Fat Lambs Move
Lower, Feeders
Remain Scarce

Fat lambs moved weak to $5 lower as the major lamb-eating holiday of the year approaches. Feeder lambs were too limited for a test, but mostly about steady.

Carlot lamb carcass prices were uneven, the lighter end steady and heavyweights as much as $8 higher. On the central U.S. carlot report, weights 40-45 pounds were $140-164, 45-65 pounds $140-152, 65-75 pounds $138-152, 75-85 pounds $128-147, and over 85 pounds $109-130.50. Some less than 30 pound carcasses on the national report were $284-344.

Lamb carcass cutout values continue to move up and down. The most recent report shows a $5.44 improvement at $174.98.

Imported lamb and mutton continue to fill the gap in domestic production. The volume the week ending February 2 was 1533 metric tons, or around 3.4 million pounds, the equivalent of 81 percent of domestic production. The year to date volume is up 20 percent at 6469 metric tons.

Sheep and lamb slaughter last week at 70,000 head was the largest since just before Easter last year.

Little interest has been noted on demand for replacement stock and ewe lambs. Some recent quoted prices were no different than feeder or slaughter prices. Some producers are delaying movement until the final rules are determined on the government ewe lamb retention program.

Sheep exports to Mexico last week were 6314 head, including 2000 lambs and 4314 ewes. The year to date volume is up 46 percent at 79,479 head.

Lamb pelts are showing a little strength with fall clips $12.75-15, No. 1 $11-14, No. 2 $9.25-13 and No. 3-4 $5.50-8.

San Angelo had the first major showing of newcrop lambs this year in a special sale. Weights 40-50 pounds were $110-117.50, 50-60 pounds $94-97, 60-70 pounds $77-86, and 70-90 pounds $75-80. Fredericksburg feeders 60-90 pounds were $73-84. Junction had 50-70 pound feeders $70-90, 85-95 pounds $75-85. Midwest markets moved 60-80 pound lambs at $75-85 and 80-100 pounds $65-75. Billings lambs 70-90 pounds made $69.50-74, 90-100 pounds $65-69 and 100-120 pounds $64-64.50.

Arizona and California lambs 130-145 pounds moved off the Imperial Valley alfalfa fields at $63-65, most with 135 pound weight stops or 40 cent slides. Around 85 percent of the lambs have been moved off the alfalfa fields. In South Dakota 125-130 pound feeders sold at $64-65.

San Angelo fat lambs 90-140 pounds brought $63-71, a few to $75, newcrop 30-50 pounds $120-135, 50-60 pounds $100-101, 60-90 pounds $78-89. Fredericksburg lambs 30-60 pounds made $89-122, 60-80 pounds $80-84.50, 80-110 pounds $70-82, oldcrops 90-160 pounds $57-72. Goldthwaite had 30-60 pound killer lambs $94.50-101 and 70-150 pounds $62.50-80. Midwest markets quoted shorn lambs $65-67, wooled $60-63.25.

Utah had some 90-100 pound lambs going direct at $75 for the ethnic market.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $26-37, fleshy, lean kinds $40-52. Midwest markets had ewes $25-38. Billings ewes were $29-33.50.