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

Retail Industry

U.S. Ag Trade Deficit Hits Record High In First Four Months Of 2025

On a more hopeful note, some industry analysts believe the number has reached its peak and will start to move down this summer. Certainly, some trade deals that would open markets for U.S. ag products would help.

June 23, 2025 03:45 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Retail Industry

EPA’s Proposed Rule A Potential ‘Game Changer’ for Farmers

The move would increase biomass-based diesel requirements, from 3.35 billion gallons in 2025 to 5.61 billion gallons in 2026, supporting American row-crop growers in the process.

June 18, 2025 04:21 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Retail Business

Sulfur Is The Secret Nutrient Your Corn Needs Now

In some cases, the sulfur deficiency can be traced back to last fall when ammonium sulfate and DAP were taken out of fertilizer programs to reduce costs. In other scenarios, the corn just isn’t getting adequate sulfur — but the problem can be corrected.

June 17, 2025 12:30 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Retail Business

How to Track the Potential for Your Corn Crop to Develop Tar Spot

Now’s the time to be scouting for the disease, especially where the inoculum is present. Tracking weather data, particularly daily humidity levels, can help you keep an eye on tar spot this season.

June 13, 2025 02:12 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Retail Industry

Is The Trump Administration Trying To Make Trade Deals With Too Many Countries at Once?

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says one of the challenges the U.S. is dealing with is trying to negotiate agreements with 18 of its biggest trading partners simultaneously. Grassley would like to see a dialed-back strategy used instead.

June 10, 2025 03:33 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Retail Industry

Third Chinese National Accused of Smuggling Biological Materials into Michigan

Another Chinese researcher has been detained by federal agents for unlawfully shipping roundworms into the U.S. for work she planned to conduct at a University of Michigan laboratory

June 10, 2025 09:37 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Rain drops on corn leaves weather wet young corn field - Lindsey Pound

Retail Business

Reach Your Corn Yield Goals With Strategic Nitrogen Use

Mother Nature is throwing a lot of weather curveballs this season. Keep your eye on the ball and score big at harvest with these practical nitrogen management recommendations.

June 06, 2025 12:43 PM

Rhonda Brooks

New Products

Triple-Action Foliar Fungicide Targets Tar Spot, Southern Rust and Frogeye Leaf Spot

Corteva Forcivo will feature three modes of action to address foliar diseases in corn, soybeans, wheat and other crops via overlapping preventive and curative activity.

June 05, 2025 02:36 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Retail Industry

Chinese Scientist Accused Of Smuggling ‘Potential Agroterrorism Weapon’ Into the U.S.

A 25-page criminal complaint alleges the researcher and her boyfriend were attempting to bring Fusarium graminearum into the country. The fungus causes significant diseases in a number of food crops, including corn, wheat, barley, soybeans and rice. Toxins from the fungus are harmful to humans and livestock.

June 04, 2025 04:10 PM

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 Business

Ferrie: Unravel The Mystery Of Ugly Corn Syndrome To Reduce Yield Losses

The problem occurs at a specific growth stage – typically between V3 and V5 – as the corn seed roots are handing off their jobs to the first two sets of true crown roots.

June 04, 2025 12:02 PM

Rhonda Brooks