Selecting the right market lamb or market goat

Springtime for many 4-H livestock members means selection of their livestock project for exhibition at the county fair. Phillips County currently has 15 members enrolled in the market goat project, while there are 20 members enrolled in the market lamb project. Phillips County 4-H and FFA livestock numbers remain fairly consistent year to year.

Last year, there were eight market goat exhibitors and 22 market lamb exhibitors. Statewide, the market goat project continues to gain popularity. Last year, there were 1,300 market goat members and 1,150 market sheep exhibitors.

Some people say that to evaluate market lambs, just imagine that you are looking at a miniature steer. The main points to consider when looking at and selecting a market lamb are structure, type and muscling. When the judge is placing the market lamb classes at fair, the amount of finish (fat cover) is also taken into consideration.

When selecting a prospective market lamb for county fair, 4-H members need to take size and end weight requirements into consideration. The weight ranges for Phillips County are 100-160 pounds. An average lamb will gain .6 to .8 pounds per day, so a market lamb exhibitor needs to start with a lamb at an appropriate size and weight to reach the weight requirement in the number of days the lamb will be on feed.
 

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