LIVESTOCK-CME cattle futures rise on stronger cash market

By Heather Schlitz

CHICAGO, March 12 (Reuters) - Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures ticked up on Wednesday on a stronger cash market, which was driven by higher boxed beef values and feeder auction sales, analysts said.

However, recession fears have continued to loom amid U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war and chaotic trade policy, raising fears that consumers will no longer be willing to pay up for pricey beef.

"I'm really worried about what's going to happen," Dennis Smith, broker at Archer Financial Services, said. "The markets and dollar and crude oil and bonds are telling me we're headed straight into a recession."

CME April live cattle LCJ25 settled up 1.85 cents at 201.4 cents per pound. CME April feeder cattle futures FCJ25 settled up 3.025 cents at 280.725 cents per pound.

Cash cattle markets have continued an upward trend, partially driven by resilient wholesale beef demand. However, Smith cautioned that consumers may not tolerate high beef prices for long.

"Retail beef prices are at a record high, and consumers are starting to push back," Smith said.

CME's April lean hog contract LHJ25 settled down 0.50-cent to 86.50 cents per pound.

A lower-than-expected number of slaughter-ready hogs and strong demand have supported hog futures.