Business funding for farms and agriculture businesses
Farming income is seasonal and often arrives once or twice a year at harvest or sale, while seed, feed, fuel, labour and equipment costs go out on their own schedule all year round. Agriculture funding usually has to account for that mismatch, and government-backed loan programs are worth checking alongside standard financing because of the terms they can offer.
- One application, several lenders
- No credit pull to see your options
- No fee to you, ever
Common funding needs
- Buying seed, feed, fertilizer or livestock ahead of the season
- Financing a tractor, combine or other equipment
- Covering payroll and fuel between planting and harvest
- Building or repairing barns, silos or irrigation
What usually fits
Products that usually fit
- Line of credit for input costs and payroll between planting and harvest.
- Equipment financing for tractors, combines and other farm equipment.
- Government-backed loans for longer terms on equipment or facilities, if you can wait on the process.
- Working capital for a shorter seasonal gap.
Compare term loans, lines of credit, cash advances and equipment financing side by side →
Illustrative example
A worked example
A farm draws $45,000 on a line of credit for seed and fertilizer in the spring, repaying it after harvest about 6 months later. At an illustrative 10-20% a year, simple interest for that period runs roughly $2,250-$4,500, and the limit is available again the next season.
Separately, financing a used tractor for $60,000 over 5 years at an illustrative 8-16% a year comes to about $1,217–$1,459 a month, or $72,995–$87,545 total.
Illustrative example only, not an offer or a quote. Rates, fees and terms are set by each lender and depend on your business. Fees are not included unless stated.
Underwriting
What lenders look at
- Crop or livestock cycle and typical timing of sale income
- Acreage, herd size or production volume
- Age and condition of equipment
- Existing equipment loans or operating debt
- Owner credit and farm history
Honestly
Who this is not for
- A first-year operation with no harvest or sale history yet
- Borrowing short-term, expensive money for a need that a seasonal line of credit fits better
- Equipment financing sized without room for a bad crop year
If borrowing does not make sense, we will say so.
Are you a match?
Lender network minimums
Close but not quite there? Apply anyway and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
*Best available terms from lenders in our network. Every lender sets its own criteria; approval, amount and funding time are decided by the lender and not guaranteed.
| Time in business | 1 year+ |
|---|---|
| Monthly bank deposits | $20,000+ |
| Credit score | 500+ |
| Bank account | Business |
| Fee to you | $0 |
| Credit pull to start | None |
FAQ
Agriculture funding questions
Are there government-backed loans for farms?
Yes, some government-backed programs cover agriculture, often with longer terms and lower down payments, but approval can take longer than private financing.
Can a new farm get financing?
It is harder without a harvest or sale history. Equipment financing with a down payment sometimes works sooner than a line of credit.
How does seasonal income affect what I can borrow?
Lenders want to see the full cycle, so bring statements covering both the lean months and the harvest or sale months.
Do you finance used farm equipment?
Some lenders in our network do, often with limits on age or hours. Tell us what you are buying and from whom.
Guides
Guides for agriculture
Related
Similar businesses
Manufacturing · Wholesale & distribution · Franchises
Where we work: all US states · all Canadian provinces
See your options
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