Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 259 



9. Uniformity is highly desirable because it gives a sameness in 

 size and type that is the best guarantee of uniformity in gains and finish, 

 and it adds greatly to the appearance of the load on the market. 



Good feeder lambs are about average in their qualifications for 

 feeding purposes, yet capable of making satisfactory gains. Many of 

 them are deficient in form and quality. They average lighter in weight 

 and lower in condition than lambs of the choice grade, and require a 

 longer feeding period to finish them. 



Medium feeder lambs are deficient in weight, breeding, form, 

 quality, constitution, and condition, and are less uniform than the 

 higher grades. Many of them are decidedly long, leggy, and angular 

 in form, and their wrinkled skins are evidence of much Merino breed- 

 ing. 



Common feeder lambs are mostly very small, light-weight lambs 

 that are much lacking in thrift and vitality. They weigh from 25 to 

 45 pounds and require a long feeding period and careful management 

 to finish them. They have one advantage in that they may be re- 

 turned to market late in the season weighing 80 pounds or less, at which 

 time such weights enjoy a maximum premium in competition with the 

 heavy lambs which are then plentiful. Common feeder lambs also 

 include some lambs of heavier weights which are very coarse in quality 

 and rough in form. Uniformity is decidedly lacking. 



Feeder yearlings. — This class is composed of yearling wethers, and, 

 as the mutton yearling should be able to substitute for lamb, quality 

 and weight are of great importance in grading feeder yearlings. They 

 are not a prominent feature in the feeder trade, as but few appear on 

 the market. The grades are choice, good, medium, and common. 



Feeder wethers. — The supply is very small. The grades are 

 choice, good, medium, and common. 



Feeder ewes. — Most ewes suitable for feeding bring a higher price 

 when sold for breeding purposes, hence the supply of feeder ewes is 

 small. They exhibit considerable variation in condition, quality, and 

 thrift. The grades are choice, good, medium, and common. 



Breeding Sheep 



This general class includes the breeding ewe and breeding buck 

 classes, the latter being of very minor importance. The ewes in 

 greatest demand and most commonly sold for breeding purposes are 

 two to four years old, though ewes of all ages sell for breeding, even 

 ewe lambs being taken out at times to be developed for use as breeders. 

 For convenience in quoting prices, two divisions may be made in breed- 

 ing ewes according to age, one including the yearlings and two-year- 

 olds, and the other the older ewes. The younger ewes sell at higher 



