The US hide market begins the week with little activity, but US sellers have received some interest from tanners in China and Mexico. Small volume of Heavy Texas steers were traded $1 higher for packer material. Business with buyers in Asia is likely to be slow this week due to Lunar New Year celebrations, but the early week interest suggests buyers are willing to buy material at discounted price levels. Last week, several sellers commented that there was a lot of bidding activity, but booking volumes remain uncertain as of press time. 

For the week ending February 5^th, 2022, cattle slaughter is forecast at 645,000 head, a 1.1 percent drop from 2021, only slightly higher from the previous week and a 2.2 percent growth over 2020. According to the USDA Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection for January 15^th, average live weights are currently at 1,400 pounds, 7 pounds up from the start of December and three pounds down from the respective period…