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

Chilled seed corn struggles to emerge and grow. It can cost you 10% of your stand, says Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.

Just Chillin’ Sounds Fun but it’s Hard on Seed Corn

Don’t let the rush to plant cause you to be filled with regret and utter these five words at some point: “I wish I had waited.” Chilled seed corn struggles to emerge and grow. It can cost you 10% of your stand.

April 17, 2024 03:16 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Unlike traditional crop insurance, whole farm provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy.

Crop Insurance Affordability at Heart of FARMER Act

More than 20 farm groups support the new Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience Act. The bill does not require choosing between enhanced crop insurance coverage and commodity support programs.

April 17, 2024 08:21 AM

Rhonda Brooks

New CoBank Report says Federal Reserve is on the ‘Horns of a Dilemma’

Unrelenting inflation continues to weigh down the U.S. economy and agriculture. Still, CoBank says it believes the Fed will stick with its decision to cut interest rates three times in 2024.

April 16, 2024 10:47 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Retail Industry

C-Suite Q&A: Soil Sleuth

Paul Bonnett joined Nutrien Ag Solutions in 2019 as senior director of agronomic solutions. He leads the company’s agronomy and environmental sciences efforts across North America and also manages Waypoint Analytical.

April 15, 2024 03:30 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.

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