October 20

Leather and Hide Weekly

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. LHCA will hold its Annual Meeting this week virtually from October 21-23, 2020. The event will include Board of Directors and Committee meetings, along with insightful updates about LHCA's global marketing campaign, Real Leather. Stay Different., and thoughtful presentations about leather's sustainability from leading experts. Special thanks to our sponsors (listed in the Annual Meeting Spotlight section of this newsletter) who have made this meeting possible. More on the Annual Meeting and other topics below.

We hope you stay safe and healthy.

 

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Weekly Hides and Skins Stats 

  • Net sales of cured cattle hides reported for the period ending October 8 were 379,800 pieces and of wet blue were 107,300 pieces. Reported shipments of cured hides were 447,900 and of wet blue were 128,100. China was the largest buyer of cured hides and Italy was the largest destination for wet blues. See more. For historical data, click here. 
  • U.S. Cattle Slaughter was 654,000 last week, up 2.7 percent from the previous week. Total cattle slaughter in 2020 is 25,467,000, 3.9 percent below 2019 levels. See more.
  • USDA AMS Major Packer Hide Price Report provided prices for six types of U.S. hides at seven price points with a spread of $18.50 for branded heifers to $36 for heavy native steers.  See more.

LHCA Annual Meeting Spotlight

  • Mark your calendars -- LHCA will hold its Annual Meeting virtually from October 21-23, 2020. 
  • Thank you to our sponsors: Buckman, Cargill Meat Solutions, Hidenet, Hutchinson Salt Co., Norseman, Sprint Forwarders Inc, theSauerReport and The Jacobsen, Tyson Fresh Meats, Western Ag Enterprises, and World Leather Magazine and LeatherBiz.com. 
  • A draft meeting agenda is available here. The following sessions require registration, and links are provided below. Registration is free. Please note, Committee meetings are open to all current LHCA Producer and Associate member companies. The General Session is open to all meeting participants.  
    • General Session, Friday, October 23, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. CT - Register here.
    • Marketing and Sustainability Committee, Wednesday, October 21, 3-4:30 p.m. CT. - Register here.
    • Hides and Skins Committee Meeting, Thursday, October 22, 10:30-11:30 a.m. CT. - Register here.
    • Tanner and Environmental Committee Meeting, Thursday, October 22, 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT.  - Register here.

Industry Updates

  • The International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS) announced that it is extending the deadline to receive applications to its Young Leather Scientist Grant program until November 30, 2020. The IULTCS made this decision due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Young research talents are encouraged to submit innovative research project ideas in three categories: Leather Research, Machinery/Equipment and Sustainability. Learn more about the grant program here. 
  • NSW Leather Co., the largest leather wholesaler in Australia, is looking for U.S. suppliers of hair-on products, primarily deer skins (chital deer and axis deer). More information about the company can be found here and here. Interested parties should contact Ian Fischl. 
  • 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.  

Latest Updates from Real Leather. Stay Different.

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Did you catch the release of our new international campaign highlighting the natural, sustainable, durable qualities of leather? The first video, featuring stunning vistas and striking imagery, can be viewed here. Get the latest news from Real Leather. Stay Different. here. And, don't forget to:

Other Trade News

  • Negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom on a post-Brexit trade agreement remain stalled, as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK should prepare for a year-end withdrawal from the EU without a formal agreement. European Commission leaders, however, emphasized their negotiating team will be in London this week in an effort to intensify discussions. More here. 

Latest Drought Monitor - October 13, 2020

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A dry pattern continued this week over large portions of the continental United States, with a few exceptions begin areas impacted by Hurricane Delta or its remnants, parts of the Upper Midwest and middle Missouri River Valley, and parts of the Northeast. In areas of the Northeast that received an inch or two of rain, some improvements were made in the ongoing drought areas there. As a storm system and associated cold front brought showers and thunderstorms to parts of the Middle and Upper Missouri River Valley and to the Upper Midwest, some improvements were made to ongoing drought there. Abnormal dryness abated in a few areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, which received copious rainfall from Hurricane Delta. Degradations or persistence of ongoing drought was common in parts of the Midwest, Great Plains and West that received little or no precipitation this week. Temperatures this week were warmer than normal across most of the Lower 48. The central Great Plains and middle Missouri River Valley were the warmest compared to normal, with temperatures from 9 to 12 degrees above normal common. New England experienced milder conditions this week, with a few below-normal readings in northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. 

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.