The US hide market had a quite tone to begin the trading week. Sellers commented that current price levels were satisfactory for the majority of their buyers at the end of last week. More business is expected as the week progresses in attempt to obtain material before the US takes their Thanksgiving holiday break next week. 

For the week ending November 20^th, 2021, cattle slaughter is forecast at 660,000 head, a 0.9 percent decrease from 2020, a 0.8 percent increase from the previous week and a 1.2 percent drop from 2019. Labor declines have limited the possible upside for production in the fourth quarter, even with adequate market ready cattle. According to the USDA Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection for October 30^th, average live weights are currently at 1,380 pounds, steady from the start of October and 12 pounds under the respective period for 2020. Over the next six weeks, cattle slaughter is projected to average 608,330 head per week,…