Fat, Feeder
Lambs Higher,
Meat Mixed

Fat and feeder lambs moved steady to a little higher in several areas this week. Slaughter ewes were lower in Texas but higher in the Midwest.

Carcass lamb prices on the East Coast narrowed their range last week. Weights under 55 pounds were $2 higher on the bottom end and steady on the top end; over 55 pounds were steady on the bottom and $1-2 lower on the top. Weights 55 pounds and down were $160.50-163, 55-65 pounds $160.50-161, 65-85 pounds $164.50-165 and 85 pounds and up $161.50-162.

Carcass cutout values also narrowed with an improvement of 88 cents on 65 pounds and down at $199.65, and a loss of $1.05 on over 65 pounds at $199.75.

Slaughter ewe exports to Mexico reached 8806 head last week, the largest one week movement in quite some time. The total crossed this year through Monday was 262,271 head, up 13 percent from last year.

U.S. commercial sheep and lamb slaughter the first three quarters of the year is down four percent at 2.7 million head.

During the first two-thirds of the year the U.S. imported 24,012 metric tons of lamb. If the volume remains consistent, imports should reach the 31,851-ton tariff trigger about the first week in December.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 50-80 pounds brought $75-79, 80-90 pounds $72-78.50 and 90-100 pounds $72-77.50. Fredericksburg lambs of 60-80 pounds made $78-82, and 80-90 pounds $74-78. Feeder lambs in Midwest markets were $73-78.50 on 50-60 pounds, a package of 45 pounders $94, 52 pounds $85, 60-80 pounds $72-76, and 80-100 pounds $63.50-72. Billings lambs brought $80-81 at 40-50 pounds, 60-70 pounds $79.50-84.75, 70-80 pounds $81-85, 80-90 pounds $77.75-85.75, 90-100 pounds $73-83, and 100-115 pounds $66.50-75.

Feeder lambs weighing 65-80 pounds moving direct in West Texas were mostly $74-76. Recent sales in Wyoming had 85 pound lambs at $76, and 75 pound Montana lambs went at $80. New Mexico had 50-70 pound feeders $75-77, 70-90 pounds $72-75.

San Angelo slaughter lambs of 90-130 pounds made $70-76, a few $77-79, and 140-155 pounds $67-70. Midwest markets had shorn fats $68-72.70, wooled $66-72.10.

Recent sales of slaughter lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers were $68-72. Colorado had 140 pound fat lambs at $76, contracts there 130-155 pounds at $70-75; the weekly average was 141 pounds at $72.76 compared to 135 pounds and $73.58 a year ago. South Dakota moved 130-135 pound lambs at $67. California called fats $65-69, and fat lambs moving direct in the Midwest were $66-68.

Slaughter ewes in San Angelo were mostly $28-39, a few to $44.50. Midwest markets had ewes $22-33.50, and billings ewes brought $22.50-26.50.

Colorado had yearling replacement ewes $125 per head and South Dakota yearlings made $120. Wyoming yearlings were $125 per head, ewe lambs 75-80 pounds $85 cwt. and 90 pounds $92. Ewe lambs in Utah made $80 on 95 pound lambs, with babytooth to solidmouth ewes $85 per head.