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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

Planting in South Dakota Moves Ahead of Five Year Average: Surprise After Tough Winter

South Dakota farmers have planted 49% of the corn and 29% of the soybeans in the state. Both are ahead of the five-year average and a surprise with fields snow covered in April.

May 16, 2023 09:29 PM

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Flooding on Upper Mississippi River Eases: Locks Opening and Barge Traffic Moving

High water levels and flooding are starting to ease on the upper Mississippi River which is allowing locks to reopen and barge traffic to resume.

May 10, 2023 03:36 PM

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Iowa Planting Picks Up Steam: Both Corn and Soybean Progress at Near Record Pace

Planting has been going full steam the last two weeks in Iowa and farmers now have 70% of the corn and 49% of the soybeans planted which in both cases are nearly 20% ahead of average.

May 10, 2023 08:51 AM

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China Buys South African Corn for the First Time As They Start Turning Away From U.S. Exports

China seems to have made the strategic decision to buy ag products from just about every global supplier but the U.S., largely a result of the rising trade tensions between the two countries.

May 08, 2023 02:59 PM

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Argentina Soybean Crop Smallest in 25 Years Due to Historic Drought

A historic drought has severely cut the size of this year’s crop in Argentina, especially soybeans. Processors will be forced to import soybeans just to stay in business.

April 24, 2023 04:38 PM

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Agriculture Watches West Coast Port Contract Negotiations: Disruptions Have Already Shifted Shipping to the East Coast

Agriculture is watching the ongoing contract negotiations between the unions at West Coast ports as tensions rise. However, the unreliability of shipping has already caused a shift in business to East Coast ports.

April 19, 2023 05:31 PM

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Fertilizer Prices Down 45%-60% From Last Spring But Off March Lows as Planters Roll

While fertilizer prices are off March lows, they are still from 45% to 60% lower than this time last year, depending on the nutrient or product.

April 13, 2023 01:24 PM

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Crude Oil Moves Back Above $80 with Talk of $100 by Year End: What Does That Mean for Interest Rates and Diesel Fuel Costs?

Crude oil moves back above $80, what does that mean for interest rates and diesel fuel prices for farmers this growing season?

April 07, 2023 09:49 AM

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Ag Credit Tightens with Rising Interest Rates and Following Bank Collapses

Farmers are facing a headwind other than the weather heading into the spring planting sesaon. Credit is tightening as farmers finalize or renew operating notes or loans for capital purchases.

April 06, 2023 04:52 PM

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Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $70: What is the Outlook for Consumers at the Pump and Farmers Heading Into Spring Planting?

Oil prices are also off their highs of last year and gas and diesel prices are also sliding at the pump, but will that trend continue ahead of planting? Energy experts are hoping the answer is yes.

March 21, 2023 11:09 AM

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