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

Corn and Soybeans See Profit Taking Tuesday, While Wheat Extends Gains

Kent Beadle with Paradigm Futures says corn and soybeans are seeing profit taking and farmer selling after hitting chart resistance on Monday at previous highs and retreating.

January 07, 2025 09:58 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

What Drove the Recovery Rally in Grains and Cattle?

Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing says corn, soybeans and soybean meal saw fund buying and weather premium being added early in the session with hot and dry weather forecasts for 15 days out in Argentina and Southern Brazil.

January 06, 2025 02:39 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Recover Monday on Argentina Weather: Cattle Rally Pricing in Record Cash

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures recovered nicely from Friday’s selloff with some contracts making new highs for the move, pricing in record cash cattle trade. Grain markets are seeing fund buying with soybeans and meal leading on dry weather forecasts for Argentina.

January 06, 2025 09:48 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Was Friday’s Selloff in Corn, Soybeans and Cattle Topping Action?

Randy Martinson, Martinson Ag, says corn and soybeans saw early pressure as both markets ran up into chart resistance which triggered fund profit taking.

January 03, 2025 02:46 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains See Pressure Early Friday: Cattle Digest Higher Cash

Allison Thompson with The Money Farm says corn and soybeans both ran up into chart resistance and are seeing some profit taking by technical traders.

January 03, 2025 09:40 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Soybeans and Cattle Extend Gains to Start 2025

Darin Newsom with Barchart says corn and soybeans were higher on technical buying and adding some weather premium with a hot dry extended forecast for Argentina and Southern Brazil. Cattle futures followed record cash in the South.

January 02, 2025 03:02 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains and Cattle Rally to End 2024: Corn Makes New High Close

DuWayne Bosse, Bolt Marketing, says corn scored a new six month high close for the move on dryness in the extended forecast in Argentina and funds adding to their long position.

December 31, 2024 02:30 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain and Cattle Markets Higher Early Monday: Row Crops Eye Argentina Dryness

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futures are extending gains after a higher week in the futures and with higher cash trade. Grains are seeing technical buying but dryness in Argentina is also a concern.

December 30, 2024 09:42 AM

Michelle Rook

News

Sioux City, Iowa Candy Company Makes Sweet Christmas Treats

The Palmer’s Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe draws customers from all over the region and country and is a delicious step back in time during the holidays or any time of year.

December 24, 2024 01:40 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grain and Livestock Markets Chop Pre-Holiday, Digest USDA Data

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says the nearby live cattle were lower despite steady to higher cash and the divergence is frustrating. Corn climbs after closing at a six month high Friday, while soybeans fade. How long can these markets continue to move in opposite directions?

December 23, 2024 01:03 PM

Michelle Rook