LIVESTOCK-CME cattle recover on hopes for improved US slaughter rates

By Tom Polansek

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle and feeder cattle futures rose on Friday in a modest rebound from recent losses.

Hopes for improving demand from U.S. meatpackers and higher beef prices supported the recovery, traders said, after futures and cash prices have retreated from record highs fueled by tight supplies.

"It's been a quick fall from grace, led by a sharp pullback in packer slaughter rates and soft beef markets, both of which do show some signs of stabilizing now," brokerage StoneX said in a note.

April live cattle futures LCJ25 closed up 0.15 cent at 193.95 cents per pound. The contract has tumbled 6.6% from its high on January 28.

March feeder cattle FCH25 ended 1.125 cents higher at 267.95 cents per pound but are down 4.2% from last month's peak.

U.S. cattle inventories are at their lowest levels in 74 years and beef prices are high after ranchers slashed their herds because drought burned up lands used for grazing.

However, recent supply concerns have eased as Washington allowed Mexico to resume cattle shipments to the United States that were blocked. U.S. President Donald Trump also delayed tariffs that could have disrupted imports from Mexico and Canada.

About 2% more cattle were placed into U.S. feedlots in January than a year earlier, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a monthly report issued after trading ended.

High cash prices and relatively low costs for grain used for livestock feed encouraged producers to put more cattle into feedlots, said Rich Nelson, chief strategist for brokerage Allendale.

"There's an aggressive feeling to get the cattle into feedlots now, and not yet hold and start expansion just yet," he said.

U.S. meatpackers slaughtered an estimated 107,000 cattle on Friday, up from 100,000 cattle a week ago, according to USDA. Slaughter rates were below the previous week earlier this week.

Boxed beef prices fell for choice and select cuts.

In CME's lean hog market, April futures LHJ25 finished down 0.85 cent at 87.675 cents per pound and set their lowest price since February 4.