DTN Closing Livestock Comment 03/29 15:39

DTN Closing Livestock Comment 03/29 15:39 Sharp Losses in Hog Futures Friday Lean hog futures closed $2 to $4 per cwt Friday, raising concerns the pullback could continue in early April. Cattle futures also eroded Friday on pressure in most ag commodity markets. By Rick Kment DTN Analyst GENERAL COMMENTS: Lean hog futures were down triple digits Friday as traders adjusted markets at the end of the month and quarter. Wide price swings during March have created volatile markets. Cattle futures shifted moderately lower late Friday. From Friday to Friday, livestock futures scored the following changes: Apr LC off $4.02; Jun LC off $4.50; Apr FC off $3.55; May FC off $5.28; Apr LH off $0.95; May LH off $5.70. Cash cattle trade appears to be essentially done for the week, although there are rumors of limited trade developing in western Nebraska at $126.50 per cwt. The majority of needed trade developed Wednesday at $125 to $128 live and $204 to $206 dressed. Prices are generally $1 to $3 per cwt lower than last week. The National Daily Direct afternoon hog report was $0.48 lower ($68- $77.50, weighted average $74.89) on 5,992 head sold. Corn futures were lower in active trade following the USDA report with May down 17 cents per bushel. The Dow Jones Index was 151 points higher with the Nasdaq up 48 points.