DTN Early Word Livestock Comments 02/01 06:15

DTN Early Word Livestock Comments 02/01 06:15 Cattle Futures Expected Higher -- Maybe Live cattle held the line with traders hesitant to push the market higher prior to the release of the inventory report. Feeder cattle did not hesitate to post gains due to lower corn. Hogs could not find aggressive buyer interest, leaving futures mixed at the end of the day as traders waited for some news. Robin Schmahl DTN Contributing Analyst Cattle: Higher Futures: Higher Live Equiv: $198.57 -$0.75* Hogs: Higher Futures: Higher Lean Equiv: $88.06 -$0.03** *Based on formula estimating live cattle equivalent of gross packer revenue. (The Live Cattle Equiv. 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: Even though the trade believed the Semi-Annual Cattle Inventory report would show reduced cow and calf numbers, they hesitated to push the market higher. They needed proof and waited for the report. The report supported what was anticipated. The beef cow herd totaled 28.918 million head, which was down 4.0% from a year ago. This was closely in line with what had been estimated and is the lowest beef cow herd on record. With the actual being near the estimated, the market may already have it factored in, leaving little reason for futures to increase very much. However, the initial reaction will likely see higher trade. Heifers for beef cow replacement declined 6.0%, totaling 5.164 million head. The 2022 calf crop totaled 34.465 million head, which was above the estimate of 34.173 million head. Boxed beef Tuesday was mixed with choice down $2.01 and select up $1.40. Cash did not trade with asking prices posted in the South at $158 and higher. Feeder cattle did not hesitate to move higher into the report and from the weakness of corn futures.