Harland M. Braun & Co. supplies an extensive variety of high quality North American raw hide materials to tanners. This supply includes cattle hides, kipskins, calfskins, pigskins and sowskins as well as wet blue grains and splits. This supply, along with the Braun & Co. sales staff that has over 120 years of experience in the hide and leather industry, provides the tanner with exceptional service and product. There is no question that through our relationship with JBS Packerland Group that Harland M. Braun & Co. is the #1 supplier of the highest quality U.S.A. produced Holstein Steer and Holstein Cow hides.

The Holstein Steer

JBS Packerland is the largest producer of U.S.A. origin Holstein steer beef and subsequently the largest supplier of Holstein steer hides. These hides are recognized throughout the international leather community as an excellent raw material source for the production of high quality shoe, upholstery, handbag and garment leather. The JBS PackerlandHolstein steer hide has achieved "preferable" status for tanners around the world.

Originating in Europe, the Holstein cattle breed was first introduced in America in 1852 when Holstein cows were imported for their outstanding milk production capabilities.

For more then 100 years in America, the bull calves, a by-product of the Holstein dairy industry, were either raised to be breeding bulls or sold off to veal producers.

Over the past 20 years, cattle feeders and meat packers have learned the value in taking these Holstein bull calves from dairy farms and placing them in feed lots for beef production. Holstein steers have a high growth potential compared to other cattle breeds. The Holstein steer, when mature, attains a larger size and can be fed to weigh as much as 1450 to 1500 pounds at the time of slaughter. Recent studies have determined that the steaks produced from the Holstein steer are highly desirable when compared against Angus or Hereford fed steers in both visual aspects and taste tests.

Typically, the Holstein steers are placed in feedlots as light-weight 250 to 350 pound calves. With a live weight gain of about 3 pounds per day, the average Holstein steer is on feed for about 1 year. When slaughtered, the average age of the Holstein steer is approximately 12 to 14 months and weighs about 1200 to 1300 pounds.