Can I get seasonal cash flow finance for feed, seed, fertiliser, fuel, and vet costs?
The short answer and what seasonal input finance covers
Yes — many UK lenders and brokers offer seasonal cash flow finance that can be used for essential farm inputs such as feed, seed, fertiliser, fuel, crop protection, and veterinary bills. This type of working capital funding is designed to align with agricultural cash cycles, where costs are front-loaded and income is realised at harvest or after livestock is finished and sold. Best Business Loans helps you explore suitable providers and products that match your sector, season, and cash flow profile.
Seasonal input finance can be structured as an overdraft-style revolving facility, a short-term loan, trade/supplier finance, or a specialist agricultural “input” line. The right route depends on your trading history, security available, and whether you’re arable, livestock, mixed, dairy, or horticulture. While we don’t supply loans directly, our AI-driven matching helps you connect quickly with lenders or brokers who are actively supporting UK farming businesses.
Funds can typically be used to buy consumables and services that keep your farm running. That includes compound feed, straights, forage, seed and seed treatments, fertiliser and foliar feeds, fuel and lubricants, crop protection, bedding, and veterinary or on-farm health services. Lenders usually ask for a clear purpose and a simple repayment plan that tracks expected receipts from milk cheques, livestock sales, or harvest proceeds.
What are the common use-cases?
- Bridging the gap between spring input purchases and autumn grain sales.
- Covering feed and vet spikes during lambing, calving, or finishing cycles.
- Smoothing cash flow when milk price volatility, weather, or delayed BPS/delinked payments disrupt timing.
What you should know upfront
- Finance is subject to status, affordability checks, and lender criteria.
- Interest and fees apply; variable rates may move with base rate changes.
- Security or personal guarantees may be requested depending on the facility type.
The main finance options for farm inputs
Different funding tools suit different farm systems, margins, and seasonality. Below is a practical overview to help you frame your options before requesting a quick quote or eligibility check.
Revolving credit facility (RCF) or overdraft-style line
An unsecured or partially secured revolving facility is popular for recurring seasonal needs. You draw, repay, and redraw within a set limit, paying interest only on what you use. This can suit arable cycles for seed, fertiliser, chemicals, and fuel, or livestock units covering feed and vet bills through calving or finishing periods.
Pros: Flexible, quick to draw, interest on drawn balance, reusable. Cons: Rates can be higher than secured borrowing; limits depend on credit strength. Typical docs include bank statements, management accounts, and a short purpose statement.
Short-term working capital loan
Termed over 3–18 months, this suits a single-season requirement with a clear repayment date from crop or livestock sales. It can be used to bulk-purchase inputs at favourable prices, or to take advantage of early-order discounts from merchants.
Pros: Simple, defined end-date, predictable repayments. Cons: Less flexible than revolving credit; full interest charged on total amount from day one. May require a personal guarantee depending on profile.
Trade and supplier finance
Some lenders settle approved suppliers directly (e.g., feed mills, merchants, fuel distributors) and give you extended terms, often 30–180 days. This can preserve cash and keep relationships strong with key suppliers.
Pros: Protects cash, aligns payments to receivables, can unlock better buying terms. Cons: Approved supplier lists may apply; facility may be ring-fenced to specific inputs. Useful when large input invoices cluster in narrow time windows.
Invoice finance (where applicable)
If you sell B2B on credit terms — for example to processors, wholesalers, or retailers — invoice finance can advance a percentage of outstanding invoices. This is more common in downstream agri-food, processing, or diversified enterprises than at the farm gate.
Pros: Scales with revenue; can be fast once set up. Cons: Only works on eligible invoices; fees vary by volume and risk. Good fit for businesses with regular invoicing and debtor books.
Asset refinance or secured working capital
If your farm holds unencumbered or low-geared machinery or vehicles, refinancing an asset can release working capital. Some lenders also consider secured working capital against property or land, subject to valuation and legal work.
Pros: Larger limits and lower rates versus unsecured options. Cons: Longer completion times and added costs; asset at risk if repayments are missed. Better for larger or longer-term needs, not urgent spend.
Agricultural “input finance” specialists
A number of UK providers focus on farm input finance with seasonal repayment schedules and sector-aware underwriting. They understand the realities of weather, commodity prices, and the UK agricultural payments landscape.
Pros: Sector expertise, seasonal terms, pragmatic approach. Cons: Documentation still required; pricing varies with risk and security. If your needs are specifically feed, seed, fertiliser, fuel, and vets, this niche can be ideal.
Eligibility, costs, and what to prepare
Lenders will look at your trading history, financial resilience, and seasonal plan. You’ll be asked to show typical input costs and the timing of expected receipts, whether via milk cheques, finished animals, or crop sales.
Typical eligibility indicators
- UK-based limited company or LLP trading 12+ months (some consider partnerships and established family farms).
- Turnover and margins consistent with facility size requested.
- Clean or explainable credit history; no recent unsatisfied CCJs; manageable existing commitments.
- Clear purpose (e.g., Q2 seed and fertiliser, Q3 feed and vet support) and realistic repayment horizon.
Costs and terms to expect
- Interest: Fixed or variable; unsecured rates typically higher than secured; daily interest on drawn balances for RCFs.
- Fees: Arrangement or line fee, potential non-utilisation fee on some lines, and early settlement terms — ask for the full cost breakdown.
- Security: Personal guarantees are common for SMEs; asset-backed or property security may reduce cost but increases risk to the asset.
Documents checklist
- Last 3–6 months’ business bank statements and recent management accounts.
- Latest filed accounts and basic cash flow plan showing seasonal swing.
- Purpose details: outline input types, suppliers, and timing of use.
- Any existing finance agreements and a short summary of your enterprise mix.
How Best Business Loans helps
Complete a Quick Quote and our system matches your profile to lenders or brokers who are active in farm input finance. You can request an indicative eligibility check or a Decision in Principle, with minimal back-and-forth. Timescales vary, but straightforward unsecured facilities can often be assessed rapidly once documents are supplied.
We do not offer advice and we don’t lend our own funds. We introduce you to finance professionals and you decide which route, if any, is right for your farm. There’s no obligation to proceed, and you’ll see key terms before choosing to move ahead.
Practical examples, timelines, and approval tips
Example A — Arable: A mixed arable business needs £150k to cover seed, fertiliser, and fuel ahead of spring drilling. A revolving facility lets them draw in tranches and repay after grain sales, with interest only on the drawn amounts. Seasonal limits can be reviewed annually alongside cropping plans.
Example B — Livestock: A beef finisher faces higher feed and vet spend to finish cattle to specification. A 12-month working capital loan covers input spikes, repaid after stock moves and invoices clear. The owner provides a personal guarantee to secure a sharper rate and reduce the arrangement fee.
Example C — Dairy: A dairy unit wants resilience against milk price dips while maintaining feed quality and herd health. Supplier finance pays approved feed and vet invoices directly, with the farmer settling on 60–120 day terms. This keeps cash free for labour and energy costs and preserves supplier goodwill.
Typical timelines (indicative, not guaranteed)
- Enquiry and triage: same day to 24 hours.
- Document review and eligibility: 24–72 hours for many unsecured lines.
- Offer to funding: 2–10 working days, subject to complexity, security, and legals.
Approval tips
- Map your season: list input types, supplier names, and timing by month, with your expected receipts.
- Share management accounts and bank statements early to avoid delays.
- Be realistic on limits and repayment schedules to keep affordability strong.
- Consider security options if you want a lower rate, but assess the risk of pledging assets.
- Keep supplier references and basic herd/crop records ready if requested.
Risks and fair-warning statements
- Late or missed repayments can impact your credit profile and may lead to collections or enforcement.
- For secured facilities, the asset provided as security may be at risk if you do not keep up repayments.
- Variable-rate borrowing can become more expensive if base rates rise; budget a stress margin.
For broader guidance on farming finance options and sector-specific considerations, see our farming finance overview: Agriculture and Farming Loans – Options and Eligibility. This internal guide gives extra context for arable, livestock, dairy, horticulture, and mixed enterprises.
FAQs, compliance notes, and your next steps
Can seasonal finance cover feed, seed, fertiliser, fuel, and vet costs?
Yes — these are precisely the kinds of short-term, repeat costs that seasonal input finance is designed for. Lenders generally support working capital that keeps your farm operational and productive. You’ll need to outline amounts, timing, and how you’ll repay from sales or other receipts.
Will I need security or a personal guarantee?
Unsecured facilities may still require a personal guarantee. Secured facilities can use machinery, vehicles, or property to improve pricing and limits. The right structure depends on your balance sheet, risk appetite, and cost objectives.
How fast can funding be arranged?
Indicative decisions for straightforward unsecured facilities can arrive within days, once documents are provided. Allow extra time for secured facilities due to valuations and legal processes. We’ll route you to providers aligned with your timeline and complexity.
What will it cost?
Costs vary by product, security, credit profile, and market rates. Expect a combination of interest and fees, and ask for a full breakdown, including any non-utilisation fees on revolving lines. Always compare total cost of finance against your expected margin and price risks.
Does applying affect my credit score?
Some providers use soft searches at the eligibility stage, but full applications may involve hard searches. We encourage transparency at the outset so you understand how your data will be used. You remain in control of whether to proceed.
Important compliance and fairness notes
- Information here is general and not financial advice; your circumstances are unique.
- Finance is subject to status, affordability, and lender terms; fees and interest apply.
- Best Business Loans acts as an independent introducer, not a lender; we connect you with suitable finance providers.
How to get started in minutes
- Complete a Quick Quote with details of your farm, input needs, and desired limit.
- Upload recent bank statements and management accounts for a fast eligibility check.
- Review matched options, discuss terms with providers, and choose what fits your season.
Ready to explore seasonal cash flow finance for feed, seed, fertiliser, fuel, and vet costs? Submit your Quick Quote for a no-obligation eligibility check or Decision in Principle. It’s fast, secure, and designed for UK farming businesses.
Key takeaways
- Yes — seasonal cash flow finance can cover core farm inputs, including feed, seed, fertiliser, fuel, and veterinary costs.
- Popular options include revolving credit, short-term working capital loans, trade/supplier finance, and sector-specific input lines.
- Prepare bank statements, management accounts, and a simple seasonal cash flow plan to speed decisions.
- We introduce you to relevant lenders and brokers; you compare terms and choose — no obligation.
- Finance is subject to status; rates and fees vary; assets may be at risk with secured borrowing.
Updated October 2025