DTN Early Word Livestock Comments      09/17 06:48
   Hogs Steady, Cattle Lower on Friday

   Hogs were the star of the livestock complex Thursday with front-month
October leading the charge. Live cattle struggled due to lower beef prices
while feeder cattle were mixed.

Robin Schmahl
DTN Contributing Analyst

   Cattle: Lower    Futures: Mixed    Live Equiv:   $231.66 -$1.67*

   Hogs:   Steady   Futures: Higher   Lean Equiv:   $113.23 +$0.27**

   * based on formula estimating live cattle equivalent of gross packer revenue.

   (The Live Cattle Equiv. Index has been updated to depict recent changes in
live cattle weights and grading percentages.)

   ** based on formula estimating lean hog equivalent of gross packer revenue

   GENERAL COMMENTS:

   Live cattle could be at risk to fall back to the lows as cash trade Friday
most likely will be similar to what was already seen this week along with
continued weakness of beef prices. Cash cattle trade was quiet Thursday, which
pushed the majority of the business to Friday. Packers will be unwilling to pay
more than they already have, which has been steady to $1 lower than last week.
Cattle weights suggest feedlots are current, but that may not make any
difference due to futures weakness and further declines in boxed beef Thursday.
Choice cuts declined $1.82 with select cuts down $3.62. Weekly export sales
were good at 15,300 metric tons (MT), but that did not carry enough weight to
turn futures higher.