Raw materials


Colorado steers 60 –


50 – 40 – 30 – 20 – 10 – 0


1020304050 Weeks


Dairy cows 45 –


35 –


2021 2022 2023 2024


25 –


2021 2022 2023 2024


Placements by weight category included 390,000 head under 600lbs, 265,000 head between 600-699lbs, 385,000 head between 700-799lbs, 387,000 head between 800-899lbs, 200,000 head between 900-999lbs, and 75,000 head over 1,000lbs.


Marketings of fed cattle for July reached 1.86 million head, an 8% increase from the previous year, reflecting strong market activity as demand for beef remained high. Other disappearance, which includes deaths and other removals, totalled 56,000 head, a 14% decline from July 2023, suggesting improved feedlot efficiency. Overall, the report highlights steady growth in placements and marketings, with feedlot inventories maintaining slightly higher levels compared to last year.


Hide market 15 – 5 – 0


1020304050 Weeks


Heavy native heifers 50 –


40 –


2021 2022 2023 2024


30 –


The hide market continued to grapple with oversupply issues, as slaughter rates consistently exceeded sales throughout August and September 2024. Federally inspected slaughter numbers remained high, averaging around 600,000 head per week, with the week ending 3 August seeing 593,000 head processed. However, combined export sales and domestic consumption fell short of this figure, totalling 444,800 pieces, leaving a surplus of 148,200 hides. This pattern of slaughter exceeding sales persisted, with the week ending 28 September recording 612,000 head slaughtered, while combined sales reached only 503,200 pieces, resulting in a surplus of 108,800 hides.


20 –


The steady supply of hides put pressure on the market, particularly as international demand fluctuated. In early August, the market faced challenges from declining sales of raw hides and wet blues, with low bids from international buyers leading to fewer transactions. Despite these headwinds, the market showed some resilience, particularly in categories like Heavy Texas Steers and Butt Branded Steers, which held firm prices throughout the period. However, Branded Steers and Heifers faced some softening, with prices for Branded Steers dropping to $21 per piece by late September. The wet blue market also faced challenges, with


10 – 0


1020304050 Weeks


Heavy native cows 40 –


30 –


2021 2022 2023 2024


20 –


sales and shipments lagging behind earlier levels. In September, net sales of wet blues averaged 75,400 pieces per week, down from the August average of 124,375. Despite this, shipments were up by 2% for the week ending 19 September. However, the overall trend suggested the wet blue segment remained under pressure, with buyers showing caution in making large purchases.


10 – 0 – 0


1020304050 Weeks


As the market moved into the final quarter, stakeholders remained cautiously optimistic about the prospects for recovery. Sellers continued to resist lower bids, particularly in more resilient categories like Heavy Steers, while buyers remained cautious in the face of uncertain economic conditions. High slaughter rates and fluctuating demand left the market in a state of cautious stability, with little expectation of significant price movements in the short term. ●


18 Leather International / www.leathermag.com


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