Abstract

Over 600 cattle hides derived from breeding trials operated by the Meat and Livestock Commission have been characterised in terms of area, weight and thickness. The hides were commercially processed into side leather and the physical properties determined. To a first approximation physical properties are more a function of original hide thickness than breed or age of slaughter. Some tentative forecasts have been made on the way in which changes in the composition of the UK cattle population might influence hide availability.