Lamb Prices
Benefit From
Higher Meat

Dressed lamb prices were boosted $5 across the board last week and indications are that there will be another adjustment this week. With that background, fat and feeder lamb prices were generally higher around the country.

Fat lambs were as much as $10 higher on Midwest markets and some feeder lambs in Texas were $5 higher.

Cutout values were $2.50 lower for the third weekly loss in a row and are now $22-23 below a month ago. Weights 65 pounds and down were $170.30, 65 pounds and up $170.85.

On the East Coast, lamb carcasses range from $167 on 55 pounds and down to $140 on 85 pounds and up.

A total of 1175 metric tons of lamb were imported last week, or 2.6 million pounds, the equivalent of 47 percent of domestic production. There have been 17,097 metric tons of lamb imported this year, down 3.7 percent from a year ago.

Slaughter ewes continue to find favor with our southern friends at prices are generally stronger. There were 5689 ewes exported to Mexico last week. The total exported this year through Tuesday was up 12 percent at 93,500 head.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $87-92, 60-90 pounds $84-89.50, a few to $92, and 90-105 pounds $80-85.50. Fredericksburg lambs weighing 60-80 pounds were $90-95, and Goldthwaite had 50-70 pound lambs $85-99, 80-105 pounds $75-88. Junction feeders weighing 60-90 pounds made $79-91. Midwest markets had 50-80 pound feeders at $80-110 with a few 65-70 pounds $115, a few oldcrops 70-100 pounds $65-75.

Feeder lambs weighing 70-85 pounds moving direct in West Texas brought $83-88. Recent sales in Arizona had 110-120 pound lambs $72-75 and California had 100-120 pound feeders $72, over 120 pounds $70.

Fat lambs in San Angelo weighing 100-130 pounds made $66-71, a few to $74, 130-155 pounds $62-65; newcrops brought $73-77. Midwest markets quoted shorn lambs $72-80.30 on Wednesday, wooled $65-77.

Slaughter lambs of 120-140 pounds moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers made $66-70, 140-160 pounds $63-66. California fats weighing 130-160 pounds brought $70. Midwest direct sales on 135-145 pound fats were $66-70, South Dakota fats weighing 135 pounds moved at $72.50 on a specialty interest, and 130-160 pound Colorado lambs moved on contract at $64-70, 160-175 pounds $61-65. The averages were 153 pounds at $63.67 compared to 155 pounds and $60.49 a year ago. Wyoming fat lambs weighing 150 pounds made $66.50 for June delivery.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $37-59.50 with heavy fats stopping at $48. Midwest markets had ewes $25-37.50.

San Angelo quoted yearling ewes going back to the country at $67-78 per head, Montana yearlings were $85, and California ewe lambs weighing 110 pounds brought $88.