Sheep, Lamb
Prices Find
Some Strength

For the most part, sheep and lamb prices were steady this week, though some strength could be seen in the Midwest markets and on feeder lambs in Billings.

The carcass lamb trade is another thing. Prices now being reported by USDA are f.o.b. the plant and they really run the gamut. In the Central report, including Colorado, Iowa and Texas, prices were little changed except that heavies lost a few dollars. Weights 40-55 pounds were mainly $120-132, 55-85 pounds $112-131 and over 85 pounds $93.50-106.50.

On the national report 45-55 pound carcasses went up to $185; those, of course, are on the East and West coasts where most of the lamb is consumed. They did quote 2200 yield grade 5 carcasses from $50 to $70, most of them weighing over 85 pounds and probably some over 100 pounds.

There were 825 metric tons, or around 1.8 million pounds of lamb and mutton imported the week ending September 22, the equivalent of 43 percent of domestic production that week. Most of the import lamb is from 30-50 pound carcasses, which create the most desirable weight cuts.

Slaughter sheep exports to Mexico totaled 10,286 head last week. Most were ewes, but the number included quite a few lambs. Exports the last five weeks amounted to more than 50,000 head. The year to date volume is down four percent at 306,030 head.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 50-60 pounds brought $84-88, 60-70 pounds $72-78, 70-80 pounds $64-71 and 80-90 pounds $60-66. Fredericksburg 40 pound lambs made $94, 70-80 pounds $56-63. Midwest markets had 55-60 pound lambs $69-73, 60-80 pounds $60-70 and 80-100 pounds $40-55. Billings lambs 55-70 pounds were $54-65, 70-80 pounds $56.75-62.50, 80-90 pounds $55-60.50, 90-100 pounds $44.50-56.75, 100-120 pounds $41-45.50, and 120-140 pounds $39.50-44.50.

Recent sales of West Texas feeder lambs moving direct to feedlots saw 70-80 pounds $60-65 and 80-90 pounds $55-58. Several thousand lambs on the Eastern slopes of the Rockies moved into feedlots on retained ownership. North Dakota moved 90 pound feeders at $48.50. Idaho had 90-95 pound lambs $52, and Washington lambs 85 pounds made $63. The Spokane pool quoted 92 pound lambs $47. Oregon feeders 75-85 pounds brought $55-60, 100-120 pounds $50.50-55.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-135 pounds made $54-65, a few $66-68. Fredericksburg 40-70 pound lambs went to kill at $84.50-96, 70-135 pounds $50-58. Goldthwaite killers 50-80 pounds were $65-75, 90-140 pounds $45-55 and 140-170 pounds $37-45. Midwest markets had shorn fats $42-46.75, wooled $40-46.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $25-33, lean $40-50. Midwest markets had ewes $18-28 and Billings $18.50-22.75.

San Angelo sold ewe lambs 90-110 pounds going back to the country at $65-72, babytooth ewes $67-75 per head. Oregon quoted yearlings at $85 per head.