Friday Midday Livestock Market Summary - Firm Pressure Sweeps Through Cattle Trade

Firm pressure has continued to develop through the morning with overall lack of support seen midday Friday. Cattle futures continue to hold the most significant pressure with triple-digit losses seen in deferred feeder cattle trade. Corn markets are lower in light trade. December corn futures are 2 cents lower. Stock markets are mixed in light trade. The Dow Jones is 43 points higher while Nasdaq is down 28 points.

LIVE CATTLE:

Light to moderate pressure is seen in live cattle futures with traders pulling away from the narrow trading ranges seen early Friday morning. October futures are leading the complex lower with a 70 cent loss, although prices are still able to hold price levels above $112 per cwt. This may add some end-of-week pressure to the entire complex. Cash cattle trade is still undeveloped with live bids seen all areas as bids are $111 per cwt. These bids are fully steady with sales seen earlier in the week. Trade in the south is expected to develop through the end of the day, but activity may be done for the week. Boxed Beef cut-outs at midday are higher, $1.51 higher (select) and up $1.40 per cwt (choice) with moderate movement of 74 total loads reported (27 loads of choice cuts, 13 loads of select cuts, 17 loads of trimmings, 16 loads of ground beef).

FEEDER CATTLE:

Additional price pressure has swept through the feeder cattle complex with deferred contracts holding a triple-digit loss. This may add some additional weakness through the entire complex as follow through pressure may continue early next week. October futures are holding a 50 cent loss, following very limited movement in nearby contracts.

LEAN HOGS:

Limited trade is seen through lean hog futures complex with front-month contracts holding a 55 cent per cwt gain, as traders focus on trying to build some stability back into the market through the end of the week. All other contracts are holding narrow losses with very limited moves seen at midday. Very little market information is expected to be seen through the end of the session. Cash prices are unreported due to confidentiality on the Iowa/Minnesota Direct morning cash hog report. The National Pork Plant Report posted 127 loads selling on the morning report. Pork carcass values added $1.02 per cwt at $79.14 per cwt. Lean hog index for 10/16 is at $68.17 down 0.42 with a projected two-day index of 67.76, down 0.41.

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