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 Bounce: So is the Bearish USDA Report News Priced In?

Don Roose with U.S. Commodities says the bearish USDA report news has been largely factored in but corn and soybeans are establishing new lower trading ranges.

January 14, 2026 04:44 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn and Soybeans Try to Bounce but Is a Low In? Cattle Ease

Corn and soybeans try to bounce Wednesday morning. Vince Boddicker with Farmers Trading Company says some of this is short covering or corrective buying as the market was oversold but he’s not sure the bearish USDA news is all digested.

January 14, 2026 10:23 AM

Michelle Rook

News

Will 2026 Finally Be the Year for Immigration and Ag Labor Reform?

The debate over immigration and ag labor reform has been a political hot potato for decades now and has led to inaction by Congress, but leaders of the House and Senate Ag Committees say they are making it a priority for 2026.

January 13, 2026 04:50 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Lower Still Digesting Reports: Where Did the Extra Corn Acres Come From?

Brian Grete with Commstock Investments says the corn market is still trying to digest the shock of USDA’s January reports. March corn futures came within striking distance of the Aug. 12 low at $4.10.

January 13, 2026 03:47 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Cattle Continue Climb Towards Highs on Strong Cash: Grains See Report Hangover

Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says strong cash has been supportive of the cattle futures and he expects a higher week in the fed market again this week. Grains are still digesting USDA’s bearish reports.

January 13, 2026 10:43 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn Leads Grains Lower as USDA Shocks The Market With Record Yield and Production

Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist with StoneX says the move surprised him even though their customer survey’s during the season had yield at 186 bu.

January 12, 2026 03:50 PM

Michelle Rook

Beef

Tyson’s Lexington Beef Plant Shutters Early: No Shifts Scheduled This Week

UNL predicts closure will result in $3.28 billion in annual statewide economic losses. The analysis projects more than 7,000 jobs lost statewide, including 3,212 plant positions, along with significant reductions in labor income and state and local tax revenues.

January 12, 2026 09:19 AM

Angie Stump Denton

Markets

What Farmers Should be Watching in the USDA Reports and Energy Markets

Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, says many farmers believe that corn and soybean yields need to be cut but he will be watching the ending stocks for direction.

January 09, 2026 11:19 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Post Higher Week but What in the USDA Reports Could Fuel the Rally?

Darren Frye with Water Street Solutions says the trade guesses are fairly conservative with not many changes expected. However, that is not the history of the January reports. So could there be a surprise?

January 09, 2026 03:53 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Strong Cash Trade Supports Cattle Futures as Feeders Lead: Grains Mixed

Live and feeder cattle futures were lower early Friday but Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says it didn’t take long for the markets to firm up supported by the cash market.

January 09, 2026 10:21 AM

Michelle Rook