Cattle slaughter finished last week at 653,000 head, down 1.5 percent from a year ago and up 0.9 percent relative to the year prior. Slaughter is forecast out this week at 655,000 head before dropping to 575,000 head the week of the Thanksgiving holiday. Production over the next six weeks is forecast at an average of 610,000 head, down 5.5 percent from the prior six weeks and 1.5 percent from year ago levels. The lower slaughter numbers are expected to cut back on the ruminant MBM and blood meal supply in the market. Buyers and sellers are likely getting end of year books in place,…