Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM) 10-Q9 Aug 172017 Q2 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Aug. 01, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	845,877
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	AGM
Common Class A, Voting [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,030,780
Common Class B, Voting [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		500,301
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,073,002

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 319,993	$ 265,229
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	3,665,984	3,379,884
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,240,624	1,132,966
Allowance for loan losses	(6,138)	(5,415)
Total loans, net of allowance	4,900,470	4,507,435
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,374	1,528
Financial derivatives, at fair value	5,546	23,182
Interest receivable (includes $13,917 and $12,584, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	126,509	122,782
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	37,083	38,871
Deferred tax asset, net	3,688	12,291
Prepaid expenses and other assets	6,249	86,322
Total Assets	17,267,385	15,606,020
Notes payable:
Due within one year	7,859,059	8,440,123
Due after one year	7,281,509	5,222,977
Total notes payable	15,140,568	13,663,100
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,249,627	1,142,704
Financial derivatives, at fair value	34,114	58,152
Accrued interest payable (includes $11,787 and $10,881, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	63,960	49,700
Guarantee and commitment obligation	35,814	37,282
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	60,407	9,415
Reserve for losses	1,966	2,020
Total Liabilities	16,586,456	14,962,373
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	118,937	118,655
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	42,428	33,758
Retained earnings	304,201	275,714
Total Stockholders' Equity	680,929	643,425
Non-controlling interest	0	222
Total Equity	680,929	643,647
Total Liabilities and Equity	17,267,385	15,606,020
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	58,333	58,333
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,044	73,044
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock	73,382	73,382
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	9,073	9,008
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,363,805	2,515,851
Marketable Securities	2,363,805	2,515,851
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,282,562	4,853,685
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,137,786	1,149,231
Marketable Securities	7,420,348	6,002,916
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,066,026	2,009,225
Trading, at fair value	16,294	20,388
Marketable Securities	$ 2,082,320	$ 2,029,613

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 126,509	$ 122,782
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 63,960	$ 49,700
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	$ 25
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,000,000	3,000,000
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred stock, shares authorized	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	3,000,000	3,000,000
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	9,072,644	9,007,481
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 13,917	$ 12,584
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 11,787	$ 10,881

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Interest income:
Investments and cash equivalents	$ 8,368		$ 6,560		$ 15,611		$ 13,241
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities	50,106		37,299		92,628		72,809
Loans	39,573		33,377		76,425		65,077
Total interest income	98,047		77,236		184,664		151,127
Total interest expense	58,316		42,878		107,862		83,129
Net interest income	39,731		34,358		76,802		67,998
Provision for loan losses	(327)		(364)		(964)		(413)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	39,404		33,994		75,838		67,585
Non-interest income/(loss):
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,472	[1]	3,655	[2]	7,316	[3]	7,281	[4]
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities	(617)		(4,696)		1,869		(11,478)
(Losses)/gains on trading securities	(2)		394		(84)		752
Losses on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	0		0		0		(9)
Gains on sale of real estate owned	757		0		752		0
Other income	134		413		687		514
Non-interest income/(loss)	3,744		(234)		10,540		(2,940)
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits	6,682		5,611		12,999		11,385
General and administrative	3,921		3,757		7,721		7,283
Regulatory fees	625		612		1,250		1,225
Real estate owned operating costs, net	23		0		23		39
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	139		94		(54)		108
Non-interest expense	11,390	[5]	10,074	[6]	21,939	[7]	20,040	[8]
Income before income taxes	31,758		23,686		64,439		44,605
Income tax expense	11,124		8,400		21,910		15,735
Net income	20,634		15,286		42,529		28,870
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	150		16		165		44
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	20,784		15,302		42,694		28,914
Preferred stock dividends	(3,296)		(3,296)		(6,591)		(6,591)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 17,488		$ 12,006		$ 36,103		$ 22,323
Earnings per common share and dividends:
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.65	[9]	$ 1.15		$ 3.41	[10]	$ 2.13
Diluted earnings per common share	1.62000	[9]	1.13000		3.35000	[10]	2.07000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.36		$ 0.26		$ 0.72		$ 0.52

[1]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[2]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[3]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[4]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[5]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[6]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[7]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[8]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[9]	For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards."
[10]	For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards."

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net income	$ 20,634	$ 15,286	$ 42,529	$ 28,870
Other comprehensive income before taxes:
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	5,333	52,130	20,170	45,753
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(2,125)	(997)	(5,612)	(2,008)
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(1,848)	(2,976)	(1,219)	(7,739)
Other comprehensive income before tax	1,360	48,157	13,339	36,006
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income	(476)	(16,856)	(4,669)	(12,603)
Other comprehensive income net of tax	884	31,301	8,670	23,403
Comprehensive income	21,518	46,587	51,199	52,273
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	150	16	165	44
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 21,668	$ 46,603	$ 51,364	$ 52,317

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Beginning Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2015			8,400,000		10,687,000
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 553,720		$ 204,759		$ 10,687		$ 117,862		$ (11,019)		$ 231,228		$ 203
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Attributable to Farmer Mac	28,914		0		0		0		0		28,914		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	44		0		0		0		0		0		(44)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	23,403		0		0		0		23,403		0		0
Preferred stock	(6,591)		0		0		0		0		(6,591)		0
Common stock	(5,421)		0		0		0		0		(5,421)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		80,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 213		$ 0		$ 80		$ 133		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock				0		(307,000)
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock		(9,088)		$ 0		$ (307)		0		0		(8,781)		0
Stock-based compensation cost	1,788		0		0		1,788		0		0		0
Other stock-based award activity	(1,794)		0		0		(1,794)		0		0		0
Redemption of interest in subsidiary	53		$ 0		$ 0		0		0		0		53
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Jun. 30, 2016			8,400,000		10,460,000
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	585,153		$ 204,759		$ 10,460		117,989		12,384		239,349		212
Beginning Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2016			8,400,000		10,539,000
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	643,647		$ 204,759		$ 10,539		118,655		33,758		275,714		222
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Attributable to Farmer Mac	42,694		0		0		0		0		42,694		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	165		0		0		0		0		0		(165)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	8,670		0		0		0		8,670		0		0
Preferred stock	(6,591)		0		0		0		0		(6,591)		0
Common stock	(7,616)		0		0		0		0		(7,616)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		65,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 290		$ 0		$ 65		$ 225		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock		(668,000)
Stock-based compensation cost	1,784		0		0		1,784		0		0		0
Other stock-based award activity	(1,727)		0		0		(1,727)		0		0		0
Redemption of interest in subsidiary	(57)		$ 0		$ 0		0		0		0		(57)
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Jun. 30, 2017			8,400,000		10,604,000
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 680,929		$ 204,759		$ 10,604		$ 118,937		$ 42,428		$ 304,201		$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 42,529	$ 28,870
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	534	1,035
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs	11,479	16,143
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives	(12,122)	4,314
Gains on sale of real estate owned	(752)	0
Total provision for losses	910	521
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-Based Compensation	832	0
Deferred income taxes	2,095	(1,964)
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	100	9
Stock-based compensation expense	1,784	1,788
Proceeds from repayment of trading investment securities	0	325
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale	32,510	37,460
Net change in:
Interest receivable	(3,700)	6,300
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	320	536
Other assets	300	(54,970)
Accrued interest payable	14,260	285
Other liabilities	(488)	(1,777)
Net cash provided by operating activities	90,591	38,875
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of loans held for investment	(678,710)	(459,315)
Purchases of defaulted loans	(415)	(1,415)
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment	250,111	199,357
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	247,975	278,443
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned	6,144	0
Net cash used by investing activities	(1,428,004)	(173,829)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards	0	253
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts	(54,949)	(41,259)
Proceeds from common stock issuance	232	137
Tax payments related to share-based awards	(1,669)	(1,722)
Investment in subsidiary - non-controlling interest	0	53
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock	(14,207)	(12,012)
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,392,177	689,496
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	54,764	554,542
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	265,229	1,210,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	319,993	1,764,626
Medium-term Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	5,257,762	2,843,542
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(2,206,300)	(2,040,800)
Discount Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	27,501,915	48,914,061
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(29,090,607)	(48,963,471)
Investment Securities [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	(271,684)	(341,099)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	508,409	624,402
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	0	186,769
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	(2,108,174)	(1,506,177)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	618,340	845,206
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Common stock repurchased	$ 0	$ (9,286)

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Accounting Policies	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT 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 ("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, 2016 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2016 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 2016 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on March 9, 2017. That Form 10-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; Transfers of Financial Assets and Liabilities; Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities; Loans; Securitization of Loans; Real Estate Owned; Financial Derivatives; Notes Payable; Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve 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 months ended June 30, 2017 . Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its three subsidiaries during the quarter: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; (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; and (3) Contour Valuation Services, LLC (which began doing business as AgVisory during first quarter 2016), whose principal activity is to appraise agricultural real estate. On May 1, 2017, Farmer Mac transferred its entire 65% ownership interest in AgVisory back to the limited liability company as a company redemption in exchange for $5,000. Farmer Mac recognized a loss of approximately $0.1 million after-tax upon the transfer. 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 June 30, 2017 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 $ 1,240,624 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,240,624 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,249,627 — — — — 1,249,627 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 36,881 — — — 36,881 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 36,516 — — — 36,516 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 813,589 813,589 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 811,455 811,455 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 367,419 186,256 — — — 553,675 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $9.0 million . The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of June 30, 2017 . (2) Includes $0.4 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) 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, 2016 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 $ 1,132,966 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,132,966 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,142,704 — — — — 1,142,704 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 36,042 — 30,347 — 66,389 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 35,599 — 30,000 — 65,599 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 827,874 827,874 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 825,909 825,909 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 415,441 103,976 — 970,000 — 1,489,417 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $9.7 million , which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2016. (2) Includes $0.4 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $0.3 million . (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) 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. Statements of Cash Flows The following table sets forth information regarding certain cash and non-cash transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.2 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) Non-cash activity: Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation 5,261 — Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 247,975 278,443 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 161,880 255,781 Purchases of securities - traded not yet settled 50,000 224,990 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.3 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 (1) June 30, 2016 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 17,488 10,600 $ 1.65 $ 12,006 10,456 $ 1.15 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 183 (0.03 ) — 158 (0.02 ) Diluted EPS $ 17,488 10,783 $ 1.62 $ 12,006 10,614 $ 1.13 (1) For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, " Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, " on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards." (2) For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,907 and 229,693 , 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 June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892 , and 37,284 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met. For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (1) June 30, 2016 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 36,103 10,576 $ 3.41 $ 22,323 10,460 $ 2.13 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 207 (0.06 ) — 348 (0.06 ) Diluted EPS $ 36,103 10,783 $ 3.35 $ 22,323 10,808 $ 2.07 (1) For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, " Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, " on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards." (2) For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 37,832 and 215,547 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892 , and 37,284 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes. The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax, by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.4 As of June 30, 2017 As of June 30, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (4,742 ) $ 43,485 $ 2,801 $ 41,544 $ (14,180 ) $ (1,133 ) $ (3,604 ) $ (18,917 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 6,191 — (1,500 ) 4,691 36,469 — (2,267 ) 34,202 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2,725 ) (1,381 ) 299 (3,807 ) (2,585 ) (648 ) 332 (2,901 ) Net Comprehensive Income 3,466 (1,381 ) (1,201 ) 884 33,884 (648 ) (1,935 ) 31,301 Ending Balance $ (1,276 ) $ 42,104 $ 1,600 $ 42,428 $ 19,704 $ (1,781 ) $ (5,539 ) $ 12,384 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (14,387 ) $ 45,752 $ 2,393 $ 33,758 $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 18,413 — (1,426 ) 16,987 34,700 — (5,662 ) 29,038 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (5,302 ) (3,648 ) 633 (8,317 ) (4,961 ) (1,305 ) 631 (5,635 ) Net Comprehensive Income 13,111 (3,648 ) (793 ) 8,670 29,739 (1,305 ) (5,031 ) 23,403 Ending Balance $ (1,276 ) $ 42,104 $ 1,600 $ 42,428 $ 19,704 $ (1,781 ) $ (5,539 ) $ 12,384 The following table presents other comprehensive income activity, the impact on net income of amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, and the related tax impact for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.5 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income: Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on available-for-sale-securities $ 9,525 $ 3,334 $ 6,191 $ 56,107 $ 19,638 $ 36,469 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (4,186 ) (1,465 ) (2,721 ) (4,016 ) (1,405 ) (2,611 ) Other income (2) (6 ) (2 ) (4 ) 39 13 26 Total $ 5,333 $ 1,867 $ 3,466 $ 52,130 $ 18,246 $ 33,884 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (3) $ (2,125 ) $ (744 ) $ (1,381 ) $ (997 ) $ (349 ) $ (648 ) Total $ (2,125 ) $ (744 ) $ (1,381 ) $ (997 ) $ (349 ) $ (648 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges $ (2,309 ) $ (809 ) $ (1,500 ) $ (3,488 ) $ (1,221 ) $ (2,267 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) 461 162 299 512 180 332 Total $ (1,848 ) $ (647 ) $ (1,201 ) $ (2,976 ) $ (1,041 ) $ (1,935 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ 1,360 $ 476 $ 884 $ 48,157 $ 16,856 $ 31,301 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. (3) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income. (4) Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI. For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income: Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on available-for-sale-securities $ 28,328 $ 9,915 $ 18,413 $ 53,385 $ 18,685 $ 34,700 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (8,145 ) (2,851 ) (5,294 ) (7,939 ) (2,778 ) (5,161 ) Losses on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) — — — 9 3 6 Other income (3) (13 ) (5 ) (8 ) 298 104 194 Total $ 20,170 $ 7,059 $ 13,111 $ 45,753 $ 16,014 $ 29,739 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) $ (5,612 ) $ (1,964 ) $ (3,648 ) $ (2,008 ) $ (703 ) $ (1,305 ) Total $ (5,612 ) $ (1,964 ) $ (3,648 ) $ (2,008 ) $ (703 ) $ (1,305 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges (2,192 ) (766 ) $ (1,426 ) $ (8,710 ) $ (3,048 ) $ (5,662 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) 973 340 633 971 340 631 Total $ (1,219 ) $ (426 ) $ (793 ) $ (7,739 ) $ (2,708 ) $ (5,031 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ 13,339 $ 4,669 $ 8,670 $ 36,006 $ 12,603 $ 23,403 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents unrealized losses on sales of available-for-sale investment securities. (3) Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. (4) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income. (5) Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI. New Accounting Standards In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, “ Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which provides new guidance intended to simplify several aspects of accounting and presentation for employee share-based payment transactions. The ASU became effective for Farmer Mac on January 1, 2017. The adoption of the new guidance had the following effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows: • Consolidated Statements of Operations - The ASU requires the recognition of all net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards in the income tax provision. Previously, these amounts were recognized in additional paid-in capital. Net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards of $0.2 million and $0.8 million , respectively, were recognized as a reduction to income tax expense in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 in the consolidated statement of operations. Net tax benefits result from the excess of the tax deduction over the compensation expense recognized under GAAP for share-based compensation awards. That excess arises because the tax deduction is based upon the value of share-based awards upon their exercise (or vesting, in the case of restricted stock units), whereas the compensation expense under GAAP is based upon the value of the share-based awards upon their grant date. The ASU also changed the calculation of diluted earnings per share. GAAP requires the "treasury stock method" to determine the number of dilutive securities in calculating diluted earnings per share. The ASU changed the calculation of "assumed proceeds" under the treasury stock method to exclude the amount of net tax benefits that would have been recognized in additional paid-in capital under the previous accounting standard. This change in the calculation reduces the amount of shares assumed to have been repurchased under the treasury stock method, thus increasing the number of dilutive shares. Both of these changes in the guidance were applied prospectively beginning January 1, 2017 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 . For the three months ended June 30, 2017 , the change in the recognition of all net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards in the income tax provision resulted in an increase of $0.01 in both basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . For the six months ended June 30, 2017 , the change in the recognition of all net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards in the income tax provision resulted in an increase of $0.06 in basic earnings per share and $0.08 in diluted earnings per share. The change in the guidance for the calculation of diluted earnings per share had an immaterial impact on diluted earnings per share. Additionally, the ASU allows companies to choose to either include an estimate of forfeitures expected to occur in share-based compensation expense or account for them as they occur. Previously, GAAP required companies to include an estimate of forfeitures expected to occur in their share-based compensations expense. Farmer Mac has elected to account for forfeitures in compensation expense as they occur. The cumulative impact of the change in the treatment of forfeitures was not material for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 . • Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - The ASU requires excess tax benefits from share-based employee awards to be reported within operating activities. Previously, these cash flows were reported within financing activities. Farmer Mac has applied this guidance prospectively, resulting in an increase in net cash provided by operating activities and a corresponding decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $0.2 million and $0.8 million , respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 . The ASU requires employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax purposes to be reported within financing activities. Under the previous guidance, these cash flows were included in operating activities. These changes were required to be applied on a retrospective basis. As a result, the consolidated statement of cash flows for prior periods was revised, resulting in an increase in net cash provided by operating activities and a decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 , compared to previously reported amounts. The amount of employee taxes paid for shares withheld was $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, " Financial Instruments—Credit Losses," which will require entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will be required to use forward-looking information to form their credit loss estimates. The ASU will also require enhanced disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Farmer Mac is currently evaluating the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. That impact will primarily be from the new requirement to recognize all expected losses rather than just incurred losses as of the reporting date. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, " Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, " which shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium by requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The ASU does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	6 Months Ended
Investment Securities	Jun. 30, 2017
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 set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 2.1 As of June 30, 2017 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 19,700 $ — $ 19,700 $ — $ (1,182 ) $ 18,518 Floating rate asset-backed securities 37,751 (177 ) 37,574 2 (153 ) 37,423 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 94 — 10,094 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,351,804 2,529 1,354,333 2,822 (1,673 ) 1,355,482 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 488 2,358 2,846 2,333 — 5,179 Fixed rate senior agency debt 179,295 1 179,296 — (267 ) 179,029 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 758,766 38 758,804 — (724 ) 758,080 Total available-for-sale 2,357,804 4,749 2,362,553 5,251 (3,999 ) 2,363,805 Total investment securities $ 2,357,804 $ 4,749 $ 2,362,553 $ 5,251 $ (3,999 ) $ 2,363,805 (1) Fair value includes $4.7 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $144.9 million . As of December 31, 2016 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 19,700 $ — $ 19,700 $ — $ (1,970 ) $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities 44,442 (202 ) 44,240 1 (390 ) 43,851 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 41 — 10,041 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,359,700 2,827 1,362,527 1,768 (3,266 ) 1,361,029 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 538 2,582 3,120 4,505 — 7,625 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt 70,000 — 70,000 — (3,047 ) 66,953 Fixed rate senior agency debt 187,295 106 187,401 — (268 ) 187,133 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 821,619 359 821,978 47 (536 ) 821,489 Total available-for-sale 2,513,294 5,672 2,518,966 6,362 (9,477 ) 2,515,851 Total investment securities $ 2,513,294 $ 5,672 $ 2,518,966 $ 6,362 $ (9,477 ) $ 2,515,851 (1) Fair value includes $7.0 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $146.1 million . Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and three months ended June 30, 2016 . During the six months ended June 30, 2016 , Farmer Mac received proceeds of $186.8 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized gains of $0.1 million and gross realized losses of $0.1 million . As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 2.2 As of June 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 18,518 $ (1,182 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 33,372 (153 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 116,588 (254 ) 387,188 (1,419 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 758,080 (724 ) — — Fixed rate senior agency debt 179,029 (267 ) — — Total $ 1,053,697 $ (1,245 ) $ 439,078 $ (2,754 ) As of December 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ (1,970 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 4,654 (10 ) 38,077 (380 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 384,586 (1,030 ) 442,041 (2,236 ) Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — 66,953 (3,047 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 732,371 (536 ) — — Fixed rate senior agency debt 187,133 (268 ) — — Total $ 1,308,744 $ (1,844 ) $ 564,801 $ (7,633 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of market spreads and an increase in the levels of interest rates from the dates of acquisition to June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 June 30, 2017 , 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+." As of December 31, 2016 , 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 one that was rated " A- ." The unrealized losses were on 87 and 97 individual investment securities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of June 30, 2017 , 46 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $2.8 million . As of December 31, 2016 , 36 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $7.6 million . Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of June 30, 2017 that is, on average, approximately 99 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 maturity or changes in credit spreads. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Farmer Mac did not own any held-to-maturity or trading investment securities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of June 30, 2017 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 June 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 916,794 $ 915,808 0.82% Due after one year through five years 220,592 220,936 1.65% Due after five years through ten years 406,525 409,570 1.72% Due after ten years 818,642 817,491 1.64% Total $ 2,362,553 $ 2,363,805 1.34%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securitie

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 3.1 As of June 30, 2017 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,102,479 $ (1,574 ) $ 2,100,905 $ 5,907 $ (5,968 ) $ 2,100,844 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 36,516 365 36,881 85 (483 ) 36,483 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,138,995 (1,209 ) 2,137,786 5,992 (6,451 ) 2,137,327 USDA Securities 1,998,693 67,333 2,066,026 — (66,353 ) 1,999,673 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,137,688 $ 66,124 $ 4,203,812 $ 5,992 $ (72,804 ) $ 4,137,000 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 5,295,726 $ (162 ) $ 5,295,564 $ 32,981 $ (45,983 ) $ 5,282,562 Trading: USDA Securities $ 15,547 $ 1,180 $ 16,727 $ 61 $ (494 ) $ 16,294 As of December 31, 2016 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,115,465 $ (2,276 ) $ 1,113,189 $ 7,187 $ (3,175 ) $ 1,117,201 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 35,599 443 36,042 5 (239 ) 35,808 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 1,151,064 (1,833 ) 1,149,231 7,192 (3,414 ) 1,153,009 USDA Securities 1,935,440 73,785 2,009,225 — (95,590 ) 1,913,635 Total held-to-maturity $ 3,086,504 $ 71,952 $ 3,158,456 $ 7,192 $ (99,004 ) $ 3,066,644 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 4,889,007 $ (103 ) $ 4,888,904 $ 28,715 $ (63,934 ) $ 4,853,685 Trading: USDA Securities $ 19,360 $ 1,377 $ 20,737 $ 41 $ (390 ) $ 20,388 On October 1, 2016, Farmer Mac transferred $2.0 billion of USDA Securities and $32.8 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity to reflect Farmer Mac’s positive intent and ability to hold these securities until maturity or payoff. Farmer Mac transferred these securities at fair value as of the date of the transfer, which included a cost basis adjustment of unrealized appreciation in the amount of $73.1 million for the USDA Securities and $0.7 million for the Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. The accumulated unrealized appreciation was retained in accumulated other comprehensive income in the amount of $73.8 million , pre-tax. Farmer Mac accounts for held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. Both the cost basis adjustment and accumulated unrealized appreciation will be amortized as an adjustment to the yield on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities over the remaining term of the transferred securities. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows: Table 3.2 As of June 30, 2017 Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,447,267 $ (5,968 ) $ — $ — Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,869 (483 ) — — USDA Securities 1,909,400 (66,306 ) 91,364 (47 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 3,387,536 $ (72,757 ) $ 91,364 $ (47 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,787,931 $ (21,001 ) $ 966,689 $ (24,982 ) As of December 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 358,575 $ (3,175 ) $ — $ — Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,575 (239 ) — — USDA Securities 1,816,366 (95,582 ) 97,270 (8 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 2,205,516 $ (98,996 ) $ 97,270 $ (8 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 982,538 $ (18,482 ) $ 1,131,930 $ (45,452 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, as applicable. In addition, the unrealized losses on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities as of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 reflect their increased cost basis resulting from their transfer to held-to-maturity as of October 1, 2016, as described above. 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. The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 25 available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2017 . There were 14 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of June 30, 2017 . The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 22 available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2016. There were 7 unrealized losses from held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2016 . As of June 30, 2017 , 7 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $25.0 million . As of December 31, 2016 , 10 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $45.5 million . Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities and available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of either June 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016. 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, 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 June 30, 2017 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 3.3 As of June 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 287,343 $ 287,029 1.60 % Due after one year through five years 3,096,037 3,108,402 2.09 % Due after five years through ten years 885,908 892,382 2.69 % Due after ten years 1,026,276 994,749 1.83 % Total $ 5,295,564 $ 5,282,562 2.11 % As of June 30, 2017 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 855,465 $ 855,175 1.80 % Due after one year through five years 1,316,883 1,315,234 2.16 % Due after five years through ten years 188,751 182,992 3.04 % Due after ten years 1,842,713 1,783,599 3.32 % Total $ 4,203,812 $ 4,137,000 2.62 % As of June 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $16.7 million , a fair value of $16.3 million , and a weighted-average yield of 5.33 percent . As of December 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $20.7 million , a fair value of $20.4 million , and a weighted-average yield of 5.44 percent .

Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives	6 Months Ended
Financial Derivatives	Jun. 30, 2017
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, primarily 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. All financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. Changes in the fair values of financial derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges are reported in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " in the consolidated statements of operations . For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships, changes in the fair values of the hedged items, which are primarily fixed rate AgVantage securities and fixed rate medium-term notes, related to the risk being hedged are also reported in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " in the consolidated statements of operations . Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships are recorded in " Net interest income " in the consolidated statements of operations. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 the amount of interest expense recognized on those derivatives was $1.8 million and $5.0 million , respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , the amount of interest expense recognized on those derivatives was $4.1 million and $8.9 million , respectively. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedge accounting relationships, the effective portion of the derivative gain/loss is recorded in other comprehensive income and any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " in the consolidated statements of operations . Because the hedging instrument is an interest rate swap and the hedged forecasted transactions are future interest payments on variable-rate debt, amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified to " Total interest expense " in conjunction with the recognition of interest expense on the debt. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 , $0.5 million and $1.0 million , respectively, was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , $0.5 million and $1.0 million , respectively, was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense. As of June 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac expects to reclassify $1.2 million pretax, or $0.8 million after-tax, from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, to earnings over the next twelve months. This amount could differ from amounts actually recognized due to changes in interest rates, hedge de-designations, and the addition of other hedges subsequent to June 30, 2017 . During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 , there were no gains or losses from interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings because it became probable the original forecasted transaction would not occur. Fees that Farmer Mac receives upon the inception of swaps are also reported in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " in the consolidated statements of operations . These fees are offset dollar-for-dollar by the discount on the associated hedged debt. However, the swap fees are recognized immediately in (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities , whereas the offsetting discount on the hedged debt is amortized over the term of the debt as an adjustment to its yield. Thus, there is a timing difference between the recognition of the swap fees in (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities and the recognition of the discount in interest expense. There is also a presentation difference because the swap fees are included in (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities , whereas the amortization of the discount is included in interest expense. Additionally, the amount of swap fees varies depending upon the number of swaps initiated during a quarter. 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 June 30, 2017 and and December 31, 2016 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 4.1 As of June 30, 2017 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 2,003,581 $ 4,549 $ (9,832 ) 1.74% 1.13% 5.34 Receive fixed non-callable 1,431,700 97 (3,182 ) 1.11% 1.42% 1.99 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 277,000 496 (467 ) 2.11% 1.41% 6.57 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 353,534 174 (20,753 ) 3.89% 1.18% 6.71 Receive fixed non-callable 3,194,132 — — 1.02% 0.99% 0.70 Basis swaps 970,000 117 (10 ) 0.95% 1.14% 0.97 Treasury futures 14,600 120 — 126.36 Credit valuation adjustment (7 ) 130 Total financial derivatives $ 8,244,547 $ 5,546 $ (34,114 ) Collateral pledged — 25,066 Net amount $ 5,546 $ (9,048 ) As of December 31, 2016 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 1,642,609 $ 18,508 $ (18,909 ) 1.73% 0.90% 4.70 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 207,000 3,706 (955 ) 2.18% 1.11% 7.28 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 435,827 339 (32,951 ) 4.06% 0.89% 5.90 Receive fixed non-callable 4,991,821 607 (5,064 ) 0.74% 0.75% 0.60 Receive fixed callable 30,000 — (33 ) 0.82% 0.58% 0.33 Basis swaps 765,000 36 (243 ) 0.78% 0.78% 0.87 Treasury futures 28,000 — (155 ) 123.73 Credit valuation adjustment (14 ) 158 Total financial derivatives $ 8,100,257 $ 23,182 $ (58,152 ) Collateral pledged — 25,643 Net amount $ 23,182 $ (32,509 ) Table 4.2 (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps (1) $ (8,568 ) $ (14,440 ) $ (7,041 ) $ (41,339 ) Hedged items 9,988 16,541 4,584 46,329 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedges 1,420 2,101 (2,457 ) 4,990 Cash flow hedges: Loss recognized (ineffective portion) (146 ) (105 ) (175 ) (254 ) Losses on cash flow hedges (146 ) (105 ) (175 ) (254 ) No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps (1,648 ) (6,345 ) 5,036 (14,487 ) Agency forwards (189 ) 10 (588 ) (868 ) Treasury futures (54 ) (357 ) 53 (859 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships (1,891 ) (6,692 ) 4,501 (16,214 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities $ (617 ) $ (4,696 ) $ 1,869 $ (11,478 ) (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of June 30, 2017 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.3 million and gains of $2.3 million , respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were gains of $0.1 million and losses of 0.1 million , respectively. The comparable amounts as of June 30, 2016 were losses of $ 1.8 million and $3.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, gains of $0.3 million and $1.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , attributable to hedge ineffectiveness. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Farmer Mac's credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties, excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but including accrued interest, was $22.7 million and $24.5 million , respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, Farmer Mac's credit exposure was $0.3 million and $0.2 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of June 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac held no cash as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $0.3 million . As of December 31, 2016, Farmer Mac held no cash collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions, resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $0.2 million . As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 $65.4 million and $65.7 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 $32.8 million and $41.4 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Farmer Mac posted cash of $0.1 million and $25.0 million of investment securities as of June 30, 2017 and posted cash of $1.0 million and $24.6 million investment securities as of December 31, 2016. 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. Any 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements or post additional collateral of $7.7 million and $15.8 million , respectively. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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. For certain derivatives, Farmer Mac clears interest rate swaps through a clearinghouse, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME"). Farmer Mac posts initial and variation margins to this clearinghouse 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 $8.2 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of June 30, 2017 , $7.2 billion were cleared through swap clearinghouses. Of Farmer Mac's $8.1 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2016, $6.9 billion were cleared through swap clearinghouses. Effective January 3, 2017, the CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin. Specifically, the exchange of variation margin between derivatives counterparties is now deemed by CME to be a partial settlement of each respective derivative contract rather than as collateral pledged by a counterparty. Accordingly, beginning in first quarter 2017, Farmer Mac presented its cleared derivatives portfolio net of variation margin payments on its consolidated balance sheets and recognized realized gains or losses as a result of these payments within "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on its consolidated statements of operations. Prior to first quarter 2017, Farmer Mac accounted for variation margin as collateral and associated unrealized gains or losses on those centrally cleared derivative contracts. Farmer Mac included those unrealized gains or losses within "Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities" in its consolidated statements of operations prior to first quarter 2017. See Note 9 for information about the effect of this rule change on the calculation of core earnings beginning in 2017.

Loans and Allowance for Losses

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.1 As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 2,641,850 $ 1,240,624 $ 3,882,474 $ 2,381,488 $ 1,132,966 $ 3,514,454 Rural Utilities 1,024,130 — 1,024,130 999,512 — 999,512 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 3,665,980 1,240,624 4,906,604 3,381,000 1,132,966 4,513,966 Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments 4 — 4 (1,116 ) — (1,116 ) Total loans 3,665,984 1,240,624 4,906,608 3,379,884 1,132,966 4,512,850 Allowance for loan losses (4,947 ) (1,191 ) (6,138 ) (4,437 ) (978 ) (5,415 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,661,037 $ 1,239,433 $ 4,900,470 $ 3,375,447 $ 1,131,988 $ 4,507,435 (1) Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business. Allowance for Losses Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for losses presented in two components on its consolidated balance sheets: (1) an allowance for loan losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans held, and (2) a reserve for losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities). Farmer Mac's total allowance for losses was $8.1 million as of June 30, 2017 and $7.4 million as of December 31, 2016 . See Note 6 for more information about off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 5.2 As of June 30, 2017 As of June 30, 2016 Allowance Reserve Total Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 5,811 $ 1,827 $ 7,638 $ 4,529 $ 2,097 $ 6,626 Provision for/(release of) losses 327 139 466 364 94 458 Ending Balance $ 6,138 $ 1,966 $ 8,104 $ 4,893 $ 2,191 $ 7,084 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 5,415 $ 2,020 $ 7,435 $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 964 (54 ) 910 413 108 521 Charge-offs (241 ) — (241 ) — — — Ending Balance $ 6,138 $ 1,966 $ 8,104 $ 4,893 $ 2,191 $ 7,084 During second quarter 2017 , Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses of $0.3 million and $0.1 million , respectively. The provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during second quarter 2017 were primarily attributable an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans. The provision to the reserve for losses recorded during the second quarter 2017 was primarily attributable to an increase in the general reserve due to downgrades in risk ratings on certain unimpaired crop and permanent planting loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during second quarter 2017. During second quarter 2016 , Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.4 million and provisions to its reserve for losses of $0.1 million . The provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during second quarter 2016 were attributable to the establishment of a specific reserve for a long-standing impaired permanent planting loan due to collateral shortfalls relative to the unpaid principal balance and an increase in the specific allowance for on-balance sheet impaired loans resulting from a modest increase in the outstanding balance of such loans. The provisions to the reserve for losses recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2016 were attributable to an increase in the general allowance due to downgrades in risk rating on certain unimpaired crop loans and permanent planting loans underlying LTSPCs. The provisions were partially offset by a decrease in the general allowance of Agricultural Storage and Processing loans, both purchased and underlying LTSPCs, due to paydowns of these loans. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during second quarter 2016. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 by commodity type: Table 5.3 June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,562 $ 1,870 $ 1,379 $ 324 $ 472 $ 31 $ 7,638 Provision for/(release of) losses 173 294 (145 ) 73 86 (15 ) 466 Ending Balance $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 598 441 (128 ) (8 ) 25 (18 ) 910 Charge-offs (228 ) — (13 ) — — — (241 ) Ending Balance $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 June 30, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,892 $ 937 $ 1,763 $ 444 $ 587 $ 3 $ 6,626 Provision for/(release of) losses 219 207 143 3 (114 ) — 458 Ending Balance $ 3,111 $ 1,144 $ 1,906 $ 447 $ 473 $ 3 $ 7,084 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 320 213 125 39 (176 ) — 521 Ending Balance $ 3,111 $ 1,144 $ 1,906 $ 447 $ 473 $ 3 $ 7,084 The following tables present the unpaid principal balances of loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.4 As of June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,214,663 $ 711,209 $ 602,815 $ 225,948 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,777,204 Off-balance sheet 1,246,599 405,072 682,658 148,932 40,491 4,072 2,527,824 Total $ 3,461,262 $ 1,116,281 $ 1,285,473 $ 374,880 $ 53,999 $ 13,133 $ 6,305,028 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 58,659 $ 31,020 $ 8,634 $ 6,957 $ — $ — $ 105,270 Off-balance sheet 8,430 2,259 4,544 907 — 80 16,220 Total $ 67,089 $ 33,279 $ 13,178 $ 7,864 $ — $ 80 $ 121,490 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,273,322 $ 742,229 $ 611,449 $ 232,905 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,882,474 Off-balance sheet 1,255,029 407,331 687,202 149,839 40,491 4,152 2,544,044 Total $ 3,528,351 $ 1,149,560 $ 1,298,651 $ 382,744 $ 53,999 $ 13,213 $ 6,426,518 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,007 $ 896 $ 776 $ 190 $ 89 $ 9 $ 3,967 Off-balance sheet 487 328 202 54 469 5 1,545 Total $ 2,494 $ 1,224 $ 978 $ 244 $ 558 $ 14 $ 5,512 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 969 $ 933 $ 141 $ 128 $ — $ — $ 2,171 Off-balance sheet 272 7 115 25 — 2 421 Total $ 1,241 $ 940 $ 256 $ 153 $ — $ 2 $ 2,592 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,976 $ 1,829 $ 917 $ 318 $ 89 $ 9 $ 6,138 Off-balance sheet 759 335 317 79 469 7 1,966 Total $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 As of December 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,115,450 $ 569,360 $ 537,859 $ 183,660 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,426,768 Off-balance sheet 1,241,851 437,575 752,473 131,889 36,506 4,503 2,604,797 Total $ 3,357,301 $ 1,006,935 $ 1,290,332 $ 315,549 $ 48,051 $ 13,397 $ 6,031,565 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 41,648 $ 27,770 $ 10,658 $ 7,610 $ — $ — $ 87,686 Off-balance sheet 11,549 2,735 4,854 915 — — 20,053 Total $ 53,197 $ 30,505 $ 15,512 $ 8,525 $ — $ — $ 107,739 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,157,098 $ 597,130 $ 548,517 $ 191,270 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,514,454 Off-balance sheet 1,253,400 440,310 757,327 132,804 36,506 4,503 2,624,850 Total $ 3,410,498 $ 1,037,440 $ 1,305,844 $ 324,074 $ 48,051 $ 13,397 $ 6,139,304 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,000 $ 652 $ 735 $ 193 $ 22 $ 28 $ 3,630 Off-balance sheet 420 281 241 54 511 6 1,513 Total $ 2,420 $ 933 $ 976 $ 247 $ 533 $ 34 $ 5,143 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 613 $ 770 $ 270 $ 132 $ — $ — $ 1,785 Off-balance sheet 332 20 129 26 — — 507 Total $ 945 $ 790 $ 399 $ 158 $ — $ — $ 2,292 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,613 $ 1,422 $ 1,005 $ 325 $ 22 $ 28 $ 5,415 Off-balance sheet 752 301 370 80 511 6 2,020 Total $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.5 As of June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 9,011 $ 3,657 $ 1,204 $ 1,959 $ — $ — $ 15,831 Unpaid principal balance 9,016 3,657 1,204 1,960 — — 15,837 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 58,049 29,607 11,970 5,901 — 80 105,607 Unpaid principal balance 58,073 29,622 11,974 5,904 — 80 105,653 Associated allowance 1,241 940 256 153 — 2 2,592 Total: Recorded investment 67,060 33,264 13,174 7,860 — 80 121,438 Unpaid principal balance 67,089 33,279 13,178 7,864 — 80 121,490 Associated allowance 1,241 940 256 153 — 2 2,592 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 20,270 $ 25,838 $ 1,902 $ 4,771 $ — $ — $ 52,781 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $104.2 million ( 86 percent ) of impaired loans as of June 30, 2017 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.3 million . (2) Includes $11.3 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. As of December 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 20,761 $ 3,683 $ 1,054 $ 1,970 $ — $ — $ 27,468 Unpaid principal balance 20,816 3,688 1,055 1,975 — — 27,534 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 32,326 26,748 14,322 6,535 — — 79,931 Unpaid principal balance 32,381 26,817 14,457 6,550 — — 80,205 Associated allowance 945 790 399 158 — — 2,292 Total: Recorded investment 53,087 30,431 15,376 8,505 — — 107,399 Unpaid principal balance 53,197 30,505 15,512 8,525 — — 107,739 Associated allowance 945 790 399 158 — — 2,292 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 13,405 $ 10,785 $ 2,696 $ 5,256 $ — $ — $ 32,142 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $76.5 million ( 71 percent ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2016 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $1.6 million . (2) Includes $12.4 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 5.6 June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 65,295 $ 33,222 $ 12,557 $ 7,926 $ — $ 40 $ 119,040 Income recognized on impaired loans 160 68 22 71 — — 321 For the Six Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 61,226 $ 32,292 $ 13,497 $ 8,119 $ — $ 27 $ 115,161 Income recognized on impaired loans 462 220 199 174 — — 1,055 June 30, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 28,732 $ 24,133 $ 14,883 $ 8,772 $ — $ — $ 76,520 Income recognized on impaired loans 60 509 133 105 — — 807 For the Six Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 26,121 $ 29,673 $ 13,906 $ 9,111 $ 7,368 $ — $ 86,179 Income recognized on impaired loans 62 553 148 177 — — 940 For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 , the recorded investment of loans determined to be troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") was $0.2 million both before and after restructuring. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, there were no TDRs. As of June 30, 2017 and 2016, there were no TDRs identified during the previous 12 months that were in default under the modified terms. The impact of TDRs on Farmer Mac's allowance for loan losses was immaterial for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. When particular criteria are met, such as the default of the borrower, Farmer Mac becomes entitled to purchase the defaulted loans underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (commonly referred to as "removal-of-account" provisions). Farmer Mac records all such defaulted loans at their unpaid principal balance during the period in which Farmer Mac becomes entitled to purchase the loans and, therefore, regains effective control over the transferred loans. In accordance with the terms of all LTSPCs, Farmer Mac acquires loans that are either 90 days or 120 days delinquent (depending on the provisions of the applicable agreement) upon the request of the counterparty. Subsequent to the purchase, these defaulted loans are treated as nonaccrual loans and, therefore, interest is accounted for on the cash basis. Any decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.7 For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ — $ — $ 311 $ 1,267 Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) 104 — 104 148 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 104 — 415 1,415 Contractually required payments receivable 105 — 416 1,435 Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition — 208 — 208 Recovery/release of allowance for all outstanding acquired defaulted loans 128 6 142 10 Number of defaulted loans purchased 1 — 4 5 As of June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 14,156 $ 14,669 Carrying amount 12,969 13,069 Net credit losses and 90 -day delinquencies as of and for the periods indicated for loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet securities representing interests in pools of eligible Farm & Ranch loans ("Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities") and LTSPCs are presented in the table below. As of June 30, 2017 , there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac had not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans. Table 5.8 90-Day Delinquencies (1) Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses As of For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 41,433 $ 19,757 $ (488 ) $ 39 Total on-balance sheet $ 41,433 $ 19,757 $ (488 ) $ 39 Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 468 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 468 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total $ 41,901 $ 21,038 $ (488 ) $ 39 (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, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan. Of the $41.4 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of June 30, 2017 , $1.4 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Of the $19.8 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of December 31, 2016 , $0.1 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Credit Quality Indicators 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.9 As of June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 2,167,881 $ 710,339 $ 579,367 $ 220,707 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,700,863 Special mention (2) 46,782 870 23,448 5,241 — — 76,341 Substandard (3) 58,659 31,020 8,634 6,957 — — 105,270 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,273,322 $ 742,229 $ 611,449 $ 232,905 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,882,474 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,184,805 $ 365,541 $ 658,528 $ 143,232 $ 38,680 $ 3,589 $ 2,394,375 Special mention (2) 36,862 11,102 13,478 1,348 — 8 62,798 Substandard (3) 33,362 30,688 15,196 5,259 1,811 555 86,871 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,255,029 $ 407,331 $ 687,202 $ 149,839 $ 40,491 $ 4,152 $ 2,544,044 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,352,686 $ 1,075,880 $ 1,237,895 $ 363,939 $ 52,188 $ 12,650 $ 6,095,238 Special mention (2) 83,644 11,972 36,926 6,589 — 8 139,139 Substandard (3) 92,021 61,708 23,830 12,216 1,811 555 192,141 Total $ 3,528,351 $ 1,149,560 $ 1,298,651 $ 382,744 $ 53,999 $ 13,213 $ 6,426,518 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 18,878 $ 18,569 $ 966 $ 3,020 $ — $ — $ 41,433 Off-balance sheet — — — 468 — — 468 90 days or more past due $ 18,878 $ 18,569 $ 966 $ 3,488 $ — $ — $ 41,901 (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, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 2,080,227 $ 568,221 $ 504,784 $ 179,288 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,352,959 Special mention (2) 35,223 1,139 33,075 4,372 — — 73,809 Substandard (3) 41,648 27,770 10,658 7,610 — — 87,686 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,157,098 $ 597,130 $ 548,517 $ 191,270 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,514,454 Off-Balance Sheet Acceptable $ 1,201,144 $ 403,256 $ 724,056 $ 125,440 $ 34,537 $ 3,916 $ 2,492,349 Special mention (2) 20,422 16,881 15,341 2,344 — 6 54,994 Substandard (3) 31,834 20,173 17,930 5,020 1,969 581 77,507 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,253,400 $ 440,310 $ 757,327 $ 132,804 $ 36,506 $ 4,503 $ 2,624,850 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,281,371 $ 971,477 $ 1,228,840 $ 304,728 $ 46,082 $ 12,810 $ 5,845,308 Special mention (2) 55,645 18,020 48,416 6,716 — 6 128,803 Substandard (3) 73,482 47,943 28,588 12,630 1,969 581 165,193 Total $ 3,410,498 $ 1,037,440 $ 1,305,844 $ 324,074 $ 48,051 $ 13,397 $ 6,139,304 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 13,449 $ 3,245 $ 669 $ 2,394 $ — $ — $ 19,757 Off-balance sheet 373 407 38 463 — — 1,281 90 days or more past due $ 13,822 $ 3,652 $ 707 $ 2,857 $ — $ — $ 21,038 (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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 5.10 As of June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,528,351 $ 3,410,498 Permanent plantings 1,149,560 1,037,440 Livestock 1,298,651 1,305,844 Part-time farm 382,744 324,074 Ag. Storage and Processing 53,999 48,051 Other 13,213 13,397 Total $ 6,426,518 $ 6,139,304 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 706,366 $ 657,403 Southwest 1,898,171 1,791,745 Mid-North 2,196,291 2,104,867 Mid-South 860,428 837,121 Northeast 259,254 229,679 Southeast 506,008 518,489 Total $ 6,426,518 $ 6,139,304 By original loan-to-value ratio (2) : 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,250,561 $ 1,220,432 40.01% to 50.00% 1,607,806 1,466,047 50.01% to 60.00% 2,170,648 2,078,099 60.01% to 70.00% 1,149,539 1,167,395 70.01% to 80.00% 220,932 191,664 80.01% to 90.00% 27,032 15,667 Total $ 6,426,518 $ 6,139,304 (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) As of second quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its calculation of the original loan-to-value ratio of a loan to combine for any cross-collateralized loans: (i) the original loan principal balance amounts in the numerator and (ii) the original appraised property values in the denominator. In previous periods, the ratio was calculated on a loan-by-loan basis without considering the effects of any cross-collateralization. Prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period calculation and presentation. 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.

Guarantees and Long Term Standb

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments	6 Months Ended
Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments	Jun. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments Disclosure	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 or the Rural Utilities lines of business. 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities $ 367,419 $ 415,441 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 186,256 103,976 Institutional Credit: AgVantage Securities 13,214 983,214 Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility (1) 300,000 300,000 Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 866,889 $ 1,802,631 (1) Relates to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility subject to specified contractual terms. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility. 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 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 247,975 $ 278,443 Guarantee fees received 1,701 1,823 Purchases of assets from the trusts (104 ) (1,267 ) 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 $4.0 million as of June 30, 2017 and $5.5 million as of December 31, 2016 . As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 10.4 years and 10.7 years , respectively. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 1.4 years and 0.7 years , respectively. Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments An LTSPC is a commitment by Farmer Mac to purchase eligible loans from an identified pool of loans under specified circumstances set forth in the applicable agreement, either for cash or in exchange for Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, on one or more undetermined future dates. 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 $3.0 billion as of June 30, 2017 and $3.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 . As of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was 15.1 years . 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 $31.8 million as of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .

Equity

Equity	6 Months Ended
Equity	Jun. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Equity Disclosure	EQUITY Common Stock On September 8, 2015, Farmer Mac's board of directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing Farmer Mac to repurchase up to $25 million of its outstanding Class C non-voting common stock through September 8, 2017. As of June 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac had repurchased approximately 668,000 shares of Class C non-voting common stock at a cost of approximately $19.6 million pursuant to the share repurchase program. In August 2017, Farmer Mac's board of directors approved the continuation of the share repurchase program on its existing terms through August 2019 for the repurchase of up to $5.4 million of Farmer Mac's outstanding Class C non-voting common stock, which is the amount currently remaining under the share repurchase program originally authorized in third quarter 2015. Capital Requirements Farmer Mac is subject to the following 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) 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"), an independent agency in the executive branch of the United States government that regulates Farmer Mac, 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 both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the minimum capital requirement was greater than the risk-based capital requirement. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. As of June 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $504.4 million and its core capital level was $638.5 million , which was $134.1 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. As of December 31, 2016, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $466.5 million and its core capital level was $609.7 million , which was $143.2 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. In accordance with FCA's rule on Farmer Mac's capital planning, and as part of Farmer Mac's capital plan, Farmer Mac has adopted a policy for maintaining a sufficient level of Tier 1 capital (consisting of retained earnings, paid-in-capital, common stock, and qualifying preferred stock) and imposing restrictions on Tier 1-eligible dividends and any discretionary bonus payments in the event that this capital falls below specified thresholds.

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	6 Months Ended
Fair Value Disclosures	Jun. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosure	FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES As of June 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $5.3 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 31 percent of total assets and 69 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of June 30, 2017 . As of December 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $4.9 billion whose fair values were estimated by management in the absence of readily determinable fair values. These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 31 percent of total assets and 65 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2016 . 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. During the first half of 2017 there was one transfer within fair value hierarchy from Level 2 to Level 3 for the fair value measurement of a fixed-rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed security (interest only strip). The transfer to Level 3 was because unobservable inputs became significant to the overall estimate of the fair value of the security as of March 31, 2017. 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 half of 2016 . See Note 3 for information about the transfer of available-for-sale USDA and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA securities to held-to-maturity as of October 1, 2016. The following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , 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 June 30, 2017 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 $ — $ — $ 18,518 $ 18,518 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 37,423 — 37,423 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 10,094 — 10,094 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,355,482 — 1,355,482 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 528 4,651 5,179 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — — — Fixed rate senior agency debt — 179,029 — 179,029 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 758,080 — — 758,080 Total Investment Securities 758,080 1,582,556 23,169 2,363,805 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,282,562 5,282,562 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,282,562 5,282,562 USDA Securities: Trading — — 16,294 16,294 Total USDA Securities — — 16,294 16,294 Financial derivatives 120 5,426 — 5,546 Total Assets at fair value $ 758,200 $ 1,587,982 $ 5,322,025 $ 7,668,207 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ — $ 34,114 $ — $ 34,114 Total Liabilities at fair value $ — $ 34,114 $ — $ 34,114 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 1,135 $ 1,135 REO — — 1,374 1,374 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 2,509 $ 2,509 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2016 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 $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 43,851 — 43,851 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 10,041 — 10,041 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,361,029 — 1,361,029 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,625 — 7,625 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — 66,953 — 66,953 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 187,133 — 187,133 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 821,489 — — 821,489 Total Investment Securities 821,489 1,676,632 17,730 2,515,851 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 4,853,685 4,853,685 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 4,853,685 4,853,685 USDA Securities: Trading — — 20,388 20,388 Total USDA Securities — — 20,388 20,388 Financial derivatives — 23,182 — 23,182 Total Assets at fair value $ 821,489 $ 1,699,814 $ 4,891,803 $ 7,413,106 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 155 $ 57,997 $ — $ 58,152 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 155 $ 57,997 $ — $ 58,152 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 2,799 $ 2,799 REO — — 349 349 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 3,148 $ 3,148 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 and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Table 8.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning Transfers in Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 18,124 — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 394 $ 18,518 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 4,819 — — — (111 ) — (57 ) 4,651 Total available-for-sale 22,943 — — — (111 ) — 337 23,169 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 5,243,046 — 194,288 — (165,248 ) 9,552 924 5,282,562 Total available-for-sale 5,243,046 — 194,288 — (165,248 ) 9,552 924 5,282,562 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 53,506 (53,506 ) — — — — Trading (1) 18,602 — — — (2,306 ) (2 ) — 16,294 Total USDA Securities 18,602 — 53,506 (53,506 ) (2,306 ) (2 ) — 16,294 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,284,591 $ — $ 247,794 $ (53,506 ) $ (167,665 ) $ 9,550 $ 1,261 $ 5,322,025 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2017 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 17,730 — — — — — 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 383 — — (120 ) 18 — 281 Total trading 383 — — (120 ) 18 — 281 Total Investment Securities 18,113 — — (120 ) 18 — 18,011 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,534,810 163,845 — (16,699 ) 13,137 2,491 4,697,584 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,694 4,100 — (2,238 ) — 891 33,447 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,565,504 167,945 — (18,937 ) 13,137 3,382 4,731,031 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,908,014 129,645 (19,014 ) (97,303 ) — 46,417 1,967,759 Trading (2) 26,869 — — (2,459 ) 377 — 24,787 Total USDA Securities 1,934,883 129,645 (19,014 ) (99,762 ) 377 46,417 1,992,546 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,518,500 $ 297,590 $ (19,014 ) $ (118,819 ) $ 13,532 $ 49,799 $ 6,741,588 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 and are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.3 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning Transfers in Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 788 $ 18,518 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,041 — — (223 ) — (2,167 ) 4,651 Total available-for-sale 17,730 7,041 — — (223 ) — (1,379 ) 23,169 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,853,685 — 733,815 — (327,155 ) 6,337 15,880 5,282,562 Total available-for-sale 4,853,685 — 733,815 — (327,155 ) 6,337 15,880 5,282,562 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 86,095 (86,095 ) — — — — Trading (1) 20,388 — — — (4,010 ) (84 ) — 16,294 Total USDA Securities 20,388 — 86,095 (86,095 ) (4,010 ) (84 ) — 16,294 Total Assets at fair value $ 4,891,803 $ 7,041 $ 819,910 $ (86,095 ) $ (331,388 ) $ 6,253 $ 14,501 $ 5,322,025 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $7,000 attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2017 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized(Losses)/Gains Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 $ — $ (26,806 ) $ — $ 6 $ (394 ) $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (394 ) 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (326 ) 116 — 281 Total trading 491 — — (326 ) 116 — 281 Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (326 ) 122 (394 ) 18,011 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 1,079,376 — (529,229 ) 37,435 (11,242 ) 4,697,584 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,361 4,100 — (2,736 ) — 722 33,447 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,152,605 1,083,476 — (531,965 ) 37,435 (10,520 ) 4,731,031 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 228,613 (22,662 ) (181,490 ) — 54,954 1,967,759 Trading (2) 28,975 — — (4,824 ) 636 — 24,787 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 228,613 (22,662 ) (186,314 ) 636 54,954 1,992,546 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,312,089 $ (49,468 ) $ (718,605 ) $ 38,193 $ 44,040 $ 6,741,588 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 and are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.6 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Table 8.3 As of June 30, 2017 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 $ 18,518 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 94.0% - 94.0% (94.0%) Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities $ 4,651 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.6% CPR 0 % Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,282,562 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.9% - 3.1% (2.1%) USDA Securities $ 16,294 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.7% - 5.2% (5.0%) CPR 9% - 19% (18%) As of December 31, 2016 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 $ 17,730 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 90.0% - 90.0% (90.0%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 4,853,685 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.5% - 3.3% (1.9%) USDA Securities $ 20,388 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 4.0% - 5.3% (5.0%) CPR 13% - 18% (17%) 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 8.4 As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 319,993 $ 319,993 $ 265,229 $ 265,229 Investment securities 2,363,805 2,363,805 2,515,851 2,515,851 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 7,419,889 7,420,348 6,006,694 6,002,916 USDA Securities 2,016,660 2,082,320 1,934,023 2,029,613 Loans 4,892,895 4,900,470 4,481,019 4,507,435 Financial derivatives 5,546 5,546 23,182 23,182 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 32,687 32,638 34,720 32,656 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,740 4,445 6,197 6,215 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 7,853,621 7,859,059 8,439,515 8,440,123 Due after one year 7,338,172 7,281,509 5,260,497 5,222,977 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 1,221,460 1,249,627 1,107,513 1,142,704 Financial derivatives 34,114 34,114 58,152 58,152 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 31,896 31,846 33,860 31,796 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,263 3,968 5,467 5,486 The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for level 3 financial instruments are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.

Business Segment Reporting

Business Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
Business Segment Reporting	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Reporting Disclosure	BUSINESS SEGMENT REPORTING The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 9.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 13,338 $ 5,176 $ 3,003 $ 15,431 $ 2,783 $ — $ 39,731 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (2,007 ) (495 ) (267 ) (1,036 ) (316 ) 4,121 — Net effective spread 11,331 4,681 2,736 14,395 2,467 4,121 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 4,191 99 487 165 — (1,470 ) 3,472 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 994 11 5 — (450 ) (288 ) 272 Non-interest income/(loss) 5,185 110 492 165 (450 ) (1,758 ) 3,744 Provision for loan losses (327 ) — — — — — (327 ) Provision for reserve for losses (139 ) — — — — — (139 ) Other non-interest expense (4,446 ) (1,166 ) (643 ) (1,622 ) (3,374 ) — (11,251 ) Non-interest expense (5) (4,585 ) (1,166 ) (643 ) (1,622 ) (3,374 ) — (11,390 ) Core earnings before income taxes 11,604 3,625 2,585 12,938 (1,357 ) 2,363 (6) 31,758 Income tax (expense)/benefit (4,061 ) (1,269 ) (905 ) (4,528 ) 466 (827 ) (11,124 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 7,543 2,356 1,680 8,410 (891 ) 1,536 (6) 20,634 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,296 ) — (3,296 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 150 — 150 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 7,543 $ 2,356 $ 1,680 $ 8,410 $ (4,037 ) $ 1,536 (6) $ 17,488 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,958,344 $ 2,141,569 $ 1,038,383 $ 7,425,774 $ 2,703,315 $ — $ 17,267,385 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,426,518 $ 2,237,013 $ 1,883,909 $ 7,711,418 — $ 18,258,858 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. In 2016 and prior periods, fair value adjustments on financial derivatives included variation margin payment amounts because those amounts were considered to be collateral of the related exposure and were accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. However, effective first quarter 2017, CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin, whereby variation margin payments are considered to be a partial settlement of the respective derivatives contracts rather than as pledged collateral, and accounted for as realized gains and losses. See Note 4 for more information about this rule change. Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are now accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the CME rule change, their economic character will remain the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in 2017, this reconciling adjustment includes realized gains and losses on financial derivatives centrally cleared through CME resulting from the exchange of variation margin. As a result, core earnings subsequent to 2016 will be presented on a consistent basis with core earnings in 2016 and prior periods. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 11,606 $ 4,938 $ 2,855 $ 12,109 $ 2,850 $ — $ 34,358 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (1,731 ) (350 ) (293 ) (702 ) (256 ) 3,332 — Net effective spread 9,875 4,588 2,562 11,407 2,594 3,332 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 3,965 14 373 458 — (1,155 ) 3,655 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 78 25 — — (228 ) (3,764 ) (3,889 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 4,043 39 373 458 (228 ) (4,919 ) (234 ) Provision for loan losses (364 ) — — — — — (364 ) Provision for reserve for losses (94 ) — — — — — (94 ) Other non-interest expense (4,112 ) (1,092 ) (830 ) (538 ) (3,408 ) — (9,980 ) Non-interest expense (5) (4,206 ) (1,092 ) (830 ) (538 ) (3,408 ) — (10,074 ) Core earnings before income taxes 9,348 3,535 2,105 11,327 (1,042 ) (1,587 ) (6) 23,686 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,272 ) (1,237 ) (737 ) (3,964 ) 254 556 (8,400 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 6,076 2,298 1,368 7,363 (788 ) (1,031 ) (6) 15,286 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,296 ) — (3,296 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 16 — 16 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 6,076 $ 2,298 $ 1,368 $ 7,363 $ (4,068 ) $ (1,031 ) (6) $ 12,006 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,311,270 $ 2,046,516 $ 1,023,630 $ 6,071,924 $ 4,369,850 $ — $ 16,823,190 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 5,830,533 $ 1,960,358 $ 1,934,473 $ 7,391,172 — $ 17,116,536 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 26,092 $ 10,459 $ 5,951 $ 28,933 $ 5,367 $ — $ 76,802 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (4,077 ) (1,075 ) (576 ) (1,957 ) (641 ) 8,326 — Net effective spread 22,015 9,384 5,375 26,976 4,726 8,326 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 8,486 173 979 620 — (2,942 ) 7,316 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 1,188 25 10 — 393 1,608 3,224 Non-interest income/(loss) 9,674 198 989 620 393 (1,334 ) 10,540 Provision for loan losses (964 ) — — — — — (964 ) Release of reserve for losses 54 — — — — — 54 Other non-interest expense (8,511 ) (2,253 ) (1,230 ) (3,143 ) (6,856 ) — (21,993 ) Non-interest expense (5) (8,457 ) (2,253 ) (1,230 ) (3,143 ) (6,856 ) — (21,939 ) Core earnings before income taxes 22,268 7,329 5,134 24,453 (1,737 ) 6,992 (6) 64,439 Income tax (expense)/benefit (7,793 ) (2,565 ) (1,797 ) (8,558 ) 1,251 (2,448 ) (21,910 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 14,475 4,764 3,337 15,895 (486 ) 4,544 (6) 42,529 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (6,591 ) — (6,591 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 165 — 165 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 14,475 $ 4,764 $ 3,337 $ 15,895 $ (6,912 ) $ 4,544 (6) $ 36,103 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,958,344 $ 2,141,569 $ 1,038,383 $ 7,425,774 $ 2,703,315 $ — $ 17,267,385 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,426,518 $ 2,237,013 $ 1,883,909 $ 7,711,418 — $ 18,258,858 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. In 2016 and prior periods, fair value adjustments on financial derivatives included variation margin payment amounts because those amounts were considered to be collateral of the related exposure and were accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. However, effective first quarter 2017, CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin, whereby variation margin payments are considered to be a partial settlement of the respective derivatives contracts rather than as pledged collateral, and accounted for as realized gains and losses. See Note 4 for more information about this rule change. Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are now accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the CME rule change, their economic character will remain the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in 2017, this reconciling adjustment includes realized gains and losses on financial derivatives centrally cleared through CME resulting from the exchange of variation margin. As a result, core earnings subsequent to 2016 will be presented on a consistent basis with core earnings in 2016 and prior periods. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 22,733 $ 9,990 $ 5,719 $ 23,858 $ 5,698 $ — $ 67,998 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (3,397 ) (1,094 ) (619 ) (1,361 ) (552 ) 7,023 — Net effective spread 19,336 8,896 5,100 22,497 5,146 7,023 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 7,874 21 668 916 — (2,198 ) 7,281 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 175 83 — — (900 ) (9,579 ) (10,221 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 8,049 104 668 916 (900 ) (11,777 ) (2,940 ) Provision for loan losses (413 ) — — — — — (413 ) Provision for reserve for losses (108 ) — — — — — (108 ) Other non-interest expense (8,273 ) (2,185 ) (1,661 ) (1,077 ) (6,736 ) — (19,932 ) Non-interest expense (5) (8,381 ) (2,185 ) (1,661 ) (1,077 ) (6,736 ) — (20,040 ) Core earnings before income taxes 18,591 6,815 4,107 22,336 (2,490 ) (4,754 ) (6) 44,605 Income tax (expense)/benefit (6,508 ) (2,385 ) (1,438 ) (7,816 ) 747 1,665 (15,735 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 12,083 4,430 2,669 14,520 (1,743 ) (3,089 ) (6) 28,870 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (6,591 ) — (6,591 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 44 — 44 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 12,083 $ 4,430 $ 2,669 $ 14,520 $ (8,290 ) $ (3,089 ) (6) $ 22,323 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,311,270 $ 2,046,516 $ 1,023,630 $ 6,071,924 $ 4,369,850 $ — $ 16,823,190 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 5,830,533 $ 1,960,358 $ 1,934,473 $ 7,391,172 — $ 17,116,536 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.

Accounting Policies - Accounti

Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Account Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT 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 ("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, 2016 consolidated balance sheet presented in this report has been derived from Farmer Mac's audited 2016 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 2016 consolidated financial statements of Farmer Mac and subsidiaries included in Farmer Mac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on March 9, 2017. That Form 10-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; Transfers of Financial Assets and Liabilities; Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities; Loans; Securitization of Loans; Real Estate Owned; Financial Derivatives; Notes Payable; Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve 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 months ended June 30, 2017 .
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its three subsidiaries during the quarter: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; (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; and (3) Contour Valuation Services, LLC (which began doing business as AgVisory during first quarter 2016), whose principal activity is to appraise agricultural real estate. On May 1, 2017, Farmer Mac transferred its entire 65% ownership interest in AgVisory back to the limited liability company as a company redemption in exchange for $5,000. Farmer Mac recognized a loss of approximately $0.1 million after-tax upon the transfer. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows	Statements of Cash Flows
Earnings Per Share	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.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income represents all changes in stockholders' equity except those resulting from investments by or distributions to stockholders, and is comprised of net income and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, certain held-to-maturity securities transferred from the available-for-sale classification, and cash flow hedges, net of related taxes.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, “ Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which provides new guidance intended to simplify several aspects of accounting and presentation for employee share-based payment transactions. The ASU became effective for Farmer Mac on January 1, 2017. The adoption of the new guidance had the following effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows: • Consolidated Statements of Operations - The ASU requires the recognition of all net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards in the income tax provision. Previously, these amounts were recognized in additional paid-in capital. Net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards of $0.2 million and $0.8 million , respectively, were recognized as a reduction to income tax expense in the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 in the consolidated statement of operations. Net tax benefits result from the excess of the tax deduction over the compensation expense recognized under GAAP for share-based compensation awards. That excess arises because the tax deduction is based upon the value of share-based awards upon their exercise (or vesting, in the case of restricted stock units), whereas the compensation expense under GAAP is based upon the value of the share-based awards upon their grant date. The ASU also changed the calculation of diluted earnings per share. GAAP requires the "treasury stock method" to determine the number of dilutive securities in calculating diluted earnings per share. The ASU changed the calculation of "assumed proceeds" under the treasury stock method to exclude the amount of net tax benefits that would have been recognized in additional paid-in capital under the previous accounting standard. This change in the calculation reduces the amount of shares assumed to have been repurchased under the treasury stock method, thus increasing the number of dilutive shares. Both of these changes in the guidance were applied prospectively beginning January 1, 2017 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 . For the three months ended June 30, 2017 , the change in the recognition of all net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards in the income tax provision resulted in an increase of $0.01 in both basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . For the six months ended June 30, 2017 , the change in the recognition of all net tax benefits related to share-based compensation awards in the income tax provision resulted in an increase of $0.06 in basic earnings per share and $0.08 in diluted earnings per share. The change in the guidance for the calculation of diluted earnings per share had an immaterial impact on diluted earnings per share. Additionally, the ASU allows companies to choose to either include an estimate of forfeitures expected to occur in share-based compensation expense or account for them as they occur. Previously, GAAP required companies to include an estimate of forfeitures expected to occur in their share-based compensations expense. Farmer Mac has elected to account for forfeitures in compensation expense as they occur. The cumulative impact of the change in the treatment of forfeitures was not material for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 . • Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - The ASU requires excess tax benefits from share-based employee awards to be reported within operating activities. Previously, these cash flows were reported within financing activities. Farmer Mac has applied this guidance prospectively, resulting in an increase in net cash provided by operating activities and a corresponding decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $0.2 million and $0.8 million , respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 . The ASU requires employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax purposes to be reported within financing activities. Under the previous guidance, these cash flows were included in operating activities. These changes were required to be applied on a retrospective basis. As a result, the consolidated statement of cash flows for prior periods was revised, resulting in an increase in net cash provided by operating activities and a decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 , compared to previously reported amounts. The amount of employee taxes paid for shares withheld was $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, " Financial Instruments—Credit Losses," which will require entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will be required to use forward-looking information to form their credit loss estimates. The ASU will also require enhanced disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Farmer Mac is currently evaluating the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. That impact will primarily be from the new requirement to recognize all expected losses rather than just incurred losses as of the reporting date. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, " Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, " which shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium by requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The ASU does not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Farmer Mac does not expect that adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.

Accounting Policies - Accoun18

Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs: Table 1.1 Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities As of June 30, 2017 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 $ 1,240,624 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,240,624 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,249,627 — — — — 1,249,627 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 36,881 — — — 36,881 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 36,516 — — — 36,516 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 813,589 813,589 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 811,455 811,455 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 367,419 186,256 — — — 553,675 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $9.0 million . The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of June 30, 2017 . (2) Includes $0.4 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) 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, 2016 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 $ 1,132,966 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,132,966 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,142,704 — — — — 1,142,704 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 36,042 — 30,347 — 66,389 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 35,599 — 30,000 — 65,599 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 827,874 827,874 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 825,909 825,909 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 415,441 103,976 — 970,000 — 1,489,417 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $9.7 million , which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2016. (2) Includes $0.4 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $0.3 million . (3) Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss. (4) Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. (5) 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.2 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) Non-cash activity: Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation 5,261 — Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 247,975 278,443 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 161,880 255,781 Purchases of securities - traded not yet settled 50,000 224,990
Earnings Per Common Share	The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.3 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 (1) June 30, 2016 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 17,488 10,600 $ 1.65 $ 12,006 10,456 $ 1.15 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 183 (0.03 ) — 158 (0.02 ) Diluted EPS $ 17,488 10,783 $ 1.62 $ 12,006 10,614 $ 1.13 (1) For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, " Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, " on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards." (2) For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,907 and 229,693 , 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 June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892 , and 37,284 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met. For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 (1) June 30, 2016 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 36,103 10,576 $ 3.41 $ 22,323 10,460 $ 2.13 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 207 (0.06 ) — 348 (0.06 ) Diluted EPS $ 36,103 10,783 $ 3.35 $ 22,323 10,808 $ 2.07 (1) For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, " Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, " on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards." (2) For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 37,832 and 215,547 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892 , and 37,284 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of tax, by component for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.4 As of June 30, 2017 As of June 30, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (4,742 ) $ 43,485 $ 2,801 $ 41,544 $ (14,180 ) $ (1,133 ) $ (3,604 ) $ (18,917 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 6,191 — (1,500 ) 4,691 36,469 — (2,267 ) 34,202 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2,725 ) (1,381 ) 299 (3,807 ) (2,585 ) (648 ) 332 (2,901 ) Net Comprehensive Income 3,466 (1,381 ) (1,201 ) 884 33,884 (648 ) (1,935 ) 31,301 Ending Balance $ (1,276 ) $ 42,104 $ 1,600 $ 42,428 $ 19,704 $ (1,781 ) $ (5,539 ) $ 12,384 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (14,387 ) $ 45,752 $ 2,393 $ 33,758 $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 18,413 — (1,426 ) 16,987 34,700 — (5,662 ) 29,038 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (5,302 ) (3,648 ) 633 (8,317 ) (4,961 ) (1,305 ) 631 (5,635 ) Net Comprehensive Income 13,111 (3,648 ) (793 ) 8,670 29,739 (1,305 ) (5,031 ) 23,403 Ending Balance $ (1,276 ) $ 42,104 $ 1,600 $ 42,428 $ 19,704 $ (1,781 ) $ (5,539 ) $ 12,384
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	The following table presents other comprehensive income activity, the impact on net income of amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, and the related tax impact for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.5 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income: Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on available-for-sale-securities $ 9,525 $ 3,334 $ 6,191 $ 56,107 $ 19,638 $ 36,469 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (4,186 ) (1,465 ) (2,721 ) (4,016 ) (1,405 ) (2,611 ) Other income (2) (6 ) (2 ) (4 ) 39 13 26 Total $ 5,333 $ 1,867 $ 3,466 $ 52,130 $ 18,246 $ 33,884 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (3) $ (2,125 ) $ (744 ) $ (1,381 ) $ (997 ) $ (349 ) $ (648 ) Total $ (2,125 ) $ (744 ) $ (1,381 ) $ (997 ) $ (349 ) $ (648 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges $ (2,309 ) $ (809 ) $ (1,500 ) $ (3,488 ) $ (1,221 ) $ (2,267 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) 461 162 299 512 180 332 Total $ (1,848 ) $ (647 ) $ (1,201 ) $ (2,976 ) $ (1,041 ) $ (1,935 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ 1,360 $ 476 $ 884 $ 48,157 $ 16,856 $ 31,301 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. (3) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income. (4) Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI. For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income: Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on available-for-sale-securities $ 28,328 $ 9,915 $ 18,413 $ 53,385 $ 18,685 $ 34,700 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (8,145 ) (2,851 ) (5,294 ) (7,939 ) (2,778 ) (5,161 ) Losses on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) — — — 9 3 6 Other income (3) (13 ) (5 ) (8 ) 298 104 194 Total $ 20,170 $ 7,059 $ 13,111 $ 45,753 $ 16,014 $ 29,739 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) $ (5,612 ) $ (1,964 ) $ (3,648 ) $ (2,008 ) $ (703 ) $ (1,305 ) Total $ (5,612 ) $ (1,964 ) $ (3,648 ) $ (2,008 ) $ (703 ) $ (1,305 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges (2,192 ) (766 ) $ (1,426 ) $ (8,710 ) $ (3,048 ) $ (5,662 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) 973 340 633 971 340 631 Total $ (1,219 ) $ (426 ) $ (793 ) $ (7,739 ) $ (2,708 ) $ (5,031 ) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ 13,339 $ 4,669 $ 8,670 $ 36,006 $ 12,603 $ 23,403 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents unrealized losses on sales of available-for-sale investment securities. (3) Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. (4) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income. (5) Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.

Investment Securities - Invest

Investment Securities - Investment Securities (Tables) - Investment Securities [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Schedule of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	The following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 2.1 As of June 30, 2017 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 19,700 $ — $ 19,700 $ — $ (1,182 ) $ 18,518 Floating rate asset-backed securities 37,751 (177 ) 37,574 2 (153 ) 37,423 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 94 — 10,094 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,351,804 2,529 1,354,333 2,822 (1,673 ) 1,355,482 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 488 2,358 2,846 2,333 — 5,179 Fixed rate senior agency debt 179,295 1 179,296 — (267 ) 179,029 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 758,766 38 758,804 — (724 ) 758,080 Total available-for-sale 2,357,804 4,749 2,362,553 5,251 (3,999 ) 2,363,805 Total investment securities $ 2,357,804 $ 4,749 $ 2,362,553 $ 5,251 $ (3,999 ) $ 2,363,805 (1) Fair value includes $4.7 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $144.9 million . As of December 31, 2016 Amount Outstanding Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 19,700 $ — $ 19,700 $ — $ (1,970 ) $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities 44,442 (202 ) 44,240 1 (390 ) 43,851 Floating rate corporate debt securities 10,000 — 10,000 41 — 10,041 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,359,700 2,827 1,362,527 1,768 (3,266 ) 1,361,029 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 538 2,582 3,120 4,505 — 7,625 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt 70,000 — 70,000 — (3,047 ) 66,953 Fixed rate senior agency debt 187,295 106 187,401 — (268 ) 187,133 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 821,619 359 821,978 47 (536 ) 821,489 Total available-for-sale 2,513,294 5,672 2,518,966 6,362 (9,477 ) 2,515,851 Total investment securities $ 2,513,294 $ 5,672 $ 2,518,966 $ 6,362 $ (9,477 ) $ 2,515,851 (1) Fair value includes $7.0 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $146.1 million .
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 2.2 As of June 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 18,518 $ (1,182 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 33,372 (153 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 116,588 (254 ) 387,188 (1,419 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 758,080 (724 ) — — Fixed rate senior agency debt 179,029 (267 ) — — Total $ 1,053,697 $ (1,245 ) $ 439,078 $ (2,754 ) As of December 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ (1,970 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 4,654 (10 ) 38,077 (380 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 384,586 (1,030 ) 442,041 (2,236 ) Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — 66,953 (3,047 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 732,371 (536 ) — — Fixed rate senior agency debt 187,133 (268 ) — — Total $ 1,308,744 $ (1,844 ) $ 564,801 $ (7,633 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to a general widening of market spreads and an increase in the levels of interest rates from the dates of acquisition to June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 June 30, 2017 , 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+." As of December 31, 2016 , 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 one that was rated " A- ." The unrealized losses were on 87 and 97 individual investment securities as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of June 30, 2017 , 46 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $2.8 million . As of December 31, 2016 , 36 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $7.6 million . Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of June 30, 2017 that is, on average, approximately 99 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 maturity or changes in credit spreads. Accordingly, Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on these available-for-sale investment securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
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 June 30, 2017 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 June 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 916,794 $ 915,808 0.82% Due after one year through five years 220,592 220,936 1.65% Due after five years through ten years 406,525 409,570 1.72% Due after ten years 818,642 817,491 1.64% Total $ 2,362,553 $ 2,363,805 1.34%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit20

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Tables) - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 3.1 As of June 30, 2017 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,102,479 $ (1,574 ) $ 2,100,905 $ 5,907 $ (5,968 ) $ 2,100,844 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 36,516 365 36,881 85 (483 ) 36,483 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,138,995 (1,209 ) 2,137,786 5,992 (6,451 ) 2,137,327 USDA Securities 1,998,693 67,333 2,066,026 — (66,353 ) 1,999,673 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,137,688 $ 66,124 $ 4,203,812 $ 5,992 $ (72,804 ) $ 4,137,000 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 5,295,726 $ (162 ) $ 5,295,564 $ 32,981 $ (45,983 ) $ 5,282,562 Trading: USDA Securities $ 15,547 $ 1,180 $ 16,727 $ 61 $ (494 ) $ 16,294 As of December 31, 2016 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,115,465 $ (2,276 ) $ 1,113,189 $ 7,187 $ (3,175 ) $ 1,117,201 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 35,599 443 36,042 5 (239 ) 35,808 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 1,151,064 (1,833 ) 1,149,231 7,192 (3,414 ) 1,153,009 USDA Securities 1,935,440 73,785 2,009,225 — (95,590 ) 1,913,635 Total held-to-maturity $ 3,086,504 $ 71,952 $ 3,158,456 $ 7,192 $ (99,004 ) $ 3,066,644 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 4,889,007 $ (103 ) $ 4,888,904 $ 28,715 $ (63,934 ) $ 4,853,685 Trading: USDA Securities $ 19,360 $ 1,377 $ 20,737 $ 41 $ (390 ) $ 20,388 On October 1, 2016, Farmer Mac transferred $2.0 billion of USDA Securities and $32.8 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity to reflect Farmer Mac’s positive intent and ability to hold these securities until maturity or payoff. Farmer Mac transferred these securities at fair value as of the date of the transfer, which included a cost basis adjustment of unrealized appreciation in the amount of $73.1 million for the USDA Securities and $0.7 million for the Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. The accumulated unrealized appreciation was retained in accumulated other comprehensive income in the amount of $73.8 million , pre-tax. Farmer Mac accounts for held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. Both the cost basis adjustment and accumulated unrealized appreciation will be amortized as an adjustment to the yield on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities over the remaining term of the transferred securities.
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows: Table 3.2 As of June 30, 2017 Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 1,447,267 $ (5,968 ) $ — $ — Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,869 (483 ) — — USDA Securities 1,909,400 (66,306 ) 91,364 (47 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 3,387,536 $ (72,757 ) $ 91,364 $ (47 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,787,931 $ (21,001 ) $ 966,689 $ (24,982 ) As of December 31, 2016 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 358,575 $ (3,175 ) $ — $ — Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,575 (239 ) — — USDA Securities 1,816,366 (95,582 ) 97,270 (8 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 2,205,516 $ (98,996 ) $ 97,270 $ (8 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 982,538 $ (18,482 ) $ 1,131,930 $ (45,452 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, as applicable. In addition, the unrealized losses on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities as of both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 reflect their increased cost basis resulting from their transfer to held-to-maturity as of October 1, 2016, as described above. 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. The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 25 available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2017 . There were 14 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of June 30, 2017 . The unrealized losses from AgVantage securities were on 22 available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2016. There were 7 unrealized losses from held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2016 . As of June 30, 2017 , 7 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $25.0 million . As of December 31, 2016 , 10 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $45.5 million . Farmer Mac has concluded that none of the unrealized losses on its held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities and available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities are other-than-temporary impairment as of either June 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016. 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 and held-to-maturity Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by remaining contractual maturity as of June 30, 2017 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 3.3 As of June 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 287,343 $ 287,029 1.60 % Due after one year through five years 3,096,037 3,108,402 2.09 % Due after five years through ten years 885,908 892,382 2.69 % Due after ten years 1,026,276 994,749 1.83 % Total $ 5,295,564 $ 5,282,562 2.11 % As of June 30, 2017 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 855,465 $ 855,175 1.80 % Due after one year through five years 1,316,883 1,315,234 2.16 % Due after five years through ten years 188,751 182,992 3.04 % Due after ten years 1,842,713 1,783,599 3.32 % Total $ 4,203,812 $ 4,137,000 2.62 %

Financial Derivatives - Financ

Financial Derivatives - Financial Derivatives (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Financial Derivatives - Financial Derivatives (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, 2017 and and December 31, 2016 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 4.1 As of June 30, 2017 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 2,003,581 $ 4,549 $ (9,832 ) 1.74% 1.13% 5.34 Receive fixed non-callable 1,431,700 97 (3,182 ) 1.11% 1.42% 1.99 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 277,000 496 (467 ) 2.11% 1.41% 6.57 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 353,534 174 (20,753 ) 3.89% 1.18% 6.71 Receive fixed non-callable 3,194,132 — — 1.02% 0.99% 0.70 Basis swaps 970,000 117 (10 ) 0.95% 1.14% 0.97 Treasury futures 14,600 120 — 126.36 Credit valuation adjustment (7 ) 130 Total financial derivatives $ 8,244,547 $ 5,546 $ (34,114 ) Collateral pledged — 25,066 Net amount $ 5,546 $ (9,048 ) As of December 31, 2016 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 1,642,609 $ 18,508 $ (18,909 ) 1.73% 0.90% 4.70 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 207,000 3,706 (955 ) 2.18% 1.11% 7.28 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 435,827 339 (32,951 ) 4.06% 0.89% 5.90 Receive fixed non-callable 4,991,821 607 (5,064 ) 0.74% 0.75% 0.60 Receive fixed callable 30,000 — (33 ) 0.82% 0.58% 0.33 Basis swaps 765,000 36 (243 ) 0.78% 0.78% 0.87 Treasury futures 28,000 — (155 ) 123.73 Credit valuation adjustment (14 ) 158 Total financial derivatives $ 8,100,257 $ 23,182 $ (58,152 ) Collateral pledged — 25,643 Net amount $ 23,182 $ (32,509 )
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Table 4.2 (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps (1) $ (8,568 ) $ (14,440 ) $ (7,041 ) $ (41,339 ) Hedged items 9,988 16,541 4,584 46,329 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedges 1,420 2,101 (2,457 ) 4,990 Cash flow hedges: Loss recognized (ineffective portion) (146 ) (105 ) (175 ) (254 ) Losses on cash flow hedges (146 ) (105 ) (175 ) (254 ) No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps (1,648 ) (6,345 ) 5,036 (14,487 ) Agency forwards (189 ) 10 (588 ) (868 ) Treasury futures (54 ) (357 ) 53 (859 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships (1,891 ) (6,692 ) 4,501 (16,214 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities $ (617 ) $ (4,696 ) $ 1,869 $ (11,478 ) (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of June 30, 2017 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.3 million and gains of $2.3 million , respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were gains of $0.1 million and losses of 0.1 million , respectively. The comparable amounts as of June 30, 2016 were losses of $ 1.8 million and $3.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, gains of $0.3 million and $1.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 , attributable to hedge ineffectiveness.

Loans and Allowance for Losse22

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.1 As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 2,641,850 $ 1,240,624 $ 3,882,474 $ 2,381,488 $ 1,132,966 $ 3,514,454 Rural Utilities 1,024,130 — 1,024,130 999,512 — 999,512 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 3,665,980 1,240,624 4,906,604 3,381,000 1,132,966 4,513,966 Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments 4 — 4 (1,116 ) — (1,116 ) Total loans 3,665,984 1,240,624 4,906,608 3,379,884 1,132,966 4,512,850 Allowance for loan losses (4,947 ) (1,191 ) (6,138 ) (4,437 ) (978 ) (5,415 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,661,037 $ 1,239,433 $ 4,900,470 $ 3,375,447 $ 1,131,988 $ 4,507,435 (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]	Allowance for Losses Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for losses presented in two components on its consolidated balance sheets: (1) an allowance for loan losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans held, and (2) a reserve for losses to account for estimated probable losses on loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities). Farmer Mac's total allowance for losses was $8.1 million as of June 30, 2017 and $7.4 million as of December 31, 2016 . See Note 6 for more information about off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. The following is a summary of the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 5.2 As of June 30, 2017 As of June 30, 2016 Allowance Reserve Total Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 5,811 $ 1,827 $ 7,638 $ 4,529 $ 2,097 $ 6,626 Provision for/(release of) losses 327 139 466 364 94 458 Ending Balance $ 6,138 $ 1,966 $ 8,104 $ 4,893 $ 2,191 $ 7,084 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 5,415 $ 2,020 $ 7,435 $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 964 (54 ) 910 413 108 521 Charge-offs (241 ) — (241 ) — — — Ending Balance $ 6,138 $ 1,966 $ 8,104 $ 4,893 $ 2,191 $ 7,084 During second quarter 2017 , Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses of $0.3 million and $0.1 million , respectively. The provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during second quarter 2017 were primarily attributable an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans. The provision to the reserve for losses recorded during the second quarter 2017 was primarily attributable to an increase in the general reserve due to downgrades in risk ratings on certain unimpaired crop and permanent planting loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during second quarter 2017. During second quarter 2016 , Farmer Mac recorded provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.4 million and provisions to its reserve for losses of $0.1 million . The provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during second quarter 2016 were attributable to the establishment of a specific reserve for a long-standing impaired permanent planting loan due to collateral shortfalls relative to the unpaid principal balance and an increase in the specific allowance for on-balance sheet impaired loans resulting from a modest increase in the outstanding balance of such loans. The provisions to the reserve for losses recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2016 were attributable to an increase in the general allowance due to downgrades in risk rating on certain unimpaired crop loans and permanent planting loans underlying LTSPCs. The provisions were partially offset by a decrease in the general allowance of Agricultural Storage and Processing loans, both purchased and underlying LTSPCs, due to paydowns of these loans. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during second quarter 2016. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 by commodity type: Table 5.3 June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,562 $ 1,870 $ 1,379 $ 324 $ 472 $ 31 $ 7,638 Provision for/(release of) losses 173 294 (145 ) 73 86 (15 ) 466 Ending Balance $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 598 441 (128 ) (8 ) 25 (18 ) 910 Charge-offs (228 ) — (13 ) — — — (241 ) Ending Balance $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 June 30, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,892 $ 937 $ 1,763 $ 444 $ 587 $ 3 $ 6,626 Provision for/(release of) losses 219 207 143 3 (114 ) — 458 Ending Balance $ 3,111 $ 1,144 $ 1,906 $ 447 $ 473 $ 3 $ 7,084 For the Six Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 320 213 125 39 (176 ) — 521 Ending Balance $ 3,111 $ 1,144 $ 1,906 $ 447 $ 473 $ 3 $ 7,084
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 (excluding AgVantage securities) and the related total allowance for losses by impairment method and commodity type as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.4 As of June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,214,663 $ 711,209 $ 602,815 $ 225,948 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,777,204 Off-balance sheet 1,246,599 405,072 682,658 148,932 40,491 4,072 2,527,824 Total $ 3,461,262 $ 1,116,281 $ 1,285,473 $ 374,880 $ 53,999 $ 13,133 $ 6,305,028 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 58,659 $ 31,020 $ 8,634 $ 6,957 $ — $ — $ 105,270 Off-balance sheet 8,430 2,259 4,544 907 — 80 16,220 Total $ 67,089 $ 33,279 $ 13,178 $ 7,864 $ — $ 80 $ 121,490 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,273,322 $ 742,229 $ 611,449 $ 232,905 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,882,474 Off-balance sheet 1,255,029 407,331 687,202 149,839 40,491 4,152 2,544,044 Total $ 3,528,351 $ 1,149,560 $ 1,298,651 $ 382,744 $ 53,999 $ 13,213 $ 6,426,518 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,007 $ 896 $ 776 $ 190 $ 89 $ 9 $ 3,967 Off-balance sheet 487 328 202 54 469 5 1,545 Total $ 2,494 $ 1,224 $ 978 $ 244 $ 558 $ 14 $ 5,512 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 969 $ 933 $ 141 $ 128 $ — $ — $ 2,171 Off-balance sheet 272 7 115 25 — 2 421 Total $ 1,241 $ 940 $ 256 $ 153 $ — $ 2 $ 2,592 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,976 $ 1,829 $ 917 $ 318 $ 89 $ 9 $ 6,138 Off-balance sheet 759 335 317 79 469 7 1,966 Total $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 As of December 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,115,450 $ 569,360 $ 537,859 $ 183,660 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,426,768 Off-balance sheet 1,241,851 437,575 752,473 131,889 36,506 4,503 2,604,797 Total $ 3,357,301 $ 1,006,935 $ 1,290,332 $ 315,549 $ 48,051 $ 13,397 $ 6,031,565 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 41,648 $ 27,770 $ 10,658 $ 7,610 $ — $ — $ 87,686 Off-balance sheet 11,549 2,735 4,854 915 — — 20,053 Total $ 53,197 $ 30,505 $ 15,512 $ 8,525 $ — $ — $ 107,739 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,157,098 $ 597,130 $ 548,517 $ 191,270 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,514,454 Off-balance sheet 1,253,400 440,310 757,327 132,804 36,506 4,503 2,624,850 Total $ 3,410,498 $ 1,037,440 $ 1,305,844 $ 324,074 $ 48,051 $ 13,397 $ 6,139,304 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,000 $ 652 $ 735 $ 193 $ 22 $ 28 $ 3,630 Off-balance sheet 420 281 241 54 511 6 1,513 Total $ 2,420 $ 933 $ 976 $ 247 $ 533 $ 34 $ 5,143 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 613 $ 770 $ 270 $ 132 $ — $ — $ 1,785 Off-balance sheet 332 20 129 26 — — 507 Total $ 945 $ 790 $ 399 $ 158 $ — $ — $ 2,292 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,613 $ 1,422 $ 1,005 $ 325 $ 22 $ 28 $ 5,415 Off-balance sheet 752 301 370 80 511 6 2,020 Total $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435
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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.5 As of June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 9,011 $ 3,657 $ 1,204 $ 1,959 $ — $ — $ 15,831 Unpaid principal balance 9,016 3,657 1,204 1,960 — — 15,837 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 58,049 29,607 11,970 5,901 — 80 105,607 Unpaid principal balance 58,073 29,622 11,974 5,904 — 80 105,653 Associated allowance 1,241 940 256 153 — 2 2,592 Total: Recorded investment 67,060 33,264 13,174 7,860 — 80 121,438 Unpaid principal balance 67,089 33,279 13,178 7,864 — 80 121,490 Associated allowance 1,241 940 256 153 — 2 2,592 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 20,270 $ 25,838 $ 1,902 $ 4,771 $ — $ — $ 52,781 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $104.2 million ( 86 percent ) of impaired loans as of June 30, 2017 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.3 million . (2) Includes $11.3 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. As of December 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 20,761 $ 3,683 $ 1,054 $ 1,970 $ — $ — $ 27,468 Unpaid principal balance 20,816 3,688 1,055 1,975 — — 27,534 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 32,326 26,748 14,322 6,535 — — 79,931 Unpaid principal balance 32,381 26,817 14,457 6,550 — — 80,205 Associated allowance 945 790 399 158 — — 2,292 Total: Recorded investment 53,087 30,431 15,376 8,505 — — 107,399 Unpaid principal balance 53,197 30,505 15,512 8,525 — — 107,739 Associated allowance 945 790 399 158 — — 2,292 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 13,405 $ 10,785 $ 2,696 $ 5,256 $ — $ — $ 32,142 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $76.5 million ( 71 percent ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2016 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $1.6 million . (2) Includes $12.4 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 5.6 June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 65,295 $ 33,222 $ 12,557 $ 7,926 $ — $ 40 $ 119,040 Income recognized on impaired loans 160 68 22 71 — — 321 For the Six Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 61,226 $ 32,292 $ 13,497 $ 8,119 $ — $ 27 $ 115,161 Income recognized on impaired loans 462 220 199 174 — — 1,055 June 30, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 28,732 $ 24,133 $ 14,883 $ 8,772 $ — $ — $ 76,520 Income recognized on impaired loans 60 509 133 105 — — 807 For the Six Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 26,121 $ 29,673 $ 13,906 $ 9,111 $ 7,368 $ — $ 86,179 Income recognized on impaired loans 62 553 148 177 — — 940
Schedule of Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Acquired During Period [Table Text Block]	The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.7 For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ — $ — $ 311 $ 1,267 Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) 104 — 104 148 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 104 — 415 1,415 Contractually required payments receivable 105 — 416 1,435 Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition — 208 — 208 Recovery/release of allowance for all outstanding acquired defaulted loans 128 6 142 10 Number of defaulted loans purchased 1 — 4 5 As of June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 14,156 $ 14,669 Carrying amount 12,969 13,069
Past Due Financing Receivables [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 securities representing interests in pools of eligible Farm & Ranch loans ("Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities") and LTSPCs are presented in the table below. As of June 30, 2017 , there were no delinquencies and no probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loan portfolio and Farmer Mac had not experienced credit losses on any Rural Utilities loans. Table 5.8 90-Day Delinquencies (1) Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses As of For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 41,433 $ 19,757 $ (488 ) $ 39 Total on-balance sheet $ 41,433 $ 19,757 $ (488 ) $ 39 Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 468 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 468 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total $ 41,901 $ 21,038 $ (488 ) $ 39 (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, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan. Of the $41.4 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of June 30, 2017 , $1.4 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]	Credit Quality Indicators 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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.9 As of June 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 2,167,881 $ 710,339 $ 579,367 $ 220,707 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,700,863 Special mention (2) 46,782 870 23,448 5,241 — — 76,341 Substandard (3) 58,659 31,020 8,634 6,957 — — 105,270 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,273,322 $ 742,229 $ 611,449 $ 232,905 $ 13,508 $ 9,061 $ 3,882,474 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,184,805 $ 365,541 $ 658,528 $ 143,232 $ 38,680 $ 3,589 $ 2,394,375 Special mention (2) 36,862 11,102 13,478 1,348 — 8 62,798 Substandard (3) 33,362 30,688 15,196 5,259 1,811 555 86,871 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,255,029 $ 407,331 $ 687,202 $ 149,839 $ 40,491 $ 4,152 $ 2,544,044 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,352,686 $ 1,075,880 $ 1,237,895 $ 363,939 $ 52,188 $ 12,650 $ 6,095,238 Special mention (2) 83,644 11,972 36,926 6,589 — 8 139,139 Substandard (3) 92,021 61,708 23,830 12,216 1,811 555 192,141 Total $ 3,528,351 $ 1,149,560 $ 1,298,651 $ 382,744 $ 53,999 $ 13,213 $ 6,426,518 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 18,878 $ 18,569 $ 966 $ 3,020 $ — $ — $ 41,433 Off-balance sheet — — — 468 — — 468 90 days or more past due $ 18,878 $ 18,569 $ 966 $ 3,488 $ — $ — $ 41,901 (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, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 2,080,227 $ 568,221 $ 504,784 $ 179,288 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,352,959 Special mention (2) 35,223 1,139 33,075 4,372 — — 73,809 Substandard (3) 41,648 27,770 10,658 7,610 — — 87,686 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,157,098 $ 597,130 $ 548,517 $ 191,270 $ 11,545 $ 8,894 $ 3,514,454 Off-Balance Sheet Acceptable $ 1,201,144 $ 403,256 $ 724,056 $ 125,440 $ 34,537 $ 3,916 $ 2,492,349 Special mention (2) 20,422 16,881 15,341 2,344 — 6 54,994 Substandard (3) 31,834 20,173 17,930 5,020 1,969 581 77,507 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,253,400 $ 440,310 $ 757,327 $ 132,804 $ 36,506 $ 4,503 $ 2,624,850 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,281,371 $ 971,477 $ 1,228,840 $ 304,728 $ 46,082 $ 12,810 $ 5,845,308 Special mention (2) 55,645 18,020 48,416 6,716 — 6 128,803 Substandard (3) 73,482 47,943 28,588 12,630 1,969 581 165,193 Total $ 3,410,498 $ 1,037,440 $ 1,305,844 $ 324,074 $ 48,051 $ 13,397 $ 6,139,304 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 13,449 $ 3,245 $ 669 $ 2,394 $ — $ — $ 19,757 Off-balance sheet 373 407 38 463 — — 1,281 90 days or more past due $ 13,822 $ 3,652 $ 707 $ 2,857 $ — $ — $ 21,038 (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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 5.10 As of June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,528,351 $ 3,410,498 Permanent plantings 1,149,560 1,037,440 Livestock 1,298,651 1,305,844 Part-time farm 382,744 324,074 Ag. Storage and Processing 53,999 48,051 Other 13,213 13,397 Total $ 6,426,518 $ 6,139,304 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 706,366 $ 657,403 Southwest 1,898,171 1,791,745 Mid-North 2,196,291 2,104,867 Mid-South 860,428 837,121 Northeast 259,254 229,679 Southeast 506,008 518,489 Total $ 6,426,518 $ 6,139,304 By original loan-to-value ratio (2) : 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,250,561 $ 1,220,432 40.01% to 50.00% 1,607,806 1,466,047 50.01% to 60.00% 2,170,648 2,078,099 60.01% to 70.00% 1,149,539 1,167,395 70.01% to 80.00% 220,932 191,664 80.01% to 90.00% 27,032 15,667 Total $ 6,426,518 $ 6,139,304 (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) As of second quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its calculation of the original loan-to-value ratio of a loan to combine for any cross-collateralized loans: (i) the original loan principal balance amounts in the numerator and (ii) the original appraised property values in the denominator. In previous periods, the ratio was calculated on a loan-by-loan basis without considering the effects of any cross-collateralization. Prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period calculation and presentation. 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.

Guarantees and Long Term Stan23

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Guarantees and Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Guarantor Obligations [Table Text Block]	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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 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 June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities $ 367,419 $ 415,441 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 186,256 103,976 Institutional Credit: AgVantage Securities 13,214 983,214 Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility (1) 300,000 300,000 Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 866,889 $ 1,802,631 (1) Relates to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility subject to specified contractual terms. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility.
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 Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 247,975 $ 278,443 Guarantee fees received 1,701 1,823 Purchases of assets from the trusts (104 ) (1,267 ) 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 $4.0 million as of June 30, 2017 and $5.5 million as of December 31, 2016 . As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 10.4 years and 10.7 years , respectively. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 1.4 years and 0.7 years , respectively.

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2017
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 non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , 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 June 30, 2017 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 $ — $ — $ 18,518 $ 18,518 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 37,423 — 37,423 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 10,094 — 10,094 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,355,482 — 1,355,482 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 528 4,651 5,179 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — — — — Fixed rate senior agency debt — 179,029 — 179,029 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 758,080 — — 758,080 Total Investment Securities 758,080 1,582,556 23,169 2,363,805 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,282,562 5,282,562 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,282,562 5,282,562 USDA Securities: Trading — — 16,294 16,294 Total USDA Securities — — 16,294 16,294 Financial derivatives 120 5,426 — 5,546 Total Assets at fair value $ 758,200 $ 1,587,982 $ 5,322,025 $ 7,668,207 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ — $ 34,114 $ — $ 34,114 Total Liabilities at fair value $ — $ 34,114 $ — $ 34,114 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 1,135 $ 1,135 REO — — 1,374 1,374 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 2,509 $ 2,509 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2016 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 $ — $ — $ 17,730 $ 17,730 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 43,851 — 43,851 Floating rate corporate debt securities — 10,041 — 10,041 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,361,029 — 1,361,029 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,625 — 7,625 Floating rate GSE subordinated debt — 66,953 — 66,953 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 187,133 — 187,133 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 821,489 — — 821,489 Total Investment Securities 821,489 1,676,632 17,730 2,515,851 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 4,853,685 4,853,685 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 4,853,685 4,853,685 USDA Securities: Trading — — 20,388 20,388 Total USDA Securities — — 20,388 20,388 Financial derivatives — 23,182 — 23,182 Total Assets at fair value $ 821,489 $ 1,699,814 $ 4,891,803 $ 7,413,106 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 155 $ 57,997 $ — $ 58,152 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 155 $ 57,997 $ — $ 58,152 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 2,799 $ 2,799 REO — — 349 349 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 3,148 $ 3,148
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	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 and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Table 8.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning Transfers in Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 18,124 — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 394 $ 18,518 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 4,819 — — — (111 ) — (57 ) 4,651 Total available-for-sale 22,943 — — — (111 ) — 337 23,169 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 5,243,046 — 194,288 — (165,248 ) 9,552 924 5,282,562 Total available-for-sale 5,243,046 — 194,288 — (165,248 ) 9,552 924 5,282,562 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 53,506 (53,506 ) — — — — Trading (1) 18,602 — — — (2,306 ) (2 ) — 16,294 Total USDA Securities 18,602 — 53,506 (53,506 ) (2,306 ) (2 ) — 16,294 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,284,591 $ — $ 247,794 $ (53,506 ) $ (167,665 ) $ 9,550 $ 1,261 $ 5,322,025 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2017 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 17,730 — — — — — 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 383 — — (120 ) 18 — 281 Total trading 383 — — (120 ) 18 — 281 Total Investment Securities 18,113 — — (120 ) 18 — 18,011 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,534,810 163,845 — (16,699 ) 13,137 2,491 4,697,584 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,694 4,100 — (2,238 ) — 891 33,447 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,565,504 167,945 — (18,937 ) 13,137 3,382 4,731,031 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,908,014 129,645 (19,014 ) (97,303 ) — 46,417 1,967,759 Trading (2) 26,869 — — (2,459 ) 377 — 24,787 Total USDA Securities 1,934,883 129,645 (19,014 ) (99,762 ) 377 46,417 1,992,546 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,518,500 $ 297,590 $ (19,014 ) $ (118,819 ) $ 13,532 $ 49,799 $ 6,741,588 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 and are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.3 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Beginning Transfers in Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 788 $ 18,518 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 7,041 — — (223 ) — (2,167 ) 4,651 Total available-for-sale 17,730 7,041 — — (223 ) — (1,379 ) 23,169 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,853,685 — 733,815 — (327,155 ) 6,337 15,880 5,282,562 Total available-for-sale 4,853,685 — 733,815 — (327,155 ) 6,337 15,880 5,282,562 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 86,095 (86,095 ) — — — — Trading (1) 20,388 — — — (4,010 ) (84 ) — 16,294 Total USDA Securities 20,388 — 86,095 (86,095 ) (4,010 ) (84 ) — 16,294 Total Assets at fair value $ 4,891,803 $ 7,041 $ 819,910 $ (86,095 ) $ (331,388 ) $ 6,253 $ 14,501 $ 5,322,025 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $7,000 attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2017 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized(Losses)/Gains Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 $ — $ (26,806 ) $ — $ 6 $ (394 ) $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (394 ) 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (326 ) 116 — 281 Total trading 491 — — (326 ) 116 — 281 Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (326 ) 122 (394 ) 18,011 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 1,079,376 — (529,229 ) 37,435 (11,242 ) 4,697,584 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,361 4,100 — (2,736 ) — 722 33,447 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,152,605 1,083,476 — (531,965 ) 37,435 (10,520 ) 4,731,031 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 228,613 (22,662 ) (181,490 ) — 54,954 1,967,759 Trading (2) 28,975 — — (4,824 ) 636 — 24,787 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 228,613 (22,662 ) (186,314 ) 636 54,954 1,992,546 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,312,089 $ (49,468 ) $ (718,605 ) $ 38,193 $ 44,040 $ 6,741,588 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 and are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.6 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 that are recorded in " (Losses)/gains on trading securities ."
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 June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Table 8.3 As of June 30, 2017 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 $ 18,518 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 94.0% - 94.0% (94.0%) Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities $ 4,651 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.6% CPR 0 % Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,282,562 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.9% - 3.1% (2.1%) USDA Securities $ 16,294 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.7% - 5.2% (5.0%) CPR 9% - 19% (18%) As of December 31, 2016 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 $ 17,730 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 90.0% - 90.0% (90.0%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 4,853,685 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 1.5% - 3.3% (1.9%) USDA Securities $ 20,388 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 4.0% - 5.3% (5.0%) CPR 13% - 18% (17%)
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	The following table sets forth the estimated fair values and carrying values for financial assets, liabilities, and guarantees and commitments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 8.4 As of June 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 319,993 $ 319,993 $ 265,229 $ 265,229 Investment securities 2,363,805 2,363,805 2,515,851 2,515,851 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 7,419,889 7,420,348 6,006,694 6,002,916 USDA Securities 2,016,660 2,082,320 1,934,023 2,029,613 Loans 4,892,895 4,900,470 4,481,019 4,507,435 Financial derivatives 5,546 5,546 23,182 23,182 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 32,687 32,638 34,720 32,656 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,740 4,445 6,197 6,215 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 7,853,621 7,859,059 8,439,515 8,440,123 Due after one year 7,338,172 7,281,509 5,260,497 5,222,977 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 1,221,460 1,249,627 1,107,513 1,142,704 Financial derivatives 34,114 34,114 58,152 58,152 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 31,896 31,846 33,860 31,796 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,263 3,968 5,467 5,486 The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Farmer Mac internally models the fair value of its loan portfolio, including loans held for investment and loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities by discounting the projected cash flows of these instruments at projected interest rates. The fair values are based on the present value of expected cash flows using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. These fair value measurements do not take into consideration the fair value of the underlying property and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the guarantee fees receivable/obligation and debt securities of consolidated trusts are estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows of the underlying mortgage assets using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayments speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable are valued by discounting the expected cash flows of these instruments using a yield curve derived from market prices observed for similar agency securities and are also classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Because the cash flows of Farmer Mac's financial instruments may be interest rate path dependent, estimated fair values and projected discount rates for level 3 financial instruments are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Different market assumptions and estimation methodologies could significantly affect estimated fair value amounts.

Business Segment Reporting - B

Business Segment Reporting - Business Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 9.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 13,338 $ 5,176 $ 3,003 $ 15,431 $ 2,783 $ — $ 39,731 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (2,007 ) (495 ) (267 ) (1,036 ) (316 ) 4,121 — Net effective spread 11,331 4,681 2,736 14,395 2,467 4,121 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 4,191 99 487 165 — (1,470 ) 3,472 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 994 11 5 — (450 ) (288 ) 272 Non-interest income/(loss) 5,185 110 492 165 (450 ) (1,758 ) 3,744 Provision for loan losses (327 ) — — — — — (327 ) Provision for reserve for losses (139 ) — — — — — (139 ) Other non-interest expense (4,446 ) (1,166 ) (643 ) (1,622 ) (3,374 ) — (11,251 ) Non-interest expense (5) (4,585 ) (1,166 ) (643 ) (1,622 ) (3,374 ) — (11,390 ) Core earnings before income taxes 11,604 3,625 2,585 12,938 (1,357 ) 2,363 (6) 31,758 Income tax (expense)/benefit (4,061 ) (1,269 ) (905 ) (4,528 ) 466 (827 ) (11,124 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 7,543 2,356 1,680 8,410 (891 ) 1,536 (6) 20,634 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,296 ) — (3,296 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 150 — 150 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 7,543 $ 2,356 $ 1,680 $ 8,410 $ (4,037 ) $ 1,536 (6) $ 17,488 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,958,344 $ 2,141,569 $ 1,038,383 $ 7,425,774 $ 2,703,315 $ — $ 17,267,385 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,426,518 $ 2,237,013 $ 1,883,909 $ 7,711,418 — $ 18,258,858 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. In 2016 and prior periods, fair value adjustments on financial derivatives included variation margin payment amounts because those amounts were considered to be collateral of the related exposure and were accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. However, effective first quarter 2017, CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin, whereby variation margin payments are considered to be a partial settlement of the respective derivatives contracts rather than as pledged collateral, and accounted for as realized gains and losses. See Note 4 for more information about this rule change. Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are now accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the CME rule change, their economic character will remain the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in 2017, this reconciling adjustment includes realized gains and losses on financial derivatives centrally cleared through CME resulting from the exchange of variation margin. As a result, core earnings subsequent to 2016 will be presented on a consistent basis with core earnings in 2016 and prior periods. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 11,606 $ 4,938 $ 2,855 $ 12,109 $ 2,850 $ — $ 34,358 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (1,731 ) (350 ) (293 ) (702 ) (256 ) 3,332 — Net effective spread 9,875 4,588 2,562 11,407 2,594 3,332 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 3,965 14 373 458 — (1,155 ) 3,655 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 78 25 — — (228 ) (3,764 ) (3,889 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 4,043 39 373 458 (228 ) (4,919 ) (234 ) Provision for loan losses (364 ) — — — — — (364 ) Provision for reserve for losses (94 ) — — — — — (94 ) Other non-interest expense (4,112 ) (1,092 ) (830 ) (538 ) (3,408 ) — (9,980 ) Non-interest expense (5) (4,206 ) (1,092 ) (830 ) (538 ) (3,408 ) — (10,074 ) Core earnings before income taxes 9,348 3,535 2,105 11,327 (1,042 ) (1,587 ) (6) 23,686 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,272 ) (1,237 ) (737 ) (3,964 ) 254 556 (8,400 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 6,076 2,298 1,368 7,363 (788 ) (1,031 ) (6) 15,286 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,296 ) — (3,296 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 16 — 16 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 6,076 $ 2,298 $ 1,368 $ 7,363 $ (4,068 ) $ (1,031 ) (6) $ 12,006 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,311,270 $ 2,046,516 $ 1,023,630 $ 6,071,924 $ 4,369,850 $ — $ 16,823,190 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 5,830,533 $ 1,960,358 $ 1,934,473 $ 7,391,172 — $ 17,116,536 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 26,092 $ 10,459 $ 5,951 $ 28,933 $ 5,367 $ — $ 76,802 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (4,077 ) (1,075 ) (576 ) (1,957 ) (641 ) 8,326 — Net effective spread 22,015 9,384 5,375 26,976 4,726 8,326 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 8,486 173 979 620 — (2,942 ) 7,316 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 1,188 25 10 — 393 1,608 3,224 Non-interest income/(loss) 9,674 198 989 620 393 (1,334 ) 10,540 Provision for loan losses (964 ) — — — — — (964 ) Release of reserve for losses 54 — — — — — 54 Other non-interest expense (8,511 ) (2,253 ) (1,230 ) (3,143 ) (6,856 ) — (21,993 ) Non-interest expense (5) (8,457 ) (2,253 ) (1,230 ) (3,143 ) (6,856 ) — (21,939 ) Core earnings before income taxes 22,268 7,329 5,134 24,453 (1,737 ) 6,992 (6) 64,439 Income tax (expense)/benefit (7,793 ) (2,565 ) (1,797 ) (8,558 ) 1,251 (2,448 ) (21,910 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 14,475 4,764 3,337 15,895 (486 ) 4,544 (6) 42,529 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (6,591 ) — (6,591 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 165 — 165 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 14,475 $ 4,764 $ 3,337 $ 15,895 $ (6,912 ) $ 4,544 (6) $ 36,103 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,958,344 $ 2,141,569 $ 1,038,383 $ 7,425,774 $ 2,703,315 $ — $ 17,267,385 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,426,518 $ 2,237,013 $ 1,883,909 $ 7,711,418 — $ 18,258,858 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. In 2016 and prior periods, fair value adjustments on financial derivatives included variation margin payment amounts because those amounts were considered to be collateral of the related exposure and were accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. However, effective first quarter 2017, CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin, whereby variation margin payments are considered to be a partial settlement of the respective derivatives contracts rather than as pledged collateral, and accounted for as realized gains and losses. See Note 4 for more information about this rule change. Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are now accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the CME rule change, their economic character will remain the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in 2017, this reconciling adjustment includes realized gains and losses on financial derivatives centrally cleared through CME resulting from the exchange of variation margin. As a result, core earnings subsequent to 2016 will be presented on a consistent basis with core earnings in 2016 and prior periods. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders. Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 22,733 $ 9,990 $ 5,719 $ 23,858 $ 5,698 $ — $ 67,998 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (3,397 ) (1,094 ) (619 ) (1,361 ) (552 ) 7,023 — Net effective spread 19,336 8,896 5,100 22,497 5,146 7,023 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 7,874 21 668 916 — (2,198 ) 7,281 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 175 83 — — (900 ) (9,579 ) (10,221 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 8,049 104 668 916 (900 ) (11,777 ) (2,940 ) Provision for loan losses (413 ) — — — — — (413 ) Provision for reserve for losses (108 ) — — — — — (108 ) Other non-interest expense (8,273 ) (2,185 ) (1,661 ) (1,077 ) (6,736 ) — (19,932 ) Non-interest expense (5) (8,381 ) (2,185 ) (1,661 ) (1,077 ) (6,736 ) — (20,040 ) Core earnings before income taxes 18,591 6,815 4,107 22,336 (2,490 ) (4,754 ) (6) 44,605 Income tax (expense)/benefit (6,508 ) (2,385 ) (1,438 ) (7,816 ) 747 1,665 (15,735 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 12,083 4,430 2,669 14,520 (1,743 ) (3,089 ) (6) 28,870 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (6,591 ) — (6,591 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 44 — 44 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 12,083 $ 4,430 $ 2,669 $ 14,520 $ (8,290 ) $ (3,089 ) (6) $ 22,323 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,311,270 $ 2,046,516 $ 1,023,630 $ 6,071,924 $ 4,369,850 $ — $ 16,823,190 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 5,830,533 $ 1,960,358 $ 1,934,473 $ 7,391,172 — $ 17,116,536 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. (5) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (6) Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.

Accounting Policies - Consolid

Accounting Policies - Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	$ 1,240,624		$ 1,132,966
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,249,627		1,142,704
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Other Liabilities	9,000		9,700
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	400		400
Institutional Credit [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Fair Value Adjustment			300
On-balance sheet [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,240,624		1,132,966
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,249,627	[1]	1,142,704	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,240,624		1,132,966
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,249,627	[1]	1,142,704	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Corporate Segment [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	[1]	0	[2]
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	553,675	[3],[4]	1,489,417	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	367,419	[3],[4]	415,441	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	186,256	[3],[4]	103,976	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[4]	0	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[4]	970,000	[5],[6]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Corporate Segment [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[4]	0	[5],[6]
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	36,881	[7]	66,389	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	36,516	[3]	65,599	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[7]	0	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3]	0	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	36,881	[7]	36,042	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	36,516	[3]	35,599	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[7]	0	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3]	0	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[7]	30,347	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3]	30,000	[5]
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Corporate Segment [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[7]	0	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3]	0	[5]
Investment Securities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	4,749		5,672
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	813,589	[9]	827,874	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	811,455	[3],[9]	825,909	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	0	[9]	0	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	[3],[9]	0	[5],[10]
Investment Securities [Member] \| On-balance sheet [Member] \| Corporate Segment [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net	813,589	[9]	827,874	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$ 811,455	[3],[9]	$ 825,909	[5],[10]

[1]	Includes borrower remittances of $9.0 million. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of June 30, 2017.
[2]	Includes borrower remittances of $9.7 million, which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2016.
[3]	Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
[4]	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.
[5]	Farmer Mac uses unpaid principal balance and the outstanding face amount of investment securities to represent maximum exposure to loss.
[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]	Includes $0.4 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business.
[8]	Includes $0.4 million of unamortized premiums and discounts and fair value adjustments related to the USDA Guarantees line of business. Includes fair value adjustments related to the Institutional Credit line of business of $0.3 million.
[9]	Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.
[10]	Includes auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and GSE-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities.

Accounting Policies - Cash and

Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Non-cash activity:
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate, Acquisitions Through Foreclosures	$ 5,261	$ 0
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	247,975	278,443
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	161,880	255,781
Purchases of Investment Securities Traded, Not Yet Settled	$ 50,000	$ 224,990

Accounting Policies - Earnings

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders (Dilutive)	$ 17,488		$ 12,006		$ 36,103		$ 22,323
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	183	[1]	158	[2]	207	[2]	348	[2]
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.02)	[2]	$ (0.06)	[2]	$ (0.06)	[2]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	10,783		10,614		10,783		10,808
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.62000	[3]	$ 1.13000		$ 3.35000	[4]	$ 2.07000
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 17,488		$ 12,006		$ 36,103		$ 22,323
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	10,600		10,456		10,576		10,460
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.65	[3]	$ 1.15		$ 3.41	[4]	$ 2.13

[1]	For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,907 and 229,693, 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 June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892, and 37,284, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
[2]	For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 37,832 and 215,547, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892, and 37,284, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
[3]	For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards."
[4]	For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards."

Accounting Policies - Earnin29

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share Anti-Dilutive (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 17,488		$ 12,006		$ 36,103		$ 22,323
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted	$ 17,488		$ 12,006		$ 36,103		$ 22,323
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	183,000	[1]	158,000	[2]	207,000	[2]	348,000	[2]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	10,600,000		10,456,000		10,576,000		10,460,000
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.65	[3]	$ 1.15		$ 3.41	[4]	$ 2.13
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.02)	[2]	$ (0.06)	[2]	$ (0.06)	[2]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	10,783,000		10,614,000		10,783,000		10,808,000
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.62000	[3]	$ 1.13000		$ 3.35000	[4]	$ 2.07000
Stock Options and SARs [Members]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)	24,907		229,693		37,832		215,547
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)	32,892		37,284		32,892		37,284

[1]	For the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,907 and 229,693, 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 June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892, and 37,284, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
[2]	For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 37,832 and 215,547, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, contingent shares of non-vested restricted stock of 32,892, and 37,284, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because performance conditions had not yet been met.
[3]	For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards."
[4]	For the effect of the adoption of the new Accounting Standard Update 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," on Basic and Diluted EPS, see Note 1(d) "New Accounting Standards."

Accounting Policies - Changes

Accounting Policies - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax		$ 9,525		$ 56,107		$ 28,328		$ 53,385
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance		41,544		(18,917)		33,758		(11,019)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		4,691		34,202		16,987		29,038
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(3,807)		(2,901)		(8,317)		(5,635)
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)		884		31,301		8,670		23,403
AOCI Ending Balance		42,428		12,384		42,428		12,384
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax		3,334		19,638		9,915		18,685
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax		6,191		36,469		18,413		34,700
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		500		500		1,000		1,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		1,360		48,157		13,339		36,006
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		476		16,856		4,669		12,603
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance		(4,742)		(14,180)		(14,387)		(10,035)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		6,191		36,469		18,413		34,700
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(2,725)		(2,585)		(5,302)		(4,961)
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)		3,466		33,884		13,111		29,739
AOCI Ending Balance		(1,276)		19,704		(1,276)		19,704
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		5,333		52,130		20,170		45,753
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		1,867		18,246		7,059		16,014
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] \| Held-to-maturity Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance		43,485		(1,133)		45,752		(476)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		0		0		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(1,381)		(648)		(3,648)		(1,305)
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)		(1,381)		(648)		(3,648)		(1,305)
AOCI Ending Balance		42,104		(1,781)		42,104		(1,781)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(2,125)		(997)		(5,612)		(2,008)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(744)		(349)		(1,964)		(703)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance		2,801		(3,604)		2,393		(508)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications		(1,500)		(2,267)		(1,426)		(5,662)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		299		332		633		631
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)		(1,201)		(1,935)		(793)		(5,031)
AOCI Ending Balance		1,600		(5,539)		1,600		(5,539)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(1,848)		(2,976)		(1,219)		(7,739)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(647)		(1,041)		(426)		(2,708)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		(2,309)		(3,488)		(2,192)		(8,710)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax		(809)		(1,221)		(766)		(3,048)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(2,721)	[1]	(2,611)	[1]	(5,294)	[2]	(5,161)	[2]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		(4,186)	[1]	(4,016)	[1]	(8,145)	[2]	(7,939)	[2]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		(1,465)	[1]	(1,405)	[1]	(2,851)	[2]	(2,778)	[2]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Other Income [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(4)	[3]	26	[3]	(8)	[4]	194	[4]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		(6)	[3]	39	[3]	(13)	[4]	298	[4]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		(2)	[3]	13	[3]	(5)	[4]	104	[4]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Interest Income [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] \| Held-to-maturity Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		(1,381)	[5]	(648)	[5]	(3,648)	[6]	(1,305)	[6]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		(2,125)	[5]	(997)	[5]	(5,612)	[6]	(2,008)	[6]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		(744)	[5]	(349)	[5]	(1,964)	[6]	(703)	[6]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Interest Expense [Member] \| Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI		299	[7]	332	[7]	633	[8]	631	[8]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		461	[7]	512	[7]	973	[8]	971	[8]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		$ 162	[7]	$ 180	[7]	340	[8]	340	[8]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Gain (Loss) on Investments [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	[9]					0		6
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	[9]					0		9
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	[9]					$ 0		$ 3

[1]	(1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
[2]	Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
[3]	Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
[4]	Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
[5]	Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.
[6]	Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.
[7]	Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.
[8]	Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.
[9]	Represents unrealized losses on sales of available-for-sale investment securities.

Accounting Policies - Componen

Accounting Policies - Components of Other Comprehensive Income Loss and Related Tax Impact (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax		$ 9,525		$ 56,107		$ 28,328		$ 53,385
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax		3,334		19,638		9,915		18,685
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax		6,191		36,469		18,413		34,700
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		4,691		34,202		16,987		29,038
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		500		500		1,000		1,000
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(3,807)		(2,901)		(8,317)		(5,635)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		1,360		48,157		13,339		36,006
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		476		16,856		4,669		12,603
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		884		31,301		8,670		23,403
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		(2,309)		(3,488)		(2,192)		(8,710)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax		(809)		(1,221)		(766)		(3,048)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		(1,500)		(2,267)		(1,426)		(5,662)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		299		332		633		631
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(1,848)		(2,976)		(1,219)		(7,739)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(647)		(1,041)		(426)		(2,708)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		(1,201)		(1,935)		(793)		(5,031)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		6,191		36,469		18,413		34,700
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(2,725)		(2,585)		(5,302)		(4,961)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		5,333		52,130		20,170		45,753
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		1,867		18,246		7,059		16,014
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		3,466		33,884		13,111		29,739
Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax		0		0		0		0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(1,381)		(648)		(3,648)		(1,305)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(2,125)		(997)		(5,612)		(2,008)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(744)		(349)		(1,964)		(703)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		(1,381)		(648)		(3,648)		(1,305)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		(4,186)	[1]	(4,016)	[1]	(8,145)	[2]	(7,939)	[2]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		(1,465)	[1]	(1,405)	[1]	(2,851)	[2]	(2,778)	[2]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(2,721)	[1]	(2,611)	[1]	(5,294)	[2]	(5,161)	[2]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Member] \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	[3]					0		9
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	[3]					0		3
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	[3]					0		6
Other Income [Member] \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		(6)	[4]	39	[4]	(13)	[5]	298	[5]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		(2)	[4]	13	[4]	(5)	[5]	104	[5]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(4)	[4]	26	[4]	(8)	[5]	194	[5]
Interest Income [Member] \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] \| Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		(2,125)	[6]	(997)	[6]	(5,612)	[7]	(2,008)	[7]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		(744)	[6]	(349)	[6]	(1,964)	[7]	(703)	[7]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		(1,381)	[6]	(648)	[6]	(3,648)	[7]	(1,305)	[7]
Interest Expense [Member] \| Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax		461	[8]	512	[8]	973	[9]	971	[9]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax		162	[8]	180	[8]	340	[9]	340	[9]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax		$ 299	[8]	$ 332	[8]	$ 633	[9]	$ 631	[9]

[1]	(1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
[2]	Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting.
[3]	Represents unrealized losses on sales of available-for-sale investment securities.
[4]	Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
[5]	Represents amortization of deferred gains related to certain available-for-sale USDA Securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities.
[6]	Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.
[7]	Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains or losses prior to the reclassification of these securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. The amortization of unrealized gains or losses reported in AOCI for held-to-maturity securities will be offset by the amortization of the premium or discount created from the transfer into held-to-maturity securities, which occurred at fair value. These unrealized gains or losses will be recorded over the remaining life of the security with no impact on future net income.
[8]	Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.
[9]	Relates to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.

Accounting Policies - New Acco

Accounting Policies - New Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Proceeds and Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	$ 200	$ 800
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-Based Compensation	$ 200	832	$ 0
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation		$ 1,669	$ 1,722

Investment Securities - Schedu

Investment Securities - Schedule of Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 8,244,547		$ 8,100,257
Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	2,357,804		2,513,294
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	4,749		5,672
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,362,553		2,518,966
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5,251		6,362
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(3,999)		(9,477)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,363,805		2,515,851
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	2,357,804		2,513,294
Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost	2,362,553		2,518,966
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gains	5,251		6,362
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Losses	(3,999)		(9,477)
Marketable Securities	2,363,805		2,515,851
USDA Securities [Member]
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	2,082,320		2,029,613
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	4,749		5,672
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	19,700		19,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	19,700		19,700
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(1,182)		(1,970)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,518		17,730
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	37,751		44,442
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	37,574		44,240
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2		1
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(153)		(390)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	37,423		43,851
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	10,000		10,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10,000		10,000
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	94		41
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	10,094		10,041
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	1,351,804		1,359,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,354,333		1,362,527
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,822		1,768
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(1,673)		(3,266)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,355,482		1,361,029
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Subordinated Debt [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance			70,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis			70,000
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax			0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses			(3,047)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure			66,953
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0		0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(177)		(202)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0		0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	2,529		2,827
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Subordinated Debt [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	488		538	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,846		3,120	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,333		4,505	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0		0	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	5,179	[2]	7,625	[1]
Derivative, Notional Amount	144,900		146,100
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	179,295		187,295
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	179,296		187,401
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(267)		(268)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	179,029		187,133
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	758,766		821,619
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	758,804		821,978
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		47
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(724)		(536)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	758,080		821,489
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	2,358		2,582	[1]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	1		106
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	38		359
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Interest-Only-Strip [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	$ 4,700		$ 7,000

[1]	Fair value includes $7.0 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $146.1 million.
[2]	Fair value includes $4.7 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $144.9 million.

Investment Securities - Narrat

Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) - Investment Securities [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 186,769,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	0		100,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	$ 0		$ 100,000

Investment Securities - Unreal

Investment Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)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	$ 1,053,697	$ 1,308,744
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	439,078	564,801
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1,245)	(1,844)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	$ (2,754)	$ (7,633)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions \| position	87	97
Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities in a loss position for more than 12 months, qualitative disclosure, percent of amortized cost	99.00%
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year \| position	46	36
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 \| position		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	18,518	17,730
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,182)	(1,970)
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	0	4,654
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	33,372	38,077
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	(10)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(153)	(380)
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	116,588	384,586
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	387,188	442,041
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(254)	(1,030)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,419)	(2,236)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| 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
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value		66,953
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses		(3,047)
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	758,080	732,371
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 Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(724)	(536)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| USDA 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	179,029	187,133
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 Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(267)	(268)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	$ 0	$ 0

Investment Securities - Debt M

Investment Securities - Debt Maturities (Details) - Investment Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$ 916,794
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	220,592
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	406,525
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	818,642
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,362,553	$ 2,518,966
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	915,808
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	220,936
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	409,570
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	817,491
Available-for-sale securities	$ 2,363,805	$ 2,515,851
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	0.82%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.65%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.72%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.64%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	1.34%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit37

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Transfer of USDA Guaranteed Securities- Available-for-sale to Held-to-maturity; Unrealized holding gains				$ 73,100
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Transfer of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities - Available-for-sale to Held-to-maturity; Unrealized holding gains				700
Transfer of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Available-for-sale to Held-to-maturity; Unrealized holding gains				$ 73,800
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	$ 66,124
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	4,137,688	$ 3,086,504	$ 3,086,504
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	4,203,812	3,158,456	3,158,456
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	5,992	7,192	7,192
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(72,804)	(99,004)	(99,004)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	4,137,000	3,066,644	3,066,644
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,295,564
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,282,562
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(1,209)	(1,833)	(1,833)
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	2,138,995	1,151,064	1,151,064
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,137,786	1,149,231	1,149,231
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	5,992	7,192	7,192
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(6,451)	(3,414)	(3,414)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	2,137,327	1,153,009	1,153,009
USDA Securities [Member]
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading, at fair value	16,294	20,388	20,388
Institutional Credit [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)		71,952	71,952
Institutional Credit [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	2,102,479	1,115,465	1,115,465
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,100,905	1,113,189	1,113,189
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	5,907	7,187	7,187
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(5,968)	(3,175)	(3,175)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	2,100,844	1,117,201	1,117,201
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	5,295,726	4,889,007	4,889,007
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,295,564	4,888,904	4,888,904
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	32,981	28,715	28,715
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(45,983)	(63,934)	(63,934)
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,282,562	4,853,685	4,853,685
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)	(1,574)	(2,276)	(2,276)
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)	(162)	(103)	(103)
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	400	400	400
USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	36,516	35,599	35,599
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	36,881	36,042	36,042
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	85	5	5
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(483)	(239)	(239)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	36,483	35,808	35,808
USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	67,333	73,785	73,785
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	1,998,693	1,935,440	1,935,440
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,066,026	2,009,225	2,009,225
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	0	0	0
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(66,353)	(95,590)	(95,590)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	1,999,673	1,913,635	1,913,635
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	15,547	19,360	19,360
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	16,727	20,737	20,737
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains	61	41
Trading Securities, Unrealized Holding Loss	(494)	(390)
Trading, at fair value	16,294	20,388	20,388
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)	365	443	443
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)	$ 1,180	$ 1,377	1,377
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| USDA Guarantee [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			2,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			$ 32,800

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit38

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)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	$ 1,053,697	$ 1,308,744
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	439,078	564,801
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1,245)	(1,844)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ (2,754)	$ (7,633)
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions \| position	87	97
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 3,387,536	$ 2,205,516
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	91,364	97,270
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(72,757)	(98,996)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(47)	(8)
Institutional Credit [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,447,267	358,575
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(5,968)	(3,175)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
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	1,787,931	982,538
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	966,689	1,131,930
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(21,001)	(18,482)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ (24,982)	$ (45,452)
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions \| position	25	22
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year \| position	7	10
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions \| position	14	7
USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 30,869	$ 30,575
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	0	0
USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,909,400	1,816,366
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	91,364	97,270
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(47)	(8)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(483)	(239)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	$ (66,306)	$ (95,582)

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit39

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$ 287,343
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	3,096,037
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	885,908
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	1,026,276
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,295,564
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	287,029
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	3,108,402
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	892,382
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	994,749
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 5,282,562
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	1.60%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.09%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.69%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.83%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	2.11%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit40

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 4,203,812	$ 3,158,456
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 4,137,000	3,066,644
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Weighted Average Yield	3.04%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, After Ten Years, Weighted-Average Yield	3.32%
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	$ 855,465
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Net Carrying Amount	1,316,883
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Net Carrying Amount	188,751
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,137,786	1,149,231
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value	855,175
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value	1,315,234
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Fair Value	182,992
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 2,137,327	$ 1,153,009
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	1.80%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Weighted-Average Yield	2.16%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	2.62%
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,842,713
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	$ 1,783,599

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit41

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Trading Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 2,754	$ 7,633
USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading, at fair value	16,294	20,388
USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	16,727	20,737
Trading, at fair value	$ 16,294	$ 20,388
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	5.33%	5.44%

Financial Derivatives - Hedgin

Financial Derivatives - Hedging Description (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings	$ (1,800)	$ (4,100)	$ (5,000)	$ (8,900)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	500	500	1,000	$ 1,000
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	1,200		1,200
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net of Tax	800		$ 800
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Derivatives - Schedu

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 8,244,547	$ 8,100,257
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	5,546	23,182
Financial derivatives, at fair value	(34,114)	(58,152)
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	25,066	25,643
Derivative Asset	5,546	23,182
Derivative Liability	9,048	32,509
Cash [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Obligation to Return Securities Received as Collateral	0	0
Collateral Pledged	100	1,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,003,581	1,642,609
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	4,549	18,508
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (9,832)	$ (18,909)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	1.74%	1.73%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.13%	0.90%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	5 years 4 months 1 day	4 years 8 months 13 days
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 1,431,700
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	97
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (3,182)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	1.11%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.42%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	1 year 11 months 25 days
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 277,000	$ 207,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	496	3,706
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (467)	$ (955)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.11%	2.18%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.41%	1.11%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	6 years 6 months 25 days	7 years 3 months 10 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Assets	$ 7	$ 14
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Liabilities	130	158
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	353,534	435,827
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	174	339
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (20,753)	$ (32,951)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	3.89%	4.06%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.18%	0.89%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	6 years 8 months 17 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 3,194,132	$ 4,991,821
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0	607
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 0	$ (5,064)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	0.99%	0.75%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.02%	0.74%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	8 months 12 days	7 months 5 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount		$ 30,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value		0
Financial derivatives, at fair value		$ (33)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate		0.58%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate		0.82%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity		4 months
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Basis Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 970,000	$ 765,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	117	36
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (10)	$ (243)
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	0.95%	0.78%
Derivative, Variable Interest Rate	1.14%	0.78%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	11 months 18 days	10 months 15 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Future [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 14,600	$ 28,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	120	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 0	$ (155)
Derivative, Weighted-Average Forward Price	$ 126.36	$ 123.73

Financial Derivatives - Sche44

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Impact on Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings		$ (1,800)	$ (4,100)	$ (5,000)	$ (8,900)
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(617)	(4,696)	1,869	(11,478)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge		9,988	16,541	4,584	46,329
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings		1,420	2,101	(2,457)	4,990
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(1,891)	(6,692)	4,501	(16,214)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Components Included from Assessment of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Effectiveness		1,300	1,800	(2,300)	3,300
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net		(100)	(300)	100	(1,700)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Instruments	[1]	(8,568)	(14,440)	(7,041)	(41,339)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness		(146)	(105)	(175)	(254)
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net		(146)	(105)	(175)	(254)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(1,648)	(6,345)	5,036	(14,487)
Forward Contracts [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(189)	10	(588)	(868)
Future [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities		$ (54)	$ (357)	$ 53	$ (859)

[1]	Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of June 30, 2017, but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.3 million and gains of $2.3 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were gains of $0.1 million and losses of 0.1 million, respectively. The comparable amounts as of June 30, 2016 were losses of $1.8 million and $3.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, gains of $0.3 million and $1.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, attributable to hedge ineffectiveness.

Financial Derivatives - Narrat

Financial Derivatives - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net	$ 0	$ 0
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	0		$ 0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	34,114		58,152
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	25,066		25,643
Additional Collateral, Aggregate Fair Value	7,700		15,800
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,244,547		8,100,257
Uncollateralized [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	300		200
Cash [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Received	0		0
Collateral Pledged	100		1,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	25,000		24,600
Exchange Cleared [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	7,200,000		6,900,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,200,000		8,100,000
ERROR in label resolution. \| Excluding netting [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	22,700		24,500
Financial derivatives, at fair value	65,400		65,700
ERROR in label resolution. \| Netting [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	300		200
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 32,800		$ 41,400

Loans and Allowance for Losse46

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		$ 3,665,984		$ 3,379,884
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		6,138		5,415
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		4,900,470		4,507,435
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		8,104	$ 7,638	7,435	$ 7,084	$ 6,626	$ 6,563
Real Estate Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	4,906,604		4,513,966
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums		4		(1,116)
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		4,906,608		4,512,850
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		6,138		5,415
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		4,900,470		4,507,435
Real Estate Loan [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		3,882,474		3,514,454
Real Estate Loan [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		1,024,130		999,512
Unsecuritized [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	3,665,980		3,381,000
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums		4		(1,116)
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		3,665,984		3,379,884
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		4,947		4,437
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		3,661,037		3,375,447
Unsecuritized [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		2,641,850		2,381,488
Unsecuritized [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		1,024,130		999,512
In Consolidated Trusts [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	1,240,624		1,132,966
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums		0		0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		1,240,624		1,132,966
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		1,191		978
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		1,239,433		1,131,988
In Consolidated Trusts [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		1,240,624		1,132,966
In Consolidated Trusts [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		$ 0		$ 0

[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 Losse47

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses			$ 5,415
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses			2,020
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	$ 7,638	$ 6,626	7,435	$ 6,563
Provision for loan losses	(327)	(364)	(964)	(413)
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	139	94	(54)	108
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	(241)	0
Total provision for losses	466	458	910	521
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	6,138		6,138
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	1,966		1,966
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	8,104	7,084	8,104	7,084
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	3,562	2,892	3,365	2,791
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			(228)
Total provision for losses	173	219	598	320
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	3,735	3,111	3,735	3,111
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,870	937	1,723	931
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0
Total provision for losses	294	207	441	213
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,164	1,144	2,164	1,144
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,379	1,763	1,375	1,781
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			(13)
Total provision for losses	(145)	143	(128)	125
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,234	1,906	1,234	1,906
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	324	444	405	408
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0
Total provision for losses	73	3	(8)	39
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	397	447	397	447
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	472	587	533	649
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0
Total provision for losses	86	(114)	25	(176)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	558	473	558	473
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	31	3	34	3
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0
Total provision for losses	(15)	0	(18)	0
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	16	3	16	3
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	5,811	4,529	5,415	4,480
Provision for loan losses	(327)	(364)	(964)	(413)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0		(241)	0
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	6,138	4,893	6,138	4,893
Reserve for Off-balance Sheet Activities [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses	1,827	2,097	2,020	2,083
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	139	94	(54)	108
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0	0
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	$ 1,966	$ 2,191	$ 1,966	$ 2,191

Loans and Allowance for Losse48

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Losses by Impairment Method and Commodity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		$ 6,305,028		$ 6,305,028			$ 6,031,565
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		121,490		121,490			107,739
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2]	6,426,518		6,426,518			6,139,304
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		5,512		5,512			5,143
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,592		2,592			2,292
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		8,104	$ 7,084	8,104	$ 7,084	$ 7,638	7,435	$ 6,626	$ 6,563
Total provision for losses		466	458	910	521
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0	(241)	0
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,461,262		3,461,262			3,357,301
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		67,089		67,089			53,197
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,528,351		3,528,351			3,410,498
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,494		2,494			2,420
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		1,241		1,241			945
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		3,735	3,111	3,735	3,111	3,562	3,365	2,892	2,791
Total provision for losses		173	219	598	320
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs				(228)
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,116,281		1,116,281			1,006,935
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		33,279		33,279			30,505
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,149,560		1,149,560			1,037,440
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,224		1,224			933
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		940		940			790
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2,164	1,144	2,164	1,144	1,870	1,723	937	931
Total provision for losses		294	207	441	213
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs				0
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,285,473		1,285,473			1,290,332
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		13,178		13,178			15,512
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,298,651		1,298,651			1,305,844
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		978		978			976
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		256		256			399
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		1,234	1,906	1,234	1,906	1,379	1,375	1,763	1,781
Total provision for losses		(145)	143	(128)	125
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs				(13)
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		374,880		374,880			315,549
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		7,864		7,864			8,525
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	382,744		382,744			324,074
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		244		244			247
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		153		153			158
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		397	447	397	447	324	405	444	408
Total provision for losses		73	3	(8)	39
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs				0
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		53,999		53,999			48,051
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	53,999		53,999			48,051
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		558		558			533
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		558	473	558	473	472	533	587	649
Total provision for losses		86	(114)	25	(176)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs				0
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		13,133		13,133			13,397
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		80		80			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,213		13,213			13,397
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		14		14			34
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2		2			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		16	3	16	3	$ 31	34	$ 3	$ 3
Total provision for losses		(15)	$ 0	(18)	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs				0
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,777,204		3,777,204			3,426,768
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		105,270		105,270			87,686
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,882,474		3,882,474			3,514,454
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,967		3,967			3,630
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,171		2,171			1,785
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		6,138		6,138			5,415
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,214,663		2,214,663			2,115,450
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		58,659		58,659			41,648
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,273,322		2,273,322			2,157,098
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,007		2,007			2,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		969		969			613
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2,976		2,976			2,613
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		711,209		711,209			569,360
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		31,020		31,020			27,770
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	742,229		742,229			597,130
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		896		896			652
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		933		933			770
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		1,829		1,829			1,422
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		602,815		602,815			537,859
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		8,634		8,634			10,658
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	611,449		611,449			548,517
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		776		776			735
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		141		141			270
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		917		917			1,005
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		225,948		225,948			183,660
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		6,957		6,957			7,610
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	232,905		232,905			191,270
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		190		190			193
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		128		128			132
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		318		318			325
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		13,508		13,508			11,545
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,508		13,508			11,545
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		89		89			22
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		89		89			22
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		9,061		9,061			8,894
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	9,061		9,061			8,894
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		9		9			28
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		9		9			28
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,527,824		2,527,824			2,604,797
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		16,220		16,220			20,053
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,544,044		2,544,044			2,624,850
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,545		1,545			1,513
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		421		421			507
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		1,966		1,966			2,020
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,246,599		1,246,599			1,241,851
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		8,430		8,430			11,549
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,255,029		1,255,029			1,253,400
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		487		487			420
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		272		272			332
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		759		759			752
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		405,072		405,072			437,575
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,259		2,259			2,735
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	407,331		407,331			440,310
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		328		328			281
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		7		7			20
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		335		335			301
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		682,658		682,658			752,473
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		4,544		4,544			4,854
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	687,202		687,202			757,327
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		202		202			241
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		115		115			129
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		317		317			370
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		148,932		148,932			131,889
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		907		907			915
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	149,839		149,839			132,804
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		54		54			54
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		25		25			26
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		79		79			80
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		40,491		40,491			36,506
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	40,491		40,491			36,506
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		469		469			511
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		469		469			511
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		4,072		4,072			4,503
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		80		80			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	4,152		4,152			4,503
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		5		5			6
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2		2			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		7		7			$ 6
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		$ 0		$ (241)	$ 0

[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]	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).

Loans and Allowance for Losse49

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Impaired Financing Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	$ 15,831			$ 15,831			$ 27,468
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	15,837			15,837			27,534
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	105,607	[1]		105,607	[1]		79,931	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	105,653			105,653			80,205
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	121,438			121,438			107,399
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	121,490			121,490			107,739
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	2,592			2,592			2,292
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	52,781	[3]		52,781	[3]		32,142	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	119,040		$ 76,520	115,161		$ 86,179
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	321		807	1,055		940
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	9,011			9,011			20,761
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	9,016			9,016			20,816
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	58,049	[1]		58,049	[1]		32,326	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	58,073			58,073			32,381
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	67,060			67,060			53,087
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	67,089			67,089			53,197
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,241			1,241			945
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	20,270	[3]		20,270	[3]		13,405	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	65,295		28,732	61,226		26,121
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	160		60	462		62
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	3,657			3,657			3,683
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	3,657			3,657			3,688
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	29,607	[1]		29,607	[1]		26,748	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	29,622			29,622			26,817
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	33,264			33,264			30,431
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	33,279			33,279			30,505
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	940			940			790
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	25,838	[3]		25,838	[3]		10,785	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	33,222		24,133	32,292		29,673
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	68		509	220		553
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	1,204			1,204			1,054
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	1,204			1,204			1,055
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	11,970	[1]		11,970	[1]		14,322	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	11,974			11,974			14,457
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	13,174			13,174			15,376
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	13,178			13,178			15,512
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	256			256			399
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	1,902	[3]		1,902	[3]		2,696	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	12,557		14,883	13,497		13,906
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	22		133	199		148
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	1,959			1,959			1,970
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	1,960			1,960			1,975
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	5,901	[1]		5,901	[1]		6,535	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	5,904			5,904			6,550
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	7,860			7,860			8,505
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	7,864			7,864			8,525
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	153			153			158
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,771	[3]		4,771	[3]		5,256	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	7,926		8,772	8,119		9,111
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	71		105	174		177
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0			0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	[1]		0	[1]		0	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	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	0		0	0		7,368
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0		0	0		0
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0			0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0			0			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	80	[1]		80	[1]		0	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	80			80			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	80			80			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	80			80			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	2			2			0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	[3]		0	[3]		0	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	40		0	27		0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0		$ 0	0		$ 0
Collateral Dependent Not Individually Analyzed [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	104,200			104,200			76,500
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	$ 2,300			$ 2,300			$ 1,600
Impaired Financing Receivable, Impairment analysis performed percent	86.00%			86.00%			71.00%
Less than 90 days past due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	$ 11,300	[3]		$ 11,300	[3]		$ 12,400	[4]

[1]	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $104.2 million (86 percent) of impaired loans as of June 30, 2017, which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.3 million.
[2]	Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $76.5 million (71 percent) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2016, which resulted in a specific allowance of $1.6 million.
[3]	Includes $11.3 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 $12.4 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 Losse50

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Troubled Debt Restructurings (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 200,000	$ 0	$ 200,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 200,000	$ 0	$ 200,000
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Number of Contracts	0
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Recorded Investment	$ 0
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Determination of Allowance for Credit Losses	0

Loans and Allowance for Losse51

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)defaulted_loan	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)defaulted_loan	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)defaulted_loan	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)defaulted_loan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
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 \| defaulted_loan	1	0	4	5
Payments to Acquire Other Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	$ 104	$ 0	$ 415	$ 1,415
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Acquired During Period, Contractually Required Payments Receivable at Acquisition, During the Period	105	0	416	1,435
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Provision for Loan Losses	0	208	0	208
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Allowance for Loan Losses, Decreases	128	6	142	10
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Outstanding Balance	14,156		14,156		$ 14,669
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net	12,969		12,969		$ 13,069
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, UPB at acquisition	0	0	311	1,267
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, UPB at acquisition	$ 104	$ 0	$ 104	$ 148

Loans and Allowance for Losse52

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired Delinquencies and Net Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	$ 41,901	[1]		$ 21,038	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		(488)		$ 39
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Subject To Be Purchased	[2]	1,400			100
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	41,433	[1]		19,757	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		(488)		39
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	468	[1]		$ 1,281	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		$ 0		$ 0

[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]	Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
[3]	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 Losse53

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financing Receivables Credit Quality Indicators (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2]	$ 6,426,518		$ 6,139,304
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[3]	41,901	[1]	21,038	[4]
Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	6,095,238		5,845,308
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	139,139		128,803
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	192,141		165,193
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,528,351		3,410,498
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		18,878	[1]	13,822	[4]
Crops [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,352,686		3,281,371
Crops [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	83,644		55,645
Crops [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	92,021		73,482
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,149,560		1,037,440
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		18,569	[1]	3,652	[4]
Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,075,880		971,477
Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	11,972		18,020
Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	61,708		47,943
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,298,651		1,305,844
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		966	[1]	707	[4]
Livestock [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,237,895		1,228,840
Livestock [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	36,926		48,416
Livestock [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	23,830		28,588
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	382,744		324,074
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		3,488	[1]	2,857	[4]
Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	363,939		304,728
Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	6,589		6,716
Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	12,216		12,630
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	53,999		48,051
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	52,188		46,082
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	0		0
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	1,811		1,969
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,213		13,397
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Other Commodity [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	12,650		12,810
Other Commodity [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	8		6
Other Commodity [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	555		581
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,882,474		3,514,454
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[3]	41,433	[1]	19,757	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,700,863		3,352,959
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	76,341		73,809
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	105,270		87,686
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,273,322		2,157,098
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		18,878	[1]	13,449	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,167,881		2,080,227
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	46,782		35,223
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	58,659		41,648
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	742,229		597,130
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		18,569	[1]	3,245	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	710,339		568,221
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	870		1,139
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	31,020		27,770
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	611,449		548,517
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		966	[1]	669	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	579,367		504,784
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	23,448		33,075
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	8,634		10,658
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	232,905		191,270
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		3,020	[1]	2,394	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	220,707		179,288
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	5,241		4,372
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	6,957		7,610
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,508		11,545
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,508		11,545
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	9,061		8,894
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	9,061		8,894
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,544,044		2,624,850
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[3]	468	[1]	1,281	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,394,375		2,492,349
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	62,798		54,994
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	86,871		77,507
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,255,029		1,253,400
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	373	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,184,805		1,201,144
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	36,862		20,422
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	33,362		31,834
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	407,331		440,310
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	407	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	365,541		403,256
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	11,102		16,881
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	30,688		20,173
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	687,202		757,327
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	38	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	658,528		724,056
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	13,478		15,341
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	15,196		17,930
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	149,839		132,804
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		468	[1]	463	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	143,232		125,440
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	1,348		2,344
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	5,259		5,020
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	40,491		36,506
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	38,680		34,537
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	0		0
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	1,811		1,969
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	4,152		4,503
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[4]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,589		3,916
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[5]	8		6
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	$ 555		$ 581

[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]	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).
[3]	Includes loans and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs that are 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, or in bankruptcy with at least one missed payment, excluding loans performing under either their original loan terms or a court-approved bankruptcy plan.
[4]	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.
[5]	Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
[6]	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.

Loans and Allowance for Losse54

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Concentrations of Credit Risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2]	$ 6,426,518	$ 6,139,304
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range One [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		$ 1,250,561	1,220,432
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		$ 1,607,806	1,466,047
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		$ 2,170,648	2,078,099
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		$ 1,149,539	1,167,395
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		$ 220,932	191,664
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		$ 27,032	15,667
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit		80.01%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit		90.00%
Northwest [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	$ 706,366	657,403
Southwest [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	1,898,171	1,791,745
Mid-North [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	2,196,291	2,104,867
Mid-South [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	860,428	837,121
Northeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	259,254	229,679
Southeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	506,008	518,489
Crops [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,528,351	3,410,498
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,149,560	1,037,440
Livestock [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,298,651	1,305,844
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	382,744	324,074
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	53,999	48,051
Other Commodity [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	$ 13,213	$ 13,397

[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]	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).

Guarantees and Long Term Stan55

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Off-Balance Sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) - Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		$ 866,889	$ 1,802,631
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		367,419	415,441
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		186,256	103,976
Institutional Credit [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		13,214	983,214
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	[1]	$ 300,000	$ 300,000

[1]	Relates to a revolving floating rate AgVantage facility subject to specified contractual terms. Farmer Mac receives a fixed fee based on the full dollar amount of the facility.

Guarantees and Long Term Stan56

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Cash Flows from Off-balance sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$ 247,975	$ 278,443
Proceeds from Fees Received	1,701	1,823
Payments to Acquire Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	(104)	$ (1,267)
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 866,889		$ 1,802,631
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	10 years 4 months 18 days		10 years 8 months 18 days
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 4,000		$ 5,500
Institutional Credit [Member] \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 13,214		$ 983,214
Institutional Credit [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	1 year 5 months 8 days		8 months 8 days

Guarantees and Long Term Stan57

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments (Details) - Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 3,000	$ 3,100
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	15 years 1 month 10 days	15 years 1 month 10 days
Guarantee obligations issued after January 1, 2003 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 31.8	$ 31.8

Equity - Common Stock Narrativ

Equity - Common Stock Narrative (Details) - Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 08, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 25
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock	668,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	$ 19.6

Equity - Capital Requirements

Equity - Capital Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Requirements, Minimum Capital, Percentage of Aggregate On-Balance Sheet Assets Included In Core Capital	2.75%
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%
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 504.4	$ 466.5
Capital	638.5	609.7
Excess Capital	$ 134.1	$ 143.2

Fair Value Disclosures - Narra

Fair Value Disclosures - Narrative (Details) - Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Billions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 5.3	$ 4.9
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Fair Value as Percent of Total Assets	31.00%	31.00%
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value as Percent of Total Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	69.00%	65.00%

Fair Value Disclosures - Fai61

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 5,546	$ 23,182
Derivative Liability	9,048	32,509
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	4,900,470	4,507,435
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,374	1,528
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	5,546	23,182
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	7,668,207	7,413,106
Derivative Liability	34,114	58,152
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,114	58,152
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	120	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	758,200	821,489
Derivative Liability	0	155
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	155
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	5,426	23,182
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,587,982	1,699,814
Derivative Liability	34,114	57,997
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,114	57,997
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	5,322,025	4,891,803
Derivative Liability	0	0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,509	3,148
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	1,135	2,799
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,374	349
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	2,509	3,148
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	1,135	2,799
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,374	349
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,282,562	4,853,685
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Institutional Credit [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
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Institutional Credit [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
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Institutional Credit [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	5,282,562	4,853,685
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,282,562	4,853,685
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	5,282,562	4,853,685
Investment Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		2,515,851
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		821,489
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		1,676,632
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		17,730
Investment Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	2,363,805
Investment Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	758,080
Investment Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	1,582,556
Investment Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	23,169
USDA Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	16,294	20,388
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
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
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	16,294	20,388
USDA Securities [Member] \| Trading Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	16,294	20,388
USDA Securities [Member] \| Trading 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
USDA Securities [Member] \| Trading 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
USDA Securities [Member] \| Trading 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	16,294	20,388
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	18,518	17,730
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans \| Available-for-sale 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	18,518	17,730
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Asset-backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	37,423	43,851
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Asset-backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Asset-backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	37,423	43,851
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Asset-backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	10,094	10,041
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	10,094	10,041
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	1,355,482	1,361,029
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	1,355,482	1,361,029
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Subordinated Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	66,953
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Subordinated Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Subordinated Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	66,953
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Subordinated Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Senior Agency Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	179,029	187,133
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Senior Agency Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Senior Agency Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	179,029	187,133
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Senior Agency Debt [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,179	7,625
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	528	7,625
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	4,651	0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	758,080	821,489
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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	758,080	821,489
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale 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

Fair Value Disclosures - Unobs

Fair Value Disclosures - Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($)		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 5,284,591,000		$ 6,518,500,000		$ 4,891,803,000		$ 6,115,339,000
Transfers In		0				7,041,000
Purchases		247,794,000		297,590,000		819,910,000		1,312,089,000
Sales		(53,506,000)		(19,014,000)		(86,095,000)		(49,468,000)
Settlements		(167,665,000)		(118,819,000)		(331,388,000)		(718,605,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		9,550,000		13,532,000		6,253,000		38,193,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		1,261,000		49,799,000		14,501,000		44,040,000
Ending Balance		5,322,025,000		6,741,588,000		5,322,025,000		6,741,588,000
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance				18,113,000				45,415,000
Purchases				0				0
Sales				0				(26,806,000)
Settlements				(120,000)				(326,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				18,000				122,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				0				(394,000)
Ending Balance				18,011,000				18,011,000
USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains		100,000		300,000		7,000		600,000
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		18,602,000		1,934,883,000		20,388,000		1,917,319,000
Transfers In		0				0
Purchases		53,506,000		129,645,000		86,095,000		228,613,000
Sales		(53,506,000)		(19,014,000)		(86,095,000)		(22,662,000)
Settlements		(2,306,000)		(99,762,000)		(4,010,000)		(186,314,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		(2,000)		377,000		(84,000)		636,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		46,417,000		0		54,954,000
Ending Balance		16,294,000		1,992,546,000		16,294,000		1,992,546,000
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		22,943,000		17,730,000		17,730,000		44,924,000
Transfers In		0				7,041,000
Purchases		0		0		0		0
Sales		0		0		0		(26,806,000)
Settlements		(111,000)		0		(223,000)		0
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		0		0		6,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		337,000		0		(1,379,000)		(394,000)
Ending Balance		23,169,000		17,730,000		23,169,000		17,730,000
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		5,243,046,000		4,565,504,000		4,853,685,000		4,152,605,000
Transfers In		0				0
Purchases		194,288,000		167,945,000		733,815,000		1,083,476,000
Sales		0		0		0		0
Settlements		(165,248,000)		(18,937,000)		(327,155,000)		(531,965,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		9,552,000		13,137,000		6,337,000		37,435,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		924,000		3,382,000		15,880,000		(10,520,000)
Ending Balance		5,282,562,000		4,731,031,000		5,282,562,000		4,731,031,000
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0		1,908,014,000		0		1,888,344,000
Transfers In		0				0
Purchases		53,506,000		129,645,000		86,095,000		228,613,000
Sales		(53,506,000)		(19,014,000)		(86,095,000)		(22,662,000)
Settlements		0		(97,303,000)		0		(181,490,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		0		0		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		46,417,000		0		54,954,000
Ending Balance		0		1,967,759,000		0		1,967,759,000
Trading Securities [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance				383,000				491,000
Purchases				0				0
Sales				0				0
Settlements				(120,000)				(326,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				18,000				116,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				0				0
Ending Balance				281,000				281,000
Trading Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		18,602,000		26,869,000		20,388,000	[1]	28,975,000
Transfers In		0				0
Purchases		0		0		0		0
Sales		0		0		0		0
Settlements		(2,306,000)		(2,459,000)		(4,010,000)		(4,824,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		(2,000)	[1]	377,000	[2]	(84,000)	[1]	636,000	[2]
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		0		0		0
Ending Balance		16,294,000	[1]	24,787,000		16,294,000	[1]	24,787,000
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		5,243,046,000		4,534,810,000		4,853,685,000	[1]	4,121,244,000
Transfers In		0				0
Purchases		194,288,000		163,845,000		733,815,000		1,079,376,000
Sales		0		0		0		0
Settlements		(165,248,000)		(16,699,000)		(327,155,000)		(529,229,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		9,552,000		13,137,000		6,337,000		37,435,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		924,000		2,491,000		15,880,000		(11,242,000)
Ending Balance		5,282,562,000	[1]	4,697,584,000		5,282,562,000	[1]	4,697,584,000
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				30,694,000				31,361,000
Purchases				4,100,000				4,100,000
Sales				0				0
Settlements				(2,238,000)				(2,736,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				0				0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				891,000				722,000
Ending Balance				33,447,000				33,447,000
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		18,124,000		17,730,000		17,730,000		44,924,000
Transfers In		0				0
Purchases		0		0		0		0
Sales		0		0		0		(26,806,000)
Settlements		0		0		0		0
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		0		0		6,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		394,000		0		788,000		(394,000)
Ending Balance		18,518,000		17,730,000		18,518,000		17,730,000
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				383,000				491,000
Purchases				0				0
Sales				0				0
Settlements	[3]			(120,000)				(326,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				18,000				116,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				0				0
Ending Balance				$ 281,000				$ 281,000
Fixed 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		4,819,000				0
Transfers In		0				7,041,000
Purchases		0				0
Sales		0				0
Settlements		(111,000)				(223,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0				0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(57,000)				(2,167,000)
Ending Balance		$ 4,651,000				$ 4,651,000

[1]	Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2017 that are recorded in "(Losses)/gains on trading securities."
[2]	Includes unrealized gains of $0.3 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 that are recorded in "(Losses)/gains on trading securities."
[3]	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2016 and are recorded in "(Losses)/gains on trading securities."

Fair Value Disclosures - Quant

Fair Value Disclosures - Quantitative Information (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 5,322,025		$ 4,891,803		$ 5,284,591	$ 6,741,588	$ 6,518,500	$ 6,115,339
USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 16,294		$ 20,388		18,602	1,992,546	1,934,883	1,917,319
Minimum [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans \| Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	94.00%		90.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	1.90%		1.50%
Minimum [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member] \| Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.70%		4.00%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	9.00%		13.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans \| Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	94.00%		90.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.10%		3.30%
Maximum [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member] \| Cost Approach Valuation Technique [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	19.00%		18.00%
Weighted Average [Member] \| Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans \| Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Range of Offered Quotes	94.00%		90.00%
Weighted Average [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] \| Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	2.10%		1.90%
Weighted Average [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member] \| Cost Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	5.00%		5.00%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	18.00%		17.00%
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 5,282,562		$ 4,853,685		5,243,046	4,731,031	4,565,504	4,152,605
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0		0		0	1,967,759	1,908,014	1,888,344
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Institutional Credit [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	5,282,562	[1]	4,853,685	[1]	5,243,046	4,697,584	4,534,810	4,121,244
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value						33,447	30,694	31,361
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 4,651		$ 0		4,819
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	0.00%		0.00%
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.60%		0.00%
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.60%		0.00%
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Weighted Average [Member] \| Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.60%		0.00%
Trading Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 16,294	[1]	$ 20,388	[1]	$ 18,602	$ 24,787	$ 26,869	$ 28,975

[1]	Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of June 30, 2017 that are recorded in "(Losses)/gains on trading securities."

Fair Value Disclosures - Summa

Fair Value Disclosures - Summary of Carrying Value and Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial derivatives	$ 5,546	$ 23,182
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	37,083	38,871
Derivative Liability	9,048	32,509
Guarantee and commitment obligation	35,814	37,282
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	319,993	265,229
Loans	4,900,470	4,507,435
Financial derivatives	5,546	23,182
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,249,627	1,142,704
Derivative Liability	34,114	58,152
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,363,805	2,515,851
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	7,420,348	6,002,916
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,082,320	2,029,613
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:	32,638	32,656
Guarantee and commitment obligation	31,846	31,796
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	4,445	6,215
Guarantee and commitment obligation	3,968	5,486
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Due within one year [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	7,859,059	8,440,123
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	7,281,509	5,222,977
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	319,993	265,229
Loans	4,892,895	4,481,019
Financial derivatives	5,546	23,182
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,221,460	1,107,513
Derivative Liability	34,114	58,152
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,363,805	2,515,851
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	7,419,889	6,006,694
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,016,660	1,934,023
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:	32,687	34,720
Guarantee and commitment obligation	31,896	33,860
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:	4,740	6,197
Guarantee and commitment obligation	4,263	5,467
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Due within one year [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	7,853,621	8,439,515
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	$ 7,338,172	$ 5,260,497

Business Segment Reporting - C

Business Segment Reporting - Core Earnings - Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2016		Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	$ 39,731		$ 34,358		$ 76,802		$ 67,998
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	0	[1],[2],[3]	0	[4],[5],[6]	0	[7],[8],[9]	0	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	0		0		0		0
Guaranty Fee Income	3,472	[3]	3,655	[6]	7,316	[9]	7,281	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	272	[2],[13]	(3,889)	[5],[14]	3,224	[8],[15]	(10,221)	[11],[16]
Non-interest income/(loss)	3,744		(234)		10,540		(2,940)
Provision for loan losses	(327)		(364)		(964)		(413)
Provision for Other Credit Losses	139		94		(54)		108
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(11,251)		(9,980)		(21,993)		(19,932)
Non-interest expense	11,390	[17]	10,074	[18]	21,939	[19]	20,040	[20]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	11,124		8,400		21,910		15,735
Net income	20,634		15,286		42,529		28,870
Net income	31,758		23,686		64,439		44,605
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,296)		(3,296)		(6,591)		(6,591)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	150		16		165		44
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	17,488		12,006		36,103		22,323
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	17,267,385		16,823,190		17,267,385		16,823,190		$ 15,606,020
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	18,258,858		17,116,536		18,258,858		17,116,536
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	13,338		11,606		26,092		22,733
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(2,007)	[1],[2],[3]	(1,731)	[4],[5],[6]	(4,077)	[7],[8],[9]	(3,397)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	11,331		9,875		22,015		19,336
Guaranty Fee Income	4,191	[3]	3,965	[6]	8,486	[9]	7,874	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	994	[2],[13]	78	[5],[14]	1,188	[8],[15]	175	[11],[16]
Non-interest income/(loss)	5,185		4,043		9,674		8,049
Provision for loan losses	(327)		(364)		(964)		(413)
Provision for Other Credit Losses	139		94		(54)		108
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(4,446)		(4,112)		(8,511)		(8,273)
Non-interest expense	4,585	[17]	4,206	[18]	8,457	[19]	8,381	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	11,604		9,348		22,268		18,591
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	4,061		3,272		7,793		6,508
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	7,543		6,076		14,475		12,083
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0		0		0
Segment core earnings	7,543		6,076		14,475		12,083
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	3,958,344		3,311,270		3,958,344		3,311,270
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	6,426,518		5,830,533		6,426,518		5,830,533
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	5,176		4,938		10,459		9,990
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(495)	[1],[2],[3]	(350)	[4],[5],[6]	(1,075)	[7],[8],[9]	(1,094)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	4,681		4,588		9,384		8,896
Guaranty Fee Income	99	[3]	14	[6]	173	[9]	21	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	11	[2],[13]	25	[5],[14]	25	[8],[15]	83	[11],[16]
Non-interest income/(loss)	110		39		198		104
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses	0		0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(1,166)		(1,092)		(2,253)		(2,185)
Non-interest expense	1,166	[17]	1,092	[18]	2,253	[19]	2,185	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	3,625		3,535		7,329		6,815
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	1,269		1,237		2,565		2,385
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	2,356		2,298		4,764		4,430
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0		0		0
Segment core earnings	2,356		2,298		4,764		4,430
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	2,141,569		2,046,516		2,141,569		2,046,516
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	2,237,013		1,960,358		2,237,013		1,960,358
Rural Utilities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	3,003		2,855		5,951		5,719
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(267)	[1],[2],[3]	(293)	[4],[5],[6]	(576)	[7],[8],[9]	(619)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	2,736		2,562		5,375		5,100
Guaranty Fee Income	487	[3]	373	[6]	979	[9]	668	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	5	[2],[13]	0	[5],[14]	10	[8],[15]	0	[11],[16]
Non-interest income/(loss)	492		373		989		668
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses	0		0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(643)		(830)		(1,230)		(1,661)
Non-interest expense	643	[17]	830	[18]	1,230	[19]	1,661	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	2,585		2,105		5,134		4,107
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	905		737		1,797		1,438
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	1,680		1,368		3,337		2,669
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0		0		0
Segment core earnings	1,680		1,368		3,337		2,669
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	1,038,383		1,023,630		1,038,383		1,023,630
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	1,883,909		1,934,473		1,883,909		1,934,473
Institutional Credit [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	15,431		12,109		28,933		23,858
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(1,036)	[1],[2],[3]	(702)	[4],[5],[6]	(1,957)	[7],[8],[9]	(1,361)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	14,395		11,407		26,976		22,497
Guaranty Fee Income	165	[3]	458	[6]	620	[9]	916	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	0	[2],[13]	0	[5],[14]	0	[8],[15]	0	[11],[16]
Non-interest income/(loss)	165		458		620		916
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses	0		0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(1,622)		(538)		(3,143)		(1,077)
Non-interest expense	1,622	[17]	538	[18]	3,143	[19]	1,077	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	12,938		11,327		24,453		22,336
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	4,528		3,964		8,558		7,816
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	8,410		7,363		15,895		14,520
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0		0		0
Segment core earnings	8,410		7,363		15,895		14,520
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	7,425,774		6,071,924		7,425,774		6,071,924
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	7,711,418		7,391,172		7,711,418		7,391,172
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	2,783		2,850		5,367		5,698
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(316)	[1],[2],[3]	(256)	[4],[5],[6]	(641)	[7],[8],[9]	(552)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	2,467		2,594		4,726		5,146
Guaranty Fee Income	0	[3]	0	[6]	0	[9]	0	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	(450)	[2],[13]	(228)	[5],[14]	393	[8],[15]	(900)	[11],[16]
Non-interest income/(loss)	(450)		(228)		393		(900)
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses	0		0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(3,374)		(3,408)		(6,856)		(6,736)
Non-interest expense	3,374	[17]	3,408	[18]	6,856	[19]	6,736	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	(1,357)		(1,042)		(1,737)		(2,490)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(466)		(254)		(1,251)		(747)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	(891)		(788)		(486)		(1,743)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,296)		(3,296)		(6,591)		(6,591)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	150		16		165		44
Segment core earnings	(4,037)		(4,068)		(6,912)		(8,290)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	2,703,315		4,369,850		2,703,315		4,369,850
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	0		0		0		0
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	4,121	[1],[2],[3]	3,332	[4],[5],[6]	8,326	[7],[8],[9]	7,023	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	4,121		3,332		8,326		7,023
Guaranty Fee Income	(1,470)	[3]	(1,155)	[6]	(2,942)	[9]	(2,198)	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	(288)	[2],[13]	(3,764)	[5],[14]	1,608	[8],[15]	(9,579)	[11],[16]
Non-interest income/(loss)	(1,758)		(4,919)		(1,334)		(11,777)
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses	0		0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	0		0		0		0
Non-interest expense	0	[17]	0	[18]	0	[19]	0	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	2,363	[21]	(1,587)	[22]	6,992	[21]	(4,754)	[22]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	827		(556)		2,448		(1,665)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	1,536	[21]	(1,031)	[22]	4,544	[21]	(3,089)	[22]
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0		0		0
Segment core earnings	1,536	[21]	(1,031)	[22]	4,544	[21]	(3,089)	[22]
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	0		0		0		0
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1]	Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
[2]	Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
[3]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[4]	Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
[5]	Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
[6]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[7]	Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
[8]	Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
[9]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[10]	Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts.
[11]	Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives and hedging activities" on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment.
[12]	Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee.
[13]	Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. In 2016 and prior periods, fair value adjustments on financial derivatives included variation margin payment amounts because those amounts were considered to be collateral of the related exposure and were accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. However, effective first quarter 2017, CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin, whereby variation margin payments are considered to be a partial settlement of the respective derivatives contracts rather than as pledged collateral, and accounted for as realized gains and losses. See Note 4 for more information about this rule change. Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are now accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the CME rule change, their economic character will remain the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in 2017, this reconciling adjustment includes realized gains and losses on financial derivatives centrally cleared through CME resulting from the exchange of variation margin. As a result, core earnings subsequent to 2016 will be presented on a consistent basis with core earnings in 2016 and prior periods.
[14]	Includes reconciling adjustments for 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.
[15]	Includes reconciling adjustments for 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. In 2016 and prior periods, fair value adjustments on financial derivatives included variation margin payment amounts because those amounts were considered to be collateral of the related exposure and were accounted for as unrealized gains or losses. However, effective first quarter 2017, CME implemented a change in its rules related to the exchange of variation margin, whereby variation margin payments are considered to be a partial settlement of the respective derivatives contracts rather than as pledged collateral, and accounted for as realized gains and losses. See Note 4 for more information about this rule change. Farmer Mac believes that even though these variation margin amounts are now accounted for as realized gains or losses on financial derivatives and hedging activities as a result of the CME rule change, their economic character will remain the same as they were before the change. The exchange of variation margin, whether considered a partial settlement of or the pledge of collateral under a derivatives contract, is not expected to have a cumulative net impact on Farmer Mac's financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with GAAP because the related financial instruments are expected to be held to maturity. Therefore, beginning in 2017, this reconciling adjustment includes realized gains and losses on financial derivatives centrally cleared through CME resulting from the exchange of variation margin. As a result, core earnings subsequent to 2016 will be presented on a consistent basis with core earnings in 2016 and prior periods.
[16]	Includes reconciling adjustments for 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.
[17]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[18]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[19]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[20]	Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing.
[21]	Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.
[22]	Net adjustments to reconcile to the corresponding income measures: core earnings before income taxes reconciled to income before income taxes; core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest reconciled to net income; and segment core earnings reconciled to net income attributable to common stockholders.