Ewe Lambs 2-4 months
Judge: Gail Christian
Judging Contest Winners:
Under 15: dm1668, massie,
15-18: animalluv34, jvwv90, pandabear, Vezzani
Over 18: sheepherder007
Official Placing: 3, 1, 2, 4
Cuts: 2, 1, 1
At first glance this class is very similar to the previous class I judged, class 180, ewe lambs 2-4 months. However, upon close observation, I do not see the overall quality in this class as I did in class 180. Sure, most of these ewe lambs have several desirable traits, however, they are not without faults. Each of the ewe lambs in this class is remarkably different from each other, especially in body type. As with the placing of just about any class, the placing will come down to personal preference.
I see the class placing 3, 1, 2, 4 with cuts of 2, 1, 2.
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First Place: 3
Entry number: 778 Exhibitor: animalluv34 State: TX Sheep name/number: Elby - 1007 Breed: Hampshire |
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I'm starting the class with 3 because I believe she has the most desirable traits of what the industry is looking for today than any ewe lamb in the class. In other words, she is the most complete lamb in the class. From the profile I see a long neck properly placed on top of the shoulder. Although she is a little abrupt at the shoulder points, the angle is still correct. She has a long top and bottom line, however, I would like to lengthen and level her hip. She does have the desired rib shape and fullness in the rear flank that is in demand today. Of course the fullness of the forearm suggests a massive rack and loin and the size of bone and shag does not go on unnoticed. The view from the rear is what moves her to the top of the class. She is wide and flat over the rack and this expands as you move to the loin. She is correct through the pins, deep in the twist, and has tremendous leg muscle. Mated to a ram that is long and level in the hip, she should produce very competitive offspring.
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Second Place: 1
Entry number: 629 Exhibitor: EmsoffLambs State: CA Sheep name/number: 172 Breed: Suffolk/Hamshire X Website: www.emsofflivestockcompany.com |
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I'm placing the largest framed, massive ewe lamb in the class second, and that would be number 1. She has a long neck correctly placed. She is long in her top and bottom lines and is very clean through her shoulder. Although she is long hipped, she does have some slope in that area. She does possess some balance with proper rib shape and fullness of rear flank. From the side, she appears pinched in the pins, however, I do not notice this undesirable trait when viewing her from the rear. She is more than adequate in depth of twist with adequate muscle in the lower third, however, she does appear slightly flat through the stifle muscle. She does appear to be wide and flat over the rack and loin and probably has more length from flank to flank than any lamb in the class. Mated to a structurally correct power ram should produce desirable offspring that should attract a market.
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Third Place: 2
Entry number: 745 |
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The bottom pair, 2 and 4 could not be more opposite in type. I chose to go with the tight wound smaller framed power ewe lamb for third, number 2. Yes, she has the cleanest front of any lamb in the class. Yes, she has an explosive rear quarter/leg. However, I believe she shows signs of early maturity, roughness at the hip/loin juncture, and not enough body capacity to move a progressive flock forward.
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Fourth Place: 4
Entry number: 804 |
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In placing 4 at the bottom of the class I do see some desirable traits in her as a breeding ewe. I do appreciate the neck extension and moderate shallow chest. She is long and level in her lines, but, I would like to raise her dock about an inch. Her shag suggests a predominance of Hamp in her bloodline which is good. I do not see the width or squareness through the pins or depth of twist as I see in the ewe lambs placing ahead of her. She appears narrow over the rack and loin, and viewing her from behind she looks too round in her shoulders as they do not blend into the rack as they should. Again, I placed the class 3, 1, 2, 4 with cuts of 2, 1, 2.
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