Feeder Lambs
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Around Texas

Feeder lambs were $2-5 higher across most of the Texas markets, while little change was noted in the Midwest. Slaughter lambs were firm in Texas and weaker in the Midwest, particularly on weights under 120 pounds. Slaughter ewes were a little higher in Texas.

Fat lambs continued to find price resistance on lightweight offerings as the pendulum of rejection moves from overfat lambs to those less finished. There probably is a happy medium in there somewhere, but feedlot operators haven’t found the proper time-of-year factor, or maybe it changes on some other factor.

Lamb carcass prices were steady on the top end, but all spreads were eliminated and some price quotes moved up as much as $7. The New York price on weights under 55 pounds was $163.50, 55-65 pounds $171.50 and over 65 pounds $176.50.

A total of 587 metric tons of lamb and mutton were passed for entry into the United States last week, the equivalent of 32 percent of domestic production.

Heavy rain over a large portion of the hill country and West Texas accumulated three-day totals from Sonora to Del Rio ranging from 10 to 20 inches and caused severe flooding and possible livestock losses. No death count has been released.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 40-70 pounds brought $80-87.50, a few to $90, 70-95 pounds $79-85 and a few to $87. Fredericksburg lambs were $85-91.50, Junction lambs 70-85 pounds $70-75. Goldthwaite called 40-65 pound lambs $77-85 and 70-90 pounds $73-80. Billings feeders weighing 60-80 pounds brought $80-84, 80-900 pounds $75.75-82.50, and 90-115 pounds $72.50-76.25. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $75-80 and 80-100 pounds $69-76.50.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were $78-82 on 75-85 pounds. Recent sales in Colorado had 100-110 pound lambs at $75-80, and Oregon moved 90-110 pound lambs for $80. Washington lambs of 105-115 pounds made $78.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 100-120 pounds made $80-84, Goldthwaite had fats for $69-77, and Billings lambs were $75-79.25. Midwest markets sold fats weighing 100-110 pounds at $73-78, 110-120 pounds $75-81 and 120-140 pounds $78-87.30.

Fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers brought $85-89, a few to $91.50. Colorado fats weighing 120-160 pounds made $83-90, a few 130-pounders $93. South Dakota fats were $83, Oregon fat lambs of 120-135 pounds $80-83. Washington lambs scaling 125 pounds turned at $79. Nevada had fats for $80, California fats brought $81.50-85.50, and fat lambs moving direct in the Midwest made $82.

Mixed fat and feeder lambs in Idaho weighing 115-125 pounds sold at $80-81.50.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $27-45, with fats stopping at $40. Midwest ewes were $20-28.25. Billings quoted ewes $25-31.50.

Yearling ewes in Texas markets brought $60-74 per head, some moving direct at $110. Colorado termed yearlings $127.50.