Lamb Meat
Prices Off
Once Again

Dressed lamb suffered another loss last week. This was the seventh loss in as many weeks. The mostly $2 lower market is now more than 12 percent below early September.

During the same seven week period the lamb carcass cutout value declined eight percent.

Despite that carcass decline, live lambs were mostly steady this week, a few on Midwest markets a little higher early.

Feeder lambs held mostly steady this week, slaughter ewes a little stronger.

East Coast carlot carcass lamb prices were 55 pounds and down $158.50-163, 55-65 pounds $160.50-163, 65-85 pounds $164.50-166 and 85 pounds and up $161.50-164. The carcass cutout value was off 18 cents on 65 pounds and down at $197.78 and off 10 cents on 65 pounds and up at $200.80.

The most recent USDA report shows lamb and mutton imports the week ending September 4 at 557 metric tons, or 1.2 million pounds, the equivalent of 27 percent of domestic production that week. There were also 53 metric tons, or 116,650 pounds, of goat meat imported that week.

Mexico imported 5488 slaughter ewes last week. Another 2700 crossed the river Monday, bringing the year to date total to 254,695 head, 12.5 percent above a year ago.

The pelt market is still hurting with limited sales $1.25-4.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo weighing 40-70 pounds brought $74-80, 70-80 pounds $72-78.50, 80-90 pounds $71-78 and 90-100 pounds $70-75. Fredericksburg lambs weighing 50-80 pounds made $75-80, 80-90 pounds $74-77. Midwest markets had 40-45 pound lambs $87, 60-80 pounds $68-74.25, a few $81, and 80-100 pounds $65-72.50. Billings lambs of 50-60 pounds were $71-77.50, 60-90 pounds $76-81.25, and 90-110 pounds $64.25-70.50.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly 65-85 pounds and $72-75. Colorado had 110 pound feeders at $73, and South Dakota moved 75 pound lambs at $80, 115 pounds $63. Eighty pound lambs in Wyoming brought $79-80. Montana had 90 pound lambs $77, and Utah feeders weighing 95-100 pounds moved at $75.

Fat lambs in San Angelo brought $70-76.50, a few $77-79. Midwest markets had shorn lambs $62-69.75, wooled $61-68.75. Billings fat lambs brought $64.25-65.25.

Recent sales of fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers had 115-135 pounders $68-72 and 125-160 pound Colorado made $72-77. Wyoming lambs weighing 137 pounds made $73.56, California quoted 125-135 pound lambs $65-70, and Midwest fat lambs moved direct at $63-65.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo were $27-35, fleshy $33-43. Midwest slaughter ewes brought $22-28, Billings ewes $23-25.

Stock ewe lambs in Oregon turned at $95 per head. Wyoming ewe lambs weighing 85-90 pounds made $88 cwt. and aged ewes $47.50 per head. Idaho moved solidmouth ewes at $70 per head.