DTN Early Word Livestock Comments      09/10 06:11
   Livestock Futures Should Find Some Strength

   Live cattle and feeder cattle diverged without any specific reason for the
weakness in live cattle versus the strength in feeder cattle. Hog futures
closed lower, but December and later contracts closed near the highs of the day.

Robin Schmahl
DTN Contributing Analyst

   Cattle: Steady          Futures: Mixed      Live Equiv: $277.70 +$1.05*

   Hogs: Higher            Futures: Higher     Lean Equiv: $100.64 +$1.81**

   *Based on the formula estimating live cattle equivalent of gross packer
revenue. (The Live Cattle Equiv. The index has been updated to depict recent
changes in live cattle weights and grading percentages.)

   ** based on formula estimating lean hog equivalent of gross packer revenue.

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   The cattle market showed little fundamental direction. Live cattle could not
find solid footing to push futures into positive territory. No cash cattle have
traded, giving no indication of packer demand. The consensus is that cash may
be steady this week. Boxed beef prices were mixed, with choice up $3.20 and
select down $3.05. Mixed boxed beef prices have been common recently, keeping
traders cautious. Packers will not be anxious to buy aggressively as it is a
holiday-shortened week; they have some cattle purchased ahead and margins have
improved.