Feeder Lambs
Steady, Fats
Little Softer

Feeder lambs held fairly steady around the country this week though there was a little weakness in some spots, mostly adjustments. Slaughter lambs in the Midwest were about $3 lower on Monday, but regained about $2 on Wednesday. Slaughter ewes found higher trading in most areas.

The lamb carcass trade was quiet last week but settled near steady on Monday.

Weight is still a serious factor in pricing, with weights over 125 pounds hard to move and either bought cheaper, discounted, bought on a sliding scale, or just not paying for the weight over a set figure.

Carcass prices on the East Coast had 55 pounds and down at $153, 55-65 pounds $151, 65-75 pounds $144-147, 75-85 pounds $135-137, and over 85 pounds $127. With Easter still two months away there doesn’t appear to be much increased demand for at least a couple more weeks.

On a per head basis, some ewes are bringing more dollars than fat lambs, and some feeder lambs are costing about the same dollars per head as the fats. Most of the high prices on ewes can be attributed to the Mexican market. A total of 4798 head crossed the Rio Grande last week.

San Angelo newcrop feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $102-104, 65-70 pounds $98-101, oldcrops 50-60 pounds $93-98, 60-70 pounds $92-94, 70-80 pounds $88-94, 80-90 pounds $83-90, 90-95 pounds $79-86 and 100-105 pounds $74-78. In Fredericksburg lightweight newcrop lambs made $100-107, weights over 65 pounds $90-100. Goldthwaite feeders weighing 40-85 pounds were $75-105.50 and 75-100 pounds $80-96.50. At Junction, 65-80 pound feeders brought $85-94. In Billings 60-80 pound feeders were $91.50-96.50, 80-90 pounds $86.50-90, 90-95 pounds $78.50-83.50 and 100-110 pounds $71.50-76.50. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $75-80 and 80-100 pounds $70-75.

Lambs moving direct were in short supply. Recent sales in West Texas had 70-85 pound feeders $85-92 and 90-100 pounds $77-78.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 100-135 pounds sold for $70-76, and Goldthwaite had a few fats at $67.50-72.50. Billings fats brought $61-69. On Monday, Midwest markets sold fat lambs for $66-73, and Wednesday Sioux Falls had $72.80-74.70, St. Paul $68-72.

Fat lambs moving direct in West Texas earned $72-75 on 120-140 pounds with slides ranging from 20 to 30 cents per pound. Colorado fats weighing 140-160 pounds on contracts made $68-75 and 160-180 pounds $68. Some 130 pound fats sold at $68. South Dakota moved 135 pound fats at $72 and 150 pounders $65.50. Wyoming called 125-145 pound fats $69-69.50.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $45-58. Similar ewes in the Midwest were $38-48 and in Billings ewes were quoted $39.50-43.50.

Billings had bred yearling ewes at $115-122.50 per head, solidmouth ewes $107.50-115.