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

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

Veterinary Education

New Bovine Veterinary Care Guidelines Available in Spanish

AABP is offering online materials veterinarians can download and use with Spanish speaking caregivers of dairy and beef cattle. Some of the guidelines available address dehorning, castration, transportation and more.

November 30, 2023 10:54 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Xylazine Bill Protects Veterinary Access to the Sedative

AABP urges practitioners and producers to contact legislators to express support for the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. Check out Dr. Fred Gingrich’s thoughts on the subject recorded at the annual AABP conference.

November 22, 2023 10:02 AM

Rhonda Brooks

If you sell your bull calves shortly after birth, it’s tempting to send them down the road with no colostrum. But those animals, the industry as a whole, and hopefully your own bottom line, will be far better served if you take the time to get them the colostrum they need.

Veterinary Research

Young Dairy Calves Ready To Transport May Benefit From An Immune Stimulant

Research showed a statistically significant decrease in respiratory disease in the animals at around 21 days of age,

November 07, 2023 08:13 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Education

Mycoplasma bovis is Tricky to Treat and Challenging to Prevent

Between 60% and 70% of U.S. dairies have mycoplasma at least as a component of the respiratory disease that they deal with, according to Geof Smith, DVM and a dairy technical services veterinarian with Zoetis.

October 24, 2023 11:54 AM

Rhonda Brooks

Veterinary Education

Look for Subclinical Stages of Hypocalcemia When Metabolic Alkalosis is Present

The problem occurs in nearly 50% of cows in the first 24 hours after calving, says Jesse Goff, DVM and ISU professor emeritus. He details four nutrition strategies to prevent or treat the problem so cows aren’t culled.

October 24, 2023 11:41 AM

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