Cattle slaughter finished last week at 656,000 head, down 2 percent from a year ago and nearly flat with the week prior. This week, slaughter is projected out at 650,000 head, down 3 percent from last week. Over the next six weeks, slaughter is forecast at an average of 640,000 head, down an average of 0.2 percent from last year and up 9 percent compared to the prior six week average. The continued strong supply is going to keep negative price pressure on the market, but low prices should start to cure low prices by way of increased inclusion rates in July and an increase in export demand. 

Figure 1.