The US hide market began the week with further discussion of price decreases. Cattle hide production continue to be elevated and supply chain problems remain unchanged. Auto tanners reported very limited business because of the limited need to purchase material while the rest of the auto supply chain is backed up. Auto tanner forecasts look to decline throughout the rest of this year. 

For the week ending October 16th, 2021, cattle slaughter is forecast at 650,000 head, a 1.3 percent decrease from 2020; a 1.1 percent drop from the previous week but still a 1.1 percent gain from 2019. According to the USDA Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection for September 25th, average live weights are currently at 1370 pounds, 9 pounds higher from the start of September and 18 pounds below the respective period for 2020. Over the next six weeks, cattle slaughter is forest to average 648,330 head per week, 0.18 percent higher than the prior six-week average. While the seasonal…