Showlists are larger in all regions except for Colorado.  Asking prices start the week at mostly $96.00 

live and $154 dressed. Some Kansas lots are asking only $95.00; Kansas has consistently been the weak- 

hand seller this summer.  There are no packer bids yet this week and some believe it will be at least 

Wednesday before things get going as packers asses the beef situation relative to the prospects for 

raising prices.  Still, we do look for at least token bids to surface today. 

The choice cutout was up $0.62 at $154.14 last night, with the select up $0.38 at $144.76.  Spot 

volume on select product was about in line with where it has been running, but choice volume was very 

strong.  Slaughter was down 4,000 head from last Monday and there is speculation that packers may 

keep the kill at a little slower pace to support beef prices.  Margins have come in fairly hard this week 

though they are still black. 

Cash hog market calls are called mostly steady, but with firmer undertones.  Packers still need a few 

hogs for the week despite plans for reduced slaughter this week.  A Midwest plant was dark Monday.  

One plant in the East will be dark today, and three plants are considering taking down-time on Friday.  

Current plans are for only 18,000 head or so on Saturday, so the total for the week could drop to 1.95 

mill head.  Coincidentally, that is right in line with where we had put the kill this week based on 

available hog numbers.  It is likely that that larger than expected kill last week pulled a few numbers 

ahead.