Agricultural Finance, Without the Bank Runaround
Farming concentrates income into a few weeks a year while costs run every month. We place asset finance, working capital and VAT loans with lenders who understand that cycle and price it accordingly.
217,000
UK farm businesses
£30bn+
UK agricultural output
The core problem on most farm businesses is timing. A combine needs replacing now; the harvest payment lands in September. That gap is real money, and most high-street lenders treat it as a red flag rather than a normal feature of the trade. The lenders we work with on agricultural deals think differently. They are used to seasonal income, land-based security and equipment that holds its value over decades. That means we can often structure asset finance against a used tractor without three years of clean monthly turnover behind it, or arrange a short working capital facility to cover inputs ahead of the growing season. Diversification projects like farm shops, glamping and anaerobic digestion are fundable too, but the structure varies by project and lender appetite is narrower than for core machinery. We will tell you that upfront. As a commercial finance broker we do not lend ourselves; what actually gets funded, and on what terms, comes down to the business and the lender.
Common Challenges in Agriculture & Farming
Income concentrated at harvest
Most of the year's cash arrives in a short window. Input costs, wages and lease payments do not wait for it. A properly structured facility matches the repayment schedule to when the money actually lands.
Machinery costs that do not move
A decent tractor runs £40,000 to £250,000, and a modern combine costs more. Buying outright ties up capital in a depreciating asset that earns nothing sitting in the yard. Asset finance spreads the cost over 12 to 60 months and keeps working capital liquid.
Subsidy payment delays
Basic Payment Scheme and its successors have a track record of paying late. When a large chunk of annual income is government-sourced, even a six-week delay can create a genuine liquidity problem. A bridging or working capital line covers that gap cleanly.
Diversification capital
Farm shops, holiday lets and renewable installations all need spend before any income arrives. Lenders are more cautious here than on core agricultural assets, so these deals tend to need a clear business plan and sometimes security beyond the project itself.
Finance Solutions for Agriculture & Farming
We work with specialist lenders to find the right product for your business.
Asset Finance
The main tool for tractors, harvesters, sprayers and specialist machinery. We place both new and used equipment deals. Lenders tend to assess the asset age and condition rather than demanding pristine trading accounts.
Learn moreCommercial Vehicle Finance
Land Rovers, pickup trucks and agricultural transport. Straightforward hire purchase or finance lease, usually over 24 to 60 months.
Learn moreUnsecured Business Loans
Working capital for seed, feed, fertiliser and seasonal labour. Terms typically run 6 to 24 months. Lenders look at trading history and seasonal cash flow rather than a flat monthly average.
Learn moreVAT Loans
A VAT bill falling in a quiet trading month can cause a real squeeze. A VAT loan covers the HMRC payment and is repaid over 3 months, keeping cash in the business when it is tightest.
Learn moreWork out your numbers
Free calculators for the products agriculture & farming businesses use most.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finance a used tractor?
Yes, and most agricultural machinery deals we place are for used equipment. The lender focuses on the age, condition and residual value of the asset, so a well-maintained ten-year-old tractor is usually fundable. Anything over 20 years old gets harder, but it depends on the lender and the specific machine.
Do agricultural lenders understand seasonal repayment schedules?
The ones we work with do, and that is the point of going via a broker who places these deals rather than walking into a business bank branch. We can put forward repayments built around your harvest income instead of forcing equal monthly payments. The lender decides what it will accept, but seasonal structuring is a standard ask and most specialist agricultural funders will look at it.
Can I get finance for a farm diversification project?
Sometimes. Farm shops, glamping pods and anaerobic digestion projects have all been funded through commercial lending. The catch is that lenders want to see projected income from the new enterprise, and some will require security beyond the project itself. We will give you an honest read before you spend time on an application that is unlikely to complete.
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Whether you need working capital, equipment finance, or property funding, we can connect you with the right lender in days, not weeks.