Finance to Build Grain Stores
How UK farmers can fund modern, high-performance grain storage with Gable Business Finance
Modern grain storage is no longer just about “keeping it dry until sale.” For UK arable and mixed farmers, storage has become a strategic asset that affects:
- Selling time and marketing flexibility
- Grain quality and claim risk
- Drying and energy costs
- Risk from pests, moisture and mycotoxins
- Access to premium and specialist contracts
At the same time, the cost of building or upgrading a grain store – silos, sheds, drying, handling and cleaning kit – can be substantial. That’s why more businesses are turning to specialist grain store finance to spread costs, manage cash flow and upgrade infrastructure without slowing the rest of the farm down.
Gable Business Finance works with UK farms, estates and grain businesses to arrange tailored finance packages for:
- New grain stores (silos and sheds)
- Extensions and upgrades
- Dryers, intake pits, elevators and conveyors
- TASCC-accredited storage facilities
- Weighbridges and sampling equipment
- Grain cleaning, screening, aspirators and colour sorters
- Renewable energy systems for drying
- On-farm processing kit
This guide explains the main options for grain storage, the technology now available, and how Gable can help you finance a complete, future-proof grain handling system.
Why Investing in Grain Storage Makes Business Sense
Getting grain storage right does much more than prevent basic spoilage. It can:
- Allow you to hold grain longer and sell when prices are stronger
- Reduce rejections and claims due to moisture, admix or pests
- Open up access to premium contracts that require assured storage
- Cut energy costs with efficient drying and renewable solutions
- Increase throughput at harvest, reducing bottlenecks and downtime
But a modern grain store isn’t just a shed. It’s an integrated system: intake, weighing, drying, handling, storage, cooling, pest control, monitoring and cleaning – all working together.
That’s why the best way to think about it is as a long-term profit and risk-management investment, not just a cost. And it’s where the right finance structure can turn a “someday” project into something you can actually build before the next harvest.
Storage Infrastructure: Silos vs Sheds
Choosing between silos and sheds (or a combination) is one of the first big decisions in any grain store project. Gable has arranged finance for both types, from small farm upgrades to large commercial storage hubs.
Silos
Steel silos offer:
- Efficient use of vertical space – ideal where land is limited
- Good segregation of different grades, varieties or crops
- Integrated aeration and cooling options
- Strong weather and pest resistance
They can be particularly attractive for:
- Malt barley
- Milling wheat
- Oilseed rape (OSR)
- Specialist crops where segregation is key
Because silos are usually steel and modular, they fit very well with asset finance, making it straightforward to fund.
Sheds / Flat Stores
Grain sheds remain hugely popular because they offer:
- Versatility – can be used for grain, fertiliser, machinery, or other storage if needs change
- Lower ground loadings than tall silos – often better where soil conditions are weaker
- Ease of access for loading shovels, telehandlers and lorries
- Potential for future extension
Sheds can be:
- Traditional steel portal-frame buildings
- Dedicated crop stores with reinforced floors and panels
- Converted buildings upgraded with new floors, walls and handling systems
Gable regularly finances entire shed projects – building, concrete, intake pits, dividing walls, doors and handling equipment – under one package.
Durable Materials
Whichever route you choose, it pays to invest in materials that:
- Resist corrosion and weathering
- Are difficult for pests to penetrate
- Are easy to clean and inspect
- Provide a long service life
Steel remains the material of choice for many grain stores, and it’s well suited to finance because:
- The asset is clearly defined
- The lifespan matches typical asset finance terms
- It retains value over time
Turnkey Grain Storage Solutions – and How Finance Fits In
Many specialist grain store providers now offer full turnkey packages, including:
- Design and layout
- Structural engineering
- Planning support
- Groundworks and concrete
- Buildings or silos
- Dryers and handling equipment
- Electrical and control systems
- Commissioning and training
Gable Business Finance can work alongside your chosen provider, structuring a finance package that mirrors the project phases, including:
- Stage payments to builders and suppliers
- Finance for multiple suppliers under a single agreement
- Integration of late-stage add-ons such as moisture meters or monitoring systems
This means you can sign off on a complete, modern system – paid for over time, not all at once.
Climate and Pest Control: Protecting Your Grain Quality
Once grain is in store, maintaining the right conditions is critical.
Temperature and Moisture Monitoring
Modern best practice includes:
- Continuous monitoring of grain temperature and moisture
- Rapid cooling using aeration fans
- Targeting below 15 °C within two weeks and below 5 °C by December
These targets greatly reduce the risk of:
- Insect pests and mites
- Mould growth
- Mycotoxin development
Finance can cover:
- Fans and aeration ducts
- Control panels and automation
- Temperature probe systems
- Moisture monitoring equipment
Pest Management
Effective pest control typically includes:
- Rodent-proof construction and door design
- Good housekeeping and clean-down facilities
- Peripheral bait stations
- Regular inspection regimes
Some investments – such as better door systems, sealed wall joints and improved cleaning kit – can also be financed under a grain store upgrade package.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is non-negotiable. For sheds and flat stores, this may involve:
- Roof ventilation systems
- Side louvres
- Powered fans
- Airflow modelling in the design phase
All of these can be built into your financed specification, ensuring you don’t compromise on the “invisible” aspects that protect quality.
Technology and Management: Smarter Grain Stores
Modern grain stores increasingly use digital tools and automation to protect value and reduce manual workload.
Robotic and Advanced Monitoring
Advanced monitoring systems allow:
- Below-surface grain monitoring
- Real-time temperature and moisture readings
- Early identification of hotspots
These systems improve peace of mind and reduce the risk of unseen issues developing.
Digital Management Tools
Examples include:
- Online storage time calculators
- Drying and cooling planners
- Automated control systems that respond to temperature and humidity data
These tools help you run your store with more science and less guesswork.
Contracting Services
Not every farm wants to build its own large store. Some choose to:
- Use TASCC-accredited commercial stores
- Contract out drying, cleaning and conditioning
- Share facilities with neighbours or grain co-ops
Gable has financed projects where farms have built TASCC-accredited stores themselves, allowing them to:
- Store their own grain to a higher standard
- Offer storage and handling to neighbouring farms
- Work directly with merchants as a trusted storage partner
Financial and Marketing Opportunities Linked to Grain Storage
A good grain store isn’t just about safe storage; it opens the door to wider business opportunities.
Renewable Energy for Drying
Farmers are increasingly exploring:
- Biomass-powered drying
- On-farm solar to offset electrical demand
- Heat recovery systems
- More efficient dryers
These investments can:
- Cut energy bills
- Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Improve sustainability credentials
Gable can finance dryers and their associated renewable or energy-efficient systems as part of one integrated project.
On-Farm Processing
Adding value on-farm might include:
- Rolling or crimping grain for feed
- Mixing rations
- Cleaning and grading for seed
- Blending for specific contracts
Finance can cover:
- Processing equipment
- Mixing plants
- Additional storage bins
- Packaging or bagging facilities
Grain Marketing Support
With better storage and quality control comes more marketing flexibility. Having dry, clean, cool grain allows you to:
- Hold grain longer and avoid forced sales
- Meet tighter contract specs
- Work with marketing specialists to time sales and choose the right contracts
Gable’s role is to ensure the infrastructure is in place so that when you want to take advantage of market opportunities, your storage doesn’t hold you back.
How Gable Business Finance Helps You Build (or Upgrade) Grain Stores
Gable can arrange tailored finance for:
- New grain sheds and silos
- Building extensions and store conversions
- Dryers, coolers, intake pits, conveyors and elevators
- Wet bins and buffer storage
- Cleaning and grading equipment
- Monitoring, weighing and sampling kit
- TASCC-compliant upgrades
Common finance structures include:
- Hire Purchase (HP) – own the asset at the end
- Finance Lease – flexibility and potential tax advantages
- Asset Refinance – release capital from an existing store or kit
- Stage Payments – funds released in line with construction milestones
- Seasonal or annual payments – aligned with harvest or sale patterns
Gable works with:
- Individual farms
- Estates
- Commercial grain stores
- Co-ops and storage partnerships
Case Studies
Case Study 1: TASCC-Accredited Grain Store with Weighbridge and Sampling – Eastern England
Client: Progressive arable farm expanding into contract storage
Objective: Build a TASCC-accredited grain store capable of storing grain for both local farmers and merchants, with full traceability.
Project Overview
The client wanted to:
- Construct a modern grain shed with suitable panels, intake and handling
- Achieve TASCC accreditation for merchant and farmer confidence
- Install a weighbridge and sampling spear to ensure accurate weights and representative samples on both intake and outload
- Handle and record all movements with full traceability
Gable’s Finance Solution
Gable arranged a comprehensive finance package covering:
- Building structure and concrete
- Loading/unloading areas
- Weighbridge installation
- Electronic sampling spear and sampling station
- Control systems and data logging equipment
The agreement was structured over a term that matched the long life of the building, with repayments aligned to post-harvest cash flow.
Results
- The farm now operates as a TASCC-accredited storage hub
- It can safely store grain for local farmers and merchants
- The weighbridge and sampling spear provide full traceability, accurate weights and consistent sampling
- Additional income is generated from contract storage and handling fees
- Merchants have increased confidence in intake quality and recording
Case Study 2: High-Capacity Drying and Handling – Svegma Dryer and Wet Bins
Client: Large combinable crop farm in England
Objective: Increase harvest throughput and reduce bottlenecks during catchy weather.
Equipment Financed
- 50 ton/hour Svegma grain dryer
- 150 ton/hour intake pit and elevators
- Two 150 ton wet bins for buffer storage ahead of drying
- Dickey-John moisture meter providing accurate moisture, temperature and weight readings
Finance Structure
The project involved several suppliers and staged deliveries. Gable:
- Structured a finance agreement to cover all major components
- Arranged stage payments to match installation stages
- Allowed the client to include some associated electrical and control costs
Results
- The farm increased intake capacity to 150 t/hr, significantly reducing trailer waiting times
- The 50 t/hr dryer, supported by wet bins, allows grain to be taken off quickly and dried as conditions allow
- The Dickey-John meter provides fast, accurate readings, improving decision-making and record-keeping
- The project has reduced drying bottlenecks, cut the risk of weather-damaged grain and improved overall harvest efficiency
Case Study 3: Grain Cleaning, Sorting and Quality Improvement – Advanced Cleaning Line
Client: Mixed arable business focusing on premium contracts
Objective: Improve grain quality and access higher-value markets by installing a modern cleaning and sorting line.
Equipment Financed
- Four screen Zanin rotary cleaner
- Aspirator for removing chaff and light grains
- Satake colour sorter
- Sieves for measuring admixture and accurate kg/hL weight results
Finance & Outcome
Gable:
- Brought multiple suppliers under a single finance package
- Structured payments over a medium-term period, matching expected payback through improved premiums and reduced claims
The result:
- The farm now produces cleaner, more uniform samples
- They can meet tighter specification contracts with confidence
- The colour sorter and rotary cleaner help reduce rejections and deductions
- The ability to manage admixture and kg/hL accurately has strengthened their marketing position
Frequently Asked Questions – Grain Store Finance
Can I finance both the building and the handling/drying equipment together?
Yes. Gable can structure a single package that includes the shed or silos, concrete, intake pit, elevators, dryer, fans, monitoring systems and more.
Do you finance TASCC-accredited storage projects?
Absolutely. We have experience arranging finance for TASCC-accredited stores, including weighbridges, sampling equipment and traceability systems.
Can I include a weighbridge and moisture meter in the finance?
Yes. Weighbridges, moisture meters, sampling spears and other testing/monitoring tools can all be included.
What about upgrades, not new builds?
We regularly finance upgrades such as new dryers, extra wet bins, new fans, automation, cleaning kit and monitoring systems for existing stores.
How long can I spread the payments?
Terms typically range from 3 to 10 years, depending on the asset mix and your requirements.
Are seasonal or annual payments available?
Yes. We can tailor repayment profiles to suit arable income patterns – for example, annual or post-harvest payments.
Can Gable work with my existing builder or grain store supplier?
Yes. We’re happy to collaborate with any reputable UK supplier, installer or main contractor.
What if I’ve already paid a deposit?
We can often roll this into the finance structure or fund the remaining balance and linked works.
Can you finance renewable energy solutions for grain drying?
Yes, we can include biomass boilers, upgraded dryers, control systems and other energy-efficient technology within a wider grain store finance package.
How quickly can I get a decision?
Many clients receive credit approval within 24–48 hours, especially where information is ready and the project is clearly defined.
Ready to Finance Your Grain Store Project?
Whether you’re:
- Building a new flat store or silo complex
- Upgrading your dryer, intake and handling
- Adding TASCC-compliant weighing and sampling
- Investing in cleaning and colour-sorting equipment
- Expanding your storage to take in grain from neighbours or merchants
Gable Business Finance can help you structure a finance package that makes the project affordable, sustainable and aligned with your farm’s cash flow.
👉 Get a fast, no-obligation quote
👉 Speak with a grain storage finance specialist
👉 Have your new system in place before the next harvest pressure hits
Your grain is too valuable to risk in outdated storage.
Gable can help you build the grain store your business really needs.