Winner of the Beef Clamp section in 2022, SRUC farm manager, James Marshall.

The competition, which has attracted more than 3000 entries since it began, is the longest-running silage competition in Scotland, never missing a year since 2001 – despite disasters such as foot and mouth disease and the coronavirus pandemic.

Silage production is vital to farm enterprises across Scotland. Knowing the nutritional value of silage allows for accurate ration planning, and regular analysis means variations in quality can be quickly corrected, especially in years with volatile weather.

The competition is divided into four categories: Beef Clamp, Dairy Clamp, Big Bale and a Young Farmer class for those aged 30 and under, which can be submitted from any cut of silage.

Judges will examine the silage analysis report submitted by each applicant, evaluating metabolisable energy, crude protein, and dry matter.  Those in the top three of each category will be contacted about having a fresh silage sample collected – which will be judged live on the day of AgriScot.

Organisers of the competition are once again anticipating strong entries, with judges whittling submissions down to the top 12 finalists, before revealing category winners at this year’s AgriScot in November.

Farmers have until Monday 25^th October to submit their silage report for the competition.

Andrew Best, seed specialist at sponsors and competition organisers Watson Seeds, said it was especially important this year to understand the value of the silage to the business.

“This year’s silage season has been dominated by weather extremes, with generally good grass growth throughout the season, but tight harvesting windows.

First cut silage was of good quality though generated lower yields, and a later period of drought meant that second cut could contain higher fibre grass, reducing silage quality,” he noted.

In the main ring, Hugh McClymont, former SRUC research farm manager, and RHASS chairman and agronomist, Jim Warnock, will judge the final samples, explain their decisions, and entertain the crowd with their forage knowledge and silage analysis feedback.

Jim Warnock said: “Analysing silage this year is more important than ever, with silage being baled at less than optimum times, reducing ME value.  Analysis is a great starting block to understanding what supplements may be needed to perfect feed rations.”

Last year’s winner of the Beef Clamp class, SRUC farm manager James Marshall added: “We always do our best to make quality forage and, confirmation that we are doing a great job with our silage provides a real sense of pride and achievement.

“Having the chance to compare with others is inspiring, and to receive feedback from the judges during the competition is invaluable.”

Winners of each category will be awarded with ten acres of any Watson Seeds Castle mixture, with second and third place, receiving five and two acres, respectively.

Entries should be emailed to Andrew Best at abest@watsonseeds.com by 25^th October.

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Photo credit: Tim Scrivener

Due to varying grass quality this year, Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s regional business manager for Scotland, Csaba Adamik, recommends farmers conduct analysis of their forages to gain an accurate picture of silage quality in their clamps.

“Measuring silage clamps and assessing the quantity of forages available to them is equally important,” Mr Adamik explained.

With this information, farmers can plan ahead to ensure their rations are balanced to meet their cows’ needs, he added.

“If producers start planning for winter now, it should help them to achieve optimum milk production in a financially and environmentally sustainable manner,” Mr Adamik advised.

On farms where silage quality changes throughout winter, he suggested reformulating rations to maintain optimum nutrient levels. In addition, farmers must pay close attention to their clamp management and aim to feed a consistent ration every day.

“To achieve this while minimising waste, producers should feed out in a vertical column from the clamp to ensure silage quality is consistent in every mix,” he explained.

“Producers should also aim to move across the whole clamp face in less than three or four days,” Mr Adamik continued. “In case of very wide clamp faces, taking shallower grabs, rather than full grabs will help to avoid silage being exposed to oxygen for too long, as that can affect aerobic stability of the silage negatively.”

The manner in which the ration is delivered should be another area of focus, he noted.

“Feeding out wagon mix rations between milkings, and not at milking time, increases feeding bouts and can improve feed efficiency by as much as 7%.

“In addition, pushing feed up regularly and feeding twice a day or more increases dry matter intakes, reduces sorting, and leads to increased lying time and improved rumination activity.”

He added feeding a rumen-specific live yeast, like Levucell SC, can help balance rations while also delivering environmental benefits. This is due to the ability of yeast to optimise rumen function, increase rations digestibility and feed efficiency to ultimately help the animal get the most out of the feed.

“Studies have shown that inclusion of the live yeast in rations improves feed efficiency by 3-6% in lactation and subsequently reduces the carbon footprint of milk production by up to 6%,” Mr Adamik revealed.

“When fed prior to calving, the yeast reduces body weight loss and promotes early lactation feed intake. This, combined with the improved feed efficiency during lactation has the potential to improve milk yields by up to 8%, making a significant contribution to sustainable milk production,” he concluded.

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1. It’s time to look at building maintenance

Ahead of cattle housing is the time to ensure roofs and gutters are clean and in a good state of repair. Check that electrics are protected from the elements and that there is effective drainage and well-grooved yards. Sheds should also be power washed and disinfected prior to housing.

Check troughs are in good condition and housed cows always have access to clean, fresh water – and look at cubicle design and feed access. Lying times should be around 12 hours a day for housed cows, which is dictated by space. Low lying times can result in poor production as well as sole bruising and ulcers.

As a rule of thumb, each cow needs 10m² overall space including beds, so consider if additional space is needed. We recommend a deep sand bedding or a good quality mat or mattress.

2. Winter diets

Look at the forages available ahead of cattle housing and get silage analysed. Experts are reporting a mixed bag of silage analysis this season, with some farms having enough high-quality forage. Other farms have very little high-quality forage, or lots of silage of lower feed value, according to Lallemand. Maize and whole-crop cereals could help to bolster rations this year.

Farms should review their forage budgets and assess what’s in the clamp versus what their forage and energy needs are for winter. Blood sampling can be done for any trace element deficiencies to highlight if supplementation is required. Those concerned about energy shortfalls can discuss how to make this up cost-effectively with their nutritionist and/or feed sales rep.

It’s also important to consider the impact of transitioning from grazed forage to high starch and protein feed on rumen health. Starting to feed housed ration outside three weeks before housing can help mitigate this.

3. Animal health ahead of cattle housing is crucial

With the stress of cattle housing, colder temperatures and proximity to other animals, livestock can be at increased risk of immunosuppression and health issues during this time – with pneumonia being a key issue. Ensure there is good ventilation and calves are kept warm and dry.

Housing is also a good time to carry out routine vaccinations and testing for worms and fluke. Other recommended activities include mobility scoring and body condition scoring while animals are already being handled.

Lameness is more prevalent in housed cows so it’s advisable to get on top of digital dermatitis before they are housed. If footbathing has been reduced during summer grazing, it’s recommended to get back into a footbathing regime two to three weeks before housing and monitor for DD.

Finally, livestock accounted for eight deaths on farms in 2022/23 and injuries often occur during handling at housing time. It’s important to ensure the correct handling equipment is available and safety protocols are followed during autumn housing. This will prevent accidents and injuries.

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While forage stocks appear to be abundant this year due to above-average grass growth, a higher fibre content and lower digestibility of first and second cut silage may limit dry matter intakes, requiring precise supplementation to maintain performance, said Trouw Nutrition ruminant technical development manager Dr Liz Homer.

Explaining the effects of recent weather on maize crops, she said: “While crops in the field look strong, the lack of sunshine could have implications for cob development and starch content.  So understanding forage quality is going to be key.”

According to an analysis of over 1800 first cuts and 500 second cuts, conducted at Trouw Nutrition GB’s laboratory in Ashbourne, dry matter content is looking good in forage harvested so far.

The results show metabolisable energy is averaging over 11MJ/kgDM, with crude protein over 14%DM. However, NDF and lignin contents are also high, which will affect forage digestibility and intakes.

“Although the headline figures are good, overall we are looking at more fibrous and less digestible forages with lower rumen fermentable carbohydrate and protein,” Dr Homer explained.

“This means silages will need careful balancing to keep the rumen fired up to digest the higher fibre, increase forage intakes and make the most of silage stocks.”

She went on to remind farmers that averages are only a guide and stressed the importance of analysing clamps regularly throughout the season so diets can be fine-tuned accordingly.

She also pointed out that most clamps will contain highly variable forage made up of different cuts comprising different swards, harvested at different times of the year in varying conditions.

To account for this variability, she advised analysing clamps at least monthly. “This will allow better-informed decisions to be made about supplementation to optimise the contribution from forage and income over feed costs,” she said.

“Hopefully, farmers will have good forage stocks and with regular analysis will be able to make the most of their investment in forage,” Dr Homer concluded.

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Lientjie Colahan, technical manager at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, says some farmers will be concerned about winter forage stocks as they are already feeding their first cut, but it is not all over for this season and there is still an opportunity to bolster silage stocks.

“We’re seeing a real mixed bag of silage analysis this season; some producers have a good quantity of high-quality forage, while some have very little silage of high quality, or a lot of silage that’s of a lower feed value,” she explains.

“However, recent rainfall, warm temperatures and the fact there will be, in places, some residual nitrogen available in the ground for the crop means there’s still an opportunity to make good quality grass silage this summer.”

Mrs Colahan says if producers have not already done so, they need to top any field where grass has gone to seed – whether it has bulked or not – so they can reset the crop and make a fresh start.

“Even though we’re late in the season, it’s possible to get further cuts of high energy, digestible silage into the clamp, which will help bolster stocks, as nutritionists start to plan for winter rations.

“Once the grass has grown and is entering the flag leaf stage, farmers should pre-cut test their grass, so they cut it at the optimum stage to maximise quality,” she says.
Mrs Colahan says producers need to start reviewing their forage budgets now and assess what’s in their clamps versus their forage and energy needs for the winter ahead.

“The more high-quality forage you have available, the more milk you’ll be able to get from forage, by maximising forage and overall nutrient intake,” she says.

“However, if you’re worried about energy shortfalls, then it’s important to start working with your nutritionist and/or feed sales representative now to think about how you’re going to make this up, as cost-effectively as possible.”

She says maize and whole-crop cereals could help bolster rations, as many crops are looking good at the moment.

In instances where producers have plenty of fibrous grass silage, Mrs Colahan says, crimping home-grown cereals would be a cost-effective option to reduce the quantity of purchased feed needed in the rations and at the same time provide a more rumen-friendly energy source than dried acid-treated grains.

She adds: “Incorporating a proven rumen modifier into the ration, like probiotic yeast Levucell SC, will improve rumen function and increase fibre and overall diet digestibility. This helps the cow to get more out of the ration, increasing milk yield from the same quantity of feed.”

For more advice on producing top-quality forage, get your copy of the Forward with Fibre guide from the Lallemand website:

https://www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com/en/united-kingdom-ireland/resources/request-your-copy-of-our-forward-with-fibre-booklet/

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Waiting to deal with forage shortages until winter could be a costly risk, and farmers should take action now to avoid a crisis later in the year, explained nutritionist Dr Kerensa Hawkey and head of forage and grassland agronomy Lisa Hambly in an episode of the Mole Valley Farmers’ Podcast.

“There is a window of opportunity right now that farmers can take to address any forage shortages,” Ms Hambly said. “Have those conversations and think about optimising what you are doing and do it now rather than wait until the winter when everyone else will be looking.”

Forage stocks are expected to be down in many areas following the second consecutive poor forage growing year, with many farmers having used up more of their forage reserves last winter, Dr Hawkey added.

What’s more, forage crops are likely to have struggled this growing season following a wet spring and an extremely dry start to the summer. Maize has had a difficult start in many areas of the country, with experts predicting yields down on some farms by as much as 30%.

Both Ms Hambly and Dr Hawkey stressed the importance of farmers accurately measuring their clamps and forage stocks, the amount of stock that needs feeding and calculating a realistic view of how long forage will last.

This must take into account all stock from dry cows, milking cows, youngstock, any sheep or other animals that eat forage, too,” Dr Hawkey remarked.

How to extend forage stocks this winter

Measures suggested by the two experts for overcoming forage shortages in the coming months include:

1. Looking for opportunities by walking the fields

Ms Hambly said: “If you’ve got bare fields, that is a fab opportunity. Warm soils and moisture provide good crop growing conditions, so it could provide an ideal opportunity to establish grass or a brassica.

“Also, be prepared to put a grass crop in after maize. You can just drive through with the seed; you don’t need to plough,” she added.

2. Outwintering youngstock

Dr Hawkey reminded farmers considering outwintering to feed youngstock enough to maintain growth rates and reduce any metabolic diseases at calving. “Youngstock are the future of your herd, so you need to look after them,” she said.

3. Feeding youngstock straw with a protein supplement

Offering livestock straw with a supplement such as high-protein molasses could help extend stocks of grass silage.

Dr Hawkey added: “Protein is important for youngstock to grow frame. Farmers also need to feed enough physically effective fibre, ensuring an adequate forage-to-concentrate ratio. If you don’t feed enough forage, then the rumen won’t work properly and can lead to acidosis.”

4. Considering forage extender products

Examples include blends, nuts and moist feeds. Dr Hawkey said: “One kilo of concentrate can replace 3kgs of silage. If you add that up across a 200-cow herd over a month, you can save a lot of forage.”

5. Optimizing grass by overseeding

The experts also recommend farmers consider taking extra grass silage cuts this autumn if conditions allow.

6. Using a good-quality silage additive

This could help minimise dry matter (DM) losses in the clamp.

7. Using a grain treatment to increase protein content

Grain treatments such as Maxammon will help increase the protein content of wholecrop and improve the quality of the diet.

Dr Hawkey said: “Stable treated wholecrop could balance out poorer maize. It can also reduce the need for bought-in protein and is easy to handle on farm.”

Caustic-treated wheat can also improve digestion by creating a higher pH and providing a high-energy feed for early lactation cows. However, both must be fed as part of a balanced diet.

For nutrition and agronomy advice, farmers can get in touch with the Mole Valley team today by phoning the Feed Line on 01566 780261 or the Grassland & Forage Line on 01769 576232.

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Mrs Colahan said the timing of the wet weather this year resulted in some farms taking first cut later than originally planned, which could result in a lower energy forage. These farms could benefit from supplementing livestock with crimped feed, which is a good home-grown energy alternative.

“Crimped grain can help balance the energetic value of the ration, without increasing the proportion of purchased feed required,” she said.

“The straw left behind after combining can also be baled and used for feed. Because the crop is harvested earlier than dry grains, the digestibility value of the straw is marginally increased.”

Mrs Colahan said crimped grain is a safe way to lift the energy content of rations as it contains a rumen-friendly source of starch. However, farmers must carefully consider the way they handle and treat crimp, as the way it is ensiled has a considerable impact on its nutrient retention and quality at feed out.

She added many farmers may have made high bulk silage that is low in energy levels, in which case crimped grain is an attractive option for balancing diets.

“If first-cut grass silage analysis is lower in ME than expected, crimped cereals should be considered as a cost-effective way to make up the shortfall in rations.

“Crops that are suitable for crimping include maize, barley, wheat, oats, and triticale. Grains should be harvested at a moisture content of between 25 and 40 percent – typically two to three weeks earlier than conventionally combining,” she adds.

Due to the high moisture, all crimped cereals will need to be treated with an appropriate inoculant to reduce spoilage and nutrient loss.

“Spoilage microorganisms such as yeasts and moulds must be controlled when the crimped grain is fermenting, as well as when it is being fed out, to inhibit them from consuming the valuable nutrients preserved within the clamp,” Mrs Colahan explained.

Magniva Platinum Crimp preserve moist grains and offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional acid treatments.

“Magniva Platinum Crimp is a biological option containing antifungal bacteria which produce powerful compounds that inhibit spoilage microorganisms. Designed specifically for crimp, it contains a high dose of beneficial heterofermentative bacteria to make sure they dominate the wild bacteria which would otherwise create an uncontrolled fermentation and do not necessarily inhibit the growth of spoilage organisms.

“This ensures faster preservation, while helping to avoid heating and spoilage at feed out, and when used with the correct storage conditions it can reduce wastage to almost zero,” explains Mrs Colahan.

She also emphasised the importance of good clamp management. “Prepare the clamp properly with a ground sheet, side sheets and a top sheet that’s properly weighed down after the clamp has been sheeted. Also pay attention to vermin control throughout the season as rats are particularly drawn to this feed.”

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According to Kingshay’s cost report from December 2022, UK farmers produce just 2,900 litres from forage on average. Meanwhile, there is huge scope for improving this figure and reducing feed costs, with some farms achieving as much as 5,300 litres of milk from forage, Wynnstay’s head of dairy David Howard said.

“Every 1,000 litres of milk from forage equates to approximately 460kg of concentrate feed, and so by increasing homegrown forage quality, you can make some significant savings on total feed costs,” he pointed out.

Mr Howard said the ideal digestibility value for forage is over 70, however, of the 1,228 forage samples analysed by Wynnstay, more than two-thirds had less than 70 digestibility value, with 12% less than 60.

He added forage quality is becoming increasingly important in the dairy industry, with many milk processors now offering producers incentives to reduce soya and improve their total feed efficiency, which is driven by the quality of forage.

“We are launching Forage4Profit, which is a four-point programme to help farmers improve each stage of their forage production from field to feed out. It covers everything from soil health through to seed selection, crop preservation and ration formulation,” Mr Howard revealed.

1. Soil health

Having balanced soils is vital to making good-quality forage, as poor soil health will limit crop growth and quality, Mr Howard pointed out, adding that around 80% of soil samples carried out by Wynnstay are the incorrect pH.

He urged farmers to carry out regular soil sampling and correct any imbalances. “It is also important to identify areas of compaction and aerate soils to combat this, as well as creating bespoke fertiliser plans tailored to individual nutrient requirements,” he stressed.

2. Seed selection

Seed selection will vary with individual farms depending on soil type, rainfall, quality targets, and how much forage farmers are aiming to produce.

“We must remember when we plant a seed in the ground on a dairy farm, the end product is not necessarily a crop – it’s a litre of milk. Milk is the saleable commodity and so seed selection must be linked to what the farmer is trying to produce,” Mr Howard said.

He recommended reseeding fields regularly, particularly under-performing leys, and consulting a grass seed specialist to select the best variety for the farm. He said multi-species leys and crops are great for increasing forage quality because of high-protein crops such as red clover and lucerne,

3. Crop preservation

Getting this aspect right is often challenging because of the UK’s variable weather conditions. According to Mr Howard, grass starts losing energy (sugars) immediately after it is cut until the crop is clamped. Therefore, grass should be cut, tedded, wilted, and picked up in quick succession to minimise the loss of valuable nutrients.

“As a starting point, work out the crop’s nutrient requirements and apply slurry and nitrogen fertiliser accordingly,” he said. “It is also important to ensile the crop quickly to reduce dry matter losses and use an effective inoculant to rapidly drop the pH and reduces losses.”

4. Balanced ration

Last but not least, feeding balanced rations is key when it comes to maximising milk yield from forage. “The complete diet is only as good as the forage foundation; the best results are achieved with high-quality forage and balanced concentrates,” Mr Howard noted.

He suggested working with a nutritionist to establish a good balance between forage and concentrate feed and ensure optimal protein utilisation and efficiency. “Using rumen additives such as Diamond V can help increase feed conversion efficiency,” he added.

To learn more about Forage4Profit, visit: https://www.wynnstay.co.uk/forage-for-profit

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In the latest Mole Valley Farmers’ podcast, nutritionist Dr Robin Hawkey and head of grassland and forage agronomy Lisa Hambly from the farmer cooperative discuss ways farmers can make the most from their grass crop this year. And it all starts with reviewing what happened last year, explained Ms Hambly.

1. Review the previous year’s crop 

“Think about what was good and bad last year and look at what you can do to plan to overcome those challenges. Different farms will have different requirements for their silage – some will want high quality, whereas others may be focussed on getting more bulk from the crop. Planning over the next couple of weeks will be vital,” she said.

2. Test grass pre-cutting 

Dr Hawkey suggested farmers test their grass pre-cutting – ideally once or twice a week in the two to three weeks leading up to harvest. “Pre-cutting testing of grass is an easy test and is free as part of the Mole Valley Farmers service. It gives a good indication of where things are going, allowing you to see what the potential of the crop is and also whether adequate nutrients were applied. This means things can be adjusted if needed ahead of subsequent harvests,” he said.

A fertiliser plan will help farmers achieve desired yields, with slurry testing assisting farmers in planning what additional nutrients are needed. Ms Hambly said the starting point was knowing what you want to achieve and then working back on how to achieve it.

3. Plan with your contractor and set chop lengths 

When using a contractor, it’s important they are on board and are also aware of planned harvest dates. As well as dates, they need to know desired chop length and dry matter (DM).

Dr Hawkey said: “Having a target dry matter will help you plan wilt times. Grass can wilt very quickly, and I have seen some forages achieve 28–30% DM on a decent day in eight hours when the grass is spread effectively and quickly after cutting.

“Deciding the right chop length is also important, depending on what you plan to have in the mix. In general, the drier the silage, the shorter the chop length. Most modern foragers can detect the DM –it’s worth talking to the operator to see if the chop length can be changed ‘on the go’ if required. It’s never too late to make adjustments,” he said.

However, Dr Hawkey warned against cutting too short and being accurate when tedding to avoid contamination.

Ms Hambly said for those with new leys, there’s a greater chance of them having a higher moisture content meaning they could benefit from a longer chop length. However, she warned farmers opting for a longer chop length to plan for extra trailers due to them filling up quicker.

4. Consider an additive 

Additives are also something farmers should consider and are something Dr Hawkey believes everyone should be using.

“It’s important to select an additive most appropriate for the prevailing conditions. For example, some suit drier or wetter silages and some have an enzyme in them, which can be helpful if taking a bulkier cut as the enzymes help break down the fibre and aid digestion by the animal.

“An additive can also come into its own to help reduce dry matter losses and increase nutrient efficiency of a farm,” he said.

Having a stable clamp and reducing losses from spoilage and runoff also comes down to good clamp management at harvest and sheeting using clingfilm-type sheets to reduce waste.

Dr Hawkey explained the implications poor silage had on one of his client’s herds last year. “One farmer I know estimated his poor silage last year cost him tens of thousands of pounds from lost income because the silage wasn’t correct. Quality is key, and it can cost you a lot if you get it wrong by impacting production and fertility,” he said.

Towards the end of the podcast, the experts discussed weed control post-cutting and options such as overseeding to increase yields.

To listen to the podcast in full visit www.moleonline.com/podcasts

The post It’s not too late for a strategic silage management plan appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Stock photo for illustration only.

As machinery may not have been used for several months, NFU Mutual is advising farmers to carry out machinery maintenance and ensure employees are properly inducted and trained ahead of the silage season.

“Getting high quality silage is vital for farmers who are facing high fertiliser and energy costs, but safety must remain at the forefront of minds this silage-making season,” said Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s rural affairs specialist.

“Working under pressure to get crops in before the weather changes is a perennial issue for farmers, but it is a well-known fact farm incidents happen when people are tired, machinery is pushed too hard or work continues in unfavourable conditions. No cut of silage is worth someone’s life or limb.”

Checks on brakes, tyres, trailer couplings, hydraulic pipes and lights are an essential part of a pre-cut maintained schedule, said Andy Mason, managing director of NFU Mutual Risk Management Services.

If new people are joining the team, make sure they are trained to operate the machinery they will be using and warn them about any hazards on the farm, such as steep slopes, slippery lanes and blind spots on public roads – as well as the actions to take to combat those hazards.

Staff must also know the safe working laods of trailers and must not allow them to be overfilled.

“You should never compromise on people’s safety and in many parts of the UK police forces are clamping down and making more checks on trailer loads,” Mr Mason concluded.

NFU Mutual silage safety checklist

Before silage harvesting:

• Make sure you have identified and assessed the hazards on the farm, in the field and the tasks that will be conducted during silage harvesting and know how to manage the risks
• Put in place a system for keeping in contact with lone workers

• Make sure new staff are properly inducted and trained for the work you give them – in particular the dangers of working with and around farm machinery
• Teach staff about the principles of “Safe Stop”: Make sure the handbrake is fully applied; controls and equipment are left safe; stop the engine; and remove the key, before leaving the vehicle or accessing the machine.
• Put in place measures to ensure children are kept away from working areas
• Make sure staff know the safe working loads of trailers and don’t allow trailers to be overfilled
• Ensure vehicles and trailers are road legal with fully maintained and working brakes, lights, indicators and flashing beacons. Also check the age, condition and pressures of tyres. Consider using a third party to inspect trailers, with accreditation such as the ‘Tilly Your Trailer’ scheme
• Consider letting local people know when you will be taking silage trailers on local lanes via neighbourhood social media sites to help people reroute journeys as this will cut delays and incident risks

Working in the fields:

• Regularly check moving parts of mowers, tedders, forage harvesters and balers, including guards and PTO shafts for wear or damage
• Switch off engines and ensure parts have stopped before clearing blockages or carrying out maintenance – remove keys as well to prevent accidental starting (Safe Stop!)
• Make sure drivers are aware of the locations and heights of overhead power lines and check that your machinery will safely pass under wires and restrictions
• Take special care to check for vehicles following behind before turning right into fields or yards, as this is a common cause of accidents
• Regularly clear up any mud deposits from roads – warn drivers with signage where mud may be present
• Be aware of potential walkers in fields with public rights of way and stop the vehicle if people are in close proximity
• Keep a mobile phone on you at all times – not left in a tractor or pick-up cab
• Take regular breaks to eat, drink and rest to stave off tiredness

Working on silage clamps:

• Keep people away from moving vehicles
• Ensure a filling plan is followed and that sight rails are visible at all times
• Never overfill a silage clamp as this increases the risk of vehicles overturning when rolling or filling
• Only use vehicles that are suitable for the task – fitted with an approved safety cab or Roll over Protection Structure (RoPS), well-lugged tyres, suitably weighted etc.
• For indoor clamps, keep away for the first 72 hours as this is when dangerous nitrogen dioxide gas can form in large quantities

Keep clear of the edge of the clamp (at least 1m) when (un)sheeting or removing tyres. If possible, use a mobile working platform or a hook or a pole to keep away from the edge of the face

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