Feeder Lambs
Higher, Fat
Prices Lower

Feeder lambs were in short supply around the country this week, and prices moved up. Rates were as much as $10 higher in some Texas markets, while Midwest lambs were a couple of dollars higher.

Slaughter lambs were generally a couple of dollars lower after the decline in carcasses last week. East Coast lamb carcasses held steady on weights under 55 pounds at $165, $2 lower on 55-75 pounds at $163, and $5 off heavies at $160. Cutout values dropped $7 on Wednesday.

It took six weeks for carcass lamb prices to flip this year. In September lightweight lamb carcasses were discounted, and now heavyweight carcasses are discounted. Kill costs can justify a $2.50 per cwt. discount on lightweight live lambs when carcasses are sold at the same price. Heavyweight carcasses normally contain a larger percentage of fat than lightweights, so cutout values would justify a $2.50 discount if carcasses are sold by yield grade or cuts are trimmed prior to selling. Back and forth discounts, however, disrupt the production end of the system.

Slaughter ewes were generally higher this week, as much as $5 higher in the Midwest and a dollar or so up in Texas. Exports to Mexico through Texas ports last week totaled 6500 head.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $95-99, a few to $104, 60-70 pounds $89-95, 70-80 pounds $86-92 and 80-95 pounds $84-89. Fredericksburg had light lambs at $93-95, and Goldthwaite sold 50-85 pound lambs for $76-84. Feeder lambs on Midwest markets weighing 60-80 pounds brought $78-82, a few to $86, 80-100 pounds $75-82. Billings had 60-80 pound lambs $86-91, 80-90 pounds $85-90, 90-100 pounds $82.25-87.25, and 100-110 pounds $79.50-82.

Little direct feeder lamb movement was noted in West Texas. Recent rains and fair weather are encouraging producers to hold them a little longer. Recent sales in Wyoming had 65-75 pound feeder lambs moving at $93.30. In Oregon 65-90 pound lambs brought $85-91.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 100-120 pounds brought $77-82, and Goldthwaite had 90-105 pound fats $75-80.50. Midwest markets traded fats at $75-81.25. Virginia had fat lambs $73-74 and Pennsylvania $70-82. Billings moved fat lambs for $78.25-80, and Midwest teleauctions had lambs $83-85.

Slaughter lambs moving direct to packers in West Texas brought $80-80.75 on 120-130 pounders, recent sales in Colorado $83.50-87.50. South Dakota had 125-155 pound lambs $81-85.75. Idaho moved 115-120 pound lambs at $83, Washington had fats weighing 135 pounds at $82, and in California 120-140 pound lambs made $84-87. Midwest lambs moving direct brought $77.75-81.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo sold from $32 to $48. Similar ewes in Midwest markets were $23-31, and Billings quoted ewes $22-26.

Yearling stock ewes weighing 104 pounds brought $62 in San Angelo. Wyoming had 75 pound ewe lambs at $94, and Colorado sold solidmouth ewes at $80 per head. Billings moved young ewes at $77-88 per head.