Lamb Prices
Looking For
Stability

Fat and feeder lamb prices tended to bounce around a lot this week as each marketing area tried to find its place in the big picture.

Carcass prices leveled out after their three week freefall that lost around $35 on middleweights, finally stopping at $161.50. Fat lambs tried to stay near that same trend and some fell more than needed while others held on longer. Feeder lambs also fell sharply, and in many cases lightweight lambs suffered the greatest price loss because of the insecurity of the distant market situation.

The pendulum has swung too far the left now with too many lightweight carcasses causing a widening of the price spread. Lamb cutout values declined Wednesday by $2.12 with lights $187.19 and heavies $188.29.

Slaughter ewe prices were mixed, Texas markets a few dollars higher while Midwest ewes held steady. Mexico took 5749 head last week, bringing the year to date total to 145,392, about three percent more than the corrected year-ago figure of 141,597.

Weather conditions are playing havoc with growing areas in Texas as the drouth continues to spread and get deeper. The lack of rain and triple-digit temperatures are scorching pastures while planted forage is getting shorter instead of growing.

Lamb and mutton inspected for entry into the United States totaled 686 metric tons last week, or 1.5 million pounds and the equivalent of 41 percent of domestic production. In addition, 413,000 pounds of goat meat were imported last week.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-95 pounds brought $73-79, a few up to $80. Fredericksburg lambs were mostly $74-82. Goldthwaite quoted 55-70 pound lambs $70-75 and 75-100 pounds $77-86. Junction lambs weighing 60-90 pounds were $70-78. Feeder lambs of 50-60 pounds on Midwest markets brought $89-100, 60-80 pounds $75-96 and 80-100 pounds $70-85. In Billings 60-70 pound lambs made $87.50-93, 70-80 pounds $85.50-88.50, 80-90 pounds $81-87.50, 90-100 pounds $78.50-83, and 100-115 pounds $75-81.50.

Feeder lambs weighing 75-85 pounds in West Texas moved direct for $73-75, and California feeders averaging 90-105 pounds made $71-75.

Fat lambs in San Angelo brought $78-85.50, a few to $86.50. Midwest markets had 100-115 pound fats at $75-84.50 and 115-140 pounds $83-88.75. Billing fat lambs made $73-75.50.

Fat lambs moving direct in Texas brought $80-85, and Colorado called 135 pound lambs $90.75. South Dakota moved 145-150 pound fats for $85, 130-pounders in Idaho $85. California lambs scaling 110-135 pounds were $75-80, and fat lambs moving direct in the Midwest made $81-84.

Fat slaughter ewes in Texas sold from $30 to $39.50, fleshy $34-45, a few early to $51. Midwest markets reported ewes $20-33.50, and in Billings ewes made $26-34.50.

Texas markets sold a few mixed aged stock ewes at $50-71 per head.