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

Breaking Barriers - 04-25-2025 - Exploring Innovations in Crop Cultivation.jpg

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

Technology Makes Planting in Wet Soils Possible.jpg

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

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