Sheep, Lambs,
Lamb Meat See
Price Decline

Dressed lamb carcass prices fell $5 across the board last week, starting a weak trend on live prices. Most slaughter lambs were $2-3 off. Feeder lambs in Texas were generally steady while Midwest markets were as much as $5 lower. Slaughter ewes lost a couple of dollars.

East Coast carlot lamb prices were $164.50-165 on 65 pounds and down and $169-170 on 65 pounds and up. The carcass cutout value declined 27 cents on lightweights at $200.24, and was off 55 cents on heavies at $203.26. Values are now $48 and $44 below those in late May.

Slaughter ewe exports to Mexico totaled 9050 head last week. Year to date volume through Monday was up 20 percent at 277,109 head.

Lamb and mutton imports the week ending August 12 were 1228 metric tons or 2.7 million pounds, the equivalent of 73 percent of domestic production that week.

Fairly good rains occurred over a large portion of West Texas during the weekend. The thirsty land readily absorbed the moisture after almost two months of hot and rain-free punishment. The drouth isn’t broken by a long shot, but the cool, wet period was a relief.

San Angelo had well over 20,000 head this week with 40-60 pound feeder lambs $94-98.50, 60-70 pounds $90-96, one lot $100, and 70-80 pounds $88-91. Fredericksburg feeders weighing 45-65 pounds made $90-104, 65-85 pounds $90-100. Goldthwaite lambs of 40-60 pounds brought $95-96, 60-80 pounds $84-94. Midwest markets had 40 pound feeders $86, 55-80 pounds $70-81.50, late mostly $70-75, 80-100 pounds $65-75. Billings lambs scaling 50-60 pounds were $75-85, 60-80 pounds $83.50-89, 80-90 pounds $81.50-87.50, 90-100 pounds $77.25-84.50, and 100-115 pounds $70.50-74.50.

Recent sales of feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas saw 60-70 pounds bring $90-93, 70-80 pounds $90-95, 80-90 pounds $88-92 and 90-95 pounds $85-88. Wyoming lambs were contracted for delivery through October at $89-91.53 on 75-85 pounds. Utah also contracted 85-95 pound lambs at $86-89, and 90 pound Montana lambs brought $83, 100 pounds $76. Washington quoted 100 pound feeders $82.25 and 115 pounds $78.

Fat lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-135 pounds brought $75-83.50, a few at $85. Fredericksburg fats made $85-95. Goldthwaite fats weighing 80-130 pounds were $85-89. Midwest markets had 110-120 pound fat lambs $64-70, 120-150 pounds $68-72. Billings lambs were $67.50.

Slaughter lambs moving direct from feedlot to packers in West Texas brought $82-84 on 120-145 pounds. Colorado contract lambs made $76-83 on 120-160 pounds, and Oregon called 120-125 pound fats $75. Midwest shorn lambs weighing 130-145 pounds moved direct to packers at $72-74, wooled $70-72.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $30-38, fleshy $40-51. Midwest ewes were $25-32.

San Angelo had 2-3 year-old stock ewes at $62.50-66 per head. Wyoming moved ewe lambs of 65-70 pounds at $100 cwt.