Michelle Rook

National Reporter

Michelle Rook is a national agricultural reporter and market analyst for Farm Journal’s AgDay and U.S. Farm Report, and she is the host of Markets Now. With expertise in commodity markets, grain trading, and agricultural journalism, she delivers daily market updates and analysis to farmers nationwide. She earned the NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year award and the prestigious Doan Excellence in Reporting Award.

Latest Stories

Markets

How Low Will Corn Go?

Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, says the lower monthly close is especially significant because corn also failed to close above the April high.

May 29, 2026 09:11 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

What Caused the Risk Off Selling in Grain and Livestock Markets Friday? Will it Continue?

Matt Bennett with AgMarket.Net says the broad based selling was tied to lower crude oil markets and headlines from President Trump that the Strait of Hormuz was going to reopened and the U.S. had struck a cease fire for the next 60-days.

May 29, 2026 04:06 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Cattle Crash on NWS Case, Fund Selling: Grains, Hogs Also Fall

A case of New World Screwworm (NWS) only 52 miles from Texas was reported by USDA on Thursday making it the closest detection to the U.S. to date. Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says that is pressuring cattle futures.

May 29, 2026 10:55 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Soybeans, Cotton Rally on China Tariff Cut Talk, Amid Oil Gyrations on Possible Cease Fire

The row crop and cotton markets saw some early support Thursday from a rally in crude oil as doubts about the peace deal with Iran came into question.

May 28, 2026 04:33 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Row Crops Bounce with Oil, Talk of China Tariff Cuts: Cattle Fail to Extend Gains

Grains markets were mostly higher Thursday morning except hard red winter wheat following a bounce in crude oil says Mike Minor with Professional Ag Marketing.

May 28, 2026 11:20 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn and Wheat See More Fund Selling: Is it Over? Soybeans and Cattle Hold

Corn and wheat futures saw more fund selling and long liquidation end of month but it was triggered by war headlines. Chuck Shelby with Zaner Ag Hedge says those markets continue to remove risk premium.

May 27, 2026 04:39 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Corn, Wheat Continue to Fall with Crude Oil: Soybeans and Cattle Rally

Corn futures are lower again on Wednesday following the easing crude oil market as Iran peace talks continue to progress. What’s holding up soybeans and cattle?

May 27, 2026 11:16 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Remove War, Weather Premium: What’s the Downside Risk?

Alan Brugler with A&N Economics, Inc. says the grain market traders are cautiously optimistic a cease fire or peace deal between the U.S. and Iran is near and took out war premium Tuesday.

May 26, 2026 05:05 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Cattle Fade Bearish COF But Are Funds Done Selling? Grains Fall with Crude Oil

Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says at least initially it looks like the cattle futures had already anticipated the negative report data with the sell off late last week.

May 26, 2026 10:39 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Charts Confirm the High in Corn, Despite China Deal

Last week Jerry Gulke, president of The Gulke Group, predicted the highs had been made in the grain markets on May 13. After reading the White House fact sheet on the China trade framework, he says he hasn’t changed his mind.

May 22, 2026 09:24 PM

Michelle Rook