Agriculture Business Loans & Farm Finance
Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK farms and agribusinesses find tailored finance solutions from £10,000 upwards. We don’t lend — we match your enquiry to lenders and brokers who specialise in farm finance. Fill in a short, no‑obligation enquiry to get a free eligibility check and receive matched quotes quickly. Get Quote Now
- Free to use — no obligation
- Match to specialist lenders/brokers in minutes
- Typical loan sizes: from £10,000 upwards
- Data shared only with selected partners
What are agriculture business loans?
Agriculture business loans are finance products designed for farming and rural enterprises to support capital purchases, working capital and projects specific to the sector. Common forms include secured and unsecured business loans, asset finance for tractors and machinery, invoice finance, hire purchase, and refinancing of existing debt.
Fast Business Loans does not provide loans or financial advice. We act as an introducer, taking a short enquiry and matching your business with lenders and brokers who specialise in agricultural lending.
Why UK agriculture businesses use specialist finance
Farming has distinct financing needs: seasonal cash flow changes, high-cost equipment, long lead times for crop returns, and capital requirements for land or environmental improvements. Specialist lenders understand cycles, subsidy timing (e.g., Basic Payment Scheme transitions), and sector risk drivers.
Using a broker or lender that focuses on agriculture can increase the chance of a suitable offer and quicker decisions. If you want to see a broad guide to sector options, read more about agriculture business loans.
Funding scenarios we support
- Working capital between harvests — short-term loans or overdrafts timed to seasonal cashflow peaks and troughs.
- Machinery and tractor purchase — asset finance and hire purchase to spread cost without tying up cash.
- Livestock purchases and herd expansion — tailored loans that recognise herd value and sale cycles.
- Land improvements & drainage — medium-term finance for capital works that increase productivity.
- Diversification projects — such as farm shops, glamping, or processing facilities; combination funding or development finance.
- Renewables & sustainability upgrades — funding for solar, biomass, or energy-efficiency works to reduce long-term costs.
Types of agriculture finance available
| Product | Typical use | Amounts | Indicative terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asset finance (HP, lease) | Tractors, harvesters, irrigation | £10k – £2m+ | 1–7 years depending on equipment |
| Business loan (secured/unsecured) | Working capital, expansion | £10k – £1m+ | 1–10 years; rates vary by lender |
| Invoice finance | Unlock cash from unpaid invoices | £25k – £1m+ | Revolving facility |
| Short-term bridging finance | Time between sale and purchase, urgent repairs | £25k – £1m+ | Weeks to months |
| Refinance / debt consolidation | Lower monthly costs, tidy debt structure | £10k – multi-million | Depends on lender |
Representative figures are illustrative only. Actual terms depend on lender assessment and your business circumstances.
Eligibility snapshot & documents lenders typically request
Every lender has different criteria, but common requirements for agricultural finance include:
- Limited company or partnership trading history (many lenders consider businesses from 1–2 years trading; product-dependent)
- Annual turnover and recent management accounts or statutory accounts
- Business bank statements (typically 3–12 months)
- Details of assets to be financed (make, model, value) or security offered
- Farm-specific records where relevant (herd/flock registers, tenancy agreements, subsidy schedules, sales contracts)
- Director/owner ID and proof of address
Poor credit does not automatically rule you out; specialist brokers can often place complex cases with lenders that understand sector variability.
How our matching process works
- Complete a short enquiry — tell us what you need and basic business details. This is not an application and will not affect your credit score. Get Quote Now
- We match you — your details are reviewed and matched with suitable lenders and brokers in our panel who specialise in agricultural finance.
- Partner contact — selected partners contact you to discuss options and request documents if they can assist.
- Compare offers — review proposals, ask questions, and decide whether to proceed. You’re under no obligation to accept any offer.
Benefits of using Fast Business Loans for agriculture
- Sector-aware matching — we prioritise partners with farming experience.
- Speed — our process accelerates initial matching so lenders can respond quickly.
- Choice — multiple partner options make comparison easier.
- No fee to you — our service is free for businesses and without obligation.
- Privacy — your information is shared only with selected partners who can help.
Preparing a strong application — practical tips
- Create a simple cashflow forecast showing seasonal peaks and troughs — lenders appreciate visibility of timing.
- List any long-term contracts or supply agreements that stabilise income.
- Have clear valuation details for farm equipment and any proposed security.
- Document diversification plans (tourism, processing, renewables) to show resilience.
- Prepare tenancy or ownership documents for land and buildings.
Being proactive with documents shortens decision times and can improve terms offered.
Case snapshot
Example (anonymised): A Somerset mixed farm secured £250,000 of asset finance for new machinery in under 10 days after being matched by Fast Business Loans. Individual results vary and are subject to lender assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Can start-up farms apply?
Yes — some lenders and brokers on our panel consider newer agricultural businesses. Provide a clear business plan and forecast to improve chances.
How quickly can funds be released?
Turnaround depends on product and documentation. Asset finance can complete in a few days once paperwork is provided; business loans may take longer.
Do I need property security?
Not always. Some products are unsecured or asset-secured (against machinery or vehicles). Each lender sets security requirements per case.
What if I have seasonal income?
Many agricultural lenders structure repayments to match cashflow, or offer revolving facilities and seasonal repayment profiles.
Are grants combined with loans?
Grants and loans can sometimes be combined, but grant conditions vary. Discuss specifics with the broker or lender you’re matched to for guidance.
Is there a fee to use Fast Business Loans?
No. It’s free for business owners to submit an enquiry. Partners may charge fees for later advisory services; any such charges will be disclosed by them.
Responsible borrowing & compliance
Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not give regulated financial advice or provide loans. We aim to be fair, clear and not misleading. Finance availability, rates and terms vary by lender and are subject to credit and business assessment. Consider whether borrowing is affordable and seek independent advice if unsure.
Next steps — get a free eligibility check
Ready to explore options? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match your business with lenders and brokers who understand agriculture. It takes under two minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now
– What types of agriculture business finance can I access?
You can be matched to asset finance/hire purchase for tractors and machinery, secured or unsecured business loans for working capital or expansion, invoice finance, short‑term bridging, and refinancing.
– What is the minimum and maximum loan size for UK farms?
Finance typically starts from around £10,000 and can extend to multi‑million amounts subject to lender assessment, security and your circumstances.
– How quickly will I get a response and funding?
You’ll usually be matched to lenders/brokers within hours on business days, with some asset finance completing in a few days once documents are provided.
– Will completing the enquiry affect my credit score?
No — the enquiry is not a loan application and does not perform a credit check, though lenders may run checks later with your permission.
– Do you lend directly or give financial advice?
No — Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK farms and agribusinesses with specialist lenders and brokers.
– Do you support start‑ups or applicants with poor credit?
Yes — some partners consider newer businesses and complex credit cases, especially with a clear business plan and cashflow forecast.
– Do I need property security, or are unsecured options available?
Not always — unsecured loans and asset‑backed facilities (e.g., secured against machinery) are available depending on the lender and your profile.
– What can farm finance be used for?
Common uses include tractors and machinery, livestock purchases, working capital between harvests, land improvements, diversification projects and renewables.
– What documents do lenders typically ask for?
Expect recent accounts and bank statements, director ID and address, details of assets/security, and farm records such as herd registers, tenancy agreements and subsidy schedules.
– What rates and fees should I expect, and is your service free?
Rates and fees vary by product and lender, our matching service is free and without obligation, and any broker or lender charges will be clearly disclosed before you proceed.
