The U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association (USHSLA) applauded a new report issued by the U.S. cattle industry, highlighting continued improvements in cattle hide quality in recent years. The report, which tracks U.S. cattle and beef industry quality statistics over time, found that in 2016, nearly three quarters of all harvested steer and heifer beef animals did not contain any hot-iron branding marks. Of those that were branded, the majority were located on the butt of the animal, which is the hide and leather industry’s preferred location for branding.
"The positive findings in the recent Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) report are a testament to the U.S. cattle industry’s concerted efforts to improve producer value and returns to all sectors of the beef industry,” said USHSLA President Stephen Sothmann. “The data reveals a major shift in the U.S. beef herd, as U.S. cattle producers have become increasingly aware that their branding decisions can have a major impact on the overall economic value of the animal."