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

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

10-Billion-in-ECAP-Payments-Available-to-Qualifying-Farmers-from-USDA-FSA.jpg

Ag Economy

$10 Billion in ECAP Aid Now Available to Qualifying Farmers

The opportunity to participate comes available at a crucial time, as growers are experiencing low commodity prices, high input costs and a variety of trade uncertainties.

March 28, 2025 02:31 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Bayer President Views Agriculture Through a Lens of Optimism

Brian Naber says growing up in a farming family in southwest Minnesota helped prepare him for the rigors of leading the company through the ag industry’s current economic and regulatory challenges.

March 27, 2025 05:50 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Hula and Dowdy: Planter Calibration Sets Up Your Season For High Corn Yields

Add several thousand ears per acre to your yield results and boost ROI by getting your planter ready for the field. Be sure to download our free planter prep checklist.

March 26, 2025 02:26 PM

Rhonda Brooks