Hog slaughter finished last week at an estimated 2.71 million head, up 0.57 percent from a year ago levels. The slaughter is forecast to trend higher over the next six weeks, projected at 2.73 million head this week and to 2.8 million head on the week ending December 19^th. The next six weeks are forecast out at an average of 2.708 million head, which is up 1 percent from the prior six week average. The increase is significant considering the Thanksgiving holiday is factored into the forecasted average over the next six weeks….