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

Wheat Explodes Higher Pulling Corn and Soybeans Above Resistance: Cattle Further Melt Down

Oliver Sloup Blue Line Futures, says wheat prices skyrocketed adding risk premium on concerns about the escalating Black Sea war and the disruptions it is causing in the export market. It could have more upside left.

July 15, 2026 04:38 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Wheat Skyrockets as Black Sea Exports Threatened, Pulling up Corn and Soybeans

Wheat futures were up 30 to 35 cents early Wednesday adding risk premium as Russia and Ukraine attacks have escalated says Jamie Gieseke with Paradigm Futures.

July 15, 2026 10:58 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Soybeans Slide While Wheat Rallies on Export Concerns: Cattle Melt Down

Rich Nelson, chief strategist for Allendale says row crops are pausing right now until the weather story is really decided, while wheat is concerned about rising tensions in the Black Sea region.

July 14, 2026 04:50 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Row Crops Ease on Ratings, Weather: Wheat Bounces as Russia Exports in Question

Kevin Duling with KD Investors says corn and soybeans eased with a 1% improvement in ratings, while the weather is moderating.

July 14, 2026 10:43 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Soybeans Rally on Weather, China Sales: Wheat Eases

Dave Chatterton with Strategic Farm Marketing says the market initially traded the heat for this week which is unwelcome for corn during pollination time.

July 13, 2026 05:16 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Are Cattle Futures Getting Close to a Bottom? Can Row Crops Sustain a Weather Rally?

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says the cattle charts look tough right now.

July 13, 2026 10:43 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Higher Week in the Grains Further Confirms Lows

For Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, the action further confirmed the grain futures forged significant lows on June 30.

July 10, 2026 08:14 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Soar Friday on Friendly WASDE, Russian Export Disruptions

Corn futures ended 8 to 9 cents higher on Friday on the heels of the sharply higher wheat market and friendly numbers in the July WASDE.

July 10, 2026 05:19 PM

Michelle Rook

News

USDA Makes Friendly Cut to Corn Stocks in WASDE, as Weather Threats Loom

July WASDE report cuts corn supplies more than expected, tightening global stocks and raising stakes for rest of growing season.

July 10, 2026 01:31 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Will the Bleeding in the Cattle Market Stop Soon?

Early Friday cattle utures tried to stage an early recovery but it was short lived as funds have been selling every rally. Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says his fear is the high is in the cattle market.

July 10, 2026 10:56 AM

Michelle Rook