First Place:  1

Entry number: 1396

Exhibitor: texas girl

State: TX

Sheep name/number: Sophie

Breed: Southdown

I’m placing the Southdown yearling first in the class because I think she lines up more closely with the wether dam industry standards than the other three. She is the most balanced ewe in the class. She is structurally correct with a beautiful profile, is long sided, level top line, long level hip and stands on ample bone with correct neck placement.

From the rear she has correct turn of the top, is wide and flat over the rack, the loin, has deepest twist depth of the class and is the widest of the 4 through the pins with correct rib shape and flank fullness. She is just an excellent southdown ewe prospect.

Second Place:  3

Entry number: 1562

Exhibitor: Sheepsnpygs

State: OH

Sheep name/number: BooBoo

Breed: Hamp X

The toughest placing is the middle pair 3 and 2 because you have two brood ewes completely opposite in type,however, both do have some strong points. 2 has the advantage in profile and scale.3 has the advantage in overall thickness. I’m going with thickness over frame because thickness defines the wether type sheep market at the present time. This medium framed ewe is balanced, with a level top line, level hip, correct neck placement, super clean front for a thick ewe.

From the rear she is wide over her rack,the loin, with a deep twist and is wider through the pins than 2 and has a lot more muscle through the stifle and lower third than 2. Paired with a correct ram she will produce excellent lambs.

Third Place:  2

Entry number: 1528

2 falls into the third slot quite easily. This medium plus framed ewe is not as balanced as the two placing above her because she is too deep in her front when compared to the hip/loin junction. I would like to see more bone, however, she does stand good on her feet and legs.

From the rear I would like to see more evidence of muscle through the stifle, lower third, with more width at the pins. Bred to a ram strong in these areas she could produce good lambs.

Fourth Place:  4

Entry number: 1602

4 falls into the bottom hole rather easily, however, she does profile good, has a level top line,long level hip,super clean front, good rib shape, however, places fourth because from the rear is is just too narrow over, the rack, the loin, the pins, the stifle area, lower third. Bred to a ram correct in her areas of weakness she could produce marketable lambs.

Again, I placed the class 1-3-2-4 with cuts of 2-2-5. Discussion of the class is welcomed and appreciated. OG