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

Politics

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

Corn

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

Corn

Want to Boost Corn Yields? Balance Your Nitrogen Checkbook In-Season

From emergence to maturity, nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for corn, but plants have different nitrogen demands at different growth stages. Consider how corn yields are influenced by nitrogen at VE, V6, V10-V12 and R5-R6.

June 01, 2025 06:00 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Politics

ARA Says MAHA Commission’s Policy Recommendations Need Input From Agriculture

The commission now has about 80 days to create a strategy for how the federal government should respond to the report findings, per President Trump’s original order in February.

May 28, 2025 03:57 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Weather

Unexpected Impact From Illinois Dust Storm Hits Corn, Soybeans

Dust storms can occur anywhere there’s loose soil and wind. Along with Illinois, states including Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas have also experienced the problem this year.

May 28, 2025 12:42 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Three Proven, Post-Planting Practices to Use In Corn

How can you know whether your corn crop has strong yield potential? It doesn’t have to be a mystery, say David Hula and Randy Dowdy. Their practical tips will help you make good input decisions this season for better outcomes at harvest.

May 27, 2025 10:48 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Politics

MAHA Report’s Surprising Stance on Glyphosate, Atrazine Explained

USDA’s Brooke Rollins and more than 300 farm groups went to bat for agriculture leading up to the report’s release on Thursday. Yet farmers were excluded from having a voice at the table in the development process. That needs to change before the next report – which will provide policy recommendations – is issued within the next 80 days.

May 23, 2025 02:13 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Politics

Farmers and Farm Groups Push Back on MAHA Report

Many farm organizations say the 68-page document released on Thursday is filled with “fear-based rather than science-based information about pesticides,” positioning that will sow seeds of distrust with the American public.

May 22, 2025 05:52 PM

Michelle Rook

Cotton

Cotton Acres Expected to Sink to 10-Year Low in 2025

While most states anticipate a reduction in their total number of cotton acres, some exceptions exist. Farmers in Arizona, Virginia and Kansas are expected to plant more cotton than their respective 3-year averages.

May 22, 2025 11:23 AM

Rhonda Brooks

young corn with sunset - by Lindsey Pound

Politics

Farmers Brace for Impact: What the MAHA Report Could Mean for Agriculture

A chief concern is whether glyphosate will be targeted by the report, which is expected to be unveiled on Thursday. A number of farmers have voiced concerns collectively and individually this week.

May 21, 2025 04:33 PM

Rhonda Brooks