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

Crop Production

Angels In Blue Offer Helping Hands To Farmers In Crisis

Farm Rescue’s mission is to help farmers and ranchers who have had a major illness, injury or natural disaster by providing equipment and volunteer labor – free of charge – to perform time-sensitive services.

August 29, 2023 07:33 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

30 Days Left for Iowa Corn Crop to Complete Fill, Pack On Yield

The past four days of high heat and no moisture have taken a toll in the state with some farmers predicting corn yield lows of 140 bu. per acre. Some still anticipate 200-bu. plus yields. All they need is some rain.

August 24, 2023 05:54 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Split, Pinch And Push Stalks If Tar Spot Strikes Now

Conditions are right for the disease to break loose in parts of the Midwest. If it does, agronomists recommend three steps farmers can take to prioritize affected cornfields for harvest to minimize yield loss.

August 24, 2023 07:08 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Double-Edged Sword: Did Rains from Derecho Save Illinois Corn and Soybeans?

A fast-moving storm flattened crops on June 29, but the rain gave much needed relief to area crops and hope to farmers struggling to stay optimistic. Pro Farmer Crop Tour provides insights on how those crops look now.

August 23, 2023 02:41 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Want to Take More Beans to the Bin at Harvest? Pay Attention to Soybean Growth Stages

Understanding soybean growth and development can help determine the best stages to maximize untapped yield potential. Consider these six key times and manage soybeans accordingly.

August 23, 2023 10:57 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

‘No Monster Yields’ but Nebraska Irrigated Corn has Above-Average Potential

First thing Tuesday, Pro Farmer Tour scouts saw Nebraska irrigated corn with 208 to 250 bu. yields. But a lot could change as they head into dryland corn. In the eastern Corn Belt, scouts are evaluating Indiana crops.

August 22, 2023 12:29 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Midwest Crops Swelter In High Temperatures, Little Relief Ahead

A heat dome will consume the Plains and Mississippi Valley into the South this week with “oppressive and dangerous conditions” expected at least through midweek, the National Weather Service reported early Monday.

August 21, 2023 05:12 PM

Rhonda Brooks

The 31st Pro Farmer Crop Tour is underway.

Corn

Corn and Soybeans Look ‘Darn Good’ In Ohio, Similar to 2021

Out of the gate this morning, scouts saw a high of 208 bu/A for corn and a low of 92 bu/A. In the West, the initial report is positive for South Dakota with “better than last year” the key phrase scouts are repeating.

August 21, 2023 03:49 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ugh. Tar Spot Moves In After Drought Leaves

Corn growers in 13 states have confirmed tar spot outbreaks now. Iowa leads the pack with the disease reported in at least 36 counties. Indiana is a close second. “It’s starting to explode,” one agronomist says.

August 19, 2023 08:03 AM

Rhonda Brooks

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of the new Syngenta facility. Warren Kruger, head of field crops seeds development for North America did the honors. With him, from left to right, are Erik Fyrwald, CEO, Syngenta Group; Eric Boeck, regional director North American seeds; Trevor Hohls, global head of seeds development; and Justin Wolfe, president global seeds.

Corn

Syngenta Unveils New Seeds Research-and-Development Innovation Center

Some of the research now underway at the facility is focused on improving germplasm performance, launching stacked, next-generation differentiated traits and demonstrating regenerative agriculture cropping systems.

August 15, 2023 03:32 PM

Rhonda Brooks