Both Feeder,
Killer Lamb
Prices Uneven

All classes of sheep saw uneven price trends around the country this week.

Feeder lambs were firm to $2 higher in San Angelo and as much as $3-5 higher at Fredericksburg but steady in the Midwest. The Midwest was also steady on slaughter lambs, as was San Angelo, but Goldthwaite termed them $5-10 lower. Slaughter ewes were steady to $2 lower in San Angelo and steady in the Midwest.

Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection last week came to 55,000 head, up from 53,000 head the previous week. Liveweights averaged 130 pounds, down slightly from the previous week and 13 pounds lighter than a year ago.

Mexico has imported 2237 head of slaughter ewes for the week so far, bringing the year to date total to 194,661 head. An additional 45,200 lambs have crossed the border.

Lamb and mutton imports the week ending June 15 came to 1481 metric tons or about 3.25 million pounds.

Central U.S. carlot lamb carcass prices once again ranged a tight $157 to $162.50 through early week, weighted averages varying only between $160.39 and $162.27 regardless of weight classes.

In San Angelo, feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $81-89, 60-70 pounds $77-79, a set to $85.50, and 70-90 pounds $74-77 with a set at $85.50. Junction received $70-75 on 50-70 pounds and $65-70 on 70-90 pounds. Lambs 40-60 pounds were $78-85 in Fredericksburg, 70-90 pounds $75-80. Midwest markets quoted 60-70 pounds $65-75 and 80-100 pounders $55-65.

Direct trade found 11,000 head of wooled 110-120 pound lambs bringing $81-81.25 in Idaho for near-term delivery, another 4400 head in Colorado weighing 100-120 pounds at $82.50-84.25 and 600 head in California weighing 80-85 pounds at $80.

Choice slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-125 pounds made $70-79, good and choice 70-90 pounds $73-76.50. Fredericksburg reported choice and prime 40-80 pounds $75-88, 90-125 pounds $66-75 and good and choice 40-80 pounds $68-72. The Midwest saw $78-80 on wooled 110-120 pounders, $80-82 on 120-140 pounds.

San Angelo slaughter ewes brought $23-33.50 on the top end, good $30-41, utility and good $37.50-45, utility $28-37, and cull and utility $20-28. Utility and good ewes in the Midwest were $21-25, cull $16-21.