Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM) 10-Q9 Nov 172017 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 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	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
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		9,086,963

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 366,764	$ 265,229
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	3,804,966	3,379,884
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,329,212	1,132,966
Allowance for loan losses	(6,408)	(5,415)
Total loans, net of allowance	5,127,770	4,507,435
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,086	1,528
Financial derivatives, at fair value	2,020	23,182
Interest receivable (includes $10,625 and $12,584, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	110,175	122,782
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	36,679	38,871
Deferred tax asset, net	4,293	12,291
Prepaid expenses and other assets	96,780	86,322
Total Assets	17,690,238	15,606,020
Notes payable:
Due within one year	8,112,928	8,440,123
Due after one year	7,399,961	5,222,977
Total notes payable	15,512,889	13,663,100
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,333,417	1,142,704
Financial derivatives, at fair value	30,595	58,152
Accrued interest payable (includes $8,874 and $10,881, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	61,804	49,700
Guarantee and commitment obligation	35,316	37,282
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	19,971	9,415
Reserve for losses	2,080	2,020
Total Liabilities	16,996,072	14,962,373
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	119,130	118,655
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	40,795	33,758
Retained earnings	318,869	275,714
Total Stockholders' Equity	694,166	643,425
Non-controlling interest	0	222
Total Equity	694,166	643,647
Total Liabilities and Equity	17,690,238	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	9,082	9,008
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,234,966	2,515,851
Marketable Securities	2,234,966	2,515,851
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,443,746	4,853,685
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,158,810	1,149,231
Marketable Securities	7,602,556	6,002,916
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,092,285	2,009,225
Trading, at fair value	14,864	20,388
Marketable Securities	$ 2,107,149	$ 2,029,613

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 110,175	$ 122,782
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 61,804	$ 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	9,082,335	9,007,481
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 10,625	$ 12,584
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 8,874	$ 10,881

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Interest income:
Investments and cash equivalents	$ 9,223		$ 6,994		$ 24,834		$ 20,235
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities	54,350		38,129		146,978		110,938
Loans	40,924		34,409		117,349		99,486
Total interest income	104,497		79,532		289,161		230,659
Total interest expense	64,935		43,969		172,797		127,098
Net interest income	39,562		35,563		116,364		103,561
Provision for loan losses	(270)		(191)		(1,234)		(604)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	39,292		35,372		115,130		102,957
Non-interest income:
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,314	[1]	3,798	[2]	10,630	[3]	11,079	[4]
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities	661		(1,601)		2,530		(13,079)
Gains/(losses) on trading securities	0		1,182		(84)		1,934
Gains/(losses) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	89		0		89		(9)
Gains on sale of real estate owned	32		15		784		15
Other income	203		707		890		1,221
Non-interest income	4,299		4,101		14,839		1,161
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits	5,987		5,438		18,986		16,823
General and administrative	3,890		3,474		11,611		10,757
Regulatory fees	625		613		1,875		1,838
Real estate owned operating costs, net	0		0		23		39
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	114		(222)		60		(114)
Non-interest expense	10,616	[5]	9,303	[6]	32,555	[7]	29,343	[8]
Income before income taxes	32,975		30,170		97,414		74,775
Income tax expense	11,193		10,529		33,103		26,264
Net income	21,782		19,641		64,311		48,511
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		18		165		62
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	21,782		19,659		64,476		48,573
Preferred stock dividends	(3,295)		(3,295)		(9,886)		(9,886)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 18,487		$ 16,364		$ 54,590		$ 38,687
Earnings per common share and dividends:
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.74	[9]	$ 1.56		$ 5.16	[10]	$ 3.70
Diluted earnings per common share	1.71000	[9]	1.54000		5.06000	[10]	3.6000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.36		$ 0.26		$ 1.08		$ 0.78

[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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net income	$ 21,782	$ 19,641	$ 64,311	$ 48,511
Other comprehensive income before taxes:
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities	(886)	552	19,283	46,305
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(1,879)	(73)	(7,491)	(2,081)
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	253	1,336	(966)	(6,403)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before tax	(2,512)	1,815	10,826	37,821
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive (loss)/income	879	(635)	(3,789)	(13,238)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax	(1,633)	1,180	7,037	24,583
Comprehensive income	20,149	20,821	71,348	73,094
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0	18	165	62
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 20,149	$ 20,839	$ 71,513	$ 73,156

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY Statement - USD ($)	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	$ 553,720,000		$ 204,759,000		$ 10,687,000		$ 117,862,000		$ (11,019,000)		$ 231,228,000		$ 203,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Attributable to Farmer Mac	48,573,000		0		0		0		0		48,573,000		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	62,000		0		0		0		0		0		(62,000)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	24,583,000		0		0		0		24,583,000		0		0
Preferred stock	(9,886,000)		0		0		0		0		(9,886,000)		0
Common stock	(8,145,000)		0		0		0		0		(8,145,000)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		101,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 491,000		$ 0		$ 101,000		$ 390,000		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock				0		(307,000)
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock		(9,088,000)		$ 0		$ (307,000)		0		0		(8,781,000)		0
Stock-based compensation cost	2,566,000		0		0		2,566,000		0		0		0
Other stock-based award activity	(1,921,000)		0		0		(1,921,000)		0		0		0
Redemption of interest in subsidiary	53,000		$ 0		$ 0		0		0		0		53,000
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Sep. 30, 2016			8,400,000		10,481,000
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	600,884,000		$ 204,759,000		$ 10,481,000		118,897,000		13,564,000		252,989,000		194,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock	(0.26)
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2016			8,400,000		10,539,000
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	643,647,000		$ 204,759,000		$ 10,539,000		118,655,000		33,758,000		275,714,000		222,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Attributable to Farmer Mac	64,476,000		0		0		0		0		64,476,000		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	165,000		0		0		0		0		0		(165,000)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,037,000		0		0		0		7,037,000		0		0
Preferred stock	(9,886,000)		0		0		0		0		(9,886,000)		0
Common stock	(11,435,000)		0		0		0		0		(11,435,000)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		74,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 302,000		$ 0		$ 74,000		$ 228,000		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock		(668,000)
Stock-based compensation cost	2,597,000		0		0		2,597,000		0		0		0
Other stock-based award activity	(2,350,000)		0		0		(2,350,000)		0		0		0
Redemption of interest in subsidiary	(57,000)		$ 0		$ 0		0		0		0		(57,000)
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Sep. 30, 2017			8,400,000		10,613,000
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 694,166,000		$ 204,759,000		$ 10,613,000		$ 119,130,000		$ 40,795,000		$ 318,869,000		$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 64,311	$ 48,511
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	1,701	1,343
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs	17,078	24,789
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives	(12,232)	1,672
Gains on sale of real estate owned	(784)	(15)
Total provision for losses	1,294	490
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-Based Compensation	1,170	0
Deferred income taxes	1,910	(1,270)
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	11	9
Stock-based compensation expense	2,597	2,565
Proceeds from repayment of trading investment securities	0	2,212
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale	54,919	67,506
Net change in:
Interest receivable	12,678	26,172
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	226	534
Other assets	(109)	(46,832)
Accrued interest payable	12,104	(7,351)
Other liabilities	435	507
Net cash provided by operating activities	157,309	120,842
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of loans held for investment	(1,047,001)	(762,018)
Purchases of defaulted loans	(3,458)	(2,516)
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment	368,826	333,920
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	404,246	457,369
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned	6,464	295
Net cash used by investing activities	(1,777,246)	(930,044)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards	0	408
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts	(86,582)	(71,806)
Proceeds from common stock issuance	235	405
Tax payments related to share-based awards	(2,283)	(1,975)
Investment in subsidiary - non-controlling interest	0	53
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock	(21,321)	(18,031)
Net cash provided/(used) by financing activities	1,721,472	(87,301)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	101,535	(896,503)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	265,229	1,210,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	366,764	313,581
Medium-term Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	7,160,298	4,763,631
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(3,416,300)	(3,103,800)
Discount Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	40,262,122	77,411,229
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(42,174,697)	(79,058,129)
Investment Securities [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities and Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	(614,423)	(1,365,314)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	895,497	957,973
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	5,089	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	(2,580,229)	(2,203,574)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	787,743	1,467,052
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Common stock repurchased	$ 0	$ (9,286)

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Accounting Policies	Sep. 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 September 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 September 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 $ 1,329,212 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,329,212 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,333,417 — — — — 1,333,417 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 31,003 — — — 31,003 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 30,688 — — — 30,688 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 783,665 783,665 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 781,755 781,755 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 354,823 226,802 — — — 581,625 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $4.2 million . The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of September 30, 2017 . (2) Includes $0.3 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.2 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 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 404,246 457,369 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 277,307 402,841 Purchases of securities - traded not yet settled 9,987 25,000 Earnings Per Common Share Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding adjusted to include all potentially dilutive common stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), and non-vested restricted stock awards. The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.3 For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (1) September 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 $ 18,487 10,605 $ 1.74 $ 16,364 10,473 $ 1.56 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 210 (0.03 ) — 176 (0.02 ) Diluted EPS $ 18,487 10,815 $ 1.71 $ 16,364 10,649 $ 1.54 (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 September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,657 and 54,709 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017(1) September 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 $ 54,590 10,586 $ 5.16 $ 38,687 10,464 $ 3.70 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 208 (0.10 ) — 291 (0.10 ) Diluted EPS $ 54,590 10,794 $ 5.06 $ 38,687 10,755 $ 3.60 (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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 33,440 and 115,875 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.4 As of September 30, 2017 As of September 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 $ (1,276 ) $ 42,104 $ 1,600 $ 42,428 $ 19,704 $ (1,781 ) $ (5,539 ) $ 12,384 Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 2,298 — (97 ) 2,201 2,746 — 527 3,273 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2,875 ) (1,221 ) 262 (3,834 ) (2,388 ) (47 ) 342 (2,093 ) Net Comprehensive (Loss)/Income (577 ) (1,221 ) 165 (1,633 ) 358 (47 ) 869 1,180 Ending Balance $ (1,853 ) $ 40,883 $ 1,765 $ 40,795 $ 20,062 $ (1,828 ) $ (4,670 ) $ 13,564 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (14,387 ) $ 45,752 $ 2,393 $ 33,758 $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 20,711 — (1,522 ) 19,189 37,446 — (5,136 ) 32,310 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (8,177 ) (4,869 ) 894 (12,152 ) (7,349 ) (1,352 ) 974 (7,727 ) Net Comprehensive Income/(Loss) 12,534 (4,869 ) (628 ) 7,037 30,097 (1,352 ) (4,162 ) 24,583 Ending Balance $ (1,853 ) $ 40,883 $ 1,765 $ 40,795 $ 20,062 $ (1,828 ) $ (4,670 ) $ 13,564 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.5 For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 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 on available-for-sale-securities $ 3,536 $ 1,238 $ 2,298 $ 4,225 $ 1,479 $ 2,746 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (4,326 ) (1,514 ) (2,812 ) (3,652 ) (1,278 ) (2,374 ) Gains/(losses) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) (89 ) (31 ) (58 ) — — — Other income (2) (7 ) (2 ) (5 ) (21 ) (7 ) (14 ) Total $ (886 ) $ (309 ) $ (577 ) $ 552 $ 194 $ 358 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (3) $ (1,879 ) $ (658 ) $ (1,221 ) $ (73 ) $ (26 ) $ (47 ) Total $ (1,879 ) $ (658 ) $ (1,221 ) $ (73 ) $ (26 ) $ (47 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges $ (150 ) $ (53 ) $ (97 ) $ 810 $ 283 $ 527 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) 403 141 262 526 184 342 Total $ 253 $ 88 $ 165 $ 1,336 $ 467 $ 869 Other comprehensive (loss)/income $ (2,512 ) $ (879 ) $ (1,633 ) $ 1,815 $ 635 $ 1,180 (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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 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 on available-for-sale-securities $ 31,863 $ 11,152 $ 20,711 $ 57,610 $ 20,164 $ 37,446 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (12,470 ) (4,365 ) (8,105 ) (11,591 ) (4,056 ) (7,535 ) Gains/(losses) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) (89 ) (31 ) (58 ) 9 3 6 Other income (3) (21 ) (7 ) (14 ) 277 97 180 Total $ 19,283 $ 6,749 $ 12,534 $ 46,305 $ 16,208 $ 30,097 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) $ (7,491 ) $ (2,622 ) $ (4,869 ) $ (2,081 ) $ (729 ) $ (1,352 ) Total $ (7,491 ) $ (2,622 ) $ (4,869 ) $ (2,081 ) $ (729 ) $ (1,352 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges (2,342 ) (820 ) $ (1,522 ) $ (7,901 ) $ (2,765 ) $ (5,136 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) 1,376 482 894 1,498 524 974 Total $ (966 ) $ (338 ) $ (628 ) $ (6,403 ) $ (2,241 ) $ (4,162 ) Other comprehensive income $ 10,826 $ 3,789 $ 7,037 $ 37,821 $ 13,238 $ 24,583 (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 $0.3 million and $1.2 million , respectively, were recognized as a reduction to income tax expense in the three and nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 . For the three months ended September 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 $0.03 in basic earnings per share and $0.02 in diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2017 . For the nine months ended September 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 $0.11 in basic earnings per share and $0.09 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 nine months ended September 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 $0.3 million and $1.2 million , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 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 $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to previously reported amounts. The amount of employee taxes paid for shares withheld was $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 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. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, " Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which amends hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements to better align a reporting entity's risk management activities and hedge accounting. The new guidance reduces the complexity and simplifies the application of hedge accounting by eliminating the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and by requiring the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of the new guidance is permitted in any interim or annual period after issuance of the ASU. Farmer Mac is planning to adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2018 and does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operation, or cash flow upon the adoption of the new guidance.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	9 Months Ended
Investment Securities	Sep. 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 2.1 As of September 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 35,870 (165 ) 35,705 20 (123 ) 35,602 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,308,236 2,386 1,310,622 2,858 (1,276 ) 1,312,204 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 468 2,247 2,715 2,250 — 4,965 Fixed rate senior agency debt 100,000 (8 ) 99,992 — (121 ) 99,871 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 765,318 (1,054 ) 764,264 — (458 ) 763,806 Total available-for-sale 2,229,592 3,406 2,232,998 5,128 (3,160 ) 2,234,966 Total investment securities $ 2,229,592 $ 3,406 $ 2,232,998 $ 5,128 $ (3,160 ) $ 2,234,966 (1) Fair value includes $4.5 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $144.3 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 . During the three months ended September 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac received proceeds of $5.1 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized gains of $0.1 million . Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the three months ended September 30, 2016 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac received proceeds of $5.1 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized gains of $0.1 million , compared to proceeds of $186.8 million for the same period in 2016, resulting in gross realized gains of $0.1 million and gross realized losses of $0.1 million . As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 2.2 As of September 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 — — 24,089 (123 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 131,772 (220 ) 277,196 (1,056 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 738,815 (431 ) 24,991 (27 ) Fixed rate senior agency debt 49,929 (73 ) 49,943 (48 ) Total $ 920,516 $ (724 ) $ 394,737 $ (2,436 ) 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 September 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 September 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 81 and 97 individual investment securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , 44 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $2.4 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Farmer Mac did not own any held-to-maturity or trading investment securities as of September 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 798,153 $ 797,630 0.92% Due after one year through five years 363,861 364,132 1.62% Due after five years through ten years 279,192 281,792 1.75% Due after ten years 791,792 791,412 1.86% Total $ 2,232,998 $ 2,234,966 1.47%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securitie

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 3.1 As of September 30, 2017 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,128,974 $ (1,166 ) $ 2,127,808 $ 5,091 $ (6,073 ) $ 2,126,826 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,688 314 31,002 86 (284 ) 30,804 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,159,662 (852 ) 2,158,810 5,177 (6,357 ) 2,157,630 USDA Securities 2,027,261 65,024 2,092,285 — (64,741 ) 2,027,544 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,186,923 $ 64,172 $ 4,251,095 $ 5,177 $ (71,098 ) $ 4,185,174 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 5,459,655 $ (141 ) $ 5,459,514 $ 30,811 $ (46,579 ) $ 5,443,746 Trading: USDA Securities $ 14,204 $ 1,092 $ 15,296 $ 31 $ (463 ) $ 14,864 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 , before 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 September 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 September 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 $ 1,249,774 $ (3,888 ) $ 247,815 $ (2,185 ) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 25,201 (284 ) — — USDA Securities 1,940,984 (64,696 ) 86,619 (45 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 3,215,959 $ (68,868 ) $ 334,434 $ (2,230 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,293,478 $ (14,376 ) $ 1,424,602 $ (32,203 ) 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, as applicable. In addition, the unrealized losses on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities as of both September 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 30 available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2017 . There were 18 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of September 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 September 30, 2017 , 12 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $32.2 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 September 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 nine months ended September 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 1,000,000 $ 1,001,537 1.90 % Due after one year through five years 2,696,001 2,706,480 2.14 % Due after five years through ten years 745,701 750,299 2.87 % Due after ten years 1,017,812 985,430 1.98 % Total $ 5,459,514 $ 5,443,746 2.17 % As of September 30, 2017 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 926,747 $ 925,935 1.78 % Due after one year through five years 1,260,842 1,258,848 2.27 % Due after five years through ten years 208,034 201,899 3.07 % Due after ten years 1,855,472 1,798,492 3.35 % Total $ 4,251,095 $ 4,185,174 2.66 % As of September 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $15.3 million , a fair value of $14.9 million , and a weighted-average yield of 5.36 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	9 Months Ended
Financial Derivatives	Sep. 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 " Gains/(losses) 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 " Gains/(losses) 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 the amount of interest expense recognized on those derivatives was $1.9 million and $6.9 million , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the amount of interest expense recognized on those derivatives was $4.0 million and $12.9 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 " Gains/(losses) 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 , $0.4 million and $1.4 million , respectively, was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , $0.5 million and $1.5 million , respectively, was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense. As of September 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 September 30, 2017 . During the three and nine months ended September 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 " Gains/(losses) 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 Gains/(losses) 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 Gains/(losses) 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 Gains/(losses) 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 4.1 As of September 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 $ 2,040,854 $ 744 $ (8,768 ) 1.83% 1.31% 5.42 Receive fixed non-callable 1,431,700 64 (1,985 ) 1.23% 1.42% 1.74 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 349,000 960 (555 ) 2.19% 1.55% 6.32 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 348,040 166 (19,318 ) 3.80% 1.31% 6.88 Receive fixed non-callable 3,389,116 — — 1.12% 1.10% 0.85 Basis swaps 1,225,000 42 (63 ) 1.20% 1.22% 0.95 Treasury futures 7,400 50 — 125.99 Credit valuation adjustment (6 ) 94 Total financial derivatives $ 8,791,110 $ 2,020 $ (30,595 ) Collateral pledged — 25,079 Net amount $ 2,020 $ (5,516 ) 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 Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps (1) $ 1,576 $ 11,276 $ (5,466 ) $ (30,062 ) Hedged items 166 (10,550 ) 4,750 35,778 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedges 1,742 726 (716 ) 5,716 Cash flow hedges: Loss recognized (ineffective portion) (191 ) (68 ) (365 ) (322 ) Losses on cash flow hedges (191 ) (68 ) (365 ) (322 ) No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps (1,031 ) (2,333 ) 4,006 (16,820 ) Agency forwards — 79 (588 ) (789 ) Treasury futures 141 (5 ) 193 (864 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships (890 ) (2,259 ) 3,611 (18,473 ) Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities $ 661 $ (1,601 ) $ 2,530 $ (13,079 ) (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of September 30, 2017 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.6 million and gains of $0.7 million , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 were gains of $0.1 million and zero , respectively. The comparable amounts as of September 30, 2016 were losses of $ 1.0 million and $4.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, losses of $0.2 million and gains of $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , attributable to hedge ineffectiveness. As of September 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 $24.6 million and $24.5 million , respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, Farmer Mac's credit exposure was $0.1 million and $0.2 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac held no cash as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $0.1 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 September 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 $61.1 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 $27.3 million and $41.4 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Farmer Mac posted cash of $0.1 million and $25.0 million of investment securities as of September 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements or post additional collateral of $2.3 million and $15.8 million , respectively. As of September 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 $8.8 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of September 30, 2017 , $7.7 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.1 As of September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 2,739,681 $ 1,329,212 $ 4,068,893 $ 2,381,488 $ 1,132,966 $ 3,514,454 Rural Utilities 1,066,482 — 1,066,482 999,512 — 999,512 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 3,806,163 1,329,212 5,135,375 3,381,000 1,132,966 4,513,966 Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments (1,197 ) — (1,197 ) (1,116 ) — (1,116 ) Total loans 3,804,966 1,329,212 5,134,178 3,379,884 1,132,966 4,512,850 Allowance for loan losses (5,195 ) (1,213 ) (6,408 ) (4,437 ) (978 ) (5,415 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,799,771 $ 1,327,999 $ 5,127,770 $ 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 $8.5 million as of September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 5.2 As of September 30, 2017 As of September 30, 2016 Allowance Reserve Total Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 6,138 $ 1,966 $ 8,104 $ 4,893 $ 2,191 $ 7,084 Provision for/(release of) losses 270 114 384 191 (222 ) (31 ) Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 6,408 $ 2,080 $ 8,488 $ 4,954 $ 1,969 $ 6,923 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 5,415 $ 2,020 $ 7,435 $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 1,234 60 1,294 604 (114 ) 490 Charge-offs (241 ) — (241 ) (130 ) — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 6,408 $ 2,080 $ 8,488 $ 4,954 $ 1,969 $ 6,923 During third quarter 2017 , Farmer Mac recorded net provisions to its allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses of $0.3 million and $0.1 million , respectively. The net provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during third quarter 2017 were primarily attributable to (1) an increase in the specific allowance for certain impaired on-balance sheet crop and permanent planting loans resulting from both an increase in the outstanding balance of such loans and downgrades in risk ratings on certain of those loans, and (2) an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans. The net provision to the reserve for losses recorded during the third quarter 2017 was primarily attributable to an increase in the general reserve due to downgrades in risk ratings on certain unimpaired Agricultural Storage and Processing loans underlying LTSPCs. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during third quarter 2017. During third quarter 2016 , Farmer Mac recorded net provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.2 million and net releases to its reserve for losses of $0.2 million . The net provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during third quarter 2016 were attributable to an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans and downgrades in risk ratings for a small number of loans. The net releases to the reserve for losses recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2016 were attributable to the release of a specific reserve on an impaired livestock loan underlying an LTSPC that was required to be removed from the LTSPC pool by the originator during third quarter 2016. Farmer Mac recorded $0.1 million charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during third quarter 2016. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 by commodity type: Table 5.3 September 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 Provision for/(release of) losses 115 162 35 4 72 (4 ) 384 Ending Balance $ 3,850 $ 2,326 $ 1,269 $ 401 $ 630 $ 12 $ 8,488 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 713 603 (93 ) (4 ) 97 (22 ) 1,294 Charge-offs (228 ) — (13 ) — — — (241 ) Ending Balance $ 3,850 $ 2,326 $ 1,269 $ 401 $ 630 $ 12 $ 8,488 September 30, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,111 $ 1,144 $ 1,906 $ 447 $ 473 $ 3 $ 7,084 Provision for/(release of) losses 103 198 (354 ) 36 (13 ) (1 ) (31 ) Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 3,214 $ 1,342 $ 1,552 $ 353 $ 460 $ 2 $ 6,923 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 423 411 (229 ) 75 (189 ) (1 ) 490 Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 3,214 $ 1,342 $ 1,552 $ 353 $ 460 $ 2 $ 6,923 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.4 As of September 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,278,701 $ 767,275 $ 623,499 $ 246,416 $ 13,248 $ 9,004 $ 3,938,143 Off-balance sheet 1,237,846 373,496 668,280 153,278 34,820 3,849 2,471,569 Total $ 3,516,547 $ 1,140,771 $ 1,291,779 $ 399,694 $ 48,068 $ 12,853 $ 6,409,712 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 68,322 $ 41,201 $ 13,516 $ 7,069 $ — $ 642 $ 130,750 Off-balance sheet 8,847 2,249 4,448 945 — 79 16,568 Total $ 77,169 $ 43,450 $ 17,964 $ 8,014 $ — $ 721 $ 147,318 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,347,023 $ 808,476 $ 637,015 $ 253,485 $ 13,248 $ 9,646 $ 4,068,893 Off-balance sheet 1,246,693 375,745 672,728 154,223 34,820 3,928 2,488,137 Total $ 3,593,716 $ 1,184,221 $ 1,309,743 $ 407,708 $ 48,068 $ 13,574 $ 6,557,030 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,868 $ 973 $ 748 $ 219 $ 87 $ 6 $ 3,901 Off-balance sheet 560 285 212 46 543 4 1,650 Total $ 2,428 $ 1,258 $ 960 $ 265 $ 630 $ 10 $ 5,551 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,193 $ 1,010 $ 192 $ 112 $ — $ — $ 2,507 Off-balance sheet 229 58 117 24 — 2 430 Total $ 1,422 $ 1,068 $ 309 $ 136 $ — $ 2 $ 2,937 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 3,061 $ 1,983 $ 940 $ 331 $ 87 $ 6 $ 6,408 Off-balance sheet 789 343 329 70 543 6 2,080 Total $ 3,850 $ 2,326 $ 1,269 $ 401 $ 630 $ 12 $ 8,488 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.5 As of September 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 11,909 $ 4,963 $ 3,942 $ 1,939 $ — $ 644 $ 23,397 Unpaid principal balance 11,885 4,953 3,935 1,936 — 643 23,352 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 65,391 38,565 14,048 6,088 — 78 124,170 Unpaid principal balance 65,284 38,497 14,029 6,078 — 78 123,966 Associated allowance 1,422 1,068 309 136 — 2 2,937 Total: Recorded investment 77,300 43,528 17,990 8,027 — 722 147,567 Unpaid principal balance 77,169 43,450 17,964 8,014 — 721 147,318 Associated allowance 1,422 1,068 309 136 — 2 2,937 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 29,535 $ 25,653 $ 2,819 $ 5,037 $ — $ — $ 63,044 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $123.3 million ( 84 percent ) of impaired loans as of September 30, 2017 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 million . (2) Includes no 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 5.6 September 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 $ 72,180 $ 38,396 $ 15,582 $ 7,944 $ — $ 401 $ 134,503 Income recognized on impaired loans 101 244 13 61 — — 419 For the Nine Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 65,244 $ 35,101 $ 14,620 $ 8,096 $ — $ 201 $ 123,262 Income recognized on impaired loans 563 464 212 235 — — 1,474 September 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 $ 33,032 $ 22,980 $ 12,120 $ 8,172 $ — $ — $ 76,304 Income recognized on impaired loans 46 236 81 74 — — 437 For the Nine Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 28,293 $ 25,277 $ 13,704 $ 8,654 $ 4,668 $ — $ 80,596 Income recognized on impaired loans 108 789 229 251 — — 1,377 For the three months ended September 30, 2017 , there were no troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs"). For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the recorded investment of loans determined to be TDRs was $0.2 million both before and after restructuring. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, there were no TDRs. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, there were no TDRs identified during the previous 12 months that were in default under the modified terms. The impact of TDRs on Farmer Mac's allowance for loan losses was immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. When particular criteria are met, such as the default of the borrower, Farmer Mac becomes entitled to purchase the defaulted loans underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (commonly referred to as "removal-of-account" provisions). Farmer Mac records all such defaulted loans at their unpaid principal balance during the period in which Farmer Mac becomes entitled to purchase the loans and, therefore, regains effective control over the transferred loans. In accordance with the terms of all LTSPCs, Farmer Mac acquires loans that are either 90 days or 120 days delinquent (depending on the provisions of the applicable agreement) upon the request of the counterparty. Subsequent to the purchase, these defaulted loans are treated as nonaccrual loans and, therefore, interest is accounted for on the cash basis. Any decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. The following tables present information related to Farmer Mac's acquisition of defaulted loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.7 For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ — $ 852 $ 311 $ 2,118 Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) 3,043 250 3,147 398 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 3,043 1,102 3,458 2,516 Contractually required payments receivable 3,073 1,109 3,490 2,544 Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition — — — 208 Recovery/release of allowance for all outstanding acquired defaulted loans 29 21 171 31 Number of defaulted loans purchased 6 3 10 8 As of September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 16,514 $ 14,669 Carrying amount 15,379 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 September 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 65,105 $ 19,757 $ (520 ) $ 154 Total on-balance sheet $ 65,105 $ 19,757 $ (520 ) $ 154 Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 1,276 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 1,276 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total $ 66,381 $ 21,038 $ (520 ) $ 154 (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 $65.1 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of September 30, 2017 , $11,000 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.9 As of September 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 $ 2,240,054 $ 760,251 $ 603,653 $ 241,208 $ 13,248 $ 9,004 $ 3,867,418 Special mention (2) 38,647 7,024 19,846 5,208 — — 70,725 Substandard (3) 68,322 41,201 13,516 7,069 — 642 130,750 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,347,023 $ 808,476 $ 637,015 $ 253,485 $ 13,248 $ 9,646 $ 4,068,893 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,133,150 $ 336,780 $ 627,220 $ 148,085 $ 31,502 $ 3,213 $ 2,279,950 Special mention (2) 77,671 8,359 31,264 1,832 — 169 119,295 Substandard (3) 35,872 30,606 14,244 4,306 3,318 546 88,892 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,246,693 $ 375,745 $ 672,728 $ 154,223 $ 34,820 $ 3,928 $ 2,488,137 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,373,204 $ 1,097,031 $ 1,230,873 $ 389,293 $ 44,750 $ 12,217 $ 6,147,368 Special mention (2) 116,318 15,383 51,110 7,040 — 169 190,020 Substandard (3) 104,194 71,807 27,760 11,375 3,318 1,188 219,642 Total $ 3,593,716 $ 1,184,221 $ 1,309,743 $ 407,708 $ 48,068 $ 13,574 $ 6,557,030 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 31,413 $ 22,330 $ 7,367 $ 3,352 $ — $ 643 $ 65,105 Off-balance sheet 862 — — 414 — — 1,276 90 days or more past due $ 32,275 $ 22,330 $ 7,367 $ 3,766 $ — $ 643 $ 66,381 (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, the range of original loan-to-value ratios, and the range in the size of borrower exposure for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 5.10 As of September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,593,716 $ 3,410,498 Permanent plantings 1,184,221 1,037,440 Livestock 1,309,743 1,305,844 Part-time farm 407,708 324,074 Ag. Storage and Processing 48,068 48,051 Other 13,574 13,397 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 6,139,304 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 723,616 $ 657,403 Southwest 1,917,692 1,791,745 Mid-North 2,205,750 2,104,867 Mid-South 899,293 837,121 Northeast 290,655 229,679 Southeast 520,024 518,489 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 6,139,304 By original loan-to-value ratio (2) : 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,274,050 $ 1,220,432 40.01% to 50.00% 1,622,767 1,466,047 50.01% to 60.00% 2,268,852 2,078,099 60.01% to 70.00% 1,130,748 1,167,395 70.01% to 80.00% 233,963 191,664 80.01% to 90.00% 26,650 15,667 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 6,139,304 By size of borrower exposure (3) : Less than $1,000,000 $ 2,297,648 $ 2,195,103 $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 2,500,101 2,398,843 $5,000,000 to $9,999,999 815,411 782,171 $10,000,000 to $24,999,999 568,471 469,681 $25,000,000 to $50,000,000 375,399 293,506 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 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. (3) Includes multiple loans to the same borrower or borrower-related entities. 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	9 Months Ended
Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments	Sep. 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities $ 354,823 $ 415,441 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 226,802 103,976 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 $ 894,839 $ 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 404,246 $ 457,369 Guarantee fees received 2,141 2,333 Purchases of assets from the trusts (3,147 ) (2,118 ) 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 $3.8 million as of September 30, 2017 and $5.5 million as of December 31, 2016 . As of September 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 10.1 years and 10.7 years , respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 1.1 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 September 30, 2017 and $3.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 . As of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was 15.2 years and 15.1 years , respectively. For those LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003, Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated $31.5 million as of September 30, 2017 and $31.8 million as of December 31, 2016 .

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
Equity	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Equity Disclosure	EQUITY Common Stock For each of the first, second, and third quarters in 2017, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share on all classes of its common stock. For each quarter in 2016, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share on all classes of its 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 September 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. Preferred Stock For each of the first, second, and third quarters in 2017 and for each quarter in 2016, Farmer Mac paid the following quarterly dividends on its outstanding preferred stock: • $0.3672 per share on its 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A; • $0.4297 per share on its 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B; and • $0.3750 per share on its 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C. 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $515.8 million and its core capital level was $653.4 million , which was $137.6 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	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Disclosures	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosure	FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES As of September 30, 2017 , Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $5.5 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 71 percent of financial instruments measured at fair value as of September 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 nine months 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 September 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 September 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 — 35,602 — 35,602 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,312,204 — 1,312,204 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 507 4,458 4,965 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 99,871 — 99,871 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 763,806 — — 763,806 Total Investment Securities 763,806 1,448,184 22,976 2,234,966 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,443,746 5,443,746 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,443,746 5,443,746 USDA Securities: Trading — — 14,864 14,864 Total USDA Securities — — 14,864 14,864 Financial derivatives 50 1,970 — 2,020 Total Assets at fair value $ 763,856 $ 1,450,154 $ 5,481,586 $ 7,695,596 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ — $ 30,595 $ — $ 30,595 Total Liabilities at fair value $ — $ 30,595 $ — $ 30,595 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 636 $ 636 REO — — 455 455 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 1,091 $ 1,091 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Table 8.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 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 $ 18,518 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 18,518 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 4,651 — — (111 ) — (82 ) 4,458 Total available-for-sale 23,169 — — (111 ) — (82 ) 22,976 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 5,282,562 193,800 — (29,851 ) (1,171 ) (1,594 ) 5,443,746 Total available-for-sale 5,282,562 193,800 — (29,851 ) (1,171 ) (1,594 ) 5,443,746 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — 40,844 (40,844 ) — — — — Trading (1) 16,294 — — (1,430 ) — — 14,864 Total USDA Securities 16,294 40,844 (40,844 ) (1,430 ) — — 14,864 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,322,025 $ 234,644 $ (40,844 ) $ (31,392 ) $ (1,171 ) $ (1,676 ) $ 5,481,586 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $34,000 attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2017 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 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 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (148 ) $ 17,582 Total available-for-sale 17,730 — — — — (148 ) 17,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 281 — — (1,887 ) 1,606 — — Total trading 281 — — (1,887 ) 1,606 — — Total Investment Securities 18,011 — — (1,887 ) 1,606 (148 ) 17,582 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,697,584 263,196 — (64,895 ) (10,960 ) 19,732 4,904,657 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 33,447 — — (504 ) — (119 ) 32,824 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,731,031 263,196 — (65,399 ) (10,960 ) 19,613 4,937,481 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,967,759 119,201 (31,866 ) (55,772 ) — (18,995 ) 1,980,327 Trading (2) 24,787 — — (874 ) (424 ) — 23,489 Total USDA Securities 1,992,546 119,201 (31,866 ) (56,646 ) (424 ) (18,995 ) 2,003,816 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,741,588 $ 382,397 $ (31,866 ) $ (123,932 ) $ (9,778 ) $ 470 $ 6,958,879 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized losses of $0.4 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 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 — — (334 ) — (2,249 ) 4,458 Total available-for-sale 17,730 7,041 — — (334 ) — (1,461 ) 22,976 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,853,685 — 927,615 — (357,006 ) 5,166 14,286 5,443,746 Total available-for-sale 4,853,685 — 927,615 — (357,006 ) 5,166 14,286 5,443,746 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 126,939 (126,939 ) — — — — Trading (1) 20,388 — — — (5,440 ) (84 ) — 14,864 Total USDA Securities 20,388 — 126,939 (126,939 ) (5,440 ) (84 ) — 14,864 Total Assets at fair value $ 4,891,803 $ 7,041 $ 1,054,554 $ (126,939 ) $ (362,780 ) $ 5,082 $ 12,825 $ 5,481,586 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $42,000 attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2017 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 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 $ (542 ) $ 17,582 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (542 ) 17,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — Total trading 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (2,213 ) 1,728 (542 ) 17,582 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 1,342,572 — (594,124 ) 26,475 8,490 4,904,657 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,361 4,100 — (3,240 ) — 603 32,824 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,152,605 1,346,672 — (597,364 ) 26,475 9,093 4,937,481 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 351,914 (58,628 ) (237,262 ) — 35,959 1,980,327 Trading (2) 28,975 — — (5,698 ) 212 — 23,489 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 351,914 (58,628 ) (242,960 ) 212 35,959 2,003,816 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,698,586 $ (85,434 ) $ (842,537 ) $ 28,415 $ 44,510 $ 6,958,879 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Table 8.3 As of September 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 $ 4,458 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.7% CPR 0 % Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,443,746 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 2.0% - 3.3% (2.2%) USDA Securities $ 14,864 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.6% - 5.3% (5.0%) CPR 7% - 19% (17%) 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 8.4 As of September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 366,764 $ 366,764 $ 265,229 $ 265,229 Investment securities 2,234,966 2,234,966 2,515,851 2,515,851 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 7,601,376 7,602,556 6,006,694 6,002,916 USDA Securities 2,042,408 2,107,149 1,934,023 2,029,613 Loans 5,140,669 5,127,770 4,481,019 4,507,435 Financial derivatives 2,020 2,020 23,182 23,182 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 31,986 32,307 34,720 32,656 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,611 4,372 6,197 6,215 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 8,108,390 8,112,928 8,439,515 8,440,123 Due after one year 7,450,462 7,399,961 5,260,497 5,222,977 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 1,310,240 1,333,417 1,107,513 1,142,704 Financial derivatives 30,595 30,595 58,152 58,152 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 31,169 31,491 33,860 31,796 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,065 3,825 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	9 Months Ended
Business Segment Reporting	Sep. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 9.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 13,609 $ 5,288 $ 2,230 $ 15,431 $ 3,004 $ — $ 39,562 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (2,131 ) (433 ) 602 (1,068 ) (305 ) 3,335 — Net effective spread 11,478 4,855 2,832 14,363 2,699 3,335 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 4,236 130 476 93 (1,621 ) 3,314 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 214 9 5 — 233 524 985 Non-interest income/(loss) 4,450 139 481 93 233 (1,097 ) 4,299 Provision for loan losses (270 ) — — — — — (270 ) Provision for reserve for losses (114 ) — (114 ) Other non-interest expense (4,077 ) (1,080 ) (608 ) (1,670 ) (3,067 ) — (10,502 ) Non-interest expense (5) (4,191 ) (1,080 ) (608 ) (1,670 ) (3,067 ) — (10,616 ) Core earnings before income taxes 11,467 3,914 2,705 12,786 (135 ) 2,238 (6) 32,975 Income tax (expense)/benefit (4,014 ) (1,370 ) (947 ) (4,475 ) 396 (783 ) (11,193 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 7,453 2,544 1,758 8,311 261 1,455 (6) 21,782 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 7,453 $ 2,544 $ 1,758 $ 8,311 $ (3,034 ) $ 1,455 (6) $ 18,487 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,128,778 $ 2,165,749 $ 1,073,525 $ 7,612,572 $ 2,709,614 $ — $ 17,690,238 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,557,030 $ 2,298,956 $ 1,886,445 $ 7,901,842 $ — $ — $ 18,644,273 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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. This 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 September 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 12,039 $ 5,753 $ 2,963 $ 12,226 $ 2,582 $ — $ 35,563 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (1,336 ) (564 ) (320 ) (799 ) (345 ) 3,364 — Net effective spread 10,703 5,189 2,643 11,427 2,237 3,364 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 3,516 29 529 459 — (735 ) 3,798 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 276 95 — — (388 ) 320 303 Non-interest income/(loss) 3,792 124 529 459 (388 ) (415 ) 4,101 Provision for loan losses (191 ) — — — — — (191 ) Provision for reserve for losses 222 — — — — — 222 Other non-interest expense (3,673 ) (933 ) (553 ) (1,253 ) (3,113 ) — (9,525 ) Non-interest expense (5) (3,451 ) (933 ) (553 ) (1,253 ) (3,113 ) — (9,303 ) Core earnings before income taxes 10,853 4,380 2,619 10,633 (1,264 ) 2,949 (6) 30,170 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,799 ) (1,533 ) (917 ) (3,722 ) 474 (1,032 ) (10,529 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 7,054 2,847 1,702 6,911 (790 ) 1,917 (6) 19,641 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 18 — 18 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 7,054 $ 2,847 $ 1,702 $ 6,911 $ (4,067 ) $ 1,917 (6) $ 16,364 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,436,641 $ 2,062,195 $ 1,008,903 $ 6,045,227 $ 3,447,939 $ — $ 16,000,905 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,004,728 $ 2,020,834 $ 1,867,666 $ 7,354,511 $ — $ — $ 17,247,739 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 39,701 $ 15,747 $ 8,181 $ 44,364 $ 8,371 $ — $ 116,364 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (6,208 ) (1,508 ) 26 (3,025 ) (946 ) 11,661 — Net effective spread 33,493 14,239 8,207 41,339 7,425 11,661 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 12,722 303 1,455 713 — (4,563 ) 10,630 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 1,402 34 15 — 626 2,132 4,209 Non-interest income/(loss) 14,124 337 1,470 713 626 (2,431 ) 14,839 Provision for loan losses (1,234 ) — — — — — (1,234 ) Release of reserve for losses (60 ) — — — — — (60 ) Other non-interest expense (12,588 ) (3,333 ) (1,838 ) (4,813 ) (9,923 ) — (32,495 ) Non-interest expense (5) (12,648 ) (3,333 ) (1,838 ) (4,813 ) (9,923 ) — (32,555 ) Core earnings before income taxes 33,735 11,243 7,839 37,239 (1,872 ) 9,230 (6) 97,414 Income tax (expense)/benefit (11,806 ) (3,935 ) (2,744 ) (13,033 ) 1,646 (3,231 ) (33,103 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 21,929 7,308 5,095 24,206 (226 ) 5,999 (6) 64,311 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (9,886 ) — (9,886 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 165 — 165 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 21,929 $ 7,308 $ 5,095 $ 24,206 $ (9,947 ) $ 5,999 (6) $ 54,590 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,128,778 $ 2,165,749 $ 1,073,525 $ 7,612,572 $ 2,709,614 $ — $ 17,690,238 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,557,030 $ 2,298,956 $ 1,886,445 $ 7,901,842 $ — $ — $ 18,644,273 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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. This 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 34,772 $ 15,743 $ 8,682 $ 36,084 $ 8,280 $ — $ 103,561 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (4,733 ) (1,658 ) (939 ) (2,160 ) (897 ) 10,387 — Net effective spread 30,039 14,085 7,743 33,924 7,383 10,387 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 11,390 50 1,197 1,375 — (2,933 ) 11,079 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 451 178 — — (1,288 ) (9,259 ) (9,918 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 11,841 228 1,197 1,375 (1,288 ) (12,192 ) 1,161 Provision for loan losses (604 ) — — — — — (604 ) Provision for reserve for losses 114 — — — — — 114 Other non-interest expense (11,946 ) (3,118 ) (2,214 ) (2,330 ) (9,849 ) — (29,457 ) Non-interest expense (5) (11,832 ) (3,118 ) (2,214 ) (2,330 ) (9,849 ) — (29,343 ) Core earnings before income taxes 29,444 11,195 6,726 32,969 (3,754 ) (1,805 ) (6) 74,775 Income tax (expense)/benefit (10,307 ) (3,918 ) (2,355 ) (11,538 ) 1,221 633 (26,264 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 19,137 7,277 4,371 21,431 (2,533 ) (1,172 ) (6) 48,511 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (9,886 ) — (9,886 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 62 — 62 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 19,137 $ 7,277 $ 4,371 $ 21,431 $ (12,357 ) $ (1,172 ) (6) $ 38,687 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,436,641 $ 2,062,195 $ 1,008,903 $ 6,045,227 $ 3,447,939 $ — $ 16,000,905 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,004,728 $ 2,020,834 $ 1,867,666 $ 7,354,511 $ — $ — $ 17,247,739 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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)	9 Months Ended
Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 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 September 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 $0.3 million and $1.2 million , respectively, were recognized as a reduction to income tax expense in the three and nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 . For the three months ended September 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 $0.03 in basic earnings per share and $0.02 in diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2017 . For the nine months ended September 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 $0.11 in basic earnings per share and $0.09 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 nine months ended September 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 $0.3 million and $1.2 million , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 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 $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , compared to previously reported amounts. The amount of employee taxes paid for shares withheld was $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 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. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, " Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," which amends hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements to better align a reporting entity's risk management activities and hedge accounting. The new guidance reduces the complexity and simplifies the application of hedge accounting by eliminating the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and by requiring the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of the new guidance is permitted in any interim or annual period after issuance of the ASU. Farmer Mac is planning to adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2018 and does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operation, or cash flow upon the adoption of the new guidance.

Accounting Policies - Accoun18

Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Tables)	Sep. 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 September 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 $ 1,329,212 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,329,212 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,333,417 — — — — 1,333,417 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 31,003 — — — 31,003 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 30,688 — — — 30,688 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 783,665 783,665 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 781,755 781,755 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 354,823 226,802 — — — 581,625 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $4.2 million . The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of September 30, 2017 . (2) Includes $0.3 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.2 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 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 404,246 457,369 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 277,307 402,841 Purchases of securities - traded not yet settled 9,987 25,000
Earnings Per Common Share	The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.3 For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (1) September 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 $ 18,487 10,605 $ 1.74 $ 16,364 10,473 $ 1.56 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 210 (0.03 ) — 176 (0.02 ) Diluted EPS $ 18,487 10,815 $ 1.71 $ 16,364 10,649 $ 1.54 (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 September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,657 and 54,709 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017(1) September 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 $ 54,590 10,586 $ 5.16 $ 38,687 10,464 $ 3.70 Effect of dilutive securities (2) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 208 (0.10 ) — 291 (0.10 ) Diluted EPS $ 54,590 10,794 $ 5.06 $ 38,687 10,755 $ 3.60 (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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 33,440 and 115,875 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.4 As of September 30, 2017 As of September 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 $ (1,276 ) $ 42,104 $ 1,600 $ 42,428 $ 19,704 $ (1,781 ) $ (5,539 ) $ 12,384 Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 2,298 — (97 ) 2,201 2,746 — 527 3,273 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (2,875 ) (1,221 ) 262 (3,834 ) (2,388 ) (47 ) 342 (2,093 ) Net Comprehensive (Loss)/Income (577 ) (1,221 ) 165 (1,633 ) 358 (47 ) 869 1,180 Ending Balance $ (1,853 ) $ 40,883 $ 1,765 $ 40,795 $ 20,062 $ (1,828 ) $ (4,670 ) $ 13,564 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ (14,387 ) $ 45,752 $ 2,393 $ 33,758 $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications 20,711 — (1,522 ) 19,189 37,446 — (5,136 ) 32,310 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (8,177 ) (4,869 ) 894 (12,152 ) (7,349 ) (1,352 ) 974 (7,727 ) Net Comprehensive Income/(Loss) 12,534 (4,869 ) (628 ) 7,037 30,097 (1,352 ) (4,162 ) 24,583 Ending Balance $ (1,853 ) $ 40,883 $ 1,765 $ 40,795 $ 20,062 $ (1,828 ) $ (4,670 ) $ 13,564
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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 1.5 For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 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 on available-for-sale-securities $ 3,536 $ 1,238 $ 2,298 $ 4,225 $ 1,479 $ 2,746 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (4,326 ) (1,514 ) (2,812 ) (3,652 ) (1,278 ) (2,374 ) Gains/(losses) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) (89 ) (31 ) (58 ) — — — Other income (2) (7 ) (2 ) (5 ) (21 ) (7 ) (14 ) Total $ (886 ) $ (309 ) $ (577 ) $ 552 $ 194 $ 358 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (3) $ (1,879 ) $ (658 ) $ (1,221 ) $ (73 ) $ (26 ) $ (47 ) Total $ (1,879 ) $ (658 ) $ (1,221 ) $ (73 ) $ (26 ) $ (47 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges $ (150 ) $ (53 ) $ (97 ) $ 810 $ 283 $ 527 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) 403 141 262 526 184 342 Total $ 253 $ 88 $ 165 $ 1,336 $ 467 $ 869 Other comprehensive (loss)/income $ (2,512 ) $ (879 ) $ (1,633 ) $ 1,815 $ 635 $ 1,180 (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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 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 on available-for-sale-securities $ 31,863 $ 11,152 $ 20,711 $ 57,610 $ 20,164 $ 37,446 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities (1) (12,470 ) (4,365 ) (8,105 ) (11,591 ) (4,056 ) (7,535 ) Gains/(losses) on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) (89 ) (31 ) (58 ) 9 3 6 Other income (3) (21 ) (7 ) (14 ) 277 97 180 Total $ 19,283 $ 6,749 $ 12,534 $ 46,305 $ 16,208 $ 30,097 Held-to-maturity securities: Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (4) $ (7,491 ) $ (2,622 ) $ (4,869 ) $ (2,081 ) $ (729 ) $ (1,352 ) Total $ (7,491 ) $ (2,622 ) $ (4,869 ) $ (2,081 ) $ (729 ) $ (1,352 ) Cash flow hedges Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges (2,342 ) (820 ) $ (1,522 ) $ (7,901 ) $ (2,765 ) $ (5,136 ) Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) 1,376 482 894 1,498 524 974 Total $ (966 ) $ (338 ) $ (628 ) $ (6,403 ) $ (2,241 ) $ (4,162 ) Other comprehensive income $ 10,826 $ 3,789 $ 7,037 $ 37,821 $ 13,238 $ 24,583 (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]	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 2.1 As of September 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 35,870 (165 ) 35,705 20 (123 ) 35,602 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,308,236 2,386 1,310,622 2,858 (1,276 ) 1,312,204 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 468 2,247 2,715 2,250 — 4,965 Fixed rate senior agency debt 100,000 (8 ) 99,992 — (121 ) 99,871 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 765,318 (1,054 ) 764,264 — (458 ) 763,806 Total available-for-sale 2,229,592 3,406 2,232,998 5,128 (3,160 ) 2,234,966 Total investment securities $ 2,229,592 $ 3,406 $ 2,232,998 $ 5,128 $ (3,160 ) $ 2,234,966 (1) Fair value includes $4.5 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $144.3 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 2.2 As of September 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 — — 24,089 (123 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 131,772 (220 ) 277,196 (1,056 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 738,815 (431 ) 24,991 (27 ) Fixed rate senior agency debt 49,929 (73 ) 49,943 (48 ) Total $ 920,516 $ (724 ) $ 394,737 $ (2,436 ) 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 September 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 September 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 81 and 97 individual investment securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , 44 of the securities in loss positions had been in loss positions for more than 12 months and had a total unrealized loss of $2.4 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 September 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 September 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 798,153 $ 797,630 0.92% Due after one year through five years 363,861 364,132 1.62% Due after five years through ten years 279,192 281,792 1.75% Due after ten years 791,792 791,412 1.86% Total $ 2,232,998 $ 2,234,966 1.47%

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]	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 3.1 As of September 30, 2017 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,128,974 $ (1,166 ) $ 2,127,808 $ 5,091 $ (6,073 ) $ 2,126,826 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 30,688 314 31,002 86 (284 ) 30,804 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,159,662 (852 ) 2,158,810 5,177 (6,357 ) 2,157,630 USDA Securities 2,027,261 65,024 2,092,285 — (64,741 ) 2,027,544 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,186,923 $ 64,172 $ 4,251,095 $ 5,177 $ (71,098 ) $ 4,185,174 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 5,459,655 $ (141 ) $ 5,459,514 $ 30,811 $ (46,579 ) $ 5,443,746 Trading: USDA Securities $ 14,204 $ 1,092 $ 15,296 $ 31 $ (463 ) $ 14,864 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 , before 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 September 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 September 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 $ 1,249,774 $ (3,888 ) $ 247,815 $ (2,185 ) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 25,201 (284 ) — — USDA Securities 1,940,984 (64,696 ) 86,619 (45 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 3,215,959 $ (68,868 ) $ 334,434 $ (2,230 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,293,478 $ (14,376 ) $ 1,424,602 $ (32,203 ) 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, as applicable. In addition, the unrealized losses on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities as of both September 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 30 available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2017 . There were 18 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of September 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 September 30, 2017 , 12 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months with a total unrealized loss of $32.2 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 September 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 1,000,000 $ 1,001,537 1.90 % Due after one year through five years 2,696,001 2,706,480 2.14 % Due after five years through ten years 745,701 750,299 2.87 % Due after ten years 1,017,812 985,430 1.98 % Total $ 5,459,514 $ 5,443,746 2.17 % As of September 30, 2017 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 926,747 $ 925,935 1.78 % Due after one year through five years 1,260,842 1,258,848 2.27 % Due after five years through ten years 208,034 201,899 3.07 % Due after ten years 1,855,472 1,798,492 3.35 % Total $ 4,251,095 $ 4,185,174 2.66 %

Financial Derivatives - Financ

Financial Derivatives - Financial Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Financial Derivatives - Financial Derivatives (Tables)	Sep. 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and the effects of financial derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 4.1 As of September 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 $ 2,040,854 $ 744 $ (8,768 ) 1.83% 1.31% 5.42 Receive fixed non-callable 1,431,700 64 (1,985 ) 1.23% 1.42% 1.74 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 349,000 960 (555 ) 2.19% 1.55% 6.32 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 348,040 166 (19,318 ) 3.80% 1.31% 6.88 Receive fixed non-callable 3,389,116 — — 1.12% 1.10% 0.85 Basis swaps 1,225,000 42 (63 ) 1.20% 1.22% 0.95 Treasury futures 7,400 50 — 125.99 Credit valuation adjustment (6 ) 94 Total financial derivatives $ 8,791,110 $ 2,020 $ (30,595 ) Collateral pledged — 25,079 Net amount $ 2,020 $ (5,516 ) 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 Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps (1) $ 1,576 $ 11,276 $ (5,466 ) $ (30,062 ) Hedged items 166 (10,550 ) 4,750 35,778 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedges 1,742 726 (716 ) 5,716 Cash flow hedges: Loss recognized (ineffective portion) (191 ) (68 ) (365 ) (322 ) Losses on cash flow hedges (191 ) (68 ) (365 ) (322 ) No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps (1,031 ) (2,333 ) 4,006 (16,820 ) Agency forwards — 79 (588 ) (789 ) Treasury futures 141 (5 ) 193 (864 ) (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships (890 ) (2,259 ) 3,611 (18,473 ) Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities $ 661 $ (1,601 ) $ 2,530 $ (13,079 ) (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of September 30, 2017 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.6 million and gains of $0.7 million , respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 were gains of $0.1 million and zero , respectively. The comparable amounts as of September 30, 2016 were losses of $ 1.0 million and $4.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, losses of $0.2 million and gains of $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.1 As of September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 2,739,681 $ 1,329,212 $ 4,068,893 $ 2,381,488 $ 1,132,966 $ 3,514,454 Rural Utilities 1,066,482 — 1,066,482 999,512 — 999,512 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 3,806,163 1,329,212 5,135,375 3,381,000 1,132,966 4,513,966 Unamortized premiums, discounts and other cost basis adjustments (1,197 ) — (1,197 ) (1,116 ) — (1,116 ) Total loans 3,804,966 1,329,212 5,134,178 3,379,884 1,132,966 4,512,850 Allowance for loan losses (5,195 ) (1,213 ) (6,408 ) (4,437 ) (978 ) (5,415 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,799,771 $ 1,327,999 $ 5,127,770 $ 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 $8.5 million as of September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016: Table 5.2 As of September 30, 2017 As of September 30, 2016 Allowance Reserve Total Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 6,138 $ 1,966 $ 8,104 $ 4,893 $ 2,191 $ 7,084 Provision for/(release of) losses 270 114 384 191 (222 ) (31 ) Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 6,408 $ 2,080 $ 8,488 $ 4,954 $ 1,969 $ 6,923 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 5,415 $ 2,020 $ 7,435 $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 1,234 60 1,294 604 (114 ) 490 Charge-offs (241 ) — (241 ) (130 ) — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 6,408 $ 2,080 $ 8,488 $ 4,954 $ 1,969 $ 6,923 During third quarter 2017 , Farmer Mac recorded net provisions to its allowance for loan losses and reserve for losses of $0.3 million and $0.1 million , respectively. The net provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during third quarter 2017 were primarily attributable to (1) an increase in the specific allowance for certain impaired on-balance sheet crop and permanent planting loans resulting from both an increase in the outstanding balance of such loans and downgrades in risk ratings on certain of those loans, and (2) an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans. The net provision to the reserve for losses recorded during the third quarter 2017 was primarily attributable to an increase in the general reserve due to downgrades in risk ratings on certain unimpaired Agricultural Storage and Processing loans underlying LTSPCs. Farmer Mac recorded no charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during third quarter 2017. During third quarter 2016 , Farmer Mac recorded net provisions to its allowance for loan losses of $0.2 million and net releases to its reserve for losses of $0.2 million . The net provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded during third quarter 2016 were attributable to an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans and downgrades in risk ratings for a small number of loans. The net releases to the reserve for losses recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2016 were attributable to the release of a specific reserve on an impaired livestock loan underlying an LTSPC that was required to be removed from the LTSPC pool by the originator during third quarter 2016. Farmer Mac recorded $0.1 million charge-offs to its allowance for loan losses during third quarter 2016. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 by commodity type: Table 5.3 September 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,735 $ 2,164 $ 1,234 $ 397 $ 558 $ 16 $ 8,104 Provision for/(release of) losses 115 162 35 4 72 (4 ) 384 Ending Balance $ 3,850 $ 2,326 $ 1,269 $ 401 $ 630 $ 12 $ 8,488 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 713 603 (93 ) (4 ) 97 (22 ) 1,294 Charge-offs (228 ) — (13 ) — — — (241 ) Ending Balance $ 3,850 $ 2,326 $ 1,269 $ 401 $ 630 $ 12 $ 8,488 September 30, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 3,111 $ 1,144 $ 1,906 $ 447 $ 473 $ 3 $ 7,084 Provision for/(release of) losses 103 198 (354 ) 36 (13 ) (1 ) (31 ) Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 3,214 $ 1,342 $ 1,552 $ 353 $ 460 $ 2 $ 6,923 For the Nine Months Ended: Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 423 411 (229 ) 75 (189 ) (1 ) 490 Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 3,214 $ 1,342 $ 1,552 $ 353 $ 460 $ 2 $ 6,923
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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.4 As of September 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,278,701 $ 767,275 $ 623,499 $ 246,416 $ 13,248 $ 9,004 $ 3,938,143 Off-balance sheet 1,237,846 373,496 668,280 153,278 34,820 3,849 2,471,569 Total $ 3,516,547 $ 1,140,771 $ 1,291,779 $ 399,694 $ 48,068 $ 12,853 $ 6,409,712 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 68,322 $ 41,201 $ 13,516 $ 7,069 $ — $ 642 $ 130,750 Off-balance sheet 8,847 2,249 4,448 945 — 79 16,568 Total $ 77,169 $ 43,450 $ 17,964 $ 8,014 $ — $ 721 $ 147,318 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,347,023 $ 808,476 $ 637,015 $ 253,485 $ 13,248 $ 9,646 $ 4,068,893 Off-balance sheet 1,246,693 375,745 672,728 154,223 34,820 3,928 2,488,137 Total $ 3,593,716 $ 1,184,221 $ 1,309,743 $ 407,708 $ 48,068 $ 13,574 $ 6,557,030 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,868 $ 973 $ 748 $ 219 $ 87 $ 6 $ 3,901 Off-balance sheet 560 285 212 46 543 4 1,650 Total $ 2,428 $ 1,258 $ 960 $ 265 $ 630 $ 10 $ 5,551 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,193 $ 1,010 $ 192 $ 112 $ — $ — $ 2,507 Off-balance sheet 229 58 117 24 — 2 430 Total $ 1,422 $ 1,068 $ 309 $ 136 $ — $ 2 $ 2,937 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 3,061 $ 1,983 $ 940 $ 331 $ 87 $ 6 $ 6,408 Off-balance sheet 789 343 329 70 543 6 2,080 Total $ 3,850 $ 2,326 $ 1,269 $ 401 $ 630 $ 12 $ 8,488 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.5 As of September 30, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 11,909 $ 4,963 $ 3,942 $ 1,939 $ — $ 644 $ 23,397 Unpaid principal balance 11,885 4,953 3,935 1,936 — 643 23,352 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 65,391 38,565 14,048 6,088 — 78 124,170 Unpaid principal balance 65,284 38,497 14,029 6,078 — 78 123,966 Associated allowance 1,422 1,068 309 136 — 2 2,937 Total: Recorded investment 77,300 43,528 17,990 8,027 — 722 147,567 Unpaid principal balance 77,169 43,450 17,964 8,014 — 721 147,318 Associated allowance 1,422 1,068 309 136 — 2 2,937 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 29,535 $ 25,653 $ 2,819 $ 5,037 $ — $ — $ 63,044 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $123.3 million ( 84 percent ) of impaired loans as of September 30, 2017 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 million . (2) Includes no 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 5.6 September 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 $ 72,180 $ 38,396 $ 15,582 $ 7,944 $ — $ 401 $ 134,503 Income recognized on impaired loans 101 244 13 61 — — 419 For the Nine Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 65,244 $ 35,101 $ 14,620 $ 8,096 $ — $ 201 $ 123,262 Income recognized on impaired loans 563 464 212 235 — — 1,474 September 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 $ 33,032 $ 22,980 $ 12,120 $ 8,172 $ — $ — $ 76,304 Income recognized on impaired loans 46 236 81 74 — — 437 For the Nine Months Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 28,293 $ 25,277 $ 13,704 $ 8,654 $ 4,668 $ — $ 80,596 Income recognized on impaired loans 108 789 229 251 — — 1,377
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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.7 For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ — $ 852 $ 311 $ 2,118 Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) 3,043 250 3,147 398 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 3,043 1,102 3,458 2,516 Contractually required payments receivable 3,073 1,109 3,490 2,544 Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition — — — 208 Recovery/release of allowance for all outstanding acquired defaulted loans 29 21 171 31 Number of defaulted loans purchased 6 3 10 8 As of September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 16,514 $ 14,669 Carrying amount 15,379 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 September 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 65,105 $ 19,757 $ (520 ) $ 154 Total on-balance sheet $ 65,105 $ 19,757 $ (520 ) $ 154 Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 1,276 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 1,276 $ 1,281 $ — $ — Total $ 66,381 $ 21,038 $ (520 ) $ 154 (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 $65.1 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of September 30, 2017 , $11,000 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 5.9 As of September 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 $ 2,240,054 $ 760,251 $ 603,653 $ 241,208 $ 13,248 $ 9,004 $ 3,867,418 Special mention (2) 38,647 7,024 19,846 5,208 — — 70,725 Substandard (3) 68,322 41,201 13,516 7,069 — 642 130,750 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,347,023 $ 808,476 $ 637,015 $ 253,485 $ 13,248 $ 9,646 $ 4,068,893 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,133,150 $ 336,780 $ 627,220 $ 148,085 $ 31,502 $ 3,213 $ 2,279,950 Special mention (2) 77,671 8,359 31,264 1,832 — 169 119,295 Substandard (3) 35,872 30,606 14,244 4,306 3,318 546 88,892 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,246,693 $ 375,745 $ 672,728 $ 154,223 $ 34,820 $ 3,928 $ 2,488,137 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,373,204 $ 1,097,031 $ 1,230,873 $ 389,293 $ 44,750 $ 12,217 $ 6,147,368 Special mention (2) 116,318 15,383 51,110 7,040 — 169 190,020 Substandard (3) 104,194 71,807 27,760 11,375 3,318 1,188 219,642 Total $ 3,593,716 $ 1,184,221 $ 1,309,743 $ 407,708 $ 48,068 $ 13,574 $ 6,557,030 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 31,413 $ 22,330 $ 7,367 $ 3,352 $ — $ 643 $ 65,105 Off-balance sheet 862 — — 414 — — 1,276 90 days or more past due $ 32,275 $ 22,330 $ 7,367 $ 3,766 $ — $ 643 $ 66,381 (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, the range of original loan-to-value ratios, and the range in the size of borrower exposure for all Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016: Table 5.10 As of September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,593,716 $ 3,410,498 Permanent plantings 1,184,221 1,037,440 Livestock 1,309,743 1,305,844 Part-time farm 407,708 324,074 Ag. Storage and Processing 48,068 48,051 Other 13,574 13,397 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 6,139,304 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 723,616 $ 657,403 Southwest 1,917,692 1,791,745 Mid-North 2,205,750 2,104,867 Mid-South 899,293 837,121 Northeast 290,655 229,679 Southeast 520,024 518,489 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 6,139,304 By original loan-to-value ratio (2) : 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,274,050 $ 1,220,432 40.01% to 50.00% 1,622,767 1,466,047 50.01% to 60.00% 2,268,852 2,078,099 60.01% to 70.00% 1,130,748 1,167,395 70.01% to 80.00% 233,963 191,664 80.01% to 90.00% 26,650 15,667 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 6,139,304 By size of borrower exposure (3) : Less than $1,000,000 $ 2,297,648 $ 2,195,103 $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 2,500,101 2,398,843 $5,000,000 to $9,999,999 815,411 782,171 $10,000,000 to $24,999,999 568,471 469,681 $25,000,000 to $50,000,000 375,399 293,506 Total $ 6,557,030 $ 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. (3) Includes multiple loans to the same borrower or borrower-related entities. 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 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 September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities $ 354,823 $ 415,441 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 226,802 103,976 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 $ 894,839 $ 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 404,246 $ 457,369 Guarantee fees received 2,141 2,333 Purchases of assets from the trusts (3,147 ) (2,118 ) 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 $3.8 million as of September 30, 2017 and $5.5 million as of December 31, 2016 . As of September 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 10.1 years and 10.7 years , respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 1.1 years and 0.7 years , respectively.

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	Sep. 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 September 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 September 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 — 35,602 — 35,602 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,312,204 — 1,312,204 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 507 4,458 4,965 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 99,871 — 99,871 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 763,806 — — 763,806 Total Investment Securities 763,806 1,448,184 22,976 2,234,966 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,443,746 5,443,746 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,443,746 5,443,746 USDA Securities: Trading — — 14,864 14,864 Total USDA Securities — — 14,864 14,864 Financial derivatives 50 1,970 — 2,020 Total Assets at fair value $ 763,856 $ 1,450,154 $ 5,481,586 $ 7,695,596 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ — $ 30,595 $ — $ 30,595 Total Liabilities at fair value $ — $ 30,595 $ — $ 30,595 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 636 $ 636 REO — — 455 455 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 1,091 $ 1,091 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Table 8.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 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 $ 18,518 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 18,518 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 4,651 — — (111 ) — (82 ) 4,458 Total available-for-sale 23,169 — — (111 ) — (82 ) 22,976 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 5,282,562 193,800 — (29,851 ) (1,171 ) (1,594 ) 5,443,746 Total available-for-sale 5,282,562 193,800 — (29,851 ) (1,171 ) (1,594 ) 5,443,746 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — 40,844 (40,844 ) — — — — Trading (1) 16,294 — — (1,430 ) — — 14,864 Total USDA Securities 16,294 40,844 (40,844 ) (1,430 ) — — 14,864 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,322,025 $ 234,644 $ (40,844 ) $ (31,392 ) $ (1,171 ) $ (1,676 ) $ 5,481,586 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $34,000 attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2017 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Three Months Ended September 30, 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 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (148 ) $ 17,582 Total available-for-sale 17,730 — — — — (148 ) 17,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 281 — — (1,887 ) 1,606 — — Total trading 281 — — (1,887 ) 1,606 — — Total Investment Securities 18,011 — — (1,887 ) 1,606 (148 ) 17,582 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,697,584 263,196 — (64,895 ) (10,960 ) 19,732 4,904,657 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 33,447 — — (504 ) — (119 ) 32,824 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,731,031 263,196 — (65,399 ) (10,960 ) 19,613 4,937,481 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,967,759 119,201 (31,866 ) (55,772 ) — (18,995 ) 1,980,327 Trading (2) 24,787 — — (874 ) (424 ) — 23,489 Total USDA Securities 1,992,546 119,201 (31,866 ) (56,646 ) (424 ) (18,995 ) 2,003,816 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,741,588 $ 382,397 $ (31,866 ) $ (123,932 ) $ (9,778 ) $ 470 $ 6,958,879 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized losses of $0.4 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 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 — — (334 ) — (2,249 ) 4,458 Total available-for-sale 17,730 7,041 — — (334 ) — (1,461 ) 22,976 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,853,685 — 927,615 — (357,006 ) 5,166 14,286 5,443,746 Total available-for-sale 4,853,685 — 927,615 — (357,006 ) 5,166 14,286 5,443,746 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 126,939 (126,939 ) — — — — Trading (1) 20,388 — — — (5,440 ) (84 ) — 14,864 Total USDA Securities 20,388 — 126,939 (126,939 ) (5,440 ) (84 ) — 14,864 Total Assets at fair value $ 4,891,803 $ 7,041 $ 1,054,554 $ (126,939 ) $ (362,780 ) $ 5,082 $ 12,825 $ 5,481,586 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $42,000 attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2017 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 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 $ (542 ) $ 17,582 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (542 ) 17,582 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — Total trading 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (2,213 ) 1,728 (542 ) 17,582 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 1,342,572 — (594,124 ) 26,475 8,490 4,904,657 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 31,361 4,100 — (3,240 ) — 603 32,824 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,152,605 1,346,672 — (597,364 ) 26,475 9,093 4,937,481 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 351,914 (58,628 ) (237,262 ) — 35,959 1,980,327 Trading (2) 28,975 — — (5,698 ) 212 — 23,489 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 351,914 (58,628 ) (242,960 ) 212 35,959 2,003,816 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,698,586 $ (85,434 ) $ (842,537 ) $ 28,415 $ 44,510 $ 6,958,879 (1) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." (2) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Table 8.3 As of September 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 $ 4,458 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.7% CPR 0 % Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,443,746 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 2.0% - 3.3% (2.2%) USDA Securities $ 14,864 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.6% - 5.3% (5.0%) CPR 7% - 19% (17%) 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : Table 8.4 As of September 30, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 366,764 $ 366,764 $ 265,229 $ 265,229 Investment securities 2,234,966 2,234,966 2,515,851 2,515,851 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 7,601,376 7,602,556 6,006,694 6,002,916 USDA Securities 2,042,408 2,107,149 1,934,023 2,029,613 Loans 5,140,669 5,127,770 4,481,019 4,507,435 Financial derivatives 2,020 2,020 23,182 23,182 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 31,986 32,307 34,720 32,656 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,611 4,372 6,197 6,215 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 8,108,390 8,112,928 8,439,515 8,440,123 Due after one year 7,450,462 7,399,961 5,260,497 5,222,977 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 1,310,240 1,333,417 1,107,513 1,142,704 Financial derivatives 30,595 30,595 58,152 58,152 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 31,169 31,491 33,860 31,796 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 4,065 3,825 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Table 9.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 13,609 $ 5,288 $ 2,230 $ 15,431 $ 3,004 $ — $ 39,562 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (2,131 ) (433 ) 602 (1,068 ) (305 ) 3,335 — Net effective spread 11,478 4,855 2,832 14,363 2,699 3,335 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 4,236 130 476 93 (1,621 ) 3,314 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 214 9 5 — 233 524 985 Non-interest income/(loss) 4,450 139 481 93 233 (1,097 ) 4,299 Provision for loan losses (270 ) — — — — — (270 ) Provision for reserve for losses (114 ) — (114 ) Other non-interest expense (4,077 ) (1,080 ) (608 ) (1,670 ) (3,067 ) — (10,502 ) Non-interest expense (5) (4,191 ) (1,080 ) (608 ) (1,670 ) (3,067 ) — (10,616 ) Core earnings before income taxes 11,467 3,914 2,705 12,786 (135 ) 2,238 (6) 32,975 Income tax (expense)/benefit (4,014 ) (1,370 ) (947 ) (4,475 ) 396 (783 ) (11,193 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 7,453 2,544 1,758 8,311 261 1,455 (6) 21,782 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 7,453 $ 2,544 $ 1,758 $ 8,311 $ (3,034 ) $ 1,455 (6) $ 18,487 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,128,778 $ 2,165,749 $ 1,073,525 $ 7,612,572 $ 2,709,614 $ — $ 17,690,238 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,557,030 $ 2,298,956 $ 1,886,445 $ 7,901,842 $ — $ — $ 18,644,273 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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. This 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 September 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 12,039 $ 5,753 $ 2,963 $ 12,226 $ 2,582 $ — $ 35,563 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (1,336 ) (564 ) (320 ) (799 ) (345 ) 3,364 — Net effective spread 10,703 5,189 2,643 11,427 2,237 3,364 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 3,516 29 529 459 — (735 ) 3,798 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 276 95 — — (388 ) 320 303 Non-interest income/(loss) 3,792 124 529 459 (388 ) (415 ) 4,101 Provision for loan losses (191 ) — — — — — (191 ) Provision for reserve for losses 222 — — — — — 222 Other non-interest expense (3,673 ) (933 ) (553 ) (1,253 ) (3,113 ) — (9,525 ) Non-interest expense (5) (3,451 ) (933 ) (553 ) (1,253 ) (3,113 ) — (9,303 ) Core earnings before income taxes 10,853 4,380 2,619 10,633 (1,264 ) 2,949 (6) 30,170 Income tax (expense)/benefit (3,799 ) (1,533 ) (917 ) (3,722 ) 474 (1,032 ) (10,529 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 7,054 2,847 1,702 6,911 (790 ) 1,917 (6) 19,641 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 18 — 18 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 7,054 $ 2,847 $ 1,702 $ 6,911 $ (4,067 ) $ 1,917 (6) $ 16,364 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,436,641 $ 2,062,195 $ 1,008,903 $ 6,045,227 $ 3,447,939 $ — $ 16,000,905 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,004,728 $ 2,020,834 $ 1,867,666 $ 7,354,511 $ — $ — $ 17,247,739 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 39,701 $ 15,747 $ 8,181 $ 44,364 $ 8,371 $ — $ 116,364 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (6,208 ) (1,508 ) 26 (3,025 ) (946 ) 11,661 — Net effective spread 33,493 14,239 8,207 41,339 7,425 11,661 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 12,722 303 1,455 713 — (4,563 ) 10,630 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 1,402 34 15 — 626 2,132 4,209 Non-interest income/(loss) 14,124 337 1,470 713 626 (2,431 ) 14,839 Provision for loan losses (1,234 ) — — — — — (1,234 ) Release of reserve for losses (60 ) — — — — — (60 ) Other non-interest expense (12,588 ) (3,333 ) (1,838 ) (4,813 ) (9,923 ) — (32,495 ) Non-interest expense (5) (12,648 ) (3,333 ) (1,838 ) (4,813 ) (9,923 ) — (32,555 ) Core earnings before income taxes 33,735 11,243 7,839 37,239 (1,872 ) 9,230 (6) 97,414 Income tax (expense)/benefit (11,806 ) (3,935 ) (2,744 ) (13,033 ) 1,646 (3,231 ) (33,103 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 21,929 7,308 5,095 24,206 (226 ) 5,999 (6) 64,311 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (9,886 ) — (9,886 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 165 — 165 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 21,929 $ 7,308 $ 5,095 $ 24,206 $ (9,947 ) $ 5,999 (6) $ 54,590 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,128,778 $ 2,165,749 $ 1,073,525 $ 7,612,572 $ 2,709,614 $ — $ 17,690,238 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,557,030 $ 2,298,956 $ 1,886,445 $ 7,901,842 $ — $ — $ 18,644,273 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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. This 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 34,772 $ 15,743 $ 8,682 $ 36,084 $ 8,280 $ — $ 103,561 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (4,733 ) (1,658 ) (939 ) (2,160 ) (897 ) 10,387 — Net effective spread 30,039 14,085 7,743 33,924 7,383 10,387 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 11,390 50 1,197 1,375 — (2,933 ) 11,079 Other income/(expense) (3)(4) 451 178 — — (1,288 ) (9,259 ) (9,918 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 11,841 228 1,197 1,375 (1,288 ) (12,192 ) 1,161 Provision for loan losses (604 ) — — — — — (604 ) Provision for reserve for losses 114 — — — — — 114 Other non-interest expense (11,946 ) (3,118 ) (2,214 ) (2,330 ) (9,849 ) — (29,457 ) Non-interest expense (5) (11,832 ) (3,118 ) (2,214 ) (2,330 ) (9,849 ) — (29,343 ) Core earnings before income taxes 29,444 11,195 6,726 32,969 (3,754 ) (1,805 ) (6) 74,775 Income tax (expense)/benefit (10,307 ) (3,918 ) (2,355 ) (11,538 ) 1,221 633 (26,264 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 19,137 7,277 4,371 21,431 (2,533 ) (1,172 ) (6) 48,511 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (9,886 ) — (9,886 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 62 — 62 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 19,137 $ 7,277 $ 4,371 $ 21,431 $ (12,357 ) $ (1,172 ) (6) $ 38,687 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,436,641 $ 2,062,195 $ 1,008,903 $ 6,045,227 $ 3,447,939 $ — $ 16,000,905 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,004,728 $ 2,020,834 $ 1,867,666 $ 7,354,511 $ — $ — $ 17,247,739 (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 " Gains/(losses) 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	Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	$ 1,329,212		$ 1,132,966
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,333,417		1,142,704
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Other Liabilities	4,200		9,700
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	300		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	1,329,212		1,132,966
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,333,417	[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	1,329,212		1,132,966
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,333,417	[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	581,625	[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	354,823	[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	226,802	[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	31,003	[7]	66,389	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	30,688	[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	31,003	[7]	36,042	[8]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	30,688	[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)	3,406		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	783,665	[9]	827,874	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	781,755	[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	783,665	[9]	827,874	[10]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$ 781,755	[3],[9]	$ 825,909	[5],[10]

[1]	Includes borrower remittances of $4.2 million. The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of September 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 $0.3 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Non-cash activity:
SEC Schedule III, Real Estate, Acquisitions Through Foreclosures	$ 5,261	$ 0
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	404,246	457,369
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	277,307	402,841
Purchases of Investment Securities Traded, Not Yet Settled	$ 9,987	$ 25,000

Accounting Policies - Earnings

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders (Dilutive)	$ 18,487		$ 16,364		$ 54,590		$ 38,687
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	210	[1]	176	[2]	208	[2]	291	[2]
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.02)	[2]	$ (0.10)	[2]	$ (0.10)	[2]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	10,815		10,649		10,794		10,755
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.71000	[3]	$ 1.54000		$ 5.06000	[4]	$ 3.6000
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 18,487		$ 16,364		$ 54,590		$ 38,687
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	10,605		10,473		10,586		10,464
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.74	[3]	$ 1.56		$ 5.16	[4]	$ 3.70

[1]	For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,657 and 54,709, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 33,440 and 115,875, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 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				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 18,487		$ 16,364		$ 54,590		$ 38,687
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted	$ 18,487		$ 16,364		$ 54,590		$ 38,687
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock	210,000	[1]	176,000	[2]	208,000	[2]	291,000	[2]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	10,605,000		10,473,000		10,586,000		10,464,000
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.74	[3]	$ 1.56		$ 5.16	[4]	$ 3.70
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements	$ (0.03)	[1]	$ (0.02)	[2]	$ (0.10)	[2]	$ (0.10)	[2]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	10,815,000		10,649,000		10,794,000		10,755,000
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.71000	[3]	$ 1.54000		$ 5.06000	[4]	$ 3.6000
Stock Options and SARs [Members]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)	24,657		54,709		33,440		115,875
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 September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 24,657 and 54,709, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, stock options and SARs of 33,440 and 115,875, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 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				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax	$ 3,536		$ 4,225		$ 31,863		$ 57,610
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI Beginning Balance	42,428		12,384		33,758		(11,019)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	2,201		3,273		19,189		32,310
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(3,834)		(2,093)		(12,152)		(7,727)
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,633)		1,180		7,037		24,583
AOCI Ending Balance	40,795		13,564		40,795		13,564
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	1,238		1,479		11,152		20,164
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	2,298		2,746		20,711		37,446
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	400		500		1,400		1,500
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(2,512)		1,815		10,826		37,821
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(879)		635		3,789		13,238
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	(1,276)		19,704		(14,387)		(10,035)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	2,298		2,746		20,711		37,446
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2,875)		(2,388)		(8,177)		(7,349)
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)	(577)		358		12,534		30,097
AOCI Ending Balance	(1,853)		20,062		(1,853)		20,062
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(886)		552		19,283		46,305
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(309)		194		6,749		16,208
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	42,104		(1,781)		45,752		(476)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	0		0		0		0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(1,221)		(47)		(4,869)		(1,352)
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)	(1,221)		(47)		(4,869)		(1,352)
AOCI Ending Balance	40,883		(1,828)		40,883		(1,828)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(1,879)		(73)		(7,491)		(2,081)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(658)		(26)		(2,622)		(729)
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	1,600		(5,539)		2,393		(508)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications	(97)		527		(1,522)		(5,136)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	262		342		894		974
Net other comprehensive income/(loss)	165		869		(628)		(4,162)
AOCI Ending Balance	1,765		(4,670)		1,765		(4,670)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	253		1,336		(966)		(6,403)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	88		467		(338)		(2,241)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	(150)		810		(2,342)		(7,901)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax	(53)		283		(820)		(2,765)
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	(2,812)	[1]	(2,374)	[1]	(8,105)	[2]	(7,535)	[2]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(4,326)	[1]	(3,652)	[1]	(12,470)	[2]	(11,591)	[2]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(1,514)	[1]	(1,278)	[1]	(4,365)	[2]	(4,056)	[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	(5)	[3]	(14)	[3]	(14)	[4]	180	[4]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(7)	[3]	(21)	[3]	(21)	[4]	277	[4]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(2)	[3]	(7)	[3]	(7)	[4]	97	[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	(1,221)	[5]	(47)	[5]	(4,869)	[6]	(1,352)	[6]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(1,879)	[5]	(73)	[5]	(7,491)	[6]	(2,081)	[6]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(658)	[5]	(26)	[5]	(2,622)	[6]	(729)	[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	262	[7]	342	[7]	894	[8]	974	[8]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	403	[7]	526	[7]	1,376	[8]	1,498	[8]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	141	[7]	184	[7]	482	[8]	524	[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	(58)	[3]	0	[3]	(58)	[9]	6	[9]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(89)		0		(89)	[9]	9	[9]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	$ (31)		$ 0		$ (31)	[9]	$ 3	[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 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				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 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	$ 3,536		$ 4,225		$ 31,863		$ 57,610
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	1,238		1,479		11,152		20,164
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	2,298		2,746		20,711		37,446
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	2,201		3,273		19,189		32,310
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	400		500		1,400		1,500
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(3,834)		(2,093)		(12,152)		(7,727)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(2,512)		1,815		10,826		37,821
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(879)		635		3,789		13,238
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,633)		1,180		7,037		24,583
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	(150)		810		(2,342)		(7,901)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax	(53)		283		(820)		(2,765)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(97)		527		(1,522)		(5,136)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	262		342		894		974
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	253		1,336		(966)		(6,403)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	88		467		(338)		(2,241)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	165		869		(628)		(4,162)
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	2,298		2,746		20,711		37,446
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(2,875)		(2,388)		(8,177)		(7,349)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(886)		552		19,283		46,305
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(309)		194		6,749		16,208
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(577)		358		12,534		30,097
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	(1,221)		(47)		(4,869)		(1,352)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(1,879)		(73)		(7,491)		(2,081)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(658)		(26)		(2,622)		(729)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,221)		(47)		(4,869)		(1,352)
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	(4,326)	[1]	(3,652)	[1]	(12,470)	[2]	(11,591)	[2]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(1,514)	[1]	(1,278)	[1]	(4,365)	[2]	(4,056)	[2]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(2,812)	[1]	(2,374)	[1]	(8,105)	[2]	(7,535)	[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	(89)		0		(89)	[3]	9	[3]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(31)		0		(31)	[3]	3	[3]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(58)	[4]	0	[4]	(58)	[3]	6	[3]
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	(7)	[4]	(21)	[4]	(21)	[5]	277	[5]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(2)	[4]	(7)	[4]	(7)	[5]	97	[5]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(5)	[4]	(14)	[4]	(14)	[5]	180	[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	(1,879)	[6]	(73)	[6]	(7,491)	[7]	(2,081)	[7]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(658)	[6]	(26)	[6]	(2,622)	[7]	(729)	[7]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(1,221)	[6]	(47)	[6]	(4,869)	[7]	(1,352)	[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	403	[8]	526	[8]	1,376	[9]	1,498	[9]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	141	[8]	184	[8]	482	[9]	524	[9]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ 262	[8]	$ 342	[8]	$ 894	[9]	$ 974	[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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Proceeds and Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	$ 300	$ 1,200
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-Based Compensation	$ 300	1,170	$ 0
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation		$ 2,283	$ 1,975

Investment Securities - Schedu

Investment Securities - Schedule of Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 8,791,110		$ 8,100,257
Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	2,229,592		2,513,294
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	3,406		5,672
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,232,998		2,518,966
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5,128		6,362
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(3,160)		(9,477)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,234,966		2,515,851
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	2,229,592		2,513,294
Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost	2,232,998		2,518,966
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gains	5,128		6,362
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Losses	(3,160)		(9,477)
Marketable Securities	2,234,966		2,515,851
USDA Securities [Member]
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	2,107,149		2,029,613
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	3,406		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	35,870		44,442
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	35,705		44,240
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	20		1
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(123)		(390)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,602		43,851
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance			10,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis			10,000
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax			41
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses			0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure			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	1,308,236		1,359,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,310,622		1,362,527
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,858		1,768
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(1,276)		(3,266)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,312,204		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)	(165)		(202)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)			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)	2,386		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	468		538	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,715		3,120	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2,250		4,505	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0		0	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	4,965	[2]	7,625	[1]
Derivative, Notional Amount	144,300		146,100
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	100,000		187,295
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	99,992		187,401
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(121)		(268)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	99,871		187,133
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	765,318		821,619
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	764,264		821,978
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0		47
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(458)		(536)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	763,806		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)	2,247		2,582	[1]
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(8)		106
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(1,054)		359
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] \| Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Interest-Only-Strip [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	$ 4,500		$ 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 $4.5 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $144.3 million.

Investment Securities - Narrat

Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) - Investment Securities [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment securities	$ 5,100,000	$ 0	$ 5,089,000	$ 186,769,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	$ 100,000	0	$ 100,000	100,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses		$ 0		$ 100,000

Investment Securities - Unreal

Investment Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 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	$ 920,516	$ 1,308,744
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	394,737	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	(724)	(1,844)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	$ (2,436)	$ (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	81	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	44	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	24,089	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	(123)	(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	131,772	384,586
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	277,196	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	(220)	(1,030)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(1,056)	(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	738,815	732,371
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	24,991	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	(431)	(536)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	(27)	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	49,929	187,133
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	49,943	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	(73)	(268)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	$ (48)	$ 0

Investment Securities - Debt M

Investment Securities - Debt Maturities (Details) - Investment Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 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	$ 798,153
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	363,861
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	279,192
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	791,792
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,232,998	$ 2,518,966
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	797,630
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	364,132
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	281,792
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	791,412
Available-for-sale securities	$ 2,234,966	$ 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	0.92%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.62%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.75%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.86%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	1.47%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit37

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 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)	$ 64,172
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	4,186,923	$ 3,086,504	$ 3,086,504
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	4,251,095	3,158,456	3,158,456
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	5,177	7,192	7,192
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(71,098)	(99,004)	(99,004)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	4,185,174	3,066,644	3,066,644
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,459,514
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,443,746
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(852)	(1,833)	(1,833)
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	2,159,662	1,151,064	1,151,064
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,158,810	1,149,231	1,149,231
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	5,177	7,192	7,192
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(6,357)	(3,414)	(3,414)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	2,157,630	1,153,009	1,153,009
USDA Securities [Member]
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading, at fair value	14,864	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	2,128,974	1,115,465	1,115,465
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,127,808	1,113,189	1,113,189
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	5,091	7,187	7,187
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(6,073)	(3,175)	(3,175)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	2,126,826	1,117,201	1,117,201
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	5,459,655	4,889,007	4,889,007
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,459,514	4,888,904	4,888,904
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	30,811	28,715	28,715
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(46,579)	(63,934)	(63,934)
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,443,746	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)	(1,166)	(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)	(141)	(103)	(103)
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	300	400	400
USDA Guarantees [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	30,688	35,599	35,599
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	31,002	36,042	36,042
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	86	5	5
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(284)	(239)	(239)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	30,804	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)	65,024	73,785	73,785
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	2,027,261	1,935,440	1,935,440
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,092,285	2,009,225	2,009,225
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	0	0	0
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(64,741)	(95,590)	(95,590)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	2,027,544	1,913,635	1,913,635
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	14,204	19,360	19,360
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	15,296	20,737	20,737
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains	31	41
Trading Securities, Unrealized Holding Loss	(463)	(390)
Trading, at fair value	14,864	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)	314	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)	$ 1,092	$ 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	Sep. 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	$ 920,516	$ 1,308,744
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	394,737	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	(724)	(1,844)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ (2,436)	$ (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	81	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	$ 3,215,959	$ 2,205,516
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	334,434	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	(68,868)	(98,996)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(2,230)	(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	1,249,774	358,575
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	247,815	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	(3,888)	(3,175)
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(2,185)	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	1,293,478	982,538
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,424,602	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	(14,376)	(18,482)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ (32,203)	$ (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	30	22
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year \| position	12	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	18	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	$ 25,201	$ 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	1,940,984	1,816,366
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	86,619	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	(45)	(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	(284)	(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	$ (64,696)	$ (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	Sep. 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	$ 1,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	2,696,001
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	745,701
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	1,017,812
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,459,514
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	1,001,537
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	2,706,480
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	750,299
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	985,430
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 5,443,746
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	1.90%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.14%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.87%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	1.98%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	2.17%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit40

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 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	$ 4,251,095	$ 3,158,456
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 4,185,174	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	3.07%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, After Ten Years, Weighted-Average Yield	3.35%
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	$ 926,747
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Net Carrying Amount	1,260,842
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Net Carrying Amount	208,034
Held-to-maturity Securities, Amortized Cost before Other than Temporary Impairment	2,158,810	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	925,935
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value	1,258,848
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Fair Value	201,899
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value	$ 2,157,630	$ 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	1.78%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Weighted-Average Yield	2.27%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	2.66%
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Net Carrying Amount	$ 1,855,472
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	$ 1,798,492

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit41

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Trading Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 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	$ 2,436	$ 7,633
USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading, at fair value	14,864	20,388
USDA Guarantees [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Debt, Amortized Cost	15,296	20,737
Trading, at fair value	$ 14,864	$ 20,388
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	5.36%	5.44%

Financial Derivatives - Hedgin

Financial Derivatives - Hedging Description (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings	$ (1,900)	$ (4,000)	$ (6,900)	$ (12,900)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	400	500	1,400	1,500
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	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Derivatives - Schedu

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 8,791,110	$ 8,100,257
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	2,020	23,182
Financial derivatives, at fair value	(30,595)	(58,152)
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	25,079	25,643
Derivative Asset	2,020	23,182
Derivative Liability	5,516	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	2,040,854	1,642,609
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	744	18,508
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (8,768)	$ (18,909)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	1.83%	1.73%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.31%	0.90%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	5 years 5 months 2 days	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	64
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (1,985)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	1.23%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.42%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	1 year 8 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	$ 349,000	$ 207,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	960	3,706
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (555)	$ (955)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.19%	2.18%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.55%	1.11%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	6 years 3 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	$ 6	$ 14
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Liabilities	94	158
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	348,040	435,827
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	166	339
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (19,318)	$ (32,951)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	3.80%	4.06%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.31%	0.89%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	6 years 10 months 16 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	$ 3,389,116	$ 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	1.10%	0.75%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.12%	0.74%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	10 months 5 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	$ 1,225,000	$ 765,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	42	36
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (63)	$ (243)
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.20%	0.78%
Derivative, Variable Interest Rate	1.22%	0.78%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity	11 months 11 days	10 months 15 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] \| Future [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 7,400	$ 28,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	50	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 0	$ (155)
Derivative, Weighted-Average Forward Price	$ 125.99	$ 123.73

Financial Derivatives - Sche44

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Impact on Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings		$ (1,900)	$ (4,000)	$ (6,900)	$ (12,900)
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities		661	(1,601)	2,530	(13,079)
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		166	(10,550)	4,750	35,778
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings		1,742	726	(716)	5,716
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(890)	(2,259)	3,611	(18,473)
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		1,600	1,000	(700)	4,200
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net		(100)	200	0	(1,500)
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]	1,576	11,276	(5,466)	(30,062)
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		(191)	(68)	(365)	(322)
Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net		(191)	(68)	(365)	(322)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities		(1,031)	(2,333)	4,006	(16,820)
Forward Contracts [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities		0	79	(588)	(789)
Future [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains/(losses) on financial derivatives and hedging activities		$ 141	$ (5)	$ 193	$ (864)

[1]	Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of September 30, 2017, but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $1.6 million and gains of $0.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 were gains of $0.1 million and zero, respectively. The comparable amounts as of September 30, 2016 were losses of $1.0 million and $4.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship and, accordingly, losses of $0.2 million and gains of $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, attributable to hedge ineffectiveness.

Financial Derivatives - Narrat

Financial Derivatives - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 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	$ 0	$ 0
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	0		0		$ 0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	30,595		30,595		58,152
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	25,079		25,079		25,643
Additional Collateral, Aggregate Fair Value	2,300		2,300		15,800
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,791,110		8,791,110		8,100,257
Uncollateralized [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	100		100		200
Cash [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Received	0		0		0
Collateral Pledged	100		100		1,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	25,000		25,000		24,600
Exchange Cleared [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	7,700,000		7,700,000		6,900,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,800,000		8,800,000		8,100,000
ERROR in label resolution. \| Excluding netting [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	24,600		24,600		24,500
Financial derivatives, at fair value	61,100		61,100		65,700
ERROR in label resolution. \| Netting [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	100		100		200
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 27,300		$ 27,300		$ 41,400

Loans and Allowance for Losse46

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		$ 3,804,966		$ 3,379,884
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		6,408		5,415
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		5,127,770		4,507,435
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		8,488	$ 8,104	7,435	$ 6,923	$ 7,084	$ 6,563
Real Estate Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	5,135,375		4,513,966
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums		(1,197)		(1,116)
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		5,134,178		4,512,850
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		6,408		5,415
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		5,127,770		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		4,068,893		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		1,066,482		999,512
Unsecuritized [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	3,806,163		3,381,000
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums		(1,197)		(1,116)
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		3,804,966		3,379,884
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		5,195		4,437
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		3,799,771		3,375,447
Unsecuritized [Member] \| Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		2,739,681		2,381,488
Unsecuritized [Member] \| Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance		1,066,482		999,512
In Consolidated Trusts [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	[1]	1,329,212		1,132,966
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums		0		0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross		1,329,212		1,132,966
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate		1,213		978
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount		1,327,999		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		1,329,212		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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 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	$ 8,104	$ 7,084	7,435	$ 6,563
Provision for loan losses	(270)	(191)	(1,234)	(604)
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	114	(222)	60	(114)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	(130)	(241)	(130)
Total provision for losses	384	(31)	1,294	490
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	6,408		6,408
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	2,080		2,080
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	8,488	6,923	8,488	6,923
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	3,735	3,111	3,365	2,791
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	(228)	0
Total provision for losses	115	103	713	423
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	3,850	3,214	3,850	3,214
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,164	1,144	1,723	931
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	0	0
Total provision for losses	162	198	603	411
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,326	1,342	2,326	1,342
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,234	1,906	1,375	1,781
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	(13)	0
Total provision for losses	35	(354)	(93)	(229)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,269	1,552	1,269	1,552
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	397	447	405	408
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		(130)	0	(130)
Total provision for losses	4	36	(4)	75
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	401	353	401	353
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	558	473	533	649
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	0	0
Total provision for losses	72	(13)	97	(189)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	630	460	630	460
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	16	3	34	3
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	0	0
Total provision for losses	(4)	(1)	(22)	(1)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	12	2	12	2
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	6,138	4,893	5,415	4,480
Provision for loan losses	(270)	(191)	(1,234)	(604)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	(130)	(241)	(130)
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	6,408	4,954	6,408	4,954
Reserve for Off-balance Sheet Activities [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses	1,966	2,191	2,020	2,083
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	114	(222)	60	(114)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	$ 2,080	$ 1,969	$ 2,080	$ 1,969

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		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		$ 6,409,712		$ 6,409,712			$ 6,031,565
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		147,318		147,318			107,739
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2],[3]	6,557,030		6,557,030			6,139,304
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		5,551		5,551			5,143
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,937		2,937			2,292
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		8,488	$ 6,923	8,488	$ 6,923	$ 8,104	7,435	$ 7,084	$ 6,563
Total provision for losses		384	(31)	1,294	490
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	(130)	(241)	(130)
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,516,547		3,516,547			3,357,301
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		77,169		77,169			53,197
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,593,716		3,593,716			3,410,498
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,428		2,428			2,420
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		1,422		1,422			945
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		3,850	3,214	3,850	3,214	3,735	3,365	3,111	2,791
Total provision for losses		115	103	713	423
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0	(228)	0
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,140,771		1,140,771			1,006,935
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		43,450		43,450			30,505
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,184,221		1,184,221			1,037,440
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,258		1,258			933
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		1,068		1,068			790
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2,326	1,342	2,326	1,342	2,164	1,723	1,144	931
Total provision for losses		162	198	603	411
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0	0	0
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,291,779		1,291,779			1,290,332
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		17,964		17,964			15,512
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,309,743		1,309,743			1,305,844
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		960		960			976
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		309		309			399
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		1,269	1,552	1,269	1,552	1,234	1,375	1,906	1,781
Total provision for losses		35	(354)	(93)	(229)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0	(13)	0
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		399,694		399,694			315,549
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		8,014		8,014			8,525
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	407,708		407,708			324,074
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		265		265			247
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		136		136			158
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		401	353	401	353	397	405	447	408
Total provision for losses		4	36	(4)	75
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			(130)	0	(130)
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		48,068		48,068			48,051
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	48,068		48,068			48,051
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		630		630			533
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		630	460	630	460	558	533	473	649
Total provision for losses		72	(13)	97	(189)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0	0	0
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		12,853		12,853			13,397
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		721		721			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,574		13,574			13,397
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		10		10			34
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2		2			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		12	2	12	2	$ 16	34	$ 3	$ 3
Total provision for losses		(4)	(1)	(22)	(1)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs			0	0	0
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,938,143		3,938,143			3,426,768
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		130,750		130,750			87,686
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	4,068,893		4,068,893			3,514,454
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,901		3,901			3,630
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,507		2,507			1,785
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		6,408		6,408			5,415
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,278,701		2,278,701			2,115,450
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		68,322		68,322			41,648
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,347,023		2,347,023			2,157,098
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,868		1,868			2,000
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		1,193		1,193			613
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		3,061		3,061			2,613
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		767,275		767,275			569,360
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		41,201		41,201			27,770
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	808,476		808,476			597,130
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		973		973			652
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		1,010		1,010			770
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		1,983		1,983			1,422
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		623,499		623,499			537,859
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		13,516		13,516			10,658
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	637,015		637,015			548,517
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		748		748			735
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		192		192			270
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		940		940			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		246,416		246,416			183,660
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		7,069		7,069			7,610
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	253,485		253,485			191,270
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		219		219			193
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		112		112			132
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		331		331			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		13,248		13,248			11,545
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,248		13,248			11,545
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		87		87			22
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		87		87			22
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		9,004		9,004			8,894
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		642		642			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	9,646		9,646			8,894
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		6		6			28
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		6		6			28
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		2,471,569		2,471,569			2,604,797
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		16,568		16,568			20,053
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,488,137		2,488,137			2,624,850
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,650		1,650			1,513
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		430		430			507
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2,080		2,080			2,020
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		1,237,846		1,237,846			1,241,851
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		8,847		8,847			11,549
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,246,693		1,246,693			1,253,400
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		560		560			420
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		229		229			332
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		789		789			752
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		373,496		373,496			437,575
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2,249		2,249			2,735
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	375,745		375,745			440,310
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		285		285			281
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		58		58			20
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		343		343			301
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		668,280		668,280			752,473
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		4,448		4,448			4,854
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	672,728		672,728			757,327
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		212		212			241
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		117		117			129
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		329		329			370
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		153,278		153,278			131,889
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		945		945			915
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	154,223		154,223			132,804
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		46		46			54
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		24		24			26
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		70		70			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		34,820		34,820			36,506
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	34,820		34,820			36,506
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		543		543			511
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		0		0			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		543		543			511
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		3,849		3,849			4,503
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		79		79			0
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,928		3,928			4,503
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment		4		4			6
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment		2		2			0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		6		6			$ 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	$ (130)	$ (241)	$ (130)

[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]	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.
[3]	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			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	$ 23,397			$ 23,397			$ 27,468
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	23,352			23,352			27,534
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	124,170	[1]		124,170	[1]		79,931	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	123,966			123,966			80,205
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	147,567			147,567			107,399
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	147,318			147,318			107,739
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	2,937			2,937			2,292
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	63,044	[3]		63,044	[3]		32,142	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	134,503		$ 76,304	123,262		$ 80,596
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	419		437	1,474		1,377
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	11,909			11,909			20,761
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	11,885			11,885			20,816
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	65,391	[1]		65,391	[1]		32,326	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	65,284			65,284			32,381
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	77,300			77,300			53,087
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	77,169			77,169			53,197
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,422			1,422			945
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	29,535	[3]		29,535	[3]		13,405	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	72,180		33,032	65,244		28,293
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	101		46	563		108
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	4,963			4,963			3,683
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	4,953			4,953			3,688
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	38,565	[1]		38,565	[1]		26,748	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	38,497			38,497			26,817
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	43,528			43,528			30,431
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	43,450			43,450			30,505
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,068			1,068			790
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	25,653	[3]		25,653	[3]		10,785	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	38,396		22,980	35,101		25,277
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	244		236	464		789
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	3,942			3,942			1,054
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	3,935			3,935			1,055
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	14,048	[1]		14,048	[1]		14,322	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	14,029			14,029			14,457
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	17,990			17,990			15,376
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	17,964			17,964			15,512
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	309			309			399
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	2,819	[3]		2,819	[3]		2,696	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	15,582		12,120	14,620		13,704
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	13		81	212		229
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	1,939			1,939			1,970
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	1,936			1,936			1,975
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	6,088	[1]		6,088	[1]		6,535	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	6,078			6,078			6,550
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	8,027			8,027			8,505
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	8,014			8,014			8,525
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	136			136			158
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	5,037	[3]		5,037	[3]		5,256	[4]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	7,944		8,172	8,096		8,654
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	61		74	235		251
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		4,668
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	644			644			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	643			643			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	78	[1]		78	[1]		0	[2]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	78			78			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	722			722			0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	721			721			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	401		0	201		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	123,300			123,300			76,500
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	$ 2,700			$ 2,700			$ 1,600
Impaired Financing Receivable, Impairment analysis performed percent	84.00%			84.00%			71.00%
Less than 90 days past due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	$ 0	[3]		$ 0	[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 $123.3 million (84 percent) of impaired loans as of September 30, 2017, which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 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 no 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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Pre-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 200,000	$ 0
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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)defaulted_loan	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)defaulted_loan	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)defaulted_loan	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)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	6	3	10	8
Payments to Acquire Other Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	$ 3,043	$ 1,102	$ 3,458	$ 2,516
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Acquired During Period, Contractually Required Payments Receivable at Acquisition, During the Period	3,073	1,109	3,490	2,544
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Provision for Loan Losses	0	0	0	208
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Allowance for Loan Losses, Decreases	29	21	171	31
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Outstanding Balance	16,514		16,514		$ 14,669
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net	15,379		15,379		$ 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	852	311	2,118
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	$ 3,043	$ 250	$ 3,147	$ 398

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		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	$ 66,381	[1]		$ 21,038	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		(520)		$ 154
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Subject To Be Purchased	[2]	0			100
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	65,105	[1]		19,757	[3]
Net credit losses (recoveries)		(520)		154
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[2]	1,276	[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		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2],[3]	$ 6,557,030		$ 6,139,304
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[4]	66,381	[1]	21,038	[5]
Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	6,147,368		5,845,308
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	190,020		128,803
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	219,642		165,193
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,593,716		3,410,498
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		32,275	[1]	13,822	[5]
Crops [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,373,204		3,281,371
Crops [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	116,318		55,645
Crops [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	104,194		73,482
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,184,221		1,037,440
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		22,330	[1]	3,652	[5]
Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,097,031		971,477
Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	15,383		18,020
Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	71,807		47,943
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,309,743		1,305,844
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		7,367	[1]	707	[5]
Livestock [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,230,873		1,228,840
Livestock [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	51,110		48,416
Livestock [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	27,760		28,588
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	407,708		324,074
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		3,766	[1]	2,857	[5]
Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	389,293		304,728
Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	7,040		6,716
Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	11,375		12,630
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	48,068		48,051
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[5]
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	44,750		46,082
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	3,318		1,969
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,574		13,397
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		643	[1]	0	[5]
Other Commodity [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	12,217		12,810
Other Commodity [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	169		6
Other Commodity [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	1,188		581
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	4,068,893		3,514,454
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[4]	65,105	[1]	19,757	[5]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,867,418		3,352,959
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	70,725		73,809
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	130,750		87,686
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,347,023		2,157,098
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		31,413	[1]	13,449	[5]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,240,054		2,080,227
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	38,647		35,223
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	68,322		41,648
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	808,476		597,130
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		22,330	[1]	3,245	[5]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	760,251		568,221
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	7,024		1,139
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	41,201		27,770
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	637,015		548,517
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		7,367	[1]	669	[5]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	603,653		504,784
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	19,846		33,075
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	13,516		10,658
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	253,485		191,270
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		3,352	[1]	2,394	[5]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	241,208		179,288
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	5,208		4,372
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	7,069		7,610
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,248		11,545
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[5]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	13,248		11,545
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	9,646		8,894
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		643	[1]	0	[5]
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	9,004		8,894
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
On-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	642		0
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,488,137		2,624,850
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	[4]	1,276	[1]	1,281	[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	2,279,950		2,492,349
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	119,295		54,994
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	88,892		77,507
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,246,693		1,253,400
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		862	[1]	373	[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,133,150		1,201,144
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	77,671		20,422
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Crops [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	35,872		31,834
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	375,745		440,310
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	407	[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	336,780		403,256
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	8,359		16,881
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Permanent Plantings [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	30,606		20,173
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	672,728		757,327
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	38	[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	627,220		724,056
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	31,264		15,341
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Livestock [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	14,244		17,930
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	154,223		132,804
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		414	[1]	463	[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	148,085		125,440
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	1,832		2,344
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Part-Time Farm [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	4,306		5,020
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	34,820		36,506
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	31,502		34,537
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	0		0
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	3,318		1,969
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,928		4,503
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due		0	[1]	0	[5]
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,213		3,916
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[6]	169		6
Off-balance sheet [Member] \| Other Commodity [Member] \| Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[7]	$ 546		$ 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]	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.
[3]	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).
[4]	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.
[5]	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.
[6]	Assets in the "Special mention" category generally have potential weaknesses due to performance issues but are currently considered to be adequately secured.
[7]	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		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1],[2],[3]	$ 6,557,030	$ 6,139,304
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range One [Member] [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		2,297,648	2,195,103
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Two [Member] [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		2,500,101	2,398,843
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Three [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		815,411	782,171
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Four [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		568,471	469,681
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Five [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross		375,399	293,506
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range One [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[2]	$ 1,274,050	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	[2]	$ 1,622,767	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]	$ 2,268,852	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	[2]	$ 1,130,748	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	[2]	$ 233,963	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	[2]	$ 26,650	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	[3]	$ 723,616	657,403
Southwest [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[3]	1,917,692	1,791,745
Mid-North [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[3]	2,205,750	2,104,867
Mid-South [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[3]	899,293	837,121
Northeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[3]	290,655	229,679
Southeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[3]	520,024	518,489
Crops [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	3,593,716	3,410,498
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,184,221	1,037,440
Livestock [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	1,309,743	1,305,844
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	407,708	324,074
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	48,068	48,051
Other Commodity [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	[1]	$ 13,574	$ 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]	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.
[3]	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		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		$ 894,839	$ 1,802,631
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		354,823	415,441
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		226,802	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	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$ 404,246	$ 457,369
Proceeds from Fees Received	2,141	2,333
Payments to Acquire Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	(3,147)	$ (2,118)
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 894,839		$ 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 1 month 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	$ 3,800		$ 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 1 month 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	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 2 months 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	$ 31.5	$ 31.8

Equity - Common Stock Narrativ

Equity - Common Stock Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Equity - Common Stock Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Aug. 03, 2017	Sep. 08, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 0.36	$ 0.26	$ 11,435,000	$ 8,145,000
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash			$ 9,886,000	$ 9,886,000
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount					$ 5,400,000	$ 25,000,000
Repurchase of Class C Common Stock			668,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	19,600,000		$ 19,600,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	0.3672	0.3672
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	0.4297	0.4297
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ 0.3750	$ 0.3750

Equity - Capital Requirements

Equity - Capital Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 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	$ 515.8	$ 466.5
Capital	653.4	609.7
Excess Capital	$ 137.6	$ 143.2

Fair Value Disclosures - Narra

Fair Value Disclosures - Narrative (Details) - Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 5.5	$ 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	71.00%	65.00%

Fair Value Disclosures - Fai61

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 2,020	$ 23,182
Derivative Liability	5,516	32,509
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	5,127,770	4,507,435
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	1,086	1,528
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	2,020	23,182
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	7,695,596	7,413,106
Derivative Liability	30,595	58,152
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	30,595	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	50	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	763,856	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	1,970	23,182
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,450,154	1,699,814
Derivative Liability	30,595	57,997
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	30,595	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	5,481,586	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	1,091	3,148
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	636	2,799
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	455	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	1,091	3,148
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	636	2,799
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	455	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	5,443,746	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	5,443,746	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	5,443,746	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	5,443,746	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	2,234,966
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	763,806
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	1,448,184
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	22,976
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	14,864	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	14,864	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	14,864	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	14,864	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	35,602	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	35,602	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		10,041
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
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		10,041
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
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	1,312,204	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	1,312,204	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		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
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		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
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	99,871	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	99,871	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	4,965	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	507	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	4,458	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	763,806	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	763,806	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				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 5,322,025,000		$ 6,741,588,000		$ 4,891,803,000		$ 6,115,339,000
Transfers In						7,041,000
Purchases		234,644,000		382,397,000		1,054,554,000		1,698,586,000
Sales		(40,844,000)		(31,866,000)		(126,939,000)		(85,434,000)
Settlements		(31,392,000)		(123,932,000)		(362,780,000)		(842,537,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		(1,171,000)		(9,778,000)		5,082,000		28,415,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(1,676,000)		470,000		12,825,000		44,510,000
Ending Balance		5,481,586,000		6,958,879,000		5,481,586,000		6,958,879,000
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance				18,011,000				45,415,000
Purchases				0				0
Sales				0				(26,806,000)
Settlements				(1,887,000)				(2,213,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				1,606,000				1,728,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				(148,000)				(542,000)
Ending Balance				17,582,000				17,582,000
USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Trading Securities, Unrealized Gains		0		400,000		42,000		100,000
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		16,294,000		1,992,546,000		20,388,000		1,917,319,000
Transfers In						0
Purchases		40,844,000		119,201,000		126,939,000		351,914,000
Sales		(40,844,000)		(31,866,000)		(126,939,000)		(58,628,000)
Settlements		(1,430,000)		(56,646,000)		(5,440,000)		(242,960,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		(424,000)		(84,000)		212,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		(18,995,000)		0		35,959,000
Ending Balance		14,864,000		2,003,816,000		14,864,000		2,003,816,000
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		23,169,000		17,730,000		17,730,000		44,924,000
Transfers In						7,041,000
Purchases		0		0		0		0
Sales		0		0		0		(26,806,000)
Settlements		(111,000)		0		(334,000)		0
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		0		0		6,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(82,000)		(148,000)		(1,461,000)		(542,000)
Ending Balance		22,976,000		17,582,000		22,976,000		17,582,000
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		5,282,562,000		4,731,031,000		4,853,685,000		4,152,605,000
Transfers In						0
Purchases		193,800,000		263,196,000		927,615,000		1,346,672,000
Sales		0		0		0		0
Settlements		(29,851,000)		(65,399,000)		(357,006,000)		(597,364,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		(1,171,000)		(10,960,000)		5,166,000		26,475,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(1,594,000)		19,613,000		14,286,000		9,093,000
Ending Balance		5,443,746,000		4,937,481,000		5,443,746,000		4,937,481,000
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0		1,967,759,000		0		1,888,344,000
Transfers In						0
Purchases		40,844,000		119,201,000		126,939,000		351,914,000
Sales		(40,844,000)		(31,866,000)		(126,939,000)		(58,628,000)
Settlements		0		(55,772,000)		0		(237,262,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0		0		0		0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		(18,995,000)		0		35,959,000
Ending Balance		0		1,980,327,000		0		1,980,327,000
Trading Securities [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance				281,000				491,000
Purchases				0				0
Sales				0				0
Settlements				(1,887,000)				(2,213,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				1,606,000				1,722,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				0				0
Ending Balance				0				0
Trading Securities [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		16,294,000		24,787,000		20,388,000	[1]	28,975,000
Transfers In						0
Purchases		0		0		0		0
Sales		0		0		0		0
Settlements		(1,430,000)		(874,000)		(5,440,000)		(5,698,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0	[1]	(424,000)	[2]	(84,000)	[1]	212,000	[2]
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		0		0		0		0
Ending Balance		14,864,000	[1]	23,489,000		14,864,000	[1]	23,489,000
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		5,282,562,000		4,697,584,000		4,853,685,000	[1]	4,121,244,000
Transfers In						0
Purchases		193,800,000		263,196,000		927,615,000		1,342,572,000
Sales		0		0		0		0
Settlements		(29,851,000)		(64,895,000)		(357,006,000)		(594,124,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		(1,171,000)		(10,960,000)		5,166,000		26,475,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(1,594,000)		19,732,000		14,286,000		8,490,000
Ending Balance		5,443,746,000	[1]	4,904,657,000		5,443,746,000	[1]	4,904,657,000
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				33,447,000				31,361,000
Purchases				0				4,100,000
Sales				0				0
Settlements				(504,000)				(3,240,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				0				0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				(119,000)				603,000
Ending Balance				32,824,000				32,824,000
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		18,518,000		17,730,000		17,730,000		44,924,000
Transfers In						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		0		(148,000)		788,000		(542,000)
Ending Balance		18,518,000		17,582,000		18,518,000		17,582,000
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				281,000				491,000
Purchases				0				0
Sales				0				0
Settlements	[3]			(1,887,000)				(2,213,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income				1,606,000				1,722,000
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income				0				0
Ending Balance				$ 0				$ 0
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		4,651,000				0
Transfers In						7,041,000
Purchases		0				0
Sales		0				0
Settlements		(111,000)				(334,000)
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Income		0				0
Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Comprehen-sive Income		(82,000)				(2,249,000)
Ending Balance		$ 4,458,000				$ 4,458,000

[1]	Includes unrealized gains of $34,000 attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2017 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
[2]	Includes unrealized losses of $0.4 million attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."
[3]	Unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2016 and are recorded in "Gains/(losses) 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	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 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	$ 5,481,586		$ 4,891,803		$ 5,322,025	$ 6,958,879	$ 6,741,588	$ 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	$ 14,864		$ 20,388		16,294	2,003,816	1,992,546	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	2.00%		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	3.60%		4.00%
Fair Value Inputs, Prepayment Rate	7.00%		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	3.30%		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	5.30%		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	2.20%		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	17.00%		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	$ 5,443,746		$ 4,853,685		5,282,562	4,937,481	4,731,031	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	1,980,327	1,967,759	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	5,443,746	[1]	4,853,685	[1]	5,282,562	4,904,657	4,697,584	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						32,824	33,447	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	$ 4,458		$ 0		4,651
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	3.70%		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	3.70%		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	3.70%		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	$ 14,864	[1]	$ 20,388	[1]	$ 16,294	$ 23,489	$ 24,787	$ 28,975

[1]	Includes unrealized gains of $34,000 attributable to assets still held as of September 30, 2017 that are recorded in "Gains/(losses) on trading securities."

Fair Value Disclosures - Summa

Fair Value Disclosures - Summary of Carrying Value and Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial derivatives	$ 2,020	$ 23,182
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	36,679	38,871
Derivative Liability	5,516	32,509
Guarantee and commitment obligation	35,316	37,282
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	366,764	265,229
Loans	5,127,770	4,507,435
Financial derivatives	2,020	23,182
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,333,417	1,142,704
Derivative Liability	30,595	58,152
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,234,966	2,515,851
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	7,602,556	6,002,916
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,107,149	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:	32,307	32,656
Guarantee and commitment obligation	31,491	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:	4,372	6,215
Guarantee and commitment obligation	3,825	5,486
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Due within one year [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	8,112,928	8,440,123
Reported Value Measurement [Member] \| Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	7,399,961	5,222,977
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	366,764	265,229
Loans	5,140,669	4,481,019
Financial derivatives	2,020	23,182
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,310,240	1,107,513
Derivative Liability	30,595	58,152
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,234,966	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	7,601,376	6,006,694
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] \| USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,042,408	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:	31,986	34,720
Guarantee and commitment obligation	31,169	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:	4,611	6,197
Guarantee and commitment obligation	4,065	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:	8,108,390	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:	$ 7,450,462	$ 5,260,497

Business Segment Reporting - C

Business Segment Reporting - Core Earnings - Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016		Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	$ 39,562		$ 35,563		$ 116,364		$ 103,561
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	3,314	[3]	3,798	[6]	10,630	[9]	11,079	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	985	[2],[13]	303	[5],[14]	4,209	[8],[15]	(9,918)	[11],[16]
Non-interest income	4,299		4,101		14,839		1,161
Provision for loan losses	(270)		(191)		(1,234)		(604)
Provision for Other Credit Losses	114		(222)		60		(114)
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(10,502)		(9,525)		(32,495)		(29,457)
Non-interest expense	10,616	[17]	9,303	[18]	32,555	[19]	29,343	[20]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	11,193		10,529		33,103		26,264
Net income	21,782		19,641		64,311		48,511
Net income	32,975		30,170		97,414		74,775
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,295)		(3,295)		(9,886)		(9,886)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		18		165		62
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	18,487		16,364		54,590		38,687
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	17,690,238		16,000,905		17,690,238		16,000,905		$ 15,606,020
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	18,644,273		17,247,739		18,644,273		17,247,739
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	13,609		12,039		39,701		34,772
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(2,131)	[1],[2],[3]	(1,336)	[4],[5],[6]	(6,208)	[7],[8],[9]	(4,733)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	11,478		10,703		33,493		30,039
Guaranty Fee Income	4,236	[3]	3,516	[6]	12,722	[9]	11,390	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	214	[2],[13]	276	[5],[14]	1,402	[8],[15]	451	[11],[16]
Non-interest income	4,450		3,792		14,124		11,841
Provision for loan losses	(270)		(191)		(1,234)		(604)
Provision for Other Credit Losses	114		(222)		60		(114)
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(4,077)		(3,673)		(12,588)		(11,946)
Non-interest expense	4,191	[17]	3,451	[18]	12,648	[19]	11,832	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	11,467		10,853		33,735		29,444
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	4,014		3,799		11,806		10,307
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	7,453		7,054		21,929		19,137
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			0		0		0
Segment core earnings	7,453		7,054		21,929		19,137
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	4,128,778		3,436,641		4,128,778		3,436,641
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	6,557,030		6,004,728		6,557,030		6,004,728
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	5,288		5,753		15,747		15,743
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(433)	[1],[2],[3]	(564)	[4],[5],[6]	(1,508)	[7],[8],[9]	(1,658)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	4,855		5,189		14,239		14,085
Guaranty Fee Income	130	[3]	29	[6]	303	[9]	50	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	9	[2],[13]	95	[5],[14]	34	[8],[15]	178	[11],[16]
Non-interest income	139		124		337		228
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses			0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(1,080)		(933)		(3,333)		(3,118)
Non-interest expense	1,080	[17]	933	[18]	3,333	[19]	3,118	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	3,914		4,380		11,243		11,195
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	1,370		1,533		3,935		3,918
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	2,544		2,847		7,308		7,277
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			0		0		0
Segment core earnings	2,544		2,847		7,308		7,277
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	2,165,749		2,062,195		2,165,749		2,062,195
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	2,298,956		2,020,834		2,298,956		2,020,834
Rural Utilities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	2,230		2,963		8,181		8,682
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	602	[1],[2],[3]	(320)	[4],[5],[6]	26	[7],[8],[9]	(939)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	2,832		2,643		8,207		7,743
Guaranty Fee Income	476	[3]	529	[6]	1,455	[9]	1,197	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	5	[2],[13]	0	[5],[14]	15	[8],[15]	0	[11],[16]
Non-interest income	481		529		1,470		1,197
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses			0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(608)		(553)		(1,838)		(2,214)
Non-interest expense	608	[17]	553	[18]	1,838	[19]	2,214	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	2,705		2,619		7,839		6,726
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	947		917		2,744		2,355
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	1,758		1,702		5,095		4,371
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			0		0		0
Segment core earnings	1,758		1,702		5,095		4,371
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	1,073,525		1,008,903		1,073,525		1,008,903
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	1,886,445		1,867,666		1,886,445		1,867,666
Institutional Credit [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	15,431		12,226		44,364		36,084
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(1,068)	[1],[2],[3]	(799)	[4],[5],[6]	(3,025)	[7],[8],[9]	(2,160)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	14,363		11,427		41,339		33,924
Guaranty Fee Income	93	[3]	459	[6]	713	[9]	1,375	[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	93		459		713		1,375
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses			0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(1,670)		(1,253)		(4,813)		(2,330)
Non-interest expense	1,670	[17]	1,253	[18]	4,813	[19]	2,330	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	12,786		10,633		37,239		32,969
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	4,475		3,722		13,033		11,538
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	8,311		6,911		24,206		21,431
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			0		0		0
Segment core earnings	8,311		6,911		24,206		21,431
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	7,612,572		6,045,227		7,612,572		6,045,227
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	7,901,842		7,354,511		7,901,842		7,354,511
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	3,004		2,582		8,371		8,280
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	(305)	[1],[2],[3]	(345)	[4],[5],[6]	(946)	[7],[8],[9]	(897)	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	2,699		2,237		7,425		7,383
Guaranty Fee Income		[3]	0	[6]	0	[9]	0	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	233	[2],[13]	(388)	[5],[14]	626	[8],[15]	(1,288)	[11],[16]
Non-interest income	233		(388)		626		(1,288)
Provision for loan losses	0		0		0		0
Provision for Other Credit Losses			0		0		0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses	(3,067)		(3,113)		(9,923)		(9,849)
Non-interest expense	3,067	[17]	3,113	[18]	9,923	[19]	9,849	[20]
Segment core earnings before income taxes	(135)		(1,264)		(1,872)		(3,754)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(396)		(474)		(1,646)		(1,221)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	261		(790)		(226)		(2,533)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,295)		(3,295)		(9,886)		(9,886)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			18		165		62
Segment core earnings	(3,034)		(4,067)		(9,947)		(12,357)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Total Assets	2,709,614		3,447,939		2,709,614		3,447,939
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	0		0		0		0
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)	3,335	[1],[2],[3]	3,364	[4],[5],[6]	11,661	[7],[8],[9]	10,387	[10],[11],[12]
Net Effective Spread	3,335		3,364		11,661		10,387
Guaranty Fee Income	(1,621)	[3]	(735)	[6]	(4,563)	[9]	(2,933)	[12]
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees	524	[2],[13]	320	[5],[14]	2,132	[8],[15]	(9,259)	[11],[16]
Non-interest income	(1,097)		(415)		(2,431)		(12,192)
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	2,238	[21]	2,949	[22]	9,230	[21]	(1,805)	[22]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	783		1,032		3,231		(633)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends	1,455	[21]	1,917	[22]	5,999	[21]	(1,172)	[22]
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	0		0		0		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			0		0		0
Segment core earnings	1,455	[21]	1,917	[22]	5,999	[21]	(1,172)	[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 "Gains/(losses) 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 "Gains/(losses) 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 "Gains/(losses) 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 "Gains/(losses) 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. This 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. This 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.