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

Graphic for Boots in the Field Report with agronomist Ken Ferrie who has spent over 40 years helping farmers maximize corn and soybean yields.

Ferrie: It’s a No-Go for Corn Planting in Central Illinois

Along with too much moisture, high numbers of corn flea beetles are posing an early-season concern. Ferrie advises checking your Stewart’s wilt bacteria rating on hybrids. There’s no treatment option for infected corn.

April 15, 2024 11:11 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Planting corn with starter fertilizer - aerial - Lindsey Pound3

Antsy To Plant Corn Now? Use These Five Tips To Get Ready

One of the biggest benefits from waiting to plant corn until conditions are ideal, is the crop emerges more uniformly and forms those picket-fence stands that deliver huge yields, says Agronomist Missy Bauer.

April 12, 2024 02:51 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Young Corn Precision Row Shut off Planting Lindsey-Pound

NASS Discontinues County Estimates For Crops And Livestock and July Cattle Report

Lance Honig, acting director of the NASS methodology division, says budget constraints led to the agency’s decision. The County Estimates data was used over the years, in part, to determine federal farm program payments.

April 12, 2024 11:56 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Twelve Cases of HPAI in Dairy Cattle Confirmed in Five States

Livestock producers and veterinarians are urged to practice good biosecurity practices to prevent transmission of the disease. Five states have also issued restrictions on dairy cattle movement.

April 03, 2024 01:54 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ferrie: Do you Roll the Dice Now and Plant Soybeans Early?

Some Illinois farmers started planting soybeans in late March. Ken Ferrie offers tips to help you weigh the risks of planting now. Plus, be aware that poor saturated cold scores are impacting some seed corn hybrids.

April 02, 2024 12:31 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ferrie: In Dry Soils, Is It Better to Use Anhydrous and Strip-Till or a Zone Builder?

Based on fieldwork he’s done so far, the farmer asks, “Am I drying out the soil early in what looks to be a dry year? Or, am I making the soil more fit so roots can go down as they should?”

March 27, 2024 02:36 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Young soybean field - soybeans sprouting - soybean plants - By Lindsey Pound

AMS Adds Bushels And Good ROI To Missouri Farmer’s Soybeans

Brian Ray is confident his soybeans will yield more this season, thanks to the use of 100 lb/A of ammonium sulfate preplant applied. He and his retailer, Brent Peters, anticipate a 4 bu/A average increase or higher.

March 26, 2024 11:21 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Farmer Asks How To Improve P and K On Rental Ground

A Minnesota grower asks Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist, how to improve upon the soil fertility on 90 acres he is renting for the first time this year.

March 15, 2024 02:31 PM

Rhonda Brooks

You Can’t Afford to Be Complacent About Tar Spot

Just because tar spot was mostly a no-show in 2022 and 2023 doesn’t mean that will be the case in 2024. Charting humidity levels can help predict if the disease will strike.

March 14, 2024 12:50 PM

Rhonda Brooks

10 Easy Ways to Take Your Crop-Scouting Practices to the Next Level

In a year with razor-thin margins, at best, corn and soybean growers can use a variety of new technology and tried-and-true agronomic tools to score higher yields this season.

March 13, 2024 04:59 PM

Rhonda Brooks