The right lamb, the right handling (2024)

Proper selection is vital to the success and outcome of any youth livestock project and the sheep project is certainly no different.

Although my comments on selection are targeted towards the sheep project there will be many common themes as we would compare these to the other species as well. I always emphasize that there are three fundamental traits in the selection of a market lamb project.

These traits are structure, balance, and muscle. But as we compare these three and examine them individually there is a considerable subjectivity among people in the industry and judges across the country as to the order of preference or how to make decisions when the project is not perfect and how much they can excel or are void in any trait. Undoubtedly, my opinion is likely to be different from some other judges and breeders.

I have been very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to judge several hundred shows across the country and I always start the show by reminding them that this is simply my opinion. Nonetheless, there are basic fundamentals in the selection of sheep and then once you pick out your project the important management practices of feeding, care, and environment are at least half of the equation to success.

Most of you will be selecting your show lambs when they are 2 to 4 months of age. Consider and ask for the age of the lamb because this will be important. In Oklahoma we show lambs in the fall and spring so it really becomes a challenge when making age decisions. Most of the time you would like for your lamb to be 6 to 8 months of age at your targeted show. In my opinion the show lamb should be good structured. Breaking this down from the side profile we are looking for lambs that are level in their top, long bodied, tall fronted, long in their loin and hindsaddle, and level rumped.

As we turn the lamb on the rear view we want to see the lamb wide and level in the rump with some width down the top. The hind legs should stand at least as wide as the hip. In addition there should some evidence of thickness over the rack. It helps if you are able to handle the lamb to measure the length of loin, the width over the rack, and the expression of muscle throughout the individual including the leg. Muscle should be evident at this point when selecting your lamb but only indication of muscle. Structure won’t change as the lamb matures but muscle can further develop with time.

Now the lamb has to portray some evidence of muscle at a young age but this can be witnessed by expression of muscle in their top, leg, and forearm. Balance is a combination of muscle and structure in a project that is level, long, good on their feet and legs, and possesses thickness. They should be proportional and somewhat rectangular in their makeup. I use this description as I teach livestock judging kids because we all know that a rectangle is longer than it is tall or wide but it is proportional in shape.

Once you have your project selected and get it home it is all in your hands. I see a lot of good projects ruined because of improper care, maintenance or presentation. Make sure that your lamb pen is dog proof or pro-tected from predators. Don’t assume your farm dogs are safe with lambs if this is a new species for them.

The lambs should have protection from the elements of weather which includes rain, sun, heat, cold, and etc. depending on the season of your program. Use a good complete feed that is balanced for sheep. Most show lamb rations will have 16-18% crude protein with an adequate calcium to phosphorus ratio (at least 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus), no added copper, and some will also add an antibiotic or ionophore to the ration as well. Follow the feed label if present on quantities, precautions, and directions. Most rations are formulated for an intake of 2-2.5% of their body weight (60 lb lamb will eat 1.2-1.5 lbs. per day).

Lambs normally need some hay or fiber added unless the feed has it built into the ration. Some feeds are promoted as complete rations with an adequate level of fiber.

Remember to adjust your feed quantity with the growth of the lamb. Some lambs may need as much as 3% of their body weight in the last couple of months in order to reach the targeted weight and some will do fine with 2%. The bottom line is that you will need to weigh your animal occasionally.

If lambs are kept in good facilities and are not exposed to inclement conditions they really don’t have many health problems. Treatment of internal parasites is necessary and there are several products on the market for lambs or follow your veterinarian recommendations.

Showmanship is very important in all of our livestock projects but there is no question in my mind that it is most important in sheep because you have direct control of the animal as well as direct contact. It is impossible for me cover all aspects of this subject but I co-authored a sheep showmanship fact sheet at Oklahoma State University this past year which can be accessed on the internet at osufacts.okstate.edu.

My daughters have won showmanship contests throughout the country and

their success is attributable to hard work, knowledge, and technique. Hard work is the hours spent at home knowing that each sheep shows just a notch differently and they need to understand that individual’s strength and weaknesses and what their tendencies are in presentation. Some sheep require a lot of time and some will be fairly easy to present.

The showman’s knowledge is not only regarding their projects but watching other good showmen and analyzing the presentation and technique. I teach young people that they should always be in the mode for learning. If they get beat they should listen, watch, and learn from those stood above them in a class. With the knowledge, competitive spirit, and determination they will stand on top eventually. Remember that championships are earned and the great sheep showmen will attest that it is hard work but well worth it.

Good luck!

(Editor’s note: Randy Pirtle has been with Oklahoma State University in extension and research for the past 25 years. He judges shows across the country and his judging teams have represented Oklahoma at national level 4-H contests for the past three years. He is the Tulsa State Fair Market Lamb Superintendent as well as the Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest Superintendent.

Randy and his wife, Susan, have two daughters, Aspen and Cassie. As a family they have produced, merchandised, and shown some of the top lambs in the country. Aspen is a junior at OSU where she assists with lambing at the OSU Sheep Barn. She also works with Moorman’s Showtech Feed in providing show clinics and judges shows throughout the country. Cassie is a senior in high school and recently had the Supreme Ewe at the Tulsa State Fair, Champion at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Grand Market Lamb at the Coffeyville Interstate Fair and has signed to judge livestock next year at Coffeyville Community College.)