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 305,000 head versus 307,000 week ago and 311,000 a year ago. Cattle slaughter is guesstimated at about 124,000 to 128,000 head versus 127,000 week ago and 126,000 a year ago.