The Regenerative Alberta Living Lab is an ongoing collaboration between farmers, ranchers, and soil scientists throughout the province of Alberta. We use on-farm and soil mapping technology to accurately assess soil health created by producer innovations. This information will allow farmers and ranchers to build resilience and productivity thereby enhancing their bottom line.
Why Cover Crops Matter in Alberta
1
Boosting Soil Health
Cover crops build soil organic matter, improve structure, and support the microbial life that makes nutrients available to plants. In Alberta’s dryland and irrigated systems, they help stabilize soils that are vulnerable to erosion and loss.
2
Water Efficiency & Drought Resilience
Whether you’re facing a dry year or managing water across a short growing season, cover crops improve moisture retention and infiltration. Their roots create natural channels in the soil, helping make the most of every drop.
3
Smarter Weed & Pest Control
Cover crops can outcompete weeds and disrupt pest cycles—reducing your reliance on herbicides and insecticides. When chosen well, they create living mulch and habitat for beneficial insects too.
4
Supporting Livestock & Biodiversity
In mixed farming systems, cover crops can provide nutritious forage while supporting pollinators and soil biodiversity. Species like clovers, vetch, oats, and radish contribute to a healthier ecosystem above and below ground.
5
Carbon Capture & Climate Action
By cycling nutrients and storing carbon in the soil, cover crops are part of how Alberta agriculture is taking action on climate. They’re an on-farm solution with long-term impact.
6
The Power of a Diverse Mix
A well-designed cover crop mix offers more than any single species can. Blending legumes, grasses, and broadleaves with complementary plant architecture allows for better sunlight capture, root layering, and water use efficiency. This vertical and seasonal diversity means more biomass, better soil coverage, and stronger competition against weeds. But not every mix works everywhere. The key is selecting a combination that fits your conditions—soil type, moisture availability, timing, and management goals.
To do that, you need to understand the individual plants in your mix. Each species brings different traits: some fix nitrogen, some scavenge nutrients, others grow quickly to shade out weeds or send deep roots to break compaction. Knowing how they grow—and how they grow together—is what turns a mix into a system that works.
Planting for the Future
Whether you’re experimenting for the first time or fine-tuning a well-established system, cover crops are a cornerstone of regenerative agriculture in Alberta. With the right mix—and the right knowledge—the benefits grow season after season.