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

Cattle Signal Bottom as DOJ Packer Probe Launched: Grains Eye Govt Reopening

Live and feeder cattle futures are extending gains after a higher close on Friday. Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says he is encouraged a low may be forming in both markets.

November 10, 2025 10:09 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

How Should Farmers Prepare For the November USDA Reports?

Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, says private estimates for national corn yield range from 182 to 186. However, he expects a bearish report because yields may be higher than expected.

November 07, 2025 07:39 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Are $12 Soybeans and $5 Corn Off the Table if China Doesn’t Buy Soon?

Soybeans bounced on Friday and were up Matt Bennett with AgMarket.Net says to go back and retest this week’s highs or move to new highs soybeans will need to see proof of China purchases.

November 07, 2025 04:02 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Cattle Bounce But is the Bleeding Done? Soybeans Recover After Profit Taking

Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says the cattle market is seeing a short covering or technical bounce after an ugly down week. So is the fund liquidation done yet or is this a dead cat bounce?

November 07, 2025 09:55 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Melt Down on Profit Taking, Risk Off Selling, China Doubts: Is This Topping Action?

Ted Seifried says the ag markets saw risk off selling across the commodity board and profit taking in the grains after the recent rally. But with the volatility in the soybean market is this topping action?

November 06, 2025 03:45 PM

Michelle Rook

News

Is China a National Security Threat to U.S. Agriculture?

A new report spotlights how agricultural acquisitions and business strategy linked to the Chinese government have amassed production and power, and it’s being called into question by policy thinktank America First Policy Institute (AFPI).

November 06, 2025 03:22 PM

Margy Eckelkamp

Market Analysis

Grains Plunge on Profit Taking, Commodity Wide Selling Early Thursday

Darin Newsom, senior market analyst with Barchart, Inc., says commodity wide selling is hitting the grain and livestock futures early Thursday and some of it is tied to uncertainty regarding the future of tariffs.

November 06, 2025 10:12 AM

Michelle Rook

Soybeans

China Lowers Tariffs on U.S. Ag Goods but Soybeans Still Subject to 13% Tax

Mark Knight, Farmer’s Keeper Financial says,"China did keep 10% tariffs in place. So,it’s really a 13% total tariff for incoming soybeans. Argentina and Brazil get charged 3%. And so we’re still 10% higher than that.”

November 06, 2025 08:51 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Rally as China Drops Tariffs: Is China Buying Futures Instead of Cash Soybeans?

January soybeans rallied $.13 on Wednesday as China dropped it 24% retaliatory tariffs imposed on U.S. ag goods March 4 for one year.

November 05, 2025 03:30 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Soybeans, Corn Rebound After China Tariff Clarity: Wheat Fades China Demand News

Mark Knight with Farmer’s Keeper Financial says the market is digesting clarification from China on tariffs. Beijing says it will lower the 24% retaliatory tariffs but the cut still leaves a 13% tariff on U.S. soybeans imported into China.

November 05, 2025 10:20 AM

Michelle Rook