HOG AND CATTLE SLAUGHTER GUESSTIMATES Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor traders and commission house representatives are guesstimating today's hog slaughter at about 290,000 to 310,000 head versus 309,000 week ago and 328,000 a year ago. Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 128,000 to 131,000 head versus 129,000 week ago and 127,000 a year ago.