Buyer support quickly moved into the livestock market with strong price gains seen at midday in both cattle and hog futures. This is likely to spark some additional underlying activity and may push prices even higher at closing bell. Corn prices are higher in light trade. March corn futures are 1/2 cent per bushel higher. Stock markets are mixed in light trade. The Dow Jones is 15 points lower while Nasdaq is up 6 points.
LIVE CATTLE:
Strong triple-digit gains have developed in nearby live cattle futures following the support seen in all livestock markets. This may not be able to hold current price levels through the end of the session, but traders are focusing on increased buyer support through the next couple of days. This may help to bring some needed stability back to the market. Cash cattle activity remains generally quiet Thursday morning with just a few bids developing in the North. Bids are seen at $116 live and $186 dressed. Asking prices are still hard to pin down, but starting to firm around $119 live and $190 and higher dressed. It is likely that active trade may not develop until Friday. Beef cut-outs at midday are mixed, $0.49 lower (select) and up $0.63 per cwt (choice) with active movement of 89 total loads reported (42 loads of choice cuts, 31 loads of select cuts, 5 loads of trimmings, 11 loads of ground beef).
FEEDER CATTLE:
Firm gains have developed in feeder cattle futures as the early support has held through all markets Thursday morning. Gains have been seen at 80 to 90 cents per cwt in most contracts. However, nearby contracts are limiting buyer activity and narrowing the price support. Strong triple-digit gains in the live cattle market may help to draw additional support to the market, although light trade volume could subdue late-day price moves.
LEAN HOGS:
Strong gains have redeveloped across the lean hog futures trade Thursday morning as renewed cash market support helped to draw increased trade activity to the complex. There may be some additional buyer activity moving to the market late in the day with prices likely to hold triple-digit gains in nearby contract months. Cash prices are higher on the National Direct morning cash hog report. The weighted average price is up $1.02 at $58.01 per cwt with the range from $51.00 to $58.52 on 2,962 head reported sold. Cash prices are unreported due to confidentiality on the Iowa/Minnesota Direct morning cash hog report. The National Pork Plant Report posted 215 loads selling with carcass values adding $0.87 per cwt. Lean hog index for 12/11 is at $64.97 down $0.20 with a projected two-day index of $64.86, down $0.11.
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