Department 4C - Sheep

Department 4C – Sheep & Lambs

1. General Rules & Regulations

1. Commercial Cross Bred Breeding Sheep

   1. Eligible for all breeding classes.

   2. Animals will be shown slick shorn

2. Wool Fleece – Any producer may enter one fleece per breed provided the exhibitor owned the sheep at the time of shearing.

   1. The fleece must have been shorn in the current year.

   2. The fleece must be tied with paper twine.

   3. Yearling fleece may have 12 months’ growth.

   4. Fleece must be entered by breed.

   5. The fleece should be shorn from a sheep clearly representative of that breed.

   6. Preparation – Fleece should be rolled properly, flesh side out and tied with paper twine in such a way as to allow adequate handling, yet not affect the character or attractiveness. Each fleece must be tagged with the following: Name and address of exhibitor, breed, sex, number of month’s growth, and weight at fleece.

   7. 4C-14-1 – Purebred, Medium Wool – Chevoit, Corriedale, Dorset, Montdale, Hampshire, Shropshire, Southdown, Suffolk

   8. 4C-14-2 – Commercial White – May include wool from long wool purebreds which are not shown at Washington County and long wool purebreds that are shown at the State Fair (Romney, Boarder Leicester, Ramboulet, etc.)

   9. 4C-14-3 – Natural Colored, Medium Wool – (48-60) If fine wool fleeces were entered, they would be put in this class.

   10. 4C-14-4 – Natural Colored, Long Wool – (36-28) If coarse wool fleeces were entered, they would be put in this class.

    

2. Registered 4-H/FFA – Department 4C

1. All market lambs must be tagged with a Maryland Livestock Tag.

2. All market lambs will be placed in designated area one-half hour prior to show. They will remain in this designated area for the duration of the show. The area will be restricted to 4-H/FFA exhibitors and superintendents only.

3. Tail Docking Policy

   1. The 2010 Maryland 4-H Tail Docking Policy remains virtually unchanged from 2005.  4-H lambs should be docked no shorter than the distal end of the caudal tail fold.  The caudal fold is a flap of skin attached to the underside of the tail near the rectum and is clearly visible when the tail is lifted.

   2. Lambs docked in this manner will have a minimum tail length of 0.7 inches at the time of show.  Purchased lambs (market and breeding) should have a minimum tail length of 1.4 inches at the time of “weaning.”  This gives a high probability that the lamb’s tail will measure a least 0.7 inches at the time of show.  4-Hers should use the DeTail device to select lambs that have been properly docked.

   3. In 2010, compliance with the Maryland 4-H Tail Docking Policy will be VOLUNTARY.  Lamb tails (docks) will not be officially measured at Maryland 4-H activities.  No lambs will be disqualified from showing due to tail length, unless the short dock results in a rectal prolapse.

   4. Lambs with purse-string sutures are ineligible for exhibition at 4-H shows.

   5. Any sheep or lamb that exhibits a rectal prolapse at a 4-H activity will be ineligible for the activity and sent home by the Extension Educator, Sheep Superintendent, or other appropriately deemed individual.  The following will be used as a guideline to determine occurrence of a rectal prolapse:  “A rectal prolapse is defined as an inversion of the rectum that protrudes 4 cm (1.6 inches) or more outside the body and remains exterior to the body while the animal is standing.”

   6. If a lamb is observed with a rectal prolapse (by one of the above people) and in the future is not observed with a rectal prolapse, it is still classified as having a rectal prolapse.  This was the criteria used in the 2003 multi-year study published in the Journal of Animal Science that established a scientific link between tail length and the incidence of rectal prolapse in lambs fed concentrate diets.

   7. Questions about Maryland’s 2010 4-H Tail Docking Policy should be directed to Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

       

4. Showmanship

   1. Exhibitor may use a market lamb or breeding sheep for this class.

5. Breeding Sheep

   1. All breeding sheep must be the bona-fide property of the exhibitor and must have been owned and registered with the breed association in the name of the exhibitor only by July 1 of the current year.  A bill of sale is not acceptable. Registration papers and ear identification of animals will be checked by the superintendent. No joint ownership will be allowed.

   2. Ear tags must be in all breeding sheep upon arrival.

   3. Breeding animals must be shown in proper age category. Lambs may not be moved up.

   4. Exhibitors are permitted to make only one entry in each breeding sheep class. Include ear tag and registration number on entry blank.

   5. Exhibitors will be permitted to substitute one breeding animal within the same breed for another animal, either in the same class or in a different class.

   6. Senior ram and ewe lamb birth dates for all breed will be between September 1 of the previous year and before December 31 of the previous year.

   7. Junior ram and ewe lamb birth dates for all breeds will be after January 1 of the current year for early lambs and after February 16 of the current year and on or before May 1 of the current year for late lambs.

   8. Rams may be brought in on the day of the show and will be released immediately after the show.

6. Market Lambs

   1. Exhibitors may tag 4 market lambs, show 3 market lambs, and sell 2 market lambs.

   2. All market lambs must weigh a minimum of 90 pounds and not more than 140 pounds to be eligible for the show and sale. Re-weighs will not be permitted.

   3. Only ewes and wether lambs may be shown in market classes. All wether lambs must be completely healed. A show appointed veterinarian will examine any wether showing signs of testicle presence, unhealed scrotum, or other stag characteristics and will have the final decision in determining the eligibility for show.

   4. Grand & Reserve market lambs cannot be used in 4C-12-4 – Pair of Market Lambs.

   5. All market lambs must be born after January 1 of the current year.

   6. Country bred lambs must be bred, born and purchased in Washington County.

   7. 4C-12-1 – Market Lambs will be weighed and divided into a maximum of classes of approximately equal weight distribution. See above rule for minimum and maximum weights.

7. Shepherd’s Lead Contest

   1. The sheep (Market lamb or a breeding animal) must be fitted and trained to show at halter.

   2. The entrant will be judged on mode of dress selected.

      1. The outfit must be attractive and lend elegence to the contest.

      2. The garment must be made of at least 60% wool. 

      3. Entrants must furnish their own garment. 

      4. Previously entered garments are not acceptable.

   3. The judges will use the following guide for judging:

      1. Wool outfit made or purchased. Credit will be given for home-sewn garments, had-knitted, crocheted, or hand-woven.

      2. The contestant’s own presentation and overall appearance (poise, fitting, etc.)

      3. Condition and overall appearance and attractiveness of the sheep (fitting, etc.)

      4. How well the sheep is halter trained and behaves in the show ring.

   4. Narratives are required and should include but no be limited to:

      1. A description of the outfit.

      2. Information about the animal being exhibited (name, breed, etc.)

      3. Other activities and interest of the exhibitor.