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 Fade Quiet WASDE Still Trading Headlines? Cattle Make New High Closes

Chip Nellinger with Blue Reef Agri-Marketing says, “USDA did rearrange some of the soybean demand estimates with crush raised 35 million bu. while exports were lowered the same amount.”

April 09, 2026 04:44 PM

Michelle Rook

News

Markets React Violently Wednesday to Possible Iran Ceasefire and Opening of the Strait of Hormuz

Randy Martinson, Martinson Ag, says many markets were extracting risk or war premium on Wednesday.

April 08, 2026 10:16 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Ag and Energy Markets Unwind on Possible Iran Ceasefire: Will it Stick?

Ted Seifried with Zaner Ag Hedge says markets were removing war premium but the key is will the ceasefire stick and does the Strait of Hormuz get reopened?

April 08, 2026 03:45 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Corn, Wheat, Crude Oil Fall on Iran Ceasefire: Why Did Soybeans Recover?

Corn, wheat and crude oil were lower after a possible two week cease fire between the U.S. and Iran. says Randy Martinson with Martinson Ag.

April 08, 2026 10:39 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain and Livestock See Risk Off Selling on War Fears

The commodity wide selling pressure was tied to risk aversion and uncertainty regarding the escalation of the Iran War according to Mark Knight with Farmers Keeper Financial.

April 07, 2026 04:05 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Corn, Soybeans Add War Premium, Watching Weather: Live Cattle Make Contract Highs Chasing Cash

Corn and soybeans ended slightly higher with a push from slightly higher crude oil and swirling Iran war headlines according to Chuck Shelby with Risk Management Commodities.

April 06, 2026 02:50 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Live Cattle Follow Skyrocketing Cash, JBS Plant Strike Ending: Hogs Rally on FMD in China

Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the live cattle futures are chasing sharply higher cash trade from last week.

April 06, 2026 10:37 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

When Will Grains Become Numb to War Headlines? Have Cattle Already Done That?

Shawn Hackett with Hackett Financial Advisors says corn and soybeans are experiencing war fatigue and are tired of chasing every headline.

April 02, 2026 03:28 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains and Cattle Trading War Headlines, Not Fundamentals

Darin Newsom, senior market analyst with Barchart says the grains are chasing the sharply higher crude oil prices which were up over $10 and Iran war headlines.

April 02, 2026 10:36 AM

Michelle Rook

Policy

Farmers Could See Increased Farm Program Payments With Eligibility Changes

The One Big Beautiful Bill’s new rules will allow for additional farm program payments, according to Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation.

April 01, 2026 08:26 PM

Michelle Rook