Worm trials carried out on the two soil management treatments. No earthworms were found under the conventional management treatment.

First erosion event recorded since May. The Rain Gauge was upgraded and a repair was carried out to a soil moisture probe after rodent damage.

Soil moisture sensors installed at the top, middle and bottom of each treatment plot. Data is being recorded at 10, 20 and 40 cm depth at 30 minute intervals

Sediment found to be coming from the unprotected vine rows either side of the vegetated plot.

Cover crop established sufficiently to reduce runoff losses

First snow on the site and low temperatures causes the collection system to freeze

Harvest delayed by one month on conventional treatment due to poor ground conditions.

Economic benefits of cover in reducing soil loss and improving land accessibility are recognised by farmer.

6 major storm events (2 over 20 mm/h).

Extensive soil loss from conventional treatment causing blockage of collection system.

Cover developed sufficiently to reduce soil loss.

First big storms to hit the site since the start of the monitoring programme.

Cover still not properly established and extensive soil losses recorded for both treatments. Method of seedbed preparation was found to aggravate soil loss.

First sampling event took place.

Emergence of sown cover was found to be impeded by the formation of a surface crust