Fat, Feeder
Lamb Trends
Kinda So-So

Fat and feeder lamb price trends showed little enthusiasm in either direction this week despite the second week in a row of stronger carcasses prices. Slaughter ewes were basically steady.

Comparing prices with a year ago makes you scratch your head. Lamb carcasses compared to the same week a year ago are anywhere from $1-4 higher on lightweights and $8-10 higher on heavies, whereas fat lambs are about $5 below a year ago, feeders $12-16 down and slaughter ewes $3 off.

In spite of higher carcass prices, the carcass cutout values lost around $5. Weights 65 pounds and down were $184.74, 65 and up $185.29. East Coast lamb carcasses under 85 pounds were $5 higher last week, heavies steady. Weights 55 pounds and down were $162, 55-65 pounds $157, 65-75 pounds $155, 75-85 pounds $150, and over 85 pounds $142.

Lamb and mutton passed for entry into the U.S. last week amounted to 983 metric tons, or 2.16 million pounds and the equivalent of 54 percent of domestic production.

Slaughter ewe exports to Mexico last week totaled 5770 head, and about 3000 crossed the first two days of this week.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 50-70 pounds brought $80-86, 70-90 pounds $73-81. Fredericksburg had newcrop lambs $80-88, a few oldcrops $75-80. Goldthwaite lambs weighing 55-80 pounds made $79-87, and Junction had 50-80 pound feeders $76-84. Midwest markets moved 60-80 pound feeders at $75-80, one set $92, 80-115 pounds $70-75.

Recent sales of feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas had 70-90 pounds $73-78 and 90-95 pounds $70. Wyoming quoted 95-105 pound lambs $72 with discounts starting at 100 pounds. Utah had 95-100 pound lambs $66-67 and some 115 pounders $72.

Fat lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-125 pounds brought $69.50-75, 125-150 pounds $62-69. Goldthwaite fats made $68-72 and Junction fats $60-72. Midwest markets moved fat lambs at $63-72.

Fat lambs weighing 120-130 pounds moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers brought $68-70. Colorado had 110-120 pounds $67, 145 pounds $73.50. Weekly averages on contract lambs there were 144 pounds at $64.57 compared to a year ago at 146 pounds and $79.98. Fat lambs moving direct in Utah were $66-67 at 125-135 pounds, and Nevada sold 140 pound lambs at $67.50. Fat lambs of 125-160 moving direct in the Midwest pounds were $65.25-70.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $38-49, a few $50-54, with fat offerings stopping at $49. Midwest ewes were $30-34.

Bred babytooth stock ewes in San Angelo brought $60-70 per head. Goldthwaite had 130 pound yearlings pounds at $59 cwt. Nevada ewe lambs weighing 90-95 pounds brought $80 per head.