Live Cattle Futures Higher

April live cattle is trading at 118.05, up 0.47 cents/lb. June live cattle is trading at 108.00, up 0.50 cents/lb. Live cattle futures are trading higher just after the open. Chatter about cash prices ahead and consumer demand impacts from the late winter storm on the east coast is making the rounds. Friday's USDA cattle slaughter was 104,000 head versus 101,000 head a year ago. Saturday's USDA cattle slaughter was estimated to be 29,000 head versus 9,000 head a year ago. The total cattle slaughter for last week was 587,000 head versus 543,000 head a year ago.