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Yearling Rams
Class number:  2/19/12        Class Date:  3/17/12

Judge:   Gail Christian

 

 Judging Contest Winners: 

Under 15: jashorning, smiley'sspecks

15-18: srffasheepgal, kmoen, SheepNerd, johndeere3094

Over 18: lm1668, sheepherder#007, Ladyshrops2, trueblue

 

Note: This class is set up to demonstrate what a buyer might find when looking at rams from a single breeder.  Therefore, all of the rams are presented by Tiler of Iowa.

Official Placing: 4, 1, 2, 3
Cuts: 2, 2, 3

This class presents several challenges.  First, they have a lot of fleece.  Although at first glance they may look similar, again, due to the length of fleece, however, there are individual differences between each ram. The ram that gave me the most problems in the class is the ram most different in body type from the other three and that is number 4.  Two things that bother me about this ram is, one, is he too flat ribbed and two, is he off a tad in his neck placement?  I chose to start the class with 4 and I will address these two concerns in my reasons.

I see the class placing 4, 1, 2, 3 with cuts of 2, 2, 3.

First Place:  4

Entry number: 976

Exhibitor: Tiler

State: IA

Sheep name/number: Mini Wheats

Breed: Hampshire

Website: www.moserclublambs.com

In starting the class with 4 I’m starting with the ram that presents the superior profile to the other three.  He is also the longest sided ram in the class and has the most visual appeal.  Starting with the length of neck you will notice he has the longest neck of any ram in the class.  Long neck usually always correlates with long rack, loin and hip.  From the profile his neck appears to be set a little low, however, this might be caused by the puff of wool over the top of the shoulder.  In viewing neck placement from the rear it looks to be placed correct.  Also, on the profile he is the shallowest chested of any ram in the class, however, he is balanced.  His top line is both long and level.  I would like to see more evidence of rib shape and spring of rib; however, he is full in the rear flank.

From the front he’s probably the most correct ram in the class at the shoulder points. Because of his length he may look narrow; however, he is as wide in the chest floor as the power ram of the class, number 2.  He does show distention in his forearm and is extremely clean in the brisket/breast plate area.

From the rear he is not the widest over the rack and loin of any ram in the class, however, his correct angle from shoulder points to top of the shoulder compensates for this.  Traveling down the rack and loin he is wedge shaped, however, I would like to see more width and flatness over the loin.  As far as width and squareness through the pins, depth of twist, and shape of the hip and leg muscle I believe he is superior to the other three.  He appears to have more than adequate bone and I appreciate the amount of wool below the hock and knee.  His testicular development seems adequate for a yearling ram.

I believe this ram bred to power type stud ewes will produce lambs competitive on any level.

Second Place:  1

Entry number: 970

Exhibitor: Tiler

State: IA

Sheep name/number: 1158

Breed: Hampshire

Website: www.moserclublambs.com

In placing 1 second in the class I went with the ram that gives a breeder more options of use than the third place ram, number 2.  From the profile I like the correctly placed neck that shows extension.  He is the second longest sided ram in the class.  He is level in his top lines, is really balanced and although not overly round ribbed he is okay in rib shape and he is full in the flank.

From the front he is clean at the points and wide in the chest floor.

Looking down his rack, loin, and hip he shows more evidence of thickness in these areas than my first place ram, not to mention rack shape. Although he shows width through the pins and squareness of dock I do not see his hip shape superior to my first place ram, number 4.  He is not as long or as level in hip as my first place ram.  He does have massive bone, muscular forearm and although he has wool below the hock just not as much as the first place ram.

He should make an excellent prospect and should, if matched correctly, produce very competitive lambs.

Third Place:  2

Entry number: 973

Exhibitor: Tiler

State: IA

Sheep name/number: Genuity

Breed: Hampshire

Website: www.moserclublambs.com

Knowing how much I like power, if you tried to second guess my placing, you probably started the class with the power ram of the class, number 2 which I dropped to third.  2 does profile, is level and is extremely balanced, however, he is the shortest sided ram in the class.

From the front he is wide in the chest floor and is massive in forearm muscle.  That’s why he has a big wide flat rack and loin.  I see him third in the class when talking about width and squareness of pins and I would like to see more flare through the stifle area.  He has great bone, lots of wool below hock and knee, just not as much as the first place number 4.  Breed him to ewes that have the length of side as number 4 and you will not have any problem selling his progeny.

Fourth Place:  3

Entry number: 974

Exhibitor: Tiler

State: IA

Sheep name/number: Inferno

Breed: Hampshire

Website: www.moserclublambs.com

In dropping 3 to the bottom of the class I do appreciate his length of side, rack, loin, and hip... I just would like to see more extension of neck. 

From the front he is clean at the points, is wide through chest floor and from the side shows balance.  He is very desirable in rib shape and full in rear flank.

From the rear I would like to see more evidence of width and squareness through the pins and I would like to see him carry more muscle through the lower third.  His size and dimension of bone is good.

Although I have him fourth in the class he has enough quality to improve a lot of flocks through out the country. Again, I placed the class 4, 1, 2, 3 with cuts of 2, 2, 3..Because of the amount of fleece, and, overall quality of the class I expect the placing to vary widely. Again, your thoughts concerning the placing are sought and welcomed....OG

 
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