Lambs Find
Mixed Trade
In New Year

The lamb trade came into the new year with highly mixed trends around the country, though midweek sales were on the high side. Feeder lambs were as much as $5 higher in the Midwest, but San Angelo prices were considerably below the last reported sale.

Slaughter lambs were a little stronger in most places, though Sioux Falls was $4-5 higher Wednesday. Slaughter ewes were lower in Texas and stronger in the Midwest.

Dressed lamb prices struggled for position late last year and opened this year in a five-tier price structure with 10-pound graduations. Heavies were unchanged and now at the low end, lights as much as $13 above heavies and $10-12 higher than late last year. Weights 55 pounds and down were $156.50-157, 55-65 pounds $151.50-152, 65-75 pounds $149.50-150, 75-85 pounds $144.50-145, and 85 pounds and up $141.50-144.50.

In other value determining areas, wool is at a standstill and most of at least last year's clip is still in warehouses; pelts were nearly inactive with no true market value established. Pelt buyers continue to have unlimited access to ample supplies of domestic and imported pelts.

There were 665 metric tons of lamb passed for entry into the United States last week, or 1.46 million pounds, the equivalent of 40 percent of domestic production. The annual report shows 108 million pounds of lamb and mutton imported in 1998, the equivalent of 45 percent of domestic production. In addition, 9.6 million pounds of goat meat were imported last year. USDA does not keep production figures on goat meat.

In San Angelo this week, feeder lambs weighing 50-70 pounds brought $79-82.50, 70-90 pounds $73-80 and 90-100 pounds $70-73. Junction lambs of 50-75 pounds were $84-90. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $75-80, 80-100 pounds $70-75.50, and 100-110 lbs. $72-73.

Reports of feeder lambs moving direct were few and far between. Wyoming reported some 90 pound lambs at $75.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-130 pounds brought $67-75, 130-155 pounds $62-67, and some 70-90 pound offerings $77-81. Junction fats were $69-70. Midwest markets had fat lambs $62-70 with Sioux Falls on Wednesday $58.40-73.70, the highest since October.

Recent sales of slaughter lambs direct from Texas feedlots to packers were recorded at $68-70. Lambs moving direct in the Midwest were $63-68, and Colorado fats made $69; formula sales there earned $61-66. Formula sales for the previous week averaged 144 pounds at $63.82, compared to 148 pounds and $80.35 the same week a year ago.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $33-49.50, a few up to $51. Midwest markets had similar ewes $28-35.

Babytooth stock ewes in San Angelo made $60-65 per head. Solidmouth ewes in Oregon with March and April lambing dates brought $72.50.