For the week ending May 8 the Midwest sheep and goat market had mixed signals. Goats across all classes held basically steady. There may have been some lower undertones in certain markets. As for the sheep, lambs seem to have some bright spots, but cull sheep were met with lower prices at several sales. The old adage that what goes up must come down is true within markets as well. We have experienced a robust lamb and goat market for nearly the first half of 2021. A little pull back going into summer fits a seasonal pattern within the market. From the ethnic market, Ramadan is coming to an end next week and then it’s quiet until late summer and early fall. WIth all that being said it doesn’t appear that the market is going to hit a wall and drastically move lower. Currently all livestock are experiencirices as demand is surging for pork across the globe and chicken numbers were impacted by the cold snap back in February. This should all lend support to the sheep and goat market.ng a fairly strong cash market. Chickens and pigs in particular are experiencing near record cash p We’ve discussed before that some consumers are just discovering lamb and if it is priced similarly to chicken and pork they are more likely to continue purchasing lamb. Next the cull market has been attractive and ranchers have thoroughly culled herds. This could limit overall numbers in the breeding herd, and a tight supply typically means a stronger market. Overall the market may see pullbacks, but the trend seems to be set to try and hold near or above average levels for a while to come.
Other commodity markets were like a broken record and higher again this week. Corn and soybeans both pushed to new highs on front month futures contracts. South America’s second corn crop is in poor condition with continuing drought conditions. That is putting more pressure on North America’s crop which is just being planted. Drought isn’t a huge concern in the US yet, but North Dakota out through Southern Minnesota is very dry currently. Next week could also be a very volatile week for the grain market as USDA releases their supply and demand (WASDE) report. The unfortunate part for US livestock feeders is that we live in a global market and others across sea’s are gearing up to bid big for US feed grains. On Friday morning China purchased 1.36 million metric ton or 53.54 million bushels of corn. Delivery of the corn is set for the next marketing year.
Other feed input markets to report include the hay market. Kansas reported mostly steady prices on all classes of hay. Quality alfalfa was reported to be $10/ton higher in South Central Kansas as supplies continue to be tight. Nebraska noted that prices were steady and demand was thin as producers start taking stock to grass. There is concern though in the Western half of Kansas and Nebraska that if more moisture doesn’t start soon the grass won’t long. This could start an early and strong demand for hay. On top of that some marginal hay ground is being ripped out and row crops are being planted. This is to take advantage of the strong commodity prices currently being experienced. This looks to be a recipe for tighter hay supplies and higher prices later this year.
For the week ending 5/8 lamb slaughter under federal inspection was estimated at 36,000 head on Friday. There is an expected Saturday slaughter of a 1,000 head. That will bring the total weekly slaughter to 37,000 head. That’s even with last week and 3,000 head less than the previous year. Year to date lamb slaughter at 687,000 head. About 2.6% or 17,000 head more than a year ago. Cattle slaughter continues ahead the previous year and outpaced lamb slaughters lead to +4.8% this week. Hog slaughter finally got ahead of the previous year now up 1.3% year to year. USDA data shows that goat slaughter under federal inspection was 8,041 head for the week as of 5/7. Lamb and mutton production under federal inspection through 5/7 is estimated at 2.4 million pounds. That is even with the previous week. Year to date lamb and mutton production is estimated at 45.9 million pounds. 2021 continues to exceed 2020 lamb production by 2.8% or 1.3 million pounds. The average live lamb weight for the week ending 5/7 was 128 pounds, up 1 pound from last week and down 6 pounds from last year. Dressed weights for lambs this week were 65 pounds. That is an increase of 1 pound from last week and 2 pounds lighter than a year ago.
Sale reports from the week
Hamilton Commission Company Hamilton Texas sold 1,947 head of sheep and goats on Monday 5/3. That compares to 2,356 head in the previous week’s sale. Dorper lambs were $5 lower, wool lambs were $5 lower, barbado lambs were $5 lower, ewes steady, kids steady, and nannies steady. Highlighted quotes from the sale include dorper and dorper cross lambs weighing 40-70 lbs brought $240-$395/cwt. Wool lambs were not enough for a full test, kid goats weighing 40-70 lbs brought $300-$470/cwt.
http://www.hamiltoncommissioncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/5.3.21-sg-sale.pdf
Producers Livestock San Angelo Texas sold 7,972 head of sheep and goats on Tuesday 5/4. That compared to 12,852 head the previous week and 9,598 head last year. Compared to last week slaughter lambs 10.00-15.00 higher. Slaughter ewes steady. Feeder lambs not well tested. Nannies and kids steady. Trading fairly active, demand good. Highlighted quotes from San Angelo include; 10 head of feeder lambs weighing 55 pounds brought $291/cwt, 52 head of slaughter lambs averaging 73 lbs brought $274-$276/cwt, 509 head of hair breed slaughter size lambs averaged 56 lbs brought $286-$306/cwt, 703 head of hair breed slaughter lambs weighing 73 pounds brought $256-$294/cwt, 322 head of feeder goats weighing 45 pounds brought $415-$454/cwt, 212 head slaughter goats weighing 63 lbs brought $440-$472/cwt.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_2014.pdf
Centennial Livestock Fort Collins Colorado sold 2,152 head of sheep and goats on Wednesay 5/5. That compared to 1,465 head the previous week and 1,162 head last year. Compared to last week: Slaughter lambs sold mostly 20.00 to 30.00 lower with instances of sharply lower trades. Slaughter bucks sold unevenly steady and slaughter ewes mostly 5.00 lower. No feeder lamb comparison available for the current week. Slaughter kids and nannies sold mostly 20.00 lower. Bucks/billies traded with a weak undertone while wethers and wether kids traded unevenly steady. Trade activity and demand were good. Highlighted quotes from Centennial include; 50 head of feeder lambs weighing 55 pounds brought $247.50-$270, 62 head of feeder lambs averaging 73 lbs brought $255-$270/cwt, 79 head of slaughter lambs weighing 116 pounds brought $230-$280, 41 head of hair breed slaughter size lambs averaged 56 lbs brought $235-$255/cwt, 90 head of hair breed slaughter lambs weighing 75 pounds brought $252.50-$255/cwt, 14 head of feeder goats weighing 37lbs brought $145-$147.50/hd, 19 head slaughter goats weighing 72 lbs brought $245-$310/hd, 6 wethers weighing 115 pounds brought $420-$480/hd.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_1899.pdf
Sioux Falls Regional Livestock in Worthing, South Dakota sold 3.780 head of sheep and goats on Wednesday 5/5. That compared to 2,864 head last week and 2,015 head last year. A light offering of traditional slaughter weight lambs, keeps the demand high and helps them sell with higher undertones. A large offering of lighter lambs again this week, with demand very good for them whether they are heading to slaughter or going back out on feed. The lambs under 140 pounds sold 9.00 to 13.00 lower. Slaughter ewes Good 4-5 7.00 to 10.00 lower, Good 2-3 5.00 to 6.00 lower, Utility 1-2 3.00 to 5.00 lower, Cull 1 to few to make a meaningful comparison. Demand for the slaughter ewes was good. Highlighted quotes from Sioux Falls; 222 head of feeder lambs weighing 44 pounds brought $245-$277.50/cwt, 125 head of feeder lambs weighing 54 pounds brought $245-$285/cwt, 264 head of slaughter lambs weighing 77 pounds brought $247.50-$275/cwt, 334 head of slaughter lambs weighing 85 pounds brought $230-$260/cwt, 78 head of feeder goats weighing 47 pounds brought $450-$470/cwt, 94 head of slaughter goats weighing 53 pounds brought $365-$480/cwt, 5 wethers weighing 42 pounds brought $420/cwt.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_2016.pdf
Kalona Iowa sale barn sold 1,946 head of sheep and goats on Wednesday 5/5. That compared to 2,261 head the prior week and 0 head a year ago. Compared to the previous Wednesday slaughter lambs 50-80 lbs. 12.00-25.00 lower, 80-110 lbs. firm, hair sheep steady, slaughter ewes 3.00 lower, slaughter bucks firm. Slaughter kids 5.00 lower, slaughter nannies and slaughter bucks mostly steady. Trade active with good demand for the large offering. Highlighted quotes from Kalona; 70 head of feeder lambs weighing 45 pounds brought $277.50-$289/cwt, 250 head of slaughter lambs weighing 74 lbs brought $267.50-$280/cwt, 133 head slaughter lambs weighing 94 lbs brought $270-$276/cwt, 15 head of hair breed slaughter lambs weighing 67 lbs brought $270/cwt, 33 head of feeder goats weighing 37 pounds brought $105-$117/hd, 174 head slaughter goats weighing 56 pounds brought $240-$280/hd.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/ams_2153.pdf
Colby Livestock Colby Kasnas sold close to 1,091 head of sheep and goats on Thursday 5/6. Talking with sale manager Leeland Wilson he called the market across the board steady. There were a few lots that had lower undertones. The quality of the offering though was good from start to finish. Highlighted quotes from Colby; 18 head of black face lambs weighing 88 pounds brought $292.50/cwt, 16 head of crossbred lambs weighing 64 pounds brought $282.50/cwt, 13 head of dorper cross lambs weighing 88 pounds brought $275/cwt, 8 head of boer cross kids weighing 42 pounds brought $460/cwt, 13 head of boer cross kids weighing 60 lbs brought $430/cwt, 9 head of boer cross kids weighing 59 lbs brought $437.50/cwt, 20 head of boer cross kids weighing 40 pounds brought $430/cwt.
Alma Livestock Auction in Alma Nebraska sold 37 head of sheep and goats in their first of the month sale on Tuesday 5/4. There was no market comparison due to much time between sales, demand appeared to be strong in the sale with a variety of offerings. Sale manager Scott Harrison also noted some new territorial buyers in the sale. Highlighted quotes from Alma Livestock; 5 feeder lambs weighing 58 pounds brought $260/cwt, 8 feeder lambs weighing 52 pounds brought $280/cwt, 3 wethers weighing 96 pounds brought $275/cwt, 4 wethers weighing 112 pounds brought $310/cwt.
https://almalivestockauction.com/contact/
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