Light Lamb
Meat Higher,
Heavies Off

Carcass lamb prices late last week found mixed trading, with lightweights $4-6 higher and those over 75 pounds $3 lower. Currently on the East Coast, carcasses 75 pounds and down leveled out at $169.50-170, 75-85 pounds $164.50-165 and over 85 pounds $159.50-160.

Cutout values lost $2.25 last week, but heavies were still valued above lights. Weights under 65 pounds were $195.90, over 65 pounds $197.45.

Feeder lambs moved higher in most marketing areas, but lamb feeders came under severe competition from killers. Some Texas markets had lightweight lambs going to kill around $10 above what feeders would pay. Practically all the lambs in San Angelo went to killer accounts, as did nearly half those in Fredericksburg. Midwest markets were as much as $10 higher on feeders.

Slaughter lambs failed to follow the dressed trade as Midwest markets were as much as $5 lower. Other areas were a little on the weak side.

Slaughter ewes were steady to weak. Movement into Mexico last week totaled 9347 head, and another 3016 crossed the Rio Grande Monday. The year to date numbers are up 12.4 percent at 309,206 head.

Lamb and mutton imports the week ending October 23 totaled 689 metric tons, or 1.5 million pounds, the equivalent of 33 percent of domestic production.

In San Angelo this week, feeder lambs weighing 50-90 pounds brought $87-92, 90-100 pounds $80.50-83. Fredericksburg had light lambs $92-98 going to feed while killers took the fleshy ones at $98-108. Midwest markets quoted 60-80 pound feeders $80-95, 80-100 pounds $78-85. Billings lambs weighing 55-60 pounds brought $87-91, 60-90 pounds $90-95, 90-100 pounds $87-92.75, 100-115 pounds $81-87, and 115-135 pounds $77.50-84.

Lightweight feeder lambs moving direct in West Texas sold for $85-90. Recent sales in Montana had 105 pound lambs at $80 with a 40 cent slide on those over 105 pounds. Oregon had 90-95 pound feeders $73 and 110 pounds $70.

Slaughter lambs in San Angelo weighing 70-125 pounds brought $80-90, with 65-90 pounds $90-99. Midwest markets had shorn lambs $74-76.50, a few early to $78.50, wooled $65-74.80.

Slaughter lambs moving direct from Texas feedlots to packers made $76-80 on 115-135 pounds. Colorado had 135-145 pound lambs $78-80.50, some wooled lambs 140-150 pounds $77.50-78. Lambs on contract there weighing 130-150 pounds were $72-76, the average 144 pounds at $74.45 compared to 144 pounds and $62.67 a year ago. Idaho moved fat lambs of 140-150 pounds at $72.50. Utah fats scaling 130-140 pounds made $76, and California moved 130-140 pound fat lambs at $73.50. Midwest fats moved direct at $74-78 on shorn and 72-76.50 on wooled.

Fleshy slaughter ewes in San Angelo brought $35-47. Midwest markets had ewes $28-37.50, and Billings ewes were $30-35.