DTN Midday Livestock Comments          07/15 12:20

   Feeder Cattle Contracts Spreading Optimism in Cattle Complex

   Heading into the afternoon cattle contracts jump higher while the lean hog 
complex isn't as supportive.

ShayLe Stewart
DTN Livestock Analyst

   General Comments

   The feeder cattle complex continues to boost the morale of the cattle 
complex as both markets trade fully higher into the afternoon. The lean hog 
complex is struggling with some resistance through deferred contracts but has 
some support for the spot market as the July contracts reaches its final day 
and expires. December corn is up 3/4 cent per bushel and December soybean meal 
is up $0.60. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 157.58 points and NASDAQ is 
down 11.11 points.

   LIVE CATTLE

   The live cattle complex is happy to jump on board and ride the shirttails of 
the feeder cattle complex where support is building both in the futures market 
and throughout the countryside. August live cattle are up $2.05 at $100.85, 
October live cattle are up $1.20 at $104.30 and December live cattle are up 
$0.80 at $107.95. There was a handful of cattle that sold in the North 
Wednesday morning for steady prices as dressed cattle in Nebraska sold for 
$157. Most of the countryside's asking prices remain firm at $100 live and $160 
dressed.

   JBS's Greeley plant is under some pressure as workers walked out due to a 
money and safety dispute. With slaughter needing to run at maximum speeds, 
officials are going to be hard pressed to get this issue resolved and to get 
workers back to work to achieve efficiency.

   The Fed Cattle Exchange Auction listed a total of 1,224 head, with 275 
actually sold, 949 head listed as unsold, and 0 head listed as PO (Passed 
Offer). Only Kansas and Texas were offering cattle this week, the breakdown is 
as follows: Kansas 1,005 total head, with 275 head sold at $95.50-$95.75, 730 
head unsold; Texas 219 total head, which all went unsold. The delivery 
date/weighted average breakdown is as listed: 1-9-day delivery: 680 head total, 
275 head sold, with a weighted average price of $95.62; 1-17-day delivery 544 
head total of which none sold.

   Boxed beef prices are not available due to technical difficulties.

   FEEDER CATTLE

   Feeder cattle contracts are fully higher rolling into the afternoon with the 
most excitement and support stemming from the aggressive buying throughout 
feeder cattle sales. August feeders are up $1.72 at $138.45, September feeders 
are up $1.47 at $138.95 and October feeders are up $1.32 at $140.02. If you 
haven't been tuning into Western Video Market's Sale happening this week, 
you're truly missing out. Yearling cattle continue to push the market higher 
and higher and buyers seem far more optimistic than what the fundamentals 
merit. The long weaned and programmed cattle (NHTC, GAP 4) have been especially 
popular but cattle of all weights and descriptions are selling extremely well.

   LEAN HOGS

   The lean hog complex hasn't had as fruitful of a morning, but midday losses 
are thankfully only modest thus far. August lean hogs are down $0.07 at $49.85, 
October lean hogs are down $0.37 at $49.30 and December lean hogs are down 
$0.17 at $51.05. The afternoon cutout values haven't been as strong as what 
midday prices are, but with a lofty $5.76 upward swing, the afternoon may be 
able to hold onto some of that.

   The projected lean hog index for 7/14/2020 is up $1.02 at $47.10, and the 
actual index for 7/13/2020 is up $0.44 at $46.08. Hog prices are lower on the 
National Direct Morning Hog Report, down $0.07 with a weighted average of 
$30.95, ranging from $28.00 to $35.00 on 4,643 head and a five-day rolling 
average of $29.96. Pork cutouts total 188.86 loads with 172.50 loads of pork 
cuts and 16.36 loads of trim. Pork cutout values: up $5.76, $72.00.

   ShayLe Stewart can be reached shayle.stewart@dtn.com

    

    




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