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

Cotton

New Cotton Trait A ‘Game Changer’ For Tarnished Plant Bug, Thrip Control

The first-of-its-kind biotech trait is commercially available to farmers as Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology – just in time for the 2023 production season.

February 10, 2023 02:34 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Where Urea Fits

If you’re looking to replace some of your nitrogen this season, urea is an option. Volatility will be one of the things to address.

February 09, 2023 07:50 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Corn Seedling Diseases Don’t Seem Dramatic, But The Yield Losses they Cause Sure Are

Problems like tar spot get tons of attention because of the highly visible yield loss they cause in-season. Seedling diseases can pack the same punch. Some experts claim Pythium is the No. 1 disease issue in corn.

February 01, 2023 10:05 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Yes, basic insurance for the farm is pricey. But an umbrella policy is usually more palatable, and it could save your operation in the event of a wreck or other tragedy, says Purdue's Fred Whitford.

Taxes and Finance

Accidents Happen. Don’t Lose the Farm Because of Them

Yes, basic insurance for the farm is pricey. But an umbrella policy is usually more palatable, and it could literally save your operation in the event of a wreck or other tragedy, says Purdue’s Fred Whitford.

January 27, 2023 12:04 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Technology

3 Tenets Of A Decade-Forward View of the U.S. Food System

The food system is undergoing transformation, says Rob Dongoski, Ernst & Young. He pulled back the curtain on three ways it will change and how farmers can be ready during a presentation at the 2023 Top Producer Summit.

January 25, 2023 12:10 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Three growers who spoke at the 2023 Trust In Food Symposium said they continue to evaluate and adopt so-called climate-smart farming practices, specifically those that help make their farms more profitable and/or efficient.

Conservation

Farmer Panel: Climate-Smart Program Rewards Must Outweigh Risks To Earn Grower Participation

Profitability and efficiency are big drivers for growers evaluating conservation-based farming practices. Each farmer who spoke at the Trust In Food Symposium said they have adopted at least one such practice, to date.

January 24, 2023 01:48 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist

Corn

Ferrie: Assess Your Risks for Tar Spot this Season

Cornfields hit by the disease in 2021 are at risk from a homegrown infection in 2023, if you’re in a corn-soybean rotation. Hard rains prior to crop canopy are an added concern. They splash inoculant onto corn plants.

January 19, 2023 12:30 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: You Can Reduce Fertilizer and Still Harvest Big Corn Yields, But Some Parameters Apply

There are ways to pull back on fertilizer effectively -- up to a point. Join Ferrie for the Winter Corn & Soybean College this Thursday, Jan. 5. Get practical answers to your questions during this live event.

January 04, 2023 03:23 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ken Ferrie: Using Urea for N or Going Corn-on-Corn in 2023? Read this First

Urea can be used to replace part of your spring N needs, but there are risks to be aware of and evaluate before you decide to go with it. The same is true for a mono-crop, especially if you choose continuous corn.

December 29, 2022 05:08 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Corn Yield Losses to ‘Edge Effect’ Elevated by Contrary Micro-Climate and Weather Patterns

Iowa State Extension agronomists say there are at least two strategies farmers can consider using in 2023 to address this phenomenon, especially if they expect to be hit by hot, dry weather conditions again next summer.

December 07, 2022 09:20 AM

Rhonda Brooks