Feeder Lambs
Move Higher,
Fats Steady

Feeder lambs remain in short supply and sold on the higher side this week. Slaughter lambs were a little uneven but averaged about steady. Slaughter ewes were higher in Texas and lower on Midwest markets.

Lamb carcass prices were rather uneven, the lower side of most quotations up a little while the top side was off a little. Averages showed a couple of dollars’ strength on 40-65 pounds and a little softness over 65 pounds.

Slaughter sheep exports to Mexico came to 8316 last week, including 7166 ewes and 1150 lambs.

There were 1102 metric tons, or around 2.4 million pounds of lamb and mutton imported the week ending August 24, the equivalent of 67 percent of domestic production. The week ending August 31 the total was 1081 metric tons, or around 2.4 million pounds, the equivalent of 62 percent of domestic production. The year to date volume was up around seven percent at 48,222 metric tons.

Good rains over much of West Texas this week should give a boost to growth in small grain fields as well as cool season pasture vegetation.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds were firm and brought $80—84.50, 60-70 pounds $76.50-79, and 70-80 pounds $75-76. Fredericksburg was $2-3 higher with 40-70 pounds $81-86 and 70-90 pounds $78-84. Junction lambs 50-70 pounds were $70-78 and 70-90 pounds $68-73. Midwest markets had feeder lambs as much as $5 higher; weights 50-60 pounds brought $91-94, 50-80 pounds $68-80, 80-100 pounds $60-73, and 100-115 pounds $68-71.25. Newell, S.D. was $4-6 higher, lambs 40-70 pounds $90-97, 70-80 pounds $83-89 and 80-100 pounds $77.25-85. Billings lambs 50-60 pounds made $76-83.50, 60-80 pounds $80-83.25, 80-100 pounds $77-85, 100-110 pounds $77.50-81.50, and 110-130 pounds $74.50-79.25.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were $74-78 on 70-90 pounds and $72-79 on 90-95 pounds. In the Dakotas 70-80 pound feeders were $76-77 and 80-100 pounds $74-75. Wyoming called 70-85 pound lambs $82-83, a few to $86, and Montana lambs 80-100 pounds brought $80. Oregon moved 80-100 pound feeders for $75.

San Angelo quoted 90-135 pound slaughter lambs $70-76, a few $81-83, and 70-90 pounds $72.50-76. Fredericksburg had 40-80 pound lambs $79-84 and Goldthwaite quoted 90-105 pound fats $55-62.50, 40-80 pounds $72-74. Midwest markets reported shorn lambs $74-80.75, wooled 110-125 pounds $70-75, and 125-145 pounds $72-79.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo were $25-32, fleshy, lean kinds $33-43.50.

Babytooth stock ewes in San Angelo brought $57.50-58 per head. Colorado had babytooth to solidmouths at $60-67. Wyoming moved yearlings at $95 per head, solidmouths $43, and ewe lambs 70-85 pounds at $92-96 cwt.