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

Retail Industry

Weather, Low Commodity Prices and Tariffs Shape Northwestern Corn Belt Planting Decisions

Everything from possible tariffs...to ongoing dryness are factoring into planting decisions right now in the Northwestern Corn Belt.

March 17, 2025 04:42 PM

Michelle Rook

Retail Industry

Dalton Dilldine: Next-Generation Producer Follows in His Father’s Footsteps

His senior year of high school, Dalton Dilldine’s dad unexpectedly passed away, leaving a limited succession plan and a teenager with a big decision: take over the operation, start his own farm or go to college. He chose all three.

February 19, 2025 08:38 AM

Michelle Rook

Retail Industry

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 03:14 PM

Michelle Rook

Retail Industry

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 12:47 PM

Michelle Rook

Retail Industry

How is Stabenow’s Senate Farm Bill Proposal Different From the House Bill?

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer says the Senate Farm Bill text includes some big differences compared to the House bill especially when it comes to ARC and PLC programs and modernizing reference prices.

November 20, 2024 08:41 AM

Michelle Rook

Retail Industry

Washington Insider Weighs In on What the Election Means for Agriculture

The good news is a Trump presidency and Republican-controlled Senate might result in fewer regulations and lower taxes. The bad news is the U.S. could be headed for a possible trade war with China and other countries.

November 07, 2024 10:57 AM

Michelle Rook

Crop Insurance Corn, Soybean and Grain Sorghum Prices.jpg

Retail Industry

Harvest Prices for Crop Insurance Plunge: What Does It Mean for Producers?

The Risk Management Agency just released official harvest prices for federal crop insurance — and they came in well below the base prices set back in February.

November 06, 2024 01:08 PM

Michelle Rook

Retail Industry

Legislation Offered to Extend 45Z Tax Credits, Restrict to Domestic Feedstocks

The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act has been introduced in both the Senate and the House. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed extending the 45Z tax credit through 2034.

September 26, 2024 02:48 PM

Michelle Rook

Retail Industry

What Impact Will the Fed’s Rate Cut Have on Ag Markets?

Darren Frye, Water Street Advisory, says the Fed cutting interest rates by 50 basis points could be huge for agricultural markets.

September 19, 2024 09:57 AM

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

Michelle Rook