26 DEPARTMENT BULLETIN 1360, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Weight is an important price factor for both sheep and lambs but it 
is especially important in the case of lambs. As a rule, heavy lambs 
(90 pounds and up) usually are in less demand on the markets than 
lighter weight animals of similar grade. 
GRADES 
The grades for Slaughter Sheep and Lambs are : Prime, Choice, 
Good, Medium, Common, and Cull. The grades for Feeder Sheep and 
Lambs are: Fancy, Choice, Good, Medium. Common, and Inferior. 
The grades for Breeder Ewes are: Fancy, Choice. Good, Medium, and 
Common. (See various schedules of market classifications for Sheep 
and Lambs. See also Circular No. 383 Market Classes and Grades of 
Lambs and Sheep for a full discussion of the grades for Sheep and 
Lambs.) 
Market Classes and Grades for Slaughter Sheep 
A Slaughter Sheep is an ovine animal that is 1 year old or over, or 
one that has cut one or more pairs of permanent teeth and is intended 
for immediate slaughter. 
The market classes for Slaughter Sheep are: Ewes. Wethers, and 
Mature Sheep. 
They are grouped according to ages as Yearlings, *2- Year-Olds, and 
Mature Sheep. 
Yearlings are young sheep between approximately 1 and 2 years 
old or those that have cut their first pair of permanent teeth but not 
their second pair. 
schedule: market classification for slaughter sheep 
Class 
Age group 
Weight 
Grade 
Yearling 
Mature (2 years old 
and older). 
Yearling 
Mature (2 years old and 
older). 
Yearling ... . 
Mature (2 years old and 
older). 
( Lightweight and handyweight, 90 pounds 
1 down. 
1 Mediumweight, 90 to 100 pounds. . ... 
(Heavyweight, 100 pounds up 
[Lightweight and handyweight, 120 pounds 
1 down. 
[Mediumweight, 120 to 140 pounds 
(Heavyweight, 140 pounds up 
(Lightweight and handyweight, 100 pounds 
1 down. 
) Mediumweight, 100 to 110 pounds. _. 
1 Heavyweight, 110 pounds up 
(Lightweight and handyweight, 1 15 pounds 
1 down. 
Prime 
Choice 
Good 
Medium 
Common 
Cull 
Choice 
Good 
Medium 
Common 
Cull 
Prime 
Choice 
Good 
Medium 
Common 
Cull 
Choice 
Good 
Medium 
Wethers 
Rams 
(Heavyweight, 130 pounds up 
All weights 
Common 
Cull 
Choice 
Good 
Medium 
Common 
Cull 
Good 
Medium 
Common 
Cull 
