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 Futures Fall as Packers Try to Break the Market With Lower Cash

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures were struggling early Thursday with lower cash as the packers are trying to break the market with their own inventory.

July 02, 2026 10:49 AM

Michelle Rook

Ag Policy

USMCA Shifts to Annual Reviews: Why the U.S. Traded Predictability for Leverage

The U.S. lets the 16-year USMCA extension deadline pass, opting for rolling annual talks. Experts break down what this means for “predictability” and the leverage needed for disputes.

July 01, 2026 05:43 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Fall on Profit Taking, Despite Strong No. Cash: Hogs and Grains See Red

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are down with a risk off day in the ag markets. End of quarter profit taking and talk of a packer bailout is also weighing on futures.

June 29, 2026 10:47 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Futures Ease but Cash Feeders on Fire: Hogs Up on Friendly Report

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures were seeing some profit taking early Friday as they are overbought. However, futures haven’t stayed down long with the strength in the cash market.

June 26, 2026 11:31 AM

Michelle Rook

Ag Policy

Farm Bill 2.0: Senate Moves to Address Missing Titles and Funding Needs

Sen. Boozman’s Farm Bill 2.0 bolsters farm safety nets and updates conservation programs, but notably excludes Prop 12, E15 and pesticide labeling.

June 23, 2026 05:41 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Rally with Cash, COF Report but Can the Market Retest the Highs? Grains in the Red

Live and feeder cattle futures made new highs for the move early Monday but ended well off highs. So can the markets retest the highs?

June 22, 2026 04:26 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle See Red Ahead of Holiday, Cash and Report: Grains Fall Fading Export Biz

Cattle futures were lower early Thursday seeing some profit taking after some technical chart breakouts this week, but also positioning ahead of the holiday.

June 18, 2026 10:39 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Bounce with Outside Markets & Cash, Fade Plant Closure

Brad Kooima says cattle were catching some spillover selling from the news the Iran peace deal had been signed, the higher equity markets and lower crude oil futures.

June 15, 2026 10:46 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Correct on Beef Plant Closure Friday: Grains Try to Bounce

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the cattle market saw some pre-weekend positioning and was also trading news that a JBS beef slaughter plant in Pennsylvania was closing.

June 12, 2026 10:41 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Recover Fading New NWS Case, So Are Funds Done Selling? Corn Makes New Lows

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle had a lower week last week on fund liquidation and headlines regarding new NWS cases. However, he’s not sure if the funds are done selling yet.

June 01, 2026 10:38 AM

Michelle Rook