DTN Midday Livestock Comments          07/17 12:26

   Hogs Post Strong Gains

   Cattle futures are under pressure again. Weakness is led by feeder cattle 
posting double-digit losses. After opening near steady from yesterday, prices 
declined. Futures appear to be tipping and may be trending lower. Feeder cattle 
futures left a chart gap on the opening. 

By Robin Schmahl
DTN Contributing Analyst

General Comments

   Hogs are showing a strong day posting triple-digit gains. Spreading of the 
front-mouth to later months ran its course with all contracts up nearly the 
same. Hog futures gapped higher. Corn in 2 3/4 cents higher. The Dow is 45 
points lower while the NASDAQ is down 3 points. 

   LIVE CATTLE:

   Live cattle are lower as it seems there is concern the cattle on feed report 
may not be supportive. Weakness so far this week may dim the prospect for 
higher cash trade. Futures continue to correct from an overbought condition and 
may be turning the trend lower. Cash business is still at a standoff and hot 
weather may limit some of the business. Boxed Beef cut-outs were lower at 
midday with choice down $0.49 per cwt and select down $0.79 per cwt. Trading 
activity has been brisk with 137 loads reported (53 loads of choice cuts, 32 
loads of select cuts, 27 loads of trimmings, and 24 loads of ground beef.  

   FEEDER CATTLE:

   Feeder cattle are putting pressure on the cattle complex posting 
triple-digit losses early after gapping lower at the opening in October and 
later contracts. August did not gap lower and is actually showing only minor 
losses at midday. Futures pushed through price support, but were able to regain 
some of the loss bring contract back above technical support. The upcoming 
cattle of feed report is having a significant impact on trading this week. 

   LEAN HOGS:

   Hog futures are on a roll with the higher trend intact. Spread trading has 
run its course with August posting greater gains than the rest of the complex. 
August is trying to regain some of the losses over the past three days. October 
and later contract gapped higher at the open as optimism grows for greater pork 
demand from China and elsewhere later this year. Price was down a penny on the 
National Daily Direct report. The weighted average price is $69.32 with a range 
of $57.00 to $73.00 on 6,076 reported sold. The National Pork Plant report 
posted 174 loads selling with 155 loads of pork cuts and 19 loads of 
trim/process pork. Carcass values added $1.26 per cwt at $77.06. The lean hog 
index for 7/15 was $70.62, down $0.11 with the projected two-day index of 
$70.77, up $0.17.  

   Robin Schmahl can be reached at: rschmahl@agdairy.com 


(CZ)

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