Sheep Show Classes: Market Lamb

In a sheep show there can be many classes. One of them is the market lamb class.


What kind of animal can show in a market lamb class?
True to the name all sheep in the market lamb class are lambs, meaning they are under a year old. By the show day our market lambs are usually 4-5 months old and weigh 120 lbs. on average. Ewes (female) or wethers (castrated males) may be shown in this class. Market lambs must be slick shorn (sheared recently with a short fleece) to get the best look of the animal as wool can hide their true conformation.
What is the judge looking for?
The market class is judged based on the animals conformation or the body of the lamb. There are two components: structure and finish. The ideal body structure of a market lamb is one with length, width and depth. Finish refers to the amount of fat cover and muscling on the body. A market lamb should have a thin layer of fat covering over their body and be muscled throughout their back leg and torso. 
What are the most important parts of a market lamb?
The leg and the loin are the best cuts of meat on a lamb. Since this is the market lamb class the animals are being judged based on which one would have the top amount and quality of meat. The loin is the area on a lamb measuring from the last rib to the hip bone. This area needs to be as long and wide as possible to maximize the amount of meat. The leg or more specifically the upper back leg also needs to be as large and as muscled as possible. When looking at a market lamb from behind there should be a deep 'v' between the lamb's legs. The deeper the 'v' the more meat the lamb has. 
How does the judge choose a winner?
In a sheep show the judge is very hands on, meaning that they will use their hands to feel the amount of finish on the lamb and conformation traits like the length of the loin.