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

Is the Beef Market Broken? One Cattleman Says Yes

R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard says the cattle market is fundamentally broken citing years of an inverse relationship between falling cattle prices and increasing retail beef prices when the only ingredient in beef is cattle.

November 12, 2025 02:22 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Signal Bottom as DOJ Packer Probe Launched: Grains Eye Govt Reopening

Live and feeder cattle futures are extending gains after a higher close on Friday. Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, says he is encouraged a low may be forming in both markets.

November 10, 2025 10:09 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Recovering But Is a Bottom In? Soybeans Make Fresh Highs, Corn Fails

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says while the cattle futures are distancing themselves from last week’s lows he isn’t sure if all of the bearish news is factored into the market yet. Meanwhile, soybeans make new highs as the White House clarifies China will buy 12 MMT in the last two months of 2025.

November 03, 2025 10:12 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Can Cattle Recover on Cash Feeders, Border Closure? Soybeans See More China Buys

After an ugly pullback in the cattle market futures are trying to recover according to Scott Varilek of Kooima Kooima Varilek as cash strength is returning in the feeder cattle market.

October 31, 2025 10:09 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Further Crash on Fear of Brazil Tariffs Easing: China Deal Hopes Rally Grains

Live cattle are sharply lower with limit down moves in feeders under expanded limits on Monday morning. Brad Kooima says now the focus is on the possibility of the U.S. dropping the 50% additional tariffs on beef imports.

October 27, 2025 10:05 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Crash on Fear of MX Border Reopening: Grains See Profit Taking as CA Talks Off

Scott Varilek with Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures gapped lower on the opening Friday and feeder quickly pushed to limit down status with fear of the U.S. opening the border to Mexican feeder imports.

October 24, 2025 09:51 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Soybeans Lead Grains Higher Betting on China Deal: Cattle Digest Trump Beef Plan

Soybeans futures hit new highs for the move on Thursday as Greg McBride with Allendale, Inc. says there is growing optimism about a trade deal with China that will include soybean purchases.

October 23, 2025 04:23 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Row Crops Rally as China Tensions Ease: Cattle Bounce as U.S. Touts Argentina Beef Buys

Jeff Hoogendoorn, Professional Ag Marketing, says soybeans ended higher on Monday and extended gains after a higher weekly close last week. Cattle tried to recover after Friday’s meltdown and after President Trump comments about the U.S. buying Argentina beef to lower prices for consumers.

October 20, 2025 04:15 PM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Cattle Recover as Trump Floats Argentina Beef Buys: Soybeans Rally on China Hopes

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says cattle futures saw some recovery on the opening Monday after a melt down on Friday which produced limit down closes in most of the feeder cattle contracts.

October 20, 2025 10:04 AM

Michelle Rook

Markets

Hopes For China Deal Fuel Grain Market Rally: Will Trump’s Beef Plan Top Cattle?

Oliver Sloup, Blue Line Futures, says corn, soybeans and wheat all saw technical buying this week after bouncing off key support on the charts. The key is can the markets build on it next week?

October 17, 2025 03:51 PM

Michelle Rook