Autumn and winter crops account for most soil cover over the winter

Maintaining soil cover over the winter may reduce soil erosion and the loss of particulate pollutants (e.g. plant protection products and faecal microbes), in addition to contributing to the amount of organic matter in the soil. 

Almost half of the cropping land identified in the survey as having soil cover, is covered by autumn or winter crops. Over 10% of the land is left uncovered over winter. 

Figure 1: Percentage of cropping land over winter 2022/23 by type of soil cover