Fat, Feeder
Lamb Trade
Is Mixed Bag

Feeder lambs were a mixed bag this week with some Texas areas showing a little strength to as much as $5 higher while Midwest markets were as much as $5 lower. Fat lambs were a little stronger early, but lower at midweek.

Slaughter ewes lost a few dollars, buyers generally more selective for the lean, fleshy kinds. Mexico took 7300 ewes last week, bringing the year to date total to 158,432, up four percent from the same period last year. Goat exports came to 3062 head, bringing that total to 57,364 head, up 21 percent for the year.

The meat trade was basically steady last week, though the discount on heavies was removed, in some cases amounting to a price advance of $15. All carcasses over 55 pounds are now $166.50 in New York, under 55 pounds $161.50; add 50 cents for the Boston price.

Lamb and mutton passed for entry into the United States came to 806 metric tons or 1.77 million pounds, the equivalent of 42 percent of domestic production.

Apparently trying to recover from their bloodbath last fall, feeder buyers are taking lambs about $25 below the price level of a year ago while fat lambs are about the same price as a year ago. Slaughter ewes are $10-15 below a year ago.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 45-95 pounds brought $74-79, a few to $82. Fredericksburg lambs weighing 50-75 pounds were mostly $80-85, and Goldthwaite called 55-85 pound lambs $68-78.50. Midwest markets had feeder lambs of 60-80 pounds at $80-85, 70-80 pounds $83-86.50, 80-90 pounds $79-85.50, and 90-115 pounds $72-77.75. At Billings, 60-80 pound lambs made $82-86.50, 80-90 pounds $79-85.50, and 90-115 lbs. $72-77.75.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly $73-75. Recent sales in Idaho moved 110-115 pound mixed fat and feeder lambs at $81-83.

Fat lambs weighing 115-125 pounds in San Angelo were $79-82. On Midwest markets 100-110 pounders brought $71-80, 110-120 pounds $76-83, and 120-140 pounds $80-87.50; midweek sales stopped at $85. Pennsylvania fats of 90-110 pounds were $81-95, Billings called fat lambs $70.50-71.50, and Midwest teleauction lambs brought $79.75.

Colorado formula lambs last week were 143 pounds at $83.93 compared to 152 pounds and $76.13 a year ago.

Fat lambs in Idaho expected to weigh 140 pounds were contracted for August delivery at $84.25, and California fats moved direct at $75-82 on 110-155 pounds. Lambs weighing 115-130 pounds moving direct in the Midwest brought $80-84.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San angelo sold for $28-40, a few up to $49. Midwest markets had ewes for $22-34.50, and Billings ewes brought $21.50-30.

San Angelo sold a few yearling stock ewes at $74-75 per head, babytooth ewes $61 and solidmouth $47.50-52.50.