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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
Pythium infected corn plants
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
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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
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Rhonda Brooks
Rob Dongoski
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
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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
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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
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Rhonda Brooks
Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist
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
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Rhonda Brooks
Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist
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
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Rhonda Brooks
Edge Effect Rod Pierce
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
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Rhonda Brooks
ethanol, drought, planting
Crop Production
Ken Ferrie: Plan Now to Have a Productive 2023
With the current season fresh on your mind, beware the temptation to base too much of your 2023 plan on what you encountered in 2022, cautions Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.
December 05, 2022 01:43 PM
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Rhonda Brooks
Horseweed (marestail) is just one of a number of weeds that can be addressed with fall or spring burndown treatments.
Crop Production
2023 Looks Like a Tough Year to Control Weeds
Dry conditions and limited herbicide supplies crippled many farmers’ weed-control efforts this year, setting up a perfect storm for weeds and grasses next season. Here are five ways to take charge of the situation.
November 29, 2022 11:09 AM
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Rhonda Brooks
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