Livestock Futures Sharply Higher

Friday's USDA cattle slaughter was 105,000 head versus 111,000 last year. Live cattle futures closed sharply higher Friday after a confirmed case of mad cow disease was found in Canada. Trading was firm and choppy. April live cattle settled at 153.30, up 2.17. June live cattle settled at 146.20, up 2.32. Lean hogs were sharply higher from the spillover buying. April hogs settled at 66.15 up 1.65. June hogs settled at 80.37 up 1.87. Trading was firm and choppy on Friday. Cash hogs are still sloppy and weak. Hogs closed off the highs of the day. Some buying was seen in June and July hogs. Friday's USDA hog slaughter was 425,000 head versus 422,000 last year.