458 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



"Quality is a very important consideration in the selection of feeder 

 Iambs, and it is that characteristic which is manifested "by a medium- 

 sized, fine, clean-cut head; medium-sized and moderately thin ears; the 

 hair on the face and legs fine and silky; bone that is fine and without 

 coarseness at the joints; skin thin and without folds or wrinkles. A 

 smooth skin without folds or wrinkles and carrying wool of moderate 

 weight is the most important requirement of desirable quality in feeder 

 lambs. * * * 



"The conformation which indicates a strong constitution was described 

 above under 'Form.' A wide, deep chest, fullness in the heart girth, 

 depth and breadth of body indicate sufficient space for well-developed 

 vital organs, or strong constitution. Another important point, which if not 

 a part of constitution is closely akin to it, is thrift. The intelligent 

 buyer of choice feeders rejects all lambs that appear in the least un- 

 thrifty, such as lame ones and those inclined to lag behind when the 

 band is moving." 



Choice lambs should be fairly full in their outlines and without any 

 suggestion of emaciation. Choice feeder lamhs range in weight from 55 

 to 62 pounds. 



Good feeder lambs are usually more leggy and coarse than those that 

 are considered choice. Lambs weighing between 50 and 55 pounds and 

 choice in form, but somewhat, although not excessively, heavy in pelt, 

 are placed in the good grade. 



Lambs of the medium feeder grade often have very heavy pelts, and 

 hence lack appreciably in quality. 



"Pronounced legginess and angularity of form are frequently noticeable 

 in "bands of lambs grading as medium, but the chief discrimination is 

 against their quality because of their thick, wrinkled skins and dense, 

 heavy fleeces. While in most cases they are thrifty, they are usually 

 below the weight most desirable in feeder lambs, and this, together with 

 their lack of quality and desirable form, places them considerably below 

 the choice feeder." 



The lamias most common to the grade of common or inferior feeders 

 are little, light, late-born, weak lambs. 



"They are known under several appellations, such as 'bums,' 'culls,' 

 'pewees,' and 'peanuts.' Their weight may vary anywhere from 25 to 45 

 pounds, and because of their tender age, light weight, and weakened con- 

 dition they require skillful care and a long period of feeding upon 

 nutritious feeds that will produce a large amount of growth as well 

 as fat." 



The demand for this grade is limited. 



Yearlings. — This class is made up exclusively from yearling wethers. 

 They do not figure prominently in the feeder trade. They are graded as 

 choice, good, common. 



Wetheis. — Of the wethers sold from the range for feeding purposes 

 the greater number is shipped direct to western feed lots, hence the sup- 

 ply on the Chicago market is extremely meager. The grades are choice, 

 good, medium, common. 



