Fat, Feeder
Lamb Prices
Mostly Steady

Lamb prices were mostly steady this week, with only minor price changes in some areas. Slaughter ewes were steady to $3 higher in Texas and steady in the Midwest markets.

The dressed trade softened slightly, but prices were in a narrow range top to bottom. The distribution of weights was basically in accord with the demand. Extreme differences on the Central report were only about $11 on Friday at $157-168.50, but this could have been on quality alone. The average prices for the week ranged $162.32-162.68 on 55 pounds and up, $163.24-165.72 on 40-45 pounds and $181 on 30-40 pounds. The Central report, or Colorado, Iowa and Texas, showed 15,768 head for the week, with 2.6 percent under 45 pounds, 16.4 percent 45-55 pounds, 67 percent 55-75 pounds, 12.4 percent 75-85 pounds and 1.5 percent over 85 pounds.

Another positive aspect of the market is that the average weight this year is running around 10 pounds less than last year. That means there is less mutton-flavored lamb getting onto the consumers’ dinner plates.

There were 5801 slaughter ewes exported to Mexico last week and 1000 lambs.

Lamb and mutton imports for the week ending June 22 were 1227 metric tons, or around 2.7 million pounds, the equivalent of 68 percent of domestic production that week. The year to date volume was 37,087 metric tons, up 15 percent from a year ago.

In San Angelo this week, feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $82-85, 60-70 pounds $76-81 and 70-90 pounds $74-77.50, a few 71 pounds at $83. Fredericksburg had 40-70 pound lambs $81-87 and 70-90 pounds $78-81. Junction feeders weighing 50-70 pounds were $76-82 and 70-90 pounds $68-75. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $65-75 and 80-100 pounds $55-65. Newell, S.D. called 60-70 pound lambs $76.50-82, 70-90 pounds $76.25-80.25. Faith, S.D. termed 50-110 pound feeders $78.75-79.25. In Billings 45-80 pound lambs were $72-80 and 80-110 pounds $76-81.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas saw 40-60 pounds at $85 and 65-90 pounds $74-78. Colorado contracts had 85-105 pound lambs at $80 for August-September delivery. North Dakota moved 60-95 pound lambs at $75, and Wyoming lambs of 85-90 pounds made $80. In Idaho 120-135 pound feeders were committed for July-August delivery at $81-82.10 and 100-120 pounds $80-81 for August-September.

San Angelo quoted 90-125 pound fat lambs $70-81, a few $82-84 and 70-90 pounds $72-82. Goldthwaite moved 90-110 pound fats at $68-71.50 and 40-80 pounds $75-89. Fredericksburg had 90-130 pound lambs $60-69.50 and 40-85 pounds $75-89. Midwest markets sold fats for $75-86.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo were $28-34, fleshy $38-48. Midwest markets priced ewes $21-25.

Yearling stock ewes in Texas markets were $81.50-90.