Lamb Carcass
And Live Lamb
Prices Lower

Lamb carcasses were steady to $10 lower last week, putting pressure on live lamb prices this week. Fat and feeder lambs were unevenly weak to a couple of dollars lower.

The price decline on carcasses was most severe on lightweights; prices were steady on heavies, some a little stronger. Weights 55 pounds and down brought $174.50-183, 55-65 pounds $181.50-184, 65-85 pounds $183-189 and 85 pounds and up $183-186. Carcass cutout values declined also, weights 65 pounds and down slipping $3.30 at $211.40, 65 pounds and up off $2.20 at $214.70.

Slaughter ewes were a little firmer. Mexico took 4542 head last week. Export numbers through Tuesday were 203,856 head, six percent more than a year ago.

Pelt prices are deteriorating, the bulk moving from $1.10 to $2.65 with spring lamb pelts up to $4.50.

Lamb meat quality continues on the plus side. In July 84.3 percent of the lambs slaughtered under federal inspection were graded by USDA; 92 percent graded choice and eight percent prime. In addition, 97 percent were yield grade 1-3.

Lamb and mutton imports totaled 1309 metric tons the week ending July 24, or 2.9 million pounds, the equivalent of 71 percent of domestic production. This was the largest weekly shipment since late March, and comes the very week of the beginning of the tariff increase that President Clinton imposed on lamb imported from Australia and New Zealand. Shipments from Australia totaled 843 tons and from New Zealand 466 tons.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 60-70 pounds brought $77-82, 70-90 pounds $74-80 and 90-100 pounds $74-76. Fredericksburg lambs were mostly $75-81. Midwest markets had 60-80 pound lambs $73-75, 80-100 pounds $70-73.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly $78-81, Colorado lambs weighing 100-115 pounds moved at $80, and 95 pound Wyoming feeders were $78.10. Montana moved 100 pound lambs at $74.50-75. Idaho lambs of 90-120 pounds brought $74, and 100-120 pound mixed fat and feeders made $80-81. Washington moved 90 pound feeders at $71, Utah feeders weighing 90-105 pounds were $70-79, and Nevada had 75-80 pound lambs $80.

Fat lambs weighing 90-130 pounds in San Angelo brought $75-81, a few $82-83. Midwest markets quoted wooled lambs $69-72 and shorn $72-74.

Colorado fat lambs of 110-120 pounds brought $80. Contract lambs there weighing 120-150 pounds were $80-86 with an $84.39 average at 129 pounds. Washington reported 120-130 pound fats at $75-80, and 120-140 pound California lambs held the same quotes.

Slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $35-50.50 with a few up to $56.50. Midwest ewes were $25-28.

Faith, S.D. had yearling stock ewes $95-125 per head. Montana yearlings were $105, and mixed age ewes in Oregon went at $85.