Easter Not
Helping 1998
Lamb Prices

The last full week of slaughter for the Easter market didn’t have any positive effect on this year’s lamb market. For almost two months the dressed trade has stayed at the same price level with at least a $23 spread between the quoted light and heavy carcasses.

Feeder lambs were under price pressure at most Texas markets this week, some prices off as much as $5. Lightweight lambs going for the Easter trade were the only ones that reached above the $100 figure.

Slaughter lambs were likewise lower almost everywhere, with $2 off the norm. Slaughter ewes also found soft going, most sales around $2 lower. Exports to Mexico last week included 5209 head, bringing the year to date total to 59,384 compared to 60,430 for the same period last year.

Lamb and mutton passed for entry into the U.S. last week totaled 1188 metric tons, the equivalent of 41 percent of domestic production. That ought to be sufficient for the Easter demand and add fuel to the discounts now being felt on heavy and overfat domestic carcasses.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 35-60 pounds brought $90-100, 60-70 pounds $84-89, 70-80 pounds $77-85, and 80-100 pounds $70-81, a few to $84.50. Some oldcrops ranging from 70 to 100 pounds made $68.50-75. Fredericksburg light lambs were $88-100 with killers going up to $111; heavies made $80-85. Goldthwaite lambs of 45-65 pounds were $92.50-102 and 65-85 pounds $82-50-99. Junction lambs brought $90-109 on 40-55 pounds, 60-85 pounds $85-95. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $80-90, 80-100 pounds $64.50-75, oldcrops $72-75 and $68-72, respectively.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly around the $85 ticket with some oldcrops at $70-72. New Mexico had 80-100 pound oldcrops at $60-65.

San Angelo fat lambs brought $63-67, a few $69-70. Newcrop fats scaling 40-65 pounds made $90-101, a few to $105, 65-80 pounds $80-89 and 100-115 pounds $72.50-77. Goldthwaite called 95-145 pound fats $60-67.50, and Junction lambs made $60-67.50. Midwest markets sold fats for $64-69.25. Pennsylvania lambs weighing 80-100 pounds were $110-115, 100-125 pounds $85-98 and 125-130 pounds $75-82.

Fat lambs moving direct to packers in West Texas were $68-73. Colorado fats moving on contract were $70-72.50 on 125-140 pounds $70-72.50, 140-160 pounds $65-71 and 160-180 pounds $59-64. A few 140-150 pound lambs moved direct at $69.50 with a 50 cent slide on weights exceeding 135 pounds. Wyoming fats of 130 pounds were $68 with a 40 cent slide. Midwest lambs going direct made $67-69. California lambs brought $62-68 with 40 cent slide over 130 and 135 pounds. Mixed fat and feeder lambs there expected to weigh 100-110 pounds were contracted at $72 for April and May delivery.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $42-58.50 with fats stopping at $49.50. Midwest markets had ewes $35-44.

San Angelo ewe lambs weighing 75-85 pounds brought $75-80.50 cwt., ewes with lambs $38-41 each. Solidmouth Texas ewes went direct at $65-70 per head. South Dakota ewe lambs of 95 pounds sold at $92 cwt., babytooth ewes $134 per head, shortmouths $106.