1.   A higher slaughter indicates supplies of hogs are readily available, allowing meatpackers to lower their bids.

2.   Even with the weakening demand, farmers are bringing more hogs to market, enabling meatpackers to lower bids for the animals, traders said.

3.   The ample supplies allow meatpackers to lower bids, traders said.

4.   The increased slaughter rate indicates that supplies of market-ready hogs are ample, allowing meatpackers to lower their bids.