With agricultural contractors and farmers alike under particular pressure this year to get the silage cut following a late start to the season, safety should be to the fore throughout silage season 2021.

This is a key message of Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon this month.

The minister of state, with responsibility for farm safety, took to YouTube in recent days to underline this message as tractors toil to make up for lost time.

"As we prepare for cutting silage, safety should be our first thought - and not an afterthought because every year farm vehicles and machinery account for over half of all fatal farm incidents," the minister said.

"Taking time to plan for the silage season will help to prevent farm safety incidents," he said.

The minister highlighted eight key points in particular, to bear in mind when preparing for the harvest:

Concluding, the minister said: "Remember; plan a safe silage season and always think safe, stay safe and be safe."