Cattle slaughter finished last week at an estimated 555,000 head, the highest weekly total since the week ending April 4^th. Slaughter is projected lower this week, due to the Monday holiday but is forecast to cross back above the 600,000 head mark next week. Slaughter over the next six weeks (which includes the July 4 holiday week) is forecast at an average of 600,000 head, up 24 percent from the prior six week average.