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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
Boots in the Field -- Ken Ferrie
Corn
Ferrie: If You Want Agronomic Answers, Read Your Crown Roots
Many Midwest farmers are seeing their corn crop struggle from compaction, nutrient deficiencies and herbicide carryover. Some of these issues can be addressed yet this season.
June 21, 2023 01:48 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
ag barometer
Taxes and Finance
One Silver Lining In Clouds Of Economic Concern
The latest Ag Economy Barometer shows farmer sentiment has soured as crop prices have tumbled over the past month, but it’s not all gloom and doom. Strong working capital can help address the downturn in farm country.
June 13, 2023 02:40 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
An air pocket in the furrow prevented good seed-to-soil contact in this case, which prevented the seedling from emerging well.
Corn
4 Reasons Your Corn Crop Leafed Out Underground This Spring
Weather conditions at planting, herbicide damage, insects and poor closure of the furrow are just a handful of the factors that can hinder corn emergence success.
June 13, 2023 12:17 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
BioLumic CEO Steve Sibulkin, left, and Chief Science Officer Jason Wargent inspect an Illinois soybean trial plot to validate beneficial crop outcomes from the company's proprietary light-signaling seed treatment technology.
Corn
UV Light Seed Treatment For Corn and Soybeans Headed to Farmers’ Fields
The new technology is designed to improve seedling vigor, boost root biomass and contribute to yield increases – up to 15% in corn and 12% in soybeans. It will be commercially available starting in 2024.
June 12, 2023 02:59 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
A Perfect Storm
Corn
A Perfect Storm for Increased Insect Pressure in Corn
Several factors converge making corn rootworm, black cutworm and true armyworm a high concern this season.
June 09, 2023 04:06 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Livestock
Beef
If You ‘Doctor’ Livestock, a New Rule Will Determine How or If You Can Buy Antibiotics
Drugs such as penicillin and some others routinely used to treat cattle, hogs and other food animals will be available only with a prescription from your veterinarian, starting June 12, 2023.
June 09, 2023 03:24 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Wildfires put animals as well as people at risk.
Corn
Smoke From Wildfires Creates ‘Indirect Concerns’ For U.S. Corn Crop
A concentration of smoke over a period of several weeks could contribute to lower temperatures and fewer growing degree units for row crops because of reduced solar radiation.
June 08, 2023 01:29 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Young Corn Precision Row Shut off Planting Lindsey-Pound
Corn
Look For Evidence of Corn Seedling Diseases Now
With more than 90% of the corn crop now planted and growing in 12 key states, it’s time to look for evidence of Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. They’re often overlooked because they work underground to steal yield.
June 06, 2023 02:32 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Boots in the Field -- Ken Ferrie
Corn
2 Ways to Tell Whether Corn is Deficient in Nitrogen or Potassium
Ken Ferrie is seeing potassium deficiency in corn this season because of dry soil conditions. It’s easy to confuse with a nitrogen deficiency and even the carbon penalty and ugly corn syndrome.
June 05, 2023 02:53 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Soybean field soybeans - Lindsey Pound
Politics
Soybean Group Wants Heavier Semi-Truck Loads Approved For Interstate Transport
Bill 3372 could lower greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate factors leading to supply chain backlogs, reduce damage to roads, and provide an extra set of brakes to improve stopping capacity and safety, one lawmaker says.
June 01, 2023 02:59 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
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