Texas Feeder
Lamb Prices
Turn Softer

Feeder lambs in most Texas markets tended to soften a little this week, though numbers remain limited. Midwest markets were steady.

Slaughter lambs on the open market were in small supply everywhere, but most prices were about steady. A preponderance of the fat lambs moved to packers on a carcass based formula.

Slaughter ewes were about steady. A total of 6661 head were exported to Mexico through Texas ports last week.

Carcass lamb prices were unchanged last week and have been at the same level for six weeks. Heavyweights are still $13 above lights. Weights under 55 pounds were $163.50-164, 55-65 pounds $171.50-172, and over 65 pounds $175.50-177.

Pork production is running at record high levels and prices on some cuts are the lowest in many years, making it difficult for competing meats to hold prices at equitable levels.

An abundance of low-priced competing meat, liberal lamb imports, record low lamb meat production, burdensome grain supplies at depressed prices, still no good news from the pelt market, drouth conditions and predators of all kinds; it does not bode well for viability in the lamb industry.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $70-75.50, 60-70 pounds $68-73, 70-90 pounds $68-71 and 90-100 pounds $64-67.50. Most Fredericksburg feeders weighing 70-80 pounds made $70-75, Goldthwaite lambs of 65-85 pounds $67.50-74, and Junction feeders scaling 50-80 pounds were $68-73. Midwest markets moved 60-80 pound feeders at $66-70 and 80-100 pounds $63-66. Billings lambs weighing 65-70 pounds made $70.25-73.25, 70-80 pounds $70-74, 80-90 pounds $67-71.50, and 90-115 pounds $64.50-68.75.

Feeder lambs weighing 75-85 pounds moving direct in West Texas brought $66-70. Recent sales of feeder lambs in South Dakota had 75 pounds at $68, and Wyoming feeder lambs at 78-82 pounds were $65, 70-75 pounds $70. In Montana, 100-110 pound lambs made $60-62, 95 pounds $65 and 75 pounds $73. Utah quoted 90-105 pound feeders $63-65.

San Angelo had a few 100-130 pound fat lambs at $62.50-68.50, a few up to $72. Junction fats made $63-64. Midwest markets moved 100-110 pound fats for $62-70, 110-120 pounds $63-70 and 120-150 pounds $64-75.10. Billings fat lambs brought $65.25-66.

Colorado fat lambs moving on formula pricing averaged $78.31 and 132 pounds compared to $88.48 a year ago at 142 pounds. Fat lambs in California weighing 105-140 pounds moved direct at $68-72, mostly $70. Midwest lambs moving direct were $2 lower at $68-72.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $25.50-41, fats stopping at $36. Fleshy ewes on Midwest markets were $22-32, and Billings had ewes at $24-28.25.