DTN Closing Livestock Comment 04/02 15:40
   Bearish Market Tone Continues Thursday

   Expanded trading limits were hit in all livestock markets as active market
pressure developed across cattle and hog futures. The underlying weakness is
causing additional end of the week concerns in all sectors of the industry.

By Rick Kment
DTN Analyst



   GENERAL COMMENTS:

   Intense price pressure has swept through all livestock markets with expanded
limits adding to the downward pressure. Live cattle futures have fallen $9 per
cwt in the past two sessions as growing concerns of tumbling beef values and
demand erosion caused trader liquidation. Hog prices are lower once again on
the National Direct Afternoon Hog Report, down $3.76 with a weighted average of
$44.61 .May corn is down 1 1/2 cent per bushel and May soybean meal is down
$5.80. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 456.28 points and NASDAQ is up
82.84 points.