First Place:  2

Entry number: 1390

Exhibitor: EmsoffLambs

State: CA

Sheep name/number: Emsoff 401

Breed: Hampshire X

Website: www.emsofflivestockcompany.com

To me 2 is the most complete, balanced lamb of the class and one that I think wins the class in an easy placing. On the profile I appreciate the long neck because it indicates a long spine, which, I believe is getting too short on a lot of today's wether type sheep. 2 has a long level top line, long level hip and is clean at the points. I also feel a lot of today’s wether type sheep are getting too round at the points. 2 is correct in rib shape, is full in the rear flank.

From the rear 2 is both wide and flat over the rack, the loin, is square docked with a full twist depth and shows muscle expression in the lower third. 2 is moderate plus in frame and can be fed to a heavier weight without excess fat becoming a problem. 2 is just an overall good prospect.

Second Place:  4

Entry number: 1408

Exhibitor: Chho35

State: OH

Sheep name/number: Duke

Breed: Speck

To me the toughest placing was the middle pair, 4 and 1. I went with 4 because I think 4 is more balanced than 1 with superior length. Hey, I still appreciate a lamb with length of side. When comparing neck length, placement, and length of spine to 1, 4 is superior.

The rear view shows 4 superior to 1 in width of rack and loin as well as being flatter in these areas. 4 is deeper in the twist, more width at the pins, and carries more muscle to the lower third making 4 an easy placing over 1.

Third Place:  1

Entry number: 1340

I’m placing 1 third in the class. For 1 to have moved up in class he would have to have more length of neck, spine, and hip. From the profile I would like to see less depth of front. Granted, 1 is excellent in rib shape and flank fullness, however, I would call him on the low side of moderate frame.

From the rear I would like to see 1 thicker over the rack and the loin. I would like to see more twist depth and I would like to see more muscle in the lower third carrying down toward the hock.

Also, call this personal opinion, but I’m not a fan of leaving a lot of wool above the hock and above the knee. On a lamb that is simply too short sided and framed for me, this works against the exhibitor's placing. With that said I do give a big advantage to 1 over 3 for third in class.

Fourth Place:  3

Entry number: 1408

In placing 3 fourth, I will grant he is larger framed with more spine length than 1, however, he is too heavy fronted and this takes away from his overall balance. He does have a long neck that’s squarely placed and a long level top/spine and hip. He does have rib shape but is too high in rear flank.

From the rear 3 is too narrow over both the rack and the loin and has a low loin edge. He is narrow in the pins, shallow in twist depth for a moderate plus framed lamb and he is lacking muscle through the stifle and lower third.

Again, I placed the class 2-4-1-3 with cuts of 5-2-5. Let the discussion begin... OG