Feeder Lambs
Soft, Fats
Off Sharply

Fat lamb prices suffered sharp declines in most areas this week, some Midwest sales fully $10 off. Although the carcass trade held steady, the financial crisis in Russia has cut pelt demand and the market was nearly inactive.

USDA says the unsettled pelt situation may not change until after a trade show in Turkey in a couple of weeks. The market undertone reflected considerable pressure, and trade members said what sales were made brought about half the earlier price. In essence, that took about $10 off the lamb realization value.

Feeder lambs were generally a couple of dollars lower around the country. Slaughter ewes were steady in Midwest markets but mostly lower in Texas. Ewe exports to Mexico last week totaled 5287 head. In the first eight months of the year, 186,956 ewes crossed into Mexico, up about five percent from 178,359 head for the same period a year ago. Mexico also took 67,734 goats so far this year compared to 55,555 a year ago.

Lamb passed for entry into the U.S. last week totaled 521 metric tons, the equivalent of 29 percent of domestic production.

In San Angelo 40-70 pound feeder lambs brought $80-87, 70-95 pounds $78-85 and 80-95 pounds $78-82. Fredericksburg lambs moved mostly from $80 to $88. Goldthwaite lambs weighing 45-60 pounds made $85-90 and 70-90 pounds $79-85. Midwest markets had 55-80 pound feeders $73-80, 80-120 pounds $70-76.50. Billings lambs of 55-70 pounds were $74.50-78, 70-80 pounds $72-77, 80-90 pounds $69-74, and 90-115 pounds $65.50-70.50.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas earned mostly $78-82 on 70-90 pounds. Recent sales in South Dakota had 90-100 pounds $76.50-78, and North Dakota had 78 pounders at $79. Wyoming feeders scaling 95-100 pounds made $73.30-74 and 105 pounds $70. Montana quoted $80 on 70 pounders and $73.50 on 95 pounds.

Oregon feeders weighing 75-100 pounds moved at $65 and 90 pounds $68; 90-100 pound Idaho feeders brought $78-80 and 110-120 pound mixed fats and feeders made $81.50.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo brought $77-81, Goldthwaite fats $71-77. Midwest markets called 100-110 pound fats $64-74, 110-120 pounds $66-76 and 120-140 pounds $70-78. Billings fats moved for $71.50-73.75.

Fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers earned $85-89, a few up to $91. Wyoming fat lambs weighing 125-130 pounds brought $84.10, 125-130 pound Oregon fats made $74, and California had 110-140 pound lambs at $75-80, a few $83. Midwest fats moved direct at $81-84. Colorado formula-based fats averaged 130 pounds at $87.09 a week ago compared to 140 pounds at $94.04 a year ago.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $28-40, Midwest ewes $20-32, and in Billings $21.50-29.

Yearling stock ewes in Texas markets were $75-87 per head, babytooth $61-73 and solidmouth $42-68.