Sheep Industry News September 2023

terns seen from the five-year aver age (2017-21), which indicates that prices normally move lower during the second half of the year. Prices reaching a top around $190 to almost $200 per cwt. might be the seasonal peak for the year based on the five-year average trend. LMIC is forecasting slaughter lamb prices to move seasonally lower for the third and fourth quarters to $172 to $177 and $165 to $171 per cwt., respectively – about a 30-percent improvement over prices last year. The lamb cutout value has trended higher through July and into August with values in the low to mid-$400 per cwt. area, which is where the value has ranged since the start of the year. The typi cal seasonal pattern for the lamb cutout value is to remain level for

LOWER IMPORTS EXPECTED Trade statistics for the first half of the year are available and year to-date, lamb imports totaled 110.9 million pounds – 27.1 million pounds (20 percent) lower than the same period in 2022. Australia

the second half of the year. In general, prices for the shoulder, leg, loin and rack have gained marginally through part of July and into August, which has provided strength for the lamb cutout value.

Montana Targhee Sheep Association

Pioneering the implementation of genetic selection technologies in the sheep industry since the 1980s. 191 Targhees sell at the Montana Ram Sale Thursday, September 14 Traits with Estimated Breeding Values: • Maternal • Carcass • Growth • Fleece Catalog with lots, consigners, and more information can be found at mtsheep.org. Additional information includes genotypes, post shearing microns and ribeye ratios. Eastern Montana Fairground, Miles City, Montana. Online bidding through frontierlivesale.com .

September 2023 • Sheep Industry News • 7