Economist tells cattlemen it will be tough in 2010

Eds: APNewsNow. UPDATES with comment from meeting; Brownback cancels appearance; Will be led.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- A leading cattle market expert says the livestock market is going to continue to be tough next year.

Randy Blach, an economist for CattleFax, spoke Friday at the Kansas Livestock Association meeting in Wichita.

He says he does not expect the market to change much and urged cattlemen to take advantage of any narrow profit margins they can find.

Blach says despite the difficult times for the industry in the last few years, many people are still making money.

About 800 cattlemen attended the annual convention. Sen. Sam Brownback canceled a scheduled appearance.