Feeder Lambs
Mixed, Fats
On Soft Side

Feeder lamb prices were mixed around the country, showing a little strength in some areas and a little weakness in others. Fat lambs were a little weaker in the Midwest markets.

The dressed trade was steady on all weights last week. The top end was still at $189 on all weights except those over 85 pounds, which were $188.50. Cutout values showed a little weakness with 65 pounds and down off 46 cents at $214.70 and heavies off 21 cents at $216.90.

There is still no real pelt market. Prices range from $1.30 to $3.75 with some full-wooled spring pelts up to $5.

Slaughter ewes in Texas were a little higher. Mexico took 4777 head last week.

Sporadic and widely scattered rains the last few years have put most area pastures in tinderbox condition. Several grass fires have occurred from lightning, and rain is needed all over West Texas.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 40-60 pounds brought $79.50-85, 60-70 pounds $77.50-84, 70-90 pounds $75-80, a few up to $84, and 90-100 pounds $76-79. Fredericksburg feeders were mostly $78-83. Goldthwaite feeders weighing 40-80 pounds made $73-85, and Junction had 40-70 pound lambs $75-79.50. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound lambs $73-89, 80-100 pounds $70-76. Billings lambs weighing 60-70 pounds brought $80.75-87.75, 70-80 pounds $79-82.25, 80-90 pounds $76.25-80.75, 90-100 pounds $73.25-75.75, and 100-115 pounds $72.50-74.

Recent sales of West Texas feeder lambs moving direct had 60-70 pounds $78-82, 70-90 pounds $76-79. South Dakota feeders of 90-95 pounds sold at $81, North Dakota had 70-85 pound lambs $79.75-80, and 95-100 pound Wyoming lambs turned at $80. Montana had 90-95 pound feeders $79-81 and 100-115 pounders were committed for September delivery at $78. Oregon lambs scaling 95 pounds brought $74; mixed fat and feeder lambs there weighing 100-120 pounds were $77. Mixed fat and feeders of 100-120 pounds in Idaho made $76-80.

A few fat lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-130 pounds made $78-81.50, Goldthwaite fats were $68-78, and Junction called 80-110 pound lambs $65-75. Midwest markets quoted fat lambs $72-79.50. Billings fat lambs brought $69.50-72.25. Lambs on the Internet in the Midwest were $75.50.

West Texas lambs moved direct from feedlots to packers at $83-85 on 120-135 pound weights. Colorado sold 130-160 pound lambs at $81-86 and Idaho lambs weighing 120-125 pounds made $74-75.80. California fats of 120-135 pounds brought $73-79. Fat lambs moving direct in the Midwest made $78-80 on shorn and $73-79 on wooled.

San Angelo slaughter ewes were $35-50, a few to $54. Midwest ewes were $22-31.50, and in Billings $20-31.

Yearling ewes went back to the country in Idaho at $127.50 per head, Montana calling yearling ewes $95-110.