Fat Lambs
Off, Feeders
Fare Better

Fat lamb prices fell a couple of dollars in most marketing areas following last week's sharp decline in the dressed trade. Feeder lambs found better going by $2-3 in most areas, with the full advance on the lightweights.

Declines of $5-8 pushed carcass prices to their lowest level in six months and almost eliminated weight differentials. Carcasses weighing 65 and down were $141.50-142 on the East Coast and 65 pounds and up were $144.50-145.

Lamb and mutton passed for entry into the United States totaled 710 metric tons last week or 1,562,000 pounds, the equivalent of 36 percent of domestic production. An additional 49 metric tons or 107,800 pounds of goat meat passed for entry.

Pelt prices remain depressed. Fall clips were $2-5 and No. 3-4 pelts $1, hardly enough to cover costs of production. A trade show in Italy later this month appears to be the next indicator on global trading.

Mexico imported 5770 slaughter ewes through Texas ports last week, bringing the year to date total to 242,288 head, or 6.6 percent more than the same period last year. There have also been 87,054 goats exported to Mexico this year, up 24 percent.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-70 pounds brought $73-81, 70-80 pounds $67.50-72.50, a few to $76, and 80-95 pounds $68-71. Fredericksburg lightweight lambs were $70-78 and heavies $65-70. Goldthwaite feeders weighing 65-80 pounds made $72-79 and Midwest markets had 60-80 pound lambs at $60-69, 80-100 pounds $58-60. Billings feeders weighing 60 pounds brought $70, 70-80 pounds $67.50-72, 80-90 pounds $65-70.25, 90-100 pounds $59.50-63.75, and 100-115 pounds $56-61.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly $67-72. Recent sales in New Mexico had 80 pound feeders at $62. South Dakota feeders weighing 90 pounds made $65.50, North Dakota had 80 pounders at $62, and 75-85 pound Wyoming lambs brought $69-70. Montana lambs weighing 95-100 ponds sold at $64, 100-105 pound Idaho feeders $68.50, and 95-105 pound lambs in Utah $65-70. California feeders weighing 75-85 pounds brought $71.50-75.

Fat lambs in San Angelo brought $60-65, a few up to $67. Goldthwaite had a few lambs at $63-67. Midwest markets moved fat lambs from $52 to $61, and fats in Billings brought $55.50-56.

Recent fat lamb sales in Wyoming had 150 pounders at $67 and 130 pounds $61. Idaho lambs weighing 130 pounds were also $61. California called 120-140 pounders $60-63, and Lambs moving direct in the Midwest made $57-58.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $30-42.50, fats stopping at $38. Midwest markets reported ewes at $18-29.50, and Billings ewes were $23.50-28.

California sent 80 pound whiteface ewe lambs back to the country at $83 cwt.