Fat, Feeder
Lamb Prices
Take A Jump

Fat and feeder lamb prices took a healthy jump this week, some sales as much as $5 higher.

Carcass prices on the East Coast were mostly unchanged except for weights over 85 pounds, which sold $2 lower. Carcasses weighing 55 pounds and down were $163.50-166, 55-65 pounds $163.50-164, 65-85 pounds $176.50-168, and over 85 pounds $162.50-163. A limited volume of lamb cuts in the distributive trade was a little lower on loins and higher on racks.

The carcass cutout value was off slightly, weights 65 pounds and down declining 90 cents at $196.98 and 65 pounds up off 63 cents at $197.80.

Lamb and mutton inspected for entry into the U.S. the week ending October 2 amounted to 877 metric tons, or 1.9 million pounds, the equivalent of 42 percent of domestic production that week. Shipments from Australia totaled 655 metric tons, from New Zealand 221 MT.

Slaughter ewes were a couple of dollars higher this week in preparation for most Texas auctions being closed for Thanksgiving next week. The number of slaughter ewes crossing into Mexico last week was 7035 head.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo were $3-5 higher, weights 40-60 pounds bringing $83-88, 60-80 pounds $82-88, 90-90 pounds $82-85.50, and 90-100 pounds $78.50-86, a few to $88. Fredericksburg lightweight lambs moved from $85 to $90, a few to $92, heavies $79-84. Junction lambs were $87-88.50. Midwest markets had 60-80 pound lambs $78-85, 80-100 pounds $72-78. Billings lambs weighing 60-70 pounds brought $77-81.50, 70-80 pounds $77-87, 80-90 pounds $83.50-86, 90-100 pounds $80-83.75, and 100-115 pounds $75.50-81.

Recent direct sales in Wyoming had 80-90 pound feeders $81-82. Montana quoted 85-90 pound feeders $80-85, Utah moved 100-105 pound lambs at $76, and 70-75 pound California feeders made $81.

Fat lambs in San Angelo were mostly $5 higher, weights 90-125 pounds bringing $77-85. Junction had fat lambs $76-82, and Midwest markets quoted fats $62-72.

Recent sales of fat lambs moving direct in West Texas had 115-135 pounds $74-76. Colorado fats weighing 140-155 pounds made $80-81, formula lambs of 125-150 pounds $71-76. The average was $73.35 at 140 pounds compared to $64.59 and 138 pounds a year ago. Kansas had 135 pound shorn fats $77, wooled 140 pounders $68.50. California fat lambs weighing 130-140 pounds were $70-72, and Midwest lambs moved direct at $71-75.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $35-46, a few to $48. Midwest markets had ewes $25-30, and Billings ewes brought $27.50-33.

Yearling stock ewes in Colorado sold at $125 per head. Wyoming had yearlings at $105, while ewe lambs weighing 85 pounds went at $86 cwt. Idaho had ewe lambs of 100 pounds at $90, and 100 pound Utah ewe lambs brought $70 per head with mixed age ewes $80.