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

Can Cattle Retest Highs With Lower Fed Cash? Will Hog Futures Get over $100?

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures are higher again on Friday morning with the third day of recovery after Tuesday’s melt down. They need to close above Thursday’s highs to have a shot at retesting the record highs.

September 12, 2025 09:35 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Are Cattle Prices Due For a Correction? Grains Chop Pre-WASDE

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says the uptrend line on the cattle charts is also starting to be violated but that isn’t the only thing he’s watching for a signal of a bigger correction.

September 08, 2025 09:57 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Hit New Highs Despite Tanking Equities: Grains Fall on Tariff Uncertainty

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures are back into new contract and all-time highs after showing considerable resilience last week and despite a selloff in the equities. Grains sell off on tariff concerns.

September 02, 2025 09:57 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Profit Taking in Cattle Quickly Fades: Corn, Soybeans Search for Lows

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures saw end of month profit taking on Thursday and some follow through selling to start Friday.

August 29, 2025 09:58 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Plunge on Human NWS Case Topping the Market? Corn Up on Pro Farmer Yield Cut

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures gapped lower on the opening after a human case of New World screwworm (NWS) was announced over the weekend.

August 25, 2025 10:09 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

USDA Cattle on Feed Report Slightly Bearish: Will The Market Even Care?

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the placements figure was slightly bearish and will likely mean a lower opening on Monday but the break is likely to be bought.

August 22, 2025 05:50 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

How High Will the Cattle Market Run? Can Corn and Soybeans Continue to Rally?

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle fundamentals look supportive through fourth quarter, while corn and soybeans are running into chart resistance.

August 22, 2025 10:12 AM

Michelle Rook

Industry

Retail Beef Prices Hit New Record in July: Consumers Show No Sticker Shock

Patrick Linnell, director of market research with CattleFax, says consumers just continue to pay higher prices for beef.

August 17, 2025 02:55 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Try to Recover Awaiting NWS News: Grains Bounce But Can Corn Close Above $4?

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the big losses in the cattle market on Thursday were tied to concerns ahead of USDA’s New World screwworm (NWS) announcement. Grains are bouncing on value and technical buying.

August 15, 2025 09:51 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Has the Cattle Market Topped? Does the U.S. Have a China Deal?

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says there were signs in the cattle market prior to Friday’s sell-off indicating the market might be getting toppy. However, does the market negate the reversals like it has in the past?

August 11, 2025 10:59 AM

Michelle Rook