NATIONAL SHEEP SUMMARY

(USDA Market News)

San Angelo, Texas

Dec. 21

Compared to last week slaughter lambs were firm to $2 higher, except $10-20 lower at New Holland, Pa. Slaughter ewes were mostly steady to $3 lower, instances $5-10 lower. Feeder lambs were steady. Equity Electronic Auction sold 320 slaughter lambs in North Dakota. In direct trading slaughter ewes and feeder lambs were not tested. 5,800 head of negotiated sales of slaughter lambs were $5-6 higher and 15,000 head of formula sales of dressed lambs under 55 lbs. were not well tested; 55-65 lbs. were $6-8 lower; and over 65 lbs. were steady to $2 lower. 6,554 lamb carcasses sold with 45 lbs. and down $26.37 higher; 45-55 lbs. 6.34 lower; 55-65 lbs. $8.50 higher and 65 lbs. and up $.17-1.55 higher.

SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 2-3:

San Angelo: shorn and wooled 100-140 lbs. $86-98.

SLAUGHTER LAMBS Choice and Prime 1:

San Angelo: 40-60 lbs. $166-188; 60-70 lbs. $122-140, few $166-170; 70-80 lbs. $121-138; 80-90 lbs. $106-110, few $120; 90-110 lbs. $90-96, few $110.

DIRECT TRADING (Lambs with 3-4 percent shrink or equivalent)

5,800 Slaughter Lambs shorn and wooled 120-170 lbs. $92.82-121 (wtd avg $111.24); no dressed sales reported.

SLAUGHTER EWES:

San Angelo: Good 2-3 (fleshy) $48-52; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh) $50-62; Utility 1-2 (thin) $41-49.

FEEDER LAMBS Medium and Large 1-2:

San Angelo: 90-115 lbs. $93.50-95.

NATIONAL WEEKLY LAMB CARCASS Choice and Prime 1-4:

Weight Wtd. avg.

45 lbs. down $365.81

45-55 lbs. $334.92

55-65 lbs. $288.10

65-75 lbs. $256.13

75-85 lbs. $235.59

85 lbs. and up $209.42

Sheep and lamb slaughter under federal inspection for the week to date totaled 44,000.

compared with 44,000 last week and 40,000 last year.