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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
Inflation Money
Politics
New CoBank Report says Federal Reserve is on the ‘Horns of a Dilemma’
Unrelenting inflation continues to weigh down the U.S. economy and agriculture. Still, CoBank says it believes the Fed will stick with its decision to cut interest rates three times in 2024.
April 16, 2024 10:47 AM
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Rhonda Brooks
Boots in the Field -- Ken Ferrie
Corn
Ferrie: It’s a No-Go for Corn Planting in Central Illinois
Along with too much moisture, high numbers of corn flea beetles are posing an early-season concern. Ferrie advises checking your Stewart’s wilt bacteria rating on hybrids. There’s no treatment option for infected corn.
April 15, 2024 11:11 AM
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Rhonda Brooks
Planting corn with starter fertilizer - aerial - Lindsey Pound3
Corn
Antsy To Plant Corn Now? Use These Five Tips To Get Ready
One of the biggest benefits from waiting to plant corn until conditions are ideal, is the crop emerges more uniformly and forms those picket-fence stands that deliver huge yields, says Agronomist Missy Bauer.
April 12, 2024 02:51 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Young Corn Precision Row Shut off Planting Lindsey-Pound
Crop Production
NASS Discontinues County Estimates For Crops And Livestock and July Cattle Report
Lance Honig, acting director of the NASS methodology division, says budget constraints led to the agency’s decision. The County Estimates data was used over the years, in part, to determine federal farm program payments.
April 12, 2024 11:56 AM
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Rhonda Brooks
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Dairy
AABP Decides to Reference Cattle Disease as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV)
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is making the name change, as it more accurately reflects the issue.
April 09, 2024 01:57 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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Dairy
Six Questions One Industry Veterinarian Says She Is Asked Most Often About HPAI
Kay Russo, DVM, Novonesis technical services manager for dairy and poultry, emphasized the situation is rapidly evolving and more clarity will come with time as researchers learn more.
April 07, 2024 01:59 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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Dairy
Texas-Sized Problems Hit the Lone Star State, but Ag Commissioner says ‘Things are Getting Better’
Sid Miller, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, says the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza impacting beef cattle in the state’s panhandle – where dairy cows have been infected – is minimal.
April 04, 2024 04:26 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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Dairy
Twelve Cases of HPAI in Dairy Cattle Confirmed in Five States
Livestock producers and veterinarians are urged to practice good biosecurity practices to prevent transmission of the disease. Five states have also issued restrictions on dairy cattle movement.
April 03, 2024 01:54 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Boots in the Field -- Ken Ferrie
Soybeans
Ferrie: Do you Roll the Dice Now and Plant Soybeans Early?
Some Illinois farmers started planting soybeans in late March. Ken Ferrie offers tips to help you weigh the risks of planting now. Plus, be aware that poor saturated cold scores are impacting some seed corn hybrids.
April 02, 2024 12:31 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Boots in the Field -- Ken Ferrie
Crop Production
Ferrie: In Dry Soils, Is It Better to Use Anhydrous and Strip-Till or a Zone Builder?
Based on fieldwork he’s done so far, the farmer asks, “Am I drying out the soil early in what looks to be a dry year? Or, am I making the soil more fit so roots can go down as they should?”
March 27, 2024 02:36 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
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