LIVESTOCK-CME cattle futures tick up after last week's screwworm fears

By Julie Ingwersen

CHICAGO, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ticked up on Tuesday after concerns last week that the New World screwworm parasite might cross the border from Mexico into the U.S. cattle herd. Those rumors were later debunked, analysts said.

CME February live cattle futures LCG26 settled up 0.225 cent at 232.375 cents per pound.

March feeder cattle futures FCH26 ended up 1.225 cents to finish at 356.450 cents per pound.

"Rumors on Friday about new world screwworm reaching the U.S. were false," said Doug Houghton, technical analyst at Brock Associates.

U.S. imports of Mexican cattle have been suspended since May due to the spread of screwworm south of the border. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told RFD-TV he expected the pest to reach the United States.

"It's going to be across the border. I hate to say it, but it's inevitable," Miller said in an interview released on Friday. The comments appeared to pressure cattle futures, with investors fearing the arrival of the parasite could hurt beef demand.

Hog futures fell 0.425 cent to 87.850 cents per pound after four consecutive sessions of gains. On Friday, several contract months notched life-of-contract highs. Houghton cited fund buying and demand sentiment among the factors behind the strength.

The USDA priced pork carcasses on Friday at $93.47 per hundredweight, down 0.73 cent since Monday.