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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
USDA
Markets
Cattle on Feed Neutral to Slightly Friendly: Confirms Tight Supply
Cattle inventory was 1% below the same date a year ago and in line with pre-report expectations, while placements were friendly coming in below estimates.
June 20, 2025 03:05 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Try to Recover Wednesday: Grains See Profit Taking Pre-Holiday
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are trying to recover after tanking Tuesday due to geopolitical and war concerns and the lower day in the stock market.
June 18, 2025 09:54 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Recover on ICE News: Soybeans Try to Extend Rally but What’s Wrong with Corn?
Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures started the day higher in recovery mode after a poor technical close on Friday and a bearish reversal lower for the week. Soybeans continue to rally on the heels of the surge in bean oil on EPA’s surprise biofuels news.
June 16, 2025 10:13 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Soybeans, Bean Oil Soar on Bullish RVOs: Cattle Fall with Geopolitical Uncertainty
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle are seeing risk off selling tied to the news overnight of escalating war between Iran and Israel which has the financial markets sharply lower. Bean oil is limit up on news of higher blending levels for biomass based diesel.
June 13, 2025 09:53 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Ag Policy
Rollins Defends Trump Policies at House Ag Committee Hearing
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins was questioned by several House Ag Committee members about USDA’s cuts, including the impact of the 6,000 DOGE firings at the agency, that were later reinstated by the court.
June 11, 2025 08:41 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Markets Shatter Records Early: Grains Fail to Extend Last Week’s Gains
Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cash cattle trade shattered previous records last week and the futures are continuing to make new all-time highs on Monday in both live and feeder cattle futures.
June 09, 2025 09:52 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Futures Make All-Time Highs, Grains Range Bound
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futures gapped higher on the opening Friday and made all-time highs once again. Futures are still chasing record cash.
June 06, 2025 09:38 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Futures Chase Record Cash: Soybeans Fall and Corn Follows
Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle rally chasing record cash with the basis historically wide.
June 02, 2025 09:45 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Rally Early Friday Chasing Exploding Cash: Corn and Soybeans Weak
Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futures are chasing exploding cash early Friday, with more record high prices paid in all areas. Corn and soybeans continue to be weak with mostly favorable weather.
May 30, 2025 09:44 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Fall Despite Record Cash, Neutral COF: Corn and Wheat Weak
Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are seeing some early weakness despite last week’s record cash and neutral USDA Cattle on Feed Report compared to expectations. Corn is down with wheat and mostly favorable weather.
May 27, 2025 09:56 AM
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Michelle Rook
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