(64		)	(339		)	(276		)	1,524			—			436
Charge-offs	—			(189		)	—			(70		)	(3,625		)	—			(3,884		)
Ending Balance	$	2,180		$	2,063		$	1,195		$	438		$	7,560		$	6		$	13,442
The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.4
	As of September 30, 2014
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
Ending Balance:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	1,528,563		$	333,512		$	376,526		$	39,079		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,307,912
Off-balance sheet	1,334,137			527,980			858,526			101,376			91,241			7,333			2,920,593
Total	$	2,862,700		$	861,492		$	1,235,052		$	140,455		$	120,876		$	7,930		$	5,228,505
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	14,243		$	40,315		$	7,236		$	10,742		$	—		$	—		$	72,536
Off-balance sheet	3,302			3,274			5,102			1,718			—			—			13,396
Total	$	17,545		$	43,589		$	12,338		$	12,460		$	—		$	—		$	85,932
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet	$	1,542,806		$	373,827		$	383,762		$	49,821		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,380,448
Off-balance sheet	1,337,439			531,254			863,628			103,094			91,241			7,333			2,933,989
Total	$	2,880,245		$	905,081		$	1,247,390		$	152,915		$	120,876		$	7,930		$	5,314,437
Allowance for Losses:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	1,811		$	408		$	541		$	29		$	879		$	—		$	3,668
Off-balance sheet	276			147			473			51			3,128			4			4,079
Total	$	2,087		$	555		$	1,014		$	80		$	4,007		$	4		$	7,747
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	339		$	1,744		$	267		$	308		$	—		$	—		$	2,658
Off-balance sheet	87			37			24			53			—			—			201
Total	$	426		$	1,781		$	291		$	361		$	—		$	—		$	2,859
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet	$	2,150		$	2,152		$	808		$	337		$	879		$	—		$	6,326
Off-balance sheet	363			184			497			104			3,128			4			4,280
Total	$	2,513		$	2,336		$	1,305		$	441		$	4,007		$	4		$	10,606
	December 31, 2013
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
Ending Balance:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	1,363,861		$	295,037		$	319,665		$	39,940		$	32,636		$	359		$	2,051,498
Off-balance sheet	1,279,887			567,932			912,397			109,884			138,282			8,159			3,016,541
Total	$	2,643,748		$	862,969		$	1,232,062		$	149,824		$	170,918		$	8,518		$	5,068,039
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	21,147		$	41,441		$	10,844		$	10,422		$	—		$	115		$	83,969
Off-balance sheet	1,962			3,414			3,199			2,497			—			—			11,072
Total	$	23,109		$	44,855		$	14,043		$	12,919		$	—		$	115		$	95,041
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet	$	1,385,008		$	336,478		$	330,509		$	50,362		$	32,636		$	474		$	2,135,467
Off-balance sheet	1,281,849			571,346			915,596			112,381			138,282			8,159			3,027,613
Total	$	2,666,857		$	907,824		$	1,246,105		$	162,743		$	170,918		$	8,633		$	5,163,080
Allowance for Losses:
Collectively evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	1,321		$	325		$	436		$	20		$	2,290		$	—		$	4,392
Off-balance sheet	397			159			642			42			5,002			4			6,246
Total	$	1,718		$	484		$	1,078		$	62		$	7,292		$	4		$	10,638
Individually evaluated for impairment:
On-balance sheet	$	362		$	1,641		$	140		$	331		$	—		$	—		$	2,474
Off-balance sheet	44			61			53			61			—			3			222
Total	$	406		$	1,702		$	193		$	392		$	—		$	3		$	2,696
Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet	$	1,683		$	1,966		$	576		$	351		$	2,290		$	—		$	6,866
Off-balance sheet	441			220			695			103			5,002			7			6,468
Total	$	2,124		$	2,186		$	1,271		$	454		$	7,292		$	7		$	13,334
The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment, and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans and the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.5
	30-Sep-14
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including
													ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
Impaired Loans:
With no specific allowance:
Recorded investment	$	4,454		$	11,188		$	8,530		$	1,914		$	—		$	—		$	26,086
Unpaid principal balance	4,288			11,696			8,287			1,919			—			—			26,190
With a specific allowance:
Recorded investment (1)	13,448			32,705			3,764			10,484			—			—			60,401
Unpaid principal balance	13,257			31,893			4,051			10,541			—			—			59,742
Associated allowance	426			1,781			291			361			—			—			2,859
Total:
Recorded investment	17,902			43,893			12,294			12,398			—			—			86,487
Unpaid principal balance	17,545			43,589			12,338			12,460			—			—			85,932
Associated allowance	426			1,781			291			361			—			—			2,859
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2)	$	4,656		$	14,972		$	4,414		$	6,040		$	—		$	—		$	30,082
-1	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $53.6 million (62 percent) of impaired loans as of September 30, 2014, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.4 million.
-2	Includes $8.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
	December 31, 2013
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including
													ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
Impaired Loans:
With no specific allowance:
Recorded investment	$	6,956		$	9,880		$	6,671		$	1,444		$	—		$	—		$	24,951
Unpaid principal balance	6,825			9,877			6,588			1,443			—			—			24,733
With a specific allowance:
Recorded investment (1)	16,697			36,146			7,600			11,554			—			119			72,116
Unpaid principal balance	16,284			34,978			7,455			11,476			—			115			70,308
Associated allowance	406			1,702			193			392			—			3			2,696
Total:
Recorded investment	23,653			46,026			14,271			12,998			—			119			97,067
Unpaid principal balance	23,109			44,855			14,043			12,919			—			115			95,041
Associated allowance	406			1,702			193			392			—			3			2,696
Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2)	$	10,812		$	15,237		$	5,344		$	5,835		$	—		$	—		$	37,228
-1	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $65.1 million (67 percent) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2013, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.3 million.
-2	Includes $9.6 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
Table 5.6
	30-Sep-14
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including
													ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	19,975		$	43,280		$	12,305		$	12,276		$	—		$	—		$	87,836
Income recognized on impaired loans	90			142			149			87			—			—			468
For the Nine Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	21,873		$	44,144		$	13,040		$	12,407		$	—		$	30		$	91,494
Income recognized on impaired loans	365			412			284			288			—			—			1,349
	30-Sep-13
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including
													ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	27,311		$	37,340		$	15,252		$	11,909		$	—		$	119		$	91,931
Income recognized on impaired loans	248			169			38			87			—			—			542
For the Nine Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	29,570		$	42,041		$	16,579		$	13,053		$	1,084		$	571		$	102,898
Income recognized on impaired loans	651			666			230			359			—			—			1,906
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the recorded investment of loans determined to be troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") was $4.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively, before restructuring and $5.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively, after restructuring. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the recorded investment of loans determined to be TDRs was $0.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, both before and after restructuring. As of September 30, 2014, there were no TDRs identified during the previous 12 months that were in default under the modified terms. As of September 30, 2013, there was one TDR identified during the previous 12 months that was in default under the modified terms, with a recorded investment of $0.2 million. The impact of TDRs on Farmer Mac's allowance for loan losses was immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
During the three months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac purchased no defaulted loans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac purchased one defaulted loan having an unpaid principal balance of $0.4 million from a pool underlying an LTSPC.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Farmer Mac purchased 3 defaulted loans having an unpaid principal balance of $0.6 million and 11 defaulted loans having an unpaid principal balance of $6.7 million, respectively, from pools underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.
The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.7
	For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013			September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date:
Loans underlying LTSPCs	$	—		$	—		$	440		$	37
Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	—			629			—			6,667
Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date	—			629			440			6,704
Contractually required payments receivable	—			678			440			6,907
Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition	—			—			69			447
Recovery/release of allowance for defaulted loans	47			57			54			946
	As of
	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
Outstanding balance	$	25,671		$	32,838
Carrying amount	23,007			29,613
Net credit losses and 90-day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs are presented in the table below.  As of September 30, 2014, there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac has not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans.
Table 5.8
	90-Day Delinquencies (1)						Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses
	As of						For the Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013			September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
	(in thousands)
On-balance sheet assets:
Farm & Ranch:
Loans	$	21,409		$	27,580		$	(66	)	$	2,825
Total on-balance sheet	$	21,409		$	27,580		$	(66	)	$	2,825
Off-balance sheet assets:
Farm & Ranch:
LTSPCs	$	3,252		$	716		$	—		$	—
Total off-balance sheet	$	3,252		$	716		$	—		$	—
Total	$	24,661		$	28,296		$	(66	)	$	2,825
-1	Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured after delinquency, or in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
Of the $21.4 million and $27.6 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90-day delinquencies as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.
Credit Quality Indicators
Farmer Mac analyzes credit risk related to loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities based on internally assigned loan scores (i.e., risk ratings) that are derived by taking into consideration such factors as historical repayment performance, indicators of current financial condition, loan seasoning, loan size, and loan-to-value ratio. Loans are then classified into one of the following asset categories based on their underlying risk rating: acceptable; other assets especially mentioned; and substandard. Farmer Mac believes this analysis provides meaningful information regarding the credit risk profile of its Farm & Ranch portfolio as of each quarterly reporting period end date.
Farmer Mac also uses 90-day delinquency information to evaluate its credit risk exposure on these assets because historically it has been the best measure of borrower credit quality deterioration. Most of the loans held and underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities have annual (January 1) or semi-annual (January 1 and July 1) payment dates and are supported by less frequent and less predictable revenue sources, such as the cash flows generated from the maturation of crops, sales of livestock, and government farm support programs.  Taking into account the reduced frequency of payment due dates and revenue sources, Farmer Mac considers 90-day delinquency to be the most significant observation point when evaluating delinquency information.
The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.9
	As of September 30, 2014
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1)
On-balance sheet:
Acceptable	$	1,499,552		$	332,340		$	367,631		$	38,120		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,267,875
Special mention (2)	29,011			1,172			8,895			959			—			—			40,037
Substandard (3)	14,243			40,315			7,236			10,742			—			—			72,536
Total on-balance sheet	$	1,542,806		$	373,827		$	383,762		$	49,821		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,380,448
Off-Balance Sheet:
Acceptable	$	1,312,501		$	509,451		$	806,249		$	96,039		$	70,361		$	6,675		$	2,801,276
Special mention (2)	13,837			12,408			39,987			1,675			6,630			558			75,095
Substandard (3)	11,101			9,395			17,392			5,380			14,250			100			57,618
Total off-balance sheet	$	1,337,439		$	531,254		$	863,628		$	103,094		$	91,241		$	7,333		$	2,933,989
Total Ending Balance:
Acceptable	$	2,812,053		$	841,791		$	1,173,880		$	134,159		$	99,996		$	7,272		$	5,069,151
Special mention (2)	42,848			13,580			48,882			2,634			6,630			558			115,132
Substandard (3)	25,344			49,710			24,628			16,122			14,250			100			130,154
Total	$	2,880,245		$	905,081		$	1,247,390		$	152,915		$	120,876		$	7,930		$	5,314,437
Commodity analysis of past due loans (1)
On-balance sheet	$	6,923		$	6,861		$	4,915		$	2,710		$	—		$	—		$	21,409
Off-balance sheet	777			—			1,762			713			—			—			3,252
90-days or more past due	$	7,700		$	6,861		$	6,677		$	3,423		$	—		$	—		$	24,661
-1	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
-2	Assets in the Special mention category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
-3	Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
	As of December 31, 2013
	Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
				Plantings						Farm			Processing
													(including ethanol
													facilities)
	(in thousands)
Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1)
On-balance sheet:
Acceptable	$	1,348,205		$	290,064		$	300,308		$	39,022		$	10,987		$	359		$	1,988,945
Special Mention (2)	15,656			4,973			19,357			918			6,267			—			47,171
Substandard (3)	21,147			41,441			10,844			10,422			15,382			115			99,351
Total on-balance sheet	$	1,385,008		$	336,478		$	330,509		$	50,362		$	32,636		$	474		$	2,135,467
Off-Balance Sheet
Acceptable	$	1,251,834		$	548,254		$	844,130		$	105,589		$	99,072		$	7,478		$	2,856,357
Special Mention (2)	10,977			15,621			36,555			917			11,011			578			75,659
Substandard (3)	19,038			7,471			34,911			5,875			28,199			103			95,597
Total off-balance sheet	$	1,281,849		$	571,346		$	915,596		$	112,381		$	138,282		$	8,159		$	3,027,613
Total Ending Balance:
Acceptable	$	2,600,039		$	838,318		$	1,144,438		$	144,611		$	110,059		$	7,837		$	4,845,302
Special Mention (2)	26,633			20,594			55,912			1,835			17,278			578			122,830
Substandard (3)	40,185			48,912			45,755			16,297			43,581			218			194,948
Total	$	2,666,857		$	907,824		$	1,246,105		$	162,743		$	170,918		$	8,633		$	5,163,080
Commodity analysis of past due loans (1)
On-balance sheet	$	8,036		$	11,841		$	4,462		$	3,122		$	—		$	119		$	27,580
Off-balance sheet	220			—			—			496			—			—			716
90-days or more past due	$	8,256		$	11,841		$	4,462		$	3,618		$	—		$	119		$	28,296
-1	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
-2	Assets in the Special mention category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
-3	Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The following table sets forth the geographic and commodity/collateral diversification, as well as the range of original loan-to-value ratios, for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 5.10
	As of
	30-Sep-14			December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
By commodity/collateral type:
Crops	$	2,880,245		$	2,666,857
Permanent plantings	905,081			907,824
Livestock	1,247,390			1,246,105
Part-time farm	152,915			162,743
Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities)	120,876			170,918
Other	7,930			8,633
Total	$	5,314,437		$	5,163,080
By geographic region (1):
Northwest	$	544,057		$	524,034
Southwest	1,719,718			1,752,109
Mid-North	1,851,849			1,702,668
Mid-South	608,040			601,359
Northeast	218,639			231,731
Southeast	372,134			351,179
Total	$	5,314,437		$	5,163,080
By original loan-to-value ratio:
0.00% to 40.00%	$	1,446,240		$	1,375,758
40.01% to 50.00%	1,175,657			1,099,033
50.01% to 60.00%	1,481,788			1,431,562
60.01% to 70.00%	1,082,990			1,113,427
70.01% to 80.00%	103,808			110,828
80.01% to 90.00%	23,954			32,472
Total	$	5,314,437		$	5,163,080
-1	Geographic regions:  Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
The original loan-to-value ratio is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when available, the updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment.  Current loan-to-value ratios may be higher or lower than the original loan-to-value ratios.

OffBalance_Sheet_Guarantees_an

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments Disclosure	'
		OFF-BALANCE SHEET GUARANTEES AND LONG-TERM STANDBY PURCHASE COMMITMENTS
	Farmer Mac offers two credit enhancement alternatives to direct loan purchases that allow approved lenders the ability to retain the cash flow benefits of their loans and increase their liquidity and lending capacity: (1) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which are available through each of the Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit lines of business, and (2) LTSPCs, which are available through the Farm & Ranch and the Rural Utilities lines of business.
	Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
	The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans:
	Table 6.1
	Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
		As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Farm & Ranch:
	Guaranteed Securities	$	677,814	$	765,751
	USDA Guarantees:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	14,693		20,222
	Institutional Credit:
	AgVantage Securities	988,187		981,009
	Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$	1,680,694	$	1,766,982
	Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors.  The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations:
	Table 6.2
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Proceeds from new securitizations	$	169,820	$	64,609
	Guarantee fees received	2,449		3,572
	Purchases of assets from the trusts	—		(6,667		)
	Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the guarantee in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets.  This liability approximated $11.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and $13.4 million as of December 31, 2013. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 12.2 years and 12.8 years, respectively.  As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 2.7 years and 3.4 years, respectively.
	Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments
	An LTSPC commits Farmer Mac, subject to the terms of the applicable LTSPC agreement, to a future purchase of one or more loans from an identified pool of eligible loans that met Farmer Mac's standards at the time the transaction was entered into and on which Farmer Mac assumed the credit risk.  As consideration for its assumption of the credit risk on loans underlying an LTSPC, Farmer Mac receives a commitment fee payable monthly in arrears in an amount approximating what would have been the guarantee fee if the transaction were structured as a swap for Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
	The maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be requested to make under all LTSPCs, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans, was $2.3 billion as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was 14.3 years and 13.9 years, respectively.  For those LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003, Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets.  This liability approximated $27.1 million as of September 30, 2014 and $26.3 million as of December 31, 2013.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Equity Disclosure	'
	EQUITY
	Common Stock
	Farmer Mac has three classes of common stock outstanding:
	•	Class A voting common stock, which may be held only by banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions or similar entities that are not institutions of the Farm Credit System ("FCS").  By federal statute, no holder of Class A voting common stock may directly or indirectly be a beneficial owner of more than 33 percent of the outstanding shares of Class A voting common stock.
	•	Class B voting common stock, which may be held only by institutions of the FCS.  There are no restrictions on the maximum holdings of Class B voting common stock.
	•	Class C non-voting common stock, which has no ownership restrictions.
	During each of the first three quarters of 2014, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share on all classes of its common stock. During each quarter of 2013, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share on all classes of its common stock. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay a dividend could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements.
	Preferred Stock
	On June 20, 2014, Farmer Mac issued 3.0 million shares of 6.000 percent Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (the "Series C Preferred Stock"). On March 25, 2014, Farmer Mac issued 3.0 million shares of 6.875 percent Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the "Series B Preferred Stock"). On January 17, 2013, Farmer Mac issued 2.4 million shares of 5.875 percent Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred Stock"). The Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, and the Series C Preferred Stock each have a par value of $25.00 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock pay an annual dividend rate of 5.875 percent and 6.875 percent, respectively, for the life of the securities. The Series C Preferred Stock pays an annual dividend rate of 6.000 percent from the date of issuance to and including the quarterly payment date occurring on July 17, 2024, and thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.26 percent. Farmer Mac will have the option to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at any time on and after January 17, 2018, the Series B Preferred Stock at any time on and after April 17, 2019, and the Series C Preferred Stock at any time on and after July 18, 2024. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, and the Series C Preferred Stock are payable when, as, and if declared by Farmer Mac's board of directors and are non-cumulative, so dividends that are not declared for a payment date will not accrue. Farmer Mac incurred direct costs of $1.7 million related to the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, direct costs of $1.9 million related to the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, and direct costs of $1.6 million related to the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock. Farmer Mac used the proceeds from the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock to redeem and retire its outstanding shares of Series C Non-Voting Cumulative Preferred Stock, which had a par value of $1,000 per share and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, that had been issued in 2008 and 2009 ("retired Series C Preferred Stock") on January 17, 2013. As of September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac had 2.4 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, 3.0 million shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding, and 3.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding.
	Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on its preferred stock could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. Farmer Mac's preferred stock is included as a component of core capital for regulatory and statutory capital compliance measurements.
	Non-Controlling Interest in Farmer Mac II LLC
	On January 25, 2010, Farmer Mac completed a private offering of $250.0 million of securities issued by a newly formed Delaware statutory trust.  The trust securities, called Farm Asset-Linked Capital Securities or "FALConS," represent undivided beneficial ownership interests in 250,000 shares of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock (the "Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock") of Farmer Mac's subsidiary, Farmer Mac II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.  The Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.
	Dividends on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be payable if, when, and as declared by Farmer Mac II LLC's board of directors, quarterly, on a non-cumulative basis, on March 30, June 30, September 30, and December 30 of each year.  From the date of issuance to but excluding the quarterly payment date occurring on March 30, 2015, the annual dividend rate on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be 8.875 percent.  From March 30, 2015 to but excluding the quarterly payment date occurring on March 30, 2020, the annual dividend rate on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be 10.875 percent.  Beginning on March 30, 2020, the dividend rate on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock will be an annual rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 8.211 percent.  Dividends on the Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock are non-cumulative, so dividends that are not declared for any payment date will not accrue.  Farmer Mac II LLC Preferred Stock is presented as "Non-controlling interest – preferred stock" within equity on the consolidated balance sheets of Farmer Mac. The accrual of declared dividends is presented as "Net income attributable to non-controlling interest – preferred stock dividends" on the consolidated statements of operations on a pre-tax basis.  The consolidated tax benefit is included in income tax expense. Farmer Mac II LLC may redeem the preferred stock on March 30 of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 and on any payment date on or after March 30, 2020, in whole or in part, at a cash redemption price equal to the liquidation preference. On May 14, 2014, Farmer Mac purchased $6.0 million of FALConS from certain holders.
	Statutory and Regulatory Capital Requirements
	Farmer Mac is subject to the following statutory and regulatory capital requirements:
	•	Statutory minimum capital requirement – Farmer Mac's statutory minimum capital level is an amount of core capital (stockholders' equity less accumulated other comprehensive income plus non-controlling interest – preferred stock) equal to the sum of 2.75 percent of Farmer Mac's aggregate on-balance sheet assets, as calculated for regulatory purposes, plus 0.75 percent of the aggregate off-balance sheet obligations of Farmer Mac, specifically including:
	◦	the unpaid principal balance of outstanding Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities;
	◦	instruments issued or guaranteed by Farmer Mac that are substantially equivalent to Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, including LTSPCs; and
	◦	other off-balance sheet obligations of Farmer Mac.
	•	Statutory critical capital requirement – Farmer Mac's critical capital level is an amount of core capital equal to 50 percent of the total minimum capital requirement at that time.
	•	Risk-based capital requirement – Farmer Mac's charter directs the Farm Credit Administration ("FCA") to establish a risk-based capital stress test for Farmer Mac, using specified stress-test parameters.
	Farmer Mac is required to comply with the higher of the minimum capital requirement and the risk-based capital requirement.
	As of September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac's minimum and critical capital requirements were $428.4 million and $214.2 million, respectively, and its actual core capital level was $761.3 million, which was $332.9 million above the minimum capital requirement and $547.1 million above the critical capital requirement as of that date.  As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's minimum and critical capital requirements were $398.5 million and $199.3 million, respectively, and its actual core capital level was $590.7 million, which was $192.2 million above the minimum capital requirement and $391.4 million above the critical capital requirement as of that date.
	Based on the risk-based capital stress test, Farmer Mac's risk-based capital requirement as of September 30, 2014 was $67.3 million, and Farmer Mac's regulatory capital (core capital plus the allowance for losses) of $771.9 million exceeded that amount by approximately $704.6 million.  As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's risk-based capital requirement was $90.8 million, and Farmer Mac's regulatory capital of $604.0 million exceeded that amount by approximately $513.2 million.
	In accordance with FCA's rule on Farmer Mac's capital planning that became effective on January 3, 2014, and as part of Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, qualifying preferred stock, and accumulated other comprehensive income allocable to investments not included in one of the four operating lines of business) and imposing restrictions on common stock dividends and employee (including officer) bonus payments in the event that this capital falls below specified thresholds.

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosure	'
	FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
	Fair Value Measurement
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (also referred to as an exit price). In determining fair value, Farmer Mac uses various valuation approaches, including market and income based approaches.  The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  When available, the fair value of Farmer Mac's financial instruments is based on quoted market prices, valuation techniques that use observable market-based inputs, or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.  Pricing information obtained from third parties is internally validated for reasonableness prior to use in the consolidated financial statements. Farmer Mac's accounting policies for fair value measurement and a description of the fair value techniques used for instruments measured at fair value is discussed in Note 2(p) and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Segment Recast 8-K.
	Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are reported at fair value in the consolidated financial statements each period are referred to as recurring fair value measurements.  Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are not reported at fair value each period but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances are referred to as nonrecurring fair value measurements.
	Fair Value Classification and Transfers
	The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.  The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.  The following three levels are used to classify fair value measurements:
	Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
	Level 2	Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3	Prices or valuations that require unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.
	As of September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $5.1 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values (i.e., level 3).  These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 35 percent of total assets and 58 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of September 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $6.8 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values.  These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 51 percent of total assets and 73 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2013.
	Net transfers in and/or out of the different levels within the fair value hierarchy are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period.  There were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements of Farmer Mac's investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, USDA Securities, and financial derivatives during the first nine months of 2014 and 2013. See Note 1(a) for information about the transfer of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity as of January 1, 2014.
	The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value:
	Table 8.1
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Recurring:
	Assets:
	Investment Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—		$	—		$	40,774		$	40,774
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			108,325			—			108,325
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	—			10,126			—			10,126
	Fixed rate corporate debt securities	—			30,081			—			30,081
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			635,651			187			635,838
	Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			8,271			—			8,271
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—			63,385			—			63,385
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	—			78,500			—			78,500
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	—			3,963			—			3,963
	Floating rate U.S. Treasuries	75,015			—			—			75,015
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	930,705			—			—			930,705
	Total available-for-sale	1,005,720			938,302			40,961			1,984,983
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			—			777			777
	Total trading	—			—			777			777
	Total Investment Securities	1,005,720			938,302			41,738			1,985,760
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	—			—			3,336,326			3,336,326
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	—			—			20,449			20,449
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	—			—			3,356,775			3,356,775
	USDA Securities:
	Available-for-sale	—			—			1,687,881			1,687,881
	Trading	—			—			42,964			42,964
	Total USDA Securities	—			—			1,730,845			1,730,845
	Financial derivatives	—			5,743			—			5,743
	Total Assets at fair value	$	1,005,720		$	944,045		$	5,129,358		$	7,079,123
	Liabilities:
	Securities sold, not yet purchased
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	$	1,657,901		$	—		$	—		$	1,657,901
	Financial derivatives	21			69,974			—			69,995
	Total Liabilities at fair value	$	1,657,922		$	69,974		$	—		$	1,727,896
	Nonrecurring:
	Assets:
	Loans held for investment	$	—		$	—		$	5,304		$	5,304
	REO	—			—			762			762
	Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value	$	—		$	—		$	6,066		$	6,066
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Recurring:
	Assets:
	Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—		$	—		$	65,285		$	65,285
Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			166,104			—			166,104
Floating rate corporate debt securities	—			109,769			—			109,769
Fixed rate corporate debt	—			55,141			—			55,141
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			621,064			205			621,269
Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			8,657			—			8,657
Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—			63,385			—			63,385
Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	—			83,161			—			83,161
Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	—			30,681			—			30,681
Fixed rate senior agency debt	—			524,062			—			524,062
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	755,633			—			—			755,633
Total available-for-sale	755,633			1,662,024			65,490			2,483,147
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			—			928			928
Total trading	—			—			928			928
Total Investment Securities	755,633			1,662,024			66,418			2,484,075
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	—			—			5,070,366			5,070,366
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	—			—			21,234			21,234
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	—			—			5,091,600			5,091,600
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	—			—			1,553,669			1,553,669
Trading	—			—			58,344			58,344
Total USDA Securities	—			—			1,612,013			1,612,013
Financial derivatives	—			19,718			—			19,718
Total Assets at fair value	$	755,633		$	1,681,742		$	6,770,031		$	9,207,406
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives	$	1		$	75,472		$	235		$	75,708
Total Liabilities at fair value	$	1		$	75,472		$	235		$	75,708
Nonrecurring:
Assets:
Loans held for investment	$	—		$	—		$	4,420		$	4,420
REO	—			—			1,818			1,818
Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value	$	—		$	—		$	6,238		$	6,238
The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
Table 8.2
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Ending
	Balance												Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included			Gains/(Losses)			Balance
													in Income			included in Other
																Comprehen-sive
																Income
	(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	54,976		$	—		$	(14,550	)	$	—		$	(450	)	$	798		$	40,774
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	195			—			—			(7		)	—			(1		)	187
Total available-for-sale	55,171			—			(14,550		)	(7		)	(450		)	797			40,961
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	880			—			—			(127		)	24			—			777
Total trading	880			—			—			(127		)	24			—			777
Total Investment Securities	56,051			—			(14,550		)	(134		)	(426		)	797			41,738
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	3,416,512			295,700			—			(382,630		)	(2,549		)	9,293			3,336,326
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	21,044			—			—			(200		)	—			(395		)	20,449
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	3,437,556			295,700			—			(382,830		)	(2,549		)	8,898			3,356,775
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	1,636,930			97,275			—			(42,821		)	—			(3,503		)	1,687,881
Trading (2)	46,099			—			—			(3,079		)	(56		)	—			42,964
Total USDA Securities	1,683,029			97,275			—			(45,900		)	(56		)	(3,503		)	1,730,845
Total Assets at fair value	$	5,176,636		$	392,975		$	(14,550	)	$	(428,864	)	$	(3,031	)	$	6,192		$	5,129,358
-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-2	Includes immaterial unrealized gains attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Ending
	Balance												Unrealized Gains/			Gains/(Losses)			Balance
													(Losses) included			included in Other
													in Income			Comprehen-sive
																Income
	(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	65,088		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	65,088
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	222			—			—			(8		)	—			—			214
Total available-for-sale	65,310			—			—			(8		)	—			—			65,302
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	1,064			—			—			(156		)	69			—			977
Total trading	1,064			—			—			(156		)	69			—			977
Total Investment Securities	66,374			—			—			(164		)	69			—			66,279
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	5,033,059			353,500			—			(258,522		)	2,996			(17,985		)	5,113,048
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	25,794			—			—			(414		)	—			328			25,708
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,058,853			353,500			—			(258,936		)	2,996			(17,657		)	5,138,756
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	1,543,764			70,372			—			(48,380		)	—			935			1,566,691
Trading (2)	73,592			—			—			(10,578		)	(695		)	—			62,319
Total USDA Securities	1,617,356			70,372			—			(58,958		)	(695		)	935			1,629,010
Total Assets at fair value	$	6,742,583		$	423,872		$	—		$	(318,058	)	$	2,370		$	(16,722	)	$	6,834,045
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives (3)	$	(390	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	61		$	—		$	(329	)
Total Liabilities at fair value	$	(390	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	61		$	—		$	(329	)
-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-2	Includes unrealized losses of $0.4 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-3	Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities."
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Transfers Out			Ending
	Balance												Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included			Gains/(Losses)						Balance
													in Income			included in Other
																Comprehen-sive
																Income
	(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	65,285		$	—		$	(26,675	)	$	—		$	(825	)	$	2,989		$	—		$	40,774
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	205			—			—			(18		)	—			—			—			187
Total available-for-sale	65,490			—			(26,675		)	(18		)	(825		)	2,989			—			40,961
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	928			—			—			(541		)	390			—			—			777
Total trading	928			—			—			(541		)	390			—			—			777
Total Investment Securities	66,418			—			(26,675		)	(559		)	(435		)	2,989			—			41,738
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	5,070,366			761,475			—			(915,218		)	4,019			27,770			(1,612,086		)	3,336,326
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	21,234			—			—			(562		)	—			(223		)	—			20,449
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,091,600			761,475			—			(915,780		)	4,019			27,547			(1,612,086		)	3,356,775
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	1,553,669			256,044			—			(162,917		)	—			41,085			—			1,687,881
Trading (2)	58,344			—			—			(15,541		)	161			—			—			42,964
Total USDA Securities	1,612,013			256,044			—			(178,458		)	161			41,085			—			1,730,845
Total Assets at fair value	$	6,770,031		$	1,017,519		$	(26,675	)	$	(1,094,797	)	$	3,745		$	71,621		$	(1,612,086	)	$	5,129,358
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives	$	(235	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	235		$	—		$	—		$	—
Total Liabilities at fair value	$	(235	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	235		$	—		$	—		$	—
-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-2	Includes unrealized gains of $0.7 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Ending
	Balance												Unrealized Gains/			Gains/(Losses)			Balance
													(Losses) included			included in Other
													in Income			Comprehen-sive
																Income
	(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	63,159		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,929		$	65,088
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			233			—			(17		)	—			(2		)	214
Total available-for-sale	63,159			233			—			(17		)	—			1,927			65,302
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	1,247			—			—			(656		)	386			—			977
Total trading	1,247			—			—			(656		)	386			—			977
Total Investment Securities	64,406			233			—			(673		)	386			1,927			66,279
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	4,739,577			978,500			—			(542,974		)	(14,872		)	(47,183		)	5,113,048
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	26,681			—			—			(1,312		)	—			339			25,708
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	4,766,258			978,500			—			(544,286		)	(14,872		)	(46,844		)	5,138,756
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	1,486,595			303,456			—			(193,946		)	—			(29,414		)	1,566,691
Trading (2)	104,188			—			—			(40,740		)	(1,129		)	—			62,319
Total USDA Securities	1,590,783			303,456			—			(234,686		)	(1,129		)	(29,414		)	1,629,010
Total Assets at fair value	$	6,421,447		$	1,282,189		$	—		$	(779,645	)	$	(15,615	)	$	(74,331	)	$	6,834,045
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives (3)	$	(691	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	362		$	—		$	(329	)
Total Liabilities at fair value	$	(691	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	362		$	—		$	(329	)
-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-2	Includes unrealized losses of $0.5 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-3	Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities."
The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
Table 8.3
		As of September 30, 2014
Financial Instruments		Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted-Average)
		(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment securities:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans		$	40,774		Indicative bids	Range of broker quotes		82.0% - 95.0% (87.5%)
Floating rate asset-backed securities		$	777		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		13.2% - 22.8% (18.0%)
						CPR		10%
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities		$	187		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.8% - 1.8% (1.8%)
						CPR		7%
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
AgVantage		$	3,336,326		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.7% - 2.8% (1.4%)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities		$	20,449		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.8% - 3.3% (2.0%)
						CPR		8% - 16% (12%)
USDA Securities		$	1,730,845		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.1% - 5.3% (3.2%)
						CPR		0% - 18% (7%)
		As of December 31, 2013
Financial Instruments		Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted-Average)
		(in thousands)
Assets:
Investment securities:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans		$	65,285		Indicative bids	Range of broker quotes		82.0% - 92.0% (88.1%)
Floating rate asset-backed securities		$	928		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		13.0% - 22.5% (17.7%)
						CPR		10%
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities		$	205		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.8% - 1.8% (1.8%)
						CPR		6%
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
AgVantage		$	5,070,366		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.9% - 3.6% (1.8%)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities		$	21,234		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.9% - 3.2% (1.9%)
						CPR		7% - 14% (11%)
USDA Securities		$	1,612,013		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.2% - 5.3% (3.4%)
						CPR		0% - 23% (5%)
Liabilities:
Financial Derivatives:
Basis swaps		$	235		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.7% - 2.3% (1.3%)
						CPR		10% - 11% (10%)
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities are prepayment rates and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Typically, significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation may result in materially lower (higher) fair value measurements. Generally, in a rising interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to increase and would likely expect a corresponding decrease in forecasted prepayment rates. Conversely, in a declining interest rate environment, Farmer Mac would expect average discount rates to decrease and would likely expect a corresponding increase in forecasted prepayment rates. Prepayment rates are not presented in the table above for AgVantage securities because they generally do not pay down principal based on amortization schedules but instead typically have fixed maturity dates when the secured general obligations are due.
Disclosures on Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Table 8.4
	As of September 30, 2014						As of December 31, 2013
	Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying
				Amount						Amount
	(in thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	627,670		$	627,670		$	749,313		$	749,313
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	1,630,078			1,630,427			—			—
Investment securities	1,985,078			1,985,760			2,484,075			2,484,075
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,013,038			5,009,406			5,091,600			5,091,600
USDA Securities	1,730,845			1,730,845			1,612,013			1,612,013
Loans	3,372,470			3,353,345			3,138,932			3,193,248
Financial derivatives	5,743			5,743			19,718			19,718
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:
LTSPCs	30,664			28,065			33,807			27,244
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	14,563			14,013			18,470			16,660
Financial liabilities:
Notes payable:
Due within one year	6,341,896			6,332,887			7,353,356			7,338,781
Due after one year	5,237,130			5,186,393			4,977,942			5,001,169
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901			1,657,901			—			—
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	398,445			400,012			257,512			261,760
Financial derivatives	69,995			69,995			75,708			75,708
Guarantee and commitment obligations:
LTSPCs	29,701			27,102			32,856			26,293
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	12,404			11,855			15,185			13,374

Business_Segment_Reporting

Business Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Reporting Disclosure	'																							[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8]
	BUSINESS SEGMENT REPORTING
	After an evaluation of Farmer Mac's overall portfolio of product offerings and reportable segments, Farmer Mac's management has determined that Farmer Mac's operations consist of four reportable operating segments effective January 1, 2014 – Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit. The Institutional Credit segment comprises Farmer Mac's guarantees of AgVantage securities related to general obligations of lenders that are secured by pools of eligible loans. Prior to January 1, 2014, AgVantage securities were included under either the Farm & Ranch or Rural Utilities line of business, as applicable, depending on the type of loans pledged to secure the AgVantage securities. Because the AgVantage product is priced differently and has different credit characteristics than the loans that Farmer Mac purchases, are pooled in LTSPCs, or underlie non-AgVantage Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Farmer Mac's management determined AgVantage securities should be reported in a separate business segment. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the breakout of the Institutional Credit segment from both the Farm & Ranch and Rural Utilities segments.
	Farmer Mac uses these four segments to manage business risk, and each segment is based on distinct products and distinct business activities.  In addition to these four operating segments, a corporate segment is presented.  That segment represents activity in Farmer Mac's investment portfolio and other corporate activities.  The segment financial results include directly attributable revenues and expenses.  Corporate charges for administrative expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment are allocated based on headcount.
	Farmer Mac uses core earnings to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, core earnings is a useful alternative measure in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends.  Core earnings principally differs from net income attributable to common stockholders by excluding the effects of fair value accounting guidance, which are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is generally expected. Core earnings also differs from net income attributable to common stockholders by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that Farmer Mac believes are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. This non-GAAP financial measure may not be comparable to similarly labeled non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by other companies. Farmer Mac's disclosure of this non-GAAP measure is intended to be supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
	The financial information presented below reflects the accounts of Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  Accordingly, the core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments will differ from the stand-alone financial statements of Farmer Mac's subsidiaries.  These differences will be due to various factors, including the reversal of unrealized gains and losses related to fair value changes of trading assets and financial derivatives, as well as the allocation of certain expenses such as dividends and interest expense related to the issuance of capital and the incurrence of indebtedness managed at the corporate level.  The allocation of general and administrative expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment may also result in differences.  The assets of Farmer Mac's subsidiary Farmer Mac II LLC will only be available to creditors of Farmer Mac after all obligations owed to creditors of and equity holders in Farmer Mac II LLC have been satisfied.  As of September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac II LLC held assets with a fair value of $1.8 billion, had debt outstanding of $429.0 million, had preferred stock outstanding with a liquidation preference of $250.0 million, and had $1.0 billion of common stock outstanding held by Farmer Mac.
	The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 9.1
	Core Earnings by Business Segment
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
								Utilities									Adjustments
		(in thousands)
	Interest income (1)	$	20,052		$	14,183		$	6,703		$	16,223		$	4,683		$	(962	)		$	60,882
	Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(508		)	—			—			—			—			508				—
	Interest expense (2)	(11,337		)	(9,110		)	(3,813		)	(8,928		)	(910		)	(14,788		)		(48,886		)
	Net effective spread	8,207			5,073			2,890			7,295			3,773			(15,242		)		11,996
	Guarantee and commitment fees	3,716			49			—			2,915			—			(508		)		6,172
	Other income/(expense) (3)	369			13			9			—			(2,392		)	19,284				17,283
	Non-interest income/(loss)	4,085			62			9			2,915			(2,392		)	18,776				23,455
	Provision for loan losses	(511		)	—			—			—			—			—				(511		)
	Release of reserve for losses	1,315			—			—			—			—			—				1,315
	Other non-interest expense	(3,797		)	(747		)	(762		)	(478		)	(2,626		)	—				(8,410		)
	Non-interest expense (4)	(2,482		)	(747		)	(762		)	(478		)	(2,626		)	—				(7,095		)
	Core earnings before income taxes	9,299			4,388			2,137			9,732			(1,245		)	3,534			-5	27,845
	Income tax (expense)/benefit	(3,255		)	(1,535		)	(749		)	(3,407		)	2,619			(1,237		)		(7,564		)
	Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	6,044			2,853			1,388			6,325			1,374			2,297			-5	20,281
	Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(3,283		)	—				(3,283		)
	Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(5,412		)	—				(5,412		)
	Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	6,044		$	2,853		$	1,388		$	6,325		$	(7,321	)	$	2,297		-5	$	11,586
	Total assets at carrying value	$	2,428,603		$	1,772,333		$	981,300		$	5,016,670		$	4,326,791		$	—			$	14,525,697
	Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,314,437			1,759,948			978,637			5,951,800						—				14,004,822
	-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.
	-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.
	-3	Includes interest income and interest expense related to securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold, not yet purchased, respectively; reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets; and a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
	-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
	-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
	Core Earnings by Business Segment
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
								Utilities									Adjustments
		(in thousands)
	Interest income (1)	$	16,398		$	13,461		$	8,933		$	19,766		$	5,263		$	(846	)		$	62,975
	Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(227		)													227				—
	Interest expense (2)	(8,191		)	(8,956		)	(5,959		)	(13,561		)	(1,146		)	3,026				(34,787		)
	Net effective spread	7,980			4,505			2,974			6,205			4,117			2,407				28,188
	Guarantee and commitment fees	3,725			30			—			3,291			—			(227		)		6,819
	Other income/(expense) (3)	157			241			—			—			(825		)	3,429				3,002
	Non-interest income/(loss)	3,882			271			—			3,291			(825		)	3,202				9,821
	Release of allowance for loan losses	499			—			—			—			—			—				499
	Provision of losses	(463		)													—				(463		)
	Other non-interest expense	(3,600		)	(711		)	(777		)	(445		)	(2,445		)	—				(7,978		)
	Non-interest expense (4)	(4,063		)	(711		)	(777		)	(445		)	(2,445		)	—				(8,441		)
	Core earnings before income taxes	8,298			4,065			2,197			9,051			847			5,609			-5	30,067
	Income tax (expense)/benefit	(2,904		)	(1,423		)	(769		)	(3,168		)	2,001			(1,963		)		(8,226		)
	Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	5,394			2,642			1,428			5,883			2,848			3,646			-5	21,841
	Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(881		)	—				(881		)
	Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(5,547		)	—				(5,547		)
	Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	5,394		$	2,642		$	1,428		$	5,883		$	(3,580	)	$	3,646		-5	$	15,413
	Total assets at carrying value	$	2,003,547		$	1,674,309		$	1,049,840		$	5,144,693		$	3,212,618		$	—			$	13,085,007
	Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,035,748			1,676,793			1,017,774			6,055,951						—				13,786,266
	-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
	-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
	-3	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
							Utilities									Adjustments
	(in thousands)
Interest income (1)	$	57,988		$	40,449		$	21,228		$	51,244		$	15,103		$	(13,637	)		$	172,375
Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(1,552		)	—			—			—			—			1,552				—
Interest expense (2)	(33,295		)	(27,433		)	(13,395		)	(30,020		)	(3,028		)	(18,943		)		(126,114		)
Net effective spread	23,141			13,016			7,833			21,224			12,075			(31,028		)		46,261
Guarantee and commitment fees	11,432			98			—			9,115			—			(1,552		)		19,093
Other income/(expense) (3)	742			49			9			—			(3,566		)	15,791				13,025
Non-interest income/(loss)	12,174			147			9			9,115			(3,566		)	14,239				32,118
Release of allowance for loan losses	499			—			—			—			—			—				499
Release of reserve for losses	2,188			—			—			—			—			—				2,188
Other non-interest expense	(11,263		)	(2,242		)	(2,369		)	(1,415		)	(7,797		)	—				(25,086		)
Non-interest expense (4)	(9,075		)	(2,242		)	(2,369		)	(1,415		)	(7,797		)	—				(22,898		)
Core earnings before income taxes	26,739			10,921			5,473			28,924			712			(16,789		)	-5	55,980
Income tax (expense)/benefit	(9,358		)	(3,823		)	(1,917		)	(10,124		)	19,295			5,872				(55		)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	17,381			7,098			3,556			18,800			20,007			(10,917		)	-5	55,925
Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(6,543		)	—				(6,543		)
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(16,778		)	—				(16,778		)
Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	17,381		$	7,098		$	3,556		$	18,800		$	(3,314	)	$	(10,917	)	-5	$	32,604
Total assets at carrying value	$	2,428,603		$	1,772,333		$	981,300		$	5,016,670		$	4,326,791		$	—			$	14,525,697
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,314,437			1,759,948			978,637			5,951,800						—				14,004,822
-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.
-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.
-3	Includes interest income and interest expense related to securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold, not yet purchased, respectively; reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets; and a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
							Utilities									Adjustments
	(in thousands)
Interest income (1)	$	47,860		$	39,959		$	26,903		$	58,393		$	16,468		$	(3,365	)		$	186,218
Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(602		)	—			—			—			—			602				—
Interest expense (2)	(22,967		)	(26,252		)	(17,690		)	(40,348		)	(3,617		)	9,375				(101,499		)
Net effective spread	24,291			13,707			9,213			18,045			12,851			6,612				84,719
Guarantee and commitment fees	11,099			105			948			8,640			—			(602		)		20,190
Other income/(expense) (3)	2,051			758			—			—			1,395			24,355				28,559
Non-interest income/(loss)	13,150			863			948			8,640			1,395			23,753				48,749
Release of allowance for loan losses	598			—			—			—			—			—				598
Provision for losses	(1,034		)	—			—			—			—			—				(1,034		)
Other non-interest expense	(11,199		)	(2,168		)	(2,350		)	(1,345		)	(7,390		)	—				(24,452		)
Non-interest expense (4)	(12,233		)	(2,168		)	(2,350		)	(1,345		)	(7,390		)	—				(25,486		)
Core earnings before income taxes	25,806			12,402			7,811			25,340			6,856			30,365			-5	108,580
Income tax (expense)/benefit	(9,032		)	(4,341		)	(2,734		)	(8,869		)	5,625			(10,627		)		(29,978		)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	16,774			8,061			5,077			16,471			12,481			19,738			-5	78,602
Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(2,613		)	—				(2,613		)
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(16,641		)	—				(16,641		)
Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	16,774		$	8,061		$	5,077		$	16,471		$	(6,773	)	$	19,738		-5	$	59,348
Total assets at carrying value	$	2,003,547		$	1,674,309		$	1,049,840		$	5,144,693		$	3,212,618		$	—			$	13,085,007
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,035,748			1,676,793			1,017,774			6,055,951						—				13,786,266
-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
-3	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
[1]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
[2]	Includes interest income and interest expense related to securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold, not yet purchased, respectively; reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets; and a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
[3]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
[4]	NetB adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
[5]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.
[6]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
[7]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.
[8]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies - (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Account Policies	'
	ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") and subsidiaries have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements have been omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations. The December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2013 consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the periods presented. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2013 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 6, 2014 (the "Segment Recast 8-K"). The Segment Recast 8-K describes Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies, which include its policies on Principles of Consolidation; Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows; Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities; Loans; Securitization of Loans; Non-accrual Loans; Real Estate Owned; Financial Derivatives; Notes Payable; Allowance for Losses; Earnings Per Common Share; Income Taxes; Stock-Based Compensation; Comprehensive Income; Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments; Fair Value Measurement; and Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for the fiscal year. Presented below are Farmer Mac's significant accounting policies that contain updated information for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of securities guaranteed by Farmer Mac that represent interests in, or obligations secured by, pools of eligible loans ("Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities") and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities.  The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.
Transfers of Financial Assets and Liabilities	'
	Transfers of Financial Assets and Liabilities
	Securities purchased under agreements to resell are treated as collateralized lending transactions. Farmer Mac's counterparties are required to pledge collateral for transactions involving securities purchased under agreements to resell. Farmer Mac considers the types of securities being pledged as collateral when determining how much to lend in these transactions. Additionally, on a daily basis, Farmer Mac reviews the fair values of these securities compared to amounts loaned and derivative counterparty collateral posting thresholds in an effort to minimize exposure to losses. These transactions are reported as securities purchased under agreements to resell in the consolidated balance sheets except for securities purchased under agreements to resell on an overnight basis, which are included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets. Farmer Mac records securities purchased under agreements to resell at the amount loaned in the consolidated balance sheets. The resulting fees for these transactions are included in interest income in the consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2014, the fair value of non-cash collateral accepted for securities purchased under agreements to resell or similar arrangements was $1.6 billion, all of which could be sold or repledged; $1.6 billion of the underlying collateral was sold or repledged as of September 30, 2014. There were no securities purchased under agreements to resell as of December 31, 2013.
	Securities sold, not yet purchased, represent obligations of Farmer Mac to deliver specified securities at contracted prices, which would thereby require Farmer Mac to purchase the securities in the market at prevailing prices. Securities sold, not yet purchased consist of fixed rate U.S. Treasury securities. Farmer Mac records securities sold, not yet purchased in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities" in the consolidated statements of operations. The resulting interest expense for these transactions is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows
	Farmer Mac considers highly liquid investment securities with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Farmer Mac does not consider securities purchased under agreements to resell to be cash equivalents if it intends to reinvest the funds from maturing repurchase agreements into new repurchase agreements and the aggregate term of the repurchase agreements exceeds three months. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value.  Changes in the balance of cash and cash equivalents are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	(b)	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding.  Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive common stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and non-vested restricted stock awards.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.

Accounting_Policies_Tables

Accounting Policies - (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities	'
	The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs:
	Table 1.1
		Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
		As of September 30, 2014
		Farm & Ranch		USDA Guarantees			Rural Utilities			Institutional Credit			Corporate				Total
		(in thousands)
	On-Balance Sheet:
	Consolidated VIEs:
	Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	$	398,992	$	—		$	271,148		$	—		$	—			$	670,140
	Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	400,012		—			—			—			—				400,012
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Carrying value (3)	—		20,449			—			32,631			—				53,080
	Maximum exposure to loss (4)	—		20,449			—			30,000			—				50,449
	Investment securities:
	Carrying value (5)	—		—			—			—			447,550				447,550
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (5)	—		—			—			—			450,505				450,505
	Off-Balance Sheet:
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (6)	677,814		14,693			—			970,000			—				1,662,507
	(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to the Rural Utilities line of business of $3.8 million.
	(2) Includes borrower remittances of $1.0 million. The borrower remittances have not been passed through to third party investors as of September 30, 2014.
	(3) Includes an immaterial amount of unamortized premiums and discounts related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $2.6 million.
	(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
	(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
	(6) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
		Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
		As of December 31, 2013
		Farm & Ranch		USDA Guarantees			Rural Utilities			Institutional Credit			Corporate				Total
		(in thousands)
	On-Balance Sheet:
	Consolidated VIEs:
	Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	$	259,509	$	—		$	370,480		$	—		$	—			$	629,989
	Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	261,760		—			—			—			—				261,760
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Carrying value (3)	—		21,234			—			33,248			—				54,482
	Maximum exposure to loss (4)	—		21,088			—			30,000			—				51,088
	Investment securities:
	Carrying value (5)	—		—			—			—			533,688				533,688
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (5)	—		—			—			—			540,726				540,726
	Off-Balance Sheet:
	Unconsolidated VIEs:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Maximum exposure to loss (4) (6)	765,751		20,222			—			970,000			—				1,755,973
	(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to the Rural Utilities line of business of $16.2 million.
	(2) Includes borrower remittances of $2.3 million, which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2013.
	(3) Includes unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees and Institutional Credit lines of business of $0.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
	(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
	(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
	(6) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	'
	The following table sets forth information regarding certain cash and non-cash transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 1.2
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Interest	$	113,680	$	90,052
	Income taxes	12,750		17,000
	Non-cash activity:
	Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation	—		1,443
	Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	169,820		64,609
	Purchases of investment securities traded, not yet settled	—		57,001
	Consolidation of Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	172,268		64,609
	Transfers of loans held for sale to loans held for investment	—		673,991
	Transfers of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity	1,589,775		—
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 1.3
		For the Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2014							September 30, 2013
		Net		Weighted-Average Shares		$ per			Net			Weighted-Average Shares			$ per
		Income				Share			Income						Share
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	11,586	10,930		$	1.06		$	15,413		10,843			$	1.42
	Effect of dilutive securities (1):
	Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	—		442		(0.04		)	—			370			(0.05		)
	Diluted EPS	$	11,586	11,372		$	1.02		$	15,413		11,213			$	1.37
	-1	For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, stock options and SARs of 118,583 and 36,983, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 42,514 and 44,894, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions were not met.
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014							September 30, 2013
		Net		Weighted-Average Shares		$ per			Net			Weighted-Average Shares			$ per
		Income				Share			Income						Share
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic EPS
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	32,604	10,914		$	2.99		$	59,348		10,799			$	5.5
	Effect of dilutive securities (1):
	Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	—		446		(0.12		)	—			392			(0.20		)
	Diluted EPS	$	32,604	11,360		$	2.87		$	59,348		11,191			$	5.3
	-1	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, stock options and SARs of 91,011 and 43,640, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 38,874 and 38,363, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions were not met.

Investment_Securities_Tables

Investment Securities - (Tables) (Investment Securities [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment Securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present the amount outstanding, amortized cost, and fair values of Farmer Mac's investment securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 2.1
		As of September 30, 2014
		Amount Outstanding		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains			Losses
		(in thousands)
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	46,600	$	—		$	46,600	$	—		$	(5,826	)	$	40,774
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	108,276		(108		)	108,168		181			(24		)	108,325
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	10,000		—			10,000		126			—			10,126
	Fixed rate corporate debt securities	30,000		(16		)	29,984		97			—			30,081
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	627,432		3,631			631,063		5,054			(279		)	635,838
	Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1)	892		3,648			4,540		3,731			—			8,271
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	70,000		—			70,000		—			(6,615		)	63,385
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	78,500		17			78,517		—			(17		)	78,500
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	3,960		2			3,962		1			—			3,963
	Floating rate U.S. Treasuries	75,000		(12		)	74,988		27			—			75,015
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	930,000		555			930,555		154			(4		)	930,705
	Total available-for-sale	1,980,660		7,717			1,988,377		9,371			(12,765		)	1,984,983
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	3,012		—			3,012		—			(2,235		)	777
	Total investment securities	$	1,983,672	$	7,717		$	1,991,389	$	9,371		$	(15,000	)	$	1,985,760
	-1	Fair value includes $7.3 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $152.4 million.
		As of December 31, 2013
		Amount Outstanding		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains			Losses
		(in thousands)
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	74,100	$	—		$	74,100	$	—		$	(8,815	)	$	65,285
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	166,185		(217		)	165,968		195			(59		)	166,104
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	109,345		(3		)	109,342		445			(18		)	109,769
	Fixed rate corporate debt securities	55,000		48			55,048		97			(4		)	55,141
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	612,413		4,336			616,749		4,955			(435		)	621,269
	Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1)	1,173		3,966			5,139		3,518			—			8,657
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	70,000		—			70,000		—			(6,615		)	63,385
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	78,500		365			78,865		4,296			—			83,161
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	30,595		84			30,679		5			(3		)	30,681
	Fixed rate senior agency debt	523,691		294			523,985		107			(30		)	524,062
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	754,405		1,141			755,546		95			(8		)	755,633
	Total available-for-sale	2,475,407		10,014			2,485,421		13,713			(15,987		)	2,483,147
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	3,553		—			3,553		—			(2,625		)	928
	Total investment securities	$	2,478,960	$	10,014		$	2,488,974	$	13,713		$	(18,612	)	$	2,484,075
	-1	Fair value includes $7.4 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $152.4 million.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $39.7 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized losses of $0.5 million and gross realized gains of $0.1 million. Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the three months ended September 30, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $770.1 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized losses of $0.8 million and gross realized gains of $0.6 million, compared to proceeds of $170.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, resulting in gross realized gains of $3.1 million.
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	'
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows:
	Table 2.2
		As of September 30, 2014
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Unrealized loss position for					Unrealized loss position for
		less than 12 months					more than 12 months
		Fair Value		Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
		(in thousands)
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—	$	—		$	40,773	$	(5,827	)
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	25,703		(23		)	1,988		(1		)
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	149,196		(269		)	6,275		(9		)
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—		—			63,385		(6,615		)
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	78,500		(17		)	—		—
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	296,083		(4		)	—		—
	Total	$	549,482	$	(313	)	$	112,421	$	(12,452	)
		As of December 31, 2013
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Unrealized loss position for					Unrealized loss position for
		less than 12 months					more than 12 months
		Fair Value		Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
		(in thousands)
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—	$	—		$	65,285	$	(8,815	)
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	50,129		(59		)	—		—
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	19,982		(18		)	—		—
	Fixed rate corporate debt securities	10,058		(4		)	—		—
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	161,960		(435		)	—		—
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—		—			63,385		(6,615		)
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	8,041		(3		)	—		—
	Fixed rate senior agency debt	316,273		(30		)	—		—
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	118,056		(8		)	—		—
	Total	$	684,499	$	(557	)	$	128,670	$	(15,430	)
	The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of credit spreads from the dates of acquisition to September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as applicable. The resulting decrease in fair values reflects an increase in the perceived risk by the financial markets related to those securities. As of September 30, 2014, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except two that were rated "A-" and one that was rated "BBB+." As of December 31, 2013, all of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position either were backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government or had credit ratings of at least "AA+," except two that were rated "A-" and one that was rated "BBB+." The unrealized losses were on 37 and 64 individual investment securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2014, 9 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $12.5 million. As of December 31, 2013, 7 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $15.4 million.  Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of September 30, 2014 that is, on average, approximately 90.0 percent of their amortized cost basis. Farmer Mac believes that all of these unrealized losses are recoverable within a reasonable period of time by way of changes in credit spreads or maturity. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities represents other-than-temporary impairment as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Farmer Mac does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that Farmer Mac will be required to sell the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of September 30, 2014 are set forth below. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are included based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
	Table 2.3
		As of September 30, 2014
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Amortized		Fair Value			Weighted-
		Cost					Average
							Yield
		(dollars in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	954,530	$	954,742		0.28%
	Due after one year through five years	158,655		159,441			0.92%
	Due after five years through ten years	288,764		286,868			0.78%
	Due after ten years	586,428		583,932			2.38%
	Total	$	1,988,377	$	1,984,983		1.02%

Farmer_Mac_Guaranteed_Securiti1

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - (Tables) (Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 3.1
		As of September 30, 2014
		Unpaid Principal Balance		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Held-to-maturity:
	AgVantage	$	1,640,150	$	12,481		$	1,652,631	$	4,236	$	(604	)	$	1,656,263
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	$	3,323,463	$	—		$	3,323,463	$	36,779	$	(23,916	)	$	3,336,326
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	20,449		(441		)	20,008		445		(4		)	20,449
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	3,343,912		(441		)	3,343,471		37,224		(23,920		)	3,356,775
	USDA Securities	1,683,973		4,172			1,688,145		4,326		(4,590		)	1,687,881
	Total available-for-sale	$	5,027,885	$	3,731		$	5,031,616	$	41,550	$	(28,510	)	$	5,044,656
	Trading:
	USDA Securities	$	40,833	$	3,969		$	44,802	$	130	$	(1,968	)	$	42,964
		As of December 31, 2013
		Unpaid Principal Balance		Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
							Cost		Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	$	5,066,855	$	125		$	5,066,980	$	64,051	$	(60,665	)	$	5,070,366
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	21,089		(518		)	20,571		669		(6		)	21,234
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,087,944		(393		)	5,087,551		64,720		(60,671		)	5,091,600
	USDA Securities	1,590,433		4,585			1,595,018		2,753		(44,102		)	1,553,669
	Total available-for-sale	$	6,678,377	$	4,192		$	6,682,569	$	67,473	$	(104,773	)	$	6,645,269
	Trading:
	USDA Securities	$	55,373	$	4,972		$	60,345	$	193	$	(2,194	)	$	58,344
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted average yield of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of September 30, 2014 are set forth below. The balances presented are based on their final maturities, although the actual maturities may differ due to prepayments of the underlying assets.
	Table 3.2
		As of September 30, 2014
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Amortized		Fair Value			Weighted-
		Cost					Average
							Yield
		(dollars in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	108,230	$	103,969		0.91	%
	Due after one year through five years	1,606,307		1,631,275			1.87	%
	Due after five years through ten years	1,291,284		1,294,016			1.89	%
	Due after ten years	2,025,795		2,015,396			2.61	%
	Total	$	5,031,616	$	5,044,656		2.15	%
		As of September 30, 2014
		Held-to-Maturity Securities
		Amortized		Fair Value			Weighted-
		Cost					Average
							Yield
		(dollars in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	558,291	$	558,749		2.95	%
	Due after one year through five years	1,094,340		1,097,514			2.21	%
	Total	$	1,652,631	$	1,656,263		2.44	%

Financial_Derivatives_Tables

Financial Derivatives - (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 4.1
		As of September 30, 2014
					Fair Value						Weighted-		Weighted-	Weighted-	Weighted-
											Average		Average Receive Rate	Average	Average
											Pay Rate			Forward	Remaining
		Notional Amount			Asset			(Liability)						Price	Life (in years)
		(dollars in thousands)
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	$	1,000,000		$	—		$	(23,979	)	2.47%		0.24%		4.23
	Cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	10,000			—			(81		)	2.50%		0.48%		6.2
	No hedge designation:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	492,496			1,775			(43,694		)	4.23%		0.23%		7.27
	Receive fixed non-callable	3,818,832			3,806			(564		)	0.14%		0.24%		0.48
	Receive fixed callable	296,000			—			(1,152		)	0.09%		0.86%		3.05
	Basis swaps	1,030,000			238			(758		)	0.12%		0.29%		2.27
	Agency forwards	17,352			—			(10		)				98.01
	Treasury futures	6,700			—			(21		)				124.33
	Credit valuation adjustment				(76		)	264
	Total financial derivatives	$	6,671,380		$	5,743		$	(69,995	)
	Collateral pledged				—			29,788
	Net amount				$	5,743		$	(40,207	)
		As of December 31, 2013
					Fair Value						Weighted-		Weighted-	Weighted-	Weighted-
											Average		Average Receive Rate	Average	Average
											Pay Rate			Forward	Remaining
		Notional Amount			Asset			(Liability)						Price	Life (in years)
		(dollars in thousands)
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	$	900,000		$	—		$	(28,989	)	2.25%		0.24%		3.25
	Cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	10,000			68			—			2.50%		0.48%		6.95
	No hedge designation:
	Interest rate swaps:
	Pay fixed non-callable	806,596			7,570			(45,360		)	4.63%		0.24%		4.86
	Receive fixed non-callable	4,324,663			11,836			(262		)	0.27%		0.70%		0.53
	Receive fixed callable	175,000			83			(934		)	0.10%		0.65%		3.3
	Basis swaps	404,288			276			(318		)	0.32%		0.29%		1.52
	Agency forwards	65,704			86			—						98.91
	Treasury futures	5,600			—			(1		)				123.02
	Credit valuation adjustment				(201		)	156
	Total financial derivatives	$	6,691,851		$	19,718		$	(75,708	)
	Collateral pledged				—			11,320
	Net amount				$	19,718		$	(64,388	)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Table 4.2
		Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013			September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Fair value hedges:
	Interest rate swaps (1)	$	5,610		$	4		$	5,010		$	23,329
	Hedged items	(2,549		)	2,996			4,019			(14,871		)
	Gains on hedging activities	3,061			3,000			9,029			8,458
	No hedge designation:
	Interest rate swaps	(2,074		)	1,192			(19,748		)	14,950
	Agency forwards	(210		)	(861		)	(1,297		)	(768		)
	Treasury futures	31			(307		)	(452		)	(139		)
	(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships	(2,253		)	24			(21,497		)	14,043
	Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	$	808		$	3,024		$	(12,468	)	$	22,501
	-1	Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness at September 30, 2014, but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $2.9 million and $8.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were gains of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The comparable amounts at September 30, 2013 were losses of $3.1 million and $8.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, losses of $0.1 million and gains of $0.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, attributable to hedge ineffectiveness.

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses1

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	'
	Loans
	Farmer Mac classifies loans as either held for investment or held for sale. Loans held for investment are recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized premium or discount and other cost adjustments. Loans held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 5.1
		As of September 30, 2014									As of December 31, 2013
		Unsecuritized			In Consolidated Trusts			Total			Unsecuritized			In Consolidated Trusts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Farm & Ranch	$	1,981,456		$	398,992		$	2,380,448		$	1,875,958		$	259,509		$	2,135,467
	Rural Utilities	711,242			267,395			978,637			698,010			354,241			1,052,251
	Total unpaid principal balance (1)	2,692,698			666,387			3,359,085			2,573,968			613,750			3,187,718
	Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments	(3,167		)	3,753			586			(3,843		)	16,239			12,396
	Total loans	2,689,531			670,140			3,359,671			2,570,125			629,989			3,200,114
	Allowance for loan losses	(5,837		)	(489		)	(6,326		)	(6,587		)	(279		)	(6,866		)
	Total loans, net of allowance	$	2,683,694		$	669,651		$	3,353,345		$	2,563,538		$	629,710		$	3,193,248
	-1	Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	'
	Allowances for Losses
	Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for loan losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans held and a reserve for losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans underlying long-term standby purchase commitments ("LTSPCs") and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.  As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Farmer Mac recorded allowances for losses of $10.6 million and $13.3 million, respectively. See Note 3 and Note 6 for more information about Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.  Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities do not include AgVantage securities with regard to the allowance for losses discussion.
	Farmer Mac's allowance for losses is presented in two components on its consolidated balance sheets:
	•	an "Allowance for loan losses" on loans held; and
	•	a "Reserve for losses" on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities.
	The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 5.2
		30-Sep-14									30-Sep-13
		Allowance			Reserve			Total			Allowance			Reserve			Total
		for Loan			for Losses			Allowance			for Loan			for Losses			Allowance
		Losses						for Losses			Losses						for Losses
	For the Three Months Ended:	(in thousands)
	Beginning Balance	$	5,770		$	5,595		$	11,365		$	7,368		$	6,110		$	13,478
	Provision for/(release of) losses	511			(1,315		)	(804		)	(499		)	463			(36		)
	Charge-offs	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Recoveries	45			—			45			—			—			—
	Ending Balance	$	6,326		$	4,280		$	10,606		$	6,869		$	6,573		$	13,442
	For the Nine Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	6,866		$	6,468		$	13,334		$	11,351		$	5,539		$	16,890
	(Release of)/provision for losses	(499		)	(2,188		)	(2,687		)	(598		)	1,034			436
	Charge-offs	(86		)	—			(86		)	(3,884		)	—			(3,884		)
	Recoveries	45			—			45			—			—			—
	Ending Balance	$	6,326		$	4,280		$	10,606		$	6,869		$	6,573		$	13,442
	During third quarter 2014, Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.5 million and releases to its reserve for losses of $1.3 million, primarily related to a decline in the balance of its ethanol-related Agricultural Storage and Processing portfolio. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs and recoveries of $45,000 to its allowance for loan losses during third quarter 2014. During third quarter 2013, Farmer Mac recorded a release of its allowance for loan losses of $0.5 million and a provision for its reserve for losses of $0.5 million. Charge-offs recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included a $3.6 million charge-off related to one ethanol loan that transitioned to real estate owned ("REO") for which Farmer Mac had previously provided a specific allowance.
	The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 by commodity type:
	Table 5.3
		30-Sep-14
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	For the Three Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	2,390		$	2,217		$	1,311		$	444		$	4,999		$	4		$	11,365
	Provision for/(release of) losses	123			74			(6		)	(3		)	(992		)	—			(804		)
	Charge-offs	—			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Recoveries	—			45			—			—			—			—			45
	Ending Balance	$	2,513		$	2,336		$	1,305		$	441		$	4,007		$	4		$	10,606
	For the Nine Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	2,124		$	2,186		$	1,271		$	454		$	7,292		$	7		$	13,334
	Provision for/(release of) losses	389			105			91			16			(3,285		)	(3		)	(2,687		)
	Charge-offs	—			—			(57		)	(29		)	—			—			(86		)
	Recoveries	—			45			—			—			—			—			45
	Ending Balance	$	2,513		$	2,336		$	1,305		$	441		$	4,007		$	4		$	10,606
		30-Sep-13
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	For the Three Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	2,405		$	2,168		$	1,279		$	425		$	7,196		$	5		$	13,478
	(Release of)/provision for losses	(225		)	(105		)	(84		)	13			364			1			(36		)
	Charge-offs	—			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Ending Balance	$	2,180		$	2,063		$	1,195		$	438		$	7,560		$	6		$	13,442
	For the Nine Months Ended:
	Beginning Balance	$	2,589		$	2,316		$	1,534		$	784		$	9,661		$	6		$	16,890
	(Release of)/provision for losses	(409		)	(64		)	(339		)	(276		)	1,524			—			436
	Charge-offs	—			(189		)	—			(70		)	(3,625		)	—			(3,884		)
	Ending Balance	$	2,180		$	2,063		$	1,195		$	438		$	7,560		$	6		$	13,442
Schedule of Allowance for Losses by Impairment Method and Commodity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 5.4
		As of September 30, 2014
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	Ending Balance:
	Collectively evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	1,528,563		$	333,512		$	376,526		$	39,079		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,307,912
	Off-balance sheet	1,334,137			527,980			858,526			101,376			91,241			7,333			2,920,593
	Total	$	2,862,700		$	861,492		$	1,235,052		$	140,455		$	120,876		$	7,930		$	5,228,505
	Individually evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	14,243		$	40,315		$	7,236		$	10,742		$	—		$	—		$	72,536
	Off-balance sheet	3,302			3,274			5,102			1,718			—			—			13,396
	Total	$	17,545		$	43,589		$	12,338		$	12,460		$	—		$	—		$	85,932
	Total Farm & Ranch loans:
	On-balance sheet	$	1,542,806		$	373,827		$	383,762		$	49,821		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,380,448
	Off-balance sheet	1,337,439			531,254			863,628			103,094			91,241			7,333			2,933,989
	Total	$	2,880,245		$	905,081		$	1,247,390		$	152,915		$	120,876		$	7,930		$	5,314,437
	Allowance for Losses:
	Collectively evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	1,811		$	408		$	541		$	29		$	879		$	—		$	3,668
	Off-balance sheet	276			147			473			51			3,128			4			4,079
	Total	$	2,087		$	555		$	1,014		$	80		$	4,007		$	4		$	7,747
	Individually evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	339		$	1,744		$	267		$	308		$	—		$	—		$	2,658
	Off-balance sheet	87			37			24			53			—			—			201
	Total	$	426		$	1,781		$	291		$	361		$	—		$	—		$	2,859
	Total Farm & Ranch loans:
	On-balance sheet	$	2,150		$	2,152		$	808		$	337		$	879		$	—		$	6,326
	Off-balance sheet	363			184			497			104			3,128			4			4,280
	Total	$	2,513		$	2,336		$	1,305		$	441		$	4,007		$	4		$	10,606
		December 31, 2013
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	Ending Balance:
	Collectively evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	1,363,861		$	295,037		$	319,665		$	39,940		$	32,636		$	359		$	2,051,498
	Off-balance sheet	1,279,887			567,932			912,397			109,884			138,282			8,159			3,016,541
	Total	$	2,643,748		$	862,969		$	1,232,062		$	149,824		$	170,918		$	8,518		$	5,068,039
	Individually evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	21,147		$	41,441		$	10,844		$	10,422		$	—		$	115		$	83,969
	Off-balance sheet	1,962			3,414			3,199			2,497			—			—			11,072
	Total	$	23,109		$	44,855		$	14,043		$	12,919		$	—		$	115		$	95,041
	Total Farm & Ranch loans:
	On-balance sheet	$	1,385,008		$	336,478		$	330,509		$	50,362		$	32,636		$	474		$	2,135,467
	Off-balance sheet	1,281,849			571,346			915,596			112,381			138,282			8,159			3,027,613
	Total	$	2,666,857		$	907,824		$	1,246,105		$	162,743		$	170,918		$	8,633		$	5,163,080
	Allowance for Losses:
	Collectively evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	1,321		$	325		$	436		$	20		$	2,290		$	—		$	4,392
	Off-balance sheet	397			159			642			42			5,002			4			6,246
	Total	$	1,718		$	484		$	1,078		$	62		$	7,292		$	4		$	10,638
	Individually evaluated for impairment:
	On-balance sheet	$	362		$	1,641		$	140		$	331		$	—		$	—		$	2,474
	Off-balance sheet	44			61			53			61			—			3			222
	Total	$	406		$	1,702		$	193		$	392		$	—		$	3		$	2,696
	Total Farm & Ranch loans:
On-balance sheet	$	1,683		$	1,966		$	576		$	351		$	2,290		$	—		$	6,866
Off-balance sheet	441			220			695			103			5,002			7			6,468
Total	$	2,124		$	2,186		$	1,271		$	454		$	7,292		$	7		$	13,334
Impaired Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present by commodity type the unpaid principal balances, recorded investment, and specific allowance for losses related to impaired loans and the recorded investment in loans on nonaccrual status as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 5.5
		30-Sep-14
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including
														ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	Impaired Loans:
	With no specific allowance:
	Recorded investment	$	4,454		$	11,188		$	8,530		$	1,914		$	—		$	—		$	26,086
	Unpaid principal balance	4,288			11,696			8,287			1,919			—			—			26,190
	With a specific allowance:
	Recorded investment (1)	13,448			32,705			3,764			10,484			—			—			60,401
	Unpaid principal balance	13,257			31,893			4,051			10,541			—			—			59,742
	Associated allowance	426			1,781			291			361			—			—			2,859
	Total:
	Recorded investment	17,902			43,893			12,294			12,398			—			—			86,487
	Unpaid principal balance	17,545			43,589			12,338			12,460			—			—			85,932
	Associated allowance	426			1,781			291			361			—			—			2,859
	Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2)	$	4,656		$	14,972		$	4,414		$	6,040		$	—		$	—		$	30,082
	-1	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $53.6 million (62 percent) of impaired loans as of September 30, 2014, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.4 million.
	-2	Includes $8.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
		December 31, 2013
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including
														ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	Impaired Loans:
	With no specific allowance:
	Recorded investment	$	6,956		$	9,880		$	6,671		$	1,444		$	—		$	—		$	24,951
	Unpaid principal balance	6,825			9,877			6,588			1,443			—			—			24,733
	With a specific allowance:
	Recorded investment (1)	16,697			36,146			7,600			11,554			—			119			72,116
	Unpaid principal balance	16,284			34,978			7,455			11,476			—			115			70,308
	Associated allowance	406			1,702			193			392			—			3			2,696
	Total:
	Recorded investment	23,653			46,026			14,271			12,998			—			119			97,067
	Unpaid principal balance	23,109			44,855			14,043			12,919			—			115			95,041
	Associated allowance	406			1,702			193			392			—			3			2,696
	Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2)	$	10,812		$	15,237		$	5,344		$	5,835		$	—		$	—		$	37,228
	-1	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $65.1 million (67 percent) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2013, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.3 million.
	-2	Includes $9.6 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
	The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 5.6
		30-Sep-14
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including
														ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	For the Three Months Ended:
	Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	19,975		$	43,280		$	12,305		$	12,276		$	—		$	—		$	87,836
	Income recognized on impaired loans	90			142			149			87			—			—			468
	For the Nine Months Ended:
	Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	21,873		$	44,144		$	13,040		$	12,407		$	—		$	30		$	91,494
	Income recognized on impaired loans	365			412			284			288			—			—			1,349
		30-Sep-13
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
Plantings					Farm						Processing
											(including
											ethanol
											facilities)
	(in thousands)
For the Three Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	27,311		$	37,340		$	15,252		$	11,909		$	—		$	119		$	91,931
Income recognized on impaired loans	248			169			38			87			—			—			542
For the Nine Months Ended:
Average recorded investment in impaired loans	$	29,570		$	42,041		$	16,579		$	13,053		$	1,084		$	571		$	102,898
Income recognized on impaired loans	651			666			230			359			—			—			1,906
Schedule of Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Acquired During Period [Table Text Block]	'
	During the three months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac purchased no defaulted loans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Farmer Mac purchased one defaulted loan having an unpaid principal balance of $0.4 million from a pool underlying an LTSPC.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Farmer Mac purchased 3 defaulted loans having an unpaid principal balance of $0.6 million and 11 defaulted loans having an unpaid principal balance of $6.7 million, respectively, from pools underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs.
	The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 5.7
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013			September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date:
	Loans underlying LTSPCs	$	—		$	—		$	440		$	37
	Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	—			629			—			6,667
	Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date	—			629			440			6,704
	Contractually required payments receivable	—			678			440			6,907
	Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition	—			—			69			447
	Recovery/release of allowance for defaulted loans	47			57			54			946
		As of
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Outstanding balance	$	25,671		$	32,838
	Carrying amount	23,007			29,613
Schedule of Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Acquired During Period, Delinquencies and Credit Losses [Table Text Block]	'
	Net credit losses and 90-day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs are presented in the table below.  As of September 30, 2014, there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac has not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans.
	Table 5.8
		90-Day Delinquencies (1)						Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses
		As of						For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013			September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	On-balance sheet assets:
	Farm & Ranch:
	Loans	$	21,409		$	27,580		$	(66	)	$	2,825
	Total on-balance sheet	$	21,409		$	27,580		$	(66	)	$	2,825
	Off-balance sheet assets:
	Farm & Ranch:
	LTSPCs	$	3,252		$	716		$	—		$	—
	Total off-balance sheet	$	3,252		$	716		$	—		$	—
	Total	$	24,661		$	28,296		$	(66	)	$	2,825
	-1	Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured after delinquency, or in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
	Of the $21.4 million and $27.6 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90-day delinquencies as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 5.9
		As of September 30, 2014
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1)
	On-balance sheet:
	Acceptable	$	1,499,552		$	332,340		$	367,631		$	38,120		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,267,875
	Special mention (2)	29,011			1,172			8,895			959			—			—			40,037
	Substandard (3)	14,243			40,315			7,236			10,742			—			—			72,536
	Total on-balance sheet	$	1,542,806		$	373,827		$	383,762		$	49,821		$	29,635		$	597		$	2,380,448
	Off-Balance Sheet:
	Acceptable	$	1,312,501		$	509,451		$	806,249		$	96,039		$	70,361		$	6,675		$	2,801,276
	Special mention (2)	13,837			12,408			39,987			1,675			6,630			558			75,095
	Substandard (3)	11,101			9,395			17,392			5,380			14,250			100			57,618
	Total off-balance sheet	$	1,337,439		$	531,254		$	863,628		$	103,094		$	91,241		$	7,333		$	2,933,989
	Total Ending Balance:
	Acceptable	$	2,812,053		$	841,791		$	1,173,880		$	134,159		$	99,996		$	7,272		$	5,069,151
	Special mention (2)	42,848			13,580			48,882			2,634			6,630			558			115,132
	Substandard (3)	25,344			49,710			24,628			16,122			14,250			100			130,154
	Total	$	2,880,245		$	905,081		$	1,247,390		$	152,915		$	120,876		$	7,930		$	5,314,437
	Commodity analysis of past due loans (1)
	On-balance sheet	$	6,923		$	6,861		$	4,915		$	2,710		$	—		$	—		$	21,409
	Off-balance sheet	777			—			1,762			713			—			—			3,252
	90-days or more past due	$	7,700		$	6,861		$	6,677		$	3,423		$	—		$	—		$	24,661
	-1	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
	-2	Assets in the Special mention category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
	-3	Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
		As of December 31, 2013
		Crops			Permanent			Livestock			Part-time			Ag. Storage and			Other			Total
					Plantings						Farm			Processing
														(including ethanol
														facilities)
		(in thousands)
	Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1)
	On-balance sheet:
	Acceptable	$	1,348,205		$	290,064		$	300,308		$	39,022		$	10,987		$	359		$	1,988,945
	Special Mention (2)	15,656			4,973			19,357			918			6,267			—			47,171
	Substandard (3)	21,147			41,441			10,844			10,422			15,382			115			99,351
	Total on-balance sheet	$	1,385,008		$	336,478		$	330,509		$	50,362		$	32,636		$	474		$	2,135,467
	Off-Balance Sheet
	Acceptable	$	1,251,834		$	548,254		$	844,130		$	105,589		$	99,072		$	7,478		$	2,856,357
	Special Mention (2)	10,977			15,621			36,555			917			11,011			578			75,659
	Substandard (3)	19,038			7,471			34,911			5,875			28,199			103			95,597
	Total off-balance sheet	$	1,281,849		$	571,346		$	915,596		$	112,381		$	138,282		$	8,159		$	3,027,613
	Total Ending Balance:
	Acceptable	$	2,600,039		$	838,318		$	1,144,438		$	144,611		$	110,059		$	7,837		$	4,845,302
	Special Mention (2)	26,633			20,594			55,912			1,835			17,278			578			122,830
	Substandard (3)	40,185			48,912			45,755			16,297			43,581			218			194,948
	Total	$	2,666,857		$	907,824		$	1,246,105		$	162,743		$	170,918		$	8,633		$	5,163,080
	Commodity analysis of past due loans (1)
	On-balance sheet	$	8,036		$	11,841		$	4,462		$	3,122		$	—		$	119		$	27,580
	Off-balance sheet	220			—			—			496			—			—			716
	90-days or more past due	$	8,256		$	11,841		$	4,462		$	3,618		$	—		$	119		$	28,296
	-1	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
	-2	Assets in the Special mention category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
	-3	Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	'
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	The following table sets forth the geographic and commodity/collateral diversification, as well as the range of original loan-to-value ratios, for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 5.10
		As of
		30-Sep-14			December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	By commodity/collateral type:
	Crops	$	2,880,245		$	2,666,857
	Permanent plantings	905,081			907,824
	Livestock	1,247,390			1,246,105
	Part-time farm	152,915			162,743
	Ag. Storage and Processing (including ethanol facilities)	120,876			170,918
	Other	7,930			8,633
	Total	$	5,314,437		$	5,163,080
	By geographic region (1):
	Northwest	$	544,057		$	524,034
	Southwest	1,719,718			1,752,109
	Mid-North	1,851,849			1,702,668
	Mid-South	608,040			601,359
	Northeast	218,639			231,731
	Southeast	372,134			351,179
	Total	$	5,314,437		$	5,163,080
	By original loan-to-value ratio:
	0.00% to 40.00%	$	1,446,240		$	1,375,758
	40.01% to 50.00%	1,175,657			1,099,033
	50.01% to 60.00%	1,481,788			1,431,562
	60.01% to 70.00%	1,082,990			1,113,427
	70.01% to 80.00%	103,808			110,828
	80.01% to 90.00%	23,954			32,472
	Total	$	5,314,437		$	5,163,080
	-1	Geographic regions:  Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
	The original loan-to-value ratio is calculated by dividing the loan principal balance at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment by the appraised value at the date of loan origination or, when available, the updated appraised value at the time of guarantee, purchase, or commitment.  Current loan-to-value ratios may be higher or lower than the original loan-to-value ratios.

OffBalance_Sheet_Guarantees_an1

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table Text Block]	'
	Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
	The following table presents the maximum principal amount of potential undiscounted future payments that Farmer Mac could be required to make under all off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans:
	Table 6.1
	Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities
		As of September 30, 2014		As of December 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Farm & Ranch:
	Guaranteed Securities	$	677,814	$	765,751
	USDA Guarantees:
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	14,693		20,222
	Institutional Credit:
	AgVantage Securities	988,187		981,009
	Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$	1,680,694	$	1,766,982
Schedule of Cash Flows Related To Transfer of Securitizations [Table Text Block]	'
	Eligible loans and other eligible assets may be placed into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors.  The following table summarizes the significant cash flows received from and paid to trusts used for Farmer Mac securitizations:
	Table 6.2
		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Proceeds from new securitizations	$	169,820	$	64,609
	Guarantee fees received	2,449		3,572
	Purchases of assets from the trusts	—		(6,667		)
	Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the guarantee in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets.  This liability approximated $11.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and $13.4 million as of December 31, 2013. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 12.2 years and 12.8 years, respectively.  As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 2.7 years and 3.4 years, respectively.

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures - (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value:
	Table 8.1
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Recurring:
	Assets:
	Investment Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—		$	—		$	40,774		$	40,774
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			108,325			—			108,325
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	—			10,126			—			10,126
	Fixed rate corporate debt securities	—			30,081			—			30,081
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			635,651			187			635,838
	Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			8,271			—			8,271
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—			63,385			—			63,385
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	—			78,500			—			78,500
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	—			3,963			—			3,963
	Floating rate U.S. Treasuries	75,015			—			—			75,015
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	930,705			—			—			930,705
	Total available-for-sale	1,005,720			938,302			40,961			1,984,983
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			—			777			777
	Total trading	—			—			777			777
	Total Investment Securities	1,005,720			938,302			41,738			1,985,760
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	—			—			3,336,326			3,336,326
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	—			—			20,449			20,449
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	—			—			3,356,775			3,356,775
	USDA Securities:
	Available-for-sale	—			—			1,687,881			1,687,881
	Trading	—			—			42,964			42,964
	Total USDA Securities	—			—			1,730,845			1,730,845
	Financial derivatives	—			5,743			—			5,743
	Total Assets at fair value	$	1,005,720		$	944,045		$	5,129,358		$	7,079,123
	Liabilities:
	Securities sold, not yet purchased
	Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	$	1,657,901		$	—		$	—		$	1,657,901
	Financial derivatives	21			69,974			—			69,995
	Total Liabilities at fair value	$	1,657,922		$	69,974		$	—		$	1,727,896
	Nonrecurring:
	Assets:
	Loans held for investment	$	—		$	—		$	5,304		$	5,304
	REO	—			—			762			762
	Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value	$	—		$	—		$	6,066		$	6,066
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
		(in thousands)
	Recurring:
	Assets:
	Investment Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	—		$	—		$	65,285		$	65,285
	Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			166,104			—			166,104
	Floating rate corporate debt securities	—			109,769			—			109,769
	Fixed rate corporate debt	—			55,141			—			55,141
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			621,064			205			621,269
	Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			8,657			—			8,657
	Floating rate GSE subordinated debt	—			63,385			—			63,385
	Fixed rate GSE preferred stock	—			83,161			—			83,161
	Fixed rate taxable municipal bonds	—			30,681			—			30,681
	Fixed rate senior agency debt	—			524,062			—			524,062
Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries	755,633			—			—			755,633
Total available-for-sale	755,633			1,662,024			65,490			2,483,147
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities	—			—			928			928
Total trading	—			—			928			928
Total Investment Securities	755,633			1,662,024			66,418			2,484,075
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	—			—			5,070,366			5,070,366
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	—			—			21,234			21,234
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	—			—			5,091,600			5,091,600
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	—			—			1,553,669			1,553,669
Trading	—			—			58,344			58,344
Total USDA Securities	—			—			1,612,013			1,612,013
Financial derivatives	—			19,718			—			19,718
Total Assets at fair value	$	755,633		$	1,681,742		$	6,770,031		$	9,207,406
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives	$	1		$	75,472		$	235		$	75,708
Total Liabilities at fair value	$	1		$	75,472		$	235		$	75,708
Nonrecurring:
Assets:
Loans held for investment	$	—		$	—		$	4,420		$	4,420
REO	—			—			1,818			1,818
Total Nonrecurring Assets at fair value	$	—		$	—		$	6,238		$	6,238
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'																								[1],[2],[3]
	The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which Farmer Mac has used significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value. Net transfers in and/or out of level 3 are based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
	Table 8.2
	Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Ending
		Balance												Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included			Gains/(Losses)			Balance
														in Income			included in Other
																	Comprehen-sive
																	Income
		(in thousands)
	Recurring:
	Assets:
	Investment Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	54,976		$	—		$	(14,550	)	$	—		$	(450	)	$	798		$	40,774
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	195			—			—			(7		)	—			(1		)	187
	Total available-for-sale	55,171			—			(14,550		)	(7		)	(450		)	797			40,961
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	880			—			—			(127		)	24			—			777
	Total trading	880			—			—			(127		)	24			—			777
	Total Investment Securities	56,051			—			(14,550		)	(134		)	(426		)	797			41,738
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	3,416,512			295,700			—			(382,630		)	(2,549		)	9,293			3,336,326
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	21,044			—			—			(200		)	—			(395		)	20,449
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	3,437,556			295,700			—			(382,830		)	(2,549		)	8,898			3,356,775
	USDA Securities:
	Available-for-sale	1,636,930			97,275			—			(42,821		)	—			(3,503		)	1,687,881
	Trading (2)	46,099			—			—			(3,079		)	(56		)	—			42,964
	Total USDA Securities	1,683,029			97,275			—			(45,900		)	(56		)	(3,503		)	1,730,845
	Total Assets at fair value	$	5,176,636		$	392,975		$	(14,550	)	$	(428,864	)	$	(3,031	)	$	6,192		$	5,129,358
	-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
	-2	Includes immaterial unrealized gains attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
	Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Ending
		Balance												Unrealized Gains/			Gains/(Losses)			Balance
														(Losses) included			included in Other
														in Income			Comprehen-sive
																	Income
		(in thousands)
	Recurring:
	Assets:
	Investment Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	65,088		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	65,088
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	222			—			—			(8		)	—			—			214
	Total available-for-sale	65,310			—			—			(8		)	—			—			65,302
	Trading:
	Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	1,064			—			—			(156		)	69			—			977
	Total trading	1,064			—			—			(156		)	69			—			977
	Total Investment Securities	66,374			—			—			(164		)	69			—			66,279
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	Available-for-sale:
	AgVantage	5,033,059			353,500			—			(258,522		)	2,996			(17,985		)	5,113,048
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	25,794			—			—			(414		)	—			328			25,708
	Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,058,853			353,500			—			(258,936		)	2,996			(17,657		)	5,138,756
	USDA Securities:
	Available-for-sale	1,543,764			70,372			—			(48,380		)	—			935			1,566,691
	Trading (2)	73,592			—			—			(10,578		)	(695		)	—			62,319
	Total USDA Securities	1,617,356			70,372			—			(58,958		)	(695		)	935			1,629,010
	Total Assets at fair value	$	6,742,583		$	423,872		$	—		$	(318,058	)	$	2,370		$	(16,722	)	$	6,834,045
	Liabilities:
	Financial derivatives (3)	$	(390	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	61		$	—		$	(329	)
	Total Liabilities at fair value	$	(390	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	61		$	—		$	(329	)
-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-2	Includes unrealized losses of $0.4 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-3	Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities."
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Transfers Out			Ending
	Balance												Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included			Gains/(Losses)						Balance
													in Income			included in Other
																Comprehen-sive
																Income
	(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	65,285		$	—		$	(26,675	)	$	—		$	(825	)	$	2,989		$	—		$	40,774
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	205			—			—			(18		)	—			—			—			187
Total available-for-sale	65,490			—			(26,675		)	(18		)	(825		)	2,989			—			40,961
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	928			—			—			(541		)	390			—			—			777
Total trading	928			—			—			(541		)	390			—			—			777
Total Investment Securities	66,418			—			(26,675		)	(559		)	(435		)	2,989			—			41,738
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	5,070,366			761,475			—			(915,218		)	4,019			27,770			(1,612,086		)	3,336,326
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	21,234			—			—			(562		)	—			(223		)	—			20,449
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,091,600			761,475			—			(915,780		)	4,019			27,547			(1,612,086		)	3,356,775
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	1,553,669			256,044			—			(162,917		)	—			41,085			—			1,687,881
Trading (2)	58,344			—			—			(15,541		)	161			—			—			42,964
Total USDA Securities	1,612,013			256,044			—			(178,458		)	161			41,085			—			1,730,845
Total Assets at fair value	$	6,770,031		$	1,017,519		$	(26,675	)	$	(1,094,797	)	$	3,745		$	71,621		$	(1,612,086	)	$	5,129,358
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives	$	(235	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	235		$	—		$	—		$	—
Total Liabilities at fair value	$	(235	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	235		$	—		$	—		$	—
-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-2	Includes unrealized gains of $0.7 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2014 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Beginning			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Realized and			Unrealized			Ending
	Balance												Unrealized Gains/			Gains/(Losses)			Balance
													(Losses) included			included in Other
													in Income			Comprehen-sive
																Income
	(in thousands)
Recurring:
Assets:
Investment Securities:
Available-for-sale:
Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	$	63,159		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,929		$	65,088
Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities	—			233			—			(17		)	—			(2		)	214
Total available-for-sale	63,159			233			—			(17		)	—			1,927			65,302
Trading:
Floating rate asset-backed securities (1)	1,247			—			—			(656		)	386			—			977
Total trading	1,247			—			—			(656		)	386			—			977
Total Investment Securities	64,406			233			—			(673		)	386			1,927			66,279
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Available-for-sale:
AgVantage	4,739,577			978,500			—			(542,974		)	(14,872		)	(47,183		)	5,113,048
Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities	26,681			—			—			(1,312		)	—			339			25,708
Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	4,766,258			978,500			—			(544,286		)	(14,872		)	(46,844		)	5,138,756
USDA Securities:
Available-for-sale	1,486,595			303,456			—			(193,946		)	—			(29,414		)	1,566,691
Trading (2)	104,188			—			—			(40,740		)	(1,129		)	—			62,319
Total USDA Securities	1,590,783			303,456			—			(234,686		)	(1,129		)	(29,414		)	1,629,010
Total Assets at fair value	$	6,421,447		$	1,282,189		$	—		$	(779,645	)	$	(15,615	)	$	(74,331	)	$	6,834,045
Liabilities:
Financial derivatives (3)	$	(691	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	362		$	—		$	(329	)
Total Liabilities at fair value	$	(691	)	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	362		$	—		$	(329	)
-1	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-2	Includes unrealized losses of $0.5 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2013 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
-3	Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of September 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities."
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present additional information about the significant unobservable inputs, such as discount rates and constant prepayment rates ("CPR"), used in the fair value measurements categorized in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Table 8.3
			As of September 30, 2014
	Financial Instruments		Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted-Average)
			(in thousands)
	Assets:
	Investment securities:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans		$	40,774		Indicative bids	Range of broker quotes		82.0% - 95.0% (87.5%)
	Floating rate asset-backed securities		$	777		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		13.2% - 22.8% (18.0%)
							CPR		10%
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities		$	187		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.8% - 1.8% (1.8%)
							CPR		7%
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	AgVantage		$	3,336,326		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.7% - 2.8% (1.4%)
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities		$	20,449		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.8% - 3.3% (2.0%)
							CPR		8% - 16% (12%)
	USDA Securities		$	1,730,845		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.1% - 5.3% (3.2%)
							CPR		0% - 18% (7%)
			As of December 31, 2013
	Financial Instruments		Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input		Range (Weighted-Average)
			(in thousands)
	Assets:
	Investment securities:
	Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans		$	65,285		Indicative bids	Range of broker quotes		82.0% - 92.0% (88.1%)
	Floating rate asset-backed securities		$	928		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		13.0% - 22.5% (17.7%)
							CPR		10%
	Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities		$	205		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.8% - 1.8% (1.8%)
							CPR		6%
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
	AgVantage		$	5,070,366		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.9% - 3.6% (1.8%)
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities		$	21,234		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.9% - 3.2% (1.9%)
							CPR		7% - 14% (11%)
	USDA Securities		$	1,612,013		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		1.2% - 5.3% (3.4%)
							CPR		0% - 23% (5%)
	Liabilities:
	Financial Derivatives:
	Basis swaps		$	235		Discounted cash flow	Discount rate		0.7% - 2.3% (1.3%)
							CPR		10% - 11% (10%)
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	'
	Disclosures on Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	Table 8.4
		As of September 30, 2014						As of December 31, 2013
		Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying
					Amount						Amount
		(in thousands)
	Financial assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	627,670		$	627,670		$	749,313		$	749,313
	Securities purchased under agreements to resell	1,630,078			1,630,427			—			—
	Investment securities	1,985,078			1,985,760			2,484,075			2,484,075
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	5,013,038			5,009,406			5,091,600			5,091,600
	USDA Securities	1,730,845			1,730,845			1,612,013			1,612,013
	Loans	3,372,470			3,353,345			3,138,932			3,193,248
	Financial derivatives	5,743			5,743			19,718			19,718
	Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:
	LTSPCs	30,664			28,065			33,807			27,244
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	14,563			14,013			18,470			16,660
	Financial liabilities:
	Notes payable:
	Due within one year	6,341,896			6,332,887			7,353,356			7,338,781
	Due after one year	5,237,130			5,186,393			4,977,942			5,001,169
	Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901			1,657,901			—			—
	Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	398,445			400,012			257,512			261,760
	Financial derivatives	69,995			69,995			75,708			75,708
	Guarantee and commitment obligations:
	LTSPCs	29,701			27,102			32,856			26,293
	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	12,404			11,855			15,185			13,374
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Business_Segment_Reporting_Tab

Business Segment Reporting - (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Table 9.1
	Core Earnings by Business Segment
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
								Utilities									Adjustments
		(in thousands)
	Interest income (1)	$	20,052		$	14,183		$	6,703		$	16,223		$	4,683		$	(962	)		$	60,882
	Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(508		)	—			—			—			—			508				—
	Interest expense (2)	(11,337		)	(9,110		)	(3,813		)	(8,928		)	(910		)	(14,788		)		(48,886		)
	Net effective spread	8,207			5,073			2,890			7,295			3,773			(15,242		)		11,996
	Guarantee and commitment fees	3,716			49			—			2,915			—			(508		)		6,172
	Other income/(expense) (3)	369			13			9			—			(2,392		)	19,284				17,283
	Non-interest income/(loss)	4,085			62			9			2,915			(2,392		)	18,776				23,455
	Provision for loan losses	(511		)	—			—			—			—			—				(511		)
	Release of reserve for losses	1,315			—			—			—			—			—				1,315
	Other non-interest expense	(3,797		)	(747		)	(762		)	(478		)	(2,626		)	—				(8,410		)
	Non-interest expense (4)	(2,482		)	(747		)	(762		)	(478		)	(2,626		)	—				(7,095		)
	Core earnings before income taxes	9,299			4,388			2,137			9,732			(1,245		)	3,534			-5	27,845
	Income tax (expense)/benefit	(3,255		)	(1,535		)	(749		)	(3,407		)	2,619			(1,237		)		(7,564		)
	Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	6,044			2,853			1,388			6,325			1,374			2,297			-5	20,281
	Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(3,283		)	—				(3,283		)
	Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(5,412		)	—				(5,412		)
	Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	6,044		$	2,853		$	1,388		$	6,325		$	(7,321	)	$	2,297		-5	$	11,586
	Total assets at carrying value	$	2,428,603		$	1,772,333		$	981,300		$	5,016,670		$	4,326,791		$	—			$	14,525,697
	Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,314,437			1,759,948			978,637			5,951,800						—				14,004,822
	-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.
	-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.
	-3	Includes interest income and interest expense related to securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold, not yet purchased, respectively; reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets; and a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
	-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
	-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
	Core Earnings by Business Segment
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
								Utilities									Adjustments
		(in thousands)
	Interest income (1)	$	16,398		$	13,461		$	8,933		$	19,766		$	5,263		$	(846	)		$	62,975
	Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(227		)													227				—
	Interest expense (2)	(8,191		)	(8,956		)	(5,959		)	(13,561		)	(1,146		)	3,026				(34,787		)
	Net effective spread	7,980			4,505			2,974			6,205			4,117			2,407				28,188
	Guarantee and commitment fees	3,725			30			—			3,291			—			(227		)		6,819
	Other income/(expense) (3)	157			241			—			—			(825		)	3,429				3,002
	Non-interest income/(loss)	3,882			271			—			3,291			(825		)	3,202				9,821
	Release of allowance for loan losses	499			—			—			—			—			—				499
	Provision of losses	(463		)													—				(463		)
	Other non-interest expense	(3,600		)	(711		)	(777		)	(445		)	(2,445		)	—				(7,978		)
	Non-interest expense (4)	(4,063		)	(711		)	(777		)	(445		)	(2,445		)	—				(8,441		)
	Core earnings before income taxes	8,298			4,065			2,197			9,051			847			5,609			-5	30,067
	Income tax (expense)/benefit	(2,904		)	(1,423		)	(769		)	(3,168		)	2,001			(1,963		)		(8,226		)
	Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	5,394			2,642			1,428			5,883			2,848			3,646			-5	21,841
	Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(881		)	—				(881		)
	Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(5,547		)	—				(5,547		)
	Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	5,394		$	2,642		$	1,428		$	5,883		$	(3,580	)	$	3,646		-5	$	15,413
	Total assets at carrying value	$	2,003,547		$	1,674,309		$	1,049,840		$	5,144,693		$	3,212,618		$	—			$	13,085,007
	Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,035,748			1,676,793			1,017,774			6,055,951						—				13,786,266
	-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
	-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
	-3	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
	-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
	-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
	Core Earnings by Business Segment
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
Utilities								Adjustments
	(in thousands)
Interest income (1)	$	57,988		$	40,449		$	21,228		$	51,244		$	15,103		$	(13,637	)		$	172,375
Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(1,552		)	—			—			—			—			1,552				—
Interest expense (2)	(33,295		)	(27,433		)	(13,395		)	(30,020		)	(3,028		)	(18,943		)		(126,114		)
Net effective spread	23,141			13,016			7,833			21,224			12,075			(31,028		)		46,261
Guarantee and commitment fees	11,432			98			—			9,115			—			(1,552		)		19,093
Other income/(expense) (3)	742			49			9			—			(3,566		)	15,791				13,025
Non-interest income/(loss)	12,174			147			9			9,115			(3,566		)	14,239				32,118
Release of allowance for loan losses	499			—			—			—			—			—				499
Release of reserve for losses	2,188			—			—			—			—			—				2,188
Other non-interest expense	(11,263		)	(2,242		)	(2,369		)	(1,415		)	(7,797		)	—				(25,086		)
Non-interest expense (4)	(9,075		)	(2,242		)	(2,369		)	(1,415		)	(7,797		)	—				(22,898		)
Core earnings before income taxes	26,739			10,921			5,473			28,924			712			(16,789		)	-5	55,980
Income tax (expense)/benefit	(9,358		)	(3,823		)	(1,917		)	(10,124		)	19,295			5,872				(55		)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	17,381			7,098			3,556			18,800			20,007			(10,917		)	-5	55,925
Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(6,543		)	—				(6,543		)
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(16,778		)	—				(16,778		)
Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	17,381		$	7,098		$	3,556		$	18,800		$	(3,314	)	$	(10,917	)	-5	$	32,604
Total assets at carrying value	$	2,428,603		$	1,772,333		$	981,300		$	5,016,670		$	4,326,791		$	—			$	14,525,697
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,314,437			1,759,948			978,637			5,951,800						—				14,004,822
-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.
-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.
-3	Includes interest income and interest expense related to securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold, not yet purchased, respectively; reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets; and a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.
Core Earnings by Business Segment
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Farm & Ranch			USDA Guarantees			Rural			Institutional Credit			Corporate			Reconciling				Consolidated Net Income
							Utilities									Adjustments
	(in thousands)
Interest income (1)	$	47,860		$	39,959		$	26,903		$	58,393		$	16,468		$	(3,365	)		$	186,218
Interest income related to consolidated trusts owned by third parties reclassified to guarantee fee income	(602		)	—			—			—			—			602				—
Interest expense (2)	(22,967		)	(26,252		)	(17,690		)	(40,348		)	(3,617		)	9,375				(101,499		)
Net effective spread	24,291			13,707			9,213			18,045			12,851			6,612				84,719
Guarantee and commitment fees	11,099			105			948			8,640			—			(602		)		20,190
Other income/(expense) (3)	2,051			758			—			—			1,395			24,355				28,559
Non-interest income/(loss)	13,150			863			948			8,640			1,395			23,753				48,749
Release of allowance for loan losses	598			—			—			—			—			—				598
Provision for losses	(1,034		)	—			—			—			—			—				(1,034		)
Other non-interest expense	(11,199		)	(2,168		)	(2,350		)	(1,345		)	(7,390		)	—				(24,452		)
Non-interest expense (4)	(12,233		)	(2,168		)	(2,350		)	(1,345		)	(7,390		)	—				(25,486		)
Core earnings before income taxes	25,806			12,402			7,811			25,340			6,856			30,365			-5	108,580
Income tax (expense)/benefit	(9,032		)	(4,341		)	(2,734		)	(8,869		)	5,625			(10,627		)		(29,978		)
Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	16,774			8,061			5,077			16,471			12,481			19,738			-5	78,602
Preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(2,613		)	—				(2,613		)
Non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	—			—			—			—			(16,641		)	—				(16,641		)
Segment core earnings/(losses)	$	16,774		$	8,061		$	5,077		$	16,471		$	(6,773	)	$	19,738		-5	$	59,348
Total assets at carrying value	$	2,003,547		$	1,674,309		$	1,049,840		$	5,144,693		$	3,212,618		$	—			$	13,085,007
Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance	5,035,748			1,676,793			1,017,774			6,055,951						—				13,786,266
-1	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
-2	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
-3	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
-4	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
-5	Net adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.

Accounting_Policies_Principles

Accounting Policies - Principles of Consolidation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Number of Subsidiaries	2		'	'		'	'
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	$670,140,000		'	$670,140,000		'	$629,989,000
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	400,012,000		'	400,012,000		'	261,760,000
Guarantee and commitment fees	6,172,000		6,819,000	19,093,000		20,190,000	'
Fair Value of Securities Received as Collateral that Have Been Resold or Repledged	1,630,427,000		'	1,630,427,000		'	0
Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell Pledged as Collateral	1,600,000,000		'	1,600,000,000		'	0
Fair Value of Securities Received as Collateral that Have Been Resold or Repledged	1,600,000,000		'	1,600,000,000		'	0
On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	670,140,000	[1]	'	670,140,000	[1]	'	629,989,000	[2]
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	400,012,000	[3]	'	400,012,000	[3]	'	261,760,000	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	1,662,507,000	[5],[6]	'	1,662,507,000	[5],[6]	'	1,755,973,000	[6],[7]
Farm & Ranch [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Other Liabilities	1,000,000		'	1,000,000		'	2,300,000
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,716,000		3,725,000	11,432,000		11,099,000	'
Farm & Ranch [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	398,992,000	[1]	'	398,992,000	[1]	'	259,509,000	[2]
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	400,012,000	[3]	'	400,012,000	[3]	'	261,760,000	[4]
Farm & Ranch [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	677,814,000		'	677,814,000		'	765,751,000
USDA Guarantees [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0		'	0		'	100,000
Guarantee and commitment fees	49,000		30,000	98,000		105,000	'
USDA Guarantees [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	0	[2]
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	0	[4]
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	14,693,000	[5],[6]	'	14,693,000	[5],[6]	'	20,222,000	[6],[7]
Rural Utilities [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium	3,800,000		'	3,800,000		'	16,200,000
Guarantee and commitment fees	0		0	0		948,000	'
Rural Utilities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	271,148,000	[1]	'	271,148,000	[1]	'	370,480,000
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	0
Rural Utilities [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[5],[6]	'	0	[5],[6]	'	0
Institutional Credit [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	2,600,000		'	2,600,000		'	3,200,000
Guarantee and commitment fees	2,915,000		3,291,000	9,115,000		8,640,000	'
Institutional Credit [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	0	[2]
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	0	[4]
Institutional Credit [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	970,000,000	[5],[6]	'	970,000,000	[5],[6]	'	970,000,000	[6],[7]
Corporate [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Guarantee and commitment fees	0		0	0		0	'
Corporate [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost (1)	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	0	[2]
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (2)	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	0	[4]
Corporate [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[5],[6]	'	0	[5],[6]	'	0	[6],[7]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	53,080,000	[8]	'	53,080,000	[8]	'	54,482,000	[9]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	50,449,000	[5]	'	50,449,000	[5]	'	51,088,000	[7]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | Farm & Ranch [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[8]	'	0	[8]	'	0	[9]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[5]	'	0	[5]	'	0	[7]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | USDA Guarantees [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	20,449,000	[8]	'	20,449,000	[8]	'	21,234,000	[9]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	20,449,000	[5]	'	20,449,000	[5]	'	21,088,000	[7]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | Rural Utilities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0		'	0		'	0	[9]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0		'	0		'	0	[7]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | Institutional Credit [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	32,631,000	[8]	'	32,631,000	[8]	'	33,248,000	[9]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	30,000,000	[5]	'	30,000,000	[5]	'	30,000,000	[7]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: | Corporate [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0		'	0		'	0	[9]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[5]	'	0	[5]	'	0	[7]
Investment Securities [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	7,717,000		'	7,717,000		'	10,014,000
Investment Securities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	447,550,000	[10]	'	447,550,000	[10]	'	533,688,000	[7]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	450,505,000	[10],[5]	'	450,505,000	[10],[5]	'	540,726,000	[11],[7]
Investment Securities [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[10]	'	0	[10]	'	0	[7]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[11],[7]
Investment Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[10]	'	0	[10]	'	0	[7]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[11],[7]
Investment Securities [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0		'	0		'	0	[7]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[11],[7]
Investment Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[10]	'	0	[10]	'	0	[7]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[10],[5]	'	0	[11],[7]
Investment Securities [Member] | Corporate [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	447,550,000		'	447,550,000		'	533,688,000
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	450,505,000		'	450,505,000		'	540,726,000	[11],[7]
FMMSC [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Guarantee and commitment fees	$2,400,000		$2,800,000	$7,700,000		$8,200,000	'
[1]	(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to the Rural Utilities line of business of $3.8 million.
[2]	(1) Includes unamortized premiums related to the Rural Utilities line of business of $16.2 million.
[3]	(2) Includes borrower remittances of $1.0 million. The borrower remittances have not been passed through to third party investors as of SeptemberB 30, 2014.
[4]	(2) Includes borrower remittances of $2.3 million, which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2013.
[5]	(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
[6]	(6) The amount under the Farm & Ranch line of business relates to unconsolidated trusts where Farmer Mac determined it was not the primary beneficiary due to shared power with an unrelated party.
[7]	(4) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
[8]	(3) Includes an immaterial amount of unamortized premiums and discounts related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $2.6 million.
[9]	(3) Includes unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees and Institutional Credit lines of business of $0.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
[10]	(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
[11]	(5) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Accounting_Policies_Cash_and_C

Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	$113,680,000	$90,052,000
Income taxes	12,750,000	17,000,000
Non-cash activity:	'	'
Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation	0	1,443,000
Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	169,820,000	64,609,000
Purchases of investment securities traded, not yet settled	0	57,001,000
Consolidation of Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from off-balance sheet to loans held for investment in consolidated trusts and to debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	172,268,000	64,609,000
Transfers of loans held for sale to loans held for investment	0	673,991,000
Transfers of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity	$1,589,775,000	$0

Accounting_Policies_Earnings_P

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income attributable to common stockholders (Basic)	$11,586		$15,413		$32,604		$59,348
Net income attributable to common stockholders (Dilutive)	$11,586		$15,413		$32,604		$59,348
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	442	[1]	370	[1]	446	[2]	392	[2]
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock (in usd per share)	($0.04)	[1]	($0.05)	[1]	($0.12)	[2]	($0.20)	[2]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	10,930		10,843		10,914		10,799
Basic earnings per common share	$1.06		$1.42		$2.99		$5.50
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	11,372		11,213		11,360		11,191
Diluted earnings per common share	$1.02		$1.37		$2.87		$5.30
[1]	For the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, stock options and SARs of 118,583 and 36,983, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 42,514 and 44,894, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions were not met.
[2]	For the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, stock options and SARs of 91,011 and 43,640, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 38,874 and 38,363, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions were not met.

Accounting_Policies_Earnings_P1

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share Anti-Dilutive (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options and SARs [Members]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)	118,583	36,983	91,011	43,640
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)	42,514	44,894	38,874	38,363

Investment_Securities_Schedule

Investment Securities - Schedule of Investment Securities (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Investment Securities [Member]

Investment Securities [Member]

Investment Securities [Member]

Investment Securities [Member]

Investment Securities [Member]

Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member]

Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Trading Securities [Member]

Trading Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Member]

Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans

Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}

GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}

Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]

US Treasury Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

GSE Preferred Stock [Member]

GSE Preferred Stock [Member]

Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]

Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member]

US Treasury Securities [Member]

US Treasury Securities [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Investment Securities [Member]

Investment Securities [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Floating Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Fixed Interest Rate [Member]

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans

Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Asset-backed Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}

GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}

Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]

US Treasury Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Corporate Debt Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]

GSE Preferred Stock [Member]

GSE Preferred Stock [Member]

Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]

Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member]

US Treasury Securities [Member]

US Treasury Securities [Member]

Interest-Only-Strip [Member]

Interest-Only-Strip [Member]

Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance

'

'

$1,980,660,000

'

$1,980,660,000

'

$2,475,407,000

'

'

$46,600,000

$74,100,000

$108,276,000

$166,185,000

$10,000,000

$109,345,000

$627,432,000

$612,413,000

$70,000,000

$70,000,000

$30,595,000

$75,000,000

$30,000,000

$55,000,000

$892,000

$1,173,000

$78,500,000

$78,500,000

$3,960,000

$523,691,000

$930,000,000

$754,405,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized Premium/(Discount)

'

'

7,717,000

'

7,717,000

'

10,014,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

7,717,000

10,014,000

0

0

-108,000

-217,000

0

-3,000

3,631,000

4,336,000

0

0

84,000

-12,000

-16,000

48,000

3,648,000

3,966,000

17,000

365,000

2,000

294,000

555,000

1,141,000

7,300,000

7,400,000

Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis

'

'

1,988,377,000

'

1,988,377,000

'

2,485,421,000

'

'

46,600,000

74,100,000

108,168,000

165,968,000

10,000,000

109,342,000

631,063,000

616,749,000

70,000,000

70,000,000

30,679,000

74,988,000

29,984,000

55,048,000

4,540,000

5,139,000

78,517,000

78,865,000

3,962,000

523,985,000

930,555,000

755,546,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-Sale Gross Unrealized Gains

'

'

9,371,000

'

9,371,000

'

13,713,000

'

'

0

0

181,000

195,000

126,000

445,000

5,054,000

4,955,000

0

0

5,000

27,000

97,000

97,000

3,731,000

3,518,000

0

4,296,000

1,000

107,000

154,000

95,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses

'

'

-12,765,000

'

-12,765,000

'

-15,987,000

'

'

-5,826,000

-8,815,000

-24,000

-59,000

0

-18,000

-279,000

-435,000

-6,615,000

-6,615,000

-3,000

0

0

-4,000

0

0

-17,000

0

0

-30,000

-4,000

-8,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

1,984,983,000

'

1,984,983,000

'

2,483,147,000

1,687,881,000

1,553,669,000

40,774,000

65,285,000

108,325,000

166,104,000

10,126,000

109,769,000

635,838,000

621,269,000

63,385,000

63,385,000

30,681,000

75,015,000

30,081,000

55,141,000

8,271,000

[1]

8,657,000

78,500,000

83,161,000

3,963,000

524,062,000

930,705,000

755,633,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

6,671,380,000

6,691,851,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

152,400,000

152,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities

'

'

39,700,000

0

770,149,000

170,614,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains

'

'

100,000

'

600,000

3,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

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'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading Securities [Abstract]

'

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'

'

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'

'

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'

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'

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'

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'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading Securities - Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,012,000

3,553,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading Securities Amortized Cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,012,000

3,553,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading Securities, Unrealized Losses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,235,000

-2,625,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading, at fair value

'

'

777,000

'

777,000

'

928,000

42,964,000

58,344,000

'

'

777,000

928,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Marketable Securities [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Marketable Securities Unpaid Principal Balance

'

'

1,983,672,000

'

1,983,672,000

'

2,478,960,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost

'

'

1,991,389,000

'

1,991,389,000

'

2,488,974,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gains

'

'

9,371,000

'

9,371,000

'

13,713,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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Marketable Securities, Unrealized Losses

'

'

-15,000,000

'

-15,000,000

'

-18,612,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

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Marketable Securities

'

'

$1,985,760,000

'

$1,985,760,000

'

$2,484,075,000

$1,730,845,000

$1,612,013,000

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'

'

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'

'

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[1]

(1)Fair value includes $7.3 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $152.4 million.

Investment_Securities_Narrativ

Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) (Investment Securities [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Investment Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	$39,700,000	$0	$770,149,000	$170,614,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	-500,000	0	-800,000	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	$100,000	'	$600,000	$3,100,000

Investment_Securities_Unrealiz

Investment Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	position	position
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$549,482	$684,499
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	112,421	128,670
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-313	-557
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-12,452	-15,430
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	37	64
Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions In Loss Position Greater than Twelve Months	9	7
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	12,765	15,987
Available-for-sale securities in a loss position for more than 12 months, qualitative disclosure, percent of amortized cost	90.00%	'
Standard & Poor's, A- Rating [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	2	2
Standard & Poor's, BBB+ Rating [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	'	1
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	40,773	65,285
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-5,827	-8,815
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	5,826	8,815
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	25,703	50,129
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,988	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-23	-59
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	24	59
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	'	19,982
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	'	-18
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	0	18
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	149,196	161,960
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,275	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-269	-435
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-9	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	279	435
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member}	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	63,385	63,385
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	-6,615	-6,615
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	6,615	6,615
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	'	3
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	'	10,058
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	'	-4
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	0	4
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	'	8,041
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	'	-3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	78,500	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-17	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	17	0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	'	316,273
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	'	-30
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	'	30
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	296,083	118,056
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	-4	-8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	$4	$8

Investment_Securities_Trading_

Investment Securities - Trading Securities (Details) (Floating Interest Rate [Member], Asset-backed Securities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities Amortized Cost	$3,012	$3,553
Trading, at fair value	$777	$928
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	4.24%	4.25%

Investment_Securities_Debt_Mat

Investment Securities - Debt Maturities (Details) (Investment Securities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$954,530	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	158,655	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	288,764	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	586,428	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	954,742	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	159,441	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	286,868	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	583,932	'
Available-for-sale securities	$1,984,983	$2,483,147
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	0.28%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	0.92%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	0.78%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.38%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	1.02%	'

Farmer_Mac_Guaranteed_Securiti2

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	$5,027,885	$6,678,377
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,031,616	6,682,569
Available-for-Sale Gross Unrealized Gains	41,550	67,473
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	28,510	104,773
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,044,656	6,645,269
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	1,652,631	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	1,656,263	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	3,343,912	5,087,944
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,343,471	5,087,551
Available-for-Sale Gross Unrealized Gains	37,224	64,720
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	23,920	60,671
Available-for-sale, at fair value	3,356,775	5,091,600
USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,687,881	1,553,669
Trading Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Trading, at fair value	42,964	58,344
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	3,731	4,192
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	-441	-393
Institutional Credit [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	2,600	3,200
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	1,640,150	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	1,652,631	'
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	4,236	'
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	604	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	1,656,263	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	3,323,463	5,066,855
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,323,463	5,066,980
Available-for-Sale Gross Unrealized Gains	36,779	64,051
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	23,916	60,665
Available-for-sale, at fair value	3,336,326	5,070,366
Institutional Credit [Member] | Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	12,481	'
Institutional Credit [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0	125
USDA Guarantees [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0	100
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	20,449	21,089
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	20,008	20,571
Available-for-Sale Gross Unrealized Gains	445	669
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	4	6
Available-for-sale, at fair value	20,449	21,234
USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	1,683,973	1,590,433
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,688,145	1,595,018
Available-for-Sale Gross Unrealized Gains	4,326	2,753
Available-for-Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses	4,590	44,102
Available-for-sale, at fair value	1,687,881	1,553,669
Trading Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Trading Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	40,833	55,373
Trading Securities Amortized Cost	44,802	60,345
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains	130	193
Trading Securities, Unrealized Holding Loss	1,968	2,194
Trading, at fair value	42,964	58,344
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	-441	-518
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	4,172	4,585
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	$3,969	$4,972

Farmer_Mac_Guaranteed_Securiti3

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position more than 12 months, Aggregate Losses	$12,452	$15,430
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions In Loss Position Greater than Twelve Months	17	'
Available-for-Sale Continuous Unrealized Loss Position more than 12 months, Aggregate Losses	$15,200	'

Farmer_Mac_Guaranteed_Securiti4

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$108,230	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	1,606,307	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	1,291,284	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	2,025,795	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,031,616	6,682,569
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	103,969	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	1,631,275	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	1,294,016	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	2,015,396	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$5,044,656	$6,645,269
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	0.91%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.87%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.89%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.61%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	2.15%	'

Farmer_Mac_Guaranteed_Securiti5

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities (Details) (Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Net Carrying Amount	$558,291
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Net Carrying Amount	1,094,340
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	1,652,631
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value	558,749
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value	1,097,514
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$1,656,263
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]	'
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Weighted-Average Yield	2.95%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Weighted-Average Yield	2.21%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	2.44%

Farmer_Mac_Guaranteed_Securiti6

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Trading Securities (Details) (USDA Securities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Trading, at fair value	$42,964	$58,344
USDA Guarantees [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities Amortized Cost	44,802	60,345
Trading, at fair value	$42,964	$58,344
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	5.84%	5.60%

Financial_Derivatives_Narrativ

Financial Derivatives - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$69,995,000	$75,708,000
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Collateral Pledged	29,788,000	11,320,000
Additional Collateral, Aggregate Fair Value	51,900,000	63,500,000
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	6,671,380,000	6,691,851,000
Excluding netting [Member] | Including accrued interest [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	79,100,000	92,000,000
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	8,100,000	25,100,000
Netting [Member] | Including accrued interest [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	81,700,000	74,800,000
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	1,300,000	3,300,000
Uncollateralized [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	1,300,000	3,000,000
Cash [Member]	'	'
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Collateral Received	0	0
Collateral Pledged	29,800,000	9,800,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member]	'	'
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Collateral Pledged	0	1,500,000
Exchange Cleared [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,800,000,000	2,300,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$6,600,000,000	$6,600,000,000

Financial_Derivatives_Schedule

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$6,671,380	$6,691,851
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	5,743	19,718
Financial derivatives, at fair value	69,995	75,708
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Collateral Pledged	29,788	11,320
Derivative Asset	5,743	19,718
Derivative Liability	40,207	64,388
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,000,000	900,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	23,979	28,989
Derivative, Weighted-Average Pay Rate	2.47%	2.25%
Derivative, Weighted-Average Receive Rate	0.24%	0.24%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	'4 years 2 months 23 days	'3 years 3 months 0 days
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	10,000	10,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	68
Financial derivatives, at fair value	81	0
Derivative, Weighted-Average Pay Rate	2.50%	2.50%
Derivative, Weighted-Average Receive Rate	0.48%	0.48%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	'6 years 2 months 12 days	'6 years 11 months 12 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Assets	76	201
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Liabilities	264	156
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	492,496	806,596
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	1,775	7,570
Financial derivatives, at fair value	43,694	45,360
Derivative, Weighted-Average Pay Rate	4.23%	4.63%
Derivative, Weighted-Average Receive Rate	0.23%	0.24%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	'7 years 3 months 7 days	'4 years 10 months 10 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Non-Callable [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,818,832	4,324,663
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	3,806	11,836
Financial derivatives, at fair value	564	262
Derivative, Weighted-Average Pay Rate	0.14%	0.27%
Derivative, Weighted-Average Receive Rate	0.24%	0.70%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	'0 years 5 months 23 days	'0 years 6 months 11 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Callable [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	296,000	175,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	83
Financial derivatives, at fair value	1,152	934
Derivative, Weighted-Average Pay Rate	0.09%	0.10%
Derivative, Weighted-Average Receive Rate	0.86%	0.65%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	'3 years 0 months 18 days	'3 years 3 months 18 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Basis Swap [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,030,000	404,288
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	238	276
Financial derivatives, at fair value	758	318
Derivative, Weighted-Average Pay Rate	0.12%	0.32%
Derivative, Weighted-Average Receive Rate	0.29%	0.29%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	'2 years 3 months 7 days	'1 year 6 months 7 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	17,352	65,704
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	86
Financial derivatives, at fair value	10	0
Derivative, Weighted-Average Forward Price	$98.01	$98.91
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member]	'	'
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	6,700	5,600
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	21	1
Derivative, Weighted-Average Forward Price	$124.33	$123.02
Cash [Member]	'	'
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]	'	'
Obligation to Return Securities Received as Collateral	0	0
Collateral Pledged	$29,800	$9,800

Financial_Derivatives_Schedule1

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Impact on Results of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	$808,000	$3,024,000	($12,468,000)	$22,501,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge	-2,549,000	2,996,000	4,019,000	-14,871,000
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings	3,061,000	3,000,000	9,029,000	8,458,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	-2,253,000	24,000	-21,497,000	14,043,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Instruments	5,610,000	4,000	5,010,000	23,329,000
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net	200,000	-100,000	300,000	500,000
Gain (Loss) on Components Excluded from Assessment of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Effectiveness	-2,900,000	-3,100,000	-8,700,000	-8,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	-2,074,000	1,192,000	-19,748,000	14,950,000
Forward Contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	-210,000	-861,000	-1,297,000	-768,000
Future [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	$31,000	($307,000)	($452,000)	($139,000)

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses2

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loan (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	$2,689,531		$2,570,125
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	6,326		6,866
Total loans, net of allowance	3,353,345		3,193,248
Unsecuritized [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	2,692,698	[1]	2,573,968	[1]
Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments	-3,167		-3,843
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	2,689,531		2,570,125
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	5,837		6,587
Total loans, net of allowance	2,683,694		2,563,538
Unsecuritized [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	1,981,456		1,875,958
Unsecuritized [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	711,242		698,010
In Consolidated Trusts	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	666,387	[1]	613,750	[1]
Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments	3,753		16,239
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	670,140		629,989
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	489		279
Total loans, net of allowance	669,651		629,710
In Consolidated Trusts | Farm & Ranch [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	398,992		259,509
In Consolidated Trusts | Rural Utilities [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	267,395		354,241
Commercial Real Estate Other Receivable [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	3,359,085	[1]	3,187,718	[1]
Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments	586		12,396
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	3,359,671		3,200,114
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	6,326		6,866
Total loans, net of allowance	3,353,345		3,193,248
Commercial Real Estate Other Receivable [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	2,380,448		2,135,467
Commercial Real Estate Other Receivable [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	$978,637		$1,052,251
[1]	Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business.

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses3

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	'	'	$6,866	'
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses	'	'	6,468	'
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	11,365	13,478	13,334	16,890
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	511	-499	-499	-598
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	-1,315	463	-2,188	1,034
Provision For (Reduction Of) Loan Lease And Other Losses	-804	-36	-2,687	436
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	86	3,884
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	45	0	45	0
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	6,326	'	6,326	'
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	4,280	'	4,280	'
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	10,606	13,442	10,606	13,442
Eligible Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	5,770	7,368	6,866	11,351
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	511	-499	-499	-598
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	86	3,884
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	45	0	45	0
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	6,326	6,869	6,326	6,869
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses	5,595	6,110	6,468	5,539
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	-1,315	463	-2,188	1,034
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	4,280	6,573	4,280	6,573
Crops [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,390	2,405	2,124	2,589
Provision For (Reduction Of) Loan Lease And Other Losses	123	-225	389	-409
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	0	'	0	'
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,513	2,180	2,513	2,180
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	4,999	7,196	7,292	9,661
Provision For (Reduction Of) Loan Lease And Other Losses	-992	364	-3,285	1,524
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	0	3,625
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	0	'	0	'
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	4,007	7,560	4,007	7,560
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Eligible Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	'	'	'	3,600
Other Commodity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	4	5	7	6
Provision For (Reduction Of) Loan Lease And Other Losses	0	1	-3	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	0	'	0	'
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	4	6	4	6
Permanent Plantings [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,217	2,168	2,186	2,316
Provision For (Reduction Of) Loan Lease And Other Losses	74	-105	105	-64
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	0	189
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	45	'	45	'
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,336	2,063	2,336	2,063
Livestock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,311	1,279	1,271	1,534
Provision For (Reduction Of) Loan Lease And Other Losses	-6	-84	91	-339
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	57	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	0	'	0	'
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,305	1,195	1,305	1,195
Part-Time Farm [Member]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	444	425	454	784
Provision For (Reduction Of) Loan Lease And Other Losses	-3	13	16	-276
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	29	70
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	0	'	0	'
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	$441	$438	$441	$438

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses4

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Losses by Impairment Method and Commodity (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	$5,228,505		'	$5,068,039		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	85,932		'	95,041		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	5,314,437	[1],[2]	'	5,163,080	[1],[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	7,747		'	10,638		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	2,859		'	2,696		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	10,606		11,365	13,334		13,442	13,478	16,890
Crops [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,862,700		'	2,643,748		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	17,545		'	23,109		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,880,245	[2]	'	2,666,857	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,087		'	1,718		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	426		'	406		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	2,513		2,390	2,124		2,180	2,405	2,589
Permanent Plantings [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	861,492		'	862,969		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	43,589		'	44,855		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	905,081	[2]	'	907,824	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	555		'	484		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,781		'	1,702		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	2,336		2,217	2,186		2,063	2,168	2,316
Livestock [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,235,052		'	1,232,062		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	12,338		'	14,043		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,247,390	[2]	'	1,246,105	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,014		'	1,078		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	291		'	193		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	1,305		1,311	1,271		1,195	1,279	1,534
Part-Time Farm [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	140,455		'	149,824		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	12,460		'	12,919		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	152,915	[2]	'	162,743	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	80		'	62		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	361		'	392		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	441		444	454		438	425	784
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	120,876		'	170,918		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	120,876	[2]	'	170,918	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4,007		'	7,292		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	4,007		4,999	7,292		7,560	7,196	9,661
Other Commodity [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	7,930		'	8,518		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	115		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,930	[2]	'	8,633	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4		'	4		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	3		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	4		4	7		6	5	6
On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,307,912		'	2,051,498		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	72,536		'	83,969		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,380,448	[2]	'	2,135,467	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	3,668		'	4,392		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	2,658		'	2,474		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	6,326		'	6,866		'	'	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,528,563		'	1,363,861		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	14,243		'	21,147		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,542,806	[2]	'	1,385,008	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,811		'	1,321		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	339		'	362		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	2,150		'	1,683		'	'	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	333,512		'	295,037		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	40,315		'	41,441		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	373,827	[2]	'	336,478	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	408		'	325		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,744		'	1,641		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	2,152		'	1,966		'	'	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	376,526		'	319,665		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	7,236		'	10,844		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	383,762	[2]	'	330,509	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	541		'	436		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	267		'	140		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	808		'	576		'	'	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	39,079		'	39,940		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	10,742		'	10,422		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	49,821	[2]	'	50,362	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	29		'	20		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	308		'	331		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	337		'	351		'	'	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	29,635		'	32,636		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	29,635	[2]	'	32,636	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	879		'	2,290		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	879		'	2,290		'	'	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	597		'	359		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	115		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	597	[2]	'	474	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	0		'	0		'	'	'
Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,920,593		'	3,016,541		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	13,396		'	11,072		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,933,989	[2]	'	3,027,613	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4,079		'	6,246		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	201		'	222		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	4,280		'	6,468		'	'	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,334,137		'	1,279,887		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	3,302		'	1,962		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,337,439	[2]	'	1,281,849	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	276		'	397		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	87		'	44		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	363		'	441		'	'	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	527,980		'	567,932		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	3,274		'	3,414		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	531,254	[2]	'	571,346	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	147		'	159		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	37		'	61		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	184		'	220		'	'	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	858,526		'	912,397		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	5,102		'	3,199		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	863,628	[2]	'	915,596	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	473		'	642		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	24		'	53		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	497		'	695		'	'	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	101,376		'	109,884		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,718		'	2,497		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	103,094	[2]	'	112,381	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	51		'	42		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	53		'	61		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	104		'	103		'	'	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	91,241		'	138,282		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	91,241	[2]	'	138,282	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	3,128		'	5,002		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	3,128		'	5,002		'	'	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	7,333		'	8,159		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	0		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,333	[2]	'	8,159	[2]	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4		'	4		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0		'	3		'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	$4		'	$7		'	'	'
[1]	Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
[2]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses5

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Impaired Financing Receivables (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	$26,086		'	$26,086		'	$24,951
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	60,401	[1]	'	60,401	[1]	'	72,116	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	86,487		'	86,487		'	97,067
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	26,190		'	26,190		'	24,733
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	59,742		'	59,742		'	70,308
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	85,932		'	85,932		'	95,041
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	2,859		'	2,859		'	2,696
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	30,082	[3]	'	30,082	[3]	'	37,228	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	87,836		91,931	91,494		102,898	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	468		542	1,349		1,906	'
Crops [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	4,454		'	4,454		'	6,956
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	13,448	[1]	'	13,448	[1]	'	16,697	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	17,902		'	17,902		'	23,653
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	4,288		'	4,288		'	6,825
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	13,257		'	13,257		'	16,284
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	17,545		'	17,545		'	23,109
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	426		'	426		'	406
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,656	[3]	'	4,656	[3]	'	10,812	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	19,975		27,311	21,873		29,570	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	90		248	365		651	'
Permanent Plantings [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	11,188		'	11,188		'	9,880
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	32,705	[1]	'	32,705	[1]	'	36,146	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	43,893		'	43,893		'	46,026
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	11,696		'	11,696		'	9,877
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	31,893		'	31,893		'	34,978
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	43,589		'	43,589		'	44,855
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,781		'	1,781		'	1,702
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	14,972	[3]	'	14,972	[3]	'	15,237	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	43,280		37,340	44,144		42,041	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	142		169	412		666	'
Livestock [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	8,530		'	8,530		'	6,671
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	3,764	[1]	'	3,764	[1]	'	7,600	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	12,294		'	12,294		'	14,271
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	8,287		'	8,287		'	6,588
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	4,051		'	4,051		'	7,455
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	12,338		'	12,338		'	14,043
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	291		'	291		'	193
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,414	[3]	'	4,414	[3]	'	5,344	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	12,305		15,252	13,040		16,579	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	149		38	284		230	'
Part-Time Farm [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	1,914		'	1,914		'	1,444
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	10,484	[1]	'	10,484	[1]	'	11,554	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	12,398		'	12,398		'	12,998
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	1,919		'	1,919		'	1,443
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	10,541		'	10,541		'	11,476
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	12,460		'	12,460		'	12,919
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	361		'	361		'	392
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	6,040	[3]	'	6,040	[3]	'	5,835	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	12,276		11,909	12,407		13,053	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	87		87	288		359	'
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0		'	0		'	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	0	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	0		'	0		'	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0		'	0		'	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0		'	0		'	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	0		'	0		'	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	0		'	0		'	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	0	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	0		0	0		1,084	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0		0	0		0	'
Other Commodity [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0		'	0		'	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	119	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	0		'	0		'	119
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0		'	0		'	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0		'	0		'	115
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	0		'	0		'	115
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	0		'	0		'	3
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	[3]	'	0	[3]	'	0	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	0		119	30		571	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0		0	0		0	'
Collateral Dependent Not Individually Analyzed [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	53,600		'	53,600		'	65,100
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,400		'	1,400		'	1,300
Impaired Financing Receivable, Impairment analysis performed percent	62.00%	[1]	'	62.00%	[1]	'	67.00%
Less than 90 days past due [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	$8,700	[3]	'	$8,700	[3]	'	$9,600	[4]
[1]	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $53.6 million (62 percent) of impaired loans as of SeptemberB 30, 2014, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.4 million.
[2]	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $65.1 million (67 percent) of impaired loans as of DecemberB 31, 2013, which resulted in a specific reserve of $1.3 million.
[3]	Includes $8.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.
[4]	Includes $9.6 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status.

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses6

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Troubled Debt Restructurings (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			defaulted_loan	defaulted_loan
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$4.50	$0.20	$5.30	$1.10
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	5.1	0.2	6	1.1
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Number of Contracts	'	'	0	1
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Recorded Investment	'	'	$0	$0.20

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses7

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	$5,100,000	$200,000	$6,000,000	$1,100,000	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Outstanding Balance	25,671,000	'	25,671,000	'	32,838,000
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Provision for Loan Losses	0	0	69,000	447,000	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Allowance for Loan Losses, Decreases	47,000	57,000	54,000	946,000	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net	23,007,000	'	23,007,000	'	29,613,000
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Number Defaulted	0	3	'	11	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Balance During Period	0	629,000	440,000	6,704,000	'
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Number Defaulted	'	'	1	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Balance During Period	0	0	440,000	37,000	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Acquired During Period, Contractually Required Payments Receivable at Acquisition, During the Period	0	678,000	440,000	6,907,000	'
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities Acquired During Period [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Balance During Period	$0	$629,000	$0	$6,667,000	'

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses8

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired Delinquencies and Net Credit Losses (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	$86,487,000		'	$97,067,000
Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Loans Past Due Period, Minimum	'90 days		'	'
Net credit losses (recoveries)	-66,000		2,825,000	'
90-day delinquencies [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	24,661,000		'	28,296,000
90-day delinquencies [Member] | Eligible Loans [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Subject To Be Purchased	1,000,000	[1]	'	1,200,000	[1]
On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net credit losses (recoveries)	-66,000		2,825,000	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | Eligible Loans [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net credit losses (recoveries)	-66,000		2,825,000	'
On-balance sheet [Member] | 90-day delinquencies [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	21,409,000		'	27,580,000
On-balance sheet [Member] | 90-day delinquencies [Member] | Eligible Loans [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	21,409,000	[1]	'	27,580,000	[1]
Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net credit losses (recoveries)	0		0	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net credit losses (recoveries)	0		0	'
Off-balance sheet [Member] | 90-day delinquencies [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	3,252,000		'	716,000
Off-balance sheet [Member] | 90-day delinquencies [Member] | Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]	'		'	'
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'		'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	$3,252,000		'	$716,000
[1]	Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured after delinquency, or in bankruptcy, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.

Loans_and_Allowance_for_Losses9

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financing Receivables Credit Quality Indicators (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Loans Past Due Period, Minimum	'90 days		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	$5,314,437	[1],[2]	$5,163,080	[1],[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	24,661	[2]	28,296	[3]
Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	5,069,151	[2]	4,845,302	[2]
Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	115,132	[2],[4]	122,830	[2],[4]
Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	130,154	[2],[5]	194,948	[2],[5]
On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,380,448	[2]	2,135,467	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	21,409	[2]	27,580	[3]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,267,875	[2]	1,988,945	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	40,037	[2],[4]	47,171	[2],[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	72,536	[2],[5]	99,351	[2],[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,933,989	[2]	3,027,613	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	3,252	[2]	716	[3]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,801,276	[2]	2,856,357	[2]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	75,095	[2],[4]	75,659	[2],[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	57,618	[2],[5]	95,597	[2],[5]
Crops [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,880,245	[2]	2,666,857	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	7,700	[2]	8,256	[3]
Crops [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,812,053	[2]	2,600,039	[2]
Crops [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	42,848	[2],[4]	26,633	[2],[4]
Crops [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	25,344	[2],[5]	40,185	[2],[5]
Crops [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,542,806	[2]	1,385,008	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,923	[2]	8,036	[3]
Crops [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,499,552	[2]	1,348,205	[2]
Crops [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	29,011	[2],[4]	15,656	[2],[4]
Crops [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	14,243	[2],[5]	21,147	[2],[5]
Crops [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,337,439	[2]	1,281,849	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	777	[2]	220	[3]
Crops [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,312,501	[2]	1,251,834	[2]
Crops [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	13,837	[2],[4]	10,977	[2],[4]
Crops [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	11,101	[2],[5]	19,038	[2],[5]
Permanent Plantings [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	905,081	[2]	907,824	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,861	[2]	11,841	[3]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	841,791	[2]	838,318	[2]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	13,580	[2],[4]	20,594	[2],[4]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	49,710	[2],[5]	48,912	[2],[5]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	373,827	[2]	336,478	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,861	[2]	11,841	[3]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	332,340	[2]	290,064	[2]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,172	[2],[4]	4,973	[2],[4]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	40,315	[2],[5]	41,441	[2],[5]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	531,254	[2]	571,346	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	0	[2]	0	[3]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	509,451	[2]	548,254	[2]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	12,408	[2],[4]	15,621	[2],[4]
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	9,395	[2],[5]	7,471	[2],[5]
Livestock [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,247,390	[2]	1,246,105	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	6,677	[2]	4,462	[3]
Livestock [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,173,880	[2]	1,144,438	[2]
Livestock [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	48,882	[2],[4]	55,912	[2],[4]
Livestock [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	24,628	[2],[5]	45,755	[2],[5]
Livestock [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	383,762	[2]	330,509	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	4,915	[2]	4,462	[3]
Livestock [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	367,631	[2]	300,308	[2]
Livestock [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	8,895	[2],[4]	19,357	[2],[4]
Livestock [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,236	[2],[5]	10,844	[2],[5]
Livestock [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	863,628	[2]	915,596	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	1,762	[2]	0	[3]
Livestock [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	806,249	[2]	844,130	[2]
Livestock [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	39,987	[2],[4]	36,555	[2],[4]
Livestock [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	17,392	[2],[5]	34,911	[2],[5]
Part-Time Farm [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	152,915	[2]	162,743	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	3,423	[2]	3,618	[3]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	134,159	[2]	144,611	[2]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,634	[2],[4]	1,835	[2],[4]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	16,122	[2],[5]	16,297	[2],[5]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	49,821	[2]	50,362	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	2,710	[2]	3,122	[3]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	38,120	[2]	39,022	[2]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	959	[2],[4]	918	[2],[4]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	10,742	[2],[5]	10,422	[2],[5]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	103,094	[2]	112,381	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	713	[2]	496	[3]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	96,039	[2]	105,589	[2]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,675	[2],[4]	917	[2],[4]
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	5,380	[2],[5]	5,875	[2],[5]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	120,876	[2]	170,918	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	0	[2]	0	[3]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	99,996	[2]	110,059	[2]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	6,630	[2],[4]	17,278	[2],[4]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	14,250	[2],[5]	43,581	[2],[5]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	29,635	[2]	32,636	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	0	[2]	0	[3]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	29,635	[2]	10,987	[2]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	0	[2],[4]	6,267	[2],[4]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	0	[2],[5]	15,382	[2],[5]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	91,241	[2]	138,282	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	0	[2]	0	[3]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	70,361	[2]	99,072	[2]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	6,630	[2],[4]	11,011	[2],[4]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	14,250	[2],[5]	28,199	[2],[5]
Other Commodity [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,930	[2]	8,633	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	0	[2]	119	[3]
Other Commodity [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,272	[2]	7,837	[2]
Other Commodity [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	558	[2],[4]	578	[2],[4]
Other Commodity [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	100	[2],[5]	218	[2],[5]
Other Commodity [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	597	[2]	474	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	0	[2]	119	[3]
Other Commodity [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	597	[2]	359	[2]
Other Commodity [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	0	[2],[4]	0	[2],[4]
Other Commodity [Member] | On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	0	[2],[5]	115	[2],[5]
Other Commodity [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,333	[2]	8,159	[2]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	0	[2]	0	[3]
Other Commodity [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Pass [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	6,675	[2]	7,478	[2]
Other Commodity [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	558	[2],[4]	578	[2],[4]
Other Commodity [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	$100	[2],[5]	$103	[2],[5]
[1]	Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
[2]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
[3]	(1)Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.
[4]	Assets in the Special mention category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
[5]	Substandard assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses and there is a distinct possibility that some loss will be sustained if deficiencies are not corrected.

Recovered_Sheet1

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Concentrations of Credit Risk (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	$5,314,437	[1],[2]	$5,163,080	[1],[2]
Northwest [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	544,057	[1]	524,034	[1]
Southwest [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,719,718	[1]	1,752,109	[1]
Mid-North [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,851,849	[1]	1,702,668	[1]
Mid-South [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	608,040	[1]	601,359	[1]
Northeast [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	218,639	[1]	231,731	[1]
Southeast [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	372,134	[1]	351,179	[1]
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range One [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,446,240		1,375,758
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	0.00%		'
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	40.00%		'
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Two [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,175,657		1,099,033
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	40.01%		'
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	50.00%		'
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Three [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,481,788		1,431,562
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	50.01%		'
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	60.00%		'
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Four [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,082,990		1,113,427
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	60.01%		'
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	70.00%		'
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Five [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	103,808		110,828
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	70.01%		'
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	80.00%		'
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Six [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	23,954		32,472
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	80.01%		'
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	90.00%		'
Crops [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,880,245	[2]	2,666,857	[2]
Permanent Plantings [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	905,081	[2]	907,824	[2]
Livestock [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,247,390	[2]	1,246,105	[2]
Part-Time Farm [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	152,915	[2]	162,743	[2]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	120,876	[2]	170,918	[2]
Other Commodity [Member]	'		'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'		'
Financing Receivable, Gross	$7,930	[2]	$8,633	[2]
[1]	Geographic regions: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY); Southwest (AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, UT); Mid-North (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI); Mid-South (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX); Northeast (CT, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV); Southeast (AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN).
[2]	Amounts represent unpaid principal balance of risk-rated loans, which is the basis Farmer Mac uses to analyze its portfolio, and recorded investment of past due loans.

OffBalance_Sheet_Guarantees_an2

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Off-Balance Sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
		Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
		Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Farm & Ranch [Member]	Farm & Ranch [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Institutional Credit [Member]	Institutional Credit [Member]
				Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]			Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	'	$1,680,694	$1,766,982	$677,814	$765,751	$14,693	$20,222	$988,187	$981,009
Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Loans Past Due Period, Minimum	'90 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

OffBalance_Sheet_Guarantees_an3

Off-Balance Sheet Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Cash Flows from Off-balance sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage [Member]

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage [Member]

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities AgVantage [Member]

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities AgVantage [Member]

Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]

Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]

Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments On Or After January 1, 2003 [Member]

Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments On Or After January 1, 2003 [Member]

Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted

'

'

$1,680,694,000

$1,766,982,000

'

'

'

'

$2,300,000,000

$2,300,000,000

'

'

Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities

169,820,000

64,609,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Guarantee Fees Received

2,449,000

3,572,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to Acquire Loans and Leases Held-for-investment

0

-6,667,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value

'

'

$11,900,000

$13,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$27,100,000

$26,300,000

Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor

'

'

'

'

'12 years 2 months 12 days

'12 years 9 months 18 days

'2 years 8 months 8 days

'3 years 4 months 20 days

'14 years 3 months 18 days

'13 years 10 months 24 days

'

'

Equity_Narrative_Details

Equity - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
								class_of_stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Classes of Common Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3	'
Common stock dividend, per share, cash paid	$0.14	$0.14	$0.14	$0.12	$0.12	$0.12	$0.12	$0.42	$0.36
Common Class A, Voting [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Maximum Ownership Percentage by a Beneficial Owner	33.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	33.00%	'
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, shares issued	2,400,000	'	'	2,400,000	'	'	'	2,400,000	'
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	2,400,000	'	'	2,400,000	'	'	'	2,400,000	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5.88%	'
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.70
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$25	'	'	$25	'	'	'	$25	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$25	'	'	'	'	'	'	$25	'
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, shares issued	3,000,000	'	'	0	'	'	'	3,000,000	'
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	3,000,000	'	'	0	'	'	'	3,000,000	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6.88%	'
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.9	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$25	'	'	$0	'	'	'	$25	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$25	'	'	'	'	'	'	$25	'
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, shares issued	3,000,000	'	'	0	'	'	'	3,000,000	'
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	3,000,000	'	'	0	'	'	'	3,000,000	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6.00%	'
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1.60	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$25	'	'	$0	'	'	'	$25	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$25	'	'	'	'	'	'	$25	'
Retired Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$1,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,000	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$1,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,000	'
July 17, 2024, thereafter [Member] | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Variable Rate, Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3.26%	'

Equity_Noncontrolling_interest

Equity - Non-controlling interest (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2010	Jan. 25, 2010	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]	Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]	Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]	Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]	Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]	Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]	Non-controlling Interest - Preferred Stock [Member]	Non-controlling Interest - Preferred Stock [Member]
	Private Placement [Member]	Private Placement [Member]	Private Placement [Member]	March 30, 2015 To But Excluding March 30, 2020 [Member]	Issuance To But Excluding March 30, 2015 [Member]	March 30, 2020 and Thereafter [Member]
		Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction	$250,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction	'	250,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	'	'	$1,000	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	'	'	'	10.88%	8.88%	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Variable Rate, Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	8.21%	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	$6,000,000	$0

Equity_Capital_Requirements_De

Equity - Capital Requirements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Regulatory Capital Requirements [Abstract]	'	'
Capital Requirements, Minimum Capital, Percentage of Aggregate On-Balance Sheet Assets Included In Core Capital	2.75%	'
Excess Capital, Core Capital In Excess of Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$332.90	$192.20
Excess Capital, Core Capital In Excess of Critical Capital	547.1	391.4
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	428.4	398.5
Capital Required for Critical Capital Adequacy	214.2	199.3
Core Capital	761.3	590.7
Risk-based Capital Required for Regulatory Capital Adequacy	67.3	90.8
Regulatory Capital	771.9	604
Excess Capital, Regulatory Capital In Excess of Risk-Based Capital	$704.60	$513.20
Capital Requirements, Minimum Capital, Percentage of Aggregate Off-Balance Sheet Assets Included In Core Capital	0.75%	'
Capital Requirements, Critical Capital, Percentage of Core Capital of Total Minimum Capital	50.00%	'

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Narrati

Fair Value Disclosures - Narrative (Details) (Level 3 [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$5.10	$6.80
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Fair Value as Percent of Total Assets	35.00%	51.00%
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value as Percent of Total Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	58.00%	73.00%

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Fair_Va

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset	$5,743	$19,718
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901	0
Derivative Liability	40,207	64,388
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	3,353,345	3,193,248
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,182	2,617
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	0	0
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	0	0
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	6,066	6,238
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	5,304	4,420
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	762	1,818
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	6,066	6,238
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	5,304	4,420
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	762	1,818
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,005,720	755,633
Derivative Liability	21	1
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,657,922	1
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset	5,743	19,718
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	944,045	1,681,742
Derivative Liability	69,974	75,472
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	69,974	75,472
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	5,129,358	6,770,031
Derivative Liability	0	235
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	235
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset	5,743	19,718
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	7,079,123	9,207,406
Derivative Liability	69,995	75,708
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,727,896	75,708
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,005,720	755,633
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	938,302	1,662,024
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	41,738	66,418
Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,985,760	2,484,075
Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,730,845	1,612,013
Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,730,845	1,612,013
US Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901	'
US Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Securities sold, not yet purchased	0	'
US Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Securities sold, not yet purchased	0	'
US Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,005,720	755,633
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	938,302	1,662,024
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	40,961	65,490
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,984,983	2,483,147
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,687,881	1,553,669
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,687,881	1,553,669
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,356,775	5,091,600
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,356,775	5,091,600
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	40,774	65,285
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	40,774	65,285
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	108,325	166,104
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	108,325	166,104
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	10,126	109,769
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	10,126	109,769
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	635,651	621,064
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	187	205
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	635,838	621,269
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	63,385	63,385
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | GSE Subordinated Debt [Member} | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	63,385	63,385
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	75,015	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	75,015	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	30,081	55,141
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	30,081	55,141
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	8,271	8,657
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	8,271	8,657
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	78,500	83,161
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	78,500	83,161
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,963	30,681
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,963	30,681
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	'	524,062
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	'	524,062
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	930,705	755,633
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	930,705	755,633
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,336,326	5,070,366
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	3,336,326	5,070,366
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	20,449	21,234
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	20,449	21,234
Trading Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	777	928
Trading Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	777	928
Trading Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	42,964	58,344
Trading Securities [Member] | Senior Agency Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	42,964	58,344
Trading Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Trading Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	777	928
Trading Securities [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$777	$928

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Unobser

Fair Value Disclosures - Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	$5,176,636		$6,742,583		$6,770,031		$6,421,447
Purchases	392,975		423,872		1,017,519		1,282,189
Sales	14,550		0		26,675		0
Settlements	428,864		318,058		1,094,797		779,645
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-3,031		2,370		3,745		-15,615
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	6,192		-16,722		71,621		-74,331
Transfers Out	'		'		1,612,086		'
Ending Balance	5,129,358		6,834,045		5,129,358		6,834,045
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	'		390		235		691
Purchases	'		0		0		0
Sales	'		0		0		0
Settlements	'		0		0		0
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	'		61		235		362
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	'		0		0		0
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	0		329		0		329
Investment Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	56,051		66,374		66,418		64,406
Purchases	0		0		0		233
Sales	14,550		0		26,675		0
Settlements	134		164		559		673
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-426		69		-435		386
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	797		0		2,989		1,927
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	41,738		66,279		41,738		66,279
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Purchases	295,700		'		'		'
USDA Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Trading Securities, Unrealized Holding Loss	0		400		'		500
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains	'		'		700		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	1,683,029		1,617,356		1,612,013		1,590,783
Purchases	97,275		70,372		256,044		303,456
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	45,900		58,958		178,458		234,686
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-56		-695		161		-1,129
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	-3,503		935		41,085		-29,414
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	1,730,845		1,629,010		1,730,845		1,629,010
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	55,171		65,310		65,490		63,159
Purchases	0		0		0		233
Sales	14,550		0		26,675		0
Settlements	7		8		18		17
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-450		0		-825		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	797		0		2,989		1,927
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	40,961		65,302		40,961		65,302
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	3,437,556		5,058,853		5,091,600		4,766,258
Purchases	'		353,500		761,475		978,500
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	382,830		258,936		915,780		544,286
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-2,549		2,996		4,019		-14,872
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	8,898		-17,657		27,547		-46,844
Transfers Out	'		'		1,612,086		'
Ending Balance	3,356,775		5,138,756		3,356,775		5,138,756
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	1,636,930		1,543,764		1,553,669		1,486,595
Purchases	97,275		70,372		256,044		303,456
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	42,821		48,380		162,917		193,946
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	0		0		0		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	-3,503		935		41,085		-29,414
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	1,687,881		1,566,691		1,687,881		1,566,691
Trading Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	880		1,064		928		1,247
Purchases	0		0		0		0
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	127		156		541		656
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	24		69		390		386
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	0		0		0		0
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	777		977		777		977
Trading Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	46,099	[1]	73,592	[2]	58,344	[1]	104,188	[2]
Purchases	0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[1]	0	[2]
Sales	0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[1]	0	[2]
Settlements	3,079	[1]	10,578	[2]	15,541	[1]	40,740	[2]
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-56	[1]	-695	[2]	161	[1]	-1,129	[2]
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[1]	0	[2]
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	42,964	[1]	62,319	[2]	42,964	[1]	62,319	[2]
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	54,976		65,088		65,285		63,159
Purchases	0		0		0		0
Sales	14,550		0		26,675		0
Settlements	0		0		0		0
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-450		0		-825		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	798		0		2,989		1,929
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	40,774		65,088		40,774		65,088
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	195		222		205		0
Purchases	0		0		0		233
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	7		8		18		17
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	0		0		0		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	-1		0		0		-2
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	187		214		187		214
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Trading Securities [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	880	[3]	1,064	[4]	928	[3]	1,247	[4]
Purchases	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Sales	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Settlements	127	[3]	156	[4]	541	[3]	656	[4]
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	24	[3]	69	[4]	390	[3]	386	[4]
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	0	[3]	0	[4]	0	[3]	0	[4]
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	777	[3]	977	[4]	777	[3]	977	[4]
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Purchases	295,700		'		'		'
Institutional Credit [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	3,416,512		5,033,059		5,070,366		4,739,577
Purchases	'		353,500		761,475		978,500
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	382,630		258,522		915,218		542,974
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	-2,549		2,996		4,019		-14,872
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	9,293		-17,985		27,770		-47,183
Transfers Out	'		'		1,612,086		'
Ending Balance	3,336,326		5,113,048		3,336,326		5,113,048
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Purchases	0		'		'		'
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	21,044		25,794		21,234		26,681
Purchases	'		0		0		0
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	200		414		562		1,312
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	0		0		0		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	-395		328		-223		339
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	20,449		25,708		20,449		25,708
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Beginning Balance	'		390	[5]	235	[6]	691	[5]
Purchases	'		0	[5]	0	[6]	0	[5]
Sales	'		0	[5]	0	[6]	0	[5]
Settlements	'		0	[5]	0	[6]	0	[5]
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income	'		61	[5]	235	[6]	362	[5]
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income	'		0	[5]	0	[6]	0	[5]
Transfers Out	'		'		0		'
Ending Balance	$0	[6]	$329	[5]	$0	[6]	$329	[5]
[1]	Includes immaterial unrealized gains attributable to assets still held as of SeptemberB 30, 2014 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
[2]	Includes unrealized losses of $0.4B million attributable to assets still held as of SeptemberB 30, 2013 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
[3]	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of SeptemberB 30, 2014 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
[4]	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of SeptemberB 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
[5]	Unrealized gains are attributable to liabilities still held as of SeptemberB 30, 2013 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities."
[6]	{F|ahBzfndlYmZpbGluZ3MtaHJkcmoLEgZYTUxEb2MiXlhCUkxEb2NHZW5JbmZvOmE0YTcwMGFlNWM1ZTQxZDk4Y2JiMjRkYTQwZjcyOWYyfFRleHRTZWxlY3Rpb246QTE4MDE1NzQ1QUFGNTcwNDk2OTNBMjhBODhDMzcwM0MM}

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Quantit

Fair Value Disclosures - Quantitative Information (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability	40,207	64,388
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability	0	235
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	82.00%	82.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	92.00%	92.00%
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	87.70%	88.10%
Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	40,774	65,285
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Liability	'	235
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	12.20%	13.00%
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.70%	1.80%
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	20.90%	22.50%
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.70%	1.80%
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	16.60%	17.70%
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.70%	1.80%
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Trading, at fair value	777	928
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	10.00%	10.00%
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	187	205
Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	6.00%	6.00%
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	3,336,326	5,070,366
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	0.80%	0.90%
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	0.80%	0.90%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	8.00%	7.00%
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	2.20%	3.60%
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.20%	3.20%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	15.00%	14.00%
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.50%	1.80%
Institutional Credit [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.80%	1.90%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	6.00%	11.00%
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value	20,449	21,234
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable Securities	1,730,845	1,612,013
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.10%	1.20%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	0.00%	0.00%
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	5.20%	5.30%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	15.00%	23.00%
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.20%	3.40%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	6.00%	5.00%
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	0.60%	0.70%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	10.00%	10.00%
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	2.40%	2.30%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	11.00%	11.00%
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member] | Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.20%	1.30%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	10.00%	10.00%

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Summary

Fair Value Disclosures - Summary of Carrying Value and Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Financial derivatives	$5,743	$19,718
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901	0
Derivative Liability	40,207	64,388
Reported Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	627,670	749,313
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	1,630,427	0
Loans	3,353,345	3,193,248
Financial derivatives	5,743	19,718
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	400,012	261,760
Derivative Liability	69,995	75,708
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable Securities	1,985,760	2,484,075
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable Securities	5,009,406	5,091,600
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable Securities	1,730,845	1,612,013
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	28,065	27,244
Guarantee and commitment obligations:	27,102	26,293
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	14,013	16,660
Guarantee and commitment obligations:	11,855	13,374
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Due within one year [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable:	6,332,887	7,338,781
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable:	5,186,393	5,001,169
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Securities Sold, Not yet Purchased [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Securities sold, not yet purchased	1,657,901	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	627,670	749,313
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	1,630,078	0
Loans	3,372,470	3,138,932
Financial derivatives	5,743	19,718
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	398,445	257,512
Derivative Liability	69,995	75,708
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable Securities	1,985,078	2,484,075
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable Securities	5,013,038	5,091,600
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Marketable Securities	1,730,845	1,612,013
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	30,664	33,807
Guarantee and commitment obligations:	29,701	32,856
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	14,563	18,470
Guarantee and commitment obligations:	12,404	15,185
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Due within one year [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable:	6,341,896	7,353,356
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable:	5,237,130	4,977,942
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Securities Sold, Not yet Purchased [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$1,657,901	$0

Business_Segment_Reporting_Nar

Business Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total notes payable	$11,519,280,000	$12,339,950,000
Farmer Mac II LLC [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,800,000,000	'
Total notes payable	429,000,000	'
Preferred Stock outstanding	250,000,000	'
Common Stock outstanding	$1,000,000,000	'

Business_Segment_Reporting_Det

Business Segment Reporting - (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	$60,882	[1]	$62,975	[2]	$172,375	[1]	$186,218	[2]	'
Interest Income Reclassification	0		0		0		0		'
Total interest expense	48,886	[3]	34,787	[4]	126,114	[3]	101,499	[4]	'
Net effective spread	11,996		28,188		46,261		84,719		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	6,172		6,819		19,093		20,190		'
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	17,283	[5]	3,002	[6]	13,025	[5]	28,559	[6]	'
Noninterest Income	23,455		9,821		32,118		48,749		'
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	511		-499		-499		-598		'
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	-1,315		463		-2,188		1,034		'
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	8,410		7,978		25,086		24,452		'
Noninterest Expense	7,095	[7]	8,441	[7]	22,898	[7]	25,486	[7]	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	27,845		30,067		55,980		108,580		'
Income tax expense	7,564		8,226		55		29,978		'
Net income	20,281		21,841		55,925		78,602		'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	3,283		881		6,543		2,613		'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,412		5,547		16,778		16,641		'
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	11,586		15,413		32,604		59,348		'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	14,525,697		13,085,007		14,525,697		13,085,007		13,361,780
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	14,004,822		13,786,266		14,004,822		13,786,266		'
Farm & Ranch [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	20,052	[1]	16,398	[2]	57,988	[1]	47,860	[2]	'
Interest Income Reclassification	-508		-227		-1,552		-602		'
Total interest expense	11,337	[3]	8,191	[4]	33,295	[3]	22,967	[4]	'
Net effective spread	8,207		7,980		23,141		24,291		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,716		3,725		11,432		11,099		'
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	369	[5]	157	[6]	742	[5]	2,051	[6]	'
Noninterest Income	4,085		3,882		12,174		13,150		'
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	511		-499		-499		-598		'
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	-1,315		463		-2,188		1,034		'
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	3,797		3,600		11,263		11,199		'
Noninterest Expense	2,482	[7]	4,063	[7]	9,075	[7]	12,233	[7]	'
Segment core earnings before income taxes	9,299		8,298		26,739		25,806		'
Income tax expense	3,255		2,904		9,358		9,032		'
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	6,044		5,394		17,381		16,774		'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0		'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0		0		0		0		'
Segment core earnings	6,044		5,394		17,381		16,774		'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	2,428,603		2,003,547		2,428,603		2,003,547		'
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	5,314,437		5,035,748		5,314,437		5,035,748		'
USDA Guarantees [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	14,183	[1]	13,461	[2]	40,449	[1]	39,959	[2]	'
Interest Income Reclassification	0		'		0		0		'
Total interest expense	9,110	[3]	8,956	[4]	27,433	[3]	26,252	[4]	'
Net effective spread	5,073		4,505		13,016		13,707		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	49		30		98		105		'
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	13	[5]	241	[6]	49	[5]	758	[6]	'
Noninterest Income	62		271		147		863		'
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	0		0		0		0		'
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		'		0		0		'
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	747		711		2,242		2,168		'
Noninterest Expense	747	[7]	711	[7]	2,242	[7]	2,168	[7]	'
Segment core earnings before income taxes	4,388		4,065		10,921		12,402		'
Income tax expense	1,535		1,423		3,823		4,341		'
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	2,853		2,642		7,098		8,061		'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0		'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0		0		0		0		'
Segment core earnings	2,853		2,642		7,098		8,061		'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	1,772,333		1,674,309		1,772,333		1,674,309		'
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	1,759,948		1,676,793		1,759,948		1,676,793		'
Rural Utilities [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	6,703	[1]	8,933	[2]	21,228	[1]	26,903	[2]	'
Interest Income Reclassification	0		'		0		0		'
Total interest expense	3,813	[3]	5,959	[4]	13,395	[3]	17,690	[4]	'
Net effective spread	2,890		2,974		7,833		9,213		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	0		0		0		948		'
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	9	[5]	0	[6]	9	[5]	0	[6]	'
Noninterest Income	9		0		9		948		'
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	0		0		0		0		'
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		'		0		0		'
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	762		777		2,369		2,350		'
Noninterest Expense	762	[7]	777	[7]	2,369	[7]	2,350	[7]	'
Segment core earnings before income taxes	2,137		2,197		5,473		7,811		'
Income tax expense	749		769		1,917		2,734		'
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	1,388		1,428		3,556		5,077		'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0		'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0		0		0		0		'
Segment core earnings	1,388		1,428		3,556		5,077		'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	981,300		1,049,840		981,300		1,049,840		'
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	978,637		1,017,774		978,637		1,017,774		'
Institutional Credit [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	16,223	[1]	19,766	[1],[2]	51,244	[1]	58,393	[1],[2]	'
Interest Income Reclassification	0		'		0		0		'
Total interest expense	8,928	[3]	13,561	[3],[4]	30,020	[3]	40,348	[3],[4]	'
Net effective spread	7,295		6,205		21,224		18,045		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	2,915		3,291		9,115		8,640		'
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	0	[5]	0	[5],[6]	0	[5]	0	[5],[6]	'
Noninterest Income	2,915		3,291		9,115		8,640		'
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	0		0		0		0		'
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		'		0		0		'
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	478		445		1,415		1,345		'
Noninterest Expense	478	[7]	445	[7]	1,415	[7]	1,345	[7]	'
Segment core earnings before income taxes	9,732		9,051		28,924		25,340		'
Income tax expense	3,407		3,168		10,124		8,869		'
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	6,325		5,883		18,800		16,471		'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0		'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0		0		0		0		'
Segment core earnings	6,325		5,883		18,800		16,471		'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	5,016,670		5,144,693		5,016,670		5,144,693		'
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	5,951,800		6,055,951		5,951,800		6,055,951		'
Corporate [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	4,683	[1]	5,263	[2]	15,103	[1]	16,468	[2]	'
Interest Income Reclassification	0		'		0		0		'
Total interest expense	910	[3]	1,146	[4]	3,028	[3]	3,617	[4]	'
Net effective spread	3,773		4,117		12,075		12,851		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	0		0		0		0		'
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	-2,392	[5]	-825	[6]	-3,566	[5]	1,395	[6]	'
Noninterest Income	-2,392		-825		-3,566		1,395		'
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	0		0		0		0		'
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		'		0		0		'
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	2,626		2,445		7,797		7,390		'
Noninterest Expense	2,626	[7]	2,445	[7]	7,797	[7]	7,390	[7]	'
Segment core earnings before income taxes	-1,245		847		712		6,856		'
Income tax expense	-2,619		-2,001		-19,295		-5,625		'
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	1,374		2,848		20,007		12,481		'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	3,283		881		6,543		2,613		'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,412		5,547		16,778		16,641		'
Segment core earnings	-7,321		-3,580		-3,314		-6,773		'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	4,326,791		3,212,618		4,326,791		3,212,618		'
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	-962	[1]	-846	[2]	-13,637	[1]	-3,365	[2]	'
Interest Income Reclassification	508		227		1,552		602		'
Total interest expense	14,788	[3]	-3,026	[4]	18,943	[3]	-9,375	[4]	'
Net effective spread	-15,242		2,407		-31,028		6,612		'
Guarantee and commitment fees	-508		-227		-1,552		-602		'
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	19,284	[5]	3,429	[6]	15,791	[5]	24,355	[6]	'
Noninterest Income	18,776		3,202		14,239		23,753		'
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	0		0		0		0		'
(Release of)/provision for reserve for losses	0		0		0		0		'
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	0		0		0		0		'
Noninterest Expense	0	[7]	0	[7]	0	[7]	0	[7]	'
Segment core earnings before income taxes	3,534	[8]	5,609	[8]	-16,789	[8]	30,365	[8]	'
Income tax expense	1,237		1,963		-5,872		10,627		'
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	2,297	[8]	3,646	[8]	-10,917	[8]	19,738	[8]	'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0		'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0		0		0		0		'
Segment core earnings	2,297	[8]	3,646	[8]	-10,917	[8]	19,738	[8]	'
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'		'
Assets	0		0		0		0		'
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	$0		$0		$0		$0		'
[1]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts and interest income related to securities purchased under agreements to resell.
[2]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value to reflect core earnings amounts.
[3]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements. Includes reconciling adjustments for interest expense related to securities sold, not yet purchased.
[4]	Based on effective funding cost determined for each operating segment, including expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements.
[5]	Includes interest income and interest expense related to securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold, not yet purchased, respectively; reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets; and a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
[6]	Includes reconciling adjustments for the reclassification of expenses related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges and fair value adjustments on financial derivatives and trading assets. Also includes a reconciling adjustment related to the recognition of deferred gains over the estimated lives of certain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities.
[7]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on headcount.
[8]	NetB adjustments to reconcile core earnings before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends; and segment core earnings to corresponding income measures: income before income taxes, net income, and net income attributable to common stockholders, respectively.