Soil Series #6: Why We Plant Cover Crops in Our Pastures

Soil Series #6: Why We Plant Cover Crops in Our Pastures

One of the goals of regenerative farming is to keep living roots in the soil as much of the year as possible.

In nature, bare ground is rare. Most natural ecosystems keep soil covered with plants, roots, and plant residue year-round.

On farms, however, soil is often left exposed between growing seasons or during times when pasture growth slows.

That’s where cover crops come in.

At Dos Lobos Ranch, we use cover crops as another tool to help rebuild soil health and strengthen our pasture system.

What Are Cover Crops?

Cover crops are temporary plant mixes grown primarily to benefit the soil rather than being harvested for a crop, but we specifically plant blends that can be grazed by our animals.

Instead of producing food directly for people, these plants serve the land by:

• protecting the soil surface
• feeding soil microbes
• improving soil structure
• increasing plant diversity
• feeding livestock

Many regenerative farmers plant multi-species mixes that include grasses, legumes, and broadleaf plants.

Each plant type contributes something different to the soil ecosystem.

Why Plant Diversity Matters

Different plants have different root structures.

Some plants grow shallow fibrous roots that stabilize the soil surface.
Others send deep taproots far below the surface.

When multiple species grow together, their root systems work in different soil layers.

This helps:

• break up compacted soil
• improve water infiltration
• increase biological activity
• create pathways for future root growth

Diverse plant communities tend to create healthier soil systems over time.

Feeding the Soil Underground

One of the most important roles cover crops play happens below the surface.

As plants grow, their roots release sugars and organic compounds into the soil.

These substances feed microbes and fungi that live around the root zone.

That underground ecosystem is what helps convert plant material into stable soil organic matter.

The more living roots the soil supports, the more active this biological system becomes.

Cover Crops and Livestock

Because our farm raises livestock, cover crops can also provide additional forage.

In some cases, animals can graze portions of the cover crop mix once the plants are established.

When livestock graze these plants, they return nutrients to the soil through manure while also stimulating new plant growth.

This helps integrate plant diversity and animal impact into one system.

Our Approach to Cover Crops

At Dos Lobos Ranch, we’ve experimented with both spring and fall cover crop mixes to keep living roots active during different parts of the year.

Spring mixes help jumpstart soil biology after winter dormancy, while fall plantings help maintain soil cover as the growing season slows down.

We typically plant diverse seed blends that include multiple plant species so that different root types and growth patterns contribute to the soil.

Our goal is to be able to graze our animals year 'round, or close to it.  The only problem with seeding for cover crops, they're annuals, and will require sufficient watering to germinate.  

We've had 3 unusually dry winters in a row, and so our fall/winter cover crop blends haven't come up until the spring rains return.  So we'll keep hoping for a wet fall/winter someday when we can graze cheaper cover crops more and feed expensive hay less.

On another note, we've tried a spring/summer cover crop blend, but the seeds are larger (beans, sunflower, etc.) and they have not germinated well for us, therefore, a seed drill would probably be the better choice for this blend, whereas fall cover crops do fine broadcast seeded.

Another Step Toward Healthier Soil

Cover crops are not a quick fix.

Like many regenerative practices, their benefits build gradually as soil biology responds to the increased diversity and living roots.

Over time, these practices help improve:

• soil structure
• water retention
• pasture resilience
• nutrient cycling

And that ultimately supports healthier pasture for the animals we raise.

What’s Next in the Soil Series

In the next post, we’ll talk about a practice that often gets overlooked but plays a huge role in pasture health:

Rest.

Allowing land time to recover between grazing cycles is one of the most important principles behind regenerative livestock management.

— Dos Lobos Ranch