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

Planting

Unlock Profits: 5 Essential Questions for Early Soybean Planting

One solution to low prices is producing more bushels. Take a minute to think through some of the best management practices outlined here that will help you accomplish that.

April 15, 2025 10:42 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Breaking Barriers - Episode 1V4 - tissue and soil samples

Corn

Farmer Finds A Silver Bullet For High Corn Yields

Randy Hughes is continually refining his fertility program and has seen yields improve 40 bu. to 50 bu. per acre over the past six years. Hughes chats with corn yield champs David Hula and Randy Dowdy about the importance of being a lifelong student of the crop.

April 14, 2025 06:54 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Navigate Seed Corn Pericarp Damage with Fertilizer Know-How

Farmers who are seeing this issue show up in their seed sample test results might want to consider not using starter in-furrow this spring. There are good options off the seed, Ken Ferrie reports.

April 10, 2025 08:29 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Boost Corn ROI: Focus On Fertilizer Timing And Placement

You want nutrients where corn roots can “luxury feed” on them without expending energy going and looking for them, say yield champions, David Hula and Randy Dowdy. They share some tips on how to accomplish that and make the most of your fertilizer dollars this season.

April 09, 2025 10:41 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Planting

Is The Planting Light Red, Green Or Yellow?

Don’t let the calendar, coffee shop talk or what your neighbors are doing dictate when you head to the field. Farm Journal field agronomists offer these four tips to help you get your best start ever with #planting2025.

April 09, 2025 07:30 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Corn Planting Season 2025 Is Underway In Six States

USDA says Texas farmers have 59% of their crop in the ground, identical to 2024. One key difference from last year: Illinois has yet to register any discernible corn planting progress, according to the first report of the 2025 season.

April 07, 2025 04:57 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

300-Bu. Corn Has a Big Appetite for N, P and K

While macronutrients and micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and manganese contribute to high yields, yield champs say don’t overlook the importance of having soil pH in place first.

April 07, 2025 06:42 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Soybeans

With Soybean Seed Quality A Mixed Bag, Agronomist Says This Is The Year To Use Seed Treatments

Many seed beans were hammered by heat and drought at harvest last year, leading to variable seed quality this season. Knowing your warm/cold germ scores and using seed treatments at planting can help you get the crop off to a stronger start, especially early soybeans.

April 04, 2025 12:55 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ag Economy

Farmers Look for Silver Linings As Reciprocal Tariffs Go Into Effect

On Wednesday afternoon, President Trump announced a series of tariffs, scheduled to start over the next few days, on some of agriculture’s most significant trade partners. Some corn and soybean growers say they are bracing themselves for potentially more financial pain ahead.

April 02, 2025 01:55 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Planting

Dip Your Big Toe Into the Process Of Trimming Inputs

For high-yielding corn and soybean crops, there are some baseline fertility requirements you have to fund. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fine-tune practices and products and save some money. Here are four suggestions from high-yield champs David Hula and Randy Dowdy.

April 01, 2025 04:41 PM

Rhonda Brooks