DTN Closing Livestock Comment 02/18 16:12
   Steady Gains Through Closing Tuesday

   Closing the day with another strong close helps keep the overall morale of
the livestock markets high.

By ShayLe Stewart
DTN Livestock Analyst



   GENERAL COMMENTS:

   All three sectors were able to close the day higher and secure more market
position and interest through closing Tuesday. The feeder cattle and lean hogs
markets were the most optimist, but the live cattle contracts weren't far
behind and look for higher cash prices later this week. Hog prices close higher
on the National Direct Afternoon Hog Report, up $2.05 with a weighted average
of $50.05. March corn is up 5 1/4 cents per bushel and March soybean meal is up
$1.10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 165.89 points and NASDAQ is up
1.56 points.