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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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Ag Policy
Tariff Delay Rallies Ag and Outside Markets, Trumps China Trade War
Arlan Suderman, StoneX Chief Commodities Economist says the markets reacted positively to the 90-day delay on reciprocal tariffs for countries that reached out to negotiate with the U.S. and did not retaliate.
April 09, 2025 02:54 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Industry
Grains Markets Absorb Tariff News, But Why Did Livestock Fail?
Naomi Blohm, Total Farm Marketing, says grains rebound as the market has absorbed much of the tariff news. Meanwhile, livestock saw follow through selling and triple digit losses.
April 07, 2025 02:43 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Markets
Cattle and Hog Markets See Opposite Impact of Tariffs
While tariffs are negative for grain and hog producers, tariffs on U.S. beef and cattle imports have a net effect of tightening supplies and that’s price positive.
March 17, 2025 05:02 PM
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Michelle Rook
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News
Optimism Growing for 2025 as U.S. Pork Industry Heals
Terry Wolters, pork producer from Pipestone, Minnesota and past president of the National Pork Producers Council, says optimism is returning to the industry with better prices.
January 27, 2025 03:46 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Ag Policy
What A Battle Over the Panama Canal Means For U.S. Agriculture
The Panama Canal is in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs — and he’s pledged to retake control of the strategic waterway due to Chinese influence. He also claims U.S. ships have been unfairly charged for using the canal.
January 27, 2025 03:12 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Ag Policy
What The Trump Administration’s Mass Deportation Plans Could Mean for Agriculture
Nearly half of all farmworkers are undocumented, and industries such as dairy and meatpacking plants are especially vulnerable to labor shortages.
December 23, 2024 11:39 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Education
Texas Tech Veterinarian Weighs In On New World Screwworm
Two weeks after the pest was detected in a Mexican cow, U.S. officials remain focused on the health and wellness of U.S. livestock.
December 06, 2024 07:26 AM
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Maggie Malson
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Market Reports
USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report Shows Productivity Outpacing Herd Liquidation
Brett Stuart, President and Co-Founder of Global AgriTrends, says, “I keep waiting to see when liquidation of the herd will actually outpace productivity and so far, that hasn’t happened,” he says.
June 27, 2024 06:29 PM
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Michelle Rook
Hope for Pork Profitability in 2024 is Fading
Steve Meyer, senior livestock economist, Ever.Ag Insights, says cash and cutouts just stalled the last six weeks, pulling down lean hog futures and cutting into break evens and profit levels.
June 04, 2024 06:55 PM
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Michelle Rook
Market Reports
Cattle and Hogs Initially React Negative to USDA Reports, Then Bounce Off Lows: Grains Turn Mixed
Cattle open lower but off lows. How bearish was the COF and will weather, higher cash trump it? Hogs down w/slightly larger herd. Grains open higher then turn mixed. Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek, has more.
December 26, 2023 03:06 PM
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Michelle Rook
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