The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1921-11-14

- -
prepared by the United States Department
of Agriculture)
Can you judge sheep? If you can
you are somewhat above the ordinar,
run. of stock raiser, because of al
farm animals, in the estimate of the
United States Department of Agricul
ture, the sheep is the most difficult t.
appraise accurately.
With horses, cattle, swine, or poultry
the eye will tell much as to the quail
1ty for any purpose desired, and by
seeing the animals constantly the
breeder or handler learns to estimate
their worth, point by point. But a
sheep. with full fleece is, like certain
members of the human race, artfully
dressed-its clothing may conceal de-
fects that make it absolutely undesir-
able, or at least detract from it's worth.
Sheep Judging Requires Study.
Nevertheless, sheep judging is pos
sible to anyone who will give it study
and practice and the eye is an i'm
portant agent although it must be as
sisted by a careful inspection with
the hand.
Any sheep raiser who desires to i'm
prove his flock can profit by attending
the next county or state fair and fol-
lowing the judges as they go through
the sheep pens. If the judges will per-
NIT one to try his hand and check up
against their findings, it will be much
better. A good score card is essential,
and one is contained in Farmers Bull
letln 1885, "Judging Sheep sent on
request by the department.
The experienced judge may not APP
pear to spend any time looking at the
sheep before he starts the hand in
spection but as matter of fact, his
practiced eye takes in the entire con-
tour, build, and bearing. The student
Judge should stand away and careful
ly view the animal from the front,
side, and rear
The score card allows % out of 100
points for general appearance, of which
normal weight counts 5 form is giver
10, the specifications being straight
top and under line, deep, broad, low
set for breed, compact, well proper
toned
Under quality" to which another
10 is assigned, the scord card specifies:
Hair, fine; bone, fine, but strong feat
ures, fine, but not delicate; skin pink.
After the sheep has been inspected
from distance. one should check up
his observations by going over the
ANIMALS body with the hand, keeping
N mind the first impressions. Prac-
ice is necessary to get the correct |
touch. Pounding and clawing are out
If order. Do not muss the fleece If |
he animal has been prepared for ex
libition.
The score card allows II points for
condition, comprising an even, deep, I
irm flesh covering, withS fullness in
houlder and brisSet,- thick covering
yer top of shouldres, back, rib, and
hick dock.
Points Noted in Judging.
Head and neck are given nine points,
f which five go for head with clean
ut, strong mouth, thin lips, large nos
rils, large, clear eyes, alert look. short
ace, DIodu IOreHedu, dlefl anu Well
paced ears. -Four points are given
. neck short, thick and smoothly
oined to the shoulder.
Ten points are assigned to the fore
uarters of which eight may be given
) the shoulders. They should be com
act on top, smoothly joined with neck
nd body, and well covered with flesh.
ne point goes to full, well-rounded,
nd well-extended brisket, and one to
.raight, short legs, set well apart
The body may count Is points-two
II deep, wide, full chest; four for
BIS well sprung, close, and thickly
,vered six for straight broad back,
lickly and evenly covered with flesh; !
x for wide, thick loin, well covered.
Seventeen points are given to perfect Z
nd quarters Level, smooth hips,
ide apart, count one; long level, wide
imp, thick at dock, four; full, deep. !
Idle thighs, four; deep, firm, plump |
visit, Joined well down on leg. five;
raight, short legs, wide apart, one.
The udder in ewes or the scrotum in
ms counts two If well formed.
Nine points are given to wool-three
r quantity, three for quality, and !,
rec for condition. h