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

Soybeans

Soybean Seed Treatments Can Be ‘Low-Hanging Fruit for Yields’

Not every product will deliver a positive return-on-investment. But some will and are worth trying out on your farm this season--especially if you’re planting early soybeans, says Illinois Sales Agronomist Kris Ehler.

December 12, 2023 03:17 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Farmland

Look to ‘Pay Top Dollar for the Right Farm’ in 2024

In October, USDA said the average value of U.S. cropland (irrigated and nonirrigated) was $5,460 an acre in 2023--an increase of 8.1% from 2022. High-quality ground is selling for two to three times that.

December 11, 2023 03:31 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Inflation Money Retail Gas Pump_Credit-iStock, Farm Journal.jpg

Politics

Fed Eyes Interest-Rate Cuts for 2024 as U.S. Economy Slows

Analysts say an initial cut could be made as early as first quarter 2024. One of the key factors the central banking system will consider is whether its inflation rate target of 2% has been achieved.

December 06, 2023 01:14 PM

Rhonda Brooks

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: Farmers Are Strip-Tilling Covers Now. Is That A Good Idea?

The practice can be useful in some scenarios but not all. Farmers need to evaluate the potential impact on 2024 yield outcomes. Perhaps a bigger concern is how the practice impacts weed management, especially waterhemp.

November 29, 2023 04:16 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Soybeans

Brazilian Farmers Still have 30% of Their Soybeans to Plant

Fields in central Brazil are baking in high temperatures and low levels of moisture. One meterologist says farmers there are now questioning whether they will plant their second corn crop, the so-called safrinha crop.

November 21, 2023 02:44 PM

Rhonda Brooks

World Markets

USDA Says Trade Efforts Are Working to Build Markets Abroad

The agency says exports picked up steam this year in countries such as Canada, India and Japan and that the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program will keep the wheels of progress turning in 2024.

November 21, 2023 02:26 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Picking Corn Hybrids For 2024? Here Are Five Tips

For a lot of farmers, 2023 was a tough growing season and Mother Nature didn’t cooperate. But don’t let that drive your seed-selection process for next year. Consider these five recommendations instead.

November 21, 2023 08:36 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Planting

Fertilizer Relay System Gives Corn a Big Push Out of the Gate

If you value the benefits starter fertilizer offers, you might like the performance of a starter fertilizer relay system even more. Farm Journal Test Plot data show a relay system + 2x2 placement = $36 per acre ROI.

November 15, 2023 04:24 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Treat Sulfur Like a Macronutrient in Corn to Boost Yields

With organic matter above 3.5%, do you need to worry about applying sulfur? Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist, is seeing financially positive responses. He shares several sulfur options to consider.

November 14, 2023 09:11 PM

Rhonda Brooks

how low can you go with soybean planting population

Soybeans

With Soybean Planting Populations, How Low Can You Go?

Highly productive areas with adequate soil moisture are where you can usually trim seeding populations, says Matt Duesterhaus, Crop-Tech Consulting agronomist. He offers seven additional recommendations.

November 14, 2023 08:33 PM

Rhonda Brooks