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

Valcor is the first dual-active endectocide for the U.S. It has been approved for use, starting August 1, in beef cattle 2 months of age and older and in replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age.

New Products

Zoetis Introduces Valcor Injectable, with Doramectin and Levamisole, for Parasite Control

The first dual-active endectocide for the U.S. has been approved for use, starting August 1, in beef cattle 2 months of age and older and in replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age.

July 27, 2023 05:46 PM

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Matt and Lisa Moreland Family

Dairy Business News

4 Things to Do When Your Kids Come Home to Farm

Matt and Lisa Moreland hoped at least one of their sons would return home to farm after college. What they didn’t anticipate? All three sons wanted to come back. Here are four things the family learned in the process.

July 20, 2023 01:56 PM

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Polly Dobbs Portability Topic

Education

Use Portability to Avoid a Potential Multi-Million Dollar Estate Mistake

If your spouse dies, look into filing Form 706 Federal Estate Tax Return with the IRS. Taking that step could help you protect farm assets so they pass to your heirs without estate taxes. The process isn’t automatic.

July 20, 2023 01:37 PM

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Rob Dongoski - Top Producer Summit

Dairy Business News

3 Trends that Will Drive the Food System of the Future

The food system is being reimagined today and farmers can benefit by thinking about how to improve their ability to take advantage of opportunities in the process, says Rob Dongoski with Ernst and Young.

July 20, 2023 01:30 PM

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Wildfires put animals as well as people at risk.

Education

Poor Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke can put Livestock, Pets at Risk

Areas in the upper Midwest, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic are being impacted. The American Veterinary Medical Association says to monitor animals as well as people and take precautions to keep everyone safe.

June 28, 2023 02:02 PM

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White Holstein Dairy Calf_Taylor Leach

Education

7 Tips for More Effective Vaccination Programs in Calves

Ask 10 dairy producers what they believe is an effective vaccination program for calves, and you’ll likely get 10 unique answers. That’s OK, because there is no effective one-size-fits-all strategy.

April 05, 2023 11:37 AM

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Animal health products stored in a refrigerator.

Education

Don’t Assume That Old Refrigerator Is Good Enough To Store Vaccines

Household units and mini fridges are often unsuitable for maintaining veterinary products, according to a recent study by Emmanuel Rollin, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia.

March 13, 2023 12:32 PM

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Factors such as hardness, color changes, swelling and abrasions figure into the assessment, which should be done immediately after the milking unit is removed from the animal. Each teat on the udder should be scored, using a scale of 1 to 4

Education

Teat Ends Talk

Scoring teat ends tells a story of how happy a cow is with how she is milked and treated. It also provides insights into whether the milking process is harmful to the animal and needs to be changed.

March 06, 2023 05:53 PM

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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.

Dairy Business News

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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Feeling comfortable with more than one way to do c-sections can be a big help when you get into a situation that requires options.

Education

Cesarean Selection Success

Veterinarians have at least eight options for doing a cesarean section (c-section) in cattle, but most rely on only one.

April 11, 2022 09:17 AM

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Providing anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, can be beneficial during the early lactation period. Here's why.

Education

Uterine Prolapse: A True Medical Emergency

Most uterine prolapses occur immediately after birth and nearly always within 24 hours of delivery.

November 22, 2021 09:21 AM

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As cows leave the milking parlor, they will enter an exit lane with a series of automated gates. As they pass through the gates, an RFID system will track the identification number and medical history of each animal and determine whether she needs a vaccination or reproductive hormone.

New Products

Robotic Shot Injection System Under Development For Dairy

If you’re looking to improve the accuracy and efficiency of your vaccination program and record keeping, you may want to check out an up-and-coming robotic injection system called SureShot.

January 26, 2021 02:30 PM

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Loren Schultz, DVM, rehearses with Nicole Bell in preparation for the Dancing with Missouri Stars competition.

News

Veterinarian Gives Back To His Community

Veterinarians are essential workers, and many still make farm calls.

November 19, 2020 11:55 PM

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The series is designed for livestock, dairy and diversified ag operations.

News

Deere Revamps 6M Tractors For Comfort, Visibility And Maneuverability

The series is designed for livestock, dairy and diversified ag operations.

November 19, 2020 11:51 PM

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Salmonella infections commonly appear as gastro-intestinal issues; however, S. Dublin most often presents in calves as a respiratory illness.

Dairy Herd

Troubleshooting S. Dublin In Dairy Calves

While Salmonella Dublin can be a problem in adult stock, it has increasingly become a health issue affecting the long-term, potential productivity of calves.

November 19, 2020 09:07 PM

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