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 Futures Ease but Cash Feeders on Fire: Hogs Up on Friendly Report

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures were seeing some profit taking early Friday as they are overbought. However, futures haven’t stayed down long with the strength in the cash market.

June 26, 2026 11:31 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Rally and Score Outside Reversals: What Drove the Surprise Rally?

Don Roose of U.S. Commodities says talk of China buying U.S. corn and soybeans helped spur the rally, but it was a combination of factors.

June 25, 2026 07:46 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains End Lower as Funds Sell Early Gains: Cattle Chase Higher Cash

Sam Hudson of Corn Belt Marketing says funds sold the early bounce in grain markets with no bullish story.

June 24, 2026 06:23 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Grains Try to Bounce Early Wednesday on Short Covering, Weather: Cattle Recover

After a down day on Tuesday the grain markets were higher early Wednesday a result of short covering according to Lane Akre, economist with Pro Farmer. However, he thinks the market has also taken out too much weather premium.

June 24, 2026 11:09 AM

Michelle Rook

News

Farm Bill 2.0: Senate Moves to Address Missing Titles and Funding Needs

Sen. Boozman’s Farm Bill 2.0 bolsters farm safety nets and updates conservation programs, but notably excludes Prop 12, E15 and pesticide labeling.

June 23, 2026 05:41 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Is China Buying Beans? What Pressured Corn, Wheat and Cattle Tuesday?

Dan Basse, president of Ag Resource Company, believes China bought a half million tons of U.S. soybeans last week.

June 23, 2026 04:35 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Corn, Wheat See More Fund Selling, Beans Bounce: Cattle Consolidate Tuesday

Mike Minor of Professional Ag Marketing says funds continue to sell in corn Tuesday as the trade mentality is “rain makes grain”.

June 23, 2026 10:47 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Cattle Rally with Cash, COF Report but Can the Market Retest the Highs? Grains in the Red

Live and feeder cattle futures made new highs for the move early Monday but ended well off highs. So can the markets retest the highs?

June 22, 2026 04:26 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Analysis

Cattle Make Fresh Highs on Cash: Corn Testing Support Monday

Despite higher weekly closes last week corn futures were lower Monday morning testing support.

June 22, 2026 10:29 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

How Much Downside Risk is Left in the Grain Markets?

Funds have liquidated their long position in corn and trimmed their long position in the soybean complex. So how much more downside risk does that leave on price?

June 19, 2026 02:16 PM

Michelle Rook