Lamb Prices
Continue At
Steady Rates

Little price change was evident on feeder and slaughter lambs this week. Slaughter rates have picked up slightly as Easter approaches, and dressed carcass prices have remained the same for the past eight weeks. That could change soon, with the snowstorm sweeping the Northeast.

Newcrop lambs are outselling oldcrops by $8 to $15; killers are taking quite a few of them, and will probably take more as Easter nears.

A total of 1044 metric tons of lamb and mutton were passed for entry into the U.S. last week, 2.3 million pounds and equal to 43 percent of domestic production. The year to date volume through February 27 was up 8.2 percent from a year ago at 8050 metric tons, or 17.7 million pounds. Goat meat imports came to 56 metric tons last week.

Slaughter ewes were a couple of dollars lower in San Angelo. Ewes exported to Mexico through Texas ports last week totaled 6961 head.

A teasing rain swept through Texas early this week, but pastures are still rated a fire hazard. Even with the mild winter, spring grazing is at a minimum. Deep-rooted mesquites are beginning to leaf out, but that's about the only way to tell winter is ending.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 65-90 pounds brought $71-78, 90-100 pounds $70-71. Newcrop lambs of 45-60 pounds sold from $92 to $101, most going for slaughter, 60-80 pounds $85-88, and 80-95 pounds $78-85. Fredericksburg had lightweight newcrop lambs $88-93 and heavies $80-85. Goldthwaite feeders moved for $68-76.50, newcrop 40-60 pounds $86-95, 60-100 pounds $75-88. Junction feeders were $70-75, newcrops $87-95. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $70-79.50, 80-100 pounds $65-71.50. In Billings, 60-75 pound lambs brought $70-73.50, 80-100 pounds $66.50-69.50.

Feeder lambs weighing 70-90 pounds moving direct in West Texas brought $73-78, 70-80 pound newcrops $80-82. Recent sales in Montana had 90 pound feeders $73.50 and 100 pounders $68. Oregon moved 110 pound feeders at $65.13.

San Angelo fat lambs of 100-130 pounds brought $64-70.50, 130-155 pounds $63-65. Newcrop 95-105 pounders made $73.50-78. Goldthwaite fats were $64-74, Junction lambs $63.50-68.50. Midwest markets quoted wooled lambs $60-64.50, shorn $63-37.25, and teleauction lambs $62.50-65.50. Billings fats made $54.50-58.50.

Fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers earned $68-71 on 120-135 pounds and $65-68 on 145-160 pounds. South Dakota lambs weighing 130 pounds brought $67 and 140-165 pounds $62-65; Utahs $66-67. California lambs were $66-70 on 130-155 pounds, most with a 135-pound weight stop. Colorado contract lambs averaged 146 pounds at $67.56 compared to 151 pounds and $71.67 a year ago.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $37-50.50, a few to $54.50, heavy fats stopping at $47. Midwest ewes were $28-36 and in Billings $34-37.

Three to eight year-old ewes weighing 185-190 pounds bred for April lambing brought $100 per head, and Montana reported 2-3 year-old 155-175 pound ewes for April lambing at $115.