Lamb Prices
Show Major
Improvement

Lamb prices moved sharply upward this week, some feeders quoted $9 higher and fats $4 higher. There was probably no significance to it, but lamb import figures released the last two weeks were the smallest of the year and only 58 and 46 percent of domestic production. Cold storage figures last week were down 18 percent from a year ago. Another possible source of demand is a religious holiday.

Regardless of the source of the improvement, it is like the West Texas rains the past two weeks; we will take it regardless of when or how much.

Slaughter ewes also took a good jump. Midwest markets were as much as $6 higher and San Angelo added $1. Ewes exported ewes to Mexico last week were 8194 head.

The dressed trade was a little uneven but averaged near steady.

Lamb and mutton imports the week ending September 7 came to 936 metric tons or around 2.1 million pounds, the equivalent of 58 percent of domestic production. The week ending September 14 it was 869 metric tons, or 1.9 million pounds and 48 percent of domestic production. The year to date volume is 50,027 metric tons, up six percent for the year.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $96-102, 60-70 pounds $90-96, 70-80 pounds $86-91, 80-90 pounds $84-90 and 90-100 pounds $82-85. Fredericksburg had a few feeders averaging 76 pounds at $91.50. Junction lambs 50-70 pounds made $78-87 and 70-90 pounds $65-72. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound lambs $75-93, 80-100 pounds $65-83.50 and 100-110 pounds $71.50-76.50. Newell, S.D. had 50-70 pound feeders $94-98.25, 70-80 pounds $86.25-89.25, 80-90 pounds $83-89.25 and ewe lambs $91.50, 90-100 pounds $77-85.25, 100-115 pounds $75.25-78. Billings lambs 50-60 pounds brought $82-84.50, 60-70 pounds $78.50-87, 70-90 pounds $82-87, 90-100 pounds $80.25-87.25, and 100-200 pounds $75.50-86.

Recent West Texas direct sales of 70-75 pound feeder lambs were $80-83, Colorado moved 90 pound feeders at $77, and Nevada called 75-80 pound lambs $82. California lambs of 95-100 pounds scored $85.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-135 pounds brought $74-84, a few at $86, and 70-90 pounds $76-82.50. Fredericksburg fats 90-145 pounds were $68-78 and 40-80 pounds $86-95.50. Goldthwaite had 90-125 pound fats at $65-73.50 and 60-75 pounds $50-86. Midwest markets moved shorn lambs for $76-84.50, wooled 110-125 pounds $70-77.75 and 125-145 pounds $74-81.50.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo were $30-37.50, lean and fleshy $36-49. Midwest ewes were $18-35.75. Billings ewes made $23.50-27.75.

Ewe lambs in Wyoming weighing 75-80 pounds went back to the country at $90-92. In Utah 80-85 pound lambs were $95 with babytooth to solidmouth ewes $85 per head. Montana had 120-125 pound yearlings $120.