Hog slaughter finished last week at an estimated 1.74 million head, down 15 percent from a year ago levels. The slaughter is forecast to trend lower over the next six weeks, projected at 2.12 million head this week and to 2.53 million head on the week ending February 6^th. The next six weeks are forecast at an average of 2.47 million head per week, down 4.9 percent compared to year prior levels and down 2.2 percent compared to the prior six week average. The lower production figures should mix with the higher…