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

Ag Policy

250-Plus Ag Groups Ask Trump Administration To ‘Correct’ MAHA Commission’s ‘Activities’

The groups are urging the administration to “formally include farmers, ranchers and food producers in a collaborative stakeholder process.” An action report — a follow-up to the MAHA report released in May — is due by August 12.

June 26, 2025 03:34 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Weather

July Weather Outlook: Goodbye Rain, Hello Heat

The silver lining, meteorologists say, is many farmers and livestock producers in the central and eastern U.S. have had sufficient moisture this spring and milder temperatures headed into summer. For some, that’s about to change.

June 24, 2025 03:09 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Industry

U.S. Ag Trade Deficit Hits Record High In First Four Months Of 2025

On a more hopeful note, some industry analysts believe the number has reached its peak and will start to move down this summer. Certainly, some trade deals that would open markets for U.S. ag products would help.

June 23, 2025 03:45 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Industry

Chinese Scientist Accused Of Smuggling ‘Potential Agroterrorism Weapon’ Into the U.S.

A 25-page criminal complaint alleges the researcher and her boyfriend were attempting to bring Fusarium graminearum into the country. The fungus causes significant diseases in a number of food crops, including corn, wheat, barley, soybeans and rice. Toxins from the fungus are harmful to humans and livestock.

June 04, 2025 04:10 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

BVDV: A Threat The Beef Industry Can’t Afford to Ignore

Losses range between $15 and $88 per head, conservatively, a result of reduced herd productivity, health and reproductive efficiency.

May 06, 2025 02:41 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ag Policy

Trump Plans to Ease Trade Tensions by Reducing Tariffs On Chinese Goods

The move could improve the outlook for beef exports to China, which has upped its spending on Australian beef during the past two months.

April 23, 2025 04:37 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Ag Policy

Beef Industry Sees Some Silver Linings As Reciprocal Tariffs Go Into Effect

President Trump has announced a series of tariffs, scheduled to roll out over the next few days, on some of agriculture’s most significant trade partners. The outcomes could be a net positive for cattlemen, some beef industry members say.

April 03, 2025 10:05 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Ag Policy

More Funding Going to Tackle HPAI H5N1, Egg Imports are Now Underway to Stabilize Supply

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says the agency is hyper-focused on poultry, but no vaccine is yet available. The agency has ‘separate work streams’ to address the virus in the ‘cattle and dairy’ industries, but dairy is not part of USDA’s primary focus for now.

March 20, 2025 12:10 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Water-Pond-Lake-Green Wheat-Lindsey Pound.jpg

Ag Policy

EPA To Address ‘Government Overreach’ on Defining WOTUS

The agency will hold at least six listening sessions for stakeholders between late March and into April. Persons or organizations wishing to provide input will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

March 13, 2025 01:12 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Build A Biosecurity Plan Like You Would Eat An Elephant – One Bite At A Time

One of the easiest and most effective biosecurity practices to adopt is having separate footwear and clothing for wearing on and off the farm or ranch. Check out the other five ideas our industry experts recommend.

March 13, 2025 10:28 AM

Rhonda Brooks