Profiteers stepped in on the open following pork cutout's drop Wednesday and that day's steep futures climb. Prospective bulls were at first uncomfortable about buying February and April because of their bearish premiums to CME's hog index.

And, distant hog contracts' jump to new contract highs Wednesday triggered early selling Thursday.

Nevertheless, front months recovered as bargain hunters warmed to February and April's oversold chart situations. Areas of cash firmness spurred February/April bull spreads. And, back month hog traders who were "bulled up" by Wednesday's CBOT corn surge scrambled to protect their positions.

However, February deteriorated as the session wore on due to mostly lower midday direct cash hog returns, technical resistance and funds that accelerated their Goldman roll efforts.

Country hog buyers anticipate a mostly steady to possibly weak cash hog trade on Friday.

Processors are combing through supplies that were backed up on farms during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. But, the prospect of steady cash money is a sign to some that packers may need hogs next week.