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

Beef Production

BSEs help Veterinarians Provide a $7 ROI for every $1 Cow-Calf Producers Invest, on Average

Bulls passing all four parts of a BSE are set up for reproductive excellence. The best achieve a 60% to 65% conception rate every 21 days on healthy, cycling cows, says Dr. Chance Armstrong. Subfertile bulls are costly.

March 08, 2024 11:41 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Four Steps Veterinarians Can Take To Help Producers Transition To Beef-On-Dairy

Beef-on-dairy numbers in the U.S. will reach up to 5 million head – roughly 15% of the cattle harvested annually – as early as 2026. The sexed-and-beef model of production will play a prominent role in the process.

February 27, 2024 06:18 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Industry

Pros and Cons of Using Darts to Treat Cattle

Remote drug delivery devices to treat cattle are increasingly popular among producers, especially for use with cattle on pasture. Many veterinarians, however, continue to question whether such tools warrant use at all.

December 01, 2023 08:46 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Want More Calves Born in Daylight? Feed The Cows at Night

Beef cows fed at dusk or later results in more daytime births. Research indicates that to achieve that benefit, feeding at night should be started at least one month prior to calving season.

November 30, 2023 02:53 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Nine Ways to Help Resuscitate A Newborn Calf

After a typical birth a calf should breathe within 30 seconds of delivery. If it doesn’t, be ready to intervene and provide extra support.

November 21, 2023 03:05 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Industry

New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband

The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today.

November 10, 2023 09:39 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Industry

Combat Illicit Xylazine: Proposed Legislation Aims To Protect Sedative Use

AABP urges practitioners and producers to contact legislators to express support for the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The legislation would help protect the legitimate use of the product in livestock production.

November 08, 2023 12:07 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Management of a New Yearling Bull Sets the Stage for Performance Success

Bulls new to their job need extra attention to get acclimated to their role on the farm or ranch. Beef veterinarians and Extension specialists at Kansas State University offer some management practices that can help.

October 19, 2023 04:24 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Trace Mineral Needs In The Beef Herd

While trace mineral deficiencies can vary widely by animal and region, the most common ones Jeffery Hall, DVM, PhD, DABVT, sees in cattle today are insufficient copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.

October 12, 2023 02:46 PM

Rhonda Brooks

Industry

Novel Technology to Treat BRD in Calves Reenters Marketplace

Zelnate DNA Immunostimulant is used to treat respiratory disease due to Mannheimia haemolytica. The label recommends use at or within 24 hours after a perceived stressful event in cattle 4 months of age and older.

October 12, 2023 10:50 AM

Rhonda Brooks