Hide trading was active over the weekend with decent volume reported for Native Steers, Butt Branded Steers, Dairy Steers and Dairy Cows. Buyers in Asia are interested in purchasing material this week ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Covid-19 cases have risen in many parts of the world causing concern of more government lockdowns. 

For the week ending January 15th, 2022, cattle slaughter is forecast at 640,000 head, a 3.4 percent decline from 2020, a 0.8 percent increase from the previous week and a 0.6 percent drop from 2019. The potential for numbers below this forecast are likely due to reports of increased levels of absenteeism at several locations. According to the USDA Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection for December 25th, average live weights are currently at 1,396 pounds, three pounds down from the start of December and 15 pounds above the respective period for 2020. Over the next six weeks, cattle slaughter is projected to average 625,830 head per…