Lamb Prices
Feel Boost;
Country Dry

Fat lamb prices moved up again this week in many areas with the hope of a better dressed trade around the corner. Feeder lambs were also stronger in most Texas markets. Slaughter ewes seemed to level off. Mexico imported 7472 ewes last week, bringing the year to date total to 104,923 as of Monday, compared to 98,397 for the same period a year ago.

In an effort to boost prices, USDA has pledged to put up to $8 million into a lamb purchase project for its commodity program.

Drouth conditions continue to spread across most of Texas, some areas having gone without rain for well over 70 days. Most dryland small grain fields are not worth the effort to harvest. Several ranchers have indicated a June 1 decision for sell off if no rain comes. Very little restocking has occurred since the 1996 drouth-influenced reduction.

Only 809 metric tons of lamb and mutton were inspected for entry into the U.S. last week, equal to 37 percent of domestic production and the smallest amount in three months. Imports for the last two weeks totaled only slightly more than the one week prior to that.

There were also 209 metric tons of fresh goat meat inspected for entry last week compared to 108 and 56 the two prior weeks. Before that, goat meat imports amounted to less than 10 percent of the lamb volume.

Agri-Fax, New Zealand, says lamb slaughter is declining rapidly as winter approaches, 808,000 last week and 904,000 a week earlier. They are also in a drouth now that will have a significant effect on next season’s lamb crop.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-95 pounds brought $72-79.50. Most Fredericksburg lambs made $78-82. Goldthwaite lambs weighing 45-75 pounds were $75-79, 80-100 pounds $72-78. Junction feeders of 50-80 pounds brought $70-77.50. Midwest markets moved 40-60 pound feeders at $80-104, 60-100 pounds $72-89. Billings saw $89-91.50 on 60-70 pound lambs, 70-85 pounds $83-87.50, 90-100 pounds $73.50-81.50 and 100-115 pounds $71.50-75.50.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly $74-75, heavies $72-73. California sold 85-95 pound feeders at $65-69, 105-120 pounds $60-65. Mixed fats and feeders weighing 90-120 pounds made $60.

San Angelo slaughter lambs scaling 100-135 pounds made $60-67, 100-115 pound newcrops $70-77. Fats on Midwest markets were $68-72, newcrop lambs $72-77.

Recent direct sales in West Texas had 120-145 pound fats $65-68 with 30-40 cent slides at 125 pounds. California newcrop lambs weighing 120-140 pounds brought $62-65, most with a 120-pound weight stop or 30-40 cent slides and some docked $4-5 per head for seedy pelts. Midwest lambs moved direct at $64-70, 125 pound newcrops $74. Colorado contract lambs averaged 161 pounds and $57.16 compared to 146 and $90.40 a year ago.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $33-44, a few to $47.50, fats $23-33.50. Midwest markets quoted ewes $25-30.