Feeder Lambs
Steady, Fats
Take A Hit

Feeder lambs held fairly steady around the country, though a few areas showed a little softness, primarily to get back in line with other markets. Fat lambs were hit hard Monday and Tuesday, but looked up a little on Wednesday. Slaughter ewes were a little higher in the Midwest and steady in Texas.

Feeder lambs were fairly limited in number and generally in good demand, and the short numbers kept prices from falling with the fats.

Fat lambs sold in small supply at most markets with wooled offerings generally $2 below shorn, reflecting pelt values and dressing percentages.

Slaughter ewes made up more than 60 percent of the San Angelo market this week. With most Texas markets being closed next week for Thanksgiving, orders from Mexico held prices firm despite the large numbers.

East Coast lamb carcasses were steady last week. Carcass cutout values lost 18 cents Wednesday with 65 pounds down at $186.86, heavies at $187.41.

Sheep and lamb slaughter through Tuesday at 33,000 head was running well above the week ago pace and could wind up to be the largest volume since March.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $94-97, 60-80 pounds $90-97.50, 80-90 pounds $88-91.50 and 90-105 pounds $81-87.50. Fredericksburg lambs weighing 45-60 pounds sold for $100-103 and 60-100 pounds $90-100. Goldthwaite feeders weighing 55 pounds were $99, 70-95 pounds $80-93. Junction lambs of 55-70 pounds made $86-98 and 80-90 pounds $88-90. Midwest markets called 60-80 pound lambs $85-90 and 80-100 pounds $80-85, Sioux Falls on Wednesday selling 75 pound feeders at $98-100 and 85 pounds $82-93. Billings lambs weighing 50-55 pounds brought $91.50-93, 65-80 pounds $89-94.50, 80-90 pounds $89.50-96.75, 90-100 pounds $86.50-95.50, and 100-120 pounds $81-86.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were $92-96 on 70-85 pounds and $85-88 on 90-100 pounders. Montana sold 95 pound feeders at $90, and 80-90 pound Oregon lambs earned $90-92.50.

Fat lambs in San Angelo sold from $75 to $83 and Junction fats were $84-85. Midwest markets reported fat lambs at $72-59.40 with Sioux Falls $79-83 on Wednesday. Pennsylvania fat lambs weighing 40-60 pounds made $117-175, 60-100 pounds $75-130 and 100-130 pounds $65-92. Midwest teleauctions on Wednesday had wooled lambs at $79.75 and shorn $81.75.

Texas fat lambs moving direct from feedlots to packers managed $87-88 on 115-140 pounds, and 120-160 pound Colorado fats brought $78-85. The average weight there is still about eight pounds above a year ago. California fats weighing 120-145 pounds brought $80-83, and fat lambs in the Midwest moving direct brought $76-77 on wooled and $80 on shorn.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $45-55, similar ewes in Midwest markets $34-43.50. Billings called ewes $37-41.50.

Shortmouth stock ewes weighing 160-185 pounds in Billings sold from $83 to $94 per head.