Limited trade was reported for the start of the week with most participants testing values or monitoring CME prices, which continue to remain volatile.

For the week ending May 13^th, 2022, cattle slaughter is forecast at 635,000 head, a 2.5 percent decrease from 2022 but a 1.9 percent increase from last week. Over the next six weeks, cattle slaughter is projected to average 635,830 head per week, a 2.6 drop from 2022 and a 0.3 percent decrease from 2021 levels for the particular time. As mid-May approaches, slaughter levels are forecasted to remain relative in a range of 635-640 thousand head a week, though, the upcoming Memorial Day weekend has slaughter levels dropping to levels similar to last year. According to the USDA Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection for April 22^nd, average live weights are currently at 1,353 pounds, 21 pounds lower than the start of March and 23 pounds under than respective period for 2022.

Based on the Estimated…