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

Cattle See Profit Taking After Record Highs: Corn Tries to Bounce

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are seeing some routine profit taking after hitting all-time and record highs again on Friday. Corn is seeing short covering off fresh contract lows but can it hold any gains?

July 14, 2025 09:52 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Recover With Higher Cash: Grains Fall on CA Tariff News and Weather

Live and feeder cattle futures opened lower on Friday but quickly turned higher with strong cash news according to Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek. Grains see pressure from weather and the risk off outside market influences tied to the proposed tariff increases on Canada to 35% by Aug. 1

July 11, 2025 09:48 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Rally on Better Cash News: Grains Tank on Trade Uncertainty and Weather

Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futuresare showing resilience early Monday due to better than expected cash trade. However, grains are seeing heavy selling pressure.

July 07, 2025 09:47 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Extend Gains On Better Cash News: Grains Rally on China Deal or Short Covering?

Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are trading higher building on Wednesday’s big reversal which was initially triggered by trade news but then better than expected cash trade added to the rally. Grains are also higher on hopes of an announced deal with China.

July 03, 2025 09:43 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Tank on MX Border Reopening: Corn and Soybeans Also Fall

Joe Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says live and feeder cattle futures had a gap lower opening this morning on news from USDA of a phased re-opening of the border to Mexican cattle starting July 7.

July 01, 2025 09:46 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Reports

Cattle Hold Despite Lower Cash: Grain Markets Finally Bounce

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says cattle futures are holding together despite lower cash trade, while grains are finally seeing a bounce in reaction to a China deal on rare earths.

June 27, 2025 09:42 AM

Michelle Rook

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

Michelle Rook

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

Michelle Rook

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

Michelle Rook

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

Michelle Rook