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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
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Markets
What Could Break the Cattle Market? And What Will it Take to Confirm a Low in the Grains?
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle saw some early profit taking pressure after contract and record highs again Thursday. However, the cattle futures have been resilient and every break seems to get bought, which is a good sign of a bull market.
August 08, 2025 09:57 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Market Reports
Will the Bull Market in Cattle Ever End?
Market analysts agree there are only a handful of factors that could slow down or stop the incredible rally in the cattle market.
August 06, 2025 12:37 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Rally on Record Cash: Grains Try to Bounce But Can it Hold?
Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures started higher early Monday on the heels of record cash. Grains tried to bounce but may have a tough time holding any gains with favorable weather, big yield ideas and trade uncertainty.
August 04, 2025 09:58 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Try to Recover With Higher Cash: Grains Digest Tariffs, Weather
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures are trying to recover after an ugly day Thursday that ended with bearish reversals. Grains are mixed on favorable weather and tariff news.
August 01, 2025 09:55 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Market Reports
Cattle Prices Predicted to Continue Climbing: Breaking Down the Latest USDA Reports
Economists further breakdown USDA’s Cattle on Feed Report and Cattle Inventory Report that were released on Friday. The Cattle Inventory Report showed the smallest U.S. herd in history and a smaller calf crop, plus the Cattle on Feed Report confirmed continued tightening numbers on feed.
July 29, 2025 01:36 PM
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Angie Stump Denton
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Markets
Cattle Gap Into New Highs on Bullish Reports: Grains Fall on Weather
Joe Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says both live and feeder cattle futures gapped higher into all-time and contract highs again on Monday morning on the heels of the bullish USDA Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory Reports. Grains opened lower as weather is trumping export and trade news.
July 28, 2025 09:58 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Rally Ahead of Reports: Old Crop Corn Below $4, Soybeans Below $10
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says both live and feeder cattle futures had a nice recovery and got within striking distance of the all-time highs set earlier in the week.
July 25, 2025 05:27 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
USDA Cattle on Feed Bullish, Inventory Report Confirms Record Low Herd
Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University extension livestock marketing specialist, says USDA’s Cattle on Feed Report was friendly. The Cattle Inventory Report indicated confirms historically tight supplies will stay around for a while.
July 25, 2025 04:10 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Ag Policy
Big Wins for Beef Exports: What It Means for the Industry
The Trump administration announces trade breakthroughs giving U.S. beef producers greater access to Australia, Japan and South Korea.
July 24, 2025 03:28 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Industry
Why Aren’t High Beef Prices Causing Sticker Shock With Consumers?
Market analysts attribute the strong beef demand to several factors including the consumer craze for protein.
July 23, 2025 12:28 PM
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Michelle Rook
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