ANALYSIS: US Lamb Weights Running Lighter Compared With Recent Years
US lamb weights in 2026 are running lighter compared with recent years, though stronger slaughter levels have supported overall production. According to USDA federally inspected data, the 2026 year to date (YTD) average lamb live weight is 122 pounds, compared with 129 pounds during the same YTD period in 2025. Producers have also continued to market lambs earlier amid dry pasture conditions and higher feed costs, potentially shortening days on feed.
At the same time, YTD slaughter has increased to 257.1 thousand head in 2026 versus 242 thousand head in 2025. As a result, despite lighter weights, total lamb production has increased...
To Read Full Story Login Below.
Submit comment or question
Note: All comments are displayed with user's screen name. If screen name is not present, user's full name will be used. Please go to My Account to update your screen name.
Comment Policy: Urner Barry has made the comment feature available to encourage further discussion of our news stories. Defamatory or offensive comments, or comments deemed not relevant to the story will be removed, and if necessary, Urner Barry may restrict the right of individual subscribers to offer comments. In all cases, comments represent opinions of the poster only, and do not represent fact, news, opinions or estimates put forward by Urner Barry.
Email Address is required. Password is required.