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 Rally with Equities, Fade COF Report: Grains Fall with Crude Oil

Cattle futures are higher early following the big rally in the equity markets says Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek.

March 23, 2026 10:36 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle, Hogs Fall With Equities: Corn, Soybeans Lifted by Crude Oil

Joe Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle and hogs are struggling Thursday with the set back in the equity markets.

March 19, 2026 10:42 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Why Cattle Faded the JBS Strike: Soybeans Tank on Fear Over Trump/Xi Meeting

Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says there were a couple of reasons the market ignored the strike and the biggest was the higher equity markets and lower crude oil

March 16, 2026 10:32 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Can Cattle Recover and is the Greeley Strike Priced In? Row Crops Follow Oil

Cattle futures are higher early Friday in tandem with the bounce in the equity markets and the pull back in crude oil and the energy markets according Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek.

March 13, 2026 10:06 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Plunge on Economic Fears, JBS Plant Dark: How Low Do Prices Fall?

Cattle futures are sharply lower on Monday with feeder cattle touching limit down at one point on economic uncertainty according to Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek.

March 09, 2026 10:13 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Can Cattle Stay Resilient With the S&P Correcting: Grains Rally With Crude Oil

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the uncertainty of the war in Iran has caused some reallocation of money this week.

March 06, 2026 10:07 AM

Michelle Rook

News

Diesel Prices Spike on Iran Conflict Just Ahead of Planting Season

Strait of Hormuz disruptions and refinery attacks drive fuel costs higher as farmers face a 2026 planting season crunch.

March 04, 2026 09:54 AM

Michelle Rook

News

Conflict in Iran Ripples Through Global Fertilizer Markets, Raises Prices Even Higher

As the Strait of Hormuz faces potential closure, experts warn of supply chain disruptions just as U.S. farmers prepare for spring planting.

March 02, 2026 10:01 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle and Grains See Risk Off Selling on Iran Conflict: Have Cattle Topped?

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says the grain and cattle futures are reacting negatively to the uncertainty tied to the Iran conflict.

March 02, 2026 10:47 AM

Michelle Rook

News

House Ag Committee Starts Farm Bill Mark Up

Why is a long-term farm bill even needed with the provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill? Industry leaders explain their views on the issue.

March 02, 2026 09:36 AM

Michelle Rook