First Place:  1

Entry number: 983

Exhibitor: Sheepherder007

State: OK

Sheep name/number: Ally's cross

Breed: Crossbred

Website: www.coleclublambs.com

I opt to start the class with the wether that best combines muscle, finish and structural integrity. Ideally the class winner could be a little longer coupled. Still in comparison to 3 in a comparable top pair, he is stouter featured, squarer over his rack and fuller over his loin edges. In addition he is deeper twisted, tremendous through the lower 1/3 of his leg and leveler in his topline giving him greater show ring appeal.

Second Place:  3

Entry number: 1063

Exhibitor: lm1668

State: OH

Sheep name/number: #722

Breed: Suffolk

Website: www.meyersshowlambs.com

Now I’ll be the first to admit that 3 is larger framed and later maturing, unfortunately he is rounder in his top shape and tighter in his spine, so I leave him second. Still in an equally close middle decision, I like how he is constructed better. 3 is longer fronted, smoother shouldered and better in his rib design. As a bonus he is trimmer made and more explosive through his center leg and when railed should hang a more shapely higher cutability carcass.

Third Place:  2

Entry number: 1046

Sure 2 is massive and thick and looks much better in his rear photo, but along with that comes coarser shoulders, and low neck set and on the profile a pretty significant break in his loin. Still, he dominates 2 in regard to skeletal width and dimension, muscularity anywhere you choose to analyze him and market readiness. More specifically he spreads more width and dimension down his top, is more ideal in his finish and would handle with more thickness out of his dock and through all aspects of his leg. The more Hampshire appearing wether would kill with more thickness and lbs of higher quality product.

Fourth Place:  4

Entry number: 1074

Now the more juvenile appearing Suffolk wether is longer fronted, smoother shouldered and balances well from the side. Still he is the frailest made, narrowest based and flat ribbed. Consequently he is much narrower over his rack and out of his dock. To add to this he is lighter legged and barer finished and simply needs more time on feed to maximize his carcass potential.