298 Sheep Management, Breeds and Judging. 



GRADES OF SHEEP ON OUR AMERICAN MARKETS. 



The sheep market in America is divided into 

 many different classes and grades. The wealthier 

 consumers of mutton and lamb wish to get the 

 choicest kind, regardless of the price, and this forces 

 the firms to grade the live consignments into so 

 many grades. This is in the favor of the producer. 

 The one who has a choice lot of sheep or lambs is 

 entitled to a higher price than the one who brings 

 unfinished stuff to market, because he saved his 

 feed, 1 or perhaps did not have any. The breeding of 

 the sheep which come to market makes a marked 

 difference also. Sheep or lambs well bred, possessing 

 a good mutton form, and furnishing many high price 

 cuts, put on meat easily at a smaller cost and bring 

 the highest prices. Today, the producer and shipper 

 receive the price on the market according to the 

 rating of their offerings. A lot which can be rated 

 as prime or choice is much in favor, and a premium 

 is paid for such a class. In all cases sheep do not 

 bring as high prices as lambs. From all the sheep 

 annually sent to market for slaughter about 75 per 

 cent are lambs. Since buyers at the markets are 

 always searching for the best and well finished classes 

 of all grades, the breeder and feeder should aim to 

 fulfill their requirements. 



