First Place:  3

Entry number: 857

Exhibitor: lm1668

State: OH

Sheep name/number: 45

Breed: Cross

Website: www.meyersshowlambs.com

I believe 3 wins the class with ease as it is the most complete, balanced lamb in the class.  This lamb combines style, balance, structural correctness, muscle, and a lot of attractiveness all in a neat package.  3 also is the freshest lamb in the class.  From the profile I appreciate the long muscular neck correctly setting on top of the shoulder.  The length of neck would suggest a long rack and hind saddle.   3 might appear to be a little round at the points, however I do not see this from the rear view.  This lamb is balanced. From the top of the shoulder to the chest floor when compared to the hip/loin juncture to the top of the rear flank it’s about as level as you will find, especially in a young feeder lamb.  Also, I appreciate the overall length of this lamb. 

From the rear I noticed the flat wide rack extending into a flat wide loin that appears deep at the loin edge.  Sure, the dock could be a tad higher set, however, the length of hip is impressive as is the depth of the twist and expression of muscle, especially in the lower third.  I would expect this lamb to be competitive where ever it is shown.

Second Place:  4

Entry number: 918

Exhibitor: Arlambs

State: AR

Sheep name/number: 1123

Breed: Hampshire

Website: www.cgfarms.homestead.com

Now, to the difficult placing: the middle pair. 

I selected 4 over 1 based on the profile view.  This lamb, although rough in initial appearance, has the length of side and levelness of top lines to move into the top pair.  I would not want any more depth of shoulder; however, when compared to his hip/loin juncture/top of rear flank, he is balanced.  He has a desirable rib shape and fullness of rear flank which suggest to me that he will hang a very desirable carcass.  His massive forearm tells me he will have a huge rack and loin when he reaches maturity, especially if fed correctly and we have to assume each lamb in the class will be fed correctly.  He too has the long neck suggesting a long rack, loin, and hip, and the neck is properly placed.

From the rear I notice a wide rack, however it’s lacking in expression of muscle, however, he’s green and maybe took castration a little hard.  His top line is long and level, especially the hip and when he develops in this area I believe he will be impressive because he appears wide in his pin set.  From the rear I notice the slope over the loin and over the hip, again, I believe this is due to his lack of condition, which, with time and maturity should improve greatly.  I do not see him as being shallow in depth of twist, especially for his body condition. I believe he will develop into a deep twisted lamb and he has the muscle shape and design to have a lot of lower leg muscle when he matures.  Yes, his bone, feet and legs are correctly set.  Going to be interesting to see how he turned out, especially after he gets in to the 135 plus weight range.  No, I do not believe he will ever have the attractiveness of lamb 3.

Third Place:  1

Entry number: 790
Exhibitor: sheepnpygs
State: OH
Sheep name/number: Pr31
Breed: Cross
Website: www.charlenesclublambs.com

In placing the un-shorn lamb, 1, third. I did not place it in that hole due to it being un-shorn.  This lamb will get your attention, especially on the profile.  The long neck is correctly placed.  The length of side corresponds favorably with the frame size, medium. The lamb looks clean at the points.  The bone dimension is good, the feet and leg placement is correct. 

Okay, so why did I drop this lamb to third?  Purely based on  my observation from the rear.  I do not see the dimension of overall thickness over the rack and loin as I see in my second place lamb, 4.  I do not believe it will approach the thickness of 4 at it’s mature show weight.  He will and does have depth of twist and will have a lot of lower leg muscle when fed to his proper show weight.  He should be a competitive lamb, and, remember, I’m only putting a one point cut on the middle class.

Fourth Place:  2

Entry number: 838

Exhibitor: EmsoffLambs

State: CA

Sheep name/number: 261

Breed: Hampshire X

Website: www.emsofflivestockcompany.com

Sheep with the profile of 2 give me fits in a judging contest.  He’s really  attractive from the profile.  Long and level top line, especially in length and levelness of hip. Might be a little round at the points, however, has correct rib shape, but, I would like to see him fuller in the rear flank.  His length of canon bone suggests he is on the high side of medium frame, therefore, you can feed and show him with proper finish in the 150-160 weight range. 

So, with that said, why is he placed at the bottom of the class?  To successfully evaluate feeder lambs you have to evaluate them from the front, side, and rear and It’s the rear view that drops this lamb to forth in class.  If you will notice from the side view, he appears really shallow in depth of twist as compared to the other lambs in the class.  Yes, I know he’s green, however it’s not the greenness that gives me concern.  It’s his skeletal structure. He’s just not constructed correctly to have a deep twist and lower leg muscle.  I know when fed to a heavier weight he will improve in this area, but so will the other three lambs in the class.  His bone dimension is okay, feet and leg placement okay, pretty on the profile, just lacking in power for a power judge.

Again, I placed the class 3, 4, 1, 2 with cuts of 5, 1, 2.

Again, I welcome discussion on the class, especially if the discussion pertains to the class as judged and not how each lamb turned out on show day.  If that information should become available, please share it with us, and if pictures of all four are available on their respective show day, I would be happy to judge them again as a market class...OG