Prices Fall
On Dressed,
Live Lamb

Dressed lamb prices took a $5 across the board decline last week and there is fear that more declines will occur for the next several weeks. Feeder and slaughter lamb prices have been declining for the past few weeks in anticipation of this. This week the weakness continued by a couple of dollars on each class.

East Coast dressed lamb under 75 pounds brought $187.50-190, 75-85 pounds $182.50-185 and over 85 pounds $177.50-184.50. Carcass lamb cutout values declined $5.18 and $5.17 last week with 65 pounds and down at $208.75, weights over 65 pounds $209.03.

Recent weekly sheep and lamb slaughter rates set two consecutive record lows. The month of June will set another record low. Year to date slaughter is down 7.2 percent at 1.7 million head.

Lamb and mutton imported last week totaled 658 metric tons or 1.45 million pounds, the equivalent of 39 percent of domestic production. Year to date imports for the first five months were down 4.8 percent at 21,887 metric tons. The year to date import volume of 49.6 million pounds is the equivalent of 45.3 percent of domestic production.

President Clinton had still made no decision at presstime on the Section 201 trade case against lamb meat imports.

Current feeder lamb prices are around $5-12 below year-ago levels, fats are $10-15 off, dressed lamb down $10 and slaughter ewes are up $2-5.

Slaughter ewes were a little stronger in Midwest markets but weaker in Texas. Ewe exports to Mexico last week totaled 5391 head, bringing exports for the year through Monday to 137,777 head, up 9.7 percent.

Feeder lambs were in short supply throughout the country this week. San Angelo had 40-60 pound feeders $78-86, 60-90 pounds $75-85, and 90-100 pounds $77-80. Goldthwaite feeders weighing 40-60 pounds sold for $73-78, 60-90 pounds $72-79. Junction lambs were $76-78 on 50-65 pounds, and Midwest markets had 50-75 pound lambs $78-82, 75-90 pounds $75-79.50.

Feeder lambs weighing 75-85 pounds moving direct in West Texas were $75-83. Mixed fats and feeders weighing 120-135 in California and in Oregon brought $75.

Fat lambs in San Angelo were $78-83 on 100-115 pounds, Goldthwaite had 85-135 pound lambs $72-78, and Junction fats weighing 80-95 pounds made $64.50-70. Midwest markets moved fats at $75-83.80.

Fat lambs weighing 125-130 pounds moving direct in the Midwest brought $80-84. Colorado newcrop fat lambs of 145-150 pounds moved direct at $87.50. Formula lambs there recently averaged 138 pounds at $84.58 compared to 154 pounds and $94.60 a year ago.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo sold from $28 to $37 with fleshy offerings $39-49. Midwest markets had ewes $23-34.

California reported three to four year-old ewes going back to the country at $115 per head.