Fat, Feeder
Lambs Trade
On Low Side

Feeder and fat lambs were a couple of dollars lower this week in sympathy with the declining carcass trade.

Carcass lambs were $4 lower across the board late last week, weights 55 pounds and down $156.50-157 on the East Coast, 55-65 pounds $164.50-157 and heavier weights $169.50-170.

Lamb pelt prices were reported this week for the first time in a couple of months, and they are at a near giveaway level. Fall clips were quoted at $4 compared to $18 a couple of months ago, No. 1s were quoted $3 and No. 2, 3 and 4 were all at $1. Pelt values are still unsettled with a huge inventory that is getting larger by the day.

Lamb passed for entry into the United States amounted to 650 metric tons last week, or 1,408,000 pounds and the equivalent of about 32 percent of domestic production. In addition, 31 metric tons of goat meat or 68,200 pounds passed for entry.

Slaughter ewes were about steady across the country. There were 5443 ewes exported to Mexico through Texas ports last week, bringing the total to 218,439 head compared to 208,558 a year ago.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 40-60 pounds brought $68.50-71, 60-70 pounds $67-72.50, 70-80 pounds $67-71, 80-90 pounds $66-68, and 90-105 pounds $64.50-67.50. Fredericksburg quoted good lightweight lambs $72-77 and 75-90 pounds $65-71. Goldthwaite feeders weighing 45-65 pounds made $68-75, and 60-80 pound Junction lambs were $67-72. Midwest markets had feeder lambs of 60-80 pounds at $65-68 and 80-100 pounds $62-65.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly $65-66 on 75-85 pounds and $70-71 on 60-70 pounds. New Mexico called 70-75 pound feeders $70-73, and 80-105 pound Colorado brought $63-68. South Dakota feeders weighing 90-95 pounds earned $68.50-68.75, 70-80 pound Wyoming lambs were $70-71 and 80-85 pounds $66-70. Montana feeders made $67-68 on 90-95 pounds, and 75-85 pounders were $70. Utah lambs weighing 85-100 pounds made $65-68 and 100-110 pounds $64-65.

Fat lambs in San Angelo were scarce and a few made $65-69 on 100-125 pounds, a few 135 pounders $72. Goldthwaite had 90-110 pound killers at $62-64, and Junction lambs weighing 90-100 pounds brought $58-65. Midwest markets quoted 100-110 pound fats $63-66, 110-120 pounds $63-68 and 120-150 pounds $65-70.

Most fat lambs moving direct were priced on carcass values. Kansas quoted a few 135-140 pound fats moving direct at $78.50, and Colorado had similar weight lambs at $80. California fats weighing 125-140 pounds moved at $70, those moving direct in the Midwest $67-70.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $27-41 with fats stopping at $34. Midwest markets reported ewes $22-25.

Ewe lambs weighing 75-80 pounds went back to the country at $80-81 cwt., and 65-70 pounds $75. A few mixed age ewes were $45 per head. Idaho yearlings brought $125 per head and mixed ages $70.