Agriculture business loans — dairy, poultry & horticulture lending

Summary: Yes — UK Business Loans can connect dairy, poultry and horticulture businesses with lenders and brokers who understand agricultural cashflows, seasonal cycles and specialist assets. We’re an introducer (not a lender); complete a short, confidential enquiry and we’ll match you to providers who can offer tailored options for working capital, asset finance, land or seasonal funding. Get a free eligibility check and no-obligation quotes: Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

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Can UK Business Loans connect your dairy, poultry or horticulture business?

Yes. UK Business Loans acts as a matchmaker between agricultural businesses and lenders or brokers that specialise in farming and horticulture finance. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice — instead we collect a few key details and introduce you to lenders/brokers who can provide quotes tailored to your sector and needs.

• What you’ll get: a free eligibility check, quick comparisons and introductions to lenders who understand seasonal receipts, livestock cycles and specialist equipment.
• Who we help: incorporated farming businesses, limited companies and commercial ventures seeking loans from £10,000 upwards for working capital, equipment, land or sustainability projects.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

How UK Business Loans matches agriculture firms to specialist lenders

Our process is straightforward and designed to reduce wasted time. It focuses on matching your business to providers who understand your sector rather than sending your details to a long list of irrelevant lenders.

1. Short enquiry — you complete a quick online form (business details, loan purpose, approximate amount, sector: dairy/poultry/horticulture).
2. Smart match — we use your loan purpose, business size, turnover and whether your income is seasonal to pick suitable lenders and brokers.
3. Introductions — selected partners contact you directly with offers or requests for further information so you can compare quotes.
4. Decision — review and choose the lender best suited to your needs; the lender handles the application and funding.

We prioritise partners experienced in agricultural finance, plus brokers who routinely handle herd, flock and crop-based cashflow. Your initial enquiry will not affect your credit score. Start your free enquiry.

Why dairy, poultry and horticulture need specialist lenders

Agricultural businesses have finance needs that differ from most high-street SMEs. Lenders who underwrite with a farming lens can price risk and structure deals more appropriately.

• Dairy: volatility in milk prices, seasonal and monthly payment timing, need for herd replacement finance, parlour and tanker equipment financing, and environmental compliance costs.
• Poultry: flock cycles and turnover, biosecurity investments, feed-price sensitivity and short asset lifespans for certain equipment.
• Horticulture: glasshouses, irrigation, cold storage and packline equipment; seasonality of cash receipts and contract-driven sales.

Generalist lenders may misinterpret seasonal cashflow or the life-cycle of crop and livestock assets. Specialist lenders and brokers factor these into affordability assessments, using production forecasts, crop plans and tenancy or supply contracts when underwriting.

For sector-focused support and wider information, see our agriculture business loans resource: agriculture business loans.

Typical loan types for dairy, poultry and horticulture — which works best?

Different purposes need different products. Below are common finance types and how they help agricultural businesses.

• Seasonal working capital: bridges gaps between harvests, milk payments or flock cycles. Lenders look for production forecasts, sales contracts and bank statements.
• Asset finance & hire purchase: funds tractors, feed systems, pack lines, greenhouses. Useful when you want to spread cost while securing equipment as collateral.
• Agricultural mortgages & land finance: for land purchase, farmhouse or barn improvements. Underwriting considers agricultural value, tenancy arrangements and long-term cashflow.
• Invoice finance: ideal for horticulture packers or suppliers with outstanding invoices to trade buyers.
• Short-term bridging & cashflow loans: fast access for urgent repairs, seasonal spikes in costs or short-term delays in receipts.
• Refinance & consolidation: repay costly debt or smooth monthly outgoings — lenders will assess existing facilities and asset coverage.
• Sustainability & green loans: finance for slurry stores, solar PV, heat pumps or energy-efficient glasshouses; some lenders offer preferential terms for environmental projects.

Each lender looks at turnover, asset value, tenancy or ownership status, supply contracts and environmental permits. To compare options, Compare lender options — Get a free eligibility check.

Evidence we can connect you to sector-aware lenders

Our platform works with a panel of UK lenders and brokers that specialise in commercial and agricultural finance. Examples of partner specialisms include farm asset finance, livestock lending, seasonal working capital and land mortgages.

On our live site we typically show anonymised case studies and partner credentials to demonstrate successful matches — for example, helping a dairy co-operative secure seasonal bridge funding, or matching a horticulture packhouse with invoice finance to accelerate growth. If you’d like bespoke examples, include brief details in your enquiry and we’ll match you to a relevant broker who can share anonymised case histories.

Your enquiry is handled securely and only shared with selected partners who can help. We are an introducer — we do not lend. Start your free, confidential enquiry.

What lenders will ask — be prepared before you apply

Having documents ready speeds up the process. Typical items lenders request:

• Recent accounts (2–3 years if available) and management accounts or profit & loss statements
• 3–6 months of bank statements (seasonal businesses should include a full trading cycle where possible)
• VAT returns and tax reference details
• Crop plans, herd/flock numbers and recent production forecasts
• Asset lists and valuations (machinery, vehicles, buildings)
• Tenancy agreements or land ownership documentation
• Supply contracts, purchase orders or customer agreements

Tip: for seasonal funding, prepare a 12-month cashflow projection showing peak and low months — specialist underwriters find this very helpful. Need help? Fill our form and a specialist broker will tell you exactly what’s needed: Free Eligibility Check.

Typical timelines and costs

Expect realistic timelines and transparent costs:

• Initial contact: often within hours on business days.
• Indicative or conditional offers: from a few days for asset finance to several weeks for mortgages or complex refinance.
• Completion: asset finance can complete in days; property or larger land finance may take weeks depending on surveys and legal work.

Costs vary by lender, loan type and risk profile. We cannot promise rates or approvals — lenders set terms. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may run soft or hard checks later in the application process.

Get a quick quote — start now

Frequently asked questions (dairy, poultry & horticulture)

Will I need to put my farm or assets up as security?

It depends. Asset finance is usually secured against the equipment being financed; mortgages and large loans commonly use property or land as security. Unsecured options exist but are limited and usually more expensive.

Can I get seasonal working capital if my revenue fluctuates?

Yes. Specialist lenders assess seasonal cycles and may structure repayment plans around your busiest months. Accurate forecasts and bank statements improve your chances.

Do you lend to tenant farmers?

Many lenders will work with tenants if they have secure tenancy agreements or long-term contracts. It varies by lender — we’ll match you to those prepared to consider tenant operations.

Can new growers or recently established operations get funding?

Some lenders and specialist start-up funds consider new growers, especially where there are contracts, forward sales or investor backing. Brokers can help identify suitable routes.

Our Business Finance Matching Process

Step 1

Complete Your Details

It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.

Step 2

We Match Your Business

With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.

Step 3

You Get Free Quote + Advice

You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.

It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.

Will enquiring affect my credit score?

No. Your initial enquiry with us won’t affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you progress an application.

How quickly will lenders contact me?

Often within hours during business hours; complex requests may take longer. Provide a best contact time on the form for faster contact.

Do you charge businesses for matching?

No — businesses do not pay us to be matched. Any fees or interest are charged by the lender you choose.

Can you help with green or sustainability funding?

Yes. Many of our partners offer green loans for projects such as slurry storage, renewable energy and energy-efficiency upgrades.

What if my credit history isn’t perfect?

Specialist lenders in our network consider imperfect credit, though rates and terms vary. A broker can identify lenders that look beyond standard credit scores.

Can you source large loans (over £250k)?

Yes — our panel includes commercial lenders and specialist funders who can provide larger facilities for land, plant, or consolidation.

Ready to compare lenders? Get your free eligibility check

Next steps & final notes

In short: UK Business Loans can connect dairy, poultry and horticulture businesses with lenders and brokers who understand the particular cashflow, asset and regulatory needs of these sectors. We are an introducer — not a lender — and our role is to make it quicker and easier for you to receive targeted, no-obligation quotes from providers who may be a good fit.

To get started, complete a short form with a few business details. It takes under two minutes, will not affect your credit score, and helps us introduce you to the most appropriate lenders and brokers. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Important note: UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry puts you in contact with lenders and brokers who will contact you directly with offers or requests for further information. We typically work with businesses seeking £10,000 and above.

Explore related resources: Asset finance · Cashflow loans · Sustainability loans · Privacy policy

1. Are you a lender or an introducer?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches you with specialist lenders and brokers, we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice.

2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — your initial enquiry and free eligibility check won’t affect your credit score, though lenders may run checks later if you progress an application.

3. What loan amounts can UK Business Loans help me find?
We typically match businesses seeking £10,000 and above and can connect you to partners who provide facilities from small working-capital loans up to multi-hundred-thousand or million-pound commercial financings.

4. What types of agriculture business loans are available for dairy, poultry and horticulture?
Common options include seasonal working capital, asset finance and hire purchase, agricultural mortgages/land finance, invoice finance, short-term bridging, refinance/consolidation and green or sustainability loans.

5. Will I need to put my farm or assets up as security?
It depends — asset finance is usually secured against the equipment, mortgages commonly use land or property, and unsecured options exist but are limited and usually more expensive.

6. Can tenant farmers or new growers get funding?
Yes — many lenders consider tenant farmers with secure tenancy agreements and some specialist lenders or start-up funds will support new growers with contracts, forward sales or investor backing.

7. What documents should I have ready to speed up a farm loan application?
Typical documents include recent accounts and management accounts, 3–6 months bank statements (or a full trading cycle for seasonal businesses), VAT returns, crop/ herd plans and production forecasts, asset lists/valuations, tenancy or ownership paperwork and supply contracts.

8. How quickly will lenders contact me and how long does funding take?
Selected partners often contact you within hours on business days; indicative offers can arrive in days for asset finance but mortgages or complex land deals can take several weeks to complete.

9. Are the lenders and brokers you introduce FCA-regulated and do you charge for matching?
Yes — we work with reputable, FCA-regulated brokers and lenders where applicable, and our matching service is free to businesses (any fees or interest are charged by the lender you choose).

10. Can you help me find green or sustainability funding for my farm?
Yes — many of our partners specialise in green loans for projects such as slurry stores, solar PV, heat pumps and energy-efficiency upgrades and can offer tailored terms for sustainability projects.