Livestock loans

The health and quality of livestock are important factors for many Australian farmers and are crucial to ensuring the success and profitability of their farming operation. If you’re an Australian farmer who needs to purchase breeding stock or cover veterinary fees to ensure the health of your livestock, you may need to access financing from a trusted lender. This is where a livestock loan can help.

What is a livestock loan?

A livestock loan usually refers to a loan to help Australian farmers improve the quality of their breeding stock. This type of financing gives farmers the funds they need to do the following:

• Buy new livestock
• Re-build stock numbers
• Cover the cost of animal health-related expenses

However, the term livestock loan (or livestock finance) can also refer to an agriculture loan where you can use your livestock as collateral for the loan. You can use the borrowed funds to buy more livestock, to refinance an existing loan or to cover the cost of other farm-related expenses.

Livestock loans are available with fixed or variable interest rates and you are able to structure repayments in a way that reduces cash-flow pressure. In most cases, interest on this type of finance is capitalised (added to the loan amount), and you won’t need to repay the loan until the stock you purchase are sold or refinanced.

Loan terms typically range from a few months up to a few years.

How can a business loan help?

A business loan can allow you access to the funds you need to improve your stock numbers, increase the quality of your breeding stock and boost the profitability of your agricultural enterprise. Livestock loans are available from a limited range of Australian lenders, most of which offer specialist products to suit the agriculture sector.

However, there are several other general business loan options available to suit the finance needs of Australian farmers. From lines of credit and overdrafts to equipment finance and specifically tailored farm loans, there is plenty of choice available. To make sense of the loan options available and to work out which one is right for your needs, you may want to speak to a broker who specialises in agribusiness banking products.

Moula Business Loan

Moula Business Loan

• Borrow up to $250,000
• Flexible lending criteria
• No hidden fees

100% confidential application

Moula Business Loan

An unsecured business loan with online application and no upfront or early repayment fees.

• Interest rate type: Fixed
• Loan security: Unsecured
• Upfront fee: 2% Establishment fee
• Minimum loan amount: $5,000
• Maximum loan amount: $250,000
• Maximum loan term: 2 years

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Name	Product	Min. Loan Amount	Max. Loan Amount	Loan Term	Upfront Fee	Filter Values
Moula Business Loan		$5,000	$250,000	1 to 2 years	2% Establishment fee		A loan of up to $250,000 that can be approved and funded within 24 hours. Available to businesses with 6+ months operating history and $5,000+ monthly sales.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Zip Business Loan		$10,000	$500,000	6 months to 3 years	No Establishment fee		Borrow up to $500,000 with loan terms of up to 3 years. Flexible weekly, fortnightly and monthly repayment options available with no early repayment fees.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Lumi Unsecured Business Loan		$5,000	$300,000	3 months to 3 years	2.5% establishment fee		Apply for up to $300,000 from Lumi and benefit from short loan terms, no early repayment fees and once approved receive your funds in just one business day.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ebroker Business Loan		$5,000	$5,000,000	1 month to 30 years	$0 application fee		Small business loans available between $5,000 and $5,000,000. Get access to 70+ non-bank lenders on this independent platform.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Max Funding Unsecured Business Loan		$3,000	$30,000	1 month to 1 year	$0 application fee		An unsecured business loan from $3,000 that offers convenient pre-approval and no early repayment fees.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Valiant Finance Business Loan Broker		$5,000	$1,000,000	3 months to 5 years	$0 application fee		A Business Lending Specialist from Valiant Finance can give you access to competitive business loans from over 70 lenders. Loans between $5,000 and $1 million are available. Request a call – your loan can be funded in 1 business day.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Octet Trade Finance		$200,000	$8,000,000	1 month to 2 years	Transaction fee 2.5%		Access a line of credit to pay suppliers in over 65 countries. Borrow from $200,000 up to $7 million.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OnDeck Business Loans		$10,000	$250,000	6 months to 2 years	3% of loan amount		Apply for up to $250,000 and receive your approved funds in one business day. Minimum annual turnover of $100,000 and 1 year of trading history required.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Heritage Bank Fully Drawn Business Loan		$20,000	No maximum amount	1 to 25 years	Application fee is available upon application		Get access to a loan from $20,000 with no maximum limit with Heritage Bank. Loans can be secured by residential and non-residential property and have terms of up to 25 years.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Prospa Business Loan		$5,000	$300,000	3 months to 3 years	3% origination fee		Small business loans are available from $5,000 - $300,000 on terms of up to 3 years. At least six months trading history and a monthly turnover from $6,000 is necessary.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Secured Business Loan		$10,000	$10,000,000	Up to 15 years	$600		Benefit from a low rate when you secure this loan with property and/or business assets. Loans from $10,000 available.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Unsecured Business Loan		$10,000	$1,000,000	Up to 15 years	$600		Apply for a loan from $10,000 with no security required and benefit from flexible repayment terms.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Westpac Business Loan		$20,000	$1,000,000	1 to 30 years	$0 application fee		Purchase a new vehicle, equipment or support your cash flow with a business finance solution from Westpac.	Enquire now	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Heritage Bank Business Line of Credit		$50,000	$500,000	Up to 25 years	The application fee amount is available upon request		Get access to a credit limit from $50,000 to $500,000 on terms of up to 25-years.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Benefits of a business loan for livestock

The following are some of the reasons why you should look at a livestock loan:

• Crucial asset. Livestock are the lifeblood of tens of thousands of Australian farms. In fact, your livestock could be your most important asset, so taking steps to ensure the quality, health and number of your breeding stock could be essential to your farm’s survival.
• Use your livestock as security. These types of loans allow you to use your livestock as security, meaning you can access equity to purchase more livestock, cover veterinary costs or fund other farm expenses.
• Variable and fixed rates available. Depending on the lender you choose, you may be able to access a fixed or variable interest rate on your livestock loan.
• Repayment flexibility. Many livestock loans either require interest-only repayments for an initial period or simply add any interest that accrues to the overall loan amount and only require repayment once you have sold or refinanced your livestock. This loan structure provides flexibility for farmers and reduces the risk of cash-flow problems.
• Protect your business. Another benefit of livestock finance is that you don’t have to sell your livestock to cover any cash-flow shortages. Instead, you can access the funds you need to cover the costs of running your farm while at the same time still maintaining ownership of your all-important livestock.

How to compare loans

There are several important factors to consider when comparing livestock loans:

• Interest rate. You can get a loan with either a fixed rate or a variable rate, and you will need to compare interest rates across a range of lenders to get a better idea of how much your loan will cost. Remember when comparing loans to make sure that you’re also comparing apples with apples by looking at loans with similar features.
• Loan fees. Read the fine print to familiarise yourself with any upfront or ongoing fees that apply and the effect they will have on the total cost of the loan.
• Loan terms. Generally speaking, livestock loans are available with terms ranging from three months to three years.
• Repayments. Does the loan have an interest-only repayment period to help you manage your cash flow? Alternatively, is interest on the loan capitalised so that you don’t need to repay it until a later date?
• Review process. Many livestock financing arrangements undergo regular reviews by the lender, usually every 12 months. Find out what this review process involves and what happens if the terms of your loan change.
• Loan amount. Make sure you’re aware of any minimum and maximum limits that apply to any loan you are considering.

How can I increase my chances of being approved?

Whether you’re applying for a livestock loan or another type of business loan for your farm, there are a few simple things you can do to improve the chances of your loan application being approved:

• Research and compare. Compare a wide range of agricultural loans to decide which type of loan is right for you. A broker can help you assess your financing needs and find the ideal loan for your situation.
• Read the fine print. Make sure you’re aware of all the eligibility criteria before you apply for a loan. These can include age requirements, loan limits, security requirements, loan-purpose requirements and even the type of farm for which a loan is available.
• Prepare a comprehensive application. Make sure you provide all the information and documentation a lender requests in order to process your application. This may include prior tax statements, financial forecasts, cost estimates and more. Your broker can help you compile all the relevant information for your application.

Need to manage cash flow?

If you are struggling to manage your cash flow and have a few outstanding invoices, invoice financing can be an option. It's a type of business loan that comes with reduced risk, no asset requirements or interest payments.

Compare invoice financing products below.

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Name	Product	Min. Loan Amount	Max. Loan Amount	Loan Term	Upfront Fee	Filter Values
Timelio Invoice Finance		$10,000	$100,000,000	Up to 4 months	$0		Get up to 100% of the value of your invoices without having to wait for customer payments, and with no minimum turnover or operating history required.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ScotPac Invoice Finance		$10,000	$150,000,000	From 1 year	No set amount		Improve your business cash flow by financing your outstanding invoices. No minimum trading history required, but minimum 12 - month term and $10,000 in invoices.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ScotPac Selective Invoice Finance		$10,000	$1,000,000	1 to 3 months	$500		Finance your unpaid invoices on demand with terms of 1 - 3 months. 95% of invoice is paid upfront, with no minimum trading history required.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Octet Invoice Finance		$100,000	$10,000,000	1 month to 2 years	No Set Amount		Convert up to 85% of your company's receivables into cash flow. The value of your receivables need to be worth at least $250,000 to be eligible.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Frequently asked questions about livestock loans

• Are there any peer-to-peer lenders that offer livestock loans?

  Yes, SocietyOne currently offers livestock loans.

• What does it mean if the interest on a livestock loan is capitalised?

  This means that the interest charged on the money you borrow is added to the loan amount.

• Do minimum loan amounts apply to livestock loans?

  Yes. While these minimum limits vary between lenders, $25,000 is a common lower-end limit.

• How can I find out more about livestock loans and farm financing?

  You can find out more about livestock loans and agricultural financing by speaking with an experienced broker who specialises in these areas.