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

Grain Markets

2018 All Over Again? Northwest Corn Belt Farmers Face Storage Crunch, Basis Collapse

With $8 cash soybean bids in the Dakotas and Minnesota, and no bids for fall in a few markets, farmers might need to break the norm and store soybeans.

August 27, 2025 08:23 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

What Caused Grain Markets to See Red Wednesday, While Livestock Rallied?

DuWayne Bosse with Bolt Marketing says the grain markets saw selling pressure from a stronger dollar and some liquidation ahead of first notice day on Friday and on end of the month liquidation.

August 27, 2025 03:35 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Soybeans See Profit Taking: Basis Collapses Pre-Harvest and With No China Buying

Mark Knight of Farmers Keeper Financial says corn is drifting lower with some end of month profit taking and after having digested the lower yield estimates from the Pro Farmer crop tour.

August 27, 2025 10:16 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn and Soybeans Consolidate: Await Harvest Results, China Purchases

Oliver Sloup of Blue Line Futures says corn has consolidated the last two sessions after hitting chart resistance at $4.17 and may wait for combine results before taking out that level.

August 26, 2025 03:34 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Soybeans Fall on Month End Selling: Bean Basis Tanks on No China Biz

Randy Martinson with Martinson Ag says corn is drifting Tuesday with some consolidation after hitting chart resistance on Monday and with liquidation ahead of first notice day on Friday and the end of the month.

August 26, 2025 10:08 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Soybeans Sink, Corn Holds but is a Month End Selloff Coming? Cattle Recover After NWS Selling

Vince Boddicker with Farmers Trading Company says soybeans sank on profit taking and could see further liquidation going into first notice day and end of the month.

August 25, 2025 03:43 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Cattle Plunge on Human NWS Case Topping the Market? Corn Up on Pro Farmer Yield Cut

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures gapped lower on the opening after a human case of New World screwworm (NWS) was announced over the weekend.

August 25, 2025 10:09 AM

Michelle Rook

News

EPA Decision on Small Refinery Exemptions Good News For Biofuels

The agency is acting on a backlog of more than 175-petitions from 38-small refineries dating all the way back to 2016.

August 24, 2025 11:00 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Will Pro Farmer’s Lower Corn and Soybean Yield Estimates Further Boost Prices?

Pro Farmer economist Lane Akre says corn and soybeans posted higher weekly closes and should be able to build on that next week with the push from the lower yield and production estimates from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour.

August 22, 2025 05:12 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

How High Will the Cattle Market Run? Can Corn and Soybeans Continue to Rally?

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle fundamentals look supportive through fourth quarter, while corn and soybeans are running into chart resistance.

August 22, 2025 10:12 AM

Michelle Rook