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

Harvest

5 Ways to Ready Your Grain Bins For Harvest

Your annual harvest goal: Get grain out of the field in good condition. But what about how well that grain holds up in storage?

September 11, 2023 02:03 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Corn Top Dieback And Lack of Uniformity Are Contributing to Unrealistic Yield Estimates Now

Some farmers in central Illinois are making yield estimates of 250 to 270 bushels per acre. Ken Ferrie says in many of those cases a more realistic estimate, though disappointing, would be in the 170 to 220 range.

September 07, 2023 09:19 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Two Likely Dicamba-Resistant Waterhemp Populations Found In Iowa

Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska have previously confirmed populations of dicamba-resistant waterhemp. Extension stresses the importance of not allowing any seed-bearing waterhemp to remain in the field at harvest.

September 06, 2023 12:43 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Ferrie: 3,000-Mile Crop Tour Reveals the Good, Bad and Ugly

Out East, Ken Ferrie saw good corn crops with delayed maturity. Black layer will be pushed out to October. In the West, one Iowa field had the highest corn yield check of the season, while other fields were burned up.

September 01, 2023 11:37 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Crop Production

Syngenta Seeds, Sustainable Oils Announce Commercial Agreement to Sell Camelina Seed

The oilseed crop offers farmers the opportunity to grow three crops in two years. It can be used for sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel and animal feed production.

September 01, 2023 06:17 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Soybeans

New Soybean Fungicides Target White Mold and Phytophthora Root Rot

Corteva Agriscience introduces Viatude and LumiTreo to address tough disease issues and protect soybean yield potential. Both will be available for use in 2024. There are limited supplies of Viatude this season, as well.

August 29, 2023 11:04 AM

Rhonda Brooks

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