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

Succession Planning

Power of Portability: This Estate Tax Tool Can Save You Millions

One of the most overlooked and misunderstood tax laws — available to married farming couples — is an opportunity called portability.

July 29, 2022 02:22 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Dick Billings with two of his three granddaughters, Sarah and Kristen, when they were 5 and 10. They are now 25 and 30.

Conservation

Indiana Farm Thrives Thanks to ‘Three-Legged Stool’ Strategy

Dick Billings passed away several years ago, but his wife, their son and granddaughters have been able to build upon his vision for the family’s operation, thanks to a team of farmers and a forestry consultant.

July 22, 2022 03:29 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Two Times when Spraying Corn Rootworm Adults can Payoff

Trying to control adult CRW beetles can be a losing proposition. But this year, given the amount of population pressure in some fields there is better potential for a return-on-investment, agronomists say.

July 21, 2022 09:49 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Expect More Corn Rootworm Problems This Season

Contributing factors include continuous corn, late-maturing hybrids, delayed and/or replanted fields, weedy fields and borders, and soybeans with significant volunteer corn.

July 20, 2022 03:32 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Soybeans

New Program Tackles the $1.5 Billion Bite SCN Takes Out of U.S. Soybeans Annually

Soybean cyst nematode can ravage a crop and destroy up to 80% of its yield potential. Two partners encourage farmers to take action between now and early September to address the pest.

July 18, 2022 04:33 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist

Corn

Ferrie: Yield Potential is Getting Clipped by Corn Rootworm in some Fully Traited Hybrids

Corn needs 1/2" of silk to pollinate. In some cases, the pest pressure in parts of the Midwest is heavy enough that’s not happening and is signaling full-blown resistance problems.

July 18, 2022 01:37 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Ferrie: Triple Weather Punch Hits Corn Belt, Crop Still has Time to Recover

Some corn took a beating this week, but it still has a lot of yield potential. Also, register for our Farm Journal Corn & Soybean College. We have all new agronomic topics to help you harvest more grain this fall!

July 13, 2022 03:32 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Soybeans

Ferrie: Year of the Waterhemp is Underway

Non-GMO soybeans at R2 to R3 are seeing weed flushes. You will ‘burn’ the beans to get rid of waterhemp, but that’s a better option than leaving the weed to flourish, go to seed and fill the seed bank for next spring.

July 13, 2022 03:31 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Corn

Fungicide Use at R1 Can Stop ‘Driver Diseases’ and Protect Corn Yield Potential

Tar spot and southern rust are increasing concerns and require a proactive management plan. Some fungicides can mitigate these and other diseases while protecting plants from stress. Retailers can guide your decisions.

July 13, 2022 03:27 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Wheat

Ukrainian Farmers Destroy Harvest Equipment to Keep Russians from Taking Crops

With little to no diesel readily available to fuel harvest, wheat and other grains languish in the country’s fields. One analyst says he expects the global wheat market will be shorted 10 million metric tons.

July 12, 2022 03:33 PM

Rhonda Brooks