Lard traded higher late Friday afternoon, which is reflected in today’s price guide. The market was mostly quiet, offers on BFT were reported at 49 & 50 cents Chicago with steady with the last traded price.

Hog slaughter finished last week at 2.642 million head, up 8.6 percent from the winter weather week prior. Production is forecast to pick up over the next four weeks ahead of the Eastern holiday, but projected to fall into April. Over the next six weeks, hog slaughter is forecast at 2.613 million head, down 1.4 percent from last year’s levels. Time…