Numerous cover crop species, including legumes and grasses, are often advocated as a means to protect the soil resource from erosion or soil degradation. When water is limiting, however, a balance must be achieved between desired crop production vs. potential cover crop benefits for soil health and biological diversity, and protection of the soil resource. Does cover crop water use limit crop productivity when water is limited? This symposium will assess current cover crop practices and their overall impact on soils and crop production via scientific studies examining the impact and feasibility of cover crops in semi-arid dryland cropping systems.