Fat, Feeder
Lamb Price
Trends Mixed

Price trends on fat and feeder lambs were a little iffy this week. Feeder lambs found fairly good demand and stronger prices at Texas markets, where the volume picked up a bit from recent short supplies.

Sheep and lamb slaughter last week was only 72,000 head, but it was the largest of the year. This week is starting out with a little larger volume, but year to date numbers are still some 10 percent below last year.

The dressed trade was steady last week with cutout values moving up 55 cents; on Wednesday they moved up another $2.20 at $181.48 on light carcasses and $181.75 on heavies.

There were 1136 metric tons of lamb and mutton imported last week, or 2.5 million pounds, the equivalent of 51 percent of domestic production. The year to date volume of lamb and mutton imports is running about three percent about that of 1998.

Slaughter ewes were a little stronger across the country. Ewe exports to Mexico last week totaled 5677 head. So far this year, 37,397 ewes have moved across the border, up 7.5 percent from last year.

East of San Angelo, rains have been sufficient for good small grain growth for grazing, but rains still have not come to the west, and pastures are looking bleak for this spring.

Newcrop lambs were a little more liberal in San Angelo this week with a few 50-70 pounds $91.50-94 and 80-85 pounds $84-88. Oldcrop lambs weighing 50-70 pounds brought $78-82, 70-90 pounds $73-80 and 90-110 pounds $69-73. Fredericksburg had newcrop lambs $90-95, a few to $100, but most were being taken by killers; oldcrops made $80-85. Goldthwaite feeders of 65-85 pounds made $67-79, and some 60-80 pound newcrops made $87-93. Junction feeders at 55-75 pounds were $72-85, newcrops around 50 pounds $95-96.50. Midwest markets quoted feeders 60-80 pounds $70-75, 80-100 pounds $65-70.

Recent movement of West Texas lambs going direct to feedlots had 65-70 pounds $75-78, 70-90 pounds $72-74. Colorado moved 100-105 pound lambs at $70 and some 120 pounds $65.50.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 95-130 pounds brought $64-71, a few up to $74.50, 130-150 pounds $60-65. Goldthwaite sold 100-130-pound fats for $64-68, and Junction had 90-130 pound lambs at $63-69. Midwest markets moved fats for $57-65.75.

Fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers recently brought $68-71 on 120-135 pounds, 150-160 pounds $65-68. Colorado fats made $68.50 and South Dakota lambs moved for $62.50-64. Utah fats were $66, the same price taking Washington lambs. California reported fats $66-68.50 with some buyers stopping weight payment at 135 pounds. Fats moving direct in the Midwest brought $60-64.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo were $32-47 with fats stopping at $39.50. Midwest markets had ewes $20-28.

Ewe lambs of 100-105 pounds returned to Oregon farms at $67 cwt., Montana bred solidmouth ewes $65 per head. San Angelo babytooth ewes sold at $60 per head.