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

Markets

Cattle Recover Fading New NWS Case, So Are Funds Done Selling? Corn Makes New Lows

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle had a lower week last week on fund liquidation and headlines regarding new NWS cases. However, he’s not sure if the funds are done selling yet.

June 01, 2026 10:38 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Crash on NWS Case, Fund Selling: Grains, Hogs Also Fall

A case of New World Screwworm (NWS) only 52 miles from Texas was reported by USDA on Thursday making it the closest detection to the U.S. to date. Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says that is pressuring cattle futures.

May 29, 2026 10:55 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Fade Bearish COF But Are Funds Done Selling? Grains Fall with Crude Oil

Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says at least initially it looks like the cattle futures had already anticipated the negative report data with the sell off late last week.

May 26, 2026 10:39 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

What’s Behind the Crash in Cattle Futures, Will Selling Continue? Grains Add War Premium

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the pressure came from fund long liquidation and was continuing on Friday with significant chart damage done.

May 22, 2026 10:51 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Another Week of Record Cash Cattle? Grains Soar on China Trade Details

Grain and hog futures were sharply higher on Monday morning as the White House released details of the China trade framework on Sunday which includes $17 billion of ag purchases per year.

May 18, 2026 10:40 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Higher as Cash is King, How Crazy Could it Get? Hogs and Grains See Fund Selling

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are back trading higher with their huge discount to the record cash trade. He says cash trade could get even crazier.

May 15, 2026 11:02 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Bounce Early, Act Toppy: Grains Rally Adding War and China Premium

Cattle futures posted lower weekly closes and Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the action was a red flag to him since it came after record fed cash trade.

May 11, 2026 10:35 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Digest Record Cash, Brazil Import Talk: Grains Try to Recover

Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cash cattle trade hit record levels on Thursday and helped pull futures higher Friday. Grains are trying to recover from the big wash out with crude oil this week.

May 08, 2026 11:04 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Fall After Reversal, Is the Top In? Corn Above $5, Beans to New Highs

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says it is dangerous to try to pick a high in this cattle market but it fits the profile of a technical top.

May 04, 2026 04:44 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Futures Hit Record Highs, Are $400 Feeders Next? Hogs Fall on Pseudorabies

Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says tight supplies and a record cash market have supported the move to new highs. How high can live and feeder cattle futures run?

May 01, 2026 11:04 AM

Michelle Rook