Rhonda-Brooks.jpg

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: 3 Agronomic Problems to Look For This Week
Farmers finding dead corn plants in their fields are texting pictures to Ken Ferrie, asking for help. Some of the culprits he’s found include wireworm, the carbon penalty, rootless corn syndrome and herbicide carryover.
May 30, 2023 11:06 AM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
US Drought Monitor May 23 2023
Crop Production
Corn, Soybeans and Wheat in the Grips of Drought
The U.S. Drought Monitor says 26% of corn acres, 20% of soybean acres and 47% of winter wheat acres are in drought. The wheat crop has little chance of revival, but corn and soybeans have a long runway ahead of them.
May 29, 2023 04:59 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Bank rural Illinois finance financing ag lender lending banking grain bins - Lindsey Pound
Health
Small-Town Bank CEOs are Cautiously Optimistic, says Rural Mainstreet Index Survey
Despite the positive sentiment, local community bankers report concerns about lower commodity prices, the ‘big bank mess’ and another potential rate hike in June by the Fed.
May 25, 2023 08:48 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Reducing crop residue in the spring enables soils to warm up faster.
Corn
New Biological Supports Soil Health, Improves Crop Residue Breakdown
Reclaim is designed to help soils warm up faster, resulting in more uniform seed emergence and better plant stands.
May 25, 2023 04:43 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Farmland
Farmland
3 Things to Know About Purchasing Farmland Now
Paul Schadegg, with Farmers National Company, shares his perspective on agricultural real estate demand, the impact of interest rates on the market and the outlook for land values later this year.
May 25, 2023 09:38 AM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
vertical tillage - Great Plains Turbo Max - Lindsey Pound
Corn
Considering Vertical Tillage? Here are 5 Benefits
Watch the 1-minute video by Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie and his agronomic team, showing how residue can be sized to protect soil surfaces to minimize dust and potential erosion.
May 25, 2023 07:45 AM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
NASA currently has a variety of missions underway, with scientists studying Earth to glean information that could help farmers.
Crop Production
NASA’s Newest Mission is Focused on Helping U.S. Farmers
The agency recently launched a new initiative called Acres. Scientists plan for the data gathered through the program to help farmers with all kinds of decisions, from water use to what crops to plant and when.
May 25, 2023 07:38 AM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Boots in the Field -- Ken Ferrie
Corn
Disease and Insects are Attacking Your Wheat Crop. Here’s How to Know Whether to Make One Treatment or Two
Similarly, Ken Ferrie says to time your post-herbicide application in corn based on weed size and to address cutworm based on the level of damage you find. One pass in the field could work for both, but don’t bet on it.
May 22, 2023 04:13 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Waterlogged fields are slowing the planting process in some parts of the country.
Soybeans
8 Soybean Planting Reminders for When Mother Nature Doesn’t Cooperate
“Plant early for optimum yield” is a common refrain soybean growers hear from agronomists and other crop production experts today. But when you can’t get into the field, regroup and go to Plan B.
May 16, 2023 04:02 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
European corn borer moth
Corn
6 Moth Species You Need to Know About
Agronomists are reporting high numbers of black cutworm and true armyworm moths in pheromone traps. Their offspring, the larvae, can do serious harm to corn. So can the offspring of four other common moth species.
May 09, 2023 01:29 PM
 · 
Rhonda Brooks
Load More