Summer Heat
Cools Off
Lamb Trade

The summer doldrums set in on the lamb market this week as seasonal hot weather reduced the demand for lamb at retail. Hot weather is also reducing the efficiency of lambs in feedlots, pushing up costs of gain and forcing operators to cut back on inputs.

Feeder lambs around the country sold steady to as much as $5 lower with buyers very selective on quality. Full declines were noted in San Angelo and Sioux City, although the volume was small at both places.

Slaughter lambs at Midwest markets were steady to $5 lower, direct trade or those tied to the carcass market unchanged. Slaughter ewes sold firm in San Angelo and showed a little strength in Midwest markets. A total of 4400 slaughter ewes crossed into Mexico last week through the Texas ports.

Sheep and lamb slaughter last week was down 11 percent to 56,000 head, slightly below the previous record low volume set the week of the Memorial Day holiday. Slaughter during June was only around 268,000 head and is not expected to increase anytime soon.

East Coast lamb carcasses remained at $201 for the fifth consecutive week and the expected short numbers should hold it there. Consumer resistance to high cut prices is whittling on distributive trade profits.

The drouth continues to exert pressure on any form of sheep herd rebuilding. West Texans have been encouraged to inhale while facing East and exhale facing West, in hopes that will encourage one of those tropical storms to bring moisture into the parched area.

In San Angelo this week feeder lambs weighing 60-100 pounds sold for $90-97, a few lots $98-100. Most heavy lambs in Fredericksburg turned at $94-99.50, lightweights $85-93. Midwest markets sold feeders weighing 45-60 pounds at $82-89.50, 60-80 lbs. $84-94 and 80-100 pounds $81-100. Virginia quoted 50-70 pound lambs $84.50-92 and 70-85 pounds $90-50-98.50.

Feeder lambs weighing 65-80 pounds moving direct in West Texas sold for $94-97, most late sales $95 and back. Recent sales in North Dakota saw Texas lambs weighing 90-95 pounds being delivered at $106-107. In Montana 90 pound lambs brought $92 for October delivery. Idaho had 110-115 pound offerings at $96 with an August delivery date. Oregon sold 80-110 pound lambs at $95.

Fat lambs were scarce in San Angelo this week. Midwest markets moved 100-110 pound fat lambs for $100-105.05 and 110-130 pounds $103-107. Virginia fats were $97-99 and Pennsylvania termed lambs $90-100.

Fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers brought $107. In Colorado fats sold for $100-107. Oregon had 110-130 pound fats at $95, and California moved 120-145 pound fats for $100-103. Midwest lambs moving direct brought from $103 to $109.50.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo sold for $32-41, a few up to $45. Midwest ewes brought $25-35.50.

San Angelo reported babytooth stock ewes for $60-65 per head and solidmouths $53.50-56.50. In Wyoming 75-80 pound whiteface ewe lambs brought $100-102 for September delivery. Yearling stock ewes in Idaho weighing 130-145 pounds brought $135 per head for November delivery, and Nevada sold two to six year-old ewes with baby lambs at $130 per family.