DTN Midday Livestock Comments          08/23 11:55

   Sharp Losses Flood Livestock Trade 

   Livestock futures are holding sharp losses midday Friday as continued 
fundamental weakness is combined with aggressive outside market pressure based 
on China tariff announcements.

By Rick Kment
DTN Analyst

General Comments

   Livestock futures are holding triple-digit losses in all contracts as the 
focus on increased beef inventory on a month to month level has reversed recent 
buyer interest through the complex. Hog futures tumbled through long-term 
support levels, creating a market free-fall as prices are testing daily limit 
losses. Corn futures are lower in light morning trade. September corn futures 
are 4 1/2 cents lower. Stock markets are lower in active trade. Dow Jones is 
440 points lower with NASDAQ down 168 points. 

   LIVE CATTLE:

   Traders quickly reacted to a combination of fundamental and outside market 
factors Friday morning, leaving a wake of sharp losses in its path. A strong 
increase in beef inventory in July compared to June took the industry and 
market by surprise. While announcements by China that it would increase tariffs 
on $75 billion of imports has left outside markets struggling late in the week. 
This has created active pressure in all contracts with nearby futures holding 
$2 per cwt losses. Despite limit losses in feeder cattle trade, so far there 
has been no attempt to test daily limits, but the general weakness in the 
complex could quickly spark additional late day pressure in all live cattle 
futures. Cash cattle trade is starting to slowly develop through the morning 
with Northern regions posting dressed trade at $175 per cwt. This is generally 
$4.50 per cwt above last week's average. There are a few delayed delivery deals 
bought by regional packers at $176 to $178 per cwt through the morning. 
Increased activity is expected in all areas through the rest of the day. Some 
of this trade may be delayed until after the cattle on feed report in case of 
any surprises. The bearishness in futures trade may limit the amount of cattle 
sold once again, causing feeders to carry cattle over to next week's offerings. 
Boxed Beef cut-outs at midday are lower, $1.89 lower (select) and down $1.40 
(choice) with light movement of 49 total loads reported (26 loads of choice 
cuts, 10 loads of select cuts, no loads of trimmings, 13 loads of ground beef).

   FEEDER CATTLE:

   Sharp morning losses have flooded the feeder cattle complex Friday morning. 
A combination of increased beef inventory during July from June levels and 
uncertainty of the upcoming cattle on feed report has turned September futures 
limit lower and sharp pressure in all contract months. As we have seen over the 
last two weeks, it has taken very little momentum to create sharp market 
reactions. This is likely another one of those examples of how any sense of 
fear is being multiplied by already nervous traders. Given the extremely wide 
market swings over the last two weeks, this aggressive market move leaves 
prices still well above support levels, limiting technical direction shifts at 
the end of the week.

   LEAN HOGS: 

   The general bearish tone seen through the lean hog complex through most of 
the week continues to get worse as sharp triple digit losses are testing daily 
trading limits, and have also blown through long term support levels that had 
been holding by a thread over the last couple of days. October futures posted a 
$2.85 per cwt loss, moving prices well below support levels of $62 per cwt and 
quickly pushing prices under $59.50 per cwt. This is sparking additional 
technical liquidation across the complex and with combination of weakening 
fundamentals, trade pressure may continue early next week. Cash prices are 
lower on the National Direct morning cash hog report. The weighted average 
price is down $1.02 at $65.10 per cwt with the range from $56 to $70.00 on 
6,166 head reported sold. Pork values trickled higher with gains in most 
primals offsetting sharp losses in rib cuts. Pork cutouts added $0.19 per cwt 
at $80.13 per cwt with 103 loads traded. Lean hog index for 8/21 is $77.04, 
down 0.36, with a projected two-day index at $75.94, down 1.10.

   Rick Kment can be reached at rick.kment@dtn.com 


(CZ)

Copyright 2019 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.