Finance to Build Grain Stores

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    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.