Market Summary - Week Ending February 4, 2005

Slaughter Prices - Negotiated, Live, wooled and shorn 135-170 lbs. for 98-114 $/cwt., dressed, no trade reported.

Slaughter Prices - Formula, 4,089 head (1) at 180.78-225.90 $/cwt. for 70.30 ave. lbs., 14,392 head at 180.07-219.61 $/cwt. for 78.80 ave. lbs.

Cutout value/Net carcass value (2) $227.94/cwt.

Carcass Price, Choice and Prime, YG 1-4, 1,770 head at 60-65 lbs. for 207.96-222 $/cwt., 6,700 head at 65-75 lbs. for 205.64-222 $/cwt., 4,616 head at 75-85 lbs. for 75-85 lbs. for 204.33-222 $/cwt., 1,840 head at 85 lbs. and up for 192-211 $/cwt.

Boxed Lamb, weighted average prices ($/cwt.), Trimmed 4" Loins 379.16, Hotel rack (3) 641.78, Leg (trotter off) 281.62, Ground lamb 289.75.

Wool, Price ($/lb.) Clean, Delivered, micron 19 (Grade 80?s) 2.25-2.65, micron 20 (Grade 70?s) 2.25-2.43, micron 21 (Grade 64-70?s) 2.05-2.43, micron 22 (Grade 64?s) 2.10-2.15, micron 23 (Grade 62?s) 2.00, micron 24 (Grade 60-62?s) 1.75, micron 25 (Grade 58?s) 1.60, micron 26 (Grade 56-58?s) 1.55, micron 27 (Grade 56?s) 1.40.

(1) Prices reported for the two weight categories of the largest volume traded.

(2) The cutout value is the same as a net carcass value. It is a composite value that sums the value of the respective lamb cuts multiplied by their weights. It is also the gross carcass value less processing and packaging costs.

(3) Average of light, medium and heavy 8-Rib Rack.

(Source: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service)