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

Used Machinery

New Records Set At Auctions For Used High-Speed Tillage Tools

After seeing 25,000 sales of used disks come and go, Machinery Pete showcases three, each one from a different manufacturer, that have captured the highest prices farmers have ever paid for a tillage tool – so far.

May 01, 2023 02:19 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Graphic for Boots in the Field Report with agronomist Ken Ferrie who has spent over 40 years helping farmers maximize corn and soybean yields.

Planting

Ken Ferrie: Lethal Low Temperatures and Frost Delivered Deadly Blows in Illinois Corn and Soybeans

Soybeans planted from April 3 to April 10 were hit the hardest as they were snared by temperatures dipping below 28°F. Corn didn’t dodge the damage, either. Ferrie says some corn crops at the V1 stage were smoked.

April 27, 2023 03:14 PM

Rhonda Brooks

This is the lifecycle for true armyworm. The timing is specific to Indiana, but it can be used to estimate approximately when you might see the pest in your fields.

Corn

Is A Double Whammy of True Armyworm Underway?

True armyworm (not to be confused with fall armyworm) is moving into Midwest wheat and corn crops now. Many are newcomers from the South, but homegrown populations are also concerning in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

April 24, 2023 05:54 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Planting

Untreated Soybeans Face Uphill Battle To Emerge Unscathed by Cold Soil Conditions

When soybean seed sits in the ground for weeks, unable to germinate, the risk for Sudden Death Syndrome to develop trends higher. Yield losses upwards of 80% are documented.

April 21, 2023 08:15 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Off to the Planting Races for Corn and Soybeans

Both crops get a green light for planting this Wednesday and maybe even for Tuesday in central Illinois. Ferrie says let soil conditions, moisture and local weather forecasts drive your planting and tillage decisions.

April 10, 2023 03:02 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: 5 Ways to Stop Early-Season Pests and Insects Now

Cutworm and armyworm moths are on the move, looking to lay eggs. Wireworms, grubs, flea beetles, gophers and voles are also looking to take up residence in your fields. Act now to stop them.

April 06, 2023 04:36 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Corn Rootworm Beetle Counts Forecast Problems For 2023

Farmers in Iowa and parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and South Dakota are in the “red zone” for CRW pressure this season.

April 04, 2023 05:06 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Farmers Really Want to Plant Corn Not Soybeans, Says FBN Chief Economist

Kevin McNew says the company’s survey of 2,000-plus growers shows they will plant 92.5 million acres of corn and 84.5 million acres of soybeans. Both estimates are counter to what USDA projected in February.

March 30, 2023 08:26 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Politics

Deadline Looms, but still no Movement on U.S.-Mexico Corn Trade Dispute, Grassley says

Iowa Senator encourages U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to move toward instituting USMCA dispute settlement process.

March 29, 2023 01:23 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Conservation

Can the $20-Billion Inflation Reduction Act Get Rolled Out Quickly Enough?

Industry experts say the new legislative package represents a ‘generational opportunity’ for conservation funding and needs to reach U.S. farmers and livestock producers sooner rather than later, starting this spring.

March 21, 2023 04:33 PM

Rhonda Brooks