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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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News
Too Many Plants, Not Enough Cattle: Inside the Beef Packing Capacity Squeeze
From JBS Souderton’s $30 million value-added pivot to Tyson’s Nebraska shutdown, the processing sector is restructuring around high-efficiency plants, heavier carcasses and automated lines.
August 12, 2026 03:27 PM
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Angie Stump Denton
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Markets
Cattle Rally but Can Fundamentals Push Futures Through Resistance? Corn, Beans Await WASDE
Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says live cattle failed at the 50% retracement levels, even with higher cash trade. So, what will it take to get through those resistance areas on the futures?
August 10, 2026 10:44 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Futures Recover With Higher Cash but How Far? Grains Bounce Pre-WASDE
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures hit resistance on the charts despite higher cash. So what will it take to get through those resistance areas?
August 07, 2026 10:38 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Education
Turning Loss Into Recovery: What Is LIP?
USDA’s Richard Fordyce outlines how cattle producers can document death losses, navigate new AGI rules, and tap local market values under the Livestock Indemnity Program.
August 07, 2026 08:54 AM
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Angie Stump Denton
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News
Nighttime Heat, No Airflow Cause Thousands of Cattle Deaths Across the Plains
Beyond feedlot death loss, cow-calf herds face hard-to-measure hits in sickness, weight gain, foot health and future calf performance when heat and humidity stack up.
August 04, 2026 11:12 AM
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Angie Stump Denton
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Markets
Cattle Recovery Continues Amid Death Loss, but for How Long?
Brad Kooima of Koomia Varilek says the lows look like they are in the cattle market, but how much more recovery does he expect?
August 03, 2026 11:01 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle Grind Higher but What’s the Sign a Bottom is In? Corn, Wheat Fall Early
Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says there are signs he’s looking for yet in the cattle market to confirm the lows are in.
July 31, 2026 10:57 AM
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Michelle Rook
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News
Douglas Port Set to Reopen Aug. 24: What Producers Need to Know
USDA outlines protocols and a $25 million sterile fly investment as feedlots, cow-calf producers and cattle groups weigh in on what a phased restart of Mexican cattle trade means for the market.
July 29, 2026 10:02 PM
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Angie Stump Denton
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News
Cattle Death Toll Climbs With Extreme Heat and Humidity
Despite stepped up efforts by producers to keep cattle cool, there have been reports of rising death losses in cattle feedlots from North to South.
July 29, 2026 04:35 PM
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Michelle Rook
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News
Fear, Not Fundamentals, Drive Cattle Sell-Off on Mexican Border News
The reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border on Aug. 24 is expected to have a short-term impact on cattle markets, but analysts say the return of Mexican feeder cattle will not fundamentally change long-term supply.
July 27, 2026 05:18 PM
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Angie Stump Denton
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