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

Flying High and Digging Deep — Precision Ag from the Sky to the Soil

Farmers and aerial applicators tell Randy Dowdy and David Hula some of the key considerations for effective fungicide applications are timing, droplet size and product reach in the crop canopy.

July 09, 2025 02:47 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Corn Growers are on High Alert for Tar Spot

Unlike most leaf diseases, tar spot starts impacting the crop at the bottom of plants. That means fungicides you apply must penetrate and get deep into the crop canopy to provide effective treatment. If you opt to not treat the disease, consider making plans to harvest early and pre-booking some dryer gas.

July 08, 2025 02:47 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Weather

Parched: More Than 25% of the U.S. Is Experiencing Drought Conditions

That percentage doesn’t tell the complete story, however. While farmers in the West and southeast Texas have endured weeks of dry conditions that’s not been the case in the central Corn Belt where growing conditions have been excellent.

July 02, 2025 03:51 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Beck’s Hybrids Expands Seed Production Footprint, Acquires Nebraska Facility from Syngenta

Scott Beck says the family-owned business markets seed corn in 23 states now, with Nebraska ranking fifth in the total volume of seed units sold. Once finalized, this latest acquisition will be the company’s furthest west production facility.

July 02, 2025 11:53 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Wheat

Kansas Wheat Yields, Quality Take A Hit From Disease Complex

Wheat streak mosaic virus decimated some fields this season, say K-State Extension specialists. The problem is also showing up and expanding in other key wheat-producing states. What farmers do this fall will determine whether the disease is reined in or takes off again next season.

July 02, 2025 08:38 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Matt Duesterhaus Staging Soybean Foliar Fungicides.jpg

Soybeans

How To Navigate Foliar Fungicide Use in a Tight Soybean Market

With product and application costs totaling between $30 and $40 per acre, farmers will be taking a harder look at where they make the investment this season.

July 01, 2025 01:32 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

New Study Shows Corn Farming Delivers Economic Benefits Across All 50 States

Corn farming for grain generated an estimated $123 billion in total economic output in 2024, with an estimated contribution of $50 billion to Gross Domestic Product. Find out how your state benefits financially from corn.

June 30, 2025 03:42 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Farmings Next Generation - The Scoop - April 2024 - The Upcoming Era of Ag Retail.jpg

Succession Planning

Overcome the No. 1 Challenge in Passing Down Your Family Farm

While 69% of farmers expect to transfer their operation to the next generation of family members, too many are misplacing their time and efforts, according to The Williams Group. The company offers 5 recommendations that can help farmers and other business owners course correct.

June 30, 2025 01:28 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Ohio Farmers Mimic Mother Nature To Build Soils and Yield Success

The Seilers use cover crops and no-till to improve soil health, reduce input costs and improve profitability.

June 27, 2025 04:01 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Politics

250-Plus Ag Groups Ask Trump Administration To ‘Correct’ MAHA Commission’s ‘Activities’

The groups are urging the administration to “formally include farmers, ranchers and food producers in a collaborative stakeholder process.” An action report — a follow-up to the MAHA report released in May — is due by August 12.

June 26, 2025 03:34 PM

Rhonda Brooks