Live Cattle futures lower

Monday's USDA cattle slaughter was 110,000 head versus a year ago at 106, 000 head. April Live Cattle settled at 154.00, down 0.65. June Live cattle settled at 146.15, down 0.95. Trading was very choppy on Monday. Live cattle futures traded firm early on and moved to unchanged during the session and traded steady and choppy. Near the end of the day selling came in and pressured prices lower. Chatter about better weather leading to improved demand and firm cash prices was making the rounds early on. Market talk about demand impacts from lower priced protein was making the rounds late in the day and the close was soft.