HOG AND CATTLE SLAUGHTER GUESSTIMATES Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor traders and commission house representatives are guesstimating today's hog slaughter at about 295,000 to 308,000 head versus 305,000 week ago and 308,000 a year ago. Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 128,000 to 132,000 head versus 130,000 week ago and 126,000 a year ago.