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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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Retail Industry
Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Why Fertilizer Relief is Years Away for U.S. Farmers
As the Strait closure enters its tenth week, supply chain gridlock and policy hurdles suggest high input costs will persist through the 2027 planting season, according to Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer with StoneX.
May 05, 2026 04:25 PM
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Michelle Rook
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News
Survey Says Farmers Cut Corn Acres Since the War Started
A Farmer’s Keeper survey of 4,000 farmers shows 20% are cutting corn acres as record fertilizer prices and supply gaps force last-minute shifts toward soybeans and other crops to protect profitability.
April 20, 2026 01:26 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Weather
60% of U.S. Now Facing Moderate to Exceptional Drought
Reaching levels rarely seen since 2013, historic dryness grips the eastern Corn Belt, the Southeast and into the western Plains. With 68% of winter wheat in drought, producers face potential abandonment.
April 19, 2026 10:46 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Retail Business
Farmers Could See Increased Farm Program Payments With Eligibility Changes
The One Big Beautiful Bill’s new rules will allow for additional farm program payments, according to Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation.
April 01, 2026 08:26 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Retail Industry
EPA Announces Waivers to Allow Summertime E15 Use
EPA waiving fuel from U.S. volatility requirements to allow summer sales of E15 has become standard practice but at least this year it is coming early.
March 25, 2026 08:11 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Retail Industry
Congress Eyes ‘Skinny’ Farm Bill and $15B in Ag Aid
Action expected within weeks as lawmakers push for post-Easter progress on emergency relief and regulatory fixes.
March 25, 2026 02:45 PM
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Michelle Rook
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Retail Business
Farm Input Costs Surge Amid Iran Conflict
Significant increases in energy and fertilizer costs have experts eyeing long-term impacts on corn acreage and farmer profitability.
March 24, 2026 08:03 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Retail Industry
Weather Extremes Take Their Toll on the Winter Wheat Crop
Winter wheat may have already been damaged in January and February due to extreme cold and the lack of snow cover in many areas.
March 20, 2026 08:02 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Retail Business
Will Soaring Fertilizer Prices Change Farmer’s Acreage Plans?
While USDA predicts a shift to soybeans, spiking input costs and Middle East supply gaps have Northern growers weighing corn’s yield potential against a volatile fertilizer market.
March 16, 2026 09:47 AM
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Michelle Rook
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Retail Industry
What the Iran War Means for Spring Fertilizer Supplies
While farmers are facing higher fertilizer prices due to the Iran conflict the inability to move fertilizer through the Strait of Hormuz is also threatening spring supplies.
March 09, 2026 05:58 PM
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Michelle Rook
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