Can UK Business Loans connect me with lenders for livestock financing and expanding my herd?
Summary: Yes — UK Business Loans can connect UK farms and livestock businesses with specialist lenders and brokers that offer livestock purchase loans, seasonal working capital, equipment and asset finance, invoice finance and other farm funding solutions. We act as an introducer: submit a short enquiry for a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you with providers likely to meet your needs. Get Quote Now: Free Eligibility Check.
Quick facts — at a glance
- Typical finance amounts we match from: £10,000 to £2m+ (varies by lender)
- Common uses: buying breeding stock, seasonal feed, working capital, trailers/equipment, land or yard improvements
- Typical initial response: often within hours to 48 hours after enquiry
- Cost to enquire: free — no obligation
How UK Business Loans helps farms and livestock businesses
We do not lend money. Instead, we act as a time-saving matchmaker: you tell us your funding need and we introduce your business to lenders and finance brokers who specialise in agriculture and livestock finance. Our role is to increase the chances of finding a suitable facility quickly, without you having to research dozens of providers.
How the matching process works
- Complete a short enquiry (takes about 2 minutes) — name, company, postcode, loan amount and purpose.
- We match your details to lenders/brokers in our panel who understand livestock and farm cashflow.
- Selected providers contact you directly with questions or an indicative quote.
- If you like an offer you receive, you can proceed — lenders may then request formal documents and run checks.
Who we introduce you to
We work with a network of UK-based lenders and brokers that provide farm and livestock finance. Some specialise in agricultural lending, some are brokers who can access multiple lenders. We do not guarantee approval — that decision rests with the provider you choose to progress with.
What you’ll typically need to provide
- Company name and contact details
- Approximate loan amount and purpose (e.g., buy 50 heifers; winter feed)
- Basic financials: recent turnover, management accounts or last year’s accounts for larger loans
- Details about the herd (numbers, type) and any security available (livestock, property)
Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry is free and will not affect your credit score — lenders may perform credit/ID checks only if you choose to progress with an offer.
Types of livestock finance we can connect you with
Different lenders specialise in different products. Below are the common facilities you may be introduced to and when they are typically used.
Livestock purchase loans
Short- to medium-term loans to buy animals — useful for purchasing breeding stock or finishing stock. Some lenders structure repayments to match income cycles (e.g., after sale or contract payments).
Working capital & seasonal finance
Facilities that bridge seasonal cashflow gaps, for example funding feed purchases before sales or contract receipts arrive. These are typically structured as revolving or seasonal facilities.
Asset & equipment finance
Hire purchase or leasing for trailers, feeders, slurry tanks, handling equipment and other items. Asset finance preserves working capital as repayments are spread across the useful life of the equipment.
Agricultural mortgages & land finance
If your expansion requires more grazing or acquiring a yard, some lenders provide mortgages or longer-term property finance for land and farm buildings.
Invoice & contract finance
If you sell livestock under contract or have invoices for meat/milk sales, invoice finance can unlock cash tied up in receivables.
Refinance & debt restructuring
We can also introduce brokers who specialise in restructuring existing borrowing to improve monthly cashflow or combine facilities.
Product availability, rates and terms depend on lender criteria, the security offered and your business history. We’ll match you to the most suitable providers for your situation. Get Quote Now
Is livestock finance right for your herd expansion?
Livestock finance can be a practical way to accelerate herd growth, smooth seasonal peaks and invest in productivity. But it’s not always the best option — you should weigh opportunity against risk.
Key decision factors for lenders and for you:
- Herd valuation and liquidity — how easily can animals be sold if required?
- Projected uplift — expected increase in revenue from expansion versus cost of finance
- Cashflow forecast — capacity to meet repayments during low months
- Biosecurity & compliance — lenders will expect you manage disease risk and legal responsibilities
- Market risk — livestock prices can be volatile
Checklist to prepare before enquiring:
- Herd numbers, type and estimated value
- Purpose and timescale for funding
- Recent management accounts or turnover figures
- Details of any existing borrowing and security you can offer
What lenders and brokers will look at
Underwriting for livestock finance often combines standard commercial checks with agriculture-specific information.
- Business structure, trading history and turnover
- Credit history of the company and directors
- Herd details and health records (e.g., herd registers, TB history where relevant)
- Collateral — some lenders can take livestock or land as security; others prefer property or equipment
- Management experience and business plan for the expansion
- Cashflow forecasts showing how repayments will be met
Document examples lenders may ask for: bank statements, management accounts, herd registers, purchase invoices and any contracts for sale. Specialist brokers can help package weaker cases or find lenders more tolerant of “imperfect” credit.
Real‑world examples (illustrative)
Case study 1 — Beef herd expansion
Challenge: A family-run beef enterprise wanted to buy 60 breeding heifers to expand output ahead of a supply contract. They needed £75,000 and did not want to encumber their farmhouse.
Solution: We matched them to a broker who arranged a mixed facility — short-term livestock finance to purchase the animals and asset finance for a trailer. Timeline from enquiry to funds: 10 working days. Outcome: Herd expanded, repayments structured seasonally to match sales.
Case study 2 — Dairy winter feed working capital
Challenge: A mid-sized dairy business required £120,000 to purchase winter feed and maintain milk yields across colder months.
Solution: We introduced a lender offering a seasonal working capital facility with a drawdown feature aligned to milk price cycles. The farmer avoided stock shortages and timed repayment to income from contracted milk sales.
These are representative scenarios intended to show how different products can be combined. They are not guarantees of outcome.
Frequently asked questions
- Can UK Business Loans find lenders who specialise in cattle, sheep or pig finance?
- Yes. We introduce enquiries to lenders and brokers with agricultural experience who regularly work with cattle, sheep, pig and mixed livestock businesses.
- How quickly will a lender contact me?
- Many providers contact businesses within hours during business hours; typical responses are within 24–48 hours, depending on the complexity of the request.
- Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
- No. An initial enquiry through UK Business Loans does not impact your credit file. Lenders may run credit or ID checks only if you progress to a formal application.
- Do I have to offer security?
- Some lenders require security (livestock, property or equipment); others offer unsecured facilities for smaller amounts. It depends on lender criteria, loan size and risk profile.
- What loan sizes can I apply for?
- We typically match loans from £10,000 upwards, with many lenders able to consider six-figure facilities for established businesses.
- How much does UK Business Loans charge?
- Our matchmaking service is free for businesses. We generate revenue only when an enquiry is completed and introduced to lenders/brokers.
- Can I compare multiple offers?
- Yes. One of the benefits of using our service is being able to compare offers and choose the lender or broker that best fits your needs.
If you still have questions, request a Free Eligibility Check: Start Your Enquiry
How to get started
Ready to explore livestock finance? Complete our quick enquiry form — it takes around 2 minutes. We’ll match you to lenders and brokers experienced in farming finance who can provide quotes and next steps. The enquiry is free and no obligation.
By submitting your details you consent to UK Business Loans sharing the information with selected finance partners who may contact you by phone or email. UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Lenders may carry out further checks if you progress a formal application.
1. Can UK Business Loans connect me with lenders for livestock financing and herd expansion?
Yes — we introduce UK farms and livestock businesses to specialist lenders and brokers offering livestock purchase loans, seasonal working capital and other herd expansion finance via a free eligibility check.
2. How do I start the process and how long until a lender contacts me?
Complete our quick enquiry (about 2 minutes) — it’s not a formal application — and suitable lenders or brokers typically respond within hours to 48 hours.
3. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — submitting an initial enquiry with UK Business Loans does not affect your credit file; lenders may only run credit or ID checks if you progress to a formal application.
4. What types of farm and livestock finance can I be matched with?
We can match you with providers for livestock purchase loans, seasonal working capital, asset and equipment finance, agricultural mortgages, invoice/contract finance and refinance options.
5. What loan sizes are available for livestock and farm finance?
Typical matches start from around £10,000 and many lenders consider six-figure or multi‑million facilities depending on the lender and your business profile.
6. Do I have to offer security to get livestock finance?
It depends — some lenders accept livestock, property or equipment as security while others offer unsecured facilities for smaller amounts or stronger credit profiles.
7. What information and documents will lenders typically ask for?
Lenders commonly request basic business details, turnover or management accounts, bank statements, herd numbers and health records (e.g., herd registers), and details of any existing borrowing or security.
8. How much does UK Business Loans charge to match me with lenders?
Our matchmaking service is free to businesses — we generate revenue only when an enquiry is introduced to lenders or brokers.
9. Can I compare multiple finance offers and choose the best one?
Yes — one benefit of our service is receiving and comparing quotes from multiple lenders or brokers so you can pick the most suitable terms for your farm.
10. Are the lenders and brokers you introduce regulated and trustworthy?
We work with reputable, UK-based lenders and FCA-regulated brokers experienced in agricultural finance, but approval and terms are decided by the provider you choose to progress with.
