Prospect/Feeder Lambs
Judge: Gail Christian
Judging Contest Winners:
Under 15: Bubbadude3, dustydivider
15-18: Vezzani
Over 18: KassiesMom
Note: This class is set up to demonstrate what a buyer might find when looking at lambs from a single breeder. Therefore, all of the lambs are presented by Sheepherder007 of Oklahoma.
Official Placing: 2, 4, 1, 3
Cuts: 2, 1, 1
First, I would like to say that all four of these lambs appear to be excellent prospects. Three of the lambs, 1, 3 and 4, appear to be of similar style, structure, and body type and all appear to possess a lot of power over their rack, loin, and leg. The lamb in the class that is different from these three is 2. Typically, you would have to start the class with 2 or, drop her to the bottom of the class to stay consistent with your type. Because these are feeder/prospects and she appears to have a larger frame than the other three which would suggest slower muscle development, but, because she is very correct in structure, style, and balance I chose to start the class with her.
I placed the class 2, 4, 1, 3 with cuts of 2, 1, 1.
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First Place: 2
Entry number: 642 Exhibitor: Sheepherder007 State: OK Sheep name/number: 2312 Breed: Hampshire Website: www.coleclublambs.com |
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2 is medium plus in frame by evidence of the length of her canon bone in relation to her age. In evaluating 2 from the profile I first notice the long neck set square on top of the shoulder. The length of neck would suggest a long rack, loin, and hip, and would suggest that she will measure at least 60% in hindsaddle which is from the last rib to the pin bone. She appears to be clean in the brisket area and the point of shoulder to the top of the shoulder suggest the blade lies in at the correct angle. She appears balanced when comparing her from the top of the shoulder to the chest floor in relation to the hip/loin juncture down to the top of the rear flank. I also notice the long, level top and bottom lines complete with a long level hip. A concern is does she have proper rib shape and fullness of rear flank? When you consider her frame size, I believe with maturity she will develop and these concerns will not be an issue. Although from the rear she does not currently possess the width over the rack and loin as the other three lambs in the class, I believe with maturity she will excel in these critical areas because she has the correct design in her muscle type. I believe she will be square through the dock, wide at the pins, deep in the twist and will carry a long smooth muscular leg that will show no evidence of roundness. She does appear big footed with excellent dimension of bone.
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Second Place: 4
Entry number: 645 Exhibitor: Sheepherder007 State: OK Sheep name/number: 2300 Breed: Hampshire Website: www.coleclublambs.com |
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Now, to the middle and bottom pair, it becomes a guessing game (I would say if I could see these lambs in person the first thing I would do would be to compare the three ewe lambs in pin bone width and that measurement would have a bearing on my selection. Remember, you can compare ewe lambs to other ewe lambs, but not to ram lambs or wethers as the ewe lambs will always be wider at the pins because of the width of the birth canal. If the ram lamb pictured is only an index finger wide at the pins I would recommend that he be wethered) I see 4 and 1 as the middle pair as they are true power lambs with very little difference in style, structure, and type. From the profile I believe 4 has a slight advantage over 1 in balance (1 is squatting and that detracts from his appearance) however, 4 appears to be a little more correct at the shoulder points, and possibly a little longer sided and longer in the hip.
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Third Place: 1
Entry number: 640 |
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The bottom pair, 1 and 3 are not as similar in type as 1 and 4. Although 3 appears to be more balanced when viewed from the profile, I'm placing 1 third in the class because of his added power. The fact he is squatting distracts from his profile appearance, however, when comparing 1 and 3 from the rear I give 1 the advantage being wider at the dock, depth of twist, and muscle in the lower third.
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Fourth Place: 3
Entry number: 643 |
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In placing 3 at the bottom of the class, I realize that some of you sure may see her placing higher. She is balanced, clean fronted, has proper rib shape, and would add quality to a lot of breeder’s flocks. I do see her possessing the least amount of muscle when reaching maturity of any lamb in the class. Again, I placed the class 2, 4, 1, 3 with cuts of 2, 1, 1.
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