DTN Early Word Opening Livestock       09/07 05:15
   Meat Futures to Open Post Holiday Business With Mixed Prices

   Live and feeder cattle futures should start out with mixed prices as traders
cautiously assess cash prospects. The pork complex is also expected to open
with a lack of consistent price direction.

By John Harrington
DTN Livestock Analyst

Cattle: Cash Steady-$1 HR      Futures Mixed       Live Equiv $111.59 - .29*
Hogs:   Cash Steady-.50 HR     Futures Mixed       Lean Equiv $97.42 -$1.08**
*   new formula estimating live cattle equivalent of gross packer revenue
**  new formula estimating lean hog equivalent of gross packer revenue

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   Cattle feeders are hoping the post-holiday cash trade will quickly shift
into recovery gear. Nearby board premiums will certainly encourage sellers to
price showlists higher and dig their heels deeper in that regard (i.e., $99 to
$100 in the South, $155 to $156-plus in the North). The offering could be
somewhat larger than last week. On the other hand, packer appetite should also
be bigger as the slaughter schedule steps back toward full production. The real
strength of holiday clearance will probably mean the difference between steady
feedlot sales and some prove improvement. Look for significant trade volume to
develop tomorrow and/or Thursday. Cattle futures are likely to start Tuesday
morning on a mixed basis as specs and commercials assess cash prospects.