Sheep, Lamb
Prices Take
Holiday Off

Little activity took place this week in the lamb trade. Most Texas markets were closed all week for the Thanksgiving holiday period.

The lamb carcass trade on the East Coast late last week was steady across the board. Weights of 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 $162.50-163. Those prices are about $20-25 above year-ago levels.

There were 631 metric tons of lamb and mutton inspected for entry into the U.S. the week ending October 9, or 1.4 million pounds, the equivalent of 32 percent of domestic production. An additional 105 metric tons, or 231,000 pounds, of goat meat was inspected for entry.

Lamb meat imports into the U.S. were down seven percent in September, the last month figures are available, at 2041 metric tons, but the year to date amount is up 16 percent. Mutton and goat meat imports for the year to date are down 32 percent at 10,572 metric tons. The combined lamb, mutton and goat imports through September are off four percent at 36,625 metric tons. More than 9000 metric tons of lamb were imported during the last quarter of 1998 and the import volume so far this year is less than 6000 pounds below the tariff increase point.

Slaughter ewe exports to Mexico last week reached 8028 head, bringing the year to date number to 291,282 head, up 14 percent from a year ago. Another 2668 head crossed the Rio Grande Monday.

Lamb meat in cold storage on October 31 was down 27 percent from a year ago at 9.15 million pounds. That is about the equivalent of two weeks' domestic production.

Feeder lambs on Midwest markets this week were steady with 60-80 pounds $78-83.50, a few up to $95, 80-105 pounds $72-78. Billings lambs were $1-2 higher, 50-55 pounds $74-77.50, 60-70 pounds $78.50-85, 70-90 pounds $82.25-90.50, and 90-100 pounds $80.50-88.

Recent sales of feeder lambs moving direct in Texas had 85-95 pounds $78-80, a few 105 pounds $80. Colorado feeders weighing 85-95 pounds moved at $80 and some 85 pounders were $85. Wyoming quoted 90-95 pound feeders $81-83, Utah lambs of 95-105 pounds earned $75-76, and 100-105 pound Nevada feeders earned $75.

Midwest markets had shorn slaughter lambs $72-77 and wooled $70-74.50.

Recent sales of fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers had 115-135 pounds $76-78, a few at $80. Colorado lambs on contract were $72-76 on 125-150 pounds. Shorn lambs there weighing 130-135 pounds traded at $79-82. Kansas lambs weighing 130-135 pounds brought $80.50 and 130-135 pound South Dakota fats moved at $74.50. Idaho had 150 pound fats at $70 and California fat lambs were $70-73. Fat lambs in the Midwest moving direct saw shorn 130-145 pounds $72-76 and wooled 130-135 pounds $71.

Slaughter ewes in the Midwest markets brought $25-33.75.