First Place:  1

Entry number:  231

Exhibitor:  wuvewes

State:  IA

Sheep name/number:  8256

Breed:  crossbred

Website:  www.moserclublambs.com

In a top pair of more attractive market lambs with ample muscle, I prefer the width and smoother transition and shape over the top in 1.  Showing a more desirable transition in the hip-loin juncture, I find the square flat hip of 1 very appealing. 

I recognize the muscle shape evident through the leg of 3 with the crisp junction from shoulder to neck, and the general balance overall, but the 1 lamb has few faults that are evident at this stage.

Second Place:  3

Entry number:  253

Exhibitor:  RDL

State:  IA

Sheep name/number:  803

Breed:  Cross

Still in an easy middle pair, 3 places over 2.  3 is certainly more square out the hip and appears to have a fuller rack that will handle with more expression and is stronger over the top than 2.  It also appears that 3 is not as rounded at the point of the shoulder as 2.

Third Place:  2

Entry number:  246

While 2 seems acceptable in terms of muscle volume, this long-docked, weaker-topped lamb belongs in a bottom pair of less-attractive more off balance lambs.

In a closer bottom pair I prefer the shape and volume of muscle along with the additional extension of 2 over 4.  2 is thicker through the hip and leg, wider structured, longer sided and a taller fronted lamb than 4.  Furthermore, 2 is not showing us the break in the hip-loin juncture that we find in 4.

Fourth Place:  4

Entry number:  255

While 4 appears to be stronger and more level coming out from the rack, this conventional sized lamb is the shortest-sided, lightest muscled lamb of the four when viewed from behind and the least desirable in the class.