DTN Midday Livestock Comments          08/28 11:46

   Southern Live Cattle Trade at $222

   Some light cash cattle trade is developing in the South at $222, which is 
$3.00 lower than last week's weighted average.

ShayLe Stewart
DTN Livestock Analyst

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   The livestock complex is trading mostly lower into midday Friday as it's 
simply been a disappointing week where not enough fundamental support has 
appeared. Some light cash cattle trade is developing in the South at $222, 
which is $3.00 lower than last week's weighted average. December corn is up 4 
1/2 cents per bushel and December soybean meal is up $9.60. The Dow Jones 
Industrial Average is down 23.75 points and the NASDAQ is down 110.49 points.

LIVE CATTLE:

   The live cattle complex is trading lower as traders don't see much reason to 
support the contracts at this point in the week. Unfortunately, the lack of 
fundamental support this week has been a big hindrance, and the contracts are 
continuing to trade lower. October live cattle are down $1.57 at $211.35, 
December live cattle are down $1.67 at $213.12 and February live cattle are 
down $1.70 at $215.12. The cash cattle market is finally seeing some Southern 
trade develop at $222 live, which is $3.00 lower than the previous week's 
weighted average. Bids are also on the table in Nebraska at $218 live and $345 
dressed. At this point, the bulk of this week's trade is likely done.

   Boxed beef prices are mixed: choice down $4.97 ($376.39) and select up $2.81 
($362.00) with a movement of 81 loads (69.57 loads of choice, 3.70 loads of 
select, zero loads of trim and 7.30 loads of ground beef).

FEEDER CATTLE:

   The live cattle complex is also trading lower as it's late in the week and 
support has simply failed to develop. October feeders are down $1.52 at 
$316.55, November feeders are down $2.42 at $309.05 and January feeders are 
down $2.52 at $301.40. And it's highly unlikely at this point in the week that 
trades are going to change their mind and advance the contract ahead of 
Friday's close.

LEAN HOGS :

   The lean hog complex is trading mixed into midday Friday, with most of the 
nearby contracts trading lower while the deferred months are trading slightly 
higher. October lean hogs are down $0.25 at $80.37, December lean hogs are down 
$0.27 at $70.92 and February lean hogs are down $0.25 at $73.60. While yes, 
pork cutout values are higher, it's too little support, too late in the week to 
add any meaningful support. The projected lean hog index for 8/27/2026 is down 
$0.62 at $91.52, and the actual index for 8/26/2026 is down $0.28 at $92.14. 
Hog prices on the Daily Direct Morning Hog Report average $89.65, ranging from 
$85.50 to $94.00 on 2,112 head, with a five-day rolling average of $90.63. Pork 
cutouts total 159.56 loads, with 141.11 loads of pork cuts and 18.46 loads of 
trim. Pork cutout values: up $1.36, $95.16.

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




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