November
Big Month
For Lambs

The last few days of November were good days for the lamb market. If fact, the entire month of November is something lamb producers can feel good about.

There were about five percent more lambs slaughtered in November than a year ago. Despite the availability of that extra lamb meat, the live fat market moved up $8-10 and feeders were $7-14 higher. Slaughter ewes are $8-10 higher for the month.

Compared to the same time a year ago, fat lambs are $10-15 higher, ewes steady, feeder lambs $5-10 higher, and lamb carcasses $19-23 higher.

Feeder and fat lambs this week were a couple of dollars higher almost everywhere, with fat lambs as much as $5 higher in places. Killers continued to compete briskly against feeders for lightweight lambs that met their specifications. Slaughter ewes were $2-5 higher with the full advance in Texas.

East Coast carcass lamb was steady last week, weights 55 pounds and down bringing $163.50-166, 55-65 pounds $163.50-164, 65-85 pounds $167.50-168, and 85 pounds and up $162.50-163.

Slaughter ewe exports to Mexico last week totaled 5318 head. Through Tuesday of this week, 3250 ewes have crossed the border, bringing the year to date total to 299,530 head, up 12.8 percent.

A total of 915 metric tons, or two million pounds, of lamb and mutton were inspected for entry into the U.S. the week ending October 16, the equivalent of 47 percent of domestic production. There were also 44 metric tons, or 96,800 pounds, of goat meat imported that week.

Feeder lambs in San Angelo this week weighing 40-60 pounds brought $85-93, 60-70 pounds 85-90, a few to $95, 70-90 pounds $83.50-88, a few to $92, and 90-105 pounds $80.50-84.50. Fredericksburg lightweight lambs were $90-94, a few to $99, 75-85 pounds $84-88. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $78-85, a few to $89, 80-100 pounds $72-83.

Feeder lambs moving direct were fairly scarce in most trading areas. A few 70-80 pound lambs in West Texas moved for $82-85.

Fat lambs in San Angelo weighing 90-125 pounds brought $80-90, 125-135 pounds $77-80 and 65-90 pounds $83.50-87. Midwest markets had shorn fats $67-80, wooled $67-79.50. Pennsylvania reported fat lambs weighing 90-120 pounds at $78-92, 120-140 pounds $65-80. Virginia fats were $80.50-85.

Recent sales of fat lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers realized $76-78, a few to $80. Fat lambs moving direct in the Midwest had 120-145 pound shorn offerings $71-77.50, wooled $70-74. Colorado had 120-150 pound fats on contract at $72-76; the average was $74.44 at 143 pounds compared to $62.16 and 140 pounds a year ago.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $36-49, and Midwest markets had ewes $25-35.50.