LIVESTOCK-CME cattle inch higher in light trade

By Heather Schlitz

CHICAGO, Dec 26 (Reuters) - Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures turned higher on Friday, though trade remained extremely thin following Thursday's Christmas holiday and ahead of the weekend.

Many traders have exited out of the market ahead of the year's end.

CME February live cattle LCG26 settled 1.1 cents higher at 229.65 cents per pound. March feeder cattle FCH26 settled 1.625 cents higher at 340.425 cents per pound.

Choice cuts of beef fell $3.33 to $351.29 per hundredweight, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data as of Friday morning. Select cuts fell 50 cents to $345.25 per cwt.

In the new year, traders will continue to closely assess consumer demand for beef. Consumers have reported feeling stretched thin as the cost of living rises and could pull back on purchasing beef, which is generally the priciest protein.

CME benchmark February lean hog futures LHG26 fell 0.525 cent to 84.525 cents per pound.

Wholesale pork cutout prices were higher. The USDA reported on Wednesday morning that pork carcasses were up $6.10 to $99.76 per cwt, with ham and belly prices also rising.