2G0 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



prices. This is chiefly because packers, who bid on all ewes, bid 

 highest on young ewes. Young ewes, especially yearling ewes, are of 

 handier weights, are usually in higher condition, and some of them have 

 the break-joint and can be sold in the carcass as lambs. Heavy ewes 

 almost invariably sell on the market at a discount, and it logically 

 follows that a breeding ewe buyer can purchase these heavier ewes for 

 less money per cwt. than the lighter and younger stock. Furthermore, 

 two to four-year-old ewes produce a greater percentage of lambs and 

 thriftier lambs on the average than ewes of either greater or younger 

 age. Nevertheless, the breeder buyer can afford to pay a higher price 

 per cwt. for a yearling because she weighs less and because she can 

 be used in the flock for a longer period. For all these reasons young 

 breeding ewes command higher prices but are less sought after by 

 breeder buyers than are ewes two to four years old. 



W. C. Coffey states^ that the most desirable breeding ewes are 

 dark-faced natives in ordinary field condition. He states: "Dark- 

 faced ewes sell better than those that are otherwise their equals, be- 

 cause their lambs, being dark faced, sell better than light-faced lambs 

 on the eastern markets. Western ewes are very popular for breeding 

 purposes in certain localities, as Ohio, Michigan, and western New 

 York, and many engaged in the trade think they should be preferred 

 over natives because they are more hardy and comparatively free from 

 internal parasites." 



The grades of breeding ewes are fancy selected, choice, good, 

 medium, and common. 



Fancy selected breeding ewes. — The supply of this grade at the 

 markets is very limited and at times entirely lacking. Fancy ewes are 

 medium-wooled, dark-faced natives which plainly show in their form, 

 fleece, and markings that they are well-bred, high-grade ewes of Shrop- 

 shire or other dark-faced breeding. They must be high-class in every 

 respect, stylish, and very uniform in appearance. 



Choice breeding ewes. — Most of the better breeding ewes avail- 

 able at the market belong to the choice, rather than to the fancy grade. 

 Choice ewes must be in thrifty, vigorous condition. Since very fat 

 ewes are not usually satisfactory breeders or good mothers and since 

 packers pay a premium for finish, such ewes ordinarily sell to packer 

 buyers, while buyers of breeding ewes make their selections from those 

 carrying moderate flesh. Choice ewes must be superior in breeding, 

 form, quality, constitution, and fleece, and sound in mouth and udder. 

 They should be smooth, low-set, symmetrical, and moderately compact 

 in form, and in common with all breeding females they should have 

 wide, deep, roomy middles, providing ample feeding and breeding 



Ull. Bui. 129, Market Classes and Grades of Sheep, p. 627. 



