Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Supplement for CEV #476
Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Supplement for CEV #476
Goal:
To introduce the purpose of evaluation and the desired phenotypic
traits of the ideal breeding sheep.
Objectives:
1. to identify and list the major factors considered in breeding
sheep evaluation
2. to introduce performance records with specific reference to
positive and negative numbers
3. to evaluate and defend the placing of a breeding sheep class
i
Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Quiz I
Short Answer
1. Name three wool-type breeds of sheep Dr. Craddock discussed in this section.
2. Name the three growth indicators of breeding sheep.
3. Define “ewe necked”
Multiple Choice
___4. Two structural defects that Dr. Craddock discussed are
a. camped under
b. post legged
c. all of the above
d. none of the above
Short Answer
5. Color, crimp, and handle are three factors to consider when evaluating what?
6. List three ways to increase volume and capacity.
True or False
___7. The widest portion of sheep, when viewed from behind, should be between the
middle and lower portion of the leg.
___8. Wool-type breeding sheep should not possess black fibers in their wool.
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Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Quiz II
Multiple Choice
___1. Two meat-type breeds discussed in this section are
a. Suffolk and Merino
b. Hampshire and Merino
c. Suffolk and Hampshire
d. None of the above
True or False
___2. Early maturing females are desirable for production of market lambs.
Short Answer
3. Describe how the neck should attach to the shoulder.
4. What at the knees is more prevalent in meat-type breeds rather than wool-type
breeds of sheep?
True or False
___5. The loin begins between the fourth and fifth ribs and ends at the twelfth and
thirteenth rib.
2
Multiple Choice
___6. Meat-type breeds of sheep should be thickest from stifle to
a. stifle
b. forearm
c. rack
d. shoulder
___7. Total Body Capacity is illustrated by length
a. depth, volume
b. volume, muscling of stifle
c. depth, width
True or False
___8. Dorsets are the only meat type breed with no black on the body.
___9. Rams should be refined and feminine.
___10. Black fiber is desirable because it is easier to dye.
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Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Quiz III
Short Answer
1. Define the following
a. Birth Weight
b. Weaning Weight
c. Type of Birth
2. When are performance records most helpful in placing a class?
3. Why would wool data be given on a class of wool-type sheep?
True or False
___4. Single births are more desirable than twin or triplet births.
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Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Quiz IV
Official Placings and Cuts
Short Answer
1. Which ewe was the smallest framed ewe in the class?
2. Which ewe has the most size and scale?
3. Between 1 and 4, which ewe is more open through the face?
4. Which ewe had the hairy britch?
5. Which ewe was the lightest muscled ewe in the class?
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Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Quiz V
Short Answer
1. List, in order of importance, the six major factors used when evaluating wool-type
breeding sheep.
2. List the six major factors, in order of importance, used when evaluating meat-type
breeding sheep.
3. What was your placing of the Rambouillet ewe class? Defend your placing.
(use the back of this paper or a separate sheet)
4. Why is breeding sheep evaluation important?
5. Why is size and scale important?
6
Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Answer Key for CEV #476
Short Answer
1. Name three wool-type breeds of sheep Dr. Craddock discussed in this section.
Rambouillet, Corriedale, Columbia
2. Name the three growth indicators of breeding sheep.
Length of neck, length of body, length of cannon bone
3. Define “ewe necked”.
The neck ties down low into the shoulder instead of high. Additionally,
the animal will have a dip at the neck and shoulder-junction and will
carry her head low.
Multiple Choice
c
4. Two structural defects that Dr. Craddock discussed are
a. camped under
b. post legged
c. all of the above
d. none of the above
Short Answer
5. Color, crimp, and handle are three factors to consider when evaluating what?
character
6. List three ways to increase volume and capacity.
longer bodied, deeper bodied, wider through the body cavity
True or False
T
7. The widest portion of sheep, when viewed from behind, should be between the
middle and lower portion of the leg.
T
8. Wool-type breeding sheep should not possess black fibers in their wool.
1
Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Answer Key for CEV #476
Multiple Choice
c
1. Two meat-type breeds discussed in this section are
a. Suffolk and Merino
b. Hampshire and Merino
c. Suffolk and Hampshire
d. None of the above
True or False
F
2. Early maturing females are desirable for production of market lambs.
The target for today’s market lamb is between 120-130 pounds of lean
meat, and the lamb must have time to mature to reach that goal.
Short Answer
3. Describe how the neck should attach to the shoulder.
The neck should come out at the top of the shoulder. It should lie into
the shoulder smoothly.
4. What at the knees is more prevalent in meat-type breeds rather than wool-type
breeds of sheep?
Buck-over at the knees.
True or False
F
5. The loin begins between the fourth and fifth ribs and ends at the twelfth and
thirteenth rib.
This describes the rack region.
2
Multiple Choice
a
6. Meat-type breeds of sheep should be thickest from stifle to:
a. stifle
b. forearm
c. rack
d. shoulder
c
7. Total Body Capacity is illustrated by length
a. depth, volume
b. volume, muscling of stifle
c. depth, width
True or False
T
8. Dorsets are the only meat type breed with no black on the body.
F
9. Rams should be refined and feminine.
Rams should looks masculine (thick head, coarse shoulder).
F 10. Black fiber is desirable because it is easier to dye.
Black fibers do not readily accept dye and may result in an off-colored
product.
3
Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Answer Key for CEV #476
Short Answer
1. Define the following
a. Birth Weight:
Weight at birth. Lambs should not be excessive in birth weight.
b. Weaning Weight
Growth indicator at 60, 90 or 120 day weight. High numbers preferred.
c. Type of Birth
Designates whether lamb is single, twin or triplet. Multiple births
preferred.
2. When are performance records most helpful in placing a class?
Performance data is most helpful in a class with close pairs.
3. Why would wool data be given on a class of wool-type sheep?
Wool data is usually provided when the sheep have been shorn and
the judge cannot look at the fleece data because they are shortfleeced.
True or False
F
4. Single births are more desirable than twin or triplet births.
Multiple births are more desired.
4
Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Answer Key for CEV #476
(Note to Instructor: Pause the program when the “Place the Class” prompt come on the
screen and allow your students to place. Mr. Elliot will then give official placings and cuts.
Next, a set of collegiate oral reasons are presented.)
Official Placings and Cuts
1–4–3–2
4 8 3
Short Answer
1. Which ewe was the smallest framed ewe in the class?
2
2. Which ewe has the most size and scale?
1
3. Between 1 and 4, which ewe is more open through the face?
4
4. Which ewe had the hairy britch?
2
5. Which ewe was the lightest muscled ewe in the class?
2
5
Livestock Judging:
Breeding Sheep Evaluation
Answer Key for CEV #476
Short Answer
1. List, in order of importance, the six major factors used when evaluating wool-type
breeding sheep.
1. Size and Scale
2. Structural Correctness
3. Wool Production
4. Volume and Capacity
5. Muscling
6. Breed and Sex Character
2. List the six major factors, in order of importance, used when evaluating meat-type
breeding sheep.
1. Size and Scale
2. Structural Correctness
3. Muscling
4. Volume and Capacity
5. Breed and Sex Character
6. Wool Production
3. What was your placing of the Rambouillet ewe class? Defend your placing.
1–4–3–2
Oral reasons should defend this placing.
4. Why is breeding sheep evaluation important?
Evaluation is important to producers who need to select breeding
stock with the proper blend of phenotype and performance data to
satisfy the meat and or fiber industry and consumers in the most
economic manner possible.
5. Why is size and scale important?
Size and scale indicate growth potential, thus is an indicator of
maturity, leanness, muscling and capacity as well.
6