Beef futures firm as screwworm fears fade - CME
Hog futures slip after rally as pork values ease
21 January 2026
1 minute read
By: Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) ticked up on Tuesday after concerns last week that the New World screwworm parasite might cross the border from Mexico into the US cattle herd. Those rumours were later debunked, Reuters reported, citing analysts.
CME February live cattle futures settled up 0.225 cent at 232.375 cents per pound.
March feeder cattle futures ended up 1.225 cents to finish at 356.450 cents per pound.
"Rumours on Friday about new world screwworm reaching the US were false," said Doug Houghton, technical analyst at Brock Associates.
US 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.
