Market Update 

Sellers reported an active week of hides sales, closing most markets at steady to $2/piece higher than last traded. The market was supported by automotive and furniture upholstery tanner demand and reduced hide supply.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Daily Livestock Slaughter report, week ending March 16, 2024, estimated cattle slaughter is forecasted at 601,000 head, 4.3 percent down from the same week last year. The year-to-date total is estimated at 6,533,936 head, 5.5% down from the same time last year.

Actual Slaughter by Classification

Table 1.

…