First Place:  4

Entry number: 1433

Exhibitor: Sheepherder07

State: OK

Sheep name/number: Hot Dam

Breed: Hampshire

Website: www.coleclublambs.com

In starting the class with 4 I’m starting with the most complete ram lamb of the class. When you combine balance, style, skeletal correctness and power in the primal cuts, he wins the class with ease. From the profile I appreciate the long neck squarely placed, the levelness of the top line, the smoothness at the points, the rib shape and full real flank and slightly tucked chest floor that exhibits width from front to rear. This moderate framed ram lamb stands correct on feet and legs with ample bone, and his massive forearm suggest width and muscle and when viewed from the rear he shows the most width and flatness over both the rack and loin of any ram in the class. He also is the widest through the pins of the four rams in the class, has the most twist depth, stifle muscle mass and his testicular size and development if far superior to the other rams of the class. With his style, balance, skeletal correctness, muscle mass, rib design you can use him on a wide variety of ewe types. Just a great prospect.

Second Place:  2

Entry number: 1289

Exhibitor: DustyDivider

State: CA

Sheep name/number: Jackpot

Breed: Hampshire X

The middle pair, 2 and 3 both possess traits that can move several flocks forward, however, I give a slight advantage to 2 over 3, especially in one vital area: width at the pins. Both are moderate plus in frame, both are clean at the points, however, I give the advantage to 2 in balance, being more correct in rib shape and flank fullness. 2 is the cleanest through the shoulder with proper depth and 3 is a tad too deep in chest floor. Both stand on ample bone and leg placement is correct. The biggest advantage is from the rear with 2 showing more width at the pins.

Third Place:  3

Entry number: 1413

3 stands third in the class and on the profile presents a long spine that is extremely level presenting a beautiful profile. Again, I would like to see less depth of chest. From the rear I would like to see more pin width and more expression of muscle through the stifle, lower third. In comparing testicular development of 3 to 4, the class winner, it’s not even close with 4 showing much more development.

Fourth Place:  1

Entry number: 1238

Exhibitor: ShootingStar

State: CA

Sheep name/number: Alpha Dog

Breed: Hampshire X

Website: haleclublambs.weebly.com

In placing 1 fourth in the class I do see a place for a ram of this type in certain breeding programs if your ewe flock is thick, however, showing separation at the shoulder, roundness at the points and lacking in smoothness of muscle, then 1 certainly cleans up these problems in his progeny. The major weakness of 1 compared to the other rams of the class placing above him is his lack of bone and narrowness over the rack and loin, and lacking in muscle mass. Again, if your ewe flock needs to be cleaned up he could be the type of ram that could do that.

Again, I placed the class 4-2-3-1 with cuts of 5-2-3. Comments are welcomed and appreciated. OG