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Rhonda Brooks

Agronomy Editor, Farm Journal

Rhonda Brooks is the Agronomy Editor for Farm Journal and AgWeb, covering all aspects of crop production. A Missouri native with a background in agricultural communications, she has previously worked on multiple Farm Journal brands.

Latest Stories
corn
Retail Business
Last-Ditch Fungicide Application In Corn Could Save Yield, Prevent Harvest Headaches
Kernel depth and fill contribute significantly to yield in newer hybrids. It’s one reason a ‘Hail Mary’ fungicide pass might still offer ROI and keep corn standing until combines roll.
September 03, 2025 02:45 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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Retail Business
Frost Forecast Threatens Corn And Soybeans This Week
The amount of damage that can occur in crops depends largely upon these factors — how cold it gets and for how many hours, and the plants’ stage of development.
September 03, 2025 06:29 AM
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Rhonda Brooks
Breaking Barriers 09-02-2025 droop corn ears - photo by University of Nebraska Aaron Nygren
Retail Industry
Corn Ear Drop Before Black Layer Signals Yield Loss Is Ahead
A prematurely collapsing ear shank stops grain fill, leading to yield reductions that can reach as high as 40%.
September 02, 2025 02:00 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Graphic for Boots in the Field Report with agronomist Ken Ferrie who has spent over 40 years helping farmers maximize corn and soybean yields.
Retail Industry
Corn Disease Alert: Don’t Mistake Anthracnose Top Kill for Rust
The Midwest crop is being pushed into black layer (R6) prematurely in some areas in ways that are easy to confuse with normal drydown factors.
August 29, 2025 07:28 AM
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Rhonda Brooks
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Retail Business
Southern Rust Set To Take Big Bite Out Of Midwest Corn Crop?
The disease is causing turmoil for farmers who have a large crop in the making. In some cases, a Hail Mary fungicide application at R4 up to early dent (R5) might make sense this season, say agronomists.
August 27, 2025 04:05 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Cover crops for grazing
Retail Business
New Tool Helps Farmers, Ranchers Identify Conservation Incentive Programs
The online platform currently has about 500 programs and service providers in the Midwest participating and is a free resource for farmers, ranchers and their advisers.
August 26, 2025 06:52 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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Weather
Corn, Soybeans Thrive While Drought Hits Other Crops Harder
Will this be the summer of drought that never fully materialized for these two crops? While there are areas of dryness, both continue to flourish. Here’s a look at how August weather is expected to finish out this week across the country, as September comes into view.
August 25, 2025 01:20 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
2025 National Production Estimates.jpg
Retail Industry
How Pro Farmer 2025 Crop Estimates Compare and Contrast With USDA Expectations
On the heels of Crop Tour, Pro Farmer projects corn yields at 6.1 bu. below USDA’s August estimate, while soybean yield numbers are nearly aligned.
August 22, 2025 03:25 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Crop-Tour-2025-Day-4-Results.jpg
Retail Business
Crops vs. Foliar Diseases: A High-Stakes Race Underway in Midwest Fields
The Minnesota corn crop is going for gold. Pro Farmer Crop Tour scouts expect the crop will reach a record 202.86 bu. average, if it can outpace southern rust and tar spot. Scouts peg the Iowa corn crop at a 198.43 bu. average, but it also faces disease challenges.
August 21, 2025 04:06 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Crop-Tour-2025-Day-3-Results.jpg
Retail Business
Iowa Corn Has High Potential, Illinois Crop Looks Average and Soybeans Shine in Both States
Iowa could be the nation’s top state this year for corn and soybeans, but both crops are in a race to beat disease pressure that’s gaining momentum. Illinois corn continues to ride the struggle bus, while the soybean crop there is positioned to deliver high yields.
August 20, 2025 06:57 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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