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

Industry

Tyson’s Lexington Beef Plant Shutters Early: No Shifts Scheduled This Week

UNL predicts closure will result in $3.28 billion in annual statewide economic losses. The analysis projects more than 7,000 jobs lost statewide, including 3,212 plant positions, along with significant reductions in labor income and state and local tax revenues.

January 12, 2026 09:19 AM

Angie Stump Denton

Markets

Strong Cash Trade Supports Cattle Futures as Feeders Lead: Grains Mixed

Live and feeder cattle futures were lower early Friday but Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says it didn’t take long for the markets to firm up supported by the cash market.

January 09, 2026 10:21 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

What it Will Take for Cattle Markets to Hit New Highs in 1Q

Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the recent strength in cattle has been a combination of fund buying and higher cash trade. He predicts that will continue into first quarter of 2026.

January 06, 2026 10:07 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Break to Near Term Highs With Cash, NWS: Soybeans Grind to Fresh Lows

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures saw a chart breakout, pushed by fundamental factors. Meanwhile, the soybean market saw technical selling and pressure from mostly favorable weather in South America.

January 02, 2026 03:07 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Is the Slide in Grains All About South America? What Rallied Livestock Tuesday

Rich Nelson with Allendale, Inc. says there is a general lack of news for the grain markets so some of the pressure is coming from end of the quarter and end of the year positioning by traders.

December 30, 2025 03:25 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle End Higher, What Breaks The Sideways Trade? Grains and Hogs Ease Friday

Joe Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the live and feeder cattle futures board has remained sideways since around Dec. 11. However, there is one thing that could break that trend.

December 27, 2025 11:36 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Hit Fresh Highs on Bullish COF but Can it Continue? Grains Also Rally Monday

Live and feeder cattle futures made new highs for the move Monday morning after a strong close Friday and higher weekly closes. However, the big catalyst is the bullish USDA Cattle on Feed Report data according to Rich Nelson of Allendale, Inc.

December 22, 2025 10:04 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Futures Pop Despite Weak Cash: Grains Slide

Scott Varilek, Kooima Kooima Varilek says live cattle futures are higher despite some lower Northern cash trade. However, this week the trend has been sideways with the market unable to take out chart resistance.

December 19, 2025 10:00 AM

Michelle Rook

Market Reports

Cattle Hold Uptrend After Correcting with CA Plant Closure a Non-Event: Soybeans Fall Further

Brad Kooima with Kooima Kooima Varilek says the cattle futures are overbought after last week’s higher weekly closes. So this is a healthy correction.

December 15, 2025 10:09 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Pause After Chasing Higher Cash: Can Futures Retest Record Highs? Soybeans Crash

Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures are finding support from sharply higher fed cash trade. So, if that can continue he is mildly optimistic about futures continuing to push higher.

December 12, 2025 10:02 AM

Michelle Rook