September 1st

Leather and Hide Weekly

 

stay-strong

 

The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is available to support members navigating this rapidly evolving situation. The "Real Leather. Stay Different." Global Student Design Competition is nearing its end in Taiwan, as the talented finalists have successfully completed their product samples, which feature U.S. hides and leather. Online voting is currently underway, and LHCA members are encouraged to participate in the selection of the winner. LHCA member company representatives in Taiwan are also invited to attend an Awards Ceremony scheduled for September 8 in Taipei. Plus, LHCA announced it will hold its Annual Meeting virtually from October 21-23, 2020. More on these and other topics below.

We hope you stay safe and healthy.

 

cows

 

Weekly Hides and Skins Stats 

  • Net sales of cured cattle hides reported for the period ending August 20 were 403,100 pieces and of wet blue were 116,500 pieces. Reported shipments of cured hides were 473,400 and of wet blue were 90,800. China was the largest buyer of both cured hides and wet blues. See more. For historical data, click here. 
  • U.S. Cattle Slaughter was 654,000 last week, up 0.3 percent from the previous week. Total cattle slaughter in 2020 is 20,995,000, 4.8 percent below 2019 levels. See more.
  • USDA AMS Major Packer Hide Price Report provided prices for three types of U.S. hides at four price points with a spread of $12 for heavy Texas steers to $27 for butt branded steers.  See more.

Industry Updates

taiwan_collage_aug_2020

 

  • Mark your calendars -- LHCA will hold its Annual Meeting virtually from October 21-23, 2020. More details about the meeting, along with topics and presentations, will be shared in the coming weeks. Companies interested in sponsoring this event should contact Michael Schumpp. 
  • The "Real Leather. Stay Different." Global Student Design Competition is nearing its completion in Taiwan. LHCA sent a release last week announcing that the twenty-three students, who were selected to compete in the final round of competition in Taiwan, have successfully completed their product samples, which use U.S. hides and leather. A video tracing the competition is available here. The public is currently invited to vote for their favorite designs online here, though most of the content is not in English. A panel of judges, featuring brand designers, fashion designers, editors from Taiwan's fashion magazines and leather experts will then review and select final competition winners on September 8, 2020. LHCA and the Taiwan International Leather Association are working together to organize the Design Exhibition and Awards Ceremony, planned for September 7 and 8, respectively. Both events will take place at Taipei 101. Local government and industry association representatives, media, tanners and leather manufacturers, students and educators will be invited to both events to celebrate the sustainability, versatility, durability and beauty of real U.S. leather. Click here for more information. While travel restrictions will not allow LHCA staff to attend the event, all LHCA member representatives in Taiwan are invited to join the celebration. If your company's representatives would like to attend the event, email Jane Li.
  • Myron Bowling Auctioneers will conduct an industrial auction via webcast on September 28, 2020, for equipment from a leather tannery and goods manufacturer. For more information about the items available at auction, and to participate, click here.
  • The North American Meat Institute continues to share guidance documents and other resources for industry on its COVID-19 response webpage. The page includes the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding face coverings, employee screening and positive test result protocol, among other pertinent resources. CDC and the Department of Labor issued guidance specific to the meat and poultry processing industry in order to facilitate ongoing operations and support the food supply, while also mitigating the risk of spreading COVID-19. The guidance is available here.  

 

cows

 

Other Trade News

  • U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin participated in a regularly scheduled call with China's Vice Premier Liu He last week to discuss implementation of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. A brief readout of the call is available here, and emphasizes that both sides see progress and are committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure the success of the agreement.
  • Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced Taiwan would take steps to ease restrictions on imports of U.S. beef and pork, clearing one of the most significant obstacles to beginning free trade agreement talks with the U.S. Taiwan intends to adopt Codex-approved maximum residue levels for ractopamine in pork and eliminate the 30-month cattle age limit for beef. More here on the announcement.  

Latest Updates from Real Leather. Stay Different.

king_of_leather

 

Check out our interview with Michael Lombard, dubbed the "King of Leather," to find out how he earned that title. Lombard reveals details about his brand's unconventional apocalyptic punk aesthetic and his love of leather. Also, get the latest Real Leather. Stay Different. Global Student Design Competition news here. And, don't forget to:

Leather News

Each week, we will share relevant leather news below. Some of the articles may cover our products, and the industry, unfavorably, but we still believe it is important to share the different ways in which leather is presented in the media. If you find articles that you would like to see included, please send them to mschumpp@meatinstitute.org.