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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
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Markets
Cattle Bottoming as Border/Strike Talk Fear Eases and Cash Ideas Improve
Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says some of the recovery is technical in nature as the June live cattle bounce off of key support and the 38% retracement level around $243.00 last Thursday. However, there are also fundamental reasons for bounce.
April 27, 2026 10:28 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Bounce as Border/Strike Fears Fade, But is the Correction Over? Grains Eye Weather
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says $243 was the line in the sand for the June live cattle or funds would liquidate and it held after Brooke Rollins canceled her trip to Arizona which alleviated fears of a border reopening.
April 24, 2026 10:48 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Digest Cattle on Feed but Will The Market Retest the Highs? Can Hogs Hold?
Joe Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek says live cattle futures held key support on Friday and are higher Monday but can the market retest the record highs?
April 20, 2026 10:53 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Has the Cattle Market Finally Topped on Fear of Border Reopening? Grains Fall as Strait Opened
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle plunged late week after contract highs due to fears of the border reopening to Mexican imports.
April 17, 2026 10:54 AM
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Michelle Rook
Fed cattle declined $7 to $10
News
Breaking the $250 Barrier: Cattle Markets Charge to New All-Time Highs
A 75-year low in U.S. inventory and restricted Mexican imports are tightening supplies. As grilling season nears, strong demand and record cash trades continue to propel the market despite geopolitical tensions.
April 15, 2026 10:10 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Can Record Fed Cattle Futures and Cash Trade Continue?
Live cattle futures made new and all-time contract highs on Friday with the April contract closing above $250.
April 13, 2026 11:09 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Test Contract Highs on Strong Cash, Fade Border Talk: How High Will Prices Go?
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the cattle market has been impressive and resilient.
April 10, 2026 10:20 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Live Cattle Follow Skyrocketing Cash, JBS Plant Strike Ending: Hogs Rally on FMD in China
Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the live cattle futures are chasing sharply higher cash trade from last week.
April 06, 2026 10:37 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Rally on NWS, Cash, Technicals: Will Cash be Higher This Week?
Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the rally late last week was impressive considering the equity markets were sharply lower on Thursday and Friday plus crude oil was higher.
March 30, 2026 10:28 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Higher Fading Lower Equities, Hogs Rally on Report: Corn, Beans Ease
Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the ability of the cattle market to divorce itself from the outside markets the last two sessions has been very impressive.
March 27, 2026 10:55 AM
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Michelle Rook
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