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

Market Analysis

Grains and Livestock End Mostly Higher Thursday

Soybeans futures extended nice gains from Wednesday with demand optimism surrounding the rescheduling of the China summit for May 14 -15 and the announcement of RVOs says Jim McCormick of AgMarket.Net.

March 26, 2026 03:57 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Are Grains Trying Trade Their Own Fundamentals or War Headlines?

Allison Thompson with The Money Farm thinks the grains markets are starting to divorce from the influence of war headlines and trade their own fundamentals.

March 26, 2026 10:45 AM

Michelle Rook

Policy

EPA Announces Waivers to Allow Summertime E15 Use

EPA waiving fuel from U.S. volatility requirements to allow summer sales of E15 has become standard practice but at least this year it is coming early.

March 25, 2026 08:11 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Rally as China Summit Date Set, E15 Announced

Soybeans were slightly higher early but saw buying accelerate and the bull spreads kick in after the White House announced a new date for the China summit says Kevin Duling of KD Investors.

March 25, 2026 03:54 PM

Michelle Rook

Policy

Congress Eyes ‘Skinny’ Farm Bill and $15B in Ag Aid

Action expected within weeks as lawmakers push for post-Easter progress on emergency relief and regulatory fixes.

March 25, 2026 02:45 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain and Energy Markets Continue to Follow Iran War Headlines: Why Farmers Should Not

Jamie Gieseke with Paradigm Futures says the energy and grain markets are still chasing headlines trying to determine a fair prices. However, farmers need to ignore that noise when trying to make marketing decisions.

March 25, 2026 10:51 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Wheat Rally With Oil, Add Risk Premium: Soybeans Ease as China Takes Brazil Product

Mike Zuzolo with Global Commodity Analytics says corn and wheat followed the energy markets but also added weather premium. Soybeans were lower as China has eased its phytosanitary rules to take Brazil beans.

March 24, 2026 05:02 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn Tries to Recover with Oil, Soybeans Fall as China Accepts Brazil Beans

Corn futures were back higher on Tuesday morning following a recovery in the crude oil market says Vince Boddicker with Farmer Trading Company.

March 24, 2026 10:34 AM

Michelle Rook

News

Farm Input Costs Surge Amid Iran Conflict

Significant increases in energy and fertilizer costs have experts eyeing long-term impacts on corn acreage and farmer profitability.

March 24, 2026 08:03 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn Falls with Oil as Iran War Eases, Soybeans Bounce: Cattle Rally With Equities

Brian Grete with CommStock Investments says corn and wheat fell with crude oil as the President announced a 5-day pause in the military strikes in Iran.

March 23, 2026 03:34 PM

Michelle Rook