DTN Closing Livestock Comment 04/01 15:51

DTN Closing Livestock Comment 04/01 15:51 Export Bullishness Boosts Hog Prices The consistently higher trend in pork and lean hog prices continued unabated through the end of this trading week. Cattle futures prices had more of a wobble alongside volatility in the feed grains markets. Though futures trading is done for the week, cash cattle trade may still be headed for a Friday showdown. Elaine Kub Contributing Analyst GENERAL COMMENTS: Lean hog futures led the gains in the livestock market Thursday, boosted by a massive weekly export-sales report and consistent willingness from pork customers to meet ever-higher price tags. This is true for beef customers, too, and although live cattle and feeder cattle futures ended the day mixed, these markets remain bullishly supported. Hog prices closed higher on the National Direct Afternoon Hog Report, up $1.05 with a weighted average of $96.70 on 5,500 head. The week's cash cattle trade hasn't been fully figured out yet Thursday afternoon, although some cattle traded in the South (Kansas) at $117, which was $2 higher than last week's weighted average. May corn closed down 4 1/2 cents per bushel at $5.59 3/4 and May soybean meal closed down $13 per ton at $410.20. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 171.66 points and NASDAQ is up 238.08 points.