Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
There has not been much movement in fed lamb prices during the past three weeks, with the market once again called firm. The national negotiated live lamb prices peaked the first week in August this year. The high usually comes in July with prices declining through August and the second half of the year. Steady prices now are reason for optimism. The lamb cutout value was lower at $477.39 last Friday. That compares to $488.01 the previous week. Last week’s estimated harvest of 35,000 sheep and lambs was 7,000 more than the week before and 1,000 fewer than the same week last year. New crop lambs were steady to higher, from $200-$220/cwt.
