Lamb Prices
Steady, Meat
Cuts Higher

Fat and feeder lamb prices held fairly steady around the country this week despite weakness in the carcass trade. Slaughter ewes were firm in Texas, weaker in the Midwest.

Lightweight lamb carcasses lost $3 last week with weights under 55 pounds in New York at $158.50; weights over 55 pounds held steady at $166.50.

Lamb cuts on the East Coast were generally firm Wednesday except for lightweight racks, which were off $2.50, and heavyweight racks, which jumped $10. Light racks are $427.50 and heavies $485. The carcass cutout value was up $1.99 to $3.36 with weights over 65 pounds $187.35 and lights $180.53.

The average weight of lambs slaughtered continues to decline, evidenced by the recent weekly Colorado contract lambs at 131 pounds compared to 145 a year ago.

Currently fat lambs are anywhere from $2 to $10 below the comparable period a year ago while feeder lambs are down $15-20. Slaughter ewes are down $10-15. Slaughter for the year to date is down about 2.5 percent, but lamb imports continue to fill that gap. Lamb and mutton passed for entry last week totaled 581 metric tons, the equivalent of about 32 percent of domestic production.

Slaughter ewe exports last week were 3990 head. The year to date figure on Monday was 171,508 head, up about four percent from a year ago. Goat exports for the same period were 62,229, up 22 percent.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 40-60 pounds brought $75-80, a few $81-85. Fredericksburg lambs weighing 60-75 pounds were $80-86, Goldthwaite feeders 50-65 pounds $71-75 and 65-95 pounds $70-73. Junction lambs of 50-90 pounds made $71-76.50. Midwest markets had 35-55 pound feeders at $75-81, 60-80 pounds $70-82, and 80-100 pounds $69-75. Billings lambs weighing 60-65 pounds brought $85.50-91.50, 70-80 pounds $85-86.25, 80-90 pounds $82.50-89, and 90-115 pounds $78.25-82.50.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas brought $73-78. New Mexico reported 90 pound feeders at $70. Montana moved 110 pound feeders for $75, and Idaho lambs are coming off the mountains at $82 for 100-120 pounds. Oregon feeders weighing 85-110 pounds made $67, 85 pound Utah feeders $75.

Fat lambs in San Angelo brought $79-82, Goldthwaite fats $69-75. Fats on Midwest markets weighing 100-110 pounds made $75-80, 110-120 pounds $79-83 and 120-140 pounds $83-86.50. Billings fats brought $76.50-80.

Fat lambs moving direct in West Texas brought $85-89, 130 pounders in Colorado $90.50. Kansas moved 130 pound fats at $89.50. South Dakota fats weighing 165-170 pounds brought $87. The fat end of lambs coming off Idaho mountains are expected to weigh 120-145 pounds at $82, Oregon fats at 110-130 pounds turned at $70, Washington fats made $79 and California fats were $75-82. Midwest lambs moving direct brought $82-84.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $26.50-45, fats stopping at $37.50. Midwest markets quoted ewes $20-35.50, and Billings ewes were $23-30.