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

Eric Snodgrass.jpeg

Weather

Ag Meterologists Worry More Drought Lies Ahead For Spring

About 45% of U.S. corn production acres and 36% of the soybean ground are dry. The western Corn Belt needs moisture, in particular. A big, wet snowstorm could help, says Eric Snodgrass.

February 21, 2025 11:14 AM

·

Paul Neiffer

Dairy Business News

The Tax Man Cometh To The Farm

Three key provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire in December. Planning now can help farmers prepare financially if the provisions aren’t extended, says CPA Paul Neiffer.

February 19, 2025 10:44 AM

·

Policy

USDA’s Rollins: ‘Let’s Go Barnstorm The World And Find New Partners’ For Trade

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins kicked off the 2025 Top Producer Summit on Tuesday morning, detailing her plan to advocate for trade. ‘We want to find market access for all our products,’ Rollins said.

February 18, 2025 12:25 PM

·

Laboratory - Test Tubes

Education

Three Bovine Veterinarians ‘Previously Infected by H5N1'

The CDC tested 150 practitioners last September. None of the three that had a positive serology result reported having experienced respiratory or influenza-like symptoms.

February 13, 2025 03:30 PM

·

Vaccine

Policy

Iowa Secretary of Ag Weighs In on The H5N1 Battle, Vaccine Potential And Trade Sensitivities

Sec. Mike Naig says the U.S. government is using what he describes as a three-legged stool approach to address the virus in the dairy and poultry industries.

January 29, 2025 07:49 AM

·

HPAI H5N1

Dairy Production

Some California Veterinarians Say Virus-Hit Dairies See More Abortions in First-Calf Heifers and Dry Cows

Any existing herd health problems are amplified by HPAI H5N1, practitioners report. Some are asking regulatory agencies for more consistent testing and reporting protocols. They are also encouraging producers to invest dollars in better nutrition and cow comfort resources.

January 14, 2025 02:11 PM

·

Ben and Jerry.jpg

Industry

Ben and Jerry’s Is Set On Proving Dairy Can Help Solve Climate Change

The iconic ice cream maker is working with seven New England farms currently. So far, they’ve achieved a 16% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

November 15, 2024 11:20 AM

·

Lots of different skills and abilities go into creating success.

Dairy Business News

What Qualities Help People Succeed in the Dairy Industry?

Five professionals — from dairy producers to veterinarians and university Extension specialists — share some of the factors they believe have helped them and other people persevere and create a lasting career.

October 15, 2024 01:39 PM

·

beef dairy cross calves

Education

Why Some Farmers are Making the Big Switch from Dairy to Beef Production

Facilities, genetics, nutrition, stockmanship and marketing are some of the impotant factors to consider in the transition process.

October 10, 2024 12:05 PM

·

Education

Top 10 Veterinary Colleges Announced

Three U.S. schools are included in the list.

September 26, 2024 04:29 PM

·

Dairy cows feed eating

Dairy Production

Longevity in the Cowherd

Is it a positive to keep older animals in production?

July 17, 2024 01:59 PM

·

Dairy_case

Exports

4 Reasons the Dairy Industry is Upbeat about the Future

Industry experts are bullish on export opportunities over the next year to five years. New product development will also open the door for producers to add more profits to their bottom line.

July 02, 2024 01:17 PM

·

Iowa_Flooding

Weather

Flooding Creates Infrastructure and Transportation Headaches for Agriculture

Soybean processors, for one, are struggling in parts of the Upper Midwest where floodwaters have impacted railways and other transportation systems.

June 28, 2024 11:23 AM

·

iowa department of transportation.png

Dairy Business News

Double Trouble from Flooding and H5N1 hits Some Iowa Farms

Floodwaters breached levees in parts of Iowa on Tuesday, with more flooding anticipated for Wednesday. The damage to row-crop and livestock operations is likely significant, according to state officials.

June 26, 2024 08:17 AM

·

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

Policy

House Agriculture Committee Set to Mark Up 942-Page Farm Bill Draft

Bipartisan support will be needed, says Syngenta’s Mary Kay Thatcher, if the proposed legislation has any chance of being passed this year. It’s expected to face considerable push back in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

May 20, 2024 04:52 PM

·