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

Grains Sink Early Monday: Cattle Make New Highs in Cash and Futures

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says grains are seeing pressure on weather. However, both live and feeder cattle futures are making new contract and all-time highs on last week’s record cash.

April 28, 2025 09:48 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Grains Consolidate After Bean Breakout: Cattle 2-Sided Watching Cash, S&P

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says live cattle traded two-sided early Friday as the market awaits larger scale cash development with stronger prices anticipated. Grains are quietly mixed.

April 25, 2025 09:59 AM

Michelle Rook

Beef Production

Mild Winter for Calving Helps Protect Valuable Asset

“I have seen minimal problems with scours and pneumonia. I think this set of calves moving to grass is as good as I’ve seen when I look back over the last 10 years,” says one Iowa veterinarian.

April 24, 2025 10:30 AM

Michelle Rook

Ag Policy

U.S. Farmers Relieved With Port Fee Revisions and Exemptions

The original proposal would have resulted in millions of dollars of fees per vessel, thus lowering commodity prices. The revisions, however, have some key exemptions that are net positive for U.S. agriculture.

April 23, 2025 08:15 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Grains Fade Early Gains: So Do Cattle, Despite Strong Cash

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says grains lose early strength running into chart resistance. While cattle also started higher with the sharply higher cash trade Thursday but faded.

April 21, 2025 09:55 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Higher Cash Trumps Slightly Bearish Cattle on Feed Report

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says the slightly higher placements than expectations in the USDA Cattle on Feed Report are not a concern to him. He thinks cash is ultimately king!

April 17, 2025 04:09 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Reports

Cattle and Soybeans Extend Gains: Can Markets Continue to Recover?

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle are seeing followthrough buying and strength Monday morning as the S&P 500 continues to stabilize and recover after the tariff delays.

April 14, 2025 09:56 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Reports

Tariff Delay Rallies Ag and Outside Markets, Trumps China Trade War

Arlan Suderman, StoneX Chief Commodities Economist says the markets reacted positively to the 90-day delay on reciprocal tariffs for countries that reached out to negotiate with the U.S. and did not retaliate.

April 09, 2025 02:54 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle and Hog Markets See Opposite Impact of Tariffs

While tariffs are negative for grain and hog producers, tariffs on U.S. beef and cattle imports have a net effect of tightening supplies and that’s price positive.

March 17, 2025 05:02 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Reports

Live Cattle Hold Gains After Higher Cash: Soybeans See China Tariff, SA Harvest Pressure

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says live cattle see buying interest after strong cash late last week. Corn tries to hold gains with soybeans seeing South American harvest pressure and concern about China’s 10% tariffs on U.S. soybeans.

March 10, 2025 09:53 AM

Michelle Rook