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

U.S. agriculture will continue to feel the effects of the trade war with China.

Ag Economy

Farmers Back U.S. Efforts To Rebalance Trade With China Despite Economic Hardship

While 56% of farmers say they believe the ongoing trade disputes with China and other countries will hurt them financially this year, 70% say they believe the U.S. and agriculture specifically will benefit in the long-term.

May 07, 2025 04:13 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Evaluate Corn Stands And Replant Decisions This Week

One farmer who was chased out of fields by rain this past weekend told Farm Journal, “This is the wettest drought I have ever seen.” There are some silver linings, though: soil-applied herbicides are being activated, the U.S. corn crop won’t all pollinate the same week and you have time to make stand counts where the crop has emerged.

May 05, 2025 12:21 PM

Rhonda Brooks

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Corn

Sap Tests Can Help Reduce Nutrient Use, Improve Crop Health and Boost Yields

Analyzing both old and new growth, a sap test measures nutrient levels in the plant’s vascular tissues to identify current and soon-to-occur deficiencies.

May 01, 2025 06:15 AM

Rhonda Brooks

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Corn

Master The Use of Growing Degree Units to Boost Corn Yield Potential

GDUs offer a more reliable method to predict corn emergence and development than using calendar days, according to yield champions David Hula and Randy Dowdy. They also offer their pro tip on how to assess planting and germination depth.

April 28, 2025 11:02 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Conservation

Cover Crops Gain Acceptance From Farmers When Their Agronomic Advisers Already Use Them

Results from a new survey reveal that between 25% and 50% of corn and soybean growers adopt the use of cover crops when their trusted adviser has been planting them, as well.

April 23, 2025 10:31 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Elevate Your Corn Planting Game Instantly With 7 Proven Tips

Soil conditions, temperatures and weather outlook are finally aligned for planting in much of the Midwest. In the hurry to get the job done, keep in mind that to get a 300-bu. corn yield, you need to start with at least a 300-bu. picket-fence stand.

April 23, 2025 09:01 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Cannabis

Reviving Hemp: Economic Boon or Passing Trend?

After several years of volatility for U.S. growers, prices and acreage of industrial hemp appear to be stabilizing or even rising modestly, according to the 2025 National Hemp Report.

April 22, 2025 01:12 PM

Rhonda Brooks

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Crops

Technology Is Key to Planting Corn In Less Than Ideal Soil Conditions

Farmers can make a poor planting scenario better by teaching their planter how to dance across fields. The practice is particularly helpful in wet soils.

April 21, 2025 03:07 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Timely Fungicide Use Safeguards Corn Yield Potential

Iowa farmers say a foliar fungicide application can add more bushels per acre by preventing losses to disease pressure and minimizing the impact of environmental factors, such as heat stress and drought.

April 18, 2025 09:47 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Soybeans

Soybean Farmer Fine-Tunes Seeding Rates For Higher Profits

Maximizing ROI is Brian Scott’s No. 1 goal as he evaluates planting populations on his northwest Indiana farm. In 2024, the sweet spot was 100,000 seeds per acre, which cost $53 per acre in seed and yielded 76 bu. per acre.

April 17, 2025 08:43 AM

Rhonda Brooks