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 Markets Absorb Tariff News, But Why Did Livestock Fail?

Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing, says grains rebound as the market has absorbed much of the tariff news. Meanwhile, livestock saw follow through selling and triple digit losses.

April 07, 2025 02:43 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Ag Markets Try to Recover Early Monday, Except Cattle

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says after a lower start the ag markets reversed with the stock market.

April 07, 2025 09:50 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn and Wheat Bright Spots in a Week Dominated by Negative Tariff News

Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, says one of the markets that was able to cut through the tariff noise and end higher for the week was corn.

April 04, 2025 04:35 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Markets Tank Friday on China Retaliatory Tariffs...Except Corn

Garrett Toay, AgTraderTalk, says soybeans, livestock and outside markets all had a negative response to China imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports of an additional 34%. But why was corn up for the week?

April 04, 2025 03:09 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain and Livestock Markets See More Panic Selling as China Retaliates

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says the panic selling continues as China has hit back with a 34% retaliatory tariff on all U.S. goods and other trading partners are looking at counter measures. “This feels a lot like the COVID market response.”

April 04, 2025 09:42 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain, Livestock and Outside Markets End Lower in Tariff Reaction

Jim McCormick, AgMarket.Net, says the markets saw risk off selling in response to President Trump’s Liberation Day tariff announcement. He says the markets may not stabilize until after the tariffs go into effect April 9 and trading partners tip their hand on retaliation.

April 03, 2025 02:54 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain and Livestock Futures Initally Tank on Liberation Day Tariffs

Kent Beadle, DTN market analyst, says grain and livestock futures are sharply lower with a knee jerk reaction to the announced tariffs from President Trump on Wednesday.

April 03, 2025 09:58 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Tariff Fears Trigger Risk Off Selling in Grains: Live Cattle Make New Highs

Tomm Pfitzenmaier, Summit Commodity Brokerage, says grains saw risk off selling and positioning ahead of President Trump’s Liberation Day announcement on tariffs. However, Mexico’s president says they don’t want a tit for tat trade war.

April 02, 2025 02:55 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Selloff on “Liberation Day” Tariff Fears

Randy Martinson, Martinson Ag, says grains are not seeing follow through buying after the strong closes on Tuesday as the market is trading tariff fears.

April 02, 2025 09:54 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain and Livestock Higher Tuesday: Where Did the Risk On Buying Come From?

Tommy Grisafi, Nesvick Trading, says grain futures saw risk on buying as traders were adding weather premium but biofuels news was also supportive.

April 01, 2025 02:53 PM

Michelle Rook