DTN Early Word Livestock Comments      12/01 06:27
   Traders Will Remain Cautious

   Live cattle felt the pressure Tuesday of the outside markets as greater
uncertainly surrounds the omicron virus strain. This may impact the level of
cash packers are willing to pay for cattle. Hogs again did some unwinding of
spreads with front-month December being the recipient of buying due to a nice
increase in cash.

Robin Schmahl
DTN Contributing Analyst

   Cattle: Higher        Futures: Mixed     Live Equiv:   $204.02 -$3.51*

   Hogs: Higher          Futures: Higher    Lean Equiv:    $93.51 -$1.01**

   *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:

   Tuesday was the second day of long liquidation as the uncertainty
surrounding the omicron virus variant and its impact on demand has traders
taking profits or limiting losses. The market had been overbought and in need
of a price correction on its own, but the news surrounding the omicron virus
variant triggered further liquidation. In the long run, it should not have much
impact as we can well remember the increase in demand for meat last year.
However, boxed beef prices plummeted Tuesday with choice down $5.90 and select
down $1.73. That may leave packers a bit more on the defensive this week. They
may still need to increase cash bids to procure cattle, but they may not be as
aggressive as last week. There continues to remain a strong demand for feeder
cattle as prices for calves and feeders were strong Tuesday.