30 DEPARTMENT BULLETIN L360, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
BA1 22353-B 
Figure 13. — Good grade Feeder Lambs. 
The grades for Feeder Sheep and Lambs are: Fancy, Choice, Good, 
Medium, Common, and Inferior. (See Circular No. 383 Market 
Classes and Grades of Lambs and Sheep.) 
Shearer Sheep and Lambs 
The term "Shearer" refers to a rather special group of lambs and 
yearlings in which there is some trading in the late winter and early 
spring. This group consists largely of relatively well fleshed heavy 
shearing animals. Traders buy lambs and yearlings of this type and 
usually shift them to feeding stations or feeding barns located near 
the large central markets. Here the animals are shorn and continued 
on feed for a time before they are returned to the market as shorn 
slaughter lambs or yearlings. 
Breeder Ewes 
Breeder Sheep consist of Ewes of all ages that are suitable or arc 
intended for raising lambs. They generally arc classified by age 
groups, as Lambs, Yearlings, 2- and 3-Year-Olds and 4- Year-Olds 
and over, and by grades, such as Fancy. Choice, Good. Medium, and 
Common. Although the suitability of a Ewe for breeding purposes 
is of prime importance and takes into consideration its breed, health, 
and potentialities as a breeder, the three grade factors — conforma- 
tion, finish, and quality — also are of importance and are observed 
when selecting breeding ewes because they tend t< '." - „. ex 
tent to which these same factors may be transmitted to the offspring. 
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1944 
