Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM) 10-K 21 Feb 19 2018 Q4 Annual report Financial data

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 01, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
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	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q4
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	AGM
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 787,705,568
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		9,137,610

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 425,256	$ 302,022
Loans:
Loans held for investment, at amortized cost	4,004,968	3,873,755
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,517,101	1,399,827
Allowance for loan losses	(7,017)	(6,796)
Total loans, net of allowance	5,515,052	5,266,786
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	128	139
Financial derivatives, at fair value	7,487	7,093
Interest receivable (includes $19,783 and $17,373, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	180,080	155,278
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	40,366	39,895
Deferred tax asset, net	6,369	2,048
Prepaid expenses and other assets	9,418	29,023
Total Assets	18,694,328	17,792,274
Notes payable:
Due within one year	7,757,050	8,089,826
Due after one year	8,486,647	7,432,790
Total notes payable	16,243,697	15,522,616
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,528,957	1,404,945
Financial derivatives, at fair value	19,633	26,599
Accrued interest payable (includes $17,125 and $14,631, respectively, related to consolidated trusts)	96,743	75,402
Guarantee and commitment obligation	38,683	38,400
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,891	14,096
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	0	0
Reserve for losses	2,167	2,070
Total Liabilities	17,941,771	17,084,128
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	118,822	118,979
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	24,956	51,085
Retained earnings	393,351	322,704
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	752,557	708,146
Total Liabilities and Equity	18,694,328	17,792,274
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	9,138	9,088
Investment Securities [Member]
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	2,217,852	2,215,405
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	45,032	45,032
Marketable Securities	2,262,884	2,260,437
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
Assets:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,974,497	5,471,914
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,096,618	2,126,274
Marketable Securities	8,071,115	7,598,188
USDA Securities [Member]
Assets:
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	2,166,174	2,117,850
Trading, at fair value	9,999	13,515
Marketable Securities	$ 2,176,173	$ 2,131,365

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 180,080	$ 155,278
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 96,743	$ 75,402
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	9,137,550	9,087,670
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Interest receivable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 19,783	$ 17,373
Accrued interest payable - Consolidated Trusts amount	$ 17,125	$ 14,631

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest income:
Investments and cash equivalents	$ 55,179	$ 34,586	$ 27,042
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities	290,953	203,796	150,281
Loans	198,152	162,150	134,577
Total interest income	544,284	400,532	311,900
Total interest expense	369,848	242,885	171,626
Net interest income	174,436	157,647	140,274
Provision for loan losses	(238)	(1,708)	(1,065)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	174,198	155,939	139,209
Non-interest income:
Guarantee and commitment fees	13,976	14,114	14,868
(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives	(3,687)	753	2,311
Gains/(losses) on trading securities	81	(24)	1,460
Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities	0	89	(9)
(Losses)/gains on sale of real estate owned	(7)	1,748	15
Other income	1,377	832	1,823
Non-interest income	11,740	17,512	20,468
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits	27,534	24,233	22,772
General and administrative	19,707	15,959	15,109
Regulatory fees	2,562	2,500	2,463
Real estate owned operating costs, net	16	23	39
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses	97	50	(63)
Non-interest expense	49,916	42,765	40,320
Income before income taxes	136,022	130,686	119,357
Income tax expense	27,942	46,369	42,057
Net income	108,080	84,317	77,300
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0	165	34
Net income attributable to Farmer Mac	108,080	84,482	77,334
Preferred stock dividends	(13,182)	(13,182)	(13,182)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$ 94,898	$ 71,300	$ 64,152
Earnings per common share and dividends:
Basic earnings per common share	$ 8.91	$ 6.73	$ 6.12
Diluted earnings per common share	8.83000	6.6000	5.97000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.58	$ 0.36	$ 0.26

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net income	$ 108,080	$ 84,317	$ 77,300
Interest Income, Operating	290,953	203,796	150,281
Other comprehensive income before taxes:
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities	(29,980)	20,012	(6,694)
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(6,067)	(9,329)	71,120
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges	2,938	2,046	4,463
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before tax	(33,109)	12,729	68,889
Income tax benefit/(expense) related to other comprehensive (loss)/income	6,953	(4,455)	(24,112)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income net of tax	(26,156)	8,274	44,777
Comprehensive income	81,924	92,591	122,077
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0	165	34
Comprehensive income attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 81,924	$ 92,756	$ 122,111

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUI

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY Statement - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Beginning Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2015			8,400		10,687
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ (553,720)		$ (204,759)		$ (10,687)		$ (117,862)		$ 11,019		$ (231,228)		$ (203)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	77,334		0		0		0		0		77,334		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	34		0		0		0		0		0		(34)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	44,777		0		0		0		44,777		0		0
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(13,182)		0		0		0		0		(13,182)		0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(10,885)		0		0		0		0		(10,885)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		159
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 693		$ 0		$ 159		$ 534		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares				0		(307)
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value		(9,088)		$ 0		$ (307)		0		0		(8,781)		0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	3,343		0		0		3,343		0		0		0
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net	(3,084)		$ 0		$ 0		(3,084)		0		0		0
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2016			8,400		10,539
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	643,647		$ 204,759		$ 10,539		118,655		33,758		275,714		222
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation	53		0		0		0		0		0		53
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	84,482		0		0		0		0		84,482		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	165		0		0		0		0		0		(165)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	8,274		0		0		0		8,274		0		0
Reclass of Stranded Tax Effects from AOCI to Retained Earnings	0		0		0		0		9,053		(9,053)		0
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(13,182)		0		0		0		0		(13,182)		0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(15,257)		0		0		0		0		(15,257)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		80
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		311		$ 0		$ 80		231		0		0		0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	2,701		0		0		2,701		0		0		0
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net	(2,608)		$ 0		$ 0		(2,608)		0		0		0
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2017			8,400		10,619
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	708,146		$ 204,759		$ 10,619		118,979		51,085		322,704		0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation	(57)		0		0		0		0		0		(57)
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption	498		0		0		0		27		471		0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	708,644		204,759		10,619		118,979		51,112		323,175		0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	108,080		0		0		0		0		108,080		0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(26,156)		0		0		0		(26,156)		0		0
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(13,182)		0		0		0		0		(13,182)		0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(24,722)		0		0		0		0		(24,722)		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				0		50
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues		$ 57		$ 0		$ 50		$ 7		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	2,518		0		0		2,518		0		0		0
Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net	(2,682)		$ 0		$ 0		(2,682)		0		0		0
Ending Balance (Shares Outstanding) at Dec. 31, 2018			8,400		10,669
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 752,557		$ 204,759		$ 10,669		$ 118,822		$ 24,956		$ 393,351		$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 108,080	$ 84,317	$ 77,300
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	(1,104)	1,739	1,828
Amortization of debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs	30,207	22,858	31,757
Net change in fair value of trading securities, hedged assets, and financial derivatives	(23,747)	(11,187)	(15,086)
Losses/(gains) on sale of real estate owned	7	(1,748)	(15)
Total provision for losses	335	1,758	1,002
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-Based Compensation	946	860	0
Deferred income taxes	2,625	3,221	4,103
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	0	11	9
Stock-based compensation expense	2,517	2,702	3,343
Payments to Purchase Loans Held-for-sale	(25,000)	0	0
Proceeds from Sale of Loans Held-for-sale	25,000	0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Trading Securities, Short-term	0	0	2,212
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for sale	92,060	70,630	70,087
Net change in:
Interest receivable	(25,866)	(32,468)	(9,922)
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable	(188)	94	1,318
Other assets	(6,435)	3,641	43,560
Accrued interest payable	21,341	25,702	2,079
Other liabilities	(747)	2,881	(884)
Net cash provided by operating activities	200,031	175,011	212,691
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities	0	(45,032)	0
Purchases of loans held for investment	(947,495)	(1,266,926)	(1,016,515)
Purchases of defaulted loans	(9,231)	(5,981)	(2,516)
Proceeds from repayment of loans purchased as held for investment	611,344	435,356	402,897
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	382,929	519,219	609,347
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned	116	8,099	295
Net cash used by investing activities	(599,210)	(1,848,275)	(593,409)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	0	0	1,428
Payments to third parties on debt securities of consolidated trusts	(131,058)	(101,218)	(82,209)
Proceeds from common stock issuance	7	238	553
Tax payments related to share-based awards	(2,631)	(2,536)	(4,103)
Dividends paid on common and preferred stock	(37,905)	(28,439)	(24,067)
Net cash provided/(used) by financing activities	522,413	1,710,057	(564,137)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	123,234	36,793	(944,855)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	302,022	265,229	1,210,084
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	425,256	302,022	265,229
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	0	0	53
Medium-term Notes [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	7,692,845	8,600,860	6,519,115
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(6,834,057)	(4,675,300)	(4,083,450)
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of discount notes and medium-term notes	41,726,788	51,980,890	95,036,368
Payments to redeem discount notes and medium-term notes	(41,891,576)	(54,064,438)	(97,918,539)
Investment Securities [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities	(1,221,392)	(979,671)	(1,753,423)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	1,242,310	1,326,779	1,725,045
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	0	10,218	186,769
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities	(3,470,832)	(2,913,514)	(2,579,980)
Proceeds from repayment of available-for-sale investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	2,813,041	1,063,178	1,834,672
Common Class C, Non-Voting [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$ 0	$ 0	$ (9,286)

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting and reporting policies of Farmer Mac conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("generally accepted accounting principles" or "GAAP"). The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities (including, but not limited to, the allowance for loan losses, reserve for losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, and fair value measurements) as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following are the significant accounting policies that Farmer Mac follows in preparing and presenting its consolidated financial statements: (a) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries during the year: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary. The accounts of Contour Valuation Services, LLC (which began doing business as AgVisory during first quarter 2016) ("AgVisory"), Farmer Mac's former majority-owned subsidiary, are also included through June 30, 2017. Farmer Mac redeemed its ownership interest in AgVisory on May 1, 2017. armer Mac considers highly liquid investment securities with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The following table sets forth information regarding certain cash and non-cash transactions for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 2.1 For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 268,728 $ 161,060 $ 110,609 Income taxes 30,882 39,500 29,500 Non-cash activity: Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation 128 5,400 — Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 382,929 519,219 609,347 Consolidation of Farmer Mac 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 255,080 363,475 511,393 Purchases of securities - traded not yet settled (1,400 ) 1,400 — Transfers of available-for-sale USDA Securities to held-to-maturity — — 1,980,327 Transfers of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity — — 32,824 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 resulted in 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 . Farmer Mac accounts for held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. Both the cost basis adjustment and accumulated unrealized appreciation are being amortized as adjustments to the yield on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities over the remaining contractual term of the transferred securities. (c) Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities Securities for which Farmer Mac has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost. Securities for which Farmer Mac does not have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are carried at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity. For securities classified as trading, unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings. Gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale and trading securities are determined using the specific identification cost method. Farmer Mac determines the fair value of investment securities using quoted market prices, when available, and evaluates the securities for other-than-temporary impairment. Farmer Mac determines the fair values of certain investment securities for which quoted market prices are not available, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities based on the present value of the associated expected future cash flows. In estimating the present value of the expected future cash flows, management is required to make estimates and assumptions. The key estimates and assumptions include discount rates and collateral repayment rates. Premiums, discounts, and other deferred costs are amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. Farmer Mac generally receives compensation when loans with yield maintenance provisions underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities prepay. These yield maintenance payments mitigate Farmer Mac's exposure to reinvestment risk and are calculated such that, when reinvested with the prepaid principal, they should generate substantially the same cash flows that would have been generated had the loans not prepaid. Yield maintenance payments are recognized as interest income in the consolidated statements of operations upon receipt. (d) Loans Loans for which Farmer Mac has the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for investment and reported at their unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized purchase discounts or premiums. Loans for which Farmer Mac does not have the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for sale and reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. Farmer Mac de-recognizes sold loans, and recognizes any associated gain or loss, when they have been isolated from Farmer Mac, the buyer has the right to pledge or exchange them, and Farmer Mac does not maintain effective control over them. When Farmer Mac consolidates a trust, it recognizes the loans underlying the trust in the consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost." See Note 2(p) for more information on the accounting policy related to consolidation. Non-accrual Loans Non-accrual loans are loans for which it is probable that Farmer Mac will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement and include all loans 90 days or more past due. When a loan becomes 90 days past due, interest accrual on the loan is discontinued and interest previously accrued is reversed against interest income in the current period. The interest on such loans is accounted for on the cash basis until a loan qualifies for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest payments contractually due are collected and certain performance criteria are met. Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR") A modification to the contractual terms of a loan that results in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties is considered a TDR. Farmer Mac has granted a concession when, as a result of the restructuring, it does not expect to collect all amounts due in a timely manner, including interest accrued at the original contract rate. In making its determination of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, Farmer Mac considers several factors, including whether (1) the borrower has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy, (2) there is substantial doubt as to whether the borrower will continue to be a going concern, and (3) the borrower can obtain funds from other sources at an effective interest rate at or near a current market interest rate for debt with similar risk characteristics. Farmer Mac evaluates TDRs similarly to other impaired loans for purposes of the allowance for losses. (e) Securitization of Loans Asset securitization involves the transfer of financial assets to another entity in exchange for cash and/or beneficial interests in the assets transferred. Farmer Mac or third parties transfer agricultural real estate mortgage loans or rural utilities loans into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred loans. The trusts issue Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that are beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts, to either Farmer Mac or third party investors. Farmer Mac guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on the securities issued by the trusts and receives guarantee fees as compensation for its guarantee. Farmer Mac recognizes guarantee fees on the accrual basis over the terms of the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which generally coincide with the terms of the underlying loans. As such, no guarantee fees are unearned at the end of any reporting period. When Farmer Mac purchases a delinquent loan underlying a Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security, Farmer Mac stops accruing the guarantee fee upon loan purchase. (f) Real Estate Owned Real estate owned ("REO") consists of real estate acquired through loan liquidation and is recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at acquisition. Fair value is determined by appraisal or other appropriate valuation method. Any excess of the recorded investment in the loan over the fair value less estimated selling costs is charged to the allowance for loan losses. After the acquisition, management continues to perform periodic valuations of real estate owned. Declines in the net realizable value (fair value less estimated selling costs) are charged through income and presented in "Real estate owned operating costs, net" on the consolidated statements of operations. (g) 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, not for trading or speculative purposes. Farmer Mac enters into interest rate swap contracts principally to adjust the characteristics of its short-term debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its longer-term loans and other assets, and also to adjust the characteristics of its long-term debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its short-term assets, thereby reducing interest rate risk and, often times, deriving an overall lower effective cost of borrowing than would otherwise be available to Farmer Mac in the conventional debt market. Farmer Mac is required to recognize certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative under GAAP. Accounting for financial derivatives differs depending on whether a derivative is designated in a hedge accounting relationship. Derivative instruments designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of assets or liabilities. Derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedge accounting relationships mitigate exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows or other forecasted transactions. In order to qualify for fair value or cash flow hedge accounting treatment, documentation must indicate the intention to designate the derivative as a hedge of a specific asset, or liability, or a future cash flow. Effectiveness of the hedge is assessed before the end of the quarter of inception and monitored over the life of the hedging relationship. Beginning in first quarter 2018, changes in the fair values of financial derivatives not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges are reported in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships, changes in the fair values of hedged items related to the risk being hedged are reported in " Net interest income " in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships are also recorded in " Net interest income " in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedge relationships, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income. 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. Before 2018, gains and losses on financial derivatives were included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives" whether or not they were designated in hedge accounting relationships. Farmer Mac has made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to netting provisions on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. See Notes 6 and 13 for more information on financial derivatives. (h) Notes Payable Notes payable are classified as due within one year or due after one year based on the length of time remaining to their contractual maturities. Debt issuance costs and premiums and discounts are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the related debt. (i) Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for losses to cover estimated probable losses incurred as of the balance sheet date on loans held ("allowance for loan losses") and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities ("reserve for losses") based on available information. Disaggregation by commodity type is performed, where appropriate, in analyzing the need for an allowance for losses. The allowance for losses increases through periodic provisions for loan losses that are charged against net interest income and the reserve for losses increases through provisions for losses that are charged to non-interest expense, and decreases by charge-offs for realized losses, net of recoveries. Negative provisions, or releases from the allowance for losses, generally occur when the estimate of probable losses as of the end of a period is less than the estimate at the beginning of the period. In certain circumstances, for example, when a defaulted loan is purchased out of a guaranteed security or pursuant to an LTSPC, the related reserve for losses is released and a corresponding amount is provided to the allowance for loan losses. The total allowance for losses consists of a general allowance for losses and a specific allowance for individual impaired loans. Charge-offs Farmer Mac records a charge-off against the allowance for losses principally when a loss has been confirmed through the receipt of assets, generally the underlying collateral, in full satisfaction of the loan. The loss equals the excess of the recorded investment in the loan over the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. General Allowance for Losses Farmer Mac's methodology for determining its allowance for losses incorporates Farmer Mac's automated loan classification system. That system scores loans based on criteria such as historical repayment performance, indicators of current financial condition, loan seasoning, loan size and loan-to-value ratio. The allowance methodology captures the migration of loan scores across concurrent and overlapping 3-year time horizons and calculates loss rates separately within each loan classification for (1) loans underlying LTSPCs and (2) loans held and loans underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities. The calculated loss rates are applied to the current classification distribution of unimpaired loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio to estimate inherent losses, on the assumption that the historical credit losses and trends used to calculate loss rates will continue in the future. Management evaluates this assumption by considering many relevant factors, including: • economic conditions; • geographic and agricultural commodity/product concentrations in the portfolio; • the credit profile of the portfolio; • delinquency trends of the portfolio; • historical charge-off and recovery activities of the portfolio; and • other factors to capture current portfolio trends and characteristics that differ from historical experience. Management believes that its use of this methodology produces a reasonable estimate of probable losses, as of the balance sheet date, for all loans held in the Farm & Ranch portfolio and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. Farmer Mac separately evaluates the rural utilities loans it owns to determine if there are any probable losses inherent in those assets. Specific Allowance for Impaired Loans Farmer Mac also analyzes certain loans in its portfolio for impairment in accordance with accounting guidance on measuring impairment of individual loans. Farmer Mac's impaired loans generally include loans 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured, in bankruptcy and certain performing loans that have previously been delinquent or are secured by real estate that produces agricultural commodities or products currently under stress. Farmer Mac uses a risk-based approach in determining the necessity of obtaining updated appraisals on impaired loans. For example, larger exposures associated with highly improved and specialized collateral will generally receive updated appraisals once the loans are identified as impaired. Updated appraisals are always obtained during the foreclosure process. Depending on the risk factors associated with the loan and underlying collateral, which can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the loan and collateral, this can occur early in the foreclosure process, while in other instances this may occur just before the transfer of title. As part of its routine credit review process, Farmer Mac often will exercise judgment in discounting an appraisal value due to local real estate trends or the condition of the property (e.g., following an inspection by Farmer Mac or the servicer). A property appraisal value may also be discounted based on the market's reaction to Farmer Mac's asking price for sale of the property. For loans with an updated appraised value, other updated collateral valuation or management's estimate of discounted collateral value, this analysis includes the measurement of the fair value of the underlying collateral for individual loans relative to the total recorded investment, including principal, interest, and advances and net of any charge-offs. In the event that the collateral value does not support the total recorded investment, Farmer Mac specifically provides an allowance for the loan for the difference between the recorded investment and its fair value, less estimated costs to liquidate the collateral. Estimated selling costs are based on historical selling costs incurred by Farmer Mac or management's best estimate of selling costs for a particular property. For the remaining impaired assets without updated valuations, this analysis is performed in the aggregate in consideration of the similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics. Farmer Mac believes this methodology that uses loan classification scores and historical loss experience is a better indication of impairment for these collateral-dependent loans than other valuation methods. 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 unvested restricted stock awards. The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 2.2 For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 94,898 10,654 $ 8.91 $ 71,300 10,594 $ 6.73 $ 64,152 10,477 $ 6.12 Effect of dilutive securities (1) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 92 (0.08 ) — 209 (0.13 ) — 269 (0.15 ) Diluted EPS $ 94,898 10,746 $ 8.83 $ 71,300 10,803 $ 6.60 $ 64,152 10,746 $ 5.97 (1) For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, stock options and SARs of 15,812 , 28,579 , and 86,907 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, contingent shares of unvested restricted stock of 13,138 , 29,647 , 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. (k) Income Taxes Deferred federal income tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between financial and taxable income and are measured using the current enacted statutory tax rate. New tax reform legislation was enacted on December 22, 2017. This new tax legislation includes a broad range of tax reform provisions, including a reduction to the corporate tax rate, changes to business expense deductions, and changes to taxes on international earnings. U.S. GAAP requires recognition of the effect of changes in tax law and tax rates as a component of the income tax provision related to continuing operations in the period of enactment of the new legislation. This accounting treatment is also required for deferred taxes that were established through a financial statement component other than continuing operations such as other comprehensive income. Thus, Farmer Mac remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities using the newly enacted statutory tax rate of 21% and recognized a one-time, non-cash charge of $1.4 million to income tax expense during 2017. Due to the re-measurement of Farmer Mac's deferred tax assets and liabilities using the newly enacted statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, items originally recorded through other comprehensive income do not reflect the new tax rate ("stranded tax effects"). In response, in February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-02 " Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ," which provides entities the option to reclassify these stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Farmer Mac elected to adopt ASU 2018-02 for the year ended December 31, 2017. This change in accounting principle resulted in an increase to " Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax " and a corresponding decrease to " Retained earnings " of $9.1 million . Income tax expense is equal to the income taxes payable in the current year plus the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance. Farmer Mac evaluates its tax positions quarterly to identify and recognize any liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in its federal income tax returns. Farmer Mac uses a two-step approach in which income tax benefits are recognized if, based on the technical merits of a tax position, it is more likely than not (a probability of greater than 50% ) that the tax position would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority, which includes all related appeals and litigation process. The amount of tax benefit recognized is then measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority, considering all information available at the reporting date. Farmer Mac's policy for recording interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions is to record them as a component of income tax expense. Farmer Mac establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. (l) Stock-Based Compensation Farmer Mac accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plans using the grant date fair value method of accounting. Farmer Mac measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. For performance-based grants, Farmer Mac recognizes the grant-date fair value over the vesting period as long as it remains probable that the performance conditions will be met. If the service or performance conditions are not met, Farmer Mac reverses previously recognized compensation expense upon forfeiture. Farmer Mac recognized $2.5 million , $2.7 million , and $3.3 million of compensation expense related to stock options, SARs, and non-vested restricted stock awards for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. mprehensive 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 years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 2.3 Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total (in thousands) Balance as of January 1, 2016 $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 5,481 47,993 1,588 55,062 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (9,833 ) (1,765 ) 1,313 (10,285 ) Net comprehensive (loss)/income (4,352 ) 46,228 2,901 44,777 Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (14,387 ) $ 45,752 $ 2,393 $ 33,758 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 23,925 — 152 24,077 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (10,917 ) (6,064 ) 1,178 (15,803 ) Net comprehensive income/(loss) 13,008 (6,064 ) 1,330 8,274 Stranded tax effects reclassified from AOCI due to enactment of new tax legislation (297 ) 8,548 802 9,053 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (1,676 ) $ 48,236 $ 4,525 $ 51,085 Cumulative effect from change in hedge accounting — — 27 27 Balance as of January 1, 2018 (1,676 ) 48,236 4,552 51,112 Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications (19,151 ) — 2,571 (16,580 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (4,533 ) (4,793 ) (250 ) (9,576 ) Net comprehensive (loss)/income (23,684 ) (4,793 ) 2,321 (26,156 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (25,360 ) $ 43,443 $ 6,873 $ 24,956 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 years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 2.4 For the Years Ended 2018 2017 2016 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income: Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding (losses)/gains on available-for-sale-securities $ (24,241 ) $ (5,090 ) $ (19,151 ) $ 36,809 $ 12,884 $ 23,925 $ 8,433 $ 2,952 $ 5,481 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net Interest Income (1) (5,784 ) (1,215 ) (4,569 ) — — — — — — (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (1) — — — (16,845 ) (5,897 ) (10,948 ) (15,375 ) (5,381 ) (9,994 ) (Losses)/gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) — — — (89 ) (31 ) (58 ) 9 3 6 Other income (3) 45 9 36 137 48 89 239 84 155 Total $ (29,980 ) $ (6,296 ) $ (23,684 ) $ 20,012 $ 7,004 $ 13,008 $ (6,694 ) $ (2,342 ) $ (4,352 ) Held-to-maturity securities: Change in fair value (4) — — — — — — 73,835 25,842 47,993 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) (6,067 ) (1,274 ) (4,793 ) (9,329 ) (3,265 ) (6,064 ) (2,715 ) (950 ) (1,765 ) Total $ (6,067 ) $ (1,274 ) $ (4,793 ) $ (9,329 ) $ (3,265 ) $ (6,064 ) $ 71,120 $ 24,892 $ 46,228 Cash flow hedges Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges $ 3,254 $ 683 $ 2,571 $ 233 $ 81 $ 152 $ 2,443 $ 855 $ 1,588 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (6) (316 ) (66 ) (250 ) 1,813 635 1,178 2,020 707 1,313 Total $ 2,938 $ 617 $ 2,321 $ 2,046 $ 716 $ 1,330 $ 4,463 $ 1,562 $ 2,901 Other comprehensive (loss)/income $ (33,109 ) $ (6,953 ) $ (26,156 ) $ 12,729 $ 4,455 $ 8,274 $ 68,889 $ 24,112 $ 44,777 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents unrealized gains and 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) Represents the accumulated unrealized gain on the USDA Securities and the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. (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 recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI. Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments Farmer Mac accounts for its LTSPCs as guarantees. Commitment fee income represents a reduction of the commitment obligation based on amortization using the actual prepayment experience on the underlying loans. See Note 2(i) for Farmer Mac's policy for estimating probable losses for LTSPCs and Note 12 for more information on the accounting for LTSPCs. (o) Fair Value Measurement Farmer Mac defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a fair value hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives highest rank to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest rank to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). Farmer Mac's assessment of the significance of the input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of financial instruments that Farmer Mac has classified within the level 3 category. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for assets and liabilities within the level 3 category may include changes in fair value that were attributable to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in projected prepayment rates) inputs. See Note 13 for more i

Related Party Transactions - RE

Related Party Transactions - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Farmer Mac considers an entity to be a related party if (1) the entity holds at least 5% of a class of Farmer Mac voting common stock or (2) the institution has an affiliation with a Farmer Mac director and conducts material business with Farmer Mac. As provided by Farmer Mac's statutory charter, only banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions or similar entities may hold Farmer Mac's Class A voting common stock and only institutions of the Farm Credit System may hold Farmer Mac's Class B voting common stock. Farmer Mac's statutory charter also provides that Class A stockholders elect five members of Farmer Mac's 15 -member board of directors and that Class B stockholders elect five members of the board of directors. Farmer Mac generally requires financial institutions to own a requisite amount of common stock , based on the size and type of institution, to participate in the Farm & Ranch line of business. As a result of these requirements, Farmer Mac conducts business with related parties in the normal course of Farmer Mac's business. All related party transactions were conducted with terms and conditions comparable to those available to any other participant in Farmer Mac's lines of business not related to Farmer Mac. Zions First National Bank : Farmer Mac considers Zions First National Bank and its affiliates ("Zions") a related party due to the ownership by Zions of approximately 31.2% of Farmer Mac's Class A voting common stock. The following transactions occurred between Farmer Mac and Zions during 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 3.1 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance: Purchases: Loans $ 114,719 $ 126,449 $ 153,140 USDA Securities 19,120 20,368 16,600 Sales of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 68,721 128,924 273,586 The purchases of loans from Zions under the Farm & Ranch line of business represented approximately 11.9% , 11.2% , and 15.9% of Farm & Ranch loan purchases for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and 8.2% , 7.5% and 11.2% , respectively, of total new Farm & Ranch business volume. The purchases of USDA Securities from Zions under the USDA Guarantees line of business represented approximately 4.2% , 3.8% , and 3.4% of purchases in that line of business for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Outstanding Farm & Ranch loans, USDA Securities, and AgVantage securities purchased from Zions represented 4.7% and 5.0% , respectively, of Farmer Mac's outstanding business volume as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Zions retained servicing fees of $11.6 million , $11.5 million , and $9.9 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, for its work as a Farmer Mac servicer. National Rural Utilities Cooperative Financial Corporation : Farmer Mac considers the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Financial Corporation ("CFC") a related party because of its ownership of approximately 7.9% of Farmer Mac's Class A voting common stock. The following transactions occurred between Farmer Mac and CFC during 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 3.2 Farmer Mac Loan Purchases and Guarantees For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance: Loans $ 11,645 $ 137,341 $ 50,491 On-balance sheet AgVantage Securities 675,000 350,000 250,000 Off-balance sheet revolving floating rate AgVantage facility 300,000 — — LTSPCs — — 441,404 Total purchases and guarantees $ 986,645 $ 487,341 $ 741,895 The transactions with CFC represented 100% of Farmer Mac's volume of loan purchases and LTSPC transactions under the Rural Utilities line of business for 2018, 2017, and 2016, and represented 29.5% , 14.7% , and 11.9% of AgVantage securities volume under the Institutional Credit line of business for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and represented 19.1% , 10.3% , and 16.7% of total purchases, guarantees, and LTSPCs for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Of Farmer Mac's total outstanding business volume as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Rural Utilities loans, loans under LTSPCs, and AgVantage securities issued by CFC represented 23.6% and 24.6% , respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, Farmer Mac earned guarantee fees of $0.1 million . Farmer Mac had interest receivable of $9.4 million and $5.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and earned interest income of $76.8 million , $43.9 million , and $27.6 million during 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, related to its AgVantage transactions with CFC. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Farmer Mac had $0.1 million and $0.2 million , respectively, of commitment fees receivable from CFC and earned commitment fees of $1.9 million , $2.2 million , and $2.0 million , respectively for 2018, 2017, and 2016. CFC retained servicing fees of $3.6 million , $3.5 million and $3.3 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, for its work as a Farmer Mac central servicer. AgFirst Farm Credit Bank : Farmer Mac has a related party relationship with AgFirst Farm Credit Bank ("AgFirst") resulting from AgFirst being a holder of approximately 16.8% of Farmer Mac's Class B voting common stock. AgFirst entered into $26.6 million , $40.0 million and $36.4 million of LTSPC transactions in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and the aggregate balance of LTSPCs outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $340.5 million and $353.8 million , respectively. Farmer Mac received from AgFirst $1.2 million , $1.1 million , and $1.1 million in commitment fees in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and had $0.1 million of commitment fees receivable as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017. AgFirst owns certain securities backed by rural housing loans. Farmer Mac guarantees the last ten percent of losses (based on the original principal balance at the time of pooling) from each loan in the pool backing those securities. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding balance of those securities owned by AgFirst was $8.6 million and $11.5 million , respectively. Farmer Mac received guarantee fees of $33,000 , $38,000 , and $45,000 in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, on those securities. Farm Credit Bank of Texas : Farmer Mac has a related party relationship with Farm Credit Bank of Texas resulting from the bank being a holder of approximately 7.7% of Farmer Mac Class B voting common stock and because a member of Farmer Mac's board of directors has an affiliation with that entity. Farmer Mac received from Farm Credit Bank of Texas commitment fees of $1.0 million , $1.0 million , and $1.1 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The aggregate amount of LTSPCs outstanding with Farm Credit Bank of Texas as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $226.5 million and $250.3 million , respectively. In 2018, 2017, and 2016, Farm Credit Bank of Texas retained $0.2 million , $0.2 million , and $0.3 million , respectively, in servicing fees for its work as a Farmer Mac central servicer. Other Related Party Transactions : Farmer Mac purchased $39.5 million , $28.5 million , and $24.7 million in loans from First Dakota National Bank in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Farmer Mac entered into $3.0 million , $0.4 million , and $0.0 million of new USDA Securities in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, with First Dakota National Bank. First Dakota National Bank retained servicing fees of $1.4 million , $1.2 million , and $1.1 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, for its work as a Farmer Mac servicer. Farmer Mac purchased $2.0 million , $5.4 million , and $1.3 million in USDA Securities from Bath State Bank in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. These institutions had a related party relationship with Farmer Mac because a member of Farmer Mac's board of directors is affiliated with each of those entities. Farmer Mac owned $70 million of subordinated debt issued by CoBank as of December 31, 2016. During 2017, the subordinated debt was called and redeemed by CoBank. Farmer Mac has a related party relationship with CoBank because CoBank is a major holder ( 32.6% ) of Farmer Mac Class B voting common stock and because a member of Farmer Mac's board of directors has an affiliation with that entity.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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]	4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES The following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 4.1 As of December 31, 2018 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 $ — $ (985 ) $ 18,715 Floating rate asset-backed securities 28,940 (136 ) 28,804 2 (128 ) 28,678 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,379,472 1,528 1,381,000 721 (4,267 ) 1,377,454 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 384 1 385 18 — 403 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 797,913 (4,882 ) 793,031 119 (548 ) 792,602 Total available-for-sale 2,226,409 (3,489 ) 2,222,920 860 (5,928 ) 2,217,852 Held-to-maturity: Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 45,032 — 45,032 562 — 45,594 Total investment securities $ 2,271,441 $ (3,489 ) $ 2,267,952 $ 1,422 $ (5,928 ) $ 2,263,446 (1) During second quarter 2018, the remaining premium of an interest-only security was fully amortized because the issuer called the security upon full prepayment of the underlying mortgage loan that collateralized the security. As of December 31, 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 $ — $ (886 ) $ 18,814 Floating rate asset-backed securities 34,462 (154 ) 34,308 22 (120 ) 34,210 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,289,123 2,217 1,291,340 2,215 (3,368 ) 1,290,187 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 451 2,138 2,589 2,230 — 4,819 Fixed rate senior agency debt 100,000 — 100,000 — (49 ) 99,951 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 770,852 (1,836 ) 769,016 — (1,592 ) 767,424 Total available-for-sale 2,214,588 2,365 2,216,953 4,467 (6,015 ) 2,215,405 Held-to-maturity: Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 45,032 — 45,032 532 — 45,564 Total investment securities $ 2,259,620 $ 2,365 $ 2,261,985 $ 4,999 $ (6,015 ) $ 2,260,969 (1) Fair value includes $4.3 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $143.7 million . Farmer Mac did not sell any securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2018 . During the year ended December 31, 2017, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $10.2 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale portfolio, resulting in gross realized gains of $0.1 million . During the year ended December 31, 2016, Farmer Mac received proceeds of $186.8 million from the sale of securities from its available-for-sale investment portfolio, resulting in gross realized gains of $0.1 million and gross realized losses of $0.1 million . As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 4.2 As of December 31, 2018 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (dollars in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 18,715 $ (985 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 6,456 (38 ) 19,058 (90 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 927,416 (2,907 ) 196,416 (1,360 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 499,581 (336 ) 81,597 (212 ) Total $ 1,433,453 $ (3,281 ) $ 315,786 $ (2,647 ) Number of securities in loss position 72 48 As of December 31, 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 $ — $ — $ 18,814 $ (886 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 23,145 (120 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 292,522 (2,337 ) 221,641 (1,031 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 742,442 (1,572 ) 24,983 (20 ) Fixed rate senior agency debt — — 99,951 (49 ) Total $ 1,034,964 $ (3,909 ) $ 388,534 $ (2,106 ) Number of securities in loss position 40 51 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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 December 31, 2018 and 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+." Securities in unrealized loss positions for 12 months or longer have a fair value as of December 31, 2018 that is, on average, approximately 99.2% 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017. As of December 31, 2018 , Farmer Mac owned $45.0 million of held-to-maturity investment securities at amortized cost with a fair value of $45.6 million and a weighted average yield of 3.5% . As of December 31, 2017, Farmer Mac owned $45.0 million of held-to-maturity investment securities at amortized cost with a fair value of $45.6 million and a weighted average yield of 2.5% . Farmer Mac did not own any trading investment securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of December 31, 2018 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 4.3 As of December 31, 2018 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 767,989 $ 767,536 1.29% Due after one year through five years 217,450 217,443 2.76% Due after five years through ten years 646,531 644,361 2.72% Due after ten years 590,950 588,512 2.92% Total $ 2,222,920 $ 2,217,852 2.28%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securitie

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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]	he following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 5.1 As of December 31, 2018 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,069,185 $ (194 ) $ 2,068,991 $ 2,637 $ (11,948 ) $ 2,059,680 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 27,383 244 27,627 98 — 27,725 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,096,568 50 2,096,618 2,735 (11,948 ) 2,087,405 USDA Securities 2,110,963 55,211 2,166,174 — (62,227 ) 2,103,947 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,207,531 $ 55,261 $ 4,262,792 $ 2,735 $ (74,175 ) $ 4,191,352 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 6,003,733 $ (204 ) $ 6,003,529 $ 22,335 $ (51,367 ) $ 5,974,497 Trading: USDA Securities $ 9,591 $ 701 $ 10,292 $ 20 $ (313 ) $ 9,999 As of December 31, 2017 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,096,754 $ (779 ) $ 2,095,975 $ 2,011 $ (11,429 ) $ 2,086,557 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 29,980 319 30,299 108 (73 ) 30,334 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,126,734 (460 ) 2,126,274 2,119 (11,502 ) 2,116,891 USDA Securities 2,055,050 62,800 2,117,850 — (54,969 ) 2,062,881 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,181,784 $ 62,340 $ 4,244,124 $ 2,119 $ (66,471 ) $ 4,179,772 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 5,496,569 $ (182 ) $ 5,496,387 $ 21,838 $ (46,311 ) $ 5,471,914 Trading: USDA Securities $ 12,966 $ 922 $ 13,888 $ 28 $ (401 ) $ 13,515 As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows: Table 5.2 As of December 31, 2018 Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (dollars in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 669,610 $ (1,760 ) $ 976,318 $ (10,188 ) USDA Securities 38,203 (696 ) 2,065,743 (61,531 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 707,813 $ (2,456 ) $ 3,042,061 $ (71,719 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,480,423 $ (9,364 ) $ 1,599,679 $ (42,003 ) As of December 31, 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 $ 1,304,160 $ (8,094 ) $ 351,664 $ (3,335 ) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 24,721 (73 ) — — USDA Securities 451 (2 ) 2,062,429 (54,967 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 1,329,332 $ (8,169 ) $ 2,414,093 $ (58,302 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,273,965 $ (8,819 ) $ 1,759,377 $ (37,492 ) The unrealized losses presented above are principally due to higher interest rates from the date of acquisition to December 31, 2018 and 2017, as applicable. The unrealized losses on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017 reflect their increased cost basis resulting from their transfer to held-to-maturity as of October 1, 2016. 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 38 and 36 available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There were 43 and 23 held-to-maturity AgVantage securities with an unrealized loss as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 , 21 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months. As of December 31, 2017 , 16 available-for-sale AgVantage securities had been in a loss position for more than 12 months. 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 impaired as of either December 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017. 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 years ended December 31, 2018 , 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 December 31, 2018 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 5.3 As of December 31, 2018 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 618,461 $ 618,825 2.87 % Due after one year through five years 2,889,110 2,887,325 3.12 % Due after five years through ten years 1,248,615 1,239,658 3.21 % Due after ten years 1,247,343 1,228,689 3.61 % Total $ 6,003,529 $ 5,974,497 3.22 % As of December 31, 2018 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 762,474 $ 759,480 2.11 % Due after one year through five years 1,388,053 1,379,827 3.04 % Due after five years through ten years 212,283 205,952 3.39 % Due after ten years 1,899,982 1,846,093 3.57 % Total $ 4,262,792 $ 4,191,352 3.12 % As of December 31, 2018 , Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $10.3 million , a fair value of $10.0 million , and a weighted-average yield of 5.21 percent . As of December 31, 2017 , Farmer Mac owned trading USDA Securities with an amortized cost of $13.9 million , a fair value of $13.5 million , and a weighted-average yield of 5.33 percent .

Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure	armer 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 (e.g., LIBOR). Other financial derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the volatility of future interest rate payments on floating rate debt. Farmer Mac manages the interest rate risk related to loans it has committed to acquire, but has not yet permanently funded, through the use of forward sale contracts on the debt of other GSEs and futures contracts involving U.S. Treasury securities. Farmer Mac uses forward sale contracts on GSE securities to reduce its interest rate exposure to changes in both U.S. Treasury rates and spreads on Farmer Mac debt. The notional amounts of these contracts are determined based on a duration-matched hedge ratio between the hedged item and the hedge instrument. Gains or losses generated by these hedge transactions are expected to offset changes in funding costs. All financial derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as a freestanding asset or liability. Effective first quarter 2018, Farmer Mac adopted ASU 2017-12, " Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." This ASU reduces the complexity 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 income or expense effect from the hedged item. Upon the adoption of the ASU, Farmer Mac elected to retrospectively designate the hedged risk of its fair value hedges as the risk of changes in fair value resulting from changes in the benchmark interest rate component of the contractual coupon cash flows. Farmer Mac made this election for its fair value hedges designated upon the inception of the hedging instruments. For fair value hedges designated after the inception of the hedging instruments, Farmer Mac continues to designate the hedged risk as the risk of changes in fair value based on total contractual coupon cash flows. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 6.1 As of December 31, 2018 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 3,097,084 $ 3,004 $ (4,326 ) 2.42% 2.58% 9.75 Receive fixed non-callable 2,031,200 885 (4,512 ) 2.49% 1.94% 1.68 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 373,000 2,441 (99 ) 2.40% 2.83% 6.12 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 316,664 796 (10,399 ) 3.69% 2.52% 6.25 Receive fixed non-callable 2,347,371 — — 2.37% 2.10% 0.86 Basis swaps 1,770,026 421 (130 ) 2.45% 2.49% 1.27 Treasury futures 20,400 — (188 ) 121.09 Credit valuation adjustment (60 ) 21 Total financial derivatives $ 9,955,745 $ 7,487 $ (19,633 ) Collateral pledged (1,778 ) 47,018 Net amount $ 5,709 $ 27,385 As of December 31, 2017 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 2,086,347 $ 5,240 $ (5,990 ) 1.88% 1.40% 5.46 Receive fixed non-callable 1,559,700 110 (4,033 ) 1.38% 1.45% 1.68 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 365,500 1,402 (138 ) 2.16% 1.74% 5.84 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 345,333 339 (16,352 ) 3.79% 1.40% 6.68 Receive fixed non-callable 3,409,916 — — 1.25% 1.24% 0.92 Basis swaps 1,053,500 18 (106 ) 1.33% 1.42% 0.91 Treasury futures 40,000 — (36 ) 123.96 Credit valuation adjustment (16 ) 56 Total financial derivatives $ 8,860,296 $ 7,093 $ (26,599 ) Collateral pledged — 24,926 Net amount $ 7,093 $ (1,673 ) As of December 31, 2018 , Farmer Mac expects to reclassify $1.7 million after tax from accumulated other comprehensive income 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 after December 31, 2018 . During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , there were no gains or losses from interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges reclassified to earnings because it became probable that the original forecasted transaction would not occur. The following table summarizes the net income/(expense) recognized in the consolidated statements of operations related to derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016: Table 6.2 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives Net Interest Income Non-Interest Income Total Interest Income Interest Income Loans Total Interest Expense (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (in thousands) Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations: $ 290,953 $ 198,152 $ (369,848 ) $ (3,687 ) $ 115,570 Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives 1,861 (630 ) (7,995 ) — (6,764 ) Recognized on hedged items 65,238 6,284 (36,837 ) — 34,685 Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (668 ) — (668 ) Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships $ 67,099 $ 5,654 $ (45,500 ) $ — $ 27,253 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (20,279 ) 5,031 835 — (14,413 ) Recognized on hedged items 21,460 (5,243 ) 3,137 — 19,354 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships $ 1,181 $ (212 ) $ 3,972 $ — $ 4,941 Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives — — 316 — 316 Recognized on hedged items — — (9,182 ) — (9,182 ) Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (6 ) — (6 ) Expense recognized on cash flow hedges $ — $ — $ (8,872 ) $ — $ (8,872 ) Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships: Gains on interest rate swaps — — — 7,206 7,206 Interest expense on interest rate swaps — — — (10,920 ) (10,920 ) Treasury futures — — — 27 27 Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships $ — $ — $ — $ (3,687 ) $ (3,687 ) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives Net Interest Income Non-Interest Income Total Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities Interest Income Loans Total Interest Expense (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (in thousands) Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations $ 203,796 $ 162,150 $ (242,885 ) $ 753 $ 123,814 Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (10,346 ) (1,141 ) 2,642 — (8,845 ) Recognized on hedged items 46,389 3,379 (14,283 ) — 35,485 Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (345 ) — (345 ) Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships $ 36,043 $ 2,238 $ (11,986 ) $ — $ 26,295 Losses on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (1) — — — 1,694 1,694 Recognized on hedged items — — — (2,413 ) (2,413 ) Losses on fair value hedging relationships $ — $ — $ — $ (719 ) $ (719 ) Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives $ — $ — $ (1,974 ) $ — $ (1,974 ) Recognized on hedged items — — (4,133 ) — (4,133 ) Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (5 ) — (5 ) Losses recognized in income for hedge ineffectiveness — — — (320 ) (320 ) Expense recognized on cash flow hedges $ — $ — $ (6,112 ) $ (320 ) $ (6,432 ) Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships: Gains on interest rate swaps $ — $ — $ — $ 12,240 $ 12,240 Interest expense on interest rate swaps — — — (10,200 ) (10,200 ) Agency forwards — — — (588 ) (588 ) Treasury futures — — — 340 340 Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships $ — $ — $ — $ 1,792 $ 1,792 (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of December 31, 2017 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were gains of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amount recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the year ended December 31, 2017 were gains of $0.6 million . For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives Net Interest Income Non-Interest Income Total Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities Interest Income Loans Total Interest Expense (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (in thousands) Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations $ 150,281 $ 134,577 $ (171,626 ) $ 2,311 $ 115,543 Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (15,494 ) (1,011 ) 132 — (16,373 ) Recognized on hedged items 35,169 2,063 — — 37,232 Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — — — — Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships $ 19,675 $ 1,052 $ 132 $ — $ 20,859 Gains on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (1) — — — 25,365 25,365 Recognized on hedged items — — — (20,322 ) (20,322 ) Gains on fair value hedging relationships $ — $ — $ — $ 5,043 $ 5,043 Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives $ — $ — $ (2,126 ) $ — $ (2,126 ) Recognized on hedged items — — (1,437 ) — (1,437 ) Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (1 ) — (1 ) Losses recognized in income for hedge ineffectiveness — — — (353 ) (353 ) Expense recognized on cash flow hedges $ — $ — $ (3,564 ) $ (353 ) $ (3,917 ) Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships: Gains on interest rate swaps $ — $ — $ — $ 9,489 $ 9,489 Interest expense on interest rate swaps — — — (11,480 ) (11,480 ) Agency forwards — — — (226 ) (226 ) Treasury futures — — — (162 ) (162 ) Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships $ — $ — $ — $ (2,379 ) $ (2,379 ) (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of December 31, 2016 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were losses of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amounts recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the year ended December 31, 2016 were gains of $0.2 million . The following table shows the carrying amount and associated cumulative basis adjustment related to the application of hedge accounting that is included in the carrying amount of hedged assets and liabilities in fair value hedging relationships as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 6.3 Hedged Items in Fair Value Relationship Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Available-for-Sale, at fair value $ 2,882,919 $ 1,928,220 $ (906 ) $ (22,853 ) Loans held for investment, at amortized cost 194,617 149,304 (5,287 ) (189 ) Notes Payable, due after one year (1)(2) (2,021,356 ) (1,552,935 ) 8,785 5,836 (1) Carrying amount represents amortized cost. (2) Includes $0.3 million of hedging adjustments on a discontinued hedging relationship. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Farmer Mac's credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties, excluding netting arrangements and any adjustment for nonperformance risk, but including accrued interest, was $51.3 million and $28.5 million , respectively; however, including netting arrangements and accrued interest, Farmer Mac's credit exposure was $3.1 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 , Farmer Mac held $0.7 million of cash and $1.1 million of investment securities as collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $1.4 million . As of December 31, 2017, Farmer Mac held no cash collateral for its derivatives in net asset positions, resulting in uncollateralized net asset positions of $0.5 million . As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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 $78.4 million and $58.2 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 $13.9 million and $28.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Farmer Mac posted cash of $0 and $47.0 million of investment securities as of December 31, 2018 and posted cash of $0.1 million and $24.8 million investment securities as of December 31, 2017. 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements or post additional collateral of none and $3.1 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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 margin 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 $9.9 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2018 , $8.5 billion were cleared through the swap clearinghouse. Of Farmer Mac's $8.8 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding as of December 31, 2017, $7.9 billion were cleared through the swap clearinghouse.

Notes Payable - NOTES PAYABLE (

Notes Payable - NOTES PAYABLE (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTES PAYABLE Farmer Mac's borrowings consist of discount notes and medium-term notes, both of which are unsecured general obligations of Farmer Mac. Discount notes generally have original maturities of 1.0 year or less, whereas medium-term notes generally have maturities of 0.5 years to 15.0 years . The following tables set forth information related to Farmer Mac's borrowings as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 7.1 December 31, 2018 Outstanding as of December 31 Average Outstanding During the Year Amount Weighted- Average Rate Amount Weighted- Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Due within one year: Discount notes $ 1,586,385 2.35 % $ 1,432,470 1.83 % Medium-term notes 1,826,380 2.29 % 1,977,445 1.83 % Current portion of long-term notes 4,344,285 1.93 % Total due within one year $ 7,757,050 2.10 % Due after one year: Medium-term notes due in: 2020 $ 3,090,405 2.11 % 2021 2,220,651 2.41 % 2022 859,470 2.19 % 2023 881,738 2.88 % Thereafter 1,434,383 3.34 % Total due after one year 8,486,647 2.48 % Total $ 16,243,697 2.30 % December 31, 2017 Outstanding as of December 31 Average Outstanding During the Year Amount Weighted- Average Rate Amount Weighted- Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Due within one year: Discount notes $ 1,724,969 1.20 % $ 2,262,582 0.86 % Medium-term notes 2,560,211 1.27 % 2,885,966 1.04 % Current portion of long-term notes 3,804,646 1.23 % Total due within one year $ 8,089,826 1.24 % Due after one year: Medium-term notes due in: 2019 $ 2,644,734 1.48 % 2020 1,842,143 1.68 % 2021 849,263 1.85 % 2022 790,564 2.03 % Thereafter 1,306,086 3.05 % Total due after one year 7,432,790 1.91 % Total $ 15,522,616 1.56 % The maximum amount of Farmer Mac's discount notes outstanding at any month end during each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1.6 billion and $3.3 billion , respectively. Callable medium-term notes give Farmer Mac the option to redeem the debt at par value on a specified call date or at any time on or after a specified call date. The following table summarizes by maturity date the amounts and costs for Farmer Mac debt callable in 2019 as of December 31, 2018: Table 7.2 Debt Callable in 2019 as of December 31, 2018 Amount Weighted-Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Maturity: 2020 $ 239,327 2.13 % 2021 409,629 2.38 % 2022 165,810 2.31 % 2023 253,758 3.14 % Thereafter 294,720 3.27 % Total $ 1,363,244 2.66 % The following schedule summarizes the earliest interest rate reset date of total borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2018, including callable and non-callable medium-term notes, assuming callable notes are redeemed at the initial call date: Table 7.3 Earliest Interest Rate Reset Date of Borrowings Outstanding Amount Weighted-Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Debt with interest rate resets in: 2019 $ 9,668,398 2.20% 2020 2,210,866 1.94% 2021 1,565,748 2.32% 2022 788,504 2.16% 2023 836,768 2.88% Thereafter 1,173,413 3.43% Total $ 16,243,697 2.30% During 2018 and 2017, Farmer Mac called $0.0 million and $24.0 million of callable medium-term notes, respectively. Authority to Borrow from the U.S. Treasury Farmer Mac's statutory charter authorizes it to borrow up to $1.5 billion from the U.S. Treasury through the issuance of debt obligations to the U.S. Treasury. Any funds borrowed from the U.S. Treasury may be used solely for the purpose of fulfilling Farmer Mac's guarantee obligations. Any debt obligations issued by Farmer Mac under this authority would bear interest at a rate determined by the U.S. Treasury, taking into consideration the average rate on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States as of the last day of the last calendar month ending before the date of the purchase of the obligations from Farmer Mac. The charter requires Farmer Mac to repurchase any of its debt obligations held by the U.S. Treasury within a reasonable time. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac had not used this borrowing authority and does not expect to use this borrowing authority in the future. Gains on Repurchase of Outstanding Debt No outstanding debt repurchases were made in 2018, 2017, or 2016.

Loans and Allowance for Losses

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]
Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses and Concentration Risk Disclosure	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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 , Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.1 As of December 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 3,071,222 $ 1,517,101 $ 4,588,323 $ 2,798,906 $ 1,399,827 $ 4,198,733 Rural Utilities 938,843 — 938,843 1,076,291 — 1,076,291 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 4,010,065 1,517,101 5,527,166 3,875,197 1,399,827 5,275,024 Unamortized premiums, discounts, and other cost basis adjustments (5,097 ) — (5,097 ) (1,442 ) — (1,442 ) Total loans 4,004,968 1,517,101 5,522,069 3,873,755 1,399,827 5,273,582 Allowance for loan losses (5,565 ) (1,452 ) (7,017 ) (5,493 ) (1,303 ) (6,796 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,999,403 $ 1,515,649 $ 5,515,052 $ 3,868,262 $ 1,398,524 $ 5,266,786 (1) Unpaid principal balance is the basis of presentation in disclosures of outstanding balances for Farmer Mac's lines of business. Allowance for Losses Farm & Ranch 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 $9.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and $8.9 million as of December 31, 2017 . See Note 12 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 each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 : Table 8.2 Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 1,065 (63 ) 1,002 Charge-offs (130 ) — (130 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 5,415 $ 2,020 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 1,708 50 1,758 Charge-offs (327 ) — (327 ) Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 6,796 $ 2,070 $ 8,866 Provision for/(release of) losses 238 97 335 Charge-offs (17 ) — (17 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 7,017 $ 2,167 $ 9,184 The total allowance for losses has increased because of increased loan volume within Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch portfolio. The total allowance for losses in the Farm & Ranch portfolio, as a percentage of outstanding loan volume, has remained consistent in recent years. The total provision for losses decreased by $1.4 million during 2018 as compared to 2017 primarily due to decreased loan growth year-over-year and modestly improved credit quality in the Farm & Ranch portfolio. During 2017, the net provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded were primarily attributable to (1) an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans, and (2) 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 loan balance of such loans and downgrades in risk ratings on some of those loans. The net provision to the reserve for losses recorded during 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. During 2016, the provisions to its allowance for loan losses recorded 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 certain loans. The releases to the reserve for losses recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016 were attributable to the release of a specific reserve on an impaired livestock loan underling an LTSPC that was required to be removed from the LTPSC pool by the originator during 2016. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 by commodity type: Table 8.3 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 4,081 $ 2,469 $ 1,211 $ 481 $ 606 $ 18 $ 8,866 Provision for/(release of) losses 313 (343 ) 249 10 114 (8 ) 335 Charge-offs — — — (17 ) — — (17 ) Ending Balance $ 4,394 $ 2,126 $ 1,460 $ 474 $ 720 $ 10 $ 9,184 For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 944 816 (151 ) 92 73 (16 ) 1,758 Charge-offs (228 ) (70 ) (13 ) (16 ) — — (327 ) Ending Balance $ 4,081 $ 2,469 $ 1,211 $ 481 $ 606 $ 18 $ 8,866 For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 574 792 (406 ) 127 (116 ) 31 1,002 Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.4 As of December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,452,803 $ 952,719 $ 705,752 $ 329,070 $ 12,097 $ 4,477 $ 4,456,918 Off-balance sheet 1,239,094 515,520 624,522 166,907 73,084 3,286 2,622,413 Total $ 3,691,897 $ 1,468,239 $ 1,330,274 $ 495,977 $ 85,181 $ 7,763 $ 7,079,331 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 66,432 $ 36,333 $ 21,361 $ 7,278 $ — $ — $ 131,404 Off-balance sheet 13,298 5,249 3,737 883 — 69 23,236 Total $ 79,730 $ 41,582 $ 25,098 $ 8,161 $ — $ 69 $ 154,640 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,519,235 $ 989,052 $ 727,113 $ 336,348 $ 12,097 $ 4,477 $ 4,588,322 Off-balance sheet 1,252,392 520,769 628,259 167,790 73,084 3,355 2,645,649 Total $ 3,771,627 $ 1,509,821 $ 1,355,372 $ 504,138 $ 85,181 $ 7,832 $ 7,233,971 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,120 $ 822 $ 731 $ 303 $ 84 $ 4 $ 4,064 Off-balance sheet 668 170 207 29 636 5 1,715 Total $ 2,788 $ 992 $ 938 $ 332 $ 720 $ 9 $ 5,779 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,329 $ 1,065 $ 437 $ 122 $ — $ — $ 2,953 Off-balance sheet 277 69 85 20 — 1 452 Total $ 1,606 $ 1,134 $ 522 $ 142 $ — $ 1 $ 3,405 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 3,449 $ 1,887 $ 1,168 $ 425 $ 84 $ 4 $ 7,017 Off-balance sheet 945 239 292 49 636 6 2,167 Total $ 4,394 $ 2,126 $ 1,460 $ 474 $ 720 $ 10 $ 9,184 As of December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,344,821 $ 794,478 $ 635,768 $ 269,337 $ 13,023 $ 9,030 $ 4,066,457 Off-balance sheet 1,236,392 532,666 678,642 155,627 45,738 4,981 2,654,046 Total $ 3,581,213 $ 1,327,144 $ 1,314,410 $ 424,964 $ 58,761 $ 14,011 $ 6,720,503 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 67,828 $ 38,180 $ 17,766 $ 7,858 $ — $ 644 $ 132,276 Off-balance sheet 8,904 2,239 2,782 806 — 76 14,807 Total $ 76,732 $ 40,419 $ 20,548 $ 8,664 $ — $ 720 $ 147,083 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,412,649 $ 832,658 $ 653,534 $ 277,195 $ 13,023 $ 9,674 $ 4,198,733 Off-balance sheet 1,245,296 534,905 681,424 156,433 45,738 5,057 2,668,853 Total $ 3,657,945 $ 1,367,563 $ 1,334,958 $ 433,628 $ 58,761 $ 14,731 $ 6,867,586 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,104 $ 1,101 $ 738 $ 287 $ 44 $ 11 $ 4,285 Off-balance sheet 546 305 231 48 562 5 1,697 Total $ 2,650 $ 1,406 $ 969 $ 335 $ 606 $ 16 $ 5,982 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,207 $ 1,006 $ 172 $ 126 $ — $ — $ 2,511 Off-balance sheet 224 57 70 20 — 2 373 Total $ 1,431 $ 1,063 $ 242 $ 146 $ — $ 2 $ 2,884 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 3,311 $ 2,107 $ 910 $ 413 $ 44 $ 11 $ 6,796 Off-balance sheet 770 362 301 68 562 7 2,070 Total $ 4,081 $ 2,469 $ 1,211 $ 481 $ 606 $ 18 $ 8,866 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.5 As of December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 20,734 $ 3,592 $ 5,764 $ 1,922 $ — $ — $ 32,012 Unpaid principal balance 20,632 3,573 5,737 1,912 — — 31,854 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 59,335 38,176 19,443 6,276 — 70 123,300 Unpaid principal balance 59,098 38,009 19,361 6,249 — 69 122,786 Associated allowance 1,606 1,134 522 142 — 1 3,405 Total: Recorded investment 80,069 41,768 25,207 8,198 — 70 155,312 Unpaid principal balance 79,730 41,582 25,098 8,161 — 69 154,640 Associated allowance 1,606 1,134 522 142 — 1 3,405 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 26,611 $ 21,349 $ 8,803 $ 4,645 $ — $ — $ 61,408 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $120.9 million ( 78% ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2018 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 million . (2) Includes $41.8 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. As of December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 14,417 $ 3,272 $ 11,171 $ 1,953 $ — $ 644 $ 31,457 Unpaid principal balance 14,418 3,273 11,172 1,953 — 644 31,460 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 62,309 37,143 9,376 6,710 — 76 115,614 Unpaid principal balance 62,314 37,146 9,376 6,711 — 76 115,623 Associated allowance 1,431 1,063 242 146 — 2 2,884 Total: Recorded investment 76,726 40,415 20,547 8,663 — 720 147,071 Unpaid principal balance 76,732 40,419 20,548 8,664 — 720 147,083 Associated allowance 1,431 1,063 242 146 — 2 2,884 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 27,630 $ 25,701 $ 5,333 $ 4,929 $ — $ — $ 63,593 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $113.2 million ( 77% ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2017 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 million . (2) Includes $15.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.6 December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Year Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 74,804 $ 44,461 $ 24,523 $ 8,758 $ — $ 231 $ 152,777 Income recognized on impaired loans 1,219 1,687 299 241 — — 3,446 December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Year Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 71,154 $ 37,597 $ 15,913 $ 8,135 $ — $ 381 $ 133,180 Income recognized on impaired loans 696 530 238 289 — — 1,753 The impact of TDRs on Farmer Mac's allowance for loan losses was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. 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. After 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 years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017, and 2016 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 8.7 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 ($ in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ 1,483 $ 311 $ 398 Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) 7,748 5,670 2,118 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 9,231 5,981 2,516 Contractually required payments receivable 9,325 6,018 2,544 Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition 26 60 208 Release of allowance for all outstanding acquired defaulted loans — 171 67 Number of defaulted loans purchased 16 13 8 As of December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 23,464 $ 18,866 Carrying amount 22,694 17,691 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 December 31, 2018 , 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 8.8 90-Day Delinquencies (1) Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses As of For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 19,577 $ 47,881 $ 40 $ (1,397 ) $ 154 Total on-balance sheet $ 19,577 $ 47,881 $ 40 $ (1,397 ) $ 154 Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 7,304 $ 563 $ — $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 7,304 $ 563 $ — $ — $ — Total $ 26,881 $ 48,444 $ 40 $ (1,397 ) $ 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 $19.6 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of December 31, 2018 , $0.1 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Of the $47.9 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of December 31, 2017 , $0.3 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Rural Utilities No allowance for losses has been provided for Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities line of business based on the performance of the loans in this line of business and the credit quality of the collateral supporting these loans, as well as Farmer Mac's counterparty risk analysis. As of December 31, 2018, there were no delinquencies or probable losses inherent in Farmer Mac's Rural Utilities loans held or underlying LTSPCs. 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.9 As of December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 2,381,853 $ 937,793 $ 679,253 $ 321,345 $ 10,604 $ 4,477 $ 4,335,325 Special mention (2) 71,096 14,926 26,499 7,725 1,493 — 121,739 Substandard (3) 66,286 36,333 21,361 7,278 — — 131,258 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,519,235 $ 989,052 $ 727,113 $ 336,348 $ 12,097 $ 4,477 $ 4,588,322 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,128,787 $ 469,479 $ 577,708 $ 162,730 $ 71,959 $ 2,656 $ 2,413,319 Special mention (2) 62,430 36,778 30,703 1,023 — — 130,934 Substandard (3) 61,175 14,512 19,848 4,037 1,125 699 101,396 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,252,392 $ 520,769 $ 628,259 $ 167,790 $ 73,084 $ 3,355 $ 2,645,649 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,510,640 $ 1,407,272 $ 1,256,961 $ 484,075 $ 82,563 $ 7,133 $ 6,748,644 Special mention (2) 133,526 51,704 57,202 8,748 1,493 — 252,673 Substandard (3) 127,461 50,845 41,209 11,315 1,125 699 232,654 Total $ 3,771,627 $ 1,509,821 $ 1,355,372 $ 504,138 $ 85,181 $ 7,832 $ 7,233,971 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 8,345 $ 2,997 $ 4,059 $ 4,176 $ — $ — $ 19,577 Off-balance sheet 6,476 197 — 631 — — 7,304 90 days or more past due $ 14,821 $ 3,194 $ 4,059 $ 4,807 $ — $ — $ 26,881 (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, 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 $ 2,274,912 $ 771,600 $ 617,527 $ 260,854 $ 13,023 $ 9,030 $ 3,946,946 Special mention (2) 70,063 22,878 18,405 8,483 — — 119,829 Substandard (3) 67,674 38,180 17,602 7,858 — 644 131,958 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,412,649 $ 832,658 $ 653,534 $ 277,195 $ 13,023 $ 9,674 $ 4,198,733 Off-Balance Sheet Acceptable $ 1,132,196 $ 478,573 $ 634,633 $ 150,906 $ 42,723 $ 4,294 $ 2,443,325 Special mention (2) 76,778 26,134 31,451 1,647 — 169 136,179 Substandard (3) 36,322 30,198 15,340 3,880 3,015 594 89,349 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,245,296 $ 534,905 $ 681,424 $ 156,433 $ 45,738 $ 5,057 $ 2,668,853 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,407,108 $ 1,250,173 $ 1,252,160 $ 411,760 $ 55,746 $ 13,324 $ 6,390,271 Special mention (2) 146,841 49,012 49,856 10,130 — 169 256,008 Substandard (3) 103,996 68,378 32,942 11,738 3,015 1,238 221,307 Total $ 3,657,945 $ 1,367,563 $ 1,334,958 $ 433,628 $ 58,761 $ 14,731 $ 6,867,586 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 21,702 $ 18,833 $ 3,835 $ 3,511 $ — $ — $ 47,881 Off-balance sheet 151 — — 412 — — 563 90 days or more past due $ 21,853 $ 18,833 $ 3,835 $ 3,923 $ — $ — $ 48,444 (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 December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 8.10 As of December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,771,627 $ 3,657,945 Permanent plantings 1,509,821 1,367,563 Livestock 1,355,372 1,334,958 Part-time farm 504,138 433,628 Ag. Storage and Processing 85,181 58,761 Other 7,832 14,731 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 855,596 $ 740,991 Southwest 2,273,184 2,093,213 Mid-North 2,296,073 2,244,094 Mid-South 883,279 908,603 Northeast 332,370 296,264 Southeast 593,469 584,421 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 By original loan-to-value ratio: 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,333,790 $ 1,322,422 40.01% to 50.00% 1,811,166 1,733,671 50.01% to 60.00% 2,530,484 2,385,605 60.01% to 70.00% 1,244,823 1,150,914 70.01% to 80.00% (2) 289,427 248,799 80.01% to 90.00% (2) 24,281 26,175 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 By size of borrower exposure (3) : Less than $1,000,000 $ 2,431,296 $ 2,379,596 $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 2,755,996 2,627,617 $5,000,000 to $9,999,999 916,422 867,574 $10,000,000 to $24,999,999 601,349 584,896 $25,000,000 and greater 528,908 407,903 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 (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) Primarily part-time farm loans. Loans with original loan-to-value ratios of greater than 80% are required to have private mortgage insurance. (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.

Equity

Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Equity Disclosure	Common Stock Farmer Mac has three classes of common stock outstanding: • Class A voting common stock, which may be held only by banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions or similar entities that are not institutions of the Farm Credit System. By federal statute, no holder of Class A voting common stock may directly or indirectly be a beneficial owner of more than 33% of the outstanding shares of Class A voting common stock. • Class B voting common stock, which may be held only by institutions of the Farm Credit System. There are no restrictions on the maximum holdings of Class B voting common stock. • Class C non-voting common stock, which has no ownership restrictions. During 2018, 2017, and 2016, Farmer Mac paid a quarterly dividend of $0.58 , $0.36 , and $0.26 , respectively, per share on all classes of its common stock. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on its common stock could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. Farmer Mac's board of directors approved a share repurchase program during third quarter 2015 authorizing Farmer Mac to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its outstanding Class C non-voting common stock for two years. 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. This is the amount that was remaining under the share repurchase program that Farmer Mac's board of directors originally authorized in third quarter 2015 for the repurchase of up to $25 million of outstanding Class C non-voting common stock. Farmer Mac did not repurchase any shares during 2018 or 2017 under this program. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Farmer Mac had repurchased approximately 668,000 shares of Class C non-voting common stock at a cost of approximately $19.6 million under the share repurchase program. Preferred Stock On January 17, 2013, Farmer Mac issued 2.4 million shares of 5.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred Stock"). On March 25, 2014, Farmer Mac issued 3.0 million shares of 6.875% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the "Series B Preferred Stock"). On June 20, 2014, Farmer Mac issued 3.0 million shares of 6.000% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (the "Series C Preferred Stock"). The Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, and the Series C Preferred Stock (collectively referred to as the "Outstanding Preferred Stock") each has a par value of $25.00 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share. The Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock pay an annual dividend rate of 5.875% and 6.875% , respectively, for the life of the securities. The Series C Preferred Stock pays an annual dividend rate of 6.000% from the date of issuance to and including the quarterly payment date occurring on July 17, 2024, and thereafter, at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 3.26% . Farmer Mac has the right, but not the obligation, to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at any time on and after January 17, 2018, the Series B Preferred Stock at any time on and after April 17, 2019, and the Series C Preferred Stock at any time on and after July 18, 2024, all at a price equal to the then-applicable liquidation preference. Dividends on all series of Outstanding Preferred Stock are non-cumulative, which means that if Farmer Mac's board of directors has not declared a dividend before the applicable dividend payment date for any dividend period, such dividend will not be paid or cumulate, and Farmer Mac will have no obligation to pay dividends for such dividend period, whether or not dividends on any series of Outstanding Preferred Stock are declared for any future dividend period. Farmer Mac incurred direct costs of $1.7 million related to the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, direct costs of $1.9 million related to the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, and direct costs of $1.6 million related to the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac had 2.4 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, 3.0 million shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding, and 3.0 million of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding. For 2018, 2017 and 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. Farmer Mac's ability to declare and pay dividends on its preferred stock could be restricted if it fails to comply with applicable capital requirements. Farmer Mac's preferred stock is included as a component of core capital for regulatory and statutory capital compliance measurements. Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Plans Farmer Mac's Amended and Restated 2008 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan authorizes the grant of restricted stock, stock options, and SARs, among other alternative forms of equity-based compensation, to Farmer Mac's directors, officers, and employees. SARs awarded to officers and employees vest annually in thirds. Farmer Mac has not granted SARs to directors since 2008. If not exercised or cancelled earlier due to the termination of employment, SARs granted to officers or employees expire after 10 years from the grant date. For all SARs granted, the exercise price is equal to the closing price of Farmer Mac's Class C non-voting common stock on the date of grant. SARs granted during 2018 have an exercise price of $86.15 per share, SARs granted during 2017 have an exercise price of $60.84 per share, and SARs granted during 2016 have an exercise price of $35.75 per share. During 2018, 2017, and 2016, restricted stock awards were granted to directors with a vesting period of one year, to officers with a vesting period of three years provided certain performance targets are met, to officers vesting annually in thirds, and to employees with a vesting period of three years. During 2018, a restricted stock award was also granted to Farmer Mac's President and Chief Executive Officer, which will "cliff" vest on March 31, 2021 if he is still employed by Farmer Mac on that date. The following tables summarize stock options, SARs, and non-vested restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 9.1 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Stock Weighted- Stock Weighted- Stock Weighted- Outstanding, beginning of year 163,272 $ 32.95 367,535 $ 30.18 747,573 $ 26.68 Granted 10,122 86.15 24,657 60.84 51,975 35.75 Exercised (48,434 ) 30.06 (111,278 ) 31.47 (431,346 ) 24.77 Canceled — — (117,642 ) 31.55 (667 ) 35.60 Outstanding, end of year 124,960 38.38 163,272 32.95 367,535 30.18 Exercisable at end of year 95,675 31.41 93,085 28.57 208,274 27.41 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Non-vested Weighted- Non-vested Weighted- Non-vested Weighted- Outstanding, beginning of year 95,015 $ 44.39 138,497 $ 34.63 132,651 $ 32.12 Granted 32,070 84.03 45,828 59.79 76,617 36.33 Canceled (1,098 ) 86.15 (28,815 ) 42.15 (1,360 ) 35.75 Vested and issued (45,834 ) 42.12 (60,495 ) 34.77 (69,411 ) 31.69 Outstanding, end of year 80,153 60.98 95,015 44.39 138,497 34.63 The cancellations of stock options, SARs, and non-vested restricted stock during 2018, 2017, and 2016 were due to unvested awards terminating in accordance with the provisions of the applicable equity compensation plans or award agreements upon directors' or employees' departures from Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac generally receives cash when stock options are exercised. Cash is not received from exercises of SARs or the vesting and issuance of restricted stock. Farmer Mac received no cash from the exercise of stock options during 2018, $0.2 million during 2017, and $0.5 million during 2016. During 2018, 2017, and 2016, the reduction of income taxes payable as a result of the deduction for the exercise of stock options and SARs and the vesting or accelerated tax elections of restricted stock was $1.5 million , $2.6 million , and $3.6 million , respectively. During both 2018 and 2017, Farmer Mac recognized $0.9 million , respectively, of tax benefits recognized in income tax expense associated with stock compensation activity. During 2018, 2017, and 2016 , Farmer Mac recorded a net decrease to additional paid-in capital of $2.7 million , $2.6 million , and $3.1 million , respectively, related to stock-based compensation awards. Farmer Mac has a policy that permits directors of Farmer Mac to elect to receive shares of Class C non-voting common stock in lieu of cash retainers. During 2018, Farmer Mac issued 174 shares of Class C non-voting common stock with a fair value of $14,000 to the 4 directors who made that election. During 2017, Farmer Mac issued 698 shares of Class C non-voting common stock with a fair value of $41,000 to the 4 directors who made that election. During 2016, Farmer Mac issued 1,130 shares of Class C non-voting common stock with a fair value of $41,000 to the 4 directors who made that election. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac had no stock options outstanding. The following tables summarize information regarding SARs and non-vested restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2018: Table 9.2 Outstanding Exercisable Vested or Expected to Vest Range of SARs Weighted- SARs Weighted- SARs Weighted- $10.00 - $24.99 16,000 2.6 years 16,000 2.6 years 16,000 2.6 years 25.00 - 39.99 86,462 6.1 years 76,629 5.9 years 86,462 6.1 years 40.00 - 54.99 — 0.0 years — 0.0 years — 0.0 years 55.00 - 69.99 12,376 8.3 years 3,046 8.3 years 12,376 8.3 years 70.00 - 84.99 — 0.0 years — 0.0 years — 0.0 years 85.00 - 99.99 10,122 9.3 years — 0.0 years 10,122 9.3 years 124,960 95,675 124,960 Outstanding Expected to Vest Weighted- Non-vested Restricted Stock Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Non-vested Restricted Stock Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual $35.00 - $49.99 27,505 0.3 years 27,505 0.3 years 50.00 - 64.99 21,848 1.3 years 21,848 1.3 years 65.00 - 79.99 3,578 2.2 years 3,578 2.2 years 80.00 - 94.99 27,222 1.6 years 27,222 1.6 years 80,153 80,153 As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the intrinsic value of options, SARs, and non-vested restricted stock outstanding, exercisable, and vested or expected to vest was $7.9 million and $14.8 million , respectively. During 2018, 2017, and 2016, the total intrinsic value of options and SARs exercised was $3.0 million , $3.8 million , and $7.6 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2018, there was $2.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested SARs and restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years . The weighted-average grant date fair values of options, SARs, and restricted stock awards granted in 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $69.38 , $44.93 , and $25.11 per share, respectively. Under the fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation cost, Farmer Mac recognized compensation expense of $2.5 million , $2.7 million , and $3.3 million during 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The fair values of stock options and SARs were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following assumptions: Table 9.3 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Risk-free interest rate 2.7% 2.3% 1.5% Expected years until exercise 6 years 6 years 5 years Expected stock volatility 33.0% 34.8% 34.7% Dividend yield 2.7% 2.4% 2.9% The risk-free interest rates used in the model were based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the grant date. Farmer Mac used historical data to estimate the timing of option exercises and stock option cancellation rates used in the model. Expected volatilities were based on historical volatility of Farmer Mac's Class C non-voting common stock. The dividend yields were based on the expected dividends as a percentage of the value of Farmer Mac's Class C non-voting common stock on the grant date. Because restricted stock awards will be issued upon vesting regardless of the stock price, expected stock volatility is not considered in determining grant date fair value. Restricted stock awards also accrue dividends which are paid at vesting. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock awarded in 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $84.03 , $59.79 , and $36.33 per share, respectively, which is based on the closing price of the stock on the date granted. 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% of Farmer Mac's aggregate on-balance sheet assets, as calculated for regulatory purposes, plus 0.75% 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% 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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 December 31, 2018 , Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $545.0 million and its core capital level was $727.6 million , which was $182.6 million above the minimum capital requirement as of that date. As of December 31, 2017, Farmer Mac's minimum capital requirement was $520.3 million and its core capital level was $657.1 million , which was $136.8 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.

Income Taxes - INCOME TAXES

Income Taxes - INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	INCOME TAXES Farmer Mac is subject to federal corporate income taxes but is exempt from state and local corporate income taxes. The components of the federal corporate income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were as follows: Table 10.1 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Current income tax expense $ 25,317 $ 43,148 $ 37,954 Deferred income tax expense 2,625 3,221 4,103 Income tax expense $ 27,942 $ 46,369 $ 42,057 A reconciliation of income tax at the statutory federal corporate income tax rate to the income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is as follows: Table 10.2 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (dollars in thousands) Tax expense at statutory rate $ 28,564 $ 45,740 $ 41,775 Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation — 1,365 — Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards (946 ) (860 ) — Valuation allowance — 4 21 Other 324 120 261 Income tax expense $ 27,942 $ 46,369 $ 42,057 Statutory tax rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: Table 10.3 As of December 31, 2018 2017 (in thousands) Deferred tax assets: Basis differences related to financial derivatives $ 7,614 $ 6,800 Basis differences related to hedged items 1,810 5,661 Allowance for losses 1,929 1,862 Compensation and Benefits 967 778 Stock-based compensation 623 532 Capital loss carryforwards and other-than-temporary impairment 36 36 Valuation allowance (36 ) (36 ) Other 121 74 Total deferred tax assets 13,064 15,707 Deferred tax liability: Unrealized gains on securities 4,807 12,376 Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges 1,827 1,203 Other 61 80 Total deferred tax liability 6,695 13,659 Net deferred tax asset $ 6,369 $ 2,048 A valuation allowance is required to reduce a deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Future realization of the tax benefit from a deferred tax asset depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character. After the evaluation of both positive and negative objective evidence regarding the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized, Farmer Mac established a valuation allowance of $36,000 as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017, which was attributable to capital loss carryforwards on investment securities. Farmer Mac did not establish a valuation allowance for the remainder of its deferred tax assets because it believes it is more likely than not that those deferred tax assets will be realized. In determining its deferred tax asset valuation allowance, Farmer Mac considered its taxable income of the appropriate character (for example, ordinary income or capital gain) within the carryback and carryforward periods available under the tax law and the impact of possible tax planning strategies. As of December 31, 2018, no capital loss carryforwards expired. As of December 31, 2018, the amount of capital loss carryforwards was $0.2 million . These capital loss carryforwards will expire in 2021 . Deferred tax assets are measured at rates in effect when they arise. To the extent rates change, the deferred tax asset will be adjusted to reflect the new rate. A reduction in corporate tax rates would result in a reduction in the value of the deferred tax asset. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. This new legislation provides for significant changes to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that was in effect through the end of 2017 and includes a reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, which became effective January 1, 2018. As a result of this reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate, Farmer Mac re-measured its net deferred tax asset at the newly enacted 21% federal corporate income tax rate and thus reduced its value by $1.4 million . Accordingly, Farmer Mac recorded an increase to income tax expense of $1.4 million , or an increase of 1.04% , in Farmer Mac's effective tax rate for 2017. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Farmer Mac did not identify any uncertain tax positions. Farmer Mac did not incur unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. Tax years 2016 through 2018 remain subject to examination.

Employee Benefits - EMPLOYEE B

Employee Benefits - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	11. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Farmer Mac makes contributions to a defined contribution retirement plan for all of its employees. Farmer Mac contributed 13.2% of the lesser of an employee's gross salary and the maximum compensation permitted under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 ("EGTRRA") ( $275,000 for 2018, $270,000 for 2017, and $265,000 for 2016), plus 5.7% of the difference between: (1) the lesser of the gross salary and the amount established under EGTRRA and (2) the Social Security Taxable Wage Base. Employees are fully vested after having been employed for approximately 3 years . Expenses for this plan for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $1.8 million , $1.5 million , and $1.3 million , respectively. Farmer Mac established a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the "NQDC Plan") for its executive officers effective May 1, 2017. Under the NQDC Plan, Farmer Mac credits the account of each participant each calendar year with an amount equal to 18.9% of the difference between: (1) the amount established under EGTRRA and (2) a participant’s gross annual base salary, which for purposes of calculating employer credits under the NQDC Plan is capped at $700,000 for Farmer Mac’s Chief Executive Officer and $500,000 for all other participants. This fixed contribution percentage is the same formula used for determining employer contributions to Farmer Mac’s defined contribution retirement plan based on an employee’s gross annual base salary that is above the amount established under EGTRRA for that year. Expenses for the NQDC Plan were $0.1 million for both the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Guarantees and Long Term Standb

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments Disclosure	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. LTSPCs and securitization trusts where Farmer Mac is not the primary beneficiary result in the creation of off-balance sheet obligations for Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac records, at the inception of an off-balance sheet guarantee or LTSPC, a liability for the fair value of its obligation to stand ready to perform under the terms of each guarantee or LTSPC and an asset that is equal to the fair value of the fees that will be received over the life of each guarantee or LTSPC. The fair values of the guarantee obligation and asset at inception 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. Because the cash flows of these instruments may be interest rate path dependent, these values and projected discount rates are derived using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The guarantee obligation and corresponding asset are later amortized into guarantee and commitment fee income in relation to the decrease in the unpaid principal balance on the underlying agricultural real estate mortgage and rural utilities loans. The contractual terms of Farmer Mac's off-balance sheet guarantees and LTSPCs range from less than 1 year to 30 years . However, the actual term of each guarantee or LTSPC may be significantly less than the contractual term based on the prepayment characteristics of the related loans. Farmer Mac's maximum potential exposure under these off-balance sheet guarantees and LTSPCs is comprised of the unpaid principal balance of the underlying loans. Guarantees issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003 are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. Farmer Mac's maximum potential exposure was $4.0 billion as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017. Farmer Mac's maximum potential exposure for guarantees issued before January 1, 2003, which are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, was $23.8 million and $28.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The maximum exposure from these guarantees and LTSPCs is not representative of the actual loss Farmer Mac is likely to incur, based on historical loss experience. In the event Farmer Mac was required to make payments under its guarantees or LTSPCs, Farmer Mac would have the right to enforce the terms of the loans, and in the event of default, would have access to the underlying collateral. For information on Farmer Mac's methodology for determining the reserve for losses for its financial guarantees, see Note 2(j) and Note 8. The following table presents changes in Farmer Mac's guarantee and commitment obligations in the consolidated balance sheets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 12.1 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Beginning balance, January 1 $ 38,400 $ 37,282 $ 38,609 Additions to the guarantee and commitment obligation (1) 6,202 7,683 6,725 Amortization of the guarantee and commitment obligation (5,919 ) (6,565 ) (8,052 ) Ending balance, December 31 $ 38,683 $ 38,400 $ 37,282 (1) Represents the fair value of the guarantee and commitment obligation at inception. Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities Agricultural real estate mortgage loans, rural utilities loans, and other related assets may be placed into trusts to securitize the transferred assets and the Farmer Mac-guaranteed beneficial interests in the trusts are sold to investors. Farmer Mac is obligated under its guarantee to ensure that the investors receive timely payments of principal and interest based on the underlying loans, regardless of whether the trust has actually received such scheduled loan payments. As consideration for Farmer Mac's assumption of the credit risk on these securities, Farmer Mac receives guarantee fees that are recognized as earned on an accrual basis over the life of the loans and based upon the outstanding balance of the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security. Farmer Mac is required to perform under its obligation when the underlying loans for the off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities do not make their scheduled installment payments. When a loan underlying a Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Security becomes 90 days or more past due, Farmer Mac may, in its sole discretion, repurchase the loan from the trust and generally does repurchase such loans, thereby reducing the principal balance of the outstanding Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Security. 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans: Table 12.2 Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities As of December 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities (1) $ 135,862 $ 333,511 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 367,684 254,217 Institutional Credit: AgVantage Securities 9,898 11,556 Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility (2) 300,000 300,000 Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 813,444 $ 899,284 (1) During fourth quarter 2018, Farmer Mac repurchased the 100% participation interests in loans underlying a pool of $134.1 million in Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities at par, thereby redeeming the corresponding Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from their sole security holder. Farmer Mac repurchased these participation interests at the request of the sole security holder in exchange for the termination of the participation interests and the reconveyance of all beneficial interest in the loans to the sole security holder that owned the loans in which the participation interests had been issued. The resulting pool of Farm & Ranch loans was concurrently added under LTSPCs. The commitment fee Farmer Mac receives on these loans added under LTSPCs is the same as the guarantee fee Farmer Mac had been earning on the Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities. (2) 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. If Farmer Mac repurchases a loan that is collateral for a Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security, Farmer Mac would have the right to enforce the terms of the loan, and in the event of a default, would have access to the underlying collateral. Farmer Mac typically recovers its investment in the defaulted loans purchased either through borrower payments, loan payoffs, payments by third parties, or foreclosure and sale of the property securing the loans. Farmer Mac has recourse to the USDA for any amounts advanced for the timely payment of principal and interest on Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. That recourse is the USDA guarantee, a full-faith-and-credit obligation of the United States that becomes enforceable if a lender fails to repurchase the USDA-guaranteed portion from its owner within 30 days after written demand from the owner when (a) the borrower under the guaranteed loan is in default not less than 60 days in the payment of any principal or interest due on the USDA-guaranteed portion, or (b) the lender has failed to remit to the owner the payment made by the borrower on the USDA-guaranteed portion or any related loan subsidy within 30 days after the lender's receipt of the payment. 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 12.3 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 382,929 $ 519,219 $ 609,347 Guarantee fees received 1,920 2,610 3,552 Purchases of assets from the trusts (7,748 ) (5,670 ) (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 $2.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and $3.6 million as of December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 10.3 years and 10.0 years , respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 5.0 years and 0.8 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. An LTSPC permits a lender to nominate from its portfolio an identified pool of loans for participation in the Farm & Ranch or the Rural Utilities line of business, which are retained in the lender's portfolio and serviced by the lender. Farmer Mac reviews the loan pool to confirm that it conforms to Farmer Mac's underwriting standards. Upon Farmer Mac's approval of the eligible loans, the lender effectively transfers the credit risk on those loans to Farmer Mac, thereby reducing the lender's credit and concentration risk exposures and, consequently, its regulatory capital requirements and its loss reserve requirements. Credit risk is transferred through Farmer Mac's commitment to purchase the identified loans from the counterparty based on Farmer Mac's original credit review and acceptance of the credit risk on the loans. The specific events or circumstances that would require Farmer Mac to purchase some or all of the loans subject to LTSPCs include: (1) the failure of the borrower under any loan to make installment payments under that loan for a period of either 90 days or 120 days (depending on the provisions of the applicable agreement); or (2) the determination by the holder of the LTSPC to sell or exchange some or all of the loans under the LTSPC to Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac purchases loans subject to an LTSPC at: • par if the loans become delinquent for either 90 days or 120 days (depending on the agreement) or are in material non-monetary default, with accrued and unpaid interest on the defaulted loans payable out of any future loan payments or liquidation proceeds; or • fair value or in exchange for Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities (in the Farm & Ranch line of business, if the loans are not delinquent), in accordance with the terms of the applicable agreement. 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 $3.2 billion and $3.1 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of both December 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying LTSPCs was 15.3 years . For those LTSPCs issued or modified on or after January 1, 2003, Farmer Mac has recorded a liability for its obligation to stand ready under the commitment in the guarantee and commitment obligation on the consolidated balance sheets. This liability approximated $35.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and $34.8 million as of December 31, 2017. Commitments Farmer Mac enters into mandatory and optional delivery commitments to purchase loans. Most loan purchase commitments entered into by Farmer Mac are mandatory commitments, in which Farmer Mac charges a fee to extend or cancel the commitment. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, commitments to purchase Farm & Ranch loans and USDA Guarantees totaled $37.1 million and $46.3 million , respectively, all of which were mandatory commitments. As of December 31, 2017, there were $8.0 million commitments to purchase Rural Utilities loans. Any optional loan purchase commitments are sold forward under optional commitments to deliver Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that may be canceled by Farmer Mac without penalty. Rental expense for Farmer Mac's office space for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $2.0 million , $1.6 million , and $1.3 million , respectively. The future minimum lease payments under Farmer Mac's non-cancellable leases for its office space and other contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 are as follows: Table 12.4 Future Minimum Lease Payments Other Contractual Obligations (in thousands) 2019 $ 1,944 $ 1,965 2020 1,937 1,110 2021 1,977 233 2022 2,021 — 2023 1,995 — Thereafter 1,311 — Total $ 11,185 $ 3,308 Other contractual obligations in the table above include minimum amounts due under non-cancellable agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and specify all significant terms. These agreements include, among others, agreements for the provision of consulting services, information technology support, equipment maintenance, and financial analysis software and services. The amounts actually paid under these agreements will likely be higher due to the variable components of some of these agreements under which the ultimate obligation owed is determined by reference to actual usage or hours worked.

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosure	13. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES Fair Value Measurement Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (also referred to as an exit price). In determining fair value, Farmer Mac uses various valuation approaches, including market and income based approaches. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. When available, the fair value of Farmer Mac's financial instruments is based on quoted market prices, valuation techniques that use observable market-based inputs, or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. Pricing information obtained from third parties is internally validated for reasonableness before use in the consolidated financial statements. Farmer Mac's accounting policies for fair value measurement are discussed in Note 2(o). Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are reported at fair value in the consolidated financial statements each period are referred to as recurring fair value measurements. Fair value measurements related to financial instruments that are not reported at fair value each period but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances are referred to as nonrecurring fair value measurements. Fair Value Classification and Transfers The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The following three levels are used to classify fair value measurements: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Level 2 Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 Prices or valuations that require unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement. Farmer Mac performs a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities carried at fair value to determine the appropriate level based on the transparency of the inputs used in the valuation techniques. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Farmer Mac's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement of an instrument requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the instrument. While Farmer Mac believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those of other market participants, using different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value could result in a materially different estimate of fair value for some financial instruments. The following is a description of the fair value techniques used for instruments measured at fair value as well as the general classification of those instruments under the valuation hierarchy described above. Recurring Fair Value Measurements and Classification Available-for-Sale and Trading Investment Securities The fair value of investments in U.S. Treasuries is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as "Level 1." For a significant portion of Farmer Mac's investment portfolio, including most asset-backed securities, senior agency debt securities, and Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, fair value is primarily determined using a reputable and nationally recognized third-party pricing service. The prices obtained are non-binding and generally representative of recent market trades. The fair value of certain asset-backed and Government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities are estimated based on quotations from brokers or dealers. Farmer Mac corroborates its primary valuation source by obtaining a secondary price from another independent third-party pricing service. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as "Level 2." For certain investment securities that are thinly traded or not quoted, Farmer Mac estimates fair value using internally-developed models that employ a discounted cash flow approach. Farmer Mac maximizes the use of observable market data, including prices of financial instruments with similar maturities and characteristics, interest rate yield curves, measures of volatility, and prepayment rates. Farmer Mac generally considers a market to be thinly traded or not quoted if the following conditions exist: (1) there are few transactions for the financial instruments; (2) the prices in the market are not current; (3) the price quotes vary significantly either over time or among independent pricing services or dealers; or (4) there is limited availability of public market information. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as "Level 3." Available-for-Sale and Trading Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities Farmer Mac estimates the fair value of its 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. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as Level 3 because there is limited market activity and therefore little or no price transparency. On a sample basis, Farmer Mac corroborates the fair value of its Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities by obtaining a secondary valuation from an independent third-party service. Financial Derivatives The fair value of exchange-traded U.S. Treasury futures is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical financial instruments. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as Level 1. Farmer Mac's derivative portfolio consists primarily of interest rate swaps and forward sales contracts on the debt of other GSEs. Farmer Mac estimates the fair value of these financial instruments primarily based upon the counterparty valuations. Farmer Mac internally values its derivative portfolio using a discounted cash flow valuation technique and obtains a secondary valuation for certain interest rate swaps to corroborate the counterparty valuations. Farmer Mac also regularly reviews the counterparty valuations as part of the collateral exchange process. Farmer Mac classifies these fair value measurements as Level 2. Certain basis swaps are non-standard interest rate swap structures and are therefore internally modeled using significant assumptions and unobservable inputs, resulting in Level 3 classification. Farmer Mac uses a discounted cash flow valuation technique, using management's best estimate of certain key assumptions, which include prepayment speeds, forward yield curves, and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements and Classification Loans Held for Investment Certain loans in Farmer Mac's held for investment loan portfolio are measured at fair value when they are determined to be impaired. For these impaired loans, the fair value of the loan generally is based on the fair value of the underlying property, which is determined by recent third-party appraisals. Farmer Mac uses net realizable value (fair value less estimated costs to sell) as a reasonable estimate of fair value and classifies the fair values as Level 3 measurements in the tables below. When recent third-party appraisals are not available, Farmer Mac measures loan impairment in the aggregate in consideration of the similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics, and does not include these impaired loans in the tables below. Real Estate Owned Farmer Mac initially records REO properties at net realizable value and subsequently measures them at the lower of carrying value or net realizable value. The fair value of the REO generally is based on third-party appraisals. Farmer Mac classifies the REO fair values as Level 3 measurements. Farmer Mac uses net realizable value as a reasonable estimate of fair value in the tables below. Fair Value Classification and Transfers As of December 31, 2018 , Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value included financial instruments valued at $6.0 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 32% of total assets and 73% of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2018 . As of December 31, 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. These financial instruments measured as level 3 represented 31% of total assets and 71% of financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2017. 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 2018, there were no transfers within fair value hierarchy for fair value measurements of Farmer Mac's investment securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, USDA Securities, and financial derivatives. During 2017, there was one transfer within the 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 security). 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 2016. See Note 2(b) and Note 5 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value: Table 13.1 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2018 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 $ — $ — $ 18,715 $ 18,715 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 28,678 — 28,678 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,377,454 — 1,377,454 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 403 — 403 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 792,602 — — 792,602 Total Investment Securities 792,602 1,406,535 18,715 2,217,852 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,974,497 5,974,497 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,974,497 5,974,497 USDA Securities: Trading — — 9,999 9,999 Total USDA Securities — — 9,999 9,999 Financial derivatives — 7,487 — 7,487 Total Assets at fair value $ 792,602 $ 1,414,022 $ 6,003,211 $ 8,209,835 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 188 $ 19,445 $ — $ 19,633 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 188 $ 19,445 $ — $ 19,633 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 317 $ 317 REO — — 128 128 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 445 $ 445 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 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 $ — $ — $ 18,814 $ 18,814 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 34,210 — 34,210 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,290,187 — 1,290,187 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 486 4,333 4,819 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 99,951 — 99,951 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 767,424 — — 767,424 Total available-for-sale 767,424 1,424,834 23,147 2,215,405 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,471,914 5,471,914 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,471,914 5,471,914 USDA Securities: Trading — — 13,515 13,515 Total USDA Securities — — 13,515 13,515 Financial derivatives — 7,093 — 7,093 Total Assets at fair value $ 767,424 $ 1,431,927 $ 5,508,576 $ 7,707,927 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 36 $ 26,563 $ — $ 26,599 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 36 $ 26,563 $ — $ 26,599 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 508 $ 508 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 508 $ 508 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 years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Table 13.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Beginning Cumulative Effect from Change in Hedge Accounting Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized (Losses) Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 18,814 — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (99 ) $ 18,715 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 4,333 — — — (2,137 ) (2,092 ) (104 ) — Total available-for-sale 23,147 — — — (2,137 ) (2,092 ) (203 ) 18,715 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 5,471,914 487 2,177,546 — (1,670,402 ) 21,459 (26,507 ) 5,974,497 Total available-for-sale 5,471,914 487 2,177,546 — (1,670,402 ) 21,459 (26,507 ) 5,974,497 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 127,850 (127,850 ) — — — — Trading (1) 13,515 — — — (3,597 ) 81 — 9,999 Total USDA Securities 13,515 — 127,850 (127,850 ) (3,597 ) 81 — 9,999 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,508,576 $ 487 $ 2,305,396 $ (127,850 ) $ (1,676,136 ) $ 19,448 $ (26,710 ) $ 6,003,211 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2018 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 Beginning Transfers in Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,084 $ 18,814 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities $ — $ 7,041 $ — $ — $ (444 ) $ — $ (2,264 ) $ 4,333 Total available-for-sale 17,730 7,041 — — (444 ) — (1,180 ) 23,147 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,853,685 — 1,134,132 — (526,650 ) (7,625 ) 18,372 5,471,914 Total available-for-sale 4,853,685 — 1,134,132 — (526,650 ) (7,625 ) 18,372 5,471,914 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 155,744 (155,744 ) — — — — Trading (1) 20,388 — — — (6,849 ) (24 ) — 13,515 Total USDA Securities 20,388 — 155,744 (155,744 ) (6,849 ) (24 ) — 13,515 Total Assets at fair value $ 4,891,803 $ 7,041 $ 1,289,876 $ (155,744 ) $ (533,943 ) $ (7,649 ) $ 17,192 $ 5,508,576 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2017 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized (Losses)/Gains included in Other Transfers Out Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 $ — $ (26,806 ) $ — $ 6 $ (394 ) — $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (394 ) — 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — $ — Total Trading 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — — Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (2,213 ) 1,728 (394 ) — 17,730 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 1,430,392 — (706,446 ) (20,944 ) 29,439 — 4,853,685 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities (2) 31,361 4,100 — (3,240 ) — 603 (32,824 ) — Total available-for-sale 4,152,605 1,434,492 — (709,686 ) (20,944 ) 30,042 (32,824 ) 4,853,685 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 391,240 (97,954 ) (237,262 ) — 35,959 (1,980,327 ) — Trading (3) 28,975 — — (8,325 ) (262 ) — — 20,388 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 391,240 (97,954 ) (245,587 ) (262 ) 35,959 (1,980,327 ) 20,388 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,825,732 $ (124,760 ) $ (957,486 ) $ (19,478 ) $ 65,607 $ (2,013,151 ) $ 4,891,803 (1) None of the unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." (2) Includes $32.8 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities and $2.0 billion of USDA Securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity on October 1, 2016. (3) Includes unrealized losses of $0.3 million attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017. Table 13.3 As of December 31, 2018 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 $ 18,715 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 95.0% - 95.0% (95.0%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,974,497 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.0% - 4.4% (3.3%) USDA Securities $ 9,999 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.2% - 5.2% (4.9%) CPR 7% - 17% (16%) As of December 31, 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 $ 18,814 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 95.5% - 95.5% (95.5%) Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities $ 4,333 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 2.9% CPR 0% Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,471,914 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 2.1% - 3.4% (2.4%) USDA Securities $ 13,515 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.6% - 5.4% (5.0%) CPR 7% - 19% (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 December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 13.4 As of December 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 425,256 $ 425,256 $ 302,022 $ 302,022 Investment securities 2,263,446 2,262,884 2,260,969 2,260,437 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 8,061,903 8,071,115 7,588,806 7,598,188 USDA Securities 2,113,946 2,176,173 2,076,396 2,131,365 Loans 5,512,781 5,515,052 5,279,225 5,266,786 Financial derivatives 7,487 7,487 7,093 7,093 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 37,461 36,870 33,871 35,718 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 3,424 3,496 4,323 4,177 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 7,744,388 7,757,050 8,079,309 8,089,826 Due after one year 8,473,558 8,486,647 7,445,545 7,432,790 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 1,501,754 1,528,957 1,386,652 1,404,945 Financial derivatives 19,633 19,633 26,599 26,599 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 36,471 35,880 32,976 34,824 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,731 2,803 3,722 3,576 The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as Level 1. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 2. 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. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as Level 2. 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. 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. 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Farmer Mac's operations consist of four operating segments – Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, Rural Utilities, and Institutional Credit. The Institutional Credit segment comprises Farmer Mac's purchases and guarantees of AgVantage securities related to general obligations of lenders that are secured by pools of eligible loans. Farmer Mac uses these four segments to manage business risk, and each segment is based on distinct products and distinct business activities. In addition to these four operating segments, a corporate segment is presented. That segment represents activity in Farmer Mac's investment portfolio and other corporate activities. Each operating segment's financial results include directly attributable revenues and expenses. Corporate charges for administrative expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment are allocated to each segment based on headcount. Farmer Mac uses core earnings to measure corporate economic performance and develop financial plans because, in management's view, core earnings is a useful alternative measure in understanding Farmer Mac's economic performance, transaction economics, and business trends. Core earnings principally differs from net income attributable to common stockholders by excluding the effects of fair value fluctuations, which are not expected to have a cumulative net impact on financial condition or results of operations reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles if the related financial instruments are held to maturity, as is generally expected. Core earnings also differs from net income attributable to common stockholders by excluding specified infrequent or unusual transactions that Farmer Mac believes are not indicative of future operating results and that may not reflect the trends and economic financial performance of Farmer Mac's core business. This corporate economic performance measure may not be comparable to similarly labeled measures disclosed by other companies. The financial information presented below reflects the accounts of Farmer Mac and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Accordingly, the core earnings for Farmer Mac's reportable operating segments will differ from the stand-alone financial statements of Farmer Mac's subsidiaries. These differences will be due to various factors, including the exclusion of unrealized gains and losses related to fair value changes of trading assets and financial derivatives, as well as the allocation of certain expenses such as dividends and interest expense related to the issuance of capital and the issuance of indebtedness managed at the corporate level. The allocation of general and administrative expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment may also result in differences. The following tables present core earnings for Farmer Mac's operating segments and a reconciliation to consolidated net income for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016: Table 14.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 62,951 $ 20,554 $ 12,505 $ 69,321 $ 9,105 $ — $ 174,436 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (9,889 ) (2,499 ) (922 ) (7,884 ) (2,047 ) 23,241 — Net effective spread 53,062 18,055 11,583 61,437 7,058 23,241 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 17,976 797 1,599 360 — (6,756 ) 13,976 Other income/(expense) (3) 1,371 20 33 — (913 ) (2,747 ) (2,236 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 19,347 817 1,632 360 (913 ) (9,503 ) 11,740 Provision for loan losses (238 ) — — — — — (238 ) Provision for reserve for losses (97 ) — — — — — (97 ) Other non-interest expense (19,026 ) (5,309 ) (3,062 ) (8,011 ) (14,411 ) — (49,819 ) Non-interest expense (4) (19,123 ) (5,309 ) (3,062 ) (8,011 ) (14,411 ) — (49,916 ) Core earnings before income taxes 53,048 13,563 10,153 53,786 (8,266 ) 13,738 (5) 136,022 Income tax (expense)/benefit (11,140 ) (2,848 ) (2,133 ) (11,295 ) 2,361 (2,887 ) (27,942 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 41,908 10,715 8,020 42,491 (5,905 ) 10,851 (5) 108,080 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 41,908 $ 10,715 $ 8,020 $ 42,491 $ (19,087 ) $ 10,851 (5) $ 94,898 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,701,736 $ 2,240,906 $ 945,282 $ 8,089,410 $ 2,716,994 $ — $ 18,694,328 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 7,233,972 $ 2,515,620 $ 1,592,115 $ 8,382,817 — — $ 19,724,524 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount. (5) 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 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 54,290 $ 21,106 $ 11,598 $ 59,842 $ 10,811 $ — $ 157,647 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3)(4) (8,922 ) (2,287 ) (539 ) (3,505 ) (1,091 ) 16,344 — Net effective spread 45,368 18,819 11,059 56,337 9,720 16,344 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 17,175 456 1,914 805 — (6,236 ) 14,114 Other income (3)(5) 2,449 43 20 — 171 715 3,398 Non-interest income/(loss) 19,624 499 1,934 805 171 (5,521 ) 17,512 Provision for loan losses (1,708 ) — — — — — (1,708 ) Provision for reserve for losses (50 ) — — — — — (50 ) Other non-interest expense (16,554 ) (4,384 ) (2,430 ) (6,439 ) (12,908 ) — (42,715 ) Non-interest expense (6) (16,604 ) (4,384 ) (2,430 ) (6,439 ) (12,908 ) — (42,765 ) Core earnings before income taxes 46,680 14,934 10,563 50,703 (3,017 ) 10,823 (7) 130,686 Income tax (expense)/benefit (16,338 ) (5,227 ) (3,696 ) (17,746 ) 1,792 (5,154 ) (46,369 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 30,342 9,707 6,867 32,957 (1,225 ) 5,669 (7) 84,317 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 165 — 165 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 30,342 $ 9,707 $ 6,867 $ 32,957 $ (14,242 ) $ 5,669 (7) $ 71,300 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,274,693 $ 2,195,189 $ 1,088,986 $ 7,627,749 $ 2,605,657 $ — $ 17,792,274 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,867,586 $ 2,352,214 $ 1,882,633 $ 7,904,878 — — $ 19,007,311 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread." (5) 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. (6) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount. (7) 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 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 47,219 $ 21,865 $ 11,739 $ 48,756 $ 10,695 $ — $ 140,274 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3)(4) (7,729 ) (3,210 ) (1,771 ) (3,184 ) (1,308 ) 17,202 — Net effective spread 39,490 18,655 9,968 45,572 9,387 17,202 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 15,542 101 1,694 1,833 — (4,302 ) 14,868 Other income (3)(5) 539 222 2 — 1,322 3,515 5,600 Non-interest income/(loss) 16,081 323 1,696 1,833 1,322 (787 ) 20,468 Provision for loan losses (1,065 ) — — — — — (1,065 ) Provision for reserve for losses 63 — — — — — 63 Other non-interest expense (16,206 ) (4,200 ) (2,856 ) (3,786 ) (13,335 ) — (40,383 ) Non-interest expense (6) (16,143 ) (4,200 ) (2,856 ) (3,786 ) (13,335 ) — (40,320 ) Core earnings before income taxes 38,363 14,778 8,808 43,619 (2,626 ) 16,415 (7) 119,357 Income tax (expense)/benefit (13,428 ) (5,173 ) (3,083 ) (15,265 ) 636 (5,744 ) (42,057 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 24,935 9,605 5,725 28,354 (1,990 ) 10,671 (7) 77,300 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 34 — 34 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 24,935 $ 9,605 $ 5,725 $ 28,354 $ (15,138 ) $ 10,671 (7) $ 64,152 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,582,098 $ 2,096,503 $ 1,012,014 $ 6,008,574 $ 2,906,831 $ — $ 15,606,020 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,139,304 $ 2,094,375 $ 1,878,110 $ 7,287,686 — — $ 17,399,475 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread." (5) 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. (6) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (7) 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.
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Table 14.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 62,951 $ 20,554 $ 12,505 $ 69,321 $ 9,105 $ — $ 174,436 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (9,889 ) (2,499 ) (922 ) (7,884 ) (2,047 ) 23,241 — Net effective spread 53,062 18,055 11,583 61,437 7,058 23,241 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 17,976 797 1,599 360 — (6,756 ) 13,976 Other income/(expense) (3) 1,371 20 33 — (913 ) (2,747 ) (2,236 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 19,347 817 1,632 360 (913 ) (9,503 ) 11,740 Provision for loan losses (238 ) — — — — — (238 ) Provision for reserve for losses (97 ) — — — — — (97 ) Other non-interest expense (19,026 ) (5,309 ) (3,062 ) (8,011 ) (14,411 ) — (49,819 ) Non-interest expense (4) (19,123 ) (5,309 ) (3,062 ) (8,011 ) (14,411 ) — (49,916 ) Core earnings before income taxes 53,048 13,563 10,153 53,786 (8,266 ) 13,738 (5) 136,022 Income tax (expense)/benefit (11,140 ) (2,848 ) (2,133 ) (11,295 ) 2,361 (2,887 ) (27,942 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 41,908 10,715 8,020 42,491 (5,905 ) 10,851 (5) 108,080 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 41,908 $ 10,715 $ 8,020 $ 42,491 $ (19,087 ) $ 10,851 (5) $ 94,898 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,701,736 $ 2,240,906 $ 945,282 $ 8,089,410 $ 2,716,994 $ — $ 18,694,328 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 7,233,972 $ 2,515,620 $ 1,592,115 $ 8,382,817 — — $ 19,724,524 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount. (5) 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 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 54,290 $ 21,106 $ 11,598 $ 59,842 $ 10,811 $ — $ 157,647 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3)(4) (8,922 ) (2,287 ) (539 ) (3,505 ) (1,091 ) 16,344 — Net effective spread 45,368 18,819 11,059 56,337 9,720 16,344 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 17,175 456 1,914 805 — (6,236 ) 14,114 Other income (3)(5) 2,449 43 20 — 171 715 3,398 Non-interest income/(loss) 19,624 499 1,934 805 171 (5,521 ) 17,512 Provision for loan losses (1,708 ) — — — — — (1,708 ) Provision for reserve for losses (50 ) — — — — — (50 ) Other non-interest expense (16,554 ) (4,384 ) (2,430 ) (6,439 ) (12,908 ) — (42,715 ) Non-interest expense (6) (16,604 ) (4,384 ) (2,430 ) (6,439 ) (12,908 ) — (42,765 ) Core earnings before income taxes 46,680 14,934 10,563 50,703 (3,017 ) 10,823 (7) 130,686 Income tax (expense)/benefit (16,338 ) (5,227 ) (3,696 ) (17,746 ) 1,792 (5,154 ) (46,369 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 30,342 9,707 6,867 32,957 (1,225 ) 5,669 (7) 84,317 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 165 — 165 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 30,342 $ 9,707 $ 6,867 $ 32,957 $ (14,242 ) $ 5,669 (7) $ 71,300 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,274,693 $ 2,195,189 $ 1,088,986 $ 7,627,749 $ 2,605,657 $ — $ 17,792,274 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,867,586 $ 2,352,214 $ 1,882,633 $ 7,904,878 — — $ 19,007,311 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread." (5) 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. (6) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount. (7) 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 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 47,219 $ 21,865 $ 11,739 $ 48,756 $ 10,695 $ — $ 140,274 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3)(4) (7,729 ) (3,210 ) (1,771 ) (3,184 ) (1,308 ) 17,202 — Net effective spread 39,490 18,655 9,968 45,572 9,387 17,202 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 15,542 101 1,694 1,833 — (4,302 ) 14,868 Other income (3)(5) 539 222 2 — 1,322 3,515 5,600 Non-interest income/(loss) 16,081 323 1,696 1,833 1,322 (787 ) 20,468 Provision for loan losses (1,065 ) — — — — — (1,065 ) Provision for reserve for losses 63 — — — — — 63 Other non-interest expense (16,206 ) (4,200 ) (2,856 ) (3,786 ) (13,335 ) — (40,383 ) Non-interest expense (6) (16,143 ) (4,200 ) (2,856 ) (3,786 ) (13,335 ) — (40,320 ) Core earnings before income taxes 38,363 14,778 8,808 43,619 (2,626 ) 16,415 (7) 119,357 Income tax (expense)/benefit (13,428 ) (5,173 ) (3,083 ) (15,265 ) 636 (5,744 ) (42,057 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 24,935 9,605 5,725 28,354 (1,990 ) 10,671 (7) 77,300 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 34 — 34 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 24,935 $ 9,605 $ 5,725 $ 28,354 $ (15,138 ) $ 10,671 (7) $ 64,152 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,582,098 $ 2,096,503 $ 1,012,014 $ 6,008,574 $ 2,906,831 $ — $ 15,606,020 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,139,304 $ 2,094,375 $ 1,878,110 $ 7,287,686 — — $ 17,399,475 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread." (5) 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. (6) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (7) 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.

Quarterly Financial Information

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFOMRATION (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]	15. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) Table 15.1 2018 Quarter Ended Dec. 31 Sept. 30 June 30 Mar. 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Interest income: Interest income $ 146,453 $ 142,615 $ 135,670 $ 119,546 Interest expense 104,237 97,557 91,737 76,317 Net interest income 42,216 45,058 43,933 43,229 Provision for loan losses (146 ) (99 ) (424 ) 431 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 42,070 44,959 43,509 43,660 Non-interest income: Guarantee and commitment fees 3,506 3,490 3,481 3,499 (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (2,999 ) 628 2,534 (3,850 ) Gains/(losses) on trading assets 57 (3 ) 11 16 (Losses)/gains on sale of real estate owned — (41 ) 34 — Other income 118 365 320 574 Non-interest income 682 4,439 6,380 239 Non-interest expense 13,703 11,650 12,921 11,642 Income before income taxes 29,049 37,748 36,968 32,257 Income tax expense 6,193 7,979 7,332 6,438 Net income 22,856 29,769 29,636 25,819 Net income attributable to Farmer Mac 22,856 29,769 29,636 25,819 Preferred stock dividends (3,296 ) (3,295 ) (3,296 ) (3,295 ) Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 19,560 $ 26,474 $ 26,340 $ 22,524 Earnings per common share: Basic earnings per common share $ 1.84 $ 2.48 $ 2.47 $ 2.12 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.82 $ 2.46 $ 2.45 $ 2.10 2017 Quarter Ended Dec. 31 Sept. 30 June 30 Mar. 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Interest income: Interest income $ 111,371 $ 104,497 $ 98,047 $ 86,617 Interest expense 70,088 64,935 58,316 49,546 Net interest income 41,283 39,562 39,731 37,071 Provision for loan losses (474 ) (270 ) (327 ) (637 ) Net interest income after provision for loan losses 40,809 39,292 39,404 36,434 Non-interest income/(loss): Guarantee and commitment fees 3,484 3,314 3,472 3,844 (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (1,777 ) 661 (617 ) 2,486 Gains/(losses) on trading assets 60 — (2 ) (82 ) Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities — 89 — — Gains/(losses) on sale of real estate owned 964 32 757 (5 ) Other (loss)/income (58 ) 203 134 553 Non-interest income 2,673 4,299 3,744 6,796 Non-interest expense 10,210 10,616 11,390 10,549 Income before income taxes 33,272 32,975 31,758 32,681 Income tax expense 13,266 11,193 11,124 10,786 Net income 20,006 21,782 20,634 21,895 Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling — — 150 15 Net income attributable to Farmer Mac 20,006 21,782 20,784 21,910 Preferred stock dividends (3,296 ) (3,295 ) (3,296 ) (3,295 ) Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 16,710 $ 18,487 $ 17,488 $ 18,615 Earnings per common share: Basic earnings per common share $ 1.57 $ 1.74 $ 1.65 $ 1.76 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.55 $ 1.71 $ 1.62 $ 1.73

Subsequent Event (Notes)

Subsequent Event (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	SUBSEQUENT EVENT On February 19, 2019, we purchased a $ 546 million portfolio of participations in seasoned Rural Utilities loans from CoBank under a master loan participation agreement entered into on February 13, 2019. CoBank is a related party to Farmer Mac because of its stock ownership in Farmer Mac. For more information, see the Current Report on Form 8-K that we filed with the SEC on February 20, 2019. As discussed in Note 3, Farmer Mac has a related party relationship with CoBank because CoBank is a major holder ( 32.6% ) of Farmer Mac Class B voting common stock and because a member of Farmer Mac's board of directors has an affiliation with that entity.

Organization - ORGANIZATION

Organization - ORGANIZATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Basis of Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	1. ORGANIZATION The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac") is a stockholder-owned, federally chartered instrumentality of the United States established under Title VIII of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended (12 U.S.C. §§ 2279aa et seq.), which is sometimes referred to as Farmer Mac's charter. Farmer Mac was originally created by the United States Congress to provide a secondary market for a variety of loans made to borrowers in rural America. This secondary market is designed to increase the availability of long-term credit at stable interest rates to America's rural communities and to provide rural borrowers with the benefits of capital markets pricing and product innovation. Since Farmer Mac's inception, Congress has expanded Farmer Mac's charter to authorize Farmer Mac to create the USDA Guarantees line of business and to purchase, and guarantee securities backed by, loans made by cooperative lenders to finance electrification and telecommunications systems in rural areas. Farmer Mac's main secondary market activities are: • purchasing eligible loans directly from lenders; • providing advances against eligible loans by purchasing obligations secured by those loans; • securitizing assets and guaranteeing the payment of principal and interest on the resulting securities that represent interests in, or obligations secured by, pools of eligible loans; and • issuing long-term standby purchase commitments ("LTSPCs") for eligible loans. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the total outstanding balance in all of Farmer Mac's lines of business was $19.7 billion and $19.0 billion , respectively. Under the Farm & Ranch line of business, Farmer Mac purchases eligible mortgage loans secured by first liens on agricultural real estate, which includes part-time farms and rural housing ("Farm & Ranch loans"). Farmer Mac also guarantees securities representing interests in pools of mortgage loans eligible for the Farm & Ranch line of business, which are referred to as "Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities." Farmer Mac also commits to purchase, subject to the applicable LTSPC agreement, eligible Farm & Ranch mortgage loans. To be eligible, loans must meet Farmer Mac's credit underwriting, collateral valuation, documentation, and other specified standards. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, outstanding loans held by Farmer Mac, loans that either backed off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities or were subject to LTSPCs, and other Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities totaled $7.2 billion and $6.9 billion , respectively. Under the USDA Guarantees line of business, Farmer Mac II LLC, a subsidiary of Farmer Mac, purchases the portions of certain agricultural, rural development, business and industry, and community facilities loans guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 1921 et seq.). USDA-guaranteed portions are referred to and presented on the consolidated balance sheets as "USDA Securities." Farmer Mac II LLC also purchases USDA Securities in exchange for issuing securities to third parties backed by those USDA Securities, which are then also guaranteed by Farmer Mac. These issued securities are referred to and presented on the consolidated balance sheets as Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, outstanding Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities and USDA Securities totaled $2.5 billion and $2.4 billion , respectively. Farmer Mac's authorized activities under the Rural Utilities line of business are similar to those conducted under the Farm & Ranch line of business – purchases of, and guarantees of securities backed by, eligible rural utilities loans, as well as the issuance of LTSPCs for pools of eligible rural utilities loans ("Rural Utilities loans"). To be eligible, loans must meet Farmer Mac's credit underwriting and other specified standards. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of Rural Utilities loans held or subject to LTSPCs was $1.6 billion and $1.9 billion , respectively. Under the Institutional Credit line of business, Farmer Mac guarantees and purchases general obligations of lenders that are secured by pools of loans that would be eligible under Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch, USDA Guarantees, or Rural Utilities lines of business. AgVantage ® is a registered trademark of Farmer Mac used to designate Farmer Mac's guarantees of securities related to these general obligations of lenders that are secured by pools of eligible loans and that comprise the Institutional Credit line of business. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, outstanding securities held or guaranteed by Farmer Mac in its Institutional Credit line of business totaled $8.4 billion and $7.9 billion , respectively. Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities, and AgVantage Securities are collectively referred to as "Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities." The assets collateralizing Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities include (1) loans or loan participation interests eligible for purchase under either the Farm & Ranch or Rural Utilities lines of business or (2) USDA Securities eligible for purchase under the USDA Guarantees line of business. Farmer Mac guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on the resulting Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities. Farmer Mac may retain Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities in its portfolio or sell them to third parties. Farmer Mac's two principal sources of revenue are: • interest income earned on assets held on balance sheet, net of related funding costs and interest payments and receipts on financial derivatives; and • guarantee and commitment fees received in connection with outstanding Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. Farmer Mac funds its purchases of eligible loan assets and liquidity investment assets primarily by issuing debt obligations of various maturities in the public capital markets. As of December 31, 2018, Farmer Mac had $1.6 billion of discount notes and $14.6 billion of medium-term notes outstanding. The proceeds of debt issuance are invested in loan purchases, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and liquidity investment assets in accordance with policies established by Farmer Mac's board of directors that comply with regulations promulgated by the Farm Credit Administration ("FCA").

Accounting Policies - Accounti

Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Account Policies	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting and reporting policies of Farmer Mac conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("generally accepted accounting principles" or "GAAP"). The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities (including, but not limited to, the allowance for loan losses, reserve for losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, and fair value measurements) as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following are the significant accounting policies that Farmer Mac follows in preparing and presenting its consolidated financial statements:
Principles of Consolidation	(a) Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmer Mac and its two subsidiaries during the year: (1) Farmer Mac Mortgage Securities Corporation ("FMMSC"), whose principal activities are to facilitate the purchase and issuance of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities; and (2) Farmer Mac II LLC, whose principal activity is the operation of substantially all of the business related to the USDA Guarantees line of business – primarily the acquisition of USDA Securities. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of VIEs in which Farmer Mac determined itself to be the primary beneficiary. The accounts of Contour Valuation Services, LLC (which began doing business as AgVisory during first quarter 2016) ("AgVisory"), Farmer Mac's former majority-owned subsidiary, are also included through June 30, 2017. Farmer Mac redeemed its ownership interest in AgVisory on May 1, 2017.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows	(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows Farmer Mac considers highly liquid investment securities with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities	(c) Investment Securities, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities Securities for which Farmer Mac has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost. Securities for which Farmer Mac does not have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are carried at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity. For securities classified as trading, unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings. Gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale and trading securities are determined using the specific identification cost method. Farmer Mac determines the fair value of investment securities using quoted market prices, when available, and evaluates the securities for other-than-temporary impairment. Farmer Mac determines the fair values of certain investment securities for which quoted market prices are not available, Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, and USDA Securities based on the present value of the associated expected future cash flows. In estimating the present value of the expected future cash flows, management is required to make estimates and assumptions. The key estimates and assumptions include discount rates and collateral repayment rates. Premiums, discounts, and other deferred costs are amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. Farmer Mac generally receives compensation when loans with yield maintenance provisions underlying Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities prepay. These yield maintenance payments mitigate Farmer Mac's exposure to reinvestment risk and are calculated such that, when reinvested with the prepaid principal, they should generate substantially the same cash flows that would have been generated had the loans not prepaid. Yield maintenance payments are recognized as interest income in the consolidated statements of operations upon receipt.
Loans	(d) Loans Loans for which Farmer Mac has the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for investment and reported at their unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized purchase discounts or premiums. Loans for which Farmer Mac does not have the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for sale and reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on a pooled basis. Farmer Mac de-recognizes sold loans, and recognizes any associated gain or loss, when they have been isolated from Farmer Mac, the buyer has the right to pledge or exchange them, and Farmer Mac does not maintain effective control over them. When Farmer Mac consolidates a trust, it recognizes the loans underlying the trust in the consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost." See Note 2(p) for more information on the accounting policy related to consolidation.
Non-accrual Loans	Non-accrual Loans Non-accrual loans are loans for which it is probable that Farmer Mac will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement and include all loans 90 days or more past due. When a loan becomes 90 days past due, interest accrual on the loan is discontinued and interest previously accrued is reversed against interest income in the current period. The interest on such loans is accounted for on the cash basis until a loan qualifies for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest payments contractually due are collected and certain performance criteria are met. Troubled Debt Restructuring ("TDR") A modification to the contractual terms of a loan that results in granting a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties is considered a TDR. Farmer Mac has granted a concession when, as a result of the restructuring, it does not expect to collect all amounts due in a timely manner, including interest accrued at the original contract rate. In making its determination of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, Farmer Mac considers several factors, including whether (1) the borrower has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy, (2) there is substantial doubt as to whether the borrower will continue to be a going concern, and (3) the borrower can obtain funds from other sources at an effective interest rate at or near a current market interest rate for debt with similar risk characteristics. Farmer Mac evaluates TDRs similarly to other impaired loans for purposes of the allowance for losses.
Securitization of Loans	(e) Securitization of Loans Asset securitization involves the transfer of financial assets to another entity in exchange for cash and/or beneficial interests in the assets transferred. Farmer Mac or third parties transfer agricultural real estate mortgage loans or rural utilities loans into trusts that are used as vehicles for the securitization of the transferred loans. The trusts issue Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities that are beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts, to either Farmer Mac or third party investors. Farmer Mac guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on the securities issued by the trusts and receives guarantee fees as compensation for its guarantee. Farmer Mac recognizes guarantee fees on the accrual basis over the terms of the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, which generally coincide with the terms of the underlying loans. As such, no guarantee fees are unearned at the end of any reporting period. When Farmer Mac purchases a delinquent loan underlying a Farmer Mac Guaranteed Security, Farmer Mac stops accruing the guarantee fee upon loan purchase.
Real Estate Owned	(f) Real Estate Owned Real estate owned ("REO") consists of real estate acquired through loan liquidation and is recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at acquisition. Fair value is determined by appraisal or other appropriate valuation method. Any excess of the recorded investment in the loan over the fair value less estimated selling costs is charged to the allowance for loan losses. After the acquisition, management continues to perform periodic valuations of real estate owned. Declines in the net realizable value (fair value less estimated selling costs) are charged through income and presented in "Real estate owned operating costs, net" on the consolidated statements of operations.
Financial Derivatives	(g) 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, not for trading or speculative purposes. Farmer Mac enters into interest rate swap contracts principally to adjust the characteristics of its short-term debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its longer-term loans and other assets, and also to adjust the characteristics of its long-term debt to match more closely the cash flow and duration characteristics of its short-term assets, thereby reducing interest rate risk and, often times, deriving an overall lower effective cost of borrowing than would otherwise be available to Farmer Mac in the conventional debt market. Farmer Mac is required to recognize certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative under GAAP. Accounting for financial derivatives differs depending on whether a derivative is designated in a hedge accounting relationship. Derivative instruments designated in fair value hedge accounting relationships mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of assets or liabilities. Derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedge accounting relationships mitigate exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows or other forecasted transactions. In order to qualify for fair value or cash flow hedge accounting treatment, documentation must indicate the intention to designate the derivative as a hedge of a specific asset, or liability, or a future cash flow. Effectiveness of the hedge is assessed before the end of the quarter of inception and monitored over the life of the hedging relationship. Beginning in first quarter 2018, changes in the fair values of financial derivatives not designated as cash flow or fair value hedges are reported in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships, changes in the fair values of hedged items related to the risk being hedged are reported in " Net interest income " in the consolidated statements of operations. Interest accruals on derivatives designated in fair value hedge relationships are also recorded in " Net interest income " in the consolidated statements of operations. For financial derivatives designated in cash flow hedge relationships, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income. 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. Before 2018, gains and losses on financial derivatives were included in "(Losses)/gains on financial derivatives" whether or not they were designated in hedge accounting relationships. Farmer Mac has made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to netting provisions on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. See Notes 6 and 13 for more information on financial derivatives.
Notes Payable	(h) Notes Payable Notes payable are classified as due within one year or due after one year based on the length of time remaining to their contractual maturities. Debt issuance costs and premiums and discounts are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the related debt.
Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses	(i) Allowance for Loan Losses and Reserve for Losses Farmer Mac maintains an allowance for losses to cover estimated probable losses incurred as of the balance sheet date on loans held ("allowance for loan losses") and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities ("reserve for losses") based on available information. Disaggregation by commodity type is performed, where appropriate, in analyzing the need for an allowance for losses. The allowance for losses increases through periodic provisions for loan losses that are charged against net interest income and the reserve for losses increases through provisions for losses that are charged to non-interest expense, and decreases by charge-offs for realized losses, net of recoveries. Negative provisions, or releases from the allowance for losses, generally occur when the estimate of probable losses as of the end of a period is less than the estimate at the beginning of the period. In certain circumstances, for example, when a defaulted loan is purchased out of a guaranteed security or pursuant to an LTSPC, the related reserve for losses is released and a corresponding amount is provided to the allowance for loan losses. The total allowance for losses consists of a general allowance for losses and a specific allowance for individual impaired loans. Charge-offs Farmer Mac records a charge-off against the allowance for losses principally when a loss has been confirmed through the receipt of assets, generally the underlying collateral, in full satisfaction of the loan. The loss equals the excess of the recorded investment in the loan over the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. General Allowance for Losses Farmer Mac's methodology for determining its allowance for losses incorporates Farmer Mac's automated loan classification system. That system scores loans based on criteria such as historical repayment performance, indicators of current financial condition, loan seasoning, loan size and loan-to-value ratio. The allowance methodology captures the migration of loan scores across concurrent and overlapping 3-year time horizons and calculates loss rates separately within each loan classification for (1) loans underlying LTSPCs and (2) loans held and loans underlying Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities. The calculated loss rates are applied to the current classification distribution of unimpaired loans in Farmer Mac's portfolio to estimate inherent losses, on the assumption that the historical credit losses and trends used to calculate loss rates will continue in the future. Management evaluates this assumption by considering many relevant factors, including: • economic conditions; • geographic and agricultural commodity/product concentrations in the portfolio; • the credit profile of the portfolio; • delinquency trends of the portfolio; • historical charge-off and recovery activities of the portfolio; and • other factors to capture current portfolio trends and characteristics that differ from historical experience. Management believes that its use of this methodology produces a reasonable estimate of probable losses, as of the balance sheet date, for all loans held in the Farm & Ranch portfolio and loans underlying off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities and LTSPCs. Farmer Mac separately evaluates the rural utilities loans it owns to determine if there are any probable losses inherent in those assets. Specific Allowance for Impaired Loans Farmer Mac also analyzes certain loans in its portfolio for impairment in accordance with accounting guidance on measuring impairment of individual loans. Farmer Mac's impaired loans generally include loans 90 days or more past due, in foreclosure, restructured, in bankruptcy and certain performing loans that have previously been delinquent or are secured by real estate that produces agricultural commodities or products currently under stress. Farmer Mac uses a risk-based approach in determining the necessity of obtaining updated appraisals on impaired loans. For example, larger exposures associated with highly improved and specialized collateral will generally receive updated appraisals once the loans are identified as impaired. Updated appraisals are always obtained during the foreclosure process. Depending on the risk factors associated with the loan and underlying collateral, which can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the loan and collateral, this can occur early in the foreclosure process, while in other instances this may occur just before the transfer of title. As part of its routine credit review process, Farmer Mac often will exercise judgment in discounting an appraisal value due to local real estate trends or the condition of the property (e.g., following an inspection by Farmer Mac or the servicer). A property appraisal value may also be discounted based on the market's reaction to Farmer Mac's asking price for sale of the property. For loans with an updated appraised value, other updated collateral valuation or management's estimate of discounted collateral value, this analysis includes the measurement of the fair value of the underlying collateral for individual loans relative to the total recorded investment, including principal, interest, and advances and net of any charge-offs. In the event that the collateral value does not support the total recorded investment, Farmer Mac specifically provides an allowance for the loan for the difference between the recorded investment and its fair value, less estimated costs to liquidate the collateral. Estimated selling costs are based on historical selling costs incurred by Farmer Mac or management's best estimate of selling costs for a particular property. For the remaining impaired assets without updated valuations, this analysis is performed in the aggregate in consideration of the similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics. Farmer Mac believes this methodology that uses loan classification scores and historical loss experience is a better indication of impairment for these collateral-dependent loans than other valuation methods.
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 unvested restricted stock awards.
Income Taxes	(k) Income Taxes Deferred federal income tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between financial and taxable income and are measured using the current enacted statutory tax rate. New tax reform legislation was enacted on December 22, 2017. This new tax legislation includes a broad range of tax reform provisions, including a reduction to the corporate tax rate, changes to business expense deductions, and changes to taxes on international earnings. U.S. GAAP requires recognition of the effect of changes in tax law and tax rates as a component of the income tax provision related to continuing operations in the period of enactment of the new legislation. This accounting treatment is also required for deferred taxes that were established through a financial statement component other than continuing operations such as other comprehensive income. Thus, Farmer Mac remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities using the newly enacted statutory tax rate of 21% and recognized a one-time, non-cash charge of $1.4 million to income tax expense during 2017. Due to the re-measurement of Farmer Mac's deferred tax assets and liabilities using the newly enacted statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, items originally recorded through other comprehensive income do not reflect the new tax rate ("stranded tax effects"). In response, in February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-02 " Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ," which provides entities the option to reclassify these stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Farmer Mac elected to adopt ASU 2018-02 for the year ended December 31, 2017. This change in accounting principle resulted in an increase to " Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax " and a corresponding decrease to " Retained earnings " of $9.1 million . Income tax expense is equal to the income taxes payable in the current year plus the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance. Farmer Mac evaluates its tax positions quarterly to identify and recognize any liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in its federal income tax returns. Farmer Mac uses a two-step approach in which income tax benefits are recognized if, based on the technical merits of a tax position, it is more likely than not (a probability of greater than 50% ) that the tax position would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority, which includes all related appeals and litigation process. The amount of tax benefit recognized is then measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority, considering all information available at the reporting date. Farmer Mac's policy for recording interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions is to record them as a component of income tax expense. Farmer Mac establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Farmer Mac accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plans using the grant date fair value method of accounting. Farmer Mac measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. For performance-based grants, Farmer Mac recognizes the grant-date fair value over the vesting period as long as it remains probable that the performance conditions will be met. If the service or performance conditions are not met, Farmer Mac reverses previously recognized compensation expense upon forfeiture.
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.
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments	Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments Farmer Mac accounts for its LTSPCs as guarantees. Commitment fee income represents a reduction of the commitment obligation based on amortization using the actual prepayment experience on the underlying loans.
Fair Value Measurement	(o) Fair Value Measurement Farmer Mac defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a fair value hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives highest rank to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest rank to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). Farmer Mac's assessment of the significance of the input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of financial instruments that Farmer Mac has classified within the level 3 category. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for assets and liabilities within the level 3 category may include changes in fair value that were attributable to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in projected prepayment rates) inputs. See Note 13 for more information regarding fair value measurement.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities	Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities Farmer Mac has interests in various entities that are considered to be VIEs. These interests include investments in securities issued by VIEs, such as Farmer Mac agricultural mortgage-backed securities created pursuant to Farmer Mac's securitization transactions and mortgage and asset-backed trusts that Farmer Mac did not create. The consolidation model uses a qualitative evaluation that requires consolidation of an entity when the reporting enterprise both: (1) has the power to direct matters which significantly impact the activities and success of the entity, and (2) has exposure to benefits and/or losses that could potentially be significant to the entity. The reporting enterprise that meets both these conditions is deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Upon consolidation of a VIE, Farmer Mac accounts for the incremental assets and liabilities initially at their carrying amounts. The VIEs in which Farmer Mac has a variable interest are limited to securitization trusts. The major factor in determining if Farmer Mac is the primary beneficiary is whether Farmer Mac has the power to direct the activities of the trust that potentially have the most significant impact on the economic performance of the trust. Generally, the ability to make decisions regarding default mitigation is evidence of that power. Farmer Mac determined that it is the primary beneficiary for the securitization trusts related to most Farm & Ranch and all Rural Utilities securitization transactions because of its rights as guarantor under both programs to control the default mitigation activities of the trusts. For certain securitization trusts created when loans subject to LTSPCs were converted to Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities, Farmer Mac determined that it was not the primary beneficiary since the power to make decisions regarding default mitigation was shared among unrelated parties. For these trusts, the shared power provisions are substantive with respect to decision-making power and relate to the same activity (i.e., default mitigation). For similar securitization transactions where the power to make decisions regarding default mitigation was shared with a related party, Farmer Mac determined that it was the primary beneficiary because the applicable accounting guidance does not permit parties within a related party group to conclude that the power is shared. In the event that a related party status changes, consolidation or deconsolidation of these securitization trusts could occur. For those trusts that Farmer Mac is the primary beneficiary, the assets and liabilities are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as "Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost" and "Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties," respectively. These assets can only be used to satisfy the obligations of the related trust. For those trusts in which Farmer Mac has a variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary, Farmer Mac's interests are presented as either "Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities," "USDA Securities," or "Investment securities" on the consolidated balance sheets. Farmer Mac's involvement in VIEs classified as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities or USDA Securities include securitization trusts under the USDA Guarantees line of business and certain trusts related to AgVantage securities. In the case of USDA guaranteed trusts, Farmer Mac is not determined to be the primary beneficiary because it does not have the decision-making power over default mitigation activities. Based on the USDA's program authority over the servicing and default mitigation activities of the USDA guaranteed portions of loans, Farmer Mac believes that the USDA has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the trust's economic performance. Farmer Mac does not have exposure to losses that could be significant to the trust and there are no triggers that would result in Farmer Mac superseding the USDA's authority with regard to directing the activities of the trust. For VIEs classified as investment securities, which include auction-rate certificates, asset-backed securities, and government-sponsored enterprise ("GSE")-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, Farmer Mac is determined not to be the primary beneficiary because of the lack of voting rights or other powers to direct the activities of the trust.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842) , " which provides new guidance intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU requires organizations that lease assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The ASU also requires new disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of the new guidance will not have a material effect on Farmer Mac’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)," 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 adoption 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 developing its accounting policy, planning for changes to its loss estimation methodologies, and evaluating the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. That impact will primarily result 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 first quarter 2018, Farmer Mac adopted 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 cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018 reflected application of the new guidance and did not have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement," which removes or modifies certain disclosures and adds new disclosures. The new requirements are designed to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. 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 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract," which requires the application of the same criteria for capitalization of implementation costs as for an arrangement that has a software license. The new guidance also prescribes the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flows classifications of the capitalized implementation costs and related amortization expense, and requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. 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 this guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes," which permits the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The new guidance is intended to facilitate the transition from LIBOR to SOFR as a benchmark interest rate in the coming years. Because Farmer Mac already adopted ASU 2017-12, the new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Farmer Mac does not currently hold any financial instruments that use SOFR as the benchmark interest rate. Therefore, this guidance will not have an immediate impact on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, as companies migrate from the use of LIBOR to SOFR, the adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on Farmer Mac's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in future years.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of prior period information were made to conform to the current period presentation.

Accounting Policies - Accoun_2

Accounting Policies - Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures	The following table sets forth information regarding certain cash and non-cash transactions for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 2.1 For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 268,728 $ 161,060 $ 110,609 Income taxes 30,882 39,500 29,500 Non-cash activity: Real estate owned acquired through loan liquidation 128 5,400 — Loans acquired and securitized as Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 382,929 519,219 609,347 Consolidation of Farmer Mac 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 255,080 363,475 511,393 Purchases of securities - traded not yet settled (1,400 ) 1,400 — Transfers of available-for-sale USDA Securities to held-to-maturity — — 1,980,327 Transfers of available-for-sale Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities to held-to-maturity — — 32,824 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 resulted in 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 . Farmer Mac accounts for held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. Both the cost basis adjustment and accumulated unrealized appreciation are being amortized as adjustments to the yield on the held-to-maturity USDA Securities over the remaining contractual term of the transferred securities.
Earnings Per Common Share	The following schedule reconciles basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 2.2 For the Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per Net Weighted-Average Shares $ per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 94,898 10,654 $ 8.91 $ 71,300 10,594 $ 6.73 $ 64,152 10,477 $ 6.12 Effect of dilutive securities (1) Stock options, SARs and restricted stock — 92 (0.08 ) — 209 (0.13 ) — 269 (0.15 ) Diluted EPS $ 94,898 10,746 $ 8.83 $ 71,300 10,803 $ 6.60 $ 64,152 10,746 $ 5.97 (1) For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, stock options and SARs of 15,812 , 28,579 , and 86,907 , respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share of common stock because they were anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, contingent shares of unvested restricted stock of 13,138 , 29,647 , 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]	Table 2.3 Available-for-Sale Securities Held-to-Maturity Securities Cash Flow Hedges Total (in thousands) Balance as of January 1, 2016 $ (10,035 ) $ (476 ) $ (508 ) $ (11,019 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 5,481 47,993 1,588 55,062 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (9,833 ) (1,765 ) 1,313 (10,285 ) Net comprehensive (loss)/income (4,352 ) 46,228 2,901 44,777 Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (14,387 ) $ 45,752 $ 2,393 $ 33,758 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 23,925 — 152 24,077 Amounts reclassified from AOCI (10,917 ) (6,064 ) 1,178 (15,803 ) Net comprehensive income/(loss) 13,008 (6,064 ) 1,330 8,274 Stranded tax effects reclassified from AOCI due to enactment of new tax legislation (297 ) 8,548 802 9,053 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ (1,676 ) $ 48,236 $ 4,525 $ 51,085 Cumulative effect from change in hedge accounting — — 27 27 Balance as of January 1, 2018 (1,676 ) 48,236 4,552 51,112 Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications (19,151 ) — 2,571 (16,580 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI (4,533 ) (4,793 ) (250 ) (9,576 ) Net comprehensive (loss)/income (23,684 ) (4,793 ) 2,321 (26,156 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (25,360 ) $ 43,443 $ 6,873 $ 24,956
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 years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 2.4 For the Years Ended 2018 2017 2016 Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax Before Tax Provision (Benefit) After Tax (in thousands) Other comprehensive income: Available-for-sale-securities: Unrealized holding (losses)/gains on available-for-sale-securities $ (24,241 ) $ (5,090 ) $ (19,151 ) $ 36,809 $ 12,884 $ 23,925 $ 8,433 $ 2,952 $ 5,481 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net Interest Income (1) (5,784 ) (1,215 ) (4,569 ) — — — — — — (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (1) — — — (16,845 ) (5,897 ) (10,948 ) (15,375 ) (5,381 ) (9,994 ) (Losses)/gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities (2) — — — (89 ) (31 ) (58 ) 9 3 6 Other income (3) 45 9 36 137 48 89 239 84 155 Total $ (29,980 ) $ (6,296 ) $ (23,684 ) $ 20,012 $ 7,004 $ 13,008 $ (6,694 ) $ (2,342 ) $ (4,352 ) Held-to-maturity securities: Change in fair value (4) — — — — — — 73,835 25,842 47,993 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (5) (6,067 ) (1,274 ) (4,793 ) (9,329 ) (3,265 ) (6,064 ) (2,715 ) (950 ) (1,765 ) Total $ (6,067 ) $ (1,274 ) $ (4,793 ) $ (9,329 ) $ (3,265 ) $ (6,064 ) $ 71,120 $ 24,892 $ 46,228 Cash flow hedges Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges $ 3,254 $ 683 $ 2,571 $ 233 $ 81 $ 152 $ 2,443 $ 855 $ 1,588 Less reclassification adjustments included in: Net interest income (6) (316 ) (66 ) (250 ) 1,813 635 1,178 2,020 707 1,313 Total $ 2,938 $ 617 $ 2,321 $ 2,046 $ 716 $ 1,330 $ 4,463 $ 1,562 $ 2,901 Other comprehensive (loss)/income $ (33,109 ) $ (6,953 ) $ (26,156 ) $ 12,729 $ 4,455 $ 8,274 $ 68,889 $ 24,112 $ 44,777 (1) Relates to the amortization of unrealized gains on hedged items prior to the application of fair value hedge accounting. (2) Represents unrealized gains and 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) Represents the accumulated unrealized gain on the USDA Securities and the Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity. (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 recognition of unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges recorded in AOCI.
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	The following tables present, by line of business, details about the consolidation of VIEs: Table 2.5 Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities As of December 31, 2018 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 $ 1,517,101 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,517,101 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,528,957 — — — — 1,528,957 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 27,627 — — — 27,627 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 27,383 — — — 27,383 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 1,000,942 1,000,942 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 1,003,968 1,003,968 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 135,862 367,684 — — — 503,546 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $11.9 million . The borrower remittances had not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 2018 . (2) Includes $0.2 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, 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 $ 1,399,827 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,399,827 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties (1) 1,404,945 — — — — 1,404,945 Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Carrying value (2) — 30,300 — — — 30,300 Maximum exposure to loss (3) — 29,980 — — — 29,980 Investment securities: Carrying value (4) — — — — 783,964 783,964 Maximum exposure to loss (3) (4) — — — — 783,916 783,916 Off-Balance Sheet: Unconsolidated VIEs: Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Maximum exposure to loss (3) (5) 333,511 254,217 — — — 587,728 (1) Includes borrower remittances of $5.1 million , which have not been passed through to third party investors as of December 31, 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 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.

Related Party Transactions - _2

Related Party Transactions - Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Zions First National Bank [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	The following transactions occurred between Farmer Mac and Zions during 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 3.1 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance: Purchases: Loans $ 114,719 $ 126,449 $ 153,140 USDA Securities 19,120 20,368 16,600 Sales of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 68,721 128,924 273,586
CFC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]	The following transactions occurred between Farmer Mac and CFC during 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 3.2 Farmer Mac Loan Purchases and Guarantees For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Unpaid Principal Balance: Loans $ 11,645 $ 137,341 $ 50,491 On-balance sheet AgVantage Securities 675,000 350,000 250,000 Off-balance sheet revolving floating rate AgVantage facility 300,000 — — LTSPCs — — 441,404 Total purchases and guarantees $ 986,645 $ 487,341 $ 741,895

Investment Securities - Invest

Investment Securities - Investment Securities (Tables) - Investment Securities [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	following tables set forth information about Farmer Mac's investment securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 4.1 As of December 31, 2018 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 $ — $ (985 ) $ 18,715 Floating rate asset-backed securities 28,940 (136 ) 28,804 2 (128 ) 28,678 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,379,472 1,528 1,381,000 721 (4,267 ) 1,377,454 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 384 1 385 18 — 403 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 797,913 (4,882 ) 793,031 119 (548 ) 792,602 Total available-for-sale 2,226,409 (3,489 ) 2,222,920 860 (5,928 ) 2,217,852 Held-to-maturity: Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 45,032 — 45,032 562 — 45,594 Total investment securities $ 2,271,441 $ (3,489 ) $ 2,267,952 $ 1,422 $ (5,928 ) $ 2,263,446 (1) During second quarter 2018, the remaining premium of an interest-only security was fully amortized because the issuer called the security upon full prepayment of the underlying mortgage loan that collateralized the security. As of December 31, 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 $ — $ (886 ) $ 18,814 Floating rate asset-backed securities 34,462 (154 ) 34,308 22 (120 ) 34,210 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 1,289,123 2,217 1,291,340 2,215 (3,368 ) 1,290,187 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (1) 451 2,138 2,589 2,230 — 4,819 Fixed rate senior agency debt 100,000 — 100,000 — (49 ) 99,951 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 770,852 (1,836 ) 769,016 — (1,592 ) 767,424 Total available-for-sale 2,214,588 2,365 2,216,953 4,467 (6,015 ) 2,215,405 Held-to-maturity: Fixed rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 45,032 — 45,032 532 — 45,564 Total investment securities $ 2,259,620 $ 2,365 $ 2,261,985 $ 4,999 $ (6,015 ) $ 2,260,969 (1) Fair value includes $4.3 million of an interest-only security with a notional amount of $143.7 million . F
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities were as follows: Table 4.2 As of December 31, 2018 Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (dollars in thousands) Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ — $ — $ 18,715 $ (985 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities 6,456 (38 ) 19,058 (90 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 927,416 (2,907 ) 196,416 (1,360 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 499,581 (336 ) 81,597 (212 ) Total $ 1,433,453 $ (3,281 ) $ 315,786 $ (2,647 ) Number of securities in loss position 72 48 As of December 31, 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 $ — $ — $ 18,814 $ (886 ) Floating rate asset-backed securities — — 23,145 (120 ) Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 292,522 (2,337 ) 221,641 (1,031 ) Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 742,442 (1,572 ) 24,983 (20 ) Fixed rate senior agency debt — — 99,951 (49 ) Total $ 1,034,964 $ (3,909 ) $ 388,534 $ (2,106 ) Number of securities in loss position 40 51
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	amortized cost, fair value, and weighted-average yield of available-for-sale investment securities by remaining contractual maturity as of December 31, 2018 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 4.3 As of December 31, 2018 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 767,989 $ 767,536 1.29% Due after one year through five years 217,450 217,443 2.76% Due after five years through ten years 646,531 644,361 2.72% Due after ten years 590,950 588,512 2.92% Total $ 2,222,920 $ 2,217,852 2.28%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit_2

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Tables) - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities were as follows: Table 5.2 As of December 31, 2018 Held-to-Maturity and Available-for-Sale Securities Unrealized loss position for Unrealized loss position for Fair Value Unrealized Fair Value Unrealized (dollars in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 669,610 $ (1,760 ) $ 976,318 $ (10,188 ) USDA Securities 38,203 (696 ) 2,065,743 (61,531 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 707,813 $ (2,456 ) $ 3,042,061 $ (71,719 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,480,423 $ (9,364 ) $ 1,599,679 $ (42,003 ) As of December 31, 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 $ 1,304,160 $ (8,094 ) $ 351,664 $ (3,335 ) Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 24,721 (73 ) — — USDA Securities 451 (2 ) 2,062,429 (54,967 ) Total held-to-maturity $ 1,329,332 $ (8,169 ) $ 2,414,093 $ (58,302 ) Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 1,273,965 $ (8,819 ) $ 1,759,377 $ (37,492 )
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	The following tables set forth information about on-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 5.1 As of December 31, 2018 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,069,185 $ (194 ) $ 2,068,991 $ 2,637 $ (11,948 ) $ 2,059,680 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 27,383 244 27,627 98 — 27,725 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,096,568 50 2,096,618 2,735 (11,948 ) 2,087,405 USDA Securities 2,110,963 55,211 2,166,174 — (62,227 ) 2,103,947 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,207,531 $ 55,261 $ 4,262,792 $ 2,735 $ (74,175 ) $ 4,191,352 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 6,003,733 $ (204 ) $ 6,003,529 $ 22,335 $ (51,367 ) $ 5,974,497 Trading: USDA Securities $ 9,591 $ 701 $ 10,292 $ 20 $ (313 ) $ 9,999 As of December 31, 2017 Unpaid Principal Balance Unamortized Premium/(Discount) Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Value (in thousands) Held-to-maturity: AgVantage $ 2,096,754 $ (779 ) $ 2,095,975 $ 2,011 $ (11,429 ) $ 2,086,557 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 29,980 319 30,299 108 (73 ) 30,334 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,126,734 (460 ) 2,126,274 2,119 (11,502 ) 2,116,891 USDA Securities 2,055,050 62,800 2,117,850 — (54,969 ) 2,062,881 Total held-to-maturity $ 4,181,784 $ 62,340 $ 4,244,124 $ 2,119 $ (66,471 ) $ 4,179,772 Available-for-sale: AgVantage $ 5,496,569 $ (182 ) $ 5,496,387 $ 21,838 $ (46,311 ) $ 5,471,914 Trading: USDA Securities $ 12,966 $ 922 $ 13,888 $ 28 $ (401 ) $ 13,515
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 December 31, 2018 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 5.3 As of December 31, 2018 Available-for-Sale Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 618,461 $ 618,825 2.87 % Due after one year through five years 2,889,110 2,887,325 3.12 % Due after five years through ten years 1,248,615 1,239,658 3.21 % Due after ten years 1,247,343 1,228,689 3.61 % Total $ 6,003,529 $ 5,974,497 3.22 % As of December 31, 2018 Held-to-Maturity Securities Amortized Fair Value Weighted- (dollars in thousands) Due within one year $ 762,474 $ 759,480 2.11 % Due after one year through five years 1,388,053 1,379,827 3.04 % Due after five years through ten years 212,283 205,952 3.39 % Due after ten years 1,899,982 1,846,093 3.57 % Total $ 4,262,792 $ 4,191,352 3.12 %

Financial Derivatives - Financ

Financial Derivatives - Financial Derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Hedged Items in Fair Value Hedging Relationships [Table Text Block]	The following table shows the carrying amount and associated cumulative basis adjustment related to the application of hedge accounting that is included in the carrying amount of hedged assets and liabilities in fair value hedging relationships as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 6.3 Hedged Items in Fair Value Relationship Carrying Amount of Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments included in the Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets/(Liabilities) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, Available-for-Sale, at fair value $ 2,882,919 $ 1,928,220 $ (906 ) $ (22,853 ) Loans held for investment, at amortized cost 194,617 149,304 (5,287 ) (189 ) Notes Payable, due after one year (1)(2) (2,021,356 ) (1,552,935 ) 8,785 5,836 (1) Carrying amount represents amortized cost. (2) Includes $0.3 million of hedging adjustments on a discontinued hedging relationship.
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	he following tables summarize information related to Farmer Mac's financial derivatives on a gross basis without giving consideration to master netting arrangements as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 6.1 As of December 31, 2018 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 3,097,084 $ 3,004 $ (4,326 ) 2.42% 2.58% 9.75 Receive fixed non-callable 2,031,200 885 (4,512 ) 2.49% 1.94% 1.68 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 373,000 2,441 (99 ) 2.40% 2.83% 6.12 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 316,664 796 (10,399 ) 3.69% 2.52% 6.25 Receive fixed non-callable 2,347,371 — — 2.37% 2.10% 0.86 Basis swaps 1,770,026 421 (130 ) 2.45% 2.49% 1.27 Treasury futures 20,400 — (188 ) 121.09 Credit valuation adjustment (60 ) 21 Total financial derivatives $ 9,955,745 $ 7,487 $ (19,633 ) Collateral pledged (1,778 ) 47,018 Net amount $ 5,709 $ 27,385 As of December 31, 2017 Fair Value Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Weighted- Notional Amount Asset (Liability) (dollars in thousands) Fair value hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable $ 2,086,347 $ 5,240 $ (5,990 ) 1.88% 1.40% 5.46 Receive fixed non-callable 1,559,700 110 (4,033 ) 1.38% 1.45% 1.68 Cash flow hedges: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 365,500 1,402 (138 ) 2.16% 1.74% 5.84 No hedge designation: Interest rate swaps: Pay fixed non-callable 345,333 339 (16,352 ) 3.79% 1.40% 6.68 Receive fixed non-callable 3,409,916 — — 1.25% 1.24% 0.92 Basis swaps 1,053,500 18 (106 ) 1.33% 1.42% 0.91 Treasury futures 40,000 — (36 ) 123.96 Credit valuation adjustment (16 ) 56 Total financial derivatives $ 8,860,296 $ 7,093 $ (26,599 ) Collateral pledged — 24,926 Net amount $ 7,093 $ (1,673 )
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the net income/(expense) recognized in the consolidated statements of operations related to derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016: Table 6.2 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives Net Interest Income Non-Interest Income Total Interest Income Interest Income Loans Total Interest Expense (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (in thousands) Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations: $ 290,953 $ 198,152 $ (369,848 ) $ (3,687 ) $ 115,570 Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives 1,861 (630 ) (7,995 ) — (6,764 ) Recognized on hedged items 65,238 6,284 (36,837 ) — 34,685 Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (668 ) — (668 ) Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships $ 67,099 $ 5,654 $ (45,500 ) $ — $ 27,253 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (20,279 ) 5,031 835 — (14,413 ) Recognized on hedged items 21,460 (5,243 ) 3,137 — 19,354 Gains/(losses) on fair value hedging relationships $ 1,181 $ (212 ) $ 3,972 $ — $ 4,941 Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives — — 316 — 316 Recognized on hedged items — — (9,182 ) — (9,182 ) Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (6 ) — (6 ) Expense recognized on cash flow hedges $ — $ — $ (8,872 ) $ — $ (8,872 ) Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships: Gains on interest rate swaps — — — 7,206 7,206 Interest expense on interest rate swaps — — — (10,920 ) (10,920 ) Treasury futures — — — 27 27 Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships $ — $ — $ — $ (3,687 ) $ (3,687 ) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives Net Interest Income Non-Interest Income Total Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities Interest Income Loans Total Interest Expense (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (in thousands) Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations $ 203,796 $ 162,150 $ (242,885 ) $ 753 $ 123,814 Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (10,346 ) (1,141 ) 2,642 — (8,845 ) Recognized on hedged items 46,389 3,379 (14,283 ) — 35,485 Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (345 ) — (345 ) Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships $ 36,043 $ 2,238 $ (11,986 ) $ — $ 26,295 Losses on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (1) — — — 1,694 1,694 Recognized on hedged items — — — (2,413 ) (2,413 ) Losses on fair value hedging relationships $ — $ — $ — $ (719 ) $ (719 ) Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives $ — $ — $ (1,974 ) $ — $ (1,974 ) Recognized on hedged items — — (4,133 ) — (4,133 ) Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (5 ) — (5 ) Losses recognized in income for hedge ineffectiveness — — — (320 ) (320 ) Expense recognized on cash flow hedges $ — $ — $ (6,112 ) $ (320 ) $ (6,432 ) Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships: Gains on interest rate swaps $ — $ — $ — $ 12,240 $ 12,240 Interest expense on interest rate swaps — — — (10,200 ) (10,200 ) Agency forwards — — — (588 ) (588 ) Treasury futures — — — 340 340 Gains on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships $ — $ — $ — $ 1,792 $ 1,792 (1) Included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness as of December 31, 2017 , but excluded from the amounts in the table, were gains of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 , attributable to the fair value of the swaps at the inception of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the amount recognized as hedge ineffectiveness for the year ended December 31, 2017 were gains of $0.6 million . For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 Net Income/(Expense) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations on Derivatives Net Interest Income Non-Interest Income Total Interest Income Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities Interest Income Loans Total Interest Expense (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (in thousands) Total amounts presented in the consolidated statement of operations $ 150,281 $ 134,577 $ (171,626 ) $ 2,311 $ 115,543 Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (15,494 ) (1,011 ) 132 — (16,373 ) Recognized on hedged items 35,169 2,063 — — 37,232 Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — — — — Income/(expense) related to interest settlements on fair value hedging relationships $ 19,675 $ 1,052 $ 132 $ — $ 20,859 Gains on fair value hedging relationships: Recognized on derivatives (1) — — — 25,365 25,365 Recognized on hedged items — — — (20,322 ) (20,322 ) Gains on fair value hedging relationships $ — $ — $ — $ 5,043 $ 5,043 Expense related to interest settlements on cash flow hedging relationships: Interest settlements reclassified from AOCI into net income on derivatives $ — $ — $ (2,126 ) $ — $ (2,126 ) Recognized on hedged items — — (1,437 ) — (1,437 ) Discount amortization recognized on hedged items — — (1 ) — (1 ) Losses recognized in income for hedge ineffectiveness — — — (353 ) (353 ) Expense recognized on cash flow hedges $ — $ — $ (3,564 ) $ (353 ) $ (3,917 ) Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedging relationships: Gains on interest rate swaps $ — $ — $ — $ 9,489 $ 9,489 Interest expense on interest rate swaps — — — (11,480 ) (11,480 ) Agency forwards — — — (226 ) (226 ) Treasury futures — — — (162 ) (162 ) Losses on financial derivatives not designated in hedge relationships $ — $ — $ — $ (2,379 ) $ (2,379 )

Notes Payable - Notes Payable

Notes Payable - Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	The following schedule summarizes the earliest interest rate reset date of total borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2018, including callable and non-callable medium-term notes, assuming callable notes are redeemed at the initial call date: Table 7.3 Earliest Interest Rate Reset Date of Borrowings Outstanding Amount Weighted-Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Debt with interest rate resets in: 2019 $ 9,668,398 2.20% 2020 2,210,866 1.94% 2021 1,565,748 2.32% 2022 788,504 2.16% 2023 836,768 2.88% Thereafter 1,173,413 3.43% Total $ 16,243,697 2.30% During 2018 and 2017, Farmer Mac called $0.0 million and $24.0 million of callable medium-term notes, respectively.
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	Callable medium-term notes give Farmer Mac the option to redeem the debt at par value on a specified call date or at any time on or after a specified call date. The following table summarizes by maturity date the amounts and costs for Farmer Mac debt callable in 2019 as of December 31, 2018: Table 7.2 Debt Callable in 2019 as of December 31, 2018 Amount Weighted-Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Maturity: 2020 $ 239,327 2.13 % 2021 409,629 2.38 % 2022 165,810 2.31 % 2023 253,758 3.14 % Thereafter 294,720 3.27 % Total $ 1,363,244 2.66 % The following tables set forth information related to Farmer Mac's borrowings as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 7.1 December 31, 2018 Outstanding as of December 31 Average Outstanding During the Year Amount Weighted- Average Rate Amount Weighted- Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Due within one year: Discount notes $ 1,586,385 2.35 % $ 1,432,470 1.83 % Medium-term notes 1,826,380 2.29 % 1,977,445 1.83 % Current portion of long-term notes 4,344,285 1.93 % Total due within one year $ 7,757,050 2.10 % Due after one year: Medium-term notes due in: 2020 $ 3,090,405 2.11 % 2021 2,220,651 2.41 % 2022 859,470 2.19 % 2023 881,738 2.88 % Thereafter 1,434,383 3.34 % Total due after one year 8,486,647 2.48 % Total $ 16,243,697 2.30 % December 31, 2017 Outstanding as of December 31 Average Outstanding During the Year Amount Weighted- Average Rate Amount Weighted- Average Rate (dollars in thousands) Due within one year: Discount notes $ 1,724,969 1.20 % $ 2,262,582 0.86 % Medium-term notes 2,560,211 1.27 % 2,885,966 1.04 % Current portion of long-term notes 3,804,646 1.23 % Total due within one year $ 8,089,826 1.24 % Due after one year: Medium-term notes due in: 2019 $ 2,644,734 1.48 % 2020 1,842,143 1.68 % 2021 849,263 1.85 % 2022 790,564 2.03 % Thereafter 1,306,086 3.05 % Total due after one year 7,432,790 1.91 % Total $ 15,522,616 1.56 % The maximum amount of Farmer Mac's discount notes outstanding at any month end during each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1.6 billion and $3.3 billion , respectively.

Loans and Allowance for Losse_2

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 , Farmer Mac had no loans held for sale. The following table displays the composition of the loan balances as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.1 As of December 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total Unsecuritized In Consolidated Trusts Total (in thousands) Farm & Ranch $ 3,071,222 $ 1,517,101 $ 4,588,323 $ 2,798,906 $ 1,399,827 $ 4,198,733 Rural Utilities 938,843 — 938,843 1,076,291 — 1,076,291 Total unpaid principal balance (1) 4,010,065 1,517,101 5,527,166 3,875,197 1,399,827 5,275,024 Unamortized premiums, discounts, and other cost basis adjustments (5,097 ) — (5,097 ) (1,442 ) — (1,442 ) Total loans 4,004,968 1,517,101 5,522,069 3,873,755 1,399,827 5,273,582 Allowance for loan losses (5,565 ) (1,452 ) (7,017 ) (5,493 ) (1,303 ) (6,796 ) Total loans, net of allowance $ 3,999,403 $ 1,515,649 $ 5,515,052 $ 3,868,262 $ 1,398,524 $ 5,266,786 (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 Farm & Ranch 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 $9.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and $8.9 million as of December 31, 2017 . See Note 12 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 each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 : Table 8.2 Allowance Reserve Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 4,480 $ 2,083 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 1,065 (63 ) 1,002 Charge-offs (130 ) — (130 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 5,415 $ 2,020 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 1,708 50 1,758 Charge-offs (327 ) — (327 ) Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 6,796 $ 2,070 $ 8,866 Provision for/(release of) losses 238 97 335 Charge-offs (17 ) — (17 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 7,017 $ 2,167 $ 9,184 The total allowance for losses has increased because of increased loan volume within Farmer Mac's Farm & Ranch portfolio. The total allowance for losses in the Farm & Ranch portfolio, as a percentage of outstanding loan volume, has remained consistent in recent years. The total provision for losses decreased by $1.4 million during 2018 as compared to 2017 primarily due to decreased loan growth year-over-year and modestly improved credit quality in the Farm & Ranch portfolio. During 2017, the net provisions to the allowance for loan losses recorded were primarily attributable to (1) an increase in the general allowance due to overall net volume growth in on-balance sheet Farm & Ranch loans, and (2) 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 loan balance of such loans and downgrades in risk ratings on some of those loans. The net provision to the reserve for losses recorded during 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. During 2016, the provisions to its allowance for loan losses recorded 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 certain loans. The releases to the reserve for losses recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016 were attributable to the release of a specific reserve on an impaired livestock loan underling an LTSPC that was required to be removed from the LTPSC pool by the originator during 2016. The following tables present the changes in the total allowance for losses for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 by commodity type: Table 8.3 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 4,081 $ 2,469 $ 1,211 $ 481 $ 606 $ 18 $ 8,866 Provision for/(release of) losses 313 (343 ) 249 10 114 (8 ) 335 Charge-offs — — — (17 ) — — (17 ) Ending Balance $ 4,394 $ 2,126 $ 1,460 $ 474 $ 720 $ 10 $ 9,184 For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435 Provision for/(release of) losses 944 816 (151 ) 92 73 (16 ) 1,758 Charge-offs (228 ) (70 ) (13 ) (16 ) — — (327 ) Ending Balance $ 4,081 $ 2,469 $ 1,211 $ 481 $ 606 $ 18 $ 8,866 For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Beginning Balance $ 2,791 $ 931 $ 1,781 $ 408 $ 649 $ 3 $ 6,563 Provision for/(release of) losses 574 792 (406 ) 127 (116 ) 31 1,002 Charge-offs — — — (130 ) — — (130 ) Ending Balance $ 3,365 $ 1,723 $ 1,375 $ 405 $ 533 $ 34 $ 7,435
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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.4 As of December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,452,803 $ 952,719 $ 705,752 $ 329,070 $ 12,097 $ 4,477 $ 4,456,918 Off-balance sheet 1,239,094 515,520 624,522 166,907 73,084 3,286 2,622,413 Total $ 3,691,897 $ 1,468,239 $ 1,330,274 $ 495,977 $ 85,181 $ 7,763 $ 7,079,331 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 66,432 $ 36,333 $ 21,361 $ 7,278 $ — $ — $ 131,404 Off-balance sheet 13,298 5,249 3,737 883 — 69 23,236 Total $ 79,730 $ 41,582 $ 25,098 $ 8,161 $ — $ 69 $ 154,640 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,519,235 $ 989,052 $ 727,113 $ 336,348 $ 12,097 $ 4,477 $ 4,588,322 Off-balance sheet 1,252,392 520,769 628,259 167,790 73,084 3,355 2,645,649 Total $ 3,771,627 $ 1,509,821 $ 1,355,372 $ 504,138 $ 85,181 $ 7,832 $ 7,233,971 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,120 $ 822 $ 731 $ 303 $ 84 $ 4 $ 4,064 Off-balance sheet 668 170 207 29 636 5 1,715 Total $ 2,788 $ 992 $ 938 $ 332 $ 720 $ 9 $ 5,779 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,329 $ 1,065 $ 437 $ 122 $ — $ — $ 2,953 Off-balance sheet 277 69 85 20 — 1 452 Total $ 1,606 $ 1,134 $ 522 $ 142 $ — $ 1 $ 3,405 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 3,449 $ 1,887 $ 1,168 $ 425 $ 84 $ 4 $ 7,017 Off-balance sheet 945 239 292 49 636 6 2,167 Total $ 4,394 $ 2,126 $ 1,460 $ 474 $ 720 $ 10 $ 9,184 As of December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Ending Balance: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,344,821 $ 794,478 $ 635,768 $ 269,337 $ 13,023 $ 9,030 $ 4,066,457 Off-balance sheet 1,236,392 532,666 678,642 155,627 45,738 4,981 2,654,046 Total $ 3,581,213 $ 1,327,144 $ 1,314,410 $ 424,964 $ 58,761 $ 14,011 $ 6,720,503 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 67,828 $ 38,180 $ 17,766 $ 7,858 $ — $ 644 $ 132,276 Off-balance sheet 8,904 2,239 2,782 806 — 76 14,807 Total $ 76,732 $ 40,419 $ 20,548 $ 8,664 $ — $ 720 $ 147,083 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 2,412,649 $ 832,658 $ 653,534 $ 277,195 $ 13,023 $ 9,674 $ 4,198,733 Off-balance sheet 1,245,296 534,905 681,424 156,433 45,738 5,057 2,668,853 Total $ 3,657,945 $ 1,367,563 $ 1,334,958 $ 433,628 $ 58,761 $ 14,731 $ 6,867,586 Allowance for Losses: Collectively evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 2,104 $ 1,101 $ 738 $ 287 $ 44 $ 11 $ 4,285 Off-balance sheet 546 305 231 48 562 5 1,697 Total $ 2,650 $ 1,406 $ 969 $ 335 $ 606 $ 16 $ 5,982 Individually evaluated for impairment: On-balance sheet $ 1,207 $ 1,006 $ 172 $ 126 $ — $ — $ 2,511 Off-balance sheet 224 57 70 20 — 2 373 Total $ 1,431 $ 1,063 $ 242 $ 146 $ — $ 2 $ 2,884 Total Farm & Ranch loans: On-balance sheet $ 3,311 $ 2,107 $ 910 $ 413 $ 44 $ 11 $ 6,796 Off-balance sheet 770 362 301 68 562 7 2,070 Total $ 4,081 $ 2,469 $ 1,211 $ 481 $ 606 $ 18 $ 8,866
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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.5 As of December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 20,734 $ 3,592 $ 5,764 $ 1,922 $ — $ — $ 32,012 Unpaid principal balance 20,632 3,573 5,737 1,912 — — 31,854 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 59,335 38,176 19,443 6,276 — 70 123,300 Unpaid principal balance 59,098 38,009 19,361 6,249 — 69 122,786 Associated allowance 1,606 1,134 522 142 — 1 3,405 Total: Recorded investment 80,069 41,768 25,207 8,198 — 70 155,312 Unpaid principal balance 79,730 41,582 25,098 8,161 — 69 154,640 Associated allowance 1,606 1,134 522 142 — 1 3,405 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 26,611 $ 21,349 $ 8,803 $ 4,645 $ — $ — $ 61,408 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $120.9 million ( 78% ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2018 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 million . (2) Includes $41.8 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. As of December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Impaired Loans: With no specific allowance: Recorded investment $ 14,417 $ 3,272 $ 11,171 $ 1,953 $ — $ 644 $ 31,457 Unpaid principal balance 14,418 3,273 11,172 1,953 — 644 31,460 With a specific allowance: Recorded investment (1) 62,309 37,143 9,376 6,710 — 76 115,614 Unpaid principal balance 62,314 37,146 9,376 6,711 — 76 115,623 Associated allowance 1,431 1,063 242 146 — 2 2,884 Total: Recorded investment 76,726 40,415 20,547 8,663 — 720 147,071 Unpaid principal balance 76,732 40,419 20,548 8,664 — 720 147,083 Associated allowance 1,431 1,063 242 146 — 2 2,884 Recorded investment of loans on nonaccrual status (2) $ 27,630 $ 25,701 $ 5,333 $ 4,929 $ — $ — $ 63,593 (1) Impairment analysis was performed in the aggregate in consideration of similar risk characteristics of the assets and historical statistics on $113.2 million ( 77% ) of impaired loans as of December 31, 2017 , which resulted in a specific allowance of $2.7 million . (2) Includes $15.7 million of loans that are less than 90 days delinquent but which have not met Farmer Mac's performance criteria for returning to accrual status. The following table presents by commodity type the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.6 December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Year Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 74,804 $ 44,461 $ 24,523 $ 8,758 $ — $ 231 $ 152,777 Income recognized on impaired loans 1,219 1,687 299 241 — — 3,446 December 31, 2017 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) For the Year Ended: Average recorded investment in impaired loans $ 71,154 $ 37,597 $ 15,913 $ 8,135 $ — $ 381 $ 133,180 Income recognized on impaired loans 696 530 238 289 — — 1,753 The impact of TDRs on Farmer Mac's allowance for loan losses was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. 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. After 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.
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 years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017, and 2016 and the outstanding balances and carrying amounts of all such loans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 8.7 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 ($ in thousands) Unpaid principal balance at acquisition date: Loans underlying LTSPCs $ 1,483 $ 311 $ 398 Loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities (excluding AgVantage securities) 7,748 5,670 2,118 Total unpaid principal balance at acquisition date 9,231 5,981 2,516 Contractually required payments receivable 9,325 6,018 2,544 Impairment recognized subsequent to acquisition 26 60 208 Release of allowance for all outstanding acquired defaulted loans — 171 67 Number of defaulted loans purchased 16 13 8 As of December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Outstanding balance $ 23,464 $ 18,866 Carrying amount 22,694 17,691
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 December 31, 2018 , 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 8.8 90-Day Delinquencies (1) Net Credit (Recoveries)/Losses As of For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) On-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: Loans $ 19,577 $ 47,881 $ 40 $ (1,397 ) $ 154 Total on-balance sheet $ 19,577 $ 47,881 $ 40 $ (1,397 ) $ 154 Off-balance sheet assets: Farm & Ranch: LTSPCs $ 7,304 $ 563 $ — $ — $ — Total off-balance sheet $ 7,304 $ 563 $ — $ — $ — Total $ 26,881 $ 48,444 $ 40 $ (1,397 ) $ 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 $19.6 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of December 31, 2018 , $0.1 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions. Of the $47.9 million of on-balance sheet loans reported as 90 -day delinquencies as of December 31, 2017 , $0.3 million were loans subject to "removal-of-account" provisions.
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]	Credit Quality Indicators The following tables present credit quality indicators related to Farm & Ranch loans held and loans underlying LTSPCs and off-balance sheet Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 : Table 8.9 As of December 31, 2018 Crops Permanent Livestock Part-time Ag. Storage and Other Total (in thousands) Credit risk profile by internally assigned grade (1) On-balance sheet: Acceptable $ 2,381,853 $ 937,793 $ 679,253 $ 321,345 $ 10,604 $ 4,477 $ 4,335,325 Special mention (2) 71,096 14,926 26,499 7,725 1,493 — 121,739 Substandard (3) 66,286 36,333 21,361 7,278 — — 131,258 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,519,235 $ 989,052 $ 727,113 $ 336,348 $ 12,097 $ 4,477 $ 4,588,322 Off-Balance Sheet: Acceptable $ 1,128,787 $ 469,479 $ 577,708 $ 162,730 $ 71,959 $ 2,656 $ 2,413,319 Special mention (2) 62,430 36,778 30,703 1,023 — — 130,934 Substandard (3) 61,175 14,512 19,848 4,037 1,125 699 101,396 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,252,392 $ 520,769 $ 628,259 $ 167,790 $ 73,084 $ 3,355 $ 2,645,649 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,510,640 $ 1,407,272 $ 1,256,961 $ 484,075 $ 82,563 $ 7,133 $ 6,748,644 Special mention (2) 133,526 51,704 57,202 8,748 1,493 — 252,673 Substandard (3) 127,461 50,845 41,209 11,315 1,125 699 232,654 Total $ 3,771,627 $ 1,509,821 $ 1,355,372 $ 504,138 $ 85,181 $ 7,832 $ 7,233,971 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 8,345 $ 2,997 $ 4,059 $ 4,176 $ — $ — $ 19,577 Off-balance sheet 6,476 197 — 631 — — 7,304 90 days or more past due $ 14,821 $ 3,194 $ 4,059 $ 4,807 $ — $ — $ 26,881 (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, 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 $ 2,274,912 $ 771,600 $ 617,527 $ 260,854 $ 13,023 $ 9,030 $ 3,946,946 Special mention (2) 70,063 22,878 18,405 8,483 — — 119,829 Substandard (3) 67,674 38,180 17,602 7,858 — 644 131,958 Total on-balance sheet $ 2,412,649 $ 832,658 $ 653,534 $ 277,195 $ 13,023 $ 9,674 $ 4,198,733 Off-Balance Sheet Acceptable $ 1,132,196 $ 478,573 $ 634,633 $ 150,906 $ 42,723 $ 4,294 $ 2,443,325 Special mention (2) 76,778 26,134 31,451 1,647 — 169 136,179 Substandard (3) 36,322 30,198 15,340 3,880 3,015 594 89,349 Total off-balance sheet $ 1,245,296 $ 534,905 $ 681,424 $ 156,433 $ 45,738 $ 5,057 $ 2,668,853 Total Ending Balance: Acceptable $ 3,407,108 $ 1,250,173 $ 1,252,160 $ 411,760 $ 55,746 $ 13,324 $ 6,390,271 Special mention (2) 146,841 49,012 49,856 10,130 — 169 256,008 Substandard (3) 103,996 68,378 32,942 11,738 3,015 1,238 221,307 Total $ 3,657,945 $ 1,367,563 $ 1,334,958 $ 433,628 $ 58,761 $ 14,731 $ 6,867,586 Commodity analysis of past due loans (1) On-balance sheet $ 21,702 $ 18,833 $ 3,835 $ 3,511 $ — $ — $ 47,881 Off-balance sheet 151 — — 412 — — 563 90 days or more past due $ 21,853 $ 18,833 $ 3,835 $ 3,923 $ — $ — $ 48,444 (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 December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 8.10 As of December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) By commodity/collateral type: Crops $ 3,771,627 $ 3,657,945 Permanent plantings 1,509,821 1,367,563 Livestock 1,355,372 1,334,958 Part-time farm 504,138 433,628 Ag. Storage and Processing 85,181 58,761 Other 7,832 14,731 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 By geographic region (1) : Northwest $ 855,596 $ 740,991 Southwest 2,273,184 2,093,213 Mid-North 2,296,073 2,244,094 Mid-South 883,279 908,603 Northeast 332,370 296,264 Southeast 593,469 584,421 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 By original loan-to-value ratio: 0.00% to 40.00% $ 1,333,790 $ 1,322,422 40.01% to 50.00% 1,811,166 1,733,671 50.01% to 60.00% 2,530,484 2,385,605 60.01% to 70.00% 1,244,823 1,150,914 70.01% to 80.00% (2) 289,427 248,799 80.01% to 90.00% (2) 24,281 26,175 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 By size of borrower exposure (3) : Less than $1,000,000 $ 2,431,296 $ 2,379,596 $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 2,755,996 2,627,617 $5,000,000 to $9,999,999 916,422 867,574 $10,000,000 to $24,999,999 601,349 584,896 $25,000,000 and greater 528,908 407,903 Total $ 7,233,971 $ 6,867,586 (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) Primarily part-time farm loans. Loans with original loan-to-value ratios of greater than 80% are required to have private mortgage insurance. (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.

Equity - Equity (Tables)

Equity - Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	The following tables summarize information regarding SARs and non-vested restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2018: Table 9.2 Outstanding Exercisable Vested or Expected to Vest Range of SARs Weighted- SARs Weighted- SARs Weighted- $10.00 - $24.99 16,000 2.6 years 16,000 2.6 years 16,000 2.6 years 25.00 - 39.99 86,462 6.1 years 76,629 5.9 years 86,462 6.1 years 40.00 - 54.99 — 0.0 years — 0.0 years — 0.0 years 55.00 - 69.99 12,376 8.3 years 3,046 8.3 years 12,376 8.3 years 70.00 - 84.99 — 0.0 years — 0.0 years — 0.0 years 85.00 - 99.99 10,122 9.3 years — 0.0 years 10,122 9.3 years 124,960 95,675 124,960 Outstanding Expected to Vest Weighted- Non-vested Restricted Stock Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Non-vested Restricted Stock Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual $35.00 - $49.99 27,505 0.3 years 27,505 0.3 years 50.00 - 64.99 21,848 1.3 years 21,848 1.3 years 65.00 - 79.99 3,578 2.2 years 3,578 2.2 years 80.00 - 94.99 27,222 1.6 years 27,222 1.6 years 80,153 80,153
Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	The following tables summarize stock options, SARs, and non-vested restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016: Table 9.1 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Stock Weighted- Stock Weighted- Stock Weighted- Outstanding, beginning of year 163,272 $ 32.95 367,535 $ 30.18 747,573 $ 26.68 Granted 10,122 86.15 24,657 60.84 51,975 35.75 Exercised (48,434 ) 30.06 (111,278 ) 31.47 (431,346 ) 24.77 Canceled — — (117,642 ) 31.55 (667 ) 35.60 Outstanding, end of year 124,960 38.38 163,272 32.95 367,535 30.18 Exercisable at end of year 95,675 31.41 93,085 28.57 208,274 27.41 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Non-vested Weighted- Non-vested Weighted- Non-vested Weighted- Outstanding, beginning of year 95,015 $ 44.39 138,497 $ 34.63 132,651 $ 32.12 Granted 32,070 84.03 45,828 59.79 76,617 36.33 Canceled (1,098 ) 86.15 (28,815 ) 42.15 (1,360 ) 35.75 Vested and issued (45,834 ) 42.12 (60,495 ) 34.77 (69,411 ) 31.69 Outstanding, end of year 80,153 60.98 95,015 44.39 138,497 34.63
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the intrinsic value of options, SARs, and non-vested restricted stock outstanding, exercisable, and vested or expected to vest was $7.9 million and $14.8 million , respectively. During 2018, 2017, and 2016, the total intrinsic value of options and SARs exercised was $3.0 million , $3.8 million , and $7.6 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2018, there was $2.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested SARs and restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years . The weighted-average grant date fair values of options, SARs, and restricted stock awards granted in 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $69.38 , $44.93 , and $25.11 per share, respectively. Under the fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation cost, Farmer Mac recognized compensation expense of $2.5 million , $2.7 million , and $3.3 million during 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The fair values of stock options and SARs were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the following assumptions: Table 9.3 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Risk-free interest rate 2.7% 2.3% 1.5% Expected years until exercise 6 years 6 years 5 years Expected stock volatility 33.0% 34.8% 34.7% Dividend yield 2.7% 2.4% 2.9% The risk-free interest rates used in the model were based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the grant date. Farmer Mac used historical data to estimate the timing of option exercises and stock option cancellation rates used in the model. Expected volatilities were based on historical volatility of Farmer Mac's Class C non-voting common stock. The dividend yields were based on the expected dividends as a percentage of the value of Farmer Mac's Class C non-voting common stock on the grant date. Because restricted stock awards will be issued upon vesting regardless of the stock price, expected stock volatility is not considered in determining grant date fair value. Restricted stock awards also accrue dividends which are paid at vesting. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the restricted stock awarded in 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $84.03 , $59.79 , and $36.33 per share, respectively, which is based on the closing price of the stock on the date granted.

Income Taxes - Income Taxes (Ta

Income Taxes - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, Farmer Mac did not identify any uncertain tax positions. Farmer Mac did not incur unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	The components of the federal corporate income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were as follows: Table 10.1 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Current income tax expense $ 25,317 $ 43,148 $ 37,954 Deferred income tax expense 2,625 3,221 4,103 Income tax expense $ 27,942 $ 46,369 $ 42,057
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of income tax at the statutory federal corporate income tax rate to the income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is as follows: Table 10.2 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (dollars in thousands) Tax expense at statutory rate $ 28,564 $ 45,740 $ 41,775 Re-measurement of net deferred tax asset due to enactment of new tax legislation — 1,365 — Excess tax benefits related to stock-based awards (946 ) (860 ) — Valuation allowance — 4 21 Other 324 120 261 Income tax expense $ 27,942 $ 46,369 $ 42,057 Statutory tax rate 21.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: Table 10.3 As of December 31, 2018 2017 (in thousands) Deferred tax assets: Basis differences related to financial derivatives $ 7,614 $ 6,800 Basis differences related to hedged items 1,810 5,661 Allowance for losses 1,929 1,862 Compensation and Benefits 967 778 Stock-based compensation 623 532 Capital loss carryforwards and other-than-temporary impairment 36 36 Valuation allowance (36 ) (36 ) Other 121 74 Total deferred tax assets 13,064 15,707 Deferred tax liability: Unrealized gains on securities 4,807 12,376 Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges 1,827 1,203 Other 61 80 Total deferred tax liability 6,695 13,659 Net deferred tax asset $ 6,369 $ 2,048 A valuation allowance is required to reduce a deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Future realization of the tax benefit from a deferred tax asset depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character. After the evaluation of both positive and negative objective evidence regarding the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized, Farmer Mac established a valuation allowance of $36,000 as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017, which was attributable to capital loss carryforwards on investment securities. Farmer Mac did not establish a valuation allowance for the remainder of its deferred tax assets because it believes it is more likely than not that those deferred tax assets will be realized. In determining its deferred tax asset valuation allowance, Farmer Mac considered its taxable income of the appropriate character (for example, ordinary income or capital gain) within the carryback and carryforward periods available under the tax law and the impact of possible tax planning strategies. As of December 31, 2018, no capital loss carryforwards expired. As of December 31, 2018, the amount of capital loss carryforwards was $0.2 million . These capital loss carryforwards will expire in 2021 .

Guarantees and Long Term Stan_2

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Guarantees and Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Rental expense for Farmer Mac's office space for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $2.0 million , $1.6 million , and $1.3 million , respectively. The future minimum lease payments under Farmer Mac's non-cancellable leases for its office space and other contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 are as follows: Table 12.4 Future Minimum Lease Payments Other Contractual Obligations (in thousands) 2019 $ 1,944 $ 1,965 2020 1,937 1,110 2021 1,977 233 2022 2,021 — 2023 1,995 — Thereafter 1,311 — Total $ 11,185 $ 3,308 Other contractual obligations in the table above include minimum amounts due under non-cancellable agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and specify all significant terms. These agreements include, among others, agreements for the provision of consulting services, information technology support, equipment maintenance, and financial analysis software and services. The amounts actually paid under these agreements will likely be higher due to the variable components of some of these agreements under which the ultimate obligation owed is determined by reference to actual usage or hours worked.
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 December 31, 2018 and 2017, not including offsets provided by any recourse provisions, recoveries from third parties, or collateral for the underlying loans: Table 12.2 Outstanding Balance of Off-Balance Sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities As of December 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Farm & Ranch: Guaranteed Securities (1) $ 135,862 $ 333,511 USDA Guarantees: Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities 367,684 254,217 Institutional Credit: AgVantage Securities 9,898 11,556 Revolving floating rate AgVantage facility (2) 300,000 300,000 Total off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities $ 813,444 $ 899,284 (1) During fourth quarter 2018, Farmer Mac repurchased the 100% participation interests in loans underlying a pool of $134.1 million in Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities at par, thereby redeeming the corresponding Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities from their sole security holder. Farmer Mac repurchased these participation interests at the request of the sole security holder in exchange for the termination of the participation interests and the reconveyance of all beneficial interest in the loans to the sole security holder that owned the loans in which the participation interests had been issued. The resulting pool of Farm & Ranch loans was concurrently added under LTSPCs. The commitment fee Farmer Mac receives on these loans added under LTSPCs is the same as the guarantee fee Farmer Mac had been earning on the Farm & Ranch Guaranteed Securities. (2) 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 12.3 For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 (in thousands) Proceeds from new securitizations $ 382,929 $ 519,219 $ 609,347 Guarantee fees received 1,920 2,610 3,552 Purchases of assets from the trusts (7,748 ) (5,670 ) (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 $2.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and $3.6 million as of December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted-average remaining maturity of all loans underlying off-balance sheet Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities, excluding AgVantage securities, was 10.3 years and 10.0 years , respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the off-balance sheet AgVantage securities was 5.0 years and 0.8 years , respectively.

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	he following tables present information about Farmer Mac's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by Farmer Mac to determine such fair value: Table 13.1 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 2018 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 $ — $ — $ 18,715 $ 18,715 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 28,678 — 28,678 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,377,454 — 1,377,454 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 403 — 403 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 792,602 — — 792,602 Total Investment Securities 792,602 1,406,535 18,715 2,217,852 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,974,497 5,974,497 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,974,497 5,974,497 USDA Securities: Trading — — 9,999 9,999 Total USDA Securities — — 9,999 9,999 Financial derivatives — 7,487 — 7,487 Total Assets at fair value $ 792,602 $ 1,414,022 $ 6,003,211 $ 8,209,835 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 188 $ 19,445 $ — $ 19,633 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 188 $ 19,445 $ — $ 19,633 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 317 $ 317 REO — — 128 128 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 445 $ 445 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value as of December 31, 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 $ — $ — $ 18,814 $ 18,814 Floating rate asset-backed securities — 34,210 — 34,210 Floating rate Government/GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 1,290,187 — 1,290,187 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities — 486 4,333 4,819 Fixed rate senior agency debt — 99,951 — 99,951 Fixed rate U.S. Treasuries 767,424 — — 767,424 Total available-for-sale 767,424 1,424,834 23,147 2,215,405 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage — — 5,471,914 5,471,914 Total Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities — — 5,471,914 5,471,914 USDA Securities: Trading — — 13,515 13,515 Total USDA Securities — — 13,515 13,515 Financial derivatives — 7,093 — 7,093 Total Assets at fair value $ 767,424 $ 1,431,927 $ 5,508,576 $ 7,707,927 Liabilities: Financial derivatives $ 36 $ 26,563 $ — $ 26,599 Total Liabilities at fair value $ 36 $ 26,563 $ — $ 26,599 Non-recurring: Assets: Loans held for investment $ — $ — $ 508 $ 508 Total Non-recurring Assets at fair value $ — $ — $ 508 $ 508
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 years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Table 13.2 Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Beginning Cumulative Effect from Change in Hedge Accounting Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized (Losses) Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 18,814 — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (99 ) $ 18,715 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities 4,333 — — — (2,137 ) (2,092 ) (104 ) — Total available-for-sale 23,147 — — — (2,137 ) (2,092 ) (203 ) 18,715 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 5,471,914 487 2,177,546 — (1,670,402 ) 21,459 (26,507 ) 5,974,497 Total available-for-sale 5,471,914 487 2,177,546 — (1,670,402 ) 21,459 (26,507 ) 5,974,497 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 127,850 (127,850 ) — — — — Trading (1) 13,515 — — — (3,597 ) 81 — 9,999 Total USDA Securities 13,515 — 127,850 (127,850 ) (3,597 ) 81 — 9,999 Total Assets at fair value $ 5,508,576 $ 487 $ 2,305,396 $ (127,850 ) $ (1,676,136 ) $ 19,448 $ (26,710 ) $ 6,003,211 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2018 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 Beginning Transfers in Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) included in Other Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 17,730 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1,084 $ 18,814 Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities $ — $ 7,041 $ — $ — $ (444 ) $ — $ (2,264 ) $ 4,333 Total available-for-sale 17,730 7,041 — — (444 ) — (1,180 ) 23,147 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,853,685 — 1,134,132 — (526,650 ) (7,625 ) 18,372 5,471,914 Total available-for-sale 4,853,685 — 1,134,132 — (526,650 ) (7,625 ) 18,372 5,471,914 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale — — 155,744 (155,744 ) — — — — Trading (1) 20,388 — — — (6,849 ) (24 ) — 13,515 Total USDA Securities 20,388 — 155,744 (155,744 ) (6,849 ) (24 ) — 13,515 Total Assets at fair value $ 4,891,803 $ 7,041 $ 1,289,876 $ (155,744 ) $ (533,943 ) $ (7,649 ) $ 17,192 $ 5,508,576 (1) Includes unrealized gains of $0.1 million attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2017 that are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 Beginning Purchases Sales Settlements Realized and Unrealized (Losses)/Gains included in Other Transfers Out Ending (in thousands) Recurring: Assets: Investment Securities: Available-for-sale: Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans $ 44,924 $ — $ (26,806 ) $ — $ 6 $ (394 ) — $ 17,730 Total available-for-sale 44,924 — (26,806 ) — 6 (394 ) — 17,730 Trading: Floating rate asset-backed securities (1) 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — $ — Total Trading 491 — — (2,213 ) 1,722 — — — Total Investment Securities 45,415 — (26,806 ) (2,213 ) 1,728 (394 ) — 17,730 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: Available-for-sale: AgVantage 4,121,244 1,430,392 — (706,446 ) (20,944 ) 29,439 — 4,853,685 Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities (2) 31,361 4,100 — (3,240 ) — 603 (32,824 ) — Total available-for-sale 4,152,605 1,434,492 — (709,686 ) (20,944 ) 30,042 (32,824 ) 4,853,685 USDA Securities: Available-for-sale 1,888,344 391,240 (97,954 ) (237,262 ) — 35,959 (1,980,327 ) — Trading (3) 28,975 — — (8,325 ) (262 ) — — 20,388 Total USDA Securities 1,917,319 391,240 (97,954 ) (245,587 ) (262 ) 35,959 (1,980,327 ) 20,388 Total Assets at fair value $ 6,115,339 $ 1,825,732 $ (124,760 ) $ (957,486 ) $ (19,478 ) $ 65,607 $ (2,013,151 ) $ 4,891,803 (1) None of the unrealized gains are attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 2016 and are recorded in " Gains/(losses) on trading securities ." (2) Includes $32.8 million of Farmer Mac Guaranteed USDA Securities and $2.0 billion of USDA Securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity on October 1, 2016. (3) Includes unrealized losses of $0.3 million attributable to assets still held as of December 31, 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 December 31, 2018 and 2017. Table 13.3 As of December 31, 2018 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 $ 18,715 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 95.0% - 95.0% (95.0%) Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,974,497 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.0% - 4.4% (3.3%) USDA Securities $ 9,999 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.2% - 5.2% (4.9%) CPR 7% - 17% (16%) As of December 31, 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 $ 18,814 Indicative bids Range of broker quotes 95.5% - 95.5% (95.5%) Fixed rate GSE guaranteed mortgage-backed securities $ 4,333 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 2.9% CPR 0% Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities: AgVantage $ 5,471,914 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 2.1% - 3.4% (2.4%) USDA Securities $ 13,515 Discounted cash flow Discount rate 3.6% - 5.4% (5.0%) CPR 7% - 19% (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.
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 December 31, 2018 and 2017: Table 13.4 As of December 31, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying (in thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 425,256 $ 425,256 $ 302,022 $ 302,022 Investment securities 2,263,446 2,262,884 2,260,969 2,260,437 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 8,061,903 8,071,115 7,588,806 7,598,188 USDA Securities 2,113,946 2,176,173 2,076,396 2,131,365 Loans 5,512,781 5,515,052 5,279,225 5,266,786 Financial derivatives 7,487 7,487 7,093 7,093 Guarantee and commitment fees receivable: LTSPCs 37,461 36,870 33,871 35,718 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 3,424 3,496 4,323 4,177 Financial liabilities: Notes payable: Due within one year 7,744,388 7,757,050 8,079,309 8,089,826 Due after one year 8,473,558 8,486,647 7,445,545 7,432,790 Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties 1,501,754 1,528,957 1,386,652 1,404,945 Financial derivatives 19,633 19,633 26,599 26,599 Guarantee and commitment obligations: LTSPCs 36,471 35,880 32,976 34,824 Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities 2,731 2,803 3,722 3,576 The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of their approximate fair value and is classified as Level 1. Investment securities primarily are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified as Level 2. 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. Financial derivatives primarily are valued using unadjusted counterparty valuations and are classified as Level 2. 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. 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. 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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Table 14.1 Core Earnings by Business Segment For the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Utilities Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 62,951 $ 20,554 $ 12,505 $ 69,321 $ 9,105 $ — $ 174,436 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3) (9,889 ) (2,499 ) (922 ) (7,884 ) (2,047 ) 23,241 — Net effective spread 53,062 18,055 11,583 61,437 7,058 23,241 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 17,976 797 1,599 360 — (6,756 ) 13,976 Other income/(expense) (3) 1,371 20 33 — (913 ) (2,747 ) (2,236 ) Non-interest income/(loss) 19,347 817 1,632 360 (913 ) (9,503 ) 11,740 Provision for loan losses (238 ) — — — — — (238 ) Provision for reserve for losses (97 ) — — — — — (97 ) Other non-interest expense (19,026 ) (5,309 ) (3,062 ) (8,011 ) (14,411 ) — (49,819 ) Non-interest expense (4) (19,123 ) (5,309 ) (3,062 ) (8,011 ) (14,411 ) — (49,916 ) Core earnings before income taxes 53,048 13,563 10,153 53,786 (8,266 ) 13,738 (5) 136,022 Income tax (expense)/benefit (11,140 ) (2,848 ) (2,133 ) (11,295 ) 2,361 (2,887 ) (27,942 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 41,908 10,715 8,020 42,491 (5,905 ) 10,851 (5) 108,080 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 41,908 $ 10,715 $ 8,020 $ 42,491 $ (19,087 ) $ 10,851 (5) $ 94,898 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,701,736 $ 2,240,906 $ 945,282 $ 8,089,410 $ 2,716,994 $ — $ 18,694,328 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 7,233,972 $ 2,515,620 $ 1,592,115 $ 8,382,817 — — $ 19,724,524 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount. (5) 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 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 54,290 $ 21,106 $ 11,598 $ 59,842 $ 10,811 $ — $ 157,647 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3)(4) (8,922 ) (2,287 ) (539 ) (3,505 ) (1,091 ) 16,344 — Net effective spread 45,368 18,819 11,059 56,337 9,720 16,344 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 17,175 456 1,914 805 — (6,236 ) 14,114 Other income (3)(5) 2,449 43 20 — 171 715 3,398 Non-interest income/(loss) 19,624 499 1,934 805 171 (5,521 ) 17,512 Provision for loan losses (1,708 ) — — — — — (1,708 ) Provision for reserve for losses (50 ) — — — — — (50 ) Other non-interest expense (16,554 ) (4,384 ) (2,430 ) (6,439 ) (12,908 ) — (42,715 ) Non-interest expense (6) (16,604 ) (4,384 ) (2,430 ) (6,439 ) (12,908 ) — (42,765 ) Core earnings before income taxes 46,680 14,934 10,563 50,703 (3,017 ) 10,823 (7) 130,686 Income tax (expense)/benefit (16,338 ) (5,227 ) (3,696 ) (17,746 ) 1,792 (5,154 ) (46,369 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 30,342 9,707 6,867 32,957 (1,225 ) 5,669 (7) 84,317 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 165 — 165 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 30,342 $ 9,707 $ 6,867 $ 32,957 $ (14,242 ) $ 5,669 (7) $ 71,300 Total assets at carrying value $ 4,274,693 $ 2,195,189 $ 1,088,986 $ 7,627,749 $ 2,605,657 $ — $ 17,792,274 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,867,586 $ 2,352,214 $ 1,882,633 $ 7,904,878 — — $ 19,007,311 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread." (5) 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. (6) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on employee headcount. (7) 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 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Farm & Ranch USDA Guarantees Rural Institutional Credit Corporate Reconciling Adjustments Consolidated Net Income (in thousands) Net interest income $ 47,219 $ 21,865 $ 11,739 $ 48,756 $ 10,695 $ — $ 140,274 Less: reconciling adjustments (1)(2)(3)(4) (7,729 ) (3,210 ) (1,771 ) (3,184 ) (1,308 ) 17,202 — Net effective spread 39,490 18,655 9,968 45,572 9,387 17,202 — Guarantee and commitment fees (2) 15,542 101 1,694 1,833 — (4,302 ) 14,868 Other income (3)(5) 539 222 2 — 1,322 3,515 5,600 Non-interest income/(loss) 16,081 323 1,696 1,833 1,322 (787 ) 20,468 Provision for loan losses (1,065 ) — — — — — (1,065 ) Provision for reserve for losses 63 — — — — — 63 Other non-interest expense (16,206 ) (4,200 ) (2,856 ) (3,786 ) (13,335 ) — (40,383 ) Non-interest expense (6) (16,143 ) (4,200 ) (2,856 ) (3,786 ) (13,335 ) — (40,320 ) Core earnings before income taxes 38,363 14,778 8,808 43,619 (2,626 ) 16,415 (7) 119,357 Income tax (expense)/benefit (13,428 ) (5,173 ) (3,083 ) (15,265 ) 636 (5,744 ) (42,057 ) Core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attribution of income to non-controlling interest 24,935 9,605 5,725 28,354 (1,990 ) 10,671 (7) 77,300 Preferred stock dividends — — — — (13,182 ) — (13,182 ) Non-controlling interest — — — — 34 — 34 Segment core earnings/(losses) $ 24,935 $ 9,605 $ 5,725 $ 28,354 $ (15,138 ) $ 10,671 (7) $ 64,152 Total assets at carrying value $ 3,582,098 $ 2,096,503 $ 1,012,014 $ 6,008,574 $ 2,906,831 $ — $ 15,606,020 Total on- and off-balance sheet program assets at principal balance $ 6,139,304 $ 2,094,375 $ 1,878,110 $ 7,287,686 — — $ 17,399,475 (1) Excludes the amortization of premiums and discounts on assets consolidated at fair value, originally included in interest income, to reflect core earnings amounts. (2) Includes the reclassification of interest income and interest expense from consolidated trusts owned by third parties to guarantee and commitment fees, to reflect management's view that the net interest income Farmer Mac earns is effectively a guarantee fee. (3) Includes the reclassification of interest expense related to interest rate swaps not designated as hedges, which are included in " (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives " on the consolidated financial statements, to determine the effective funding cost for each operating segment. (4) Effective in fourth quarter 2017, Farmer Mac revised its methodology for calculating net effective spread, a component of core earnings, to also include the net effects of gains/(losses) due to terminations or net settlements on financial derivatives. All prior period information has been recast to reflect the revised methodology. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Use of Non-GAAP Measures—Net Effective Spread." (5) 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. (6) Includes directly attributable costs and an allocation of indirectly attributable costs based on staffing. (7) 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.

Quarterly Financial Informati_2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Table 15.1 2018 Quarter Ended Dec. 31 Sept. 30 June 30 Mar. 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Interest income: Interest income $ 146,453 $ 142,615 $ 135,670 $ 119,546 Interest expense 104,237 97,557 91,737 76,317 Net interest income 42,216 45,058 43,933 43,229 Provision for loan losses (146 ) (99 ) (424 ) 431 Net interest income after provision for loan losses 42,070 44,959 43,509 43,660 Non-interest income: Guarantee and commitment fees 3,506 3,490 3,481 3,499 (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (2,999 ) 628 2,534 (3,850 ) Gains/(losses) on trading assets 57 (3 ) 11 16 (Losses)/gains on sale of real estate owned — (41 ) 34 — Other income 118 365 320 574 Non-interest income 682 4,439 6,380 239 Non-interest expense 13,703 11,650 12,921 11,642 Income before income taxes 29,049 37,748 36,968 32,257 Income tax expense 6,193 7,979 7,332 6,438 Net income 22,856 29,769 29,636 25,819 Net income attributable to Farmer Mac 22,856 29,769 29,636 25,819 Preferred stock dividends (3,296 ) (3,295 ) (3,296 ) (3,295 ) Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 19,560 $ 26,474 $ 26,340 $ 22,524 Earnings per common share: Basic earnings per common share $ 1.84 $ 2.48 $ 2.47 $ 2.12 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.82 $ 2.46 $ 2.45 $ 2.10 2017 Quarter Ended Dec. 31 Sept. 30 June 30 Mar. 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Interest income: Interest income $ 111,371 $ 104,497 $ 98,047 $ 86,617 Interest expense 70,088 64,935 58,316 49,546 Net interest income 41,283 39,562 39,731 37,071 Provision for loan losses (474 ) (270 ) (327 ) (637 ) Net interest income after provision for loan losses 40,809 39,292 39,404 36,434 Non-interest income/(loss): Guarantee and commitment fees 3,484 3,314 3,472 3,844 (Losses)/gains on financial derivatives (1,777 ) 661 (617 ) 2,486 Gains/(losses) on trading assets 60 — (2 ) (82 ) Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities — 89 — — Gains/(losses) on sale of real estate owned 964 32 757 (5 ) Other (loss)/income (58 ) 203 134 553 Non-interest income 2,673 4,299 3,744 6,796 Non-interest expense 10,210 10,616 11,390 10,549 Income before income taxes 33,272 32,975 31,758 32,681 Income tax expense 13,266 11,193 11,124 10,786 Net income 20,006 21,782 20,634 21,895 Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling — — 150 15 Net income attributable to Farmer Mac 20,006 21,782 20,784 21,910 Preferred stock dividends (3,296 ) (3,295 ) (3,296 ) (3,295 ) Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 16,710 $ 18,487 $ 17,488 $ 18,615 Earnings per common share: Basic earnings per common share $ 1.57 $ 1.74 $ 1.65 $ 1.76 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.55 $ 1.71 $ 1.62 $ 1.73

Organization - Organization (D

Organization - Organization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Product Information [Line Items]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	$ 19,724,524	$ 19,007,311	$ 17,399,475
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	7,233,972	6,867,586	6,139,304
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	2,515,620	2,352,214	2,094,375
Rural Utilities [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	1,592,115	1,882,633	1,878,110
Institutional Credit [Member] [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	8,382,817	$ 7,904,878	$ 7,287,686
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Notes Payable	1,600,000
Medium-term Notes [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 14,600,000

Accounting Policies - Cash and

Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents and Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities	$ 268,728	$ 161,060	$ 110,609
Income Taxes Paid	30,882	39,500	29,500
SEC Schedule, 12-28, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Real Estate, Acquisition Through Foreclosure	128	5,400	0
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	382,929	519,219	609,347
Consolidation of guaranteed securities from off-balance sheet to Loans Held for Investment and Debt Securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	255,080	363,475	511,393
Purchases of Investment Securities Traded, Not Yet Settled	(1,400)	1,400	0
Transfer of USDA Guaranteed Securities- Available-for-sale to Held-to-maturity; Unrealized holding gains				$ 73,100
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
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			2,013,151
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			1,980,327
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	32,824
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	$ 0	$ 0	1,980,327
USDA Guarantee [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			2,000,000
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Other Significant Noncash Transactions [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			$ 32,800

Accounting Policies - Earnings

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net income attributable to common stockholders (Dilutive)									$ 94,898	$ 71,300	$ 64,152
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock									92	209	269
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements									$ (0.08)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.15)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted									10,746	10,803	10,746
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.82	$ 2.46	$ 2.45	$ 2.10	$ 1.55	$ 1.71	$ 1.62	$ 1.73	$ 8.83000	$ 6.6000	$ 5.97000
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 19,560	$ 26,474	$ 26,340	$ 22,524	$ 16,710	$ 18,487	$ 17,488	$ 18,615	$ 94,898	$ 71,300	$ 64,152
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									10,654	10,594	10,477
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.84	$ 2.48	$ 2.47	$ 2.12	$ 1.57	$ 1.74	$ 1.65	$ 1.76	$ 8.91	$ 6.73	$ 6.12

Accounting Policies - Earnin_2

Accounting Policies - Earnings Per Share Anti-Dilutive (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 19,560	$ 26,474	$ 26,340	$ 22,524	$ 16,710	$ 18,487	$ 17,488	$ 18,615	$ 94,898	$ 71,300	$ 64,152
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted									$ 94,898	$ 71,300	$ 64,152
Stock options, SARs and restricted stock									92,000	209,000	269,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic									10,654,000	10,594,000	10,477,000
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.84	$ 2.48	$ 2.47	$ 2.12	$ 1.57	$ 1.74	$ 1.65	$ 1.76	$ 8.91	$ 6.73	$ 6.12
Earnings Per Share, On Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements									$ (0.08)	$ (0.13)	$ (0.15)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted									10,746,000	10,803,000	10,746,000
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.82	$ 2.46	$ 2.45	$ 2.10	$ 1.55	$ 1.71	$ 1.62	$ 1.73	$ 8.83000	$ 6.6000	$ 5.97000
Stock Options and SARs [Members]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)									15,812	28,579	86,907
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from earnings per share (shares)									13,138	29,647	37,284

Accounting Policies - Stock-Ba

Accounting Policies - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 2.5	$ 2.7	$ 3.3

Accounting Policies - Changes

Accounting Policies - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 51,085	$ 33,758	$ (11,019)
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		27
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Adjusted Balance		51,112
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(16,580)	24,077	55,062
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(9,576)	(15,803)	(10,285)
Net comprehensive (loss)/income	(26,156)	8,274	44,777
Ending Balance	24,956	51,085	33,758
Reclass of Stranded Tax Effects from AOCI to Retained Earnings		0
Retained Earnings [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net comprehensive (loss)/income	0	0	0
Reclass of Stranded Tax Effects from AOCI to Retained Earnings		9,053
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(1,676)	(14,387)	(10,035)
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Adjusted Balance		(1,676)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	(19,151)	23,925	5,481
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(4,533)	(10,917)	(9,833)
Net comprehensive (loss)/income	(23,684)	13,008	(4,352)
Ending Balance	(25,360)	(1,676)	(14,387)
Reclass of Stranded Tax Effects from AOCI to Retained Earnings		(297)
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Held-to-maturity Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	48,236	45,752	(476)
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Adjusted Balance		48,236
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	0	0	47,993
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(4,793)	(6,064)	(1,765)
Net comprehensive (loss)/income	(4,793)	(6,064)	46,228
Ending Balance	43,443	48,236	45,752
Reclass of Stranded Tax Effects from AOCI to Retained Earnings		8,548
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	4,525	2,393	(508)
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		27
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Adjusted Balance		4,552
Other comprehensive (loss)/income before reclassifications	2,571	152	1,588
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(250)	1,178	1,313
Net comprehensive (loss)/income	2,321	1,330	2,901
Ending Balance	6,873	4,525	2,393
Reclass of Stranded Tax Effects from AOCI to Retained Earnings		802
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net comprehensive (loss)/income	(26,156)	8,274	44,777
Reclass of Stranded Tax Effects from AOCI to Retained Earnings		(9,053)
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]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	0	(5,897)	(5,381)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	10,948	9,994
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0	(16,845)	(15,375)
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]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	0	(31)	3
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	58	(6)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	$ 0	$ (89)	$ 9

Accounting Policies - Componen

Accounting Policies - Components of Other Comprehensive Income Loss and Related Tax Impact (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax	$ (24,241)	$ 36,809	$ 8,433
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax	(5,090)	12,884	2,952
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, after Tax	(19,151)	23,925	5,481
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	(16,580)	24,077	55,062
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(9,576)	(15,803)	(10,285)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(33,109)	12,729	68,889
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(6,953)	4,455	24,112
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(26,156)	8,274	44,777
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	3,254	233	2,443
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax	683	81	855
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	2,571	152	1,588
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(250)	1,178	1,313
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	2,938	2,046	4,463
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	617	716	1,562
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	2,321	1,330	2,901
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	(19,151)	23,925	5,481
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(4,533)	(10,917)	(9,833)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(29,980)	20,012	(6,694)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(6,296)	7,004	(2,342)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(23,684)	13,008	(4,352)
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, before Tax	0	0	73,835
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax	0	0	25,842
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	0	0	47,993
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(4,793)	(6,064)	(1,765)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(6,067)	(9,329)	71,120
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(1,274)	(3,265)	24,892
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(4,793)	(6,064)	46,228
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	0	(16,845)	(15,375)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	0	(5,897)	(5,381)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	10,948	9,994
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	0	(89)	9
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	0	(31)	3
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0	58	(6)
Other Income [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	45	137	239
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	9	48	84
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(36)	(89)	(155)
Interest 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	(5,784)	0	0
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(1,215)	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	4,569	0	0
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	(6,067)	(9,329)	(2,715)
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(1,274)	(3,265)	(950)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	4,793	6,064	1,765
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	(316)	1,813	2,020
Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax	(66)	635	707
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ 250	$ (1,178)	$ (1,313)

Accounting Policies - Consolid

Accounting Policies - Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	$ 1,517,101	$ 1,399,827
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,528,957	1,404,945
On-balance sheet [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	1,517,101	1,399,827
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties		1,404,945
On-balance sheet [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,528,957
On-balance sheet [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0	0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost		0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties		0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Corporate Segment [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Loans held for investment in consolidated trusts, at amortized cost	0
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	0
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	503,546
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	135,862	333,511
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	367,684	254,217
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
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
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	27,627
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	27,383
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	0
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	0
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	27,627	30,300
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	27,383	29,980
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	0
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	0
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
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0
Investment Securities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(3,489)	2,365
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	1,000,942
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	1,003,968	783,916
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, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0	0
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
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	0
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0
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
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	0
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	$ 1,000,942	$ 783,964

Accounting Policies - New Acco

Accounting Policies - New Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-Based Compensation	$ 946	$ 860	$ 0
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	$ 2,631	$ 2,536	$ 4,103

Related Party Transactions - Zi

Related Party Transactions - Zions (Details) - Zions First National Bank [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party's percent of Farmer Mac Total Outstanding Book of Business	4.70%	5.00%
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 11,600	$ 11,500	$ 9,900
Sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 68,721	$ 128,924	$ 273,586
Common Class A [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Ownership Percentage by a Related Party	31.20%
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Related Party's Percent of Total Program Loans	11.90%	11.20%	15.90%
Related Party Transaction, Related Party's percent of total Program	8.20%	7.50%	11.20%
USDA Guarantee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Related Party's percent of total Program	4.20%	3.80%	3.40%
Mortgages [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 114,719	$ 126,449	$ 153,140
USDA Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 19,120	$ 20,368	$ 16,600

Related Party Transactions - Na

Related Party Transactions - National Rural Utilities Cooperative Financial Corporation (Details) - CFC [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 986,645	$ 487,341	$ 741,895
Related Party Transaction, Related Party's percent of total Program	19.10%	10.30%	16.70%
Related Party's percent of Farmer Mac Total Outstanding Book of Business	23.60%	24.60%
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party	$ 57	$ 65	$ 74
Due from Related Parties	9,400	5,200
Interest Income, Related Party	76,800	43,900	27,600
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current	100
Revenue from Related Parties	1,900	2,200	2,000
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 3,600	$ 3,500	$ 3,300
Rural Utilities [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Related Party's percent of total Program	100.00%
Institutional Credit [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Related Party's percent of total Program	29.50%	14.70%	11.90%
Real Estate Loan [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 11,645	$ 137,341	$ 50,491
Guarantee Obligations [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	675,000	350,000	250,000
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	300,000	0	0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Off-balance sheet [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 0	$ 0	$ 441,404
Common Class A [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Ownership Percentage by a Related Party	7.90%

Related Party Transactions - Ag

Related Party Transactions - AgFirst Farm Credit Bank (Details) - AgFirst Farm Credit Bank [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,100,000	$ 1,100,000
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current	102,828	103,272
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party	$ 0	0	0
Common Class B [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Ownership Percentage by a Related Party	16.80%
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 26,600,000	40,000,000	$ 36,400,000
Related Party Transactions, Outstanding Balance	340,500,000	353,800,000
Performance Guarantee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions, Outstanding Balance	$ 8,600,000	$ 11,500,000

Related Party Transactions - Fa

Related Party Transactions - Farm Credit Bank of Texas (Details) - Farm Credit Bank of Texas [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1.1
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 0.2	0.2	$ 0.3
Common Class B [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Ownership Percentage by a Related Party	7.70%
Guarantee Obligations [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transactions, Outstanding Balance	$ 226.5	$ 250.3

Related Party Transactions - Ot

Related Party Transactions - Other Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
First Dakota Bank [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 1.4	$ 1.2	$ 1.1
Farm & Ranch [Member] | Mortgages [Member] | First Dakota Bank [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	39.5	28.5	24.7
Guarantee Obligations [Member] | First Dakota Bank [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	3	0.4	0
USDA Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantee [Member] | Bath State Bank [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 2	$ 5.4	1.3
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Subordinated Debt [Member] | CoBank, ACB [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notes Receivable, Related Parties			$ 70
Common Class B [Member] | CoBank, ACB [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common Stock Ownership Percentage by a Related Party	32.60%

Investment Securities - Schedu

Investment Securities - Schedule of Investment Securities (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)position
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 9,955,745	$ 8,860,296
Investment Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year | position	48	51
Available-for-sale securities in a loss position for more than 12 months, qualitative disclosure, percent of amortized cost	99.20%
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	$ 2,226,409	$ 2,214,588
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(3,489)	2,365
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,222,920	2,216,953
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	860	4,467
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(5,928)	(6,015)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,217,852	2,215,405
Marketable Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,267,952	2,261,985
Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,422	4,999
Marketable Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5,928)	(6,015)
Marketable Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	2,271,441	2,259,620
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	2,263,446	2,260,969
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(3,489)	2,365
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	19,700	19,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	19,700	19,700
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(985)	(886)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,715	18,814
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	28,940	34,462
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	28,804	34,308
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	2	22
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(128)	(120)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	28,678	34,210
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	1,379,472	1,289,123
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,381,000	1,291,340
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	721	2,215
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(4,267)	(3,368)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,377,454	1,290,187
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	0	0
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(136)	(154)
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	1,528	2,217
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	384	451
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	385	2,589
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	18	2,230
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	403	4,819
Derivative, Notional Amount		143,700
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	45,032	45,032
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	562	532
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	45,594	45,564
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	45,032	45,032
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance		100,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis		100,000
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses		(49)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure		99,951
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	797,913	770,852
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	793,031	769,016
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	119	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(548)	(1,592)
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	792,602	767,424
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	1	2,138
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)		0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	(4,882)	(1,836)
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Interest-Only-Strip [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)		4,300
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	$ 0	$ 0

Investment Securities - Narrat

Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 10,218	$ 186,769
Proceeds from Sale of Debt Securities, Available-for-sale		10,200	186,800
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	$ 0	0	100
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains		$ 100	$ 100
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	3.50%	2.50%
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	$ 45,032	$ 45,032
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 45,594	$ 45,564

Investment Securities - Unreal

Investment Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)position
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 1,433,453	$ 1,034,964
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	315,786	388,534
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	3,281	3,909
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 2,647	$ 2,106
Investment Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Less than One Year | position	72	40
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	99.20%
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year | position	48	51
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [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	18,715	18,814
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	985	886
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	6,456	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19,058	23,145
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	38	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	90	120
Floating Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	927,416	292,522
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	196,416	221,641
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	2,907	2,337
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 1,360	$ 1,031
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	3.50%	2.50%
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 499,581	$ 742,442
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	81,597	24,983
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	336	1,572
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 212	20
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [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		99,951
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss		0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		$ 49

Investment Securities - Debt M

Investment Securities - Debt Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investment Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$ 767,989
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	217,450
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	646,531
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	590,950
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,222,920	$ 2,216,953
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	767,536
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	217,443
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	644,361
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	588,512
Available-for-sale securities	$ 2,217,852	2,215,405
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	1.29%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.76%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.72%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	2.92%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	2.28%
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	$ 45,032	45,032
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	385	2,589
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale securities	403	4,819
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 45,594	$ 45,564
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	3.50%	2.50%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit_3

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)position
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 2,647	$ 2,106
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	55,261
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	4,207,531	4,181,784
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	4,262,792	4,244,124
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	2,735	2,119
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(74,175)	(66,471)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	4,191,352	4,179,772
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,003,529
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,974,497
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	50	(460)
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	2,096,568	2,126,734
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	2,096,618	2,126,274
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	2,735	2,119
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(11,948)	(11,502)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	2,087,405	2,116,891
USDA Securities [Member]
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading, at fair value	$ 9,999	13,515
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)		$ 62,340
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	38	36
Held-to-maturity, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	43	23
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year | position	21	16
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ 42,003	$ 37,492
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	2,069,185	2,096,754
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	2,068,991	2,095,975
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	2,637	2,011
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(11,948)	(11,429)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	2,059,680	2,086,557
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	6,003,733	5,496,569
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,003,529	5,496,387
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	22,335	21,838
Available-for-sale Securities, Unrealized Losses	(51,367)	(46,311)
Available-for-sale, at fair value	5,974,497	5,471,914
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)	(194)	(779)
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)	(204)	(182)
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	27,383	29,980
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	27,627	30,299
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	98	108
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	0	(73)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	27,725	30,334
USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Schedule of Held-to-Maturity, Available-for-sale, and Trading Securities [Line Items]
Unamortized Premium/(Discount)	55,211	62,800
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Unpaid Principal Balance	2,110,963	2,055,050
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	2,166,174	2,117,850
Held to Maturity; Unrealized Holding Gains	0	0
Held to Maturity - Unrealized Holding Loss	(62,227)	(54,969)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	2,103,947	2,062,881
Trading Securities [Abstract]
Trading Securities Unpaid Principal Balance	9,591	12,966
Debt Securities, Trading, Amortized Cost	10,292	13,888
Debt Securities, Trading, Unrealized Gain	20	28
Trading Securities, Unrealized Holding Loss	(313)	(401)
Trading, at fair value	$ 9,999	$ 13,515
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	5.21%	5.33%
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)	$ 244	$ 319
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)	$ 701	$ 922

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit_4

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)position	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)position
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 1,433,453	$ 1,034,964
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	315,786	388,534
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(3,281)	(3,909)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(2,647)	(2,106)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	707,813	1,329,332
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,042,061	2,414,093
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(2,456)	(8,169)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(71,719)	(58,302)
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	669,610	1,304,160
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	976,318	351,664
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(1,760)	(8,094)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(10,188)	(3,335)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,480,423	1,273,965
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,599,679	1,759,377
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	(9,364)	(8,819)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	$ (42,003)	$ (37,492)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Number of Positions [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	38	36
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Qualitative Disclosure [Abstract]
Held-to-maturity, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position	43	23
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value		$ 24,721
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Fair Value		0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss		0
USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 38,203	451
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	2,065,743	2,062,429
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	(61,531)	(54,967)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss		(73)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	$ (696)	$ (2)

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit_5

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	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Amortized Cost	$ 618,461
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	2,889,110
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	1,248,615
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	1,247,343
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,003,529
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Fair Value	618,825
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	2,887,325
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	1,239,658
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Fair Value	1,228,689
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 5,974,497
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Due within one year, Weighted-Average Yield	2.87%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after one year through five years, Weighted-Average Yield	3.12%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after five years through ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	3.21%
Available-for-sale Securities, Due after ten years, Weighted-Average Yield	3.61%
Available-for-sale Securities, Total Weighted-Average Yield	3.22%

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit_6

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	$ 4,262,792	$ 4,244,124
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 4,191,352	4,179,772
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	3.39%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, After Ten Years, Weighted-Average Yield	3.57%
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, within One Year, Amortized Cost	$ 762,474
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after One Through Five Years, Amortized Cost	1,388,053
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Five Through Ten Years, Amortized Cost	212,283
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost, before Other-than-temporary Impairment	2,096,618	2,126,274
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, within One Year, Fair Value	759,480
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	1,379,827
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	205,952
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 2,087,405	$ 2,116,891
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted Average Yield, Single Maturity Date [Abstract]
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Weighted-Average Yield	2.11%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Weighted-Average Yield	3.04%
Held-to-Maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Weighted-Average Yield	3.12%
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after 10 Years, Amortized Cost	$ 1,899,982
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after 10 Years, Fair Value	$ 1,846,093

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securit_7

Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Guaranteed Securities - Trading Securities (Details) - USDA Securities [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items]
Trading, at fair value	$ 9,999	$ 13,515
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Trading, Amortized Cost	10,292	13,888
Trading, at fair value	$ 9,999	$ 13,515
Trading Securities, Weighted-Average Yield	5.21%	5.33%

Financial Derivatives - Hedgin

Financial Derivatives - Hedging Description (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	$ 700
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Restricted	47,000	$ 24,800
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	1,700
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Derivatives - Schedu

Financial Derivatives - Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	$ 700,000								$ 700,000
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities and USDA Securities									290,953,000	$ 203,796,000	$ 150,281,000
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	9,955,745,000				$ 8,860,296,000				9,955,745,000	8,860,296,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	7,487,000				7,093,000				7,487,000	7,093,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	(19,633,000)				(26,599,000)				(19,633,000)	(26,599,000)
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	47,018,000				24,926,000				47,018,000	24,926,000
Derivative Asset	5,709,000				7,093,000				5,709,000	7,093,000
Loans									198,152,000	162,150,000	134,577,000
Total interest expense	(104,237,000)	$ (97,557,000)	$ (91,737,000)	$ (76,317,000)	(70,088,000)	$ (64,935,000)	$ (58,316,000)	$ (49,546,000)	(369,848,000)	(242,885,000)	(171,626,000)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									3,687,000	(753,000)	(2,311,000)
TotalAmountsofLineItemsPresentedintheConsolidatedStatementofIncome									115,570,000	123,814,000	115,543,000
Derivative Liability	27,385,000				1,673,000				27,385,000	1,673,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	9,900,000,000				8,800,000,000				9,900,000,000	8,800,000,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									27,253,000	26,295,000	20,859,000
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									4,941,000	(719,000)	5,043,000
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										(320,000)	(353,000)
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Components Included from Assessment of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Effectiveness										100,000	(5,200,000)
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									(6,764,000)	(8,845,000)	(16,373,000)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net										(600,000)	(200,000)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(6,000)	(5,000)	(1,000)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									316,000	(1,974,000)	(2,126,000)
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									(9,182,000)	(4,133,000)	(1,437,000)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									(8,872,000)	(6,432,000)	(3,917,000)
Cash [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash					0					0
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Obligation to Return Securities Received as Collateral	1,778,000								1,778,000
Collateral Pledged	0				100,000				0	100,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									34,685,000	35,485,000	37,232,000
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(668,000)	(345,000)	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,097,084,000				2,086,347,000				3,097,084,000	2,086,347,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	3,004,000				5,240,000				3,004,000	5,240,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (4,326,000)				$ (5,990,000)				$ (4,326,000)	$ (5,990,000)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.42%				1.88%				2.42%	1.88%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	2.58%				1.40%				2.58%	1.40%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity									9 years 8 months 29 days	5 years 5 months 17 days
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 2,031,200,000				$ 1,559,700,000				$ 2,031,200,000	$ 1,559,700,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	885,000				110,000				885,000	110,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (4,512,000)				$ (4,033,000)				$ (4,512,000)	$ (4,033,000)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.49%				1.38%				2.49%	1.38%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	1.94%				1.45%				1.94%	1.45%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity									1 year 8 months 5 days	1 year 8 months 5 days
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 373,000,000				$ 365,500,000				$ 373,000,000	$ 365,500,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	2,441,000				1,402,000				2,441,000	1,402,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (99,000)				$ (138,000)				$ (99,000)	$ (138,000)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.40%				2.16%				2.40%	2.16%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	2.83%				1.74%				2.83%	1.74%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity									6 years 1 month 12 days	5 years 10 months 3 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Assets	$ 60,000				$ 16,000				$ 60,000	$ 16,000
Derivative Credit Risk Valuation Adjustment, Derivative Liabilities	21,000				56,000				21,000	56,000
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										(1,792,000)	2,379,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Total interest expense									(10,920,000)	(10,200,000)	(11,480,000)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									(7,206,000)	(12,240,000)	(9,489,000)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Pay Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	316,664,000				345,333,000				316,664,000	345,333,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	796,000				339,000				796,000	339,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (10,399,000)				$ (16,352,000)				$ (10,399,000)	$ (16,352,000)
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	3.69%				3.79%				3.69%	3.79%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	2.52%				1.40%				2.52%	1.40%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity									6 years 2 months 29 days	6 years 8 months 5 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap, Receive Fixed Non-Callable [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 2,347,371,000				$ 3,409,916,000				$ 2,347,371,000	$ 3,409,916,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0				0				0	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 0				$ 0				$ 0	$ 0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.10%				1.24%				2.10%	1.24%
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	2.37%				1.25%				2.37%	1.25%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity									10 months 10 days	11 months
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Basis Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 1,770,026,000				$ 1,053,500,000				$ 1,770,026,000	$ 1,053,500,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	421,000				18,000				421,000	18,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (130,000)				$ (106,000)				$ (130,000)	$ (106,000)
Derivative, Average Variable Interest Rate	2.45%				1.33%				2.45%	1.33%
Derivative, Variable Interest Rate	2.49%				1.42%				2.49%	1.42%
Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity									1 year 3 months 7 days	10 months 28 days
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										$ 588,000	226,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 20,400,000				$ 40,000,000				$ 20,400,000	40,000,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Financial derivatives, at fair value	0				0				0	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ (188,000)				$ (36,000)				$ (188,000)	$ (36,000)
Derivative, Weighted-Average Forward Price									$ 121.09	$ 123.96
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									$ (27,000)	$ (340,000)	162,000
Interest Income [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0
Interest Income [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									1,181,000	0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									1,861,000	(10,346,000)	(15,494,000)
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									67,099,000	36,043,000	19,675,000
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									0	0	0
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									0	0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									0	0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									65,238,000	46,389,000	35,169,000
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Total interest expense									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									(212,000)	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									(630,000)	(1,141,000)	(1,011,000)
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									5,654,000	2,238,000	1,052,000
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									0	0	0
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									0	0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									0	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									6,284,000	3,379,000	2,063,000
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Total interest expense									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0
Interest Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									3,972,000	0	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									(7,995,000)	2,642,000	132,000
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									(45,500,000)	(11,986,000)	132,000
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										0	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(6,000)	(5,000)	(1,000)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									316,000	(1,974,000)	(2,126,000)
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									(9,182,000)	(4,133,000)	(1,437,000)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									(8,872,000)	(6,112,000)	(3,564,000)
Interest Expense [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									(36,837,000)	(14,283,000)	0
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(668,000)	(345,000)	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Total interest expense									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									3,687,000	(1,792,000)	2,379,000
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									0	0	0
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									0	(719,000)	5,043,000
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										(320,000)	(353,000)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									0	0	0
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									0	0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									0	(320,000)	(353,000)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									0	0	0
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Total interest expense									(10,920,000)	(10,200,000)	(11,480,000)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									(7,206,000)	(12,240,000)	(9,489,000)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										588,000	226,000
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									$ (27,000)	$ (340,000)	$ 162,000

Financial Derivatives - Narrat

Financial Derivatives - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	$ 1,700,000
Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net	0	$ 0
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	0
Financial derivatives, at fair value	19,633,000	26,599,000
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Received	(1,100,000)
Collateral Pledged	47,018,000	24,926,000
Additional Collateral, Aggregate Fair Value	0	3,100,000
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	9,955,745,000	8,860,296,000
Uncollateralized [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	1,400,000	500,000
Cash [Member]
Derivative, Collateral [Abstract]
Collateral Pledged	0	100,000
Exchange Cleared [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8,500,000,000	7,900,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Notional Disclosures [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	9,900,000,000	8,800,000,000
Including accrued interest [Member] | Excluding netting [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	51,300,000	28,500,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	78,400,000	58,200,000
Including accrued interest [Member] | Netting [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Credit exposure to interest rate swap counterparties	3,100,000	500,000
Financial derivatives, at fair value	$ 13,900,000	$ 28,000,000

Financial Derivatives Derivativ

Financial Derivatives Derivatives in Fair Value and Cash Flow Hedging Relationships (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Interest Income, Operating									$ 290,953	$ 203,796	$ 150,281
Interest and Fee Income, Loans and Leases									198,152	162,150	134,577
Total interest expense	$ (104,237)	$ (97,557)	$ (91,737)	$ (76,317)	$ (70,088)	$ (64,935)	$ (58,316)	$ (49,546)	(369,848)	(242,885)	(171,626)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									3,687	(753)	(2,311)
TotalAmountsofLineItemsPresentedintheConsolidatedStatementofIncome									115,570	123,814	115,543
Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									27,253	26,295	20,859
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Derivative									(14,413)	1,694	25,365
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge									19,354	(2,413)	(20,322)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									4,941	(719)	5,043
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										(320)	(353)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(6)	(5)	(1)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									316	(1,974)	(2,126)
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									(9,182)	(4,133)	(1,437)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									(8,872)	(6,432)	(3,917)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									34,685	35,485	37,232
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(668)	(345)	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										(1,792)	2,379
Interest Income [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0
Interest Income [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge									21,460	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									1,181	0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									0	0	0
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									0	0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									0	0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									65,238	46,389	35,169
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge									(5,243)	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									(212)	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									0	0	0
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									0	0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									0	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									6,284	3,379	2,063
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Interest Expense [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0
Interest Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge									3,137	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									3,972	0	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(6)	(5)	(1)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									316	(1,974)	(2,126)
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									(9,182)	(4,133)	(1,437)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									(8,872)	(6,112)	(3,564)
Interest Expense [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									(36,837)	(14,283)	0
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									(668)	(345)	0
Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									3,687	(1,792)	2,379
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									0	0	0
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									0	0	0
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Derivative									0	1,694	25,365
Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Hedged Item in Fair Value Hedge									0	(2,413)	(20,322)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedges Recognized in Earnings									0	(719)	5,043
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										(320)	(353)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax									0	0	0
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Hedged Item									0	0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments									0	(320)	(353)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedged Item Net Interest Settlements									0	0	0
Premium_Discount recognized on hedged item									0	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									(6,764)	(8,845)	(16,373)
Gain (Loss) on Components Included from Assessment of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Effectiveness										100	(5,200)
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness, Net										(600)	(200)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Total interest expense									(10,920)	(10,200)	(11,480)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									(7,206)	(12,240)	(9,489)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Income [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									1,861	(10,346)	(15,494)
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									67,099	36,043	19,675
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Derivative									(20,279)	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Total interest expense									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									(630)	(1,141)	(1,011)
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									5,654	2,238	1,052
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Derivative									5,031	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Total interest expense									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Net Interest Settlements									(7,995)	2,642	132
Income_Expense related to interest settlements on fair value hedges									(45,500)	(11,986)	132
Derivative Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain Loss Component Recognized On Derivative									835	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Ineffectiveness										0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Total interest expense									0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Total interest expense									(10,920)	(10,200)	(11,480)
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									(7,206)	(12,240)	(9,489)
Forward Contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										588	226
Forward Contracts [Member] | Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Forward Contracts [Member] | Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Forward Contracts [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										0	0
Forward Contracts [Member] | Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax										588	226
Future [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									(27)	(340)	162
Future [Member] | Interest Income [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Future [Member] | Loans and Finance Receivables [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Future [Member] | Interest Expense [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									0	0	0
Future [Member] | Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Line Items Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax									$ (27)	$ (340)	$ 162

Financial Derivatives Hedged It

Financial Derivatives Hedged Items in Fair Value Hedging Relationships (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
HedgedItemsinFairValueHedgingRelationship [Line Items]
TotalAmountsofLineItemsPresentedintheConsolidatedStatementofIncome	$ 115,570	$ 123,814	$ 115,543
Hedged Liability Discontinued Fair Value Cumulative Increase Decrease	300
Loans [Member]
HedgedItemsinFairValueHedgingRelationship [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item	194,617	149,304
Hedged Asset, Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease)	(5,287)	(189)
Long-term Debt [Member]
HedgedItemsinFairValueHedgingRelationship [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item	(2,021,356)	(1,552,935)
Hedged Liability, Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease)	8,785	5,836
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities:
HedgedItemsinFairValueHedgingRelationship [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item	2,882,919	1,928,220
Hedged Asset, Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease)	$ (906)	$ (22,853)

Notes Payable - Borrowings (Det

Notes Payable - Borrowings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	$ 4,344,285	$ 3,804,646
Due within one year	7,757,050	8,089,826
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 3,090,405	$ 2,644,734
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.48%	1.91%
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 8,486,647	$ 7,432,790
Due after one year	8,486,647	7,432,790
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	1,434,383	1,306,086
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	881,738	790,564
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	859,470	849,263
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	2,220,651	1,842,143
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 16,243,697	$ 15,522,616
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.10%	1.24%
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.30%	1.56%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.11%	1.48%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.41%	1.68%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.19%	1.85%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.88%	2.03%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, After Period Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.34%	3.05%
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Due within one year	$ 1,586,385	$ 1,724,969
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.35%	1.20%
Short-term Debt, Average Outstanding Amount	$ 1,432,470	$ 2,262,582
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	1.83%	0.86%
Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 239,327
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.66%
Due after one year	$ 1,363,244
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	294,720
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	253,758
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	165,810
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	409,629
Medium-term Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Due within one year	$ 1,826,380	$ 2,560,211
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.29%	1.27%
Short-term Debt, Average Outstanding Amount	$ 1,977,445	$ 2,885,966
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	1.83%	1.04%
Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	1.93%	1.23%
Due year two [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.13%
Due year three [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.38%
Due year four [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.31%
Due year five [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.14%
Due after five years [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.27%

Notes Payable - Callable Medium

Notes Payable - Callable Medium-Term Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 3,090,405	$ 2,644,734
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.48%	1.91%
Due after one year	$ 8,486,647	$ 7,432,790
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	1,434,383	1,306,086
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	881,738	790,564
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	859,470	849,263
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	2,220,651	1,842,143
Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 239,327
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.66%
Due after one year	$ 1,363,244
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	294,720
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	253,758
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	165,810
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	409,629
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term Debt, Maximum Month-end Outstanding Amount	$ 1,600,000	$ 3,300,000
Due year two [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.13%
Due year three [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.38%
Due year four [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.31%
Due year five [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.14%
Due after five years [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.27%

Notes Payable - Earliest Intere

Notes Payable - Earliest Interest Reset Date of Borrowing Outstanding (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Meduim Term Notes Called During the Period	$ 0	$ 0
Due within one year	7,757,050	8,089,826
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 3,090,405	$ 2,644,734
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.48%	1.91%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	$ 2,220,651	$ 1,842,143
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	859,470	849,263
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	881,738	790,564
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	1,434,383	1,306,086
Due after one year	$ 8,486,647	$ 7,432,790
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.10%	1.24%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 16,243,697	$ 15,522,616
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	2.30%	1.56%
Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 239,327
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.66%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	$ 409,629
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	165,810
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	253,758
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	294,720
Due after one year	$ 1,363,244
Due year two [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.13%
Due year three [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.38%
Due year four [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.31%
Due year five [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.14%
Due after five years [Member] | Call Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.27%
Due after five years [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	3.43%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	$ 1,173,413
Due year five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.88%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	$ 836,768
Due year four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.16%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	$ 788,504
Due year three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.32%
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	$ 1,565,748
Due within one year [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Due within one year	$ 9,668,398
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.20%
Due year two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	$ 2,210,866
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	1.94%

Notes Payable - Authority to Bo

Notes Payable - Authority to Borrow from U.S. Treasury (Details) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 1.5

Notes Payable - Gains on Repurc

Notes Payable - Gains on Repurchase of Outstanding Debt (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 0

Loans and Allowance for Losse_3

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Loan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	$ 4,004,968	$ 3,873,755
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	7,017	6,796
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	5,515,052	5,266,786
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	9,184	8,866	$ 7,435	$ 6,563
Total provision for losses	335	1,758	1,002
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	17	327	130
Real Estate Loan [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	5,527,166	5,275,024
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums	(5,097)	(1,442)
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	5,522,069	5,273,582
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	7,017	6,796
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	5,515,052	5,266,786
Real Estate Loan [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	4,588,323	4,198,733
Real Estate Loan [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	938,843	1,076,291
Unsecuritized [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	4,010,065	3,875,197
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums	(5,097)	(1,442)
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	4,004,968	3,873,755
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	5,565	5,493
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	3,999,403	3,868,262
Unsecuritized [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	3,071,222	2,798,906
Unsecuritized [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	938,843	1,076,291
In Consolidated Trusts [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	1,517,101	1,399,827
Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums	0	0
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	1,517,101	1,399,827
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate	1,452	1,303
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	1,515,649	1,398,524
In Consolidated Trusts [Member] | Farm & Ranch [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	1,517,101	1,399,827
In Consolidated Trusts [Member] | Rural Utilities [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Lease Receivable Unpaid Principal Balance	0	0
Crops [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	4,394	4,081	3,365	2,791
Total provision for losses	313	944	574
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	(228)	0
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	2,126	2,469	1,723	931
Total provision for losses	(343)	816	792
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	(70)	0
Livestock [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	1,460	1,211	1,375	1,781
Total provision for losses	249	(151)	(406)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	(13)	0
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	474	481	405	408
Total provision for losses	10	92	127
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	(17)	(16)	130
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	720	606	533	649
Total provision for losses	114	73	(116)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	0	0
Other Commodity [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	10	18	34	$ 3
Total provision for losses	(8)	(16)	31
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Loans and Allowance for Losse_4

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Credit Losses Roll Forward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Change in Provision									$ (1,400)
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	$ 155,312				$ 147,071				155,312	$ 147,071
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	26,881				48,444				26,881	48,444
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	3,405				2,884				3,405	2,884
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Subject To Be Purchased	100				300				100	300
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	61,408				63,593				61,408	63,593
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses				$ 6,796					6,796
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses				2,070					2,070
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses				8,866				$ 7,435	8,866	7,435	$ 6,563
Provision for loan losses	(146)	$ (99)	$ (424)	431	(474)	$ (270)	$ (327)	(637)	(238)	(1,708)	(1,065)
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									97	50	(63)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									(17)	(327)	(130)
Total provision for losses									335	1,758	1,002
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	7,017				6,796				7,017	6,796
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	2,167				2,070				2,167	2,070
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	9,184				8,866				9,184	8,866	7,435
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	80,069				76,726				80,069	76,726
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	14,821				21,853				14,821	21,853
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,606				1,431				1,606	1,431
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	26,611				27,630				26,611	27,630
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses				4,081				3,365	4,081	3,365	2,791
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									0	228	0
Total provision for losses									313	944	574
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	4,394				4,081				4,394	4,081	3,365
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	41,768				40,415				41,768	40,415
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	3,194				18,833				3,194	18,833
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,134				1,063				1,134	1,063
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	21,349				25,701				21,349	25,701
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses				2,469				1,723	2,469	1,723	931
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									0	70	0
Total provision for losses									(343)	816	792
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	2,126				2,469				2,126	2,469	1,723
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	25,207				20,547				25,207	20,547
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	4,059				3,835				4,059	3,835
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	522				242				522	242
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	8,803				5,333				8,803	5,333
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses				1,211				1,375	1,211	1,375	1,781
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									0	13	0
Total provision for losses									249	(151)	(406)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	1,460				1,211				1,460	1,211	1,375
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	8,198				8,663				8,198	8,663
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	4,807				3,923				4,807	3,923
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	142				146				142	146
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,645				4,929				4,645	4,929
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses				481				405	481	405	408
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									17	16	(130)
Total provision for losses									10	92	127
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	474				481				474	481	405
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	0				0				0	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0				0				0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	0				0				0	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0				0				0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses				606				533	606	533	649
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									0	0	0
Total provision for losses									114	73	(116)
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	720				606				720	606	533
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	70				720				70	720
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0				0				0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1				2				1	2
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0				0				0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Total Allowance for Losses				18				34	18	34	3
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									0	0	0
Total provision for losses									(8)	(16)	31
Ending Balance - Total Allowance for Losses	10				18				10	18	34
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Loan and Lease Loss [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses				6,796				5,415	6,796	5,415	4,480
Provision for loan losses									(238)	(1,708)	(1,065)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									(17)	(327)	(130)
Ending Balance - Allowance for Loan Losses	7,017				6,796				7,017	6,796	5,415
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Reserve, Off-balance Sheet Activity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance - Reserve for Losses				$ 2,070				$ 2,020	2,070	2,020	2,083
Provision for loan losses									(97)
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses										50	(63)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs									0	0	0
Ending Balance - Reserve for Losses	$ 2,167				$ 2,070				$ 2,167	$ 2,070	$ 2,020

Loans and Allowance for Losse_5

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Allowance for Losses by Impairment Method and Commodity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	$ 7,079,331	$ 6,720,503
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	154,640	147,083
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,233,971	6,867,586
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	5,779	5,982
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	3,405	2,884
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	9,184	8,866	$ 7,435	$ 6,563
Total provision for losses	335	1,758	1,002
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	(17)	(327)	(130)
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	3,691,897	3,581,213
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	79,730	76,732
Financing Receivable, Gross	3,771,627	3,657,945
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,788	2,650
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,606	1,431
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	4,394	4,081	3,365	2,791
Total provision for losses	313	944	574
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	1,468,239	1,327,144
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	41,582	40,419
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,509,821	1,367,563
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	992	1,406
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,134	1,063
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	2,126	2,469	1,723	931
Total provision for losses	(343)	816	792
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	0	70	0
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,330,274	1,314,410
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	25,098	20,548
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,355,372	1,334,958
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	938	969
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	522	242
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	1,460	1,211	1,375	1,781
Total provision for losses	249	(151)	(406)
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	495,977	424,964
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	8,161	8,664
Financing Receivable, Gross	504,138	433,628
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	332	335
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	142	146
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	474	481	405	408
Total provision for losses	10	92	127
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	17	16	(130)
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	85,181	58,761
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	0
Financing Receivable, Gross	85,181	58,761
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	720	606
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	720	606	533	649
Total provision for losses	114	73	(116)
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	7,763	14,011
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	69	720
Financing Receivable, Gross	7,832	14,731
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	9	16
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1	2
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	10	18	34	$ 3
Total provision for losses	(8)	(16)	31
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	4,456,918	4,066,457
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	131,404	132,276
Financing Receivable, Gross	4,588,322	4,198,733
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4,064	4,285
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	2,953	2,511
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	7,017	6,796
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,452,803	2,344,821
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	66,432	67,828
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,519,235	2,412,649
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,120	2,104
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,329	1,207
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	3,449	3,311
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	952,719	794,478
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	36,333	38,180
Financing Receivable, Gross	989,052	832,658
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	822	1,101
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1,065	1,006
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	1,887	2,107
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	705,752	635,768
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	21,361	17,766
Financing Receivable, Gross	727,113	653,534
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	731	738
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	437	172
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	1,168	910
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	329,070	269,337
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	7,278	7,858
Financing Receivable, Gross	336,348	277,195
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	303	287
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	122	126
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	425	413
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	12,097	13,023
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	0
Financing Receivable, Gross	12,097	13,023
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	84	44
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	84	44
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4,477	9,030
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	644
Financing Receivable, Gross	4,477	9,674
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	4	11
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	4	11
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	2,622,413	2,654,046
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	23,236	14,807
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,645,649	2,668,853
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,715	1,697
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	452	373
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	2,167	2,070
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	1,239,094	1,236,392
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	13,298	8,904
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,252,392	1,245,296
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	668	546
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	277	224
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	945	770
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	515,520	532,666
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	5,249	2,239
Financing Receivable, Gross	520,769	534,905
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	170	305
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	69	57
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	239	362
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	624,522	678,642
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	3,737	2,782
Financing Receivable, Gross	628,259	681,424
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	207	231
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	85	70
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	292	301
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	166,907	155,627
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	883	806
Financing Receivable, Gross	167,790	156,433
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	29	48
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	20	20
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	49	68
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	73,084	45,738
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	0
Financing Receivable, Gross	73,084	45,738
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	636	562
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	0	0
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	636	562
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	3,286	4,981
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	69	76
Financing Receivable, Gross	3,355	5,057
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment	5	5
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment	1	2
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	6	7
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Allowance, Loan and Lease Loss [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Additional Information [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs	$ (17)	$ (327)	$ (130)

Loans and Allowance for Losse_6

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Impaired Financing Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	$ 32,012	$ 31,457
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	31,854	31,460
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	123,300	115,614
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	122,786	115,623
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	155,312	147,071
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	154,640	147,083
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	3,405	2,884
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	61,408	63,593
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	152,777	133,180
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	3,446	1,753
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	20,734	14,417
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	20,632	14,418
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	59,335	62,309
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	59,098	62,314
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	80,069	76,726
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	79,730	76,732
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,606	1,431
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	26,611	27,630
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	74,804	71,154
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	1,219	696
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	3,592	3,272
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	3,573	3,273
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	38,176	37,143
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	38,009	37,146
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	41,768	40,415
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	41,582	40,419
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1,134	1,063
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	21,349	25,701
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	44,461	37,597
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	1,687	530
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	5,764	11,171
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	5,737	11,172
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	19,443	9,376
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	19,361	9,376
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	25,207	20,547
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	25,098	20,548
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	522	242
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	8,803	5,333
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	24,523	15,913
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	299	238
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	1,922	1,953
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	1,912	1,953
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	6,276	6,710
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	6,249	6,711
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	8,198	8,663
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	8,161	8,664
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	142	146
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	4,645	4,929
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	8,758	8,135
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	241	289
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	0	0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0	0
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	0	644
Impaired Financing Receivable, with No Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	0	644
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Recorded Investment	70	76
Impaired Financing Receivable, with Related Allowance, Unpaid Principal Balance	69	76
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	70	720
Impaired Financing Receivable, Unpaid Principal Balance	69	720
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	1	2
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	0	0
Impaired Financing Receivable, Average Recorded Investment	231	381
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Cash Basis Method	0	0
Collateral Dependent Not Individually Analyzed [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	120,900	113,200
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	$ 2,700	$ 2,700
Impaired Financing Receivable, Impairment analysis performed percent	78.00%	77.00%
Less than 90 days past due [Member]
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	$ 41,800	$ 15,700

Loans and Allowance for Losse_7

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Troubled Debt Restructurings (Details)	6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Number of Contracts
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Recorded Investment
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Subsequent Default, Determination of Allowance for Credit Losses

Loans and Allowance for Losse_8

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)defaulted_loan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)defaulted_loan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)defaulted_loan
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	16	13	8
Payments to Acquire Other Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	$ 9,231	$ 5,981	$ 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	9,325	6,018	2,544
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Provision for Loan Losses	26	60	208
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Allowance for Loan Losses, Decreases	0	171	67
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Outstanding Balance	23,464	18,866
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Not Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net	22,694	17,691
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	1,483	311	398
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	$ 7,748	$ 5,670	$ 2,118

Loans and Allowance for Losse_9

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Certain Loans Acquired Delinquencies and Net Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	$ 26,881	$ 48,444
Net credit losses (recoveries)	40	(1,397)	$ 154
Certain Loans Acquired In Transfer Not Accounted For As Debt Securities, Subject To Be Purchased	100	300
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	19,577	47,881
Net credit losses (recoveries)	40	(1,397)	154
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	7,304	563
Net credit losses (recoveries)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Loans and Allowance for Loss_10

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financing Receivables Credit Quality Indicators (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Post-Modification Recorded Investment
Financing Receivable, Gross			$ 7,233,971	$ 6,867,586
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			26,881	48,444
Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			6,748,644	6,390,271
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			252,673	256,008
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			232,654	221,307
Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			3,771,627	3,657,945
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			14,821	21,853
Crops [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			3,510,640	3,407,108
Crops [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			133,526	146,841
Crops [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			127,461	103,996
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,509,821	1,367,563
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			3,194	18,833
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,407,272	1,250,173
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			51,704	49,012
Permanent Plantings [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			50,845	68,378
Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,355,372	1,334,958
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			4,059	3,835
Livestock [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,256,961	1,252,160
Livestock [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			57,202	49,856
Livestock [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			41,209	32,942
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			504,138	433,628
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			4,807	3,923
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			484,075	411,760
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			8,748	10,130
Part-Time Farm [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			11,315	11,738
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			85,181	58,761
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			0	0
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			82,563	55,746
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,493	0
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,125	3,015
Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			7,832	14,731
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			0	0
Other Commodity [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			7,133	13,324
Other Commodity [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			0	169
Other Commodity [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			699	1,238
On-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			4,588,322	4,198,733
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			19,577	47,881
On-balance sheet [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			4,335,325	3,946,946
On-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			121,739	119,829
On-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			131,258	131,958
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			2,519,235	2,412,649
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			8,345	21,702
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			2,381,853	2,274,912
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			71,096	70,063
On-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			66,286	67,674
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			989,052	832,658
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			2,997	18,833
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			937,793	771,600
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			14,926	22,878
On-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			36,333	38,180
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			727,113	653,534
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			4,059	3,835
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			679,253	617,527
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			26,499	18,405
On-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			21,361	17,602
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			336,348	277,195
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			4,176	3,511
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			321,345	260,854
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			7,725	8,483
On-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			7,278	7,858
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			12,097	13,023
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			0	0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			10,604	13,023
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,493	0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			0	0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			4,477	9,674
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			0	0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			4,477	9,030
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			0	0
On-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			0	644
Off-balance sheet [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			2,645,649	2,668,853
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			7,304	563
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			2,413,319	2,443,325
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			130,934	136,179
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			101,396	89,349
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,252,392	1,245,296
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			6,476	151
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,128,787	1,132,196
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			62,430	76,778
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Crops [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			61,175	36,322
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			520,769	534,905
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			197	0
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			469,479	478,573
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			36,778	26,134
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Permanent Plantings [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			14,512	30,198
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			628,259	681,424
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			0	0
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			577,708	634,633
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			30,703	31,451
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Livestock [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			19,848	15,340
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			167,790	156,433
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			631	412
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			162,730	150,906
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,023	1,647
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Part-Time Farm [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			4,037	3,880
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			73,084	45,738
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			0	0
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			71,959	42,723
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			0	0
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			1,125	3,015
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			3,355	5,057
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due			0	0
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Acceptable [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			2,656	4,294
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			0	169
Off-balance sheet [Member] | Other Commodity [Member] | Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross			$ 699	$ 594

Loans and Allowance for Loss_11

Loans and Allowance for Losses and Concentrations of Credit Risk - Concentrations of Credit Risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 7,233,971	$ 6,867,586
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range One [Member] [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,431,296	2,379,596
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Two [Member] [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,755,996	2,627,617
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Three [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	916,422	867,574
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Four [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	601,349	584,896
Financing Receivables, Borrower Exposure, Range Five [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	528,908	407,903
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range One [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 1,333,790	1,322,422
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	0.00%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	40.00%
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Two [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 1,811,166	1,733,671
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	$ 2,530,484	2,385,605
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Lower Range Limit	50.01%
Financing Receivables, Loan-To-Value Ratio Range, Upper Range Limit	60.00%
Financing Receivables, Original Loan-To-Value Ratio, Range Four [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 1,244,823	1,150,914
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	$ 289,427	248,799
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	$ 24,281	26,175
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	$ 855,596	740,991
Southwest [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,273,184	2,093,213
Mid-North [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	2,296,073	2,244,094
Mid-South [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	883,279	908,603
Northeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	332,370	296,264
Southeast [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	593,469	584,421
Crops [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	3,771,627	3,657,945
Permanent Plantings [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,509,821	1,367,563
Livestock [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	1,355,372	1,334,958
Part-Time Farm [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	504,138	433,628
Agriculture Storage and Processing [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	85,181	58,761
Other Commodity [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	$ 7,832	$ 14,731

Equity Narrative (Details)

Equity Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.58	$ 0.36	$ 0.26
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 2.5	$ 2.7	$ 3.3

Equity - Preferred Stock (Detai

Equity - Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Excess Tax Benefits from Share-Based Compensation	$ 946,000	$ 860,000	$ 0
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ 13,182,000	$ 13,182,000	13,182,000
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	2,400,000	2,400,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	5.875%
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25	$ 25
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 25
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	$ 1,700,000
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ 0.3672
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.875%
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25	$ 25
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	$ 1,900,000
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash		$ 0.4297
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	3,000,000	3,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 25	$ 25
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	$ 1,600,000
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash			$ 0.3750
Up to but excluding July 17, 2024 [Member] | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.00%
July 17, 2024, thereafter [Member] | Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Variable Rate, Percentage	3.26%

Equity - Equity-Based Incentive

Equity - Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Plans (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$ 86.15	$ 60.84	$ 35.75

Equity - Schedule of Stock Opti

Equity - Schedule of Stock Options, SARS, and Non-vested Restricted Stock (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	124,960	163,272	367,535	747,573
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 38.38	$ 32.95	$ 30.18	$ 26.68
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures	10,122	24,657	51,975
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 86.15	$ 60.84	$ 35.75
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	(48,434)	(111,278)	(431,346)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 30.06	$ 31.47	$ 24.77
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period	0	(117,642)	(667)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0	$ 31.55	$ 35.60
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	95,675	93,085	208,274
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 31.41	$ 28.57	$ 27.41
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	80,153	95,015	138,497	132,651
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 60.98	$ 44.39	$ 34.63	$ 32.12
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	32,070	45,828	76,617
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 84.03	$ 59.79	$ 36.33
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	(1,098)	(28,815)	(1,360)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 86.15	$ 42.15	$ 35.75
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures	(45,834)	(60,495)	(69,411)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 42.12	$ 34.77	$ 31.69

Equity - Share-Based Compensati

Equity - Share-Based Compensation Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Exercise of Stock Options	$ 1,500,000	$ 2,600,000	$ 3,600,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options	$ (2,700,000)	$ (2,600,000)	$ (3,100,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other | shares	174	698	1,130
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Other	$ 14,000	$ 41,000	$ 41,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	7,900,000	14,800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	3,000,000	$ 3,800,000	$ 7,600,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 2,600,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 8 months 5 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 69.38	$ 44.93	$ 25.11
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 2,500,000	$ 2,700,000	$ 3,300,000
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	$ 0	$ 200,000	$ 500,000
Common Class C [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of Board of Directors	4	4	4

Equity - Schedule of Share Base

Equity - Schedule of Share Based Compensation Activity (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	124,960	163,272	367,535	747,573
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	95,675	93,085	208,274
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	80,153	95,015	138,497	132,651
$10.00 to $24.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	16,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 6 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	16,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 6 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	16,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	2 years 6 months 24 days
$25.00 to $39.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	86,462
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 1 month
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	76,629
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 9 months 54 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	86,462
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 1 month 24 days
$40.00 - $54.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 days
$55.00 to $69.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	12,376
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 3 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	3,046
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 3 months 24 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	12,376
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	8 years 3 months 24 days
$70.00 to $84.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 days
$85.00 to $99.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	10,122
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	9 years 3 months 6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	10,122
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	9 years 3 months 6 days
$35.00 to $49.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	27,505
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	3 months 12 days
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based payment award,Other than Options,Vested and Expected to Vest,Outstanding,Weighted Average Contractual Life Term	3 months 12 days
$50.00 to $64.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	21,848
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	1 year 3 months 12 days
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based payment award,Other than Options,Vested and Expected to Vest,Outstanding,Weighted Average Contractual Life Term	1 year 3 months 24 days
$35.00 to $39.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	3,578
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	2 years 2 months 12 days
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based payment award,Other than Options,Vested and Expected to Vest,Outstanding,Weighted Average Contractual Life Term	2 years 2 months 24 days
$40.00 to $44.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	27,222
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	1 year 6 months 24 days
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based payment award,Other than Options,Vested and Expected to Vest,Outstanding,Weighted Average Contractual Life Term	1 year 6 months 24 days
Expected to Vest [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	80,153
Expected to Vest [Member] | $35.00 to $49.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	27,505
Expected to Vest [Member] | $50.00 to $64.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	21,848
Expected to Vest [Member] | $35.00 to $39.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	3,578
Expected to Vest [Member] | $40.00 to $44.99 [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	27,222

Equity - Share-Based Compensa_2

Equity - Share-Based Compensation Activity and Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Valuation Assumptions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 84.03	$ 59.79	$ 36.33
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	2.70%	2.30%	1.50%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	6 years	6 years	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	33.00%	34.80%	34.70%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	2.70%	2.40%	2.90%

Equity - Capital Requirements

Equity - Capital Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Required for Capital Adequacy	$ 545	$ 520.3
Capital	727.6	657.1
Excess Capital	$ 182.6	$ 136.8

Income Taxes - Components of I

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)									$ 25,317	$ 43,148	$ 37,954
Deferred income taxes									2,625	3,221	4,103
Income tax expense	$ 6,193	$ 7,979	$ 7,332	$ 6,438	$ 13,266	$ 11,193	$ 11,124	$ 10,786	$ 27,942	$ 46,369	$ 42,057

Income Taxes - Statutory Federa

Income Taxes - Statutory Federal Tax Rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount									$ 28,564	$ 45,740	$ 41,775
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount									0	1,365	0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Share-based Compensation Cost, Amount									(946)	(860)	0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount									0	4	21
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount									324	120	261
Income tax expense	$ 6,193	$ 7,979	$ 7,332	$ 6,438	$ 13,266	$ 11,193	$ 11,124	$ 10,786	$ 27,942	$ 46,369	$ 42,057
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent									21.00%	35.00%	35.00%

Income Taxes - Deferred Taxes a

Income Taxes - Deferred Taxes and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Derivative Instruments	$ 7,614	$ 6,800
Deferred Tax Asset - basis in securities	1,810	5,661
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Provision for Loan Losses	1,929	1,862
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost	623	532
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	36	36
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Compensation	967	778
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	121	74
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	13,064	15,707
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Comprehensive Income	4,807	12,376
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Derivatives	1,827	1,203
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	61	80
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	6,695	13,659
Deferred tax asset, net	6,369	2,048
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	200
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount	0	1,365	$ 0
Capital Loss Carryforward [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	(36)	$ (36)
Expired Capital Loss Carryforward [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	$ 0

Employee Benefits - Employee Be

Employee Benefits - Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan Wage Base	$ 275,000	$ 270,000	$ 265,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Requisite Service Period	3 years
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 1,800,000	1,500,000	$ 1,300,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Compensation Expense	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Base Percentage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contribution percentage to retirement plan	13.20%
Excess Percentage for amounts above Social Security taxable wage base] [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contribution percentage to retirement plan	5.70%
Nonqualified Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employer contribution percentage to retirement plan	18.90%

Guarantees and Long Term Stan_3

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Guarantee and Commitment Obligation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Term of Guarantees Minimum	1 year
Term of Guarantees Maximum	30 years
Additions to guarantee and commitment obligations	$ 6,202	$ 7,683	$ 6,725
Beginning Balance Guaranty Liabilities	38,400	37,282	38,609
Ending Balance Guaranty Liabilities	38,683	38,400	37,282
Amortization of the Guarantee and Commitment Obligation	(5,919)	(6,565)	$ (8,052)
Guarantee obligations issued after January 1, 2003 [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	4,000,000	4,000,000
Guarantee obligations issued prior to January 1, 2003 [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 23,800	$ 28,000

Guarantees and Long Term Stan_4

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Off-Balance Sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) - Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 813,444	$ 899,284
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	135,862	333,511
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	367,684	254,217
Institutional Credit [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	9,898	11,556
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 300,000	$ 300,000

Guarantees and Long Term Stan_5

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Cash Flows from Off-balance sheet Guaranteed Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities	$ 382,929	$ 519,219	$ 609,347
Proceeds from Fees Received	1,920	2,610	3,552
Payments to Acquire Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	$ (7,748)	$ (5,670)	$ (2,118)
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	10 years 3 months 15 days	10 years
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 2,800	$ 3,600
Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	5 years 15 days	9 months 15 days

Guarantees and Long Term Stan_6

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Guarantee obligations issued after January 1, 2003 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 4,000	$ 4,000
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining maturity, Loans underlying guarantees not held by transferor	15 years 3 months 20 days	15 years 3 months 10 days
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 3,200	$ 3,100
Long-Term Standby Purchase Commitments [Member] | Guarantee obligations issued after January 1, 2003 [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	35.9	34.8
Farm & Ranch Loans and USDA Guarantees [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments to Purchase or Sell	$ 37.1	46.3
Rural Utilities Loans [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments to Purchase or Sell		$ 8

Guarantees and Long Term Stan_7

Guarantees and Long Term Standby Purchase Commitments - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 1,944
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	2,000	$ 1,600	$ 1,300
Contractual Obligation, Due in Next Fiscal Year	1,965
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	1,937
Contractual Obligation, Due in Second Year	1,110
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	1,977
Contractual Obligation, Due in Third Year	233
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	2,021
Contractual Obligation, Due in Fourth Year	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	1,995
Contractual Obligation, Due in Fifth Year	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	1,311
Contractual Obligation, Due after Fifth Year	0
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	11,185
Contractual Obligation	$ 3,308

Fair Value Disclosures - Narra

Fair Value Disclosures - Narrative (Details) - Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 6	$ 5.5
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Fair Value as Percent of Total Assets	32.00%	31.00%
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities, Fair Value as Percent of Total Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	73.00%	71.00%

Fair Value Disclosures - Fai_2

Fair Value Disclosures - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 5,709	$ 7,093
Derivative Liability	27,385	1,673
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	5,515,052	5,266,786
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	128	139
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		27
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Trading	9,999	13,515
Derivative Asset	7,487	7,093
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	8,209,835	7,707,927
Derivative Liability	19,633	26,599
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,633	26,599
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Trading	0	0
Derivative Asset	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	792,602	767,424
Derivative Liability	188	36
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	188	36
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Trading	0	0
Derivative Asset	7,487	7,093
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,414,022	1,431,927
Derivative Liability	19,445	26,563
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,445	26,563
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	19,448	(7,649)	$ (19,478)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(26,710)	17,192	65,607
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	2,305,396	1,289,876	1,825,732
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	127,850	155,744	124,760
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	1,676,136	533,943	957,486
Debt Securities, Trading	9,999	13,515
Derivative Asset	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	6,003,211	5,508,576
Derivative Liability	0	0
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	6,003,211	5,508,576	4,891,803	$ 6,115,339
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		487
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	445	508
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	317	508
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	128
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
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
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	445	508
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount	317	508
Real estate owned, at lower of cost or fair value	128
Farmer Mac Guaranteed 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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	21,459	(7,625)	(20,944)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(26,507)	18,372	30,042
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	2,177,546	1,134,132	1,434,492
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	1,670,402	526,650	709,686
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	5,974,497	5,471,914	4,853,685	4,152,605
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		487
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	5,974,497	5,471,914
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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	21,459	(7,625)	(20,944)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(26,507)	18,372	29,439
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	2,177,546	1,134,132	1,430,392
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	1,670,402	526,650	706,446
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,974,497	5,471,914
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	5,974,497	5,471,914	4,853,685	4,121,244
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		487
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,974,497	5,471,914
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [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] | USDA Guarantees [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] | USDA Guarantees [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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			603
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases			4,100
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements			3,240
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,974,497	5,471,914
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value			0	31,361
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		2,215,405
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		767,424
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		1,424,834
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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			1,728
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			(394)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales			26,806
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements			2,213
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		23,147
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value			17,730	45,415
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	2,217,852
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	792,602
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	1,406,535
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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(2,092)	0	6
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(203)	(1,180)	(394)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	0	26,806
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	2,137	444	0
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	18,715
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	18,715	23,147	17,730	44,924
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		0
Investment 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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			1,722
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements			2,213
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value			0	491
USDA Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Trading	9,999	13,515
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]
Debt Securities, Trading	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]
Debt Securities, Trading	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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	81	(24)	(262)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	0	35,959
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	127,850	155,744	391,240
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	127,850	155,744	97,954
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	3,597	6,849	245,587
Debt Securities, Trading	9,999	13,515
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	9,999	13,515	20,388	1,917,319
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		0
Debt Securities, Trading, Unrealized Gain	100	100
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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		0	35,959
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	127,850	155,744	391,240
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	127,850	155,744	97,954
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	0	0	237,262
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0	0	0	1,888,344
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	81	(24)	(262)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	3,597	6,849	8,325
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	9,999	13,515	20,388	28,975
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		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, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	18,715	18,814
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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0	6
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(99)	1,084	(394)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	0	26,806
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	0	0	0
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	18,715	18,814
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	18,715	18,814	17,730	44,924
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		0
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	28,678	34,210
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	28,678	34,210
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] | Asset-backed 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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			1,722
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements			2,213
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value			0	$ 491
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	1,377,454	1,290,187
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	1,377,454	1,290,187
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] | 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		99,951
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
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		99,951
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
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	403	4,819
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	403	486
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]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(2,092)	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(104)	(2,264)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements	2,137	444
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	4,333
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0	4,333	$ 0
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		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	792,602	767,424
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	792,602	767,424
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 ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		$ 7,041
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 5,508,576	4,891,803	$ 6,115,339
Purchases	2,305,396	1,289,876	1,825,732
Sales	(127,850)	(155,744)	(124,760)
Settlements	(1,676,136)	(533,943)	(957,486)
Ending Balance	6,003,211	5,508,576	4,891,803
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	19,448	(7,649)	(19,478)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(26,710)	17,192	65,607
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			(2,013,151)
Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		17,730	45,415
Purchases			0
Sales			(26,806)
Settlements			(2,213)
Ending Balance			17,730
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			1,728
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			(394)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			0
USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	13,515	20,388	1,917,319
Purchases	127,850	155,744	391,240
Sales	(127,850)	(155,744)	(97,954)
Settlements	(3,597)	(6,849)	(245,587)
Ending Balance	9,999	13,515	20,388
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	81	(24)	(262)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	0	35,959
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			(1,980,327)
Debt Securities, Trading, Unrealized Loss			300
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		7,041
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	23,147	17,730	44,924
Purchases	0	0	0
Sales	0	0	(26,806)
Settlements	(2,137)	(444)	0
Ending Balance	18,715	23,147	17,730
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(2,092)	0	6
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(203)	(1,180)	(394)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			0
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,471,914	4,853,685	4,152,605
Purchases	2,177,546	1,134,132	1,434,492
Sales	0	0	0
Settlements	(1,670,402)	(526,650)	(709,686)
Ending Balance	5,974,497	5,471,914	4,853,685
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	21,459	(7,625)	(20,944)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(26,507)	18,372	30,042
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	(32,824)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	0	1,888,344
Purchases	127,850	155,744	391,240
Sales	(127,850)	(155,744)	(97,954)
Settlements	0	0	(237,262)
Ending Balance	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		0	35,959
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	(1,980,327)
Trading Securities [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0	491
Purchases			0
Sales			0
Settlements			(2,213)
Ending Balance			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			1,722
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			0
Trading Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	13,515	20,388	28,975
Purchases	0	0	0
Sales	0	0	0
Settlements	(3,597)	(6,849)	(8,325)
Ending Balance	9,999	13,515	20,388
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	81	(24)	(262)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	0	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			0
Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			(32,800)
Institutional Credit [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,471,914	4,853,685	4,121,244
Purchases	2,177,546	1,134,132	1,430,392
Sales	0	0	0
Settlements	(1,670,402)	(526,650)	(706,446)
Ending Balance	5,974,497	5,471,914	4,853,685
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	21,459	(7,625)	(20,944)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(26,507)	18,372	29,439
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			0
USDA Guarantees [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0	31,361
Purchases			4,100
Sales			0
Settlements			(3,240)
Ending Balance			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			603
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			(32,824)
USDA Guarantee [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			(2,000,000)
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 [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	18,814	17,730	44,924
Purchases	0	0	0
Sales	0	0	(26,806)
Settlements	0	0	0
Ending Balance	18,715	18,814	17,730
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0	0	6
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(99)	1,084	(394)
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			0
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		0	491
Purchases			0
Sales			0
Settlements			(2,213)
Ending Balance			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings			1,722
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3			0
Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3		7,041
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,333	0
Purchases	0	0
Sales	0	0
Settlements	(2,137)	(444)
Ending Balance	0	4,333	$ 0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	(2,092)	0
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ (104)	$ (2,264)

Fair Value Disclosures - Quant

Fair Value Disclosures - Quantitative Information (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 6,003,211	$ 5,508,576	$ 4,891,803	$ 6,115,339
USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	9,999	13,515	20,388	1,917,319
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	5,974,497	5,471,914	4,853,685	4,152,605
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0	0	0	1,888,344
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	5,974,497	5,471,914	4,853,685	4,121,244
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value			0	31,361
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	0	4,333	0
Trading Securities [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$ 9,999	$ 13,515	$ 20,388	$ 28,975
Measurement Input, Range of Broker Quotes [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Valuation, Market Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0.963	0.955
Measurement Input, Range of Broker Quotes [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Valuation, Market Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0.963	0.955
Measurement Input, Range of Broker Quotes [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Floating rate auction-rate certificates backed by Government guaranteed student loans | Valuation, Market Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0.963	0.955
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0.029	0.021
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
USDA securities, measurement input	0.033	0.036
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0.040	0.034
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
USDA securities, measurement input	0.052	0.054
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Institutional Credit [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0.031	0.024
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
USDA securities, measurement input	0.049	0.050
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0	0.029
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0	0.029
Measurement Input, Discount Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0	0.029
Measurement Input, Constant Prepayment Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
USDA securities, measurement input	0.06	0.07
Measurement Input, Constant Prepayment Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
USDA securities, measurement input	0.16	0.19
Measurement Input, Constant Prepayment Rate [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | USDA Guarantees [Member] | USDA Securities [Member] | Valuation, Cost Approach [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
USDA securities, measurement input	0.15	0.17
Measurement Input, Constant Prepayment Rate [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Interest Rate [Member] | Government/GSE Guaranteed Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Investment securities, measurement input	0	0

Fair Value Disclosures - Summa

Fair Value Disclosures - Summary of Carrying Value and Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Financial derivatives	$ 5,709	$ 7,093
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	40,366	39,895
Derivative Liability	27,385	1,673
Guarantee and commitment obligation	38,683	38,400	$ 37,282	$ 38,609
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	425,256	302,022
Loans	5,515,052	5,266,786
Financial derivatives	7,487	7,093
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,528,957	1,404,945
Derivative Liability	19,633	26,599
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,262,884	2,260,437
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	8,071,115	7,598,188
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,176,173	2,131,365
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:	36,870	35,718
Guarantee and commitment obligation	35,880	34,824
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Guarantee and commitment fees receivable:	3,496	4,177
Guarantee and commitment obligation	2,803	3,576
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Due within one year [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	7,757,050	8,089,826
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	8,486,647	7,432,790
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	425,256	302,022
Loans	5,512,781	5,279,225
Financial derivatives	7,487	7,093
Debt securities of consolidated trusts held by third parties	1,501,754	1,386,652
Derivative Liability	19,633	26,599
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Investment Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,263,446	2,260,969
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Farmer Mac Guaranteed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	8,061,903	7,588,806
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | USDA Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Marketable Securities	2,113,946	2,076,396
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:	37,461	33,871
Guarantee and commitment obligation	36,471	32,976
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:	3,424	4,323
Guarantee and commitment obligation	2,731	3,722
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Due within one year [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	7,744,388	8,079,309
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Notes payable:	$ 8,473,558	$ 7,445,545

Business Segment Reporting - C

Business Segment Reporting - Core Earnings - Business Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments									4
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income	$ 42,216	$ 45,058	$ 43,933	$ 43,229	$ 41,283	$ 39,562	$ 39,731	$ 37,071	$ 174,436	$ 157,647	$ 140,274
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)									0	0	0
Net Effective Spread									0	0	0
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,506	3,490	3,481	3,499	3,484	3,314	3,472	3,844	13,976	14,114	14,868
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees									(2,236)	3,398	5,600
Noninterest Income	(682)	(4,439)	(6,380)	(239)	(2,673)	(4,299)	(3,744)	(6,796)	(11,740)	(17,512)	(20,468)
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	146	99	424	(431)	474	270	327	637	238	1,708	1,065
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									97	50	(63)
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses									49,819	42,715	40,383
Noninterest Expense	(13,703)	(11,650)	(12,921)	(11,642)	(10,210)	(10,616)	(11,390)	(10,549)	(49,916)	(42,765)	(40,320)
Net income	29,049	37,748	36,968	32,257	33,272	32,975	31,758	32,681	136,022	130,686	119,357
ERROR in label resolution.	(22,856)	(29,769)	(29,636)	(25,819)	(20,006)	(21,782)	(20,634)	(21,895)	(108,080)	(84,317)	(77,300)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,296)	(3,295)	(3,296)	(3,295)	(3,296)	(3,295)	(3,296)	(3,295)	(13,182)	(13,182)	(13,182)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest					0	0	150	15	0	165	34
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	19,560	26,474	26,340	22,524	16,710	18,487	17,488	18,615	94,898	71,300	64,152
Total Assets	18,694,328				17,792,274				18,694,328	17,792,274	15,606,020
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	19,724,524				19,007,311				19,724,524	19,007,311	17,399,475
Income tax expense	6,193	$ 7,979	$ 7,332	$ 6,438	13,266	$ 11,193	$ 11,124	$ 10,786	27,942	46,369	42,057
Farm & Ranch [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income									62,951	54,290	47,219
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)									(9,889)	(8,922)	(7,729)
Net Effective Spread									53,062	45,368	39,490
Guarantee and commitment fees									17,976	17,175	15,542
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees									1,371	2,449	539
Noninterest Income									(19,347)	(19,624)	(16,081)
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed									238	1,708	1,065
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									97	50	(63)
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses									19,026	16,554	16,206
Noninterest Expense									(19,123)	(16,604)	(16,143)
Segment core earnings before income taxes									53,048	46,680	38,363
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact									0	0	0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest										0	0
Segment core earnings									41,908	30,342	24,935
Total Assets	4,701,736				4,274,693				4,701,736	4,274,693	3,582,098
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	7,233,972				6,867,586				7,233,972	6,867,586	6,139,304
Income tax expense									11,140	16,338	13,428
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends									41,908	30,342	24,935
USDA Guarantees [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income									20,554	21,106	21,865
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)									(2,499)	(2,287)	(3,210)
Net Effective Spread									18,055	18,819	18,655
Guarantee and commitment fees									797	456	101
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees									20	43	222
Noninterest Income									(817)	(499)	(323)
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed									0	0	0
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									0	0	0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses									5,309	4,384	4,200
Noninterest Expense									(5,309)	(4,384)	(4,200)
Segment core earnings before income taxes									13,563	14,934	14,778
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact									0	0	0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest										0	0
Segment core earnings									10,715	9,707	9,605
Total Assets	2,240,906				2,195,189				2,240,906	2,195,189	2,096,503
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	2,515,620				2,352,214				2,515,620	2,352,214	2,094,375
Income tax expense									2,848	5,227	5,173
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends									10,715	9,707	9,605
Rural Utilities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income									12,505	11,598	11,739
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)									(922)	(539)	(1,771)
Net Effective Spread									11,583	11,059	9,968
Guarantee and commitment fees									1,599	1,914	1,694
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees									33	20	2
Noninterest Income									(1,632)	(1,934)	(1,696)
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed									0	0	0
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									0	0	0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses									3,062	2,430	2,856
Noninterest Expense									(3,062)	(2,430)	(2,856)
Segment core earnings before income taxes									10,153	10,563	8,808
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact									0	0	0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest										0	0
Segment core earnings									8,020	6,867	5,725
Total Assets	945,282				1,088,986				945,282	1,088,986	1,012,014
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	1,592,115				1,882,633				1,592,115	1,882,633	1,878,110
Income tax expense									2,133	3,696	3,083
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends									8,020	6,867	5,725
Institutional Credit [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income									69,321	59,842	48,756
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)									(7,884)	(3,505)	(3,184)
Net Effective Spread									61,437	56,337	45,572
Guarantee and commitment fees									360	805	1,833
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees									0	0	0
Noninterest Income									(360)	(805)	(1,833)
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed									0	0	0
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									0	0	0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses									8,011	6,439	3,786
Noninterest Expense									(8,011)	(6,439)	(3,786)
Segment core earnings before income taxes									53,786	50,703	43,619
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact									0	0	0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest										0	0
Segment core earnings									42,491	32,957	28,354
Total Assets	8,089,410				7,627,749				8,089,410	7,627,749	6,008,574
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	8,382,817				7,904,878				8,382,817	7,904,878	7,287,686
Income tax expense									11,295	17,746	15,265
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends									42,491	32,957	28,354
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income									9,105	10,811	10,695
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)									(2,047)	(1,091)	(1,308)
Net Effective Spread									7,058	9,720	9,387
Guarantee and commitment fees									0	0	0
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees									(913)	171	1,322
Noninterest Income									913	(171)	(1,322)
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed									0	0	0
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									0	0	0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses									14,411	12,908	13,335
Noninterest Expense									(14,411)	(12,908)	(13,335)
Segment core earnings before income taxes									(8,266)	(3,017)	(2,626)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact									(13,182)	(13,182)	(13,182)
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest										165	34
Segment core earnings									(19,087)	(14,242)	(15,138)
Total Assets	2,716,994				2,605,657				2,716,994	2,605,657	2,906,831
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Income tax expense									(2,361)	(1,792)	(636)
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends									(5,905)	(1,225)	(1,990)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
Net interest income									0	0	0
Less: reconciling adjustments(1)(2)(3)									23,241	16,344	17,202
Net Effective Spread									23,241	16,344	17,202
Guarantee and commitment fees									(6,756)	(6,236)	(4,302)
Other Non-Interest Income (Expense), Excluding Guarantee and Commitment Fees									(2,747)	715	3,515
Noninterest Income									9,503	5,521	787
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed									0	0	0
Provision for/(release of) reserve for losses									0	0	0
Noninterest Expense, Excluding Loan, Lease and Other Losses									0	0	0
Noninterest Expense									0	0	0
Segment core earnings before income taxes									13,738	10,823	16,415
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact									0	0	0
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest										0	0
Segment core earnings									10,851	5,669	10,671
Total Assets	0				0				0	0	0
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
On and Off Balance Sheet Program Assets, At Principal Balance	$ 0				$ 0				0	0	0
Income tax expense									2,887	5,154	5,744
Segment core earnings before preferred stock dividends and attibution of income to non-controlling interest - preferred stock dividends									$ 10,851	$ 5,669	$ 10,671

Quarterly Financial Informati_3

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest and Dividend Income, Operating	$ 146,453	$ 142,615	$ 135,670	$ 119,546	$ 111,371	$ 104,497	$ 98,047	$ 86,617	$ 544,284	$ 400,532	$ 311,900
Total interest expense	104,237	97,557	91,737	76,317	70,088	64,935	58,316	49,546	369,848	242,885	171,626
Net interest income	42,216	45,058	43,933	43,229	41,283	39,562	39,731	37,071	174,436	157,647	140,274
Provision for loan losses	(146)	(99)	(424)	431	(474)	(270)	(327)	(637)	(238)	(1,708)	(1,065)
Interest Income (Expense), after Provision for Loan Loss	42,070	44,959	43,509	43,660	40,809	39,292	39,404	36,434	174,198	155,939	139,209
Guarantee and commitment fees	3,506	3,490	3,481	3,499	3,484	3,314	3,472	3,844	13,976	14,114	14,868
Gain (loss) on derivatives instruments and hedging activity net pretax	(2,999)	628	2,534	(3,850)	(1,777)	661	(617)	2,486
Gains/(losses) on trading securities	57	(3)	11	16	60	0	(2)	(82)	81	(24)	1,460
Gains on sale of available-for-sale investment securities					0	89	0	0	0	89	(9)
(Losses)/gains on sale of real estate owned	0	(41)	34	0	964	32	757	(5)	(7)	1,748	15
Other income	118	365	320	574	(58)	203	134	553	1,377	832	1,823
Noninterest Income	682	4,439	6,380	239	2,673	4,299	3,744	6,796	11,740	17,512	20,468
Noninterest Expense	13,703	11,650	12,921	11,642	10,210	10,616	11,390	10,549	49,916	42,765	40,320
Net income	29,049	37,748	36,968	32,257	33,272	32,975	31,758	32,681	136,022	130,686	119,357
Income tax expense	6,193	7,979	7,332	6,438	13,266	11,193	11,124	10,786	27,942	46,369	42,057
Net income	22,856	29,769	29,636	25,819	20,006	21,782	20,634	21,895	108,080	84,317	77,300
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest					0	0	150	15	0	165	34
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	22,856	29,769	29,636	25,819	20,006	21,782	20,784	21,910	108,080	84,482	77,334
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(3,296)	(3,295)	(3,296)	(3,295)	(3,296)	(3,295)	(3,296)	(3,295)	(13,182)	(13,182)	(13,182)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	$ 19,560	$ 26,474	$ 26,340	$ 22,524	$ 16,710	$ 18,487	$ 17,488	$ 18,615	$ 94,898	$ 71,300	$ 64,152
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.84	$ 2.48	$ 2.47	$ 2.12	$ 1.57	$ 1.74	$ 1.65	$ 1.76	$ 8.91	$ 6.73	$ 6.12
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.82	$ 2.46	$ 2.45	$ 2.10	$ 1.55	$ 1.71	$ 1.62	$ 1.73	$ 8.83000	$ 6.6000	$ 5.97000

Subsequent Event (Details)

Subsequent Event (Details) - CoBank, ACB [Member] - Common Class B [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 19, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock Ownership Percentage by a Related Party		32.60%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 546