Weekly U.S. National Lamb Market Review

ST. JOSEPH - May 11/04 - SNS -- The latest weekly review of lambs bought for slaughter in the United States was released by the USDA today.

NATIONAL WEEKLY DIRECT LAMB REPORT

For Week Ending Monday, May 10, 2004


                        A: PRIOR WEEK SLAUGHTERED HEAD COUNT

DOMESTIC:                     Head Count
          Forward Contract       5,383
          Formula               14,258
IMPORTED:
          Forward Contract           0
          Formula                    0


                         B: SLAUGHTERED PACKER OWNED SHEEP

                Head     Carcass    Wtd Avg    Wtd Avg    Avg % Choice    Avg %
               Count     Wt Range    Weight   Dressing %    or Better   YG 1,2,3
DOMESTIC:      5,659     44 - 99      83.1       50.1          96.5        83.2
IMPORTED:                   -


                           C: FORWARD CONTRACT PURCHASES

  No trade reported.

                               D: FORMULA PURCHASES

                 Head          Weight        Avg           Price         Wtd Avg
                Count          Range        Weight         Range          Price
DOMESTIC:
                  367      under 55 lbs      51.7     174.00 - 210.00     203.44
                1,275         55-65 lbs      61.6     173.89 - 202.11     186.22
                4,256         65-75 lbs      71.0     166.15 - 204.00     180.88
                8,078         75-85 lbs      79.8     142.96 - 204.00     177.02
                  477       over 85 lbs      87.3     160.88 - 175.33     173.15
IMPORTED:
  No trade reported.

Source:   USDA Market News Service, St. Joseph, MO

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