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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
Severely bruised corn stalks can limit the plants’ ability to translocate water and nutrients and even cause the growing point region to die.
The corn yield estimate in Indiana is nearly 7 bu. per acre above the 2023 tour estimate; the soybean estimate is up 7.56%. Nebraska’s corn yield estimate is just over 6 bu. per acre higher than last year, and the soybean estimate is up 1.07%.
If you have tar spot, Southern rust or other disease pressure and plan to dry the crop in the field, you might want to spray again.
When average daily humidity levels reach and stay at 75% or above, that’s a signal your crop could be at high risk from the disease.
Some growers are struggling with waterlogged fields that are producing stunted, yellowing corn. Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie offers farmers hope and help with his practical, no-nonsense recommendations.
Ken Ferrie outlines various treatment scenarios, depending on what farmers find in their fields. He cautions that severe infections can easily cause 60-bu.-per-acre yield losses.
Soybean processors, for one, are struggling in parts of the Upper Midwest where floodwaters have impacted railways and other transportation systems.
Corn is at all different sizes in parts of northwest and north-central Iowa, where heavy moisture levels are taking a toll. That’s not the case for southeast Illinois where farmers have seen little moisture.
Floodwaters breached levees in parts of Iowa on Tuesday, with more flooding anticipated for Wednesday. The damage to row-crop and livestock operations is likely significant, according to state officials.
Rootless corn syndrome, nitrates, carbon penalty, waterhemp woes and tar spot are bearing down on corn and soybean crops now. The good news? You can take action so they aren’t a drag on crop performance all season.