Hide prices traded close to steady levels today, while leather demand in the upholstery industry continues to be firm. Light weight heavy native steers (HNS-L) traded down $0.50 while the heavy weight (HNS-H) traded up $0.50 from yesterday’s levels. Heavy weight butt branded steers (BBS-R) traded to match the lightweight category, raising $0.50. Heavy weight Colorado branded steers (CBS-H) fell $1 while the jumbo weight (CBS-J) increased $1. Northern branded cows also dipped $1 which is closer to the range from prior in the week. The underlying demand for the auto and furniture sectors have continued driving hide prices up, but footwear is still struggling. As reported to the Jacobsen, many footwear tanners are staying out of the hide market as there is still sufficient inventory from the slow business in the spring and summer.

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