Lamb Carcass & Performance Contest

Chair – Dr. Niki Whitley, Co-Chairs - Bev Pearsall, Susan Schoenian Scanner – Jim Pritchard

Contest lambs will be scanned using realtime ultrasound to estimate carcass characteristics.

The formula to calculate Percent Boneless Closely Trimmed Retail Cuts (%BCTRC) is:

49.936 – (0.0848 x carcass weight) – (4.376 x back fat) – (3.53 x estimated body
wall thickness) + (2.456 x ribeye area)

The formula to calculate Lean Gain Per Day on feed is:

(carcass weight x %BCTRC) / days of age

Lambs will receive blue, red, and white awards based on the carcass scores. Special awards will be given to the lamb with the best carcass score / %BCTRC and highest lean gain per day.

Purpose:

The purpose of the lamb carcass and performance contest is:

to recognize producers of superior lambs; allow producers to compare their lambs with other breeds and producers; provide producers with carcass data to make breeding and selection decisions; demonstrate the use of real time ultrasound technology to determine carcass characteristics of live lambs; and educate producers and the public about lamb production.

Rules:

1. Ewe, wether, and ram lambs of any breed or crossbreed are eligible to compete, including potential young sires and wool breeds.

2. Lambs must weigh a minimum of 80 lbs. There is no maximum weight.

3. Lambs cannot be entered in more than one show.

4. Lambs must be less than 1 year of age and have all their lamb teeth present.

5. Exhibitors will be limited to 2 entries.

6. Lambs must be owned by the exhibitor a minimum of 45 days preceding the Festival.

7. All lambs must have approved interstate or Maryland health papers. See also Animal Health Regulations.

8. Lambs must be completely slick shorn within 5 days of the show.

9. Exhibitors must be present for weighing and scanning.

10. Lambs will be released after scanning.

Premiums

Blue award - $50

Red award - $35

White award - $25