MARKET CLASSES AND GRADES OF LIVESTOCK 
29 
practice is both arbitrary and practical. New-crop lambs arc desig- 
nated as Spring Lambs from the time they begin arriving at the live- 
stock markets until the first Monday in October. From that date until 
the first Monday in July of the following year, what was formerly 
called Spring Lambs are designated Lambs. After the first Monday 
in July animals from the previous year's lamb crop are designated 
as Yearlings. 
During the fall months the bulk of the range lambs produced in 
the intermountain area are marketed. In most years a relatively large 
proportion of these are more suitable for further feeding than for 
slaughter. Consequently, those lacking good flesh condition are usu- 
ally purchased as Feeders and marketed during the winter and early 
spring months as fed lambs. 
The usual market weight groups for Slaughter Lambs are: Light- 
weight, Mediumweight, and Heavyweight. 
The grades of Slaughter Lambs are : Prime. Choice. Good, Medium, 
Common, and Cull (fig. 12). (See schedule for Slaughter Lambs. 
Sec also Circular No. 383. Market Classes and Grades of Lambs and 
Sheep.) 
schedule: market classification for slaughter lambs 
Class 
Age group 
Weight 
Grade 
Ewes, Wethers, 
Ranis. 
and 
Hothouse - 60 pounds down 
i Lightweight, 70 pounds down. - 
Mediumweight, 70 to 90 pounds. 
Heavyweight, 90 pounds up 
{Lightweight. 75 pounds down... 
Mediumweight, 75 to 95 pounds 
Heavyweight, 95 pounds up 
Prime 
Choiee 
.Good 
Medium 
Common 
Cull 
Market Classks and Grades for Feeder Sheep and Lambs 
Feeder Sheep and Lambs are those that are on feed or are to be 
placed on feed for further growth and fattening. When such animals 
are used for immediate slaughter they automatically are classified as 
Slaughter Slice]) or Slaughter Lambs and are graded according to the 
grade requirements for Slaughter Sheep or Lambs, (fig. 13). 
schedule: market classification for feeder sheep and lambs 
Class 
Age group 
Grade 
Lambs: Ewes and Wethers 
All ages . 
Fancy 
Choice 
Good 
Yearlings 
Mature (2 years old and older) .. .._ .. 
Medium 
Common 
Inferior 
Fancy 
Choice 
Good 
Sheep i 
Ewes -_ 
Medium 
Common 
Inferior 
Choice 
Good 
Common 
Inferior 
