U-S hog slaughter was up slightly last week.
The University of Missouri's Ron Plain says it came in at 2 point 29 million head, up almost a full percent from the week before and 6 point 8 per cent higher than the same week last year.
His weekly hog outlook says the average live slaughter wieght of barrows and gilts in Iowa-Minnesota last week was up about half a pound from the previous week, but down 4 and a half pounds from a year ago.
The University of Missouri economist says that's the 28th consecutive week with slaughter weights lighter than last year.
Plain reports the U-S national negotiated barrow and gilt price last Friday was $69.82 per hundredweight - one cent lower than it was the week before.