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

Farm bill - capitol - grain system - soybean field - corn field - By Lindsey Pound

Politics

Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Sherrod Brown have introduced the Farm Program Integrity Act. It would create a cap of $250,000 in commodity support for a single farm operation and, potentially, some undesirable side effects.

August 03, 2023 06:43 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Give Corn A ‘Big Push’ With Better Nutrient Allocation

Using the same amount of fertilizer -- but at different times and more than one way during the season -- can help you harvest more bushels and improve your bottom line. Check out our two brief videos to learn more.

July 28, 2023 01:31 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

High Humidity a Contributing Factor in Tar Spot Outbreaks

Farmers can use humidity charts for their area to assess when the disease could hit their corn crop as well as the optimum time to make a fungicide application, says Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Associate Field Agronomist.

July 26, 2023 11:23 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

$100 an Acre Herbicide Costs Won’t be Unusual Next Season

On the low end, expect to invest at least $50 an acre in the Midwest and $85 in the South for products. Some corn and soybean farmers are evaluating adjuvants and management practices that could help trim expenses.

July 20, 2023 02:31 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Succession Planning

4 Things to Do When Your Kids Come Home to Farm

Matt and Lisa Moreland hoped at least one of their sons would return home to farm after college. What they didn’t anticipate? All three sons wanted to come back. Here are four things the family learned in the process.

July 20, 2023 01:56 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Taxes and Finance

Use Portability to Avoid a Potential Multi-Million Dollar Estate Mistake

If your spouse dies, look into filing Form 706 Federal Estate Tax Return with the IRS. Taking that step could help you protect farm assets so they pass to your heirs without estate taxes. The process isn’t automatic.

July 20, 2023 01:37 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Technology

3 Trends that Will Drive the Food System of the Future

The food system is being reimagined today and farmers can benefit by thinking about how to improve their ability to take advantage of opportunities in the process, says Rob Dongoski with Ernst and Young.

July 20, 2023 01:30 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist

Corn

Ferrie: Biofuel Tax Credit Needs Could Mean More Dollars For Farmers’ Grain

There is now a dollar value assigned to grain carbon intensity scores below 29 in the form of tax credits to biofuel plants that buy grain as part of their decarbonization efforts.

July 18, 2023 08:54 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Used Machinery

Crime Sprees Target Precision Ag Technology at Farms and Dealerships

Thieves are ripping off yield monitors and navigation systems, many of which retail for $4,000-plus. Some authorities speculate the tools are sold on the black market abroad for use as is or pieced out for their parts.

July 12, 2023 09:05 AM

Rhonda Brooks

The Crop Science division of Bayer AG is based in Creve Coeur, Mo., part of the greater St. Louis metro area.

Crop Production

Bayer Plans to Sell its Crop Science Division, says German News Service

Platow Brief, a banking and finance publication, says new Bayer AG CEO Bill Anderson and team are working on a deal to spin off the division to improve the pharma giant’s financial wellbeing and placate investors.

July 11, 2023 08:42 AM

Rhonda Brooks