Lamb Meat,
Live Lambs
Move Higher

For the second week in a row, fat and feeder lambs found a steady to higher market around the country. Slaughter ewes were also a couple of dollars higher.

Carcass lamb on the East Coast was mostly $3 higher late last week. Weights 55 pounds and down were $163.50-166, 55-65 pounds $163.50-164, 65-85 pounds $167.50-168 and 85 pounds and up $164.50-165.

The pelt market remains $4 and back, or hardly worth the effort. The pelt report did say prices were a little stronger than last year.

A total of 518 metric tons, or 1.1 million pounds, of lamb and mutton were inspected for entry the week of September 25, the equivalent of 24 percent of domestic production that week.

Imported lamb meat as of the end of August was only 7800 metric tons short of triggering the added tariff onto shipments from Australia and New Zealand. Although the latest figure is 4000 metric tons above last year, it may not reach that triggering point. If it does, it will be in December when the Christmas lamb comes in.

A total of 5734 slaughter ewes crossed into Mexico last week. The year to date total through Tuesday was 13 percent above a year ago at 278,544 head.

San Angelo feeder lambs weighing 50-90 pounds brought $78-82.50, a few 60-70 pound lots $83-85 and some 91 pounders $80.50. Fredericksburg had light lambs $85-88, a few to $90, heavies $75-80. Midwest markets moved 45 pound feeders at $104, 60-80 pounds $75-80, a few $91-103, and 80-100 pounds $70-87. Billings lambs weighing 55-60 pounds were $74.50-81, 60 pounds $84, 70-80 pounds $80.50-87, 80-90 pounds $81-89, 90-100 pounds $77.75-87, and 100-115 pounds $72.25-80.

Feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas were mostly $76-78 on 70-80 pounds. Wyoming had 80-85 pound lambs $80-80.75, and Montana moved 85 pounders at $81, 90 pounds $78. Utah had 100-105 pound feeders $75.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 95-135 pounds brought $72-80. Midwest markets had shorn lambs $72-80.10, wooled $70-78.

Recent sales of fat lambs in West Texas saw 115-135 pounders make $72-74. Colorado lambs of 135 pounds went at $78.50 on shorn and $75 on wooled; contract lambs there were $70-76. South Dakota fats weighing 130-140 pounds brought $69-71.50, and Wyoming had 137 pounds at $71.34. Kansas moved 130-135 pounders at $77, 140 pounds $68.50. Idaho lambs made $65-67, Oregon had fats at $66, and 125-140 pound California fat lambs were $68-70. Midwest lambs moved direct at $70-73, high dressing $77-78.

Fat slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $34-43, fleshy $38-456, a few to $49. Midwest ewes moved from $25 to $34.50. Billings had ewes $27-32.

Babytooth to solidmouth stock ewes in Idaho moved at $100 per head.