More price losses occurred in feeder and fat lambs this week, as well as slaughter ewes. Feeder lambs were uneven but generally weak to $3 lower around the country, slaughter lambs lost as much as $8, and slaughter ewes were a couple of dollars off.

Carcass prices were steady to $8 lower late last week and lost another $5 across the board at midweek. On the East Coast Wednesday, weights 45-55 pounds were $151.50, 55-65 pounds $154.50 and over 65 pounds $156.50. Only $5 separates the weight brackets now.

The pelt market suffered another hit with prices at $1-3. The world market is unsettled and inventories are beginning to pile up. Some American producers suggested that Australia use its wool stockpile to build the next Olympic fire, so it might also be advisable to trash our surplus pelts rather than letting them reach an unmanageable stockpile. Reports indicate that at least one packer is paying a dollar a pelt to have them hauled to the landfill.

A bright spot on the horizon; West Texas is getting a little rain and grazing prospects should be looking up.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $69-73.50, 60-70 pounds $68-72, a few $74, 70-90 pounds $67-70, a few $72, 90-100 pounds $64-68. Fredericksburg had heavy rains and not enough lambs sold for a test. Goldthwaite lambs of 50-80 pounds were $67.50-79 and Junction sold 55-70 pound feeders at $67-69. Midwest markets quoted feeders weighing 45-80 pounds $60-68 and 80-100 pounds $58-65. Billings lambs at 50-80 pounds made $70-72.50, 80-90 pounds $65-70, 90-100 pounds $64.20-70, 90-100 pounds $63.25-68, and 100-115 pounds $62-65.75.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas at 75-85 pounds were mostly $65-69. New Mexico had 60-70 pound feeders at $70 and 80-90 pounds $65-68. South Dakota lambs weighing 75-80 pounds were $68, and North Dakota had 85 pounders at $65. Wyoming feeders of 78-80 pounds moved for $67-70, 90-92 pounds $66-68 and 100 pounds $64. Utah sold 90-100 pound feeders at $68-70.25, 80-100 pound Oregon lambs brought $64-65, and 80-95 pounders in Montana were $68.50-70.

San Angelo fat lambs made $63-68.50 on 100-125 pounds, Goldthwaite $59-64. Midwest markets moved 100-110 pound fats at $58-64, 110-120 pounds $60-66 and 120-150 pounds $60-65.

Recent sales on fat lambs moving direct in West Texas were $70-75 weighing 120-135 pounds. Colorado lambs of 115-145 pounds brought $70-78, Oregon reported 115-135 pound lambs at $62, and California lambs made $65-70. Fat lambs moving direct in the Midwest brought $63-67.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo sold from $25 to $42 with fats stopping at $32.50. Midwest markets called ewes $20-32.50, and Billings ewes brought $22-25. A total of 5819 slaughter ewes crossed into Mexico through Texas ports last week.

Wyoming ewe lambs averaging 86 pounds went back to the country at $82 cwt. Ewe lambs in Utah weighing 90-95 pounds made $77 cwt. with 160-170 pound solidmouth ewes at $26. Montana yearlings brought $115 per head, three year-olds $90 and mixed age ewes $75.