Dairy Herd Finance

Dairy Herd Finance for UK Businesses

Dairy herd finance is a valuable tool for UK dairy farmers looking to expand or modernise their livestock operations without the burden of a large initial outlay. Whether you're increasing herd size or upgrading genetics for better yield and efficiency, financing can help you stay agile while preserving essential cash flow.

You may want to replace some of your existing cows or expand your herd. Whatever your business goals, we can help you achieve them by arranging specific agriculture finance.

Our agriculture finance team can arrange funding for the purchase of new cows, restructure existing finance agreements and provide you with flexible seasonal payments options.

What is dairy herd finance?

If you’re looking to expand your livestock holdings, we can help you secure finance tailored to your farm’s specific requirements.

We provide funding for a range of different cattle including:

• Dairy cattle
• Pedigrees
• Sucklers
• Beef

Typically a farm or business would purchase a herd of cows through a hire purchase agreement  where you would spread the cost over a fixed period of time with regular monthly instalments.

Do I qualify for dairy herd finance?

We’re happy to consider dairy herd finance for a range of agricultural businesses. Whether you're growing your herd or replacing livestock, we can support:

• Sole Traders and Independent Dairy Farmers
• Family-Run Dairy Operations
• Partnerships and Limited Companies
• Established Dairy Producers and Larger Agricultural Firms

Benefits of dairy herd finance

Some of the benefits for using dairy herd finance include:

No major upfront costs – You can expand your herd with a small initial payment through a hire purchase agreement.

Protect business cash flow – Purchase new cows that are necessary for your business operations and keep cash in the business and invest into other areas.

Access to new assets - If you need to replace your existing cows or add to your herd, you can use dairy herd finance to access the funds to do this.

Tailored re-payment options - We understand your cash flow and income fluctuates which is why we can offer seasonal payments options.

How long does it take to secure dairy herd finance?

Dairy herd finance often varies and depends on the business and type of finance required. It might take a few weeks or may require several months of planning. Applicants for dairy herd finance should have all their accounts in order and available for inspection, just like with any other type of business funding. Bank statements, the last three to five years’ worth of certified accounts, business plans, and specifics on assets and liabilities can all be required.

Other assets we can help with

In addition to financing dairy cows, we can also support you with the purchase of both new and used assets across a wide range of equipment and machinery:

• ATVs & UTV’s
• Arable Equipment and Machinery – Tractors, Tillers, Rollers, Ploughs and Harrows.
• Harvesters & sorting equipment – Combine Harvesters
• Cattle Equipment – Beef and Cattle Housing
• Loader Equipment – Trailers, Trucks, Conveyor Belts and Telehandlers.
• Fertilising equipment and spreaders – Manure spreaders, Muck spreaders and Silage containers.
• Dairy machinery – Milking equipment, Dairy feed, Dairy Cattle, Housing and Sheds.

Can I combine herd finance with other farm asset purchases?

We can help you finance both livestock and other agricultural assets such as milking robots, feeding systems, tractors, and more, often within one tailored finance solution such as a hire purchase agreement to keep things simple and manageable.

Who owns the livestock during the finance agreement?

In most cases, the finance provider retains ownership of the livestock until the final payment is made. Once the agreement is complete, full ownership transfers to you.

What deposit is required for dairy herd finance?

Deposit requirements can vary depending on the lender, your credit profile, and the value of the livestock. Some agreements may require as little as 5–10% upfront as a deposit.

Can I finance replacement stock or only herd expansion?

We can provide the finance which can be used for both purposes, whether you're replacing ageing stock or increasing the size of your herd to boost milk production or meet new contracts.

Are there seasonal repayment options available?

Many agricultural finance providers offer flexible or seasonal repayment structures to align with your farm's income cycle, helping to ease pressure during quieter months of the year.

Applying for dairy herd finance

MAF Finance Group can compare finance offerings from a wide panel of lenders to find the best option for you.

If you would like to get a quote or need further information, simply fill in the form and we will contact you. If you want to speak to someone directly, you can call us on 0115 958 6872 and a member of our team will be happy to speak to you. Alternatively, email us at [email protected].