DTN Early Word Opening Livestock       05/17 06:25
   Limited Activity Expected Friday

   Market activity is expected to remain sluggish through most of the Friday
session with a combination of follow-through buying met with end-of-week
positioning following underlying support moving into the complex the last
couple of days.

By Rick Kment
DTN Analyst



Cattle: Steady  Futures: Mixed   Live Equiv $143.69 -0.04*
Hogs:   Steady  Futures: Higher  Lean Equiv $ 91.14 -0.68**

*   based on formula estimating live cattle equivalent of gross packer revenue
** based on formula estimating lean hog equivalent of gross packer revenue

GENERAL COMMENTS:

   Most cash business is expected to be wrapped up for the week following light
to moderate trade seen in all areas over the last two days. Late day trade
Thursday sparked activity in the North with dressed trade seen at $185 per cwt.
This is generally $7 per cwt lower than last week. Live trade was seen around
$114 to $117 per cwt through the week, with prices generally $3 per cwt lower.
The tone of the market is likely set, and any clean up activity is likely to
fall within previous market ranges which developed Wednesday and Thursday.
Futures trade is expected mixed to mostly higher as end-of-week follow-through
support is looking forward to increased market support as traders build on the
gains over the last couple of sessions. Feeder cattle trade still remains weak,
leaving the door open for increased market swings despite recent attempts to
solidify buying interest in all cattle trade.