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

Market Reports

Grains and Hogs Fall, Cattle Bounce on Tariffs, Acreage and More

Darren Frye, Water Street Solutions, says corn, wheat and hogs reacted negatively to the 25% tariffs being imposed on Canada and Mexico on March 4.

February 28, 2025 11:37 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

State of the Beef Industry: Why Cattle Prices Could Stay Record High in 2025

CattleFax released its annual price projections at CattleCon and expects cattle prices to stay strong for a while.

February 10, 2025 04:22 PM

Michelle Rook

Beef Production

Are More Record Cattle Prices Ahead in 2025?

Kevin Good, Vice President of Industry Relations and Analysis with CattleFax, says the herd is still shrinking and so are slaughter levels and that will mean more record prices in 2025.

February 06, 2025 09:37 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cash Cattle Trade To Record Highs: What’s Driving Prices?

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek in Sioux Center, Iowa, says cash fed cattle trade hit record highs last week and could be steady to even a bit higher again this week. Historically tight supplies continue to support the rally.

January 07, 2025 09:13 PM

Michelle Rook

Market Reports

Grains Recover Monday on Argentina Weather: Cattle Rally Pricing in Record Cash

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures recovered nicely from Friday’s selloff with some contracts making new highs for the move, pricing in record cash cattle trade. Grain markets are seeing fund buying with soybeans and meal leading on dry weather forecasts for Argentina.

January 06, 2025 10:35 AM

Michelle Rook

Ag Policy

What The Trump Administration’s Mass Deportation Plans Could Mean for Agriculture

Nearly half of all farmworkers are undocumented, and industries such as dairy and meatpacking plants are especially vulnerable to labor shortages.

December 23, 2024 11:39 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Reports

Corn Falls But Soybeans Hold Together: Did Cattle Top?

Bryan Doherty, Total Farm Marketing, says corn ended lower on a combination of profit taking and farmer selling after running into chart resistance.

December 12, 2024 04:19 PM

Michelle Rook

Industry

Texas Tech Veterinarian Weighs In On New World Screwworm

Two weeks after the pest was detected in a Mexican cow, U.S. officials remain focused on the health and wellness of U.S. livestock.

December 05, 2024 11:47 AM

Maggie Malson

Beef Production

Iowa Farmer Feeder Cites Favorable Corn and Cattle Basis As Competitive Advantages

Farmer feeders like Lauritsen Cattle Company of Exira, Iowa, have distinct advantages. They include their proximity to local corn and feedstuffs, as well as their attention to detail.

November 08, 2024 10:16 AM

Michelle Rook

News

Iowa Cattle Operation Turns Focus To The Future, Invests In Fall Feedyard Expansion

Kennedy Cattle Company triples feedlot size to take advantage of strong cattle prices. Manages margins by growing more of its own feed.

October 17, 2024 01:26 PM

Michelle Rook