The hedge-cutting season is fast approaching but not fast enough for many road users out there at the moment. The noise of briars scratching against the panel of the new car can be a tormenting sound. The legislation governing the cutting of verges and hedges dictates that this can only be carried before 1 March or after 31 August to protect the birds nesting in the ditches during that period.

Many will argue now that the nesting season is earlier and therefore cutting hedges after 31 July could provide a workable solution for everybody.

August is a busy month for harvesting and farm work, especially on tillage farms. Farmers planting oilseed rape will often not get a chance to maintain hedgerows before planting the crop. A common sense approach is needed to protect all interests.

Also, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding what can and can’t be cut during the closed season. The official line is absolutely nothing, but in the interest of road safety local authorities have made the decision to trim verges at intersections and areas where safety is a concern.

The focus section this week will offer advice on what type of machine a farmer should buy (page 6). On pages 8-9 we also look at some of the attachments for use on plant machinery. Safety is key issue for both the operator and the public. ESB Networks outlines key procedures for working near power lines. Here the McConnel PA 7700 is examined for the secondhand buyer.

Darren Bailey reports from Krone on the updated machines for 2017.