1.   A rise in the hog birth rate this spring will eventually lead to an increase in the number of hogs reaching slaughter weight, analysts said.

2.   It takes about three to four months on high-protein feed for feeder cattle to reach slaughter weight, analysts said.

3.   Since cattle spend about four months on feed before reaching slaughter weight, feedlot operators will have to buy more corn over the next several months.

4.   Forecasts for ranchers were a combination of lower lamb slaughter weights and lower cattle kill weights.