First Place:  3

Entry number:  398

Exhibitor:  Shootingstar

State:  TX

Sheep name/number:  Jade

Breed:  Hampshire X

Website:  www.shootingstarshowlambs.com

I feel it should be fairly obvious to find the higher quality ewe to start the class with in 3.  She is  by far the best balanced, heaviest muscled, most eye appealing ewe that would dominate as either a market lamb or replacement ewe.  Ideally, she could be slightly shallower from the top of her blades to the floor of her chest.  Nevertheless when compared to 2, she is longer necked, more feminine through her front end, appears to be later maturing, and more likely to continue to grow into a productive higher performing female. 

Second Place:  2

Entry number:  383

Exhibitor:  shepherdmom

State:  TX

Sheep name/number:  811

Breed:  Hampshire/Suffolk

Some may prefer the added rib and volume that 2 possesses, however she is shorter necked and cannoned thus leading me to believe that she is much quicker patterened than our class winner.  Yet we can use her added volume and muscularity to place her over 4 in our middle pair.  She is a bolder ribbed ewe that is more ideal in her condition.  She is extremely thick down her top and out through her lower 1/3 of her leg. 

Third Place:  4

Entry number:  402

4 more closely follows the pattern of added rib shape and muscle that we see in 2.  Yes she is slightly green and raw in her condition and it will take more experienced onliner’s to evaluate her through the added wool.  Still, in reality she is a more broody female that is bolder through her center rib, more desirable in the presentation of her flank, and wider set in her pins.  She would definitely make the more productive brood ewe that would be easier to maintain and I would predict to have greater longevity within the flock than 1.

Fourth Place:  1

Entry number:  329

Several are probably intrigued with the length and trimness of 1.  However that is where her advantages end.  In reality, she is the deepest chested, highest flanked ewe in class that has the least productive look to her rib cage.  In addition she is narrowest through the floor of her chest and continues that narrowness out of her dock and the set to her rear legs.  Although a ewe that catches your eye initially, if you truly study her, this ewe will grow out to be the hardest doing, least productive of the 4. 

Therefore, I like them 3, 2, 4, 1 with cuts of 3, 4, 2.  Happy New Year!