Fat, Feeder
Lamb Prices
Show Strength

Fat and feeder lambs showed a little strength around the country this week, though slaughter ewe prices fell sharply.

Fat lamb advances were minimal and there was some weakness on Wednesday in the Midwest markets. Feeder lambs were a couple of dollars higher on Midwest markets, but mostly steady in Texas. Slaughter ewe prices declined nearly everywhere and San Angelo lost $10 on the top end, with fat offerings suffering the most.

The carlot dressed lamb trade held steady late last week. At least the bottom end of the weight ranges were unchanged and weights over 75 pounds eliminated their spread, all going at the lower end. Weights under 75 pounds on the East Coast were $166-166.50, 75-85 pounds $156.50-157 and over 85 pounds $148.50-149.

The estimated carcass cutout value on Wednesday was up 42 cents on 65 pounds and down at $184.84, over 65 pounds up 43 cents at $185.39. The current rate is about $34 below early September values, legs $5 off, loins $62 lower, racks $80 lower and shoulders $49 off. In that same timeframe, carcasses are down $22 on lights and $37 on heavies.

In San Angelo 40-60 pound feeders sold for $97-100, 60-80 pounds $95-100.50, 80-90 pounds $90-94.50 and 90-105 pounds $86-92. Fredericksburg lambs were mostly $100-112 on 60-80 pounds. Goldthwaite lambs weighing 50-60 pounds were $97-101 and 80-85 pounds $86-89. Junction feeders of 60-70 pounds brought $95.50-101.50. Midwest markets had 60-80 pound lambs $85.50-98, 80-100 pounds $79.75-87. In Billings, 65-70 pound lambs were $101-104.50, 70-80 pounds $99.50-106.50, 80-90 pounds $95.50-103.50, 90-100 pounds $89.50-97.50, and 100-118 pounds $83.50-91.

Recent sales on feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas had 70-85 pounders bringing $92-96. Colorado feeders weighing 70-75 pounds brought $104. South Dakota made $90 on 80 pounders, 95 pounds $83.50 and 110 pounds $79.25-80. Wyoming feeders weighing 65-75 pounds brought $111, Montana $100 on 85 pound feeders, and 90-95 pound Utah lambs were $92.50.

Fat lambs were scarce in San Angelo and sold for $80-85. Goldthwaite fats were $83-85, and Junction quoted fat lambs $80-85. Midwest markets moved fat lambs for $78-86, shorn lambs bringing about $2 above wooled. Billings fats made $78.50-82. Pennsylvania fats weighing 80-100 pounds were $90-110 and 100-120 pounds $82-105. Virginia fats brought $78.75-80.

Fat lambs moving direct in West Texas brought $85-88. Colorado lambs moved from $87 to $90.75 with contract lambs realizing $80-86; weights there are still nine pounds heavier than a year ago. South Dakota fats brought $85-87, California lambs made $82-85, and fat lambs moving direct in the Midwest brought $80-84.

Whiteface ewe lambs in Wyoming brought $102 on 74 pounders, yearling to three year-old ewes weighing 170 pounds $115 per head. Colorado ewes 3-6 years old made $125, and heavy bred Arizona lambs brought $152.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $28-48 with fats stopping at $35. Midwest ewes were $28-41.50 and in Billings $33-37.50.