The markets were rangebound Monday on limited trade reports. 

For the week ending March 2, 2024, cattle slaughter is forecast at 600,000 head, 4.1 percent down from 2023 but 1.2 percent higher than last week. Over the next six weeks, cattle slaughter is expected to average 611,670 head per week, 2.5 percent lower than 2023 for the respective time. Fig. 1

The Estimated Weekly Meat Production from the USDA pegged cattle slaughter for week ending February 24 at 593,000 head, 3.4 percent lower than the respective week in 2023. Year-to-date cattle slaughter was estimated at 4.758 million head, 5.4 percent lower than 2023 for the same time. Production levels, 2024 year-to-date, were at…