Lamb Prices
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Fat and feeder lamb prices continued their relentless decline into near unprofitable areas. Fat lambs lost another $3 and blame is still associated with the demise of the stagnant pelt market.

Feeder lambs were anywhere from $1 lower to as much as $6 off, and a decided price differential is apparent on their weight. The lighter lambs held closest to steady while those near slaughter weights suffered the most.

The dressed lamb trade held fairly stable with only minor ups and down. East Coast prices on carcasses were $163.50-164 on weights 55 pounds and down, 171.50-172 on 55-65 pounds and $176.50-177 on carcasses over 65 pounds. One bright spot, the carcass cutout value, increased $4.27 and $3.14 to $193.88 on weights under 65 pounds, heavies $198.98.

Slaughter ewes were mostly steady with a little weakness in San Angelo. Outlets into Mexico were active last week with 6018 ewes crossing through Texas ports. The year to date movement into Mexico has taken 196,339 head through Monday compared to 189,102 for the same period a year ago.

Drouth conditions still prevail over a large portion of the Texas sheep country in spite of good but spotty recent rains. Restocking into that area cannot get underway until more predictable rains come.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $72-80, 60-70 pounds $72.50-77, 70-80 pounds $70-74, 80-90 pounds $68.50-74, and 90-100 pounds $65-69. Fredericksburg lambs weighing 60-80 pounds were mostly $72-77, Goldthwaite feeders 60-90 pounds $71-75. Junction feeders of 50-75 pounds were $70-79. Midwest markets had 60-80 pound feeders at $67.50-72, 80-100 pounds $63-68 and 100-115 pounds $67.50-68. Billings feeders weighing 50-60 pounds were $70.50-74, 60-70 pounds $71-76.25, 70-80 pounds $68-75.25, 80-90 pounds $66.40-74.75, and 90-110 pounds $63.50-68.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas weighing around 70 pounds brought $72-74. A large share of the mountain lambs continue to move into custom feedlots with retained ownership. A few 100-110 pound lambs in Montana sold at $65. Utah quoted 90-105 pounds $60-64 for September and October delivery.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo were scarce, but a few brought $64-67. Goldthwaite called fats $66-70. Midwest markets moved fats of 100-110 pounds $65-70, 110-120 pounds $64-73, and 120-140 pounds $66-76. Billings slaughter lambs made $64.75-66.75. Midwest teleauctions sold 148 pound lambs for $76.75.

Recent sales of slaughter lambs moving direct in Colorado had 120-130 pounder ats $70-77. Wyoming saw $75 on 130 pounders. Montana fats weighing 125-130 pounds were $70. Oregon fats scaling 110-130 pounds made $64, and 110-135 pound California lambs brought $70. Lambs moving direct in the Midwest were $71-75.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $29-42, fats generally stopping at $39. Mixed markets had ewes $22-31, and Billings ewes made $22.50-28.

Yearling stock ewes in San Angelo brought $64-66 per head, babytooth ewes $63-61. California yearlings traded at $108 per head.