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LIVESTOCK-CME cattle futures fall as U.S. port strike continues

Chicago Mercantile Exchange animals futures fell on technical trading as the session ended on Thursday, according to experts, after trading both sides earlier in the day.

Standard CME December live livestock futures settled down 1.300 cents at 186.400 cents per pound. CME November feeder cattle futures ended down 0.425 cent at 248.125 cents per pound.

CME December lean hog futures lost 0.500 cent at 76.750 cents per pound, while neighboring October hogs ended up 1.175 cents at 84.175 cents. Earlier assistance originated from interest in the export market stemming from the dock workers strike in the U.S., said Don Roose, creator of U.S. Products.

The U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers are in the midst of their first large-scale strike in almost 50 years.

The strike, which entered its 3rd day on Thursday, stopped the flow of about half the nation's ocean shipping and has affected some beef and frozen seafood item imports, traders and industry members stated.

The longer it goes, the worse it is, stated Roose.

Like we say in the meat business - you either offer it or smell it, he stated.

Wholesale option beef prices likewise fell, adding pressure on cattle futures. The U.S. Department of Farming priced option cuts of boxed beef on Thursday at $299.49 per hundredweight

(source: Reuters)