Cotton Fields to Pasture: Why Soil Health Matters with Bill Robertson

Dr. Bill Robertson recently retired after a long career as the Cotton Extension Agronomist with the University of Arkansas Extension Service. He also worked for the National Cotton Council for a few years, focusing on improving the sustainability of cotton production. Bill and his wife, Carey, have a livestock farm where they raise sheep and many other livestock species using prescribed grazing techniques.  

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agriculture Specialist Nina Prater talks with Bill about how he came to understand soil health as essential to a profitable farm whether the farm is growing crops or livestock. They talk about what practices farmers are using to improve soil health and the benefits they see from their efforts – benefits that include reduced input costs, healthier crops, better yields, and better profitability overall.  

Related ATTRA Resources: 

• Practices Supporting Sustainable and Economic Cotton Production  
• Integrating Livestock and Crops: Improving Soil, Solving Problems, Increasing Income  
• Cover Crops 
• Dale Strickler: Creating Drought-Free Agriculture  

Other Resources:  

• CWC Farm  
• Cotton: Media Resources  
• Robertson Retires as Extension Cotton Agronomist 

Contact Nina Prater at [email protected] 

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