Lamb Prices
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To Climb

Lamb meat prices have shown some strength every week this year. Live lambs likewise continue to move higher.

The first lightweight carcass prices of the year on the East Coast were quoted last week with weights under 45 pounds at $206.50-211.50. That’s $40 more than anything else. California prices have reached up to $235 on those weights.

East Coast prices were called steady to $5 higher with weights 45-65 pounds $166.50-171.50, 65-75 pounds $161.50, 75-85 pounds $158.50, and over 85 pounds $148.50.

Cutout values were $7 higher with weights 65 pounds and down $193.30, 65 pounds and up $191.

The lamb pelt market was a little stronger with fall shorn and No. 1 pelts $8-11, No. 2 $6-7.50 and No. 3-4 $5-6.

Slaughter ewes were a little higher. Exports to Mexico last week totaled 4856 head.

Lamb and mutton passed for entry into the country the last week of 2000 was 932 metric tons, or around 2.05 million pounds. The volume for the year was 58,629 metric tons, or near 129 million pounds.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 60-85 pounds brought $110-117, a few up to $120, 90-100 pounds $92-98, a few $102-103. Fredericksburg lambs of 40-80 pounds were $110-130. Goldthwaite lambs made $100-114 on 40-60 pounds. Junction called 50-70 pound lambs $115-122. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pounds $95-105 and 80-105 pounds $80-85. Billings lambs weighing 65-70 pounds brought $119-124, 70-75 pounds $109.50-120, 80-90 pounds $96.75-111, 90-100 pounds $94.25-98, and 100-115 pounds $87.50-95.50.

Feeder lambs weighing around 70 pounds moved direct in West Texas at $115-120. Colorado feeders of 115 pounds scored $81, and 110-125 pound Utah lambs were $80.

Fat lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-135 pounds brought $81-89, 135-160 pounds $76-78. Fredericksburg fats of 80-95 pounds were 102-112.50, 95-135 pounds $78-89. Goldthwaite lambs weighing 65-130 pounds went for $75-85 with a few at $109.50. Midwest markets had shorn fat lambs $74-81.25, wooled $71-82.

Fat lambs weighing 130-145 pounds moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers made $79-80, and Colorado had 140 pound fats at $82 with a 40-cent slide, 160 pounds $76.50-76.75. Contract lambs there were $68-75 on 125-180 pounds. Kansas moved fat lambs scaling 145 pounds at $80.75. South Dakota had 135-140 pound lambs $77-80 and 150-160 pounds $74-76. Wyoming fats weighing 125-140 pounds were $81. Oregon moved 135-140 pound lambs for $80, Utah fats of 120-135 pounds brought $78-80, again with a 40-cent slide over 130 pounds, and California lambs of 125-140 pounds brought $80-83. Midwest lambs moved direct at $78-80.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo were $45-55, fleshy $54-63. Midwest markets had ewes $30-48.50, and Billings ewes made $41-47.

Yearling stock ewes in Texas brought $105-120 per head. Ewes with lambs in San Angelo went back to the country at $60-62 each.