Three cars of technical tallow traded higher on a Chicago basis today. Two cars of packer bleachable fancy tallow traded at steady prices as did two cars of lard.

Hog slaughter finished last week at an estimated 2.54 million head, down 9.8 percent from year prior levels and down 2.1 percent from the week prior. Over the next six weeks, slaughter is forecast to average 2.52 million head per week, falling from 2.55 million head this week to 2.48 million head the week ending May 1^st. The slower slaughter is expected to tighten up lard and choice white grease production through Aprill. The slowing production adds risk for higher prices to the…