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

Graphic for Boots in the Field Report with agronomist Ken Ferrie who has spent over 40 years helping farmers maximize corn and soybean yields.

Crop Production

Ferrie: Freezing and Thawing Cycles Can Help Or Hurt Compaction

A sudden change in soil density that occurs from the freezing-thawing process can cause problems with corn root growth this spring and impede water movement in the soil during the growing season.

February 16, 2024 05:04 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Young soybean field - soybeans - soybean plants - By Lindsey Pound

Crop Production

Court Rules Dicamba ‘Was Unlawfully Approved’ By EPA and Halts Use

Forty million dicamba-tolerant soybean and cotton acres would be directly impacted by the ruling the U.S. District Court of Arizona in Tucson made Tuesday. EPA has not said when it will respond to the court’s decision.

February 08, 2024 12:21 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Ferrie: Does Spring Or Fall Horizontal Tillage Cause More Density Layers?

Ken Ferrie answers two additional questions: Was it allelopathic toxins in the cereal rye ahead of corn that caused such a yield ding last season? Will there be a cap to Carbon Initiative payments per farm operation?

February 07, 2024 08:43 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Herbicide-Carryover-Outlook_By Darrell Smith.jpg

Crop Production

Agronomists Worry Moisture Deficits Will Contribute To Herbicide Carryover

While you can’t make Mother Nature send rain, you can review crop-rotation restrictions on chemistries you applied last year. Knowing that information can guide what crop you plant where this spring.

January 29, 2024 03:13 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

314 Bu. Corn Yield Uses Only 7" of Rain to Score Big Win in Minnesota

David Heublein won the conventional, non-irrigated category of the 2023 NCGA yield contest for the state. The amazing yield was grown with only one-third of the total rainfall his fields usually get in a growing season.

January 23, 2024 04:07 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Ferrie: Farmer Asks How to Use Red Clover as a Cover to Reduce Nitrogen Rates and Costs

Red clover can fix nitrogen, suppress weeds and improve crop yields. Based on test plot research in Illinois, a good stand of red clover can provide between 50 and 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

January 10, 2024 02:58 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Politics

Exclusive: Presidential Candidate Nikki Haley Shares Her Vision For The U.S., Agriculture

AgriTalk has extended an invitation to all the 2024 presidential hopefuls to join Host Chip Flory and answer five standard questions about what they would focus on once in office.

January 09, 2024 01:26 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Harvest

Seed Impact Mill Technology Hammers Herbicide-Resistant Weeds

Harvest weed seed control systems have a hefty price tag, but some farmers and researchers say they are a good investment and provide a ROI, especially where resistant weeds are taking over and control options are few.

January 09, 2024 10:38 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Politics

New Ways To Address Healthcare Issues Are Needed For Rural Americans

From improved telehealth services to reimagined small-town hospitals, the National Rural Health Association is working to help folks in farm country tap into more and better medical care options.

January 09, 2024 08:36 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Ferrie: No-Till Farmer Asks at What Depth to Pull Soil Samples?

Growers can benefit from evaluating the dispersion of N, P and K and pH levels in no-till fields. Often, there is a drop off in soil fertility levels in no-till soils once below the three-inch mark.

December 22, 2023 04:30 PM

Rhonda Brooks