Weekly cattle slaughter figures provided by the USDA have shown slaughter rates decline to record low seasonal levels over recent weeks. May 2^nd week ending slaughter figures are expected to decline to levels just over 50% of maximum historical slaughter capacity based on currently available daily figures. Slaughter figures have declined over recent weeks following the closure of several packing plants stemming from worker illnesses related to COVID-19. President Trump recently signed an executive order announcing his use of the Defense Production Act to order meat processing plants to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains unclear how quickly slaughter rates will rebound following the re-opening of several packing plants.