Lamb Meat,
Live Lambs
Move Lower

Carcass lamb prices lost another $3-5 last week for the fourth weekly loss in a row. Fat and feeder lambs followed the decline by a couple of dollars.

USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service reported a total of 3571 metric tons of lamb imported into the U.S. in July, bringing the yearly total to 21,983 MT. For the year, lamb imports are up 22 percent. Imports from Australian in July totaled 1982 MT and from New Zealand 1556 MT. Other countries accounted for the additional 33 MT. The value of lamb imports in July was $18.8 million. An additional 830 MT of mutton and goat meat were imported in July, bringing the yearly total to 8544 MT, down 32 percent.

The amount of imported lamb required to kick in the 40 percent tariff on New Zealand and Australia lamb is 31,851 MT. Import figures are released around 45 days after the end of the month.

East Coast carlot lamb 55 pounds and down was $165.50-166 last week, 55-65 pounds $170.50-171, 65-85 pounds $174.50-175 and 85 pounds and up $171.50-172. Lamb cutout values lost $2.08 and $2.64 with 65 pounds and down $206.95 and 65 pounds and up $209.70.

Slaughter ewes were a couple of dollars lower this week. Exports to Mexico amounted to 6637 head through Thursday last week. The total for the year was up 10 percent at 226,372 head.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 40-60 pounds brought $76-79, 60-70 pounds $75-79, 70-90 pounds $72-74 and 90-100 pounds $72-73. Fredericksburg feeders made $73-78 on 60-80 pounds. Midwest markets had 45 pound feeders $95, 60-80 pounds $70-79, 80-100 pounds $64-70. Billings lambs of 60-70 pounds were $76.50-79.50, 70-80 pounds $77.25-79, 80-90 pounds $74-78.75, 90-100 pounds $70-74.25, and 100-115 pounds $67.50-69.75.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas had 80-90 pounds $73-75. Wyoming feeder lambs weighing 70-75 pounds brought $78-80, 80-90 pounds $75. Montana lambs of 80-90 pounds were $74-75 and 95-100 pounds $70-72. Utah feeders scaling 90-100 pounds made $72-75.

San Angelo sold 90-139 pound slaughter lambs at $73-77.50. Midwest markets had shorn lambs $73-74, wooled $70-73.75, 100-120 pounds $68-70. Billings fats weighing 125-135 pounds made $66.25-66.75.

North Dakota sold 130-145 pound fat lambs direct at $73-76, and 130-145 pound California fats moved for $70-75. Midwest fat lambs of 125-135 pounds moving direct brought $71-74. Contact lambs in Colorado were $76-83 on 110-150 pounds. The average price was $79.11 at 135 pounds compared to $78.02 and 134 a year ago.

Slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $31-47.50 with fat ewes stopping at $40.50. Midwest markets had ewes $24-35.50. Billings ewes brought $24-29.25.

Colorado had two to four year-old stock ewes returning to the country at $85 per head. Utah had two to five year-olds at $80-85.