Learn how to judge market lambs correctly
Market LAmbs
Market Lambs can be ewes or wethers but the most common is wethers. There are also many different things to look for in the ideal market lamb. The main Criteria to look at would be muscling, finish growth, skeletal correctness, balance, and eye appeal. The most important part of these traits are muscling. This is because market animals are for meat which is muscle.
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These are important things to look at when you are judging a market lamb.
Balance/Eye Appeal
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Growth
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Finish
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Muscle
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Ideal Characteristics
Meaty Length/Width Level Smooth Balance Square Bone Trim/Lean Breast Ribs Youthful Head
Meaty Length/Width Level Smooth Balance Square Bone Trim/Lean Breast Ribs Youthful Head
Comparing Market Lambs
We are going to compare these two market lambs here. These two lambs are similar in there make-up although one is a ewe lamb and one is a wether. The wether lamb has great frontal muscle expression and blends into his shoulders really nice as does two. The wether lacks a bit in the back end and is un proportional. The ewe lambs has a really nice set to her body and and legs as does the wether but the ewe lamb is very balanced and proportional from front to back and has great depth of body and a nice level top line. If this was a market class I would have to place the ewe lamb over the wether she does a good job of keeping that nice level top line and has muscle to spare. If I had to do one thing to help her it would have to be to bring up her belly and give her a tad more bone. The wether follows close behind he just doesn't have the volume and the muscle to get ahead of the ewe lamb.
Judging
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