[Jacob-list] Showing Jacobs

[Robert May]

Hello Sue, Marie, et als...
I can only "speak" for those of us in NJ and PA that
have been showing Jacobs for almost 10 years.  Washing
(with soap) is definitely a "no-no", as it will remove
all of the lanolin.  The sheep will be nice and black
and "white", but they will look like brillo pads.

I typically will hose off the Jacobs I plan to show
about a week to 10 days before showing.  Depending on
length of their fleeces, I will "trim" them a bit for
the fall shows.

We usually "shear" our flock in late January, in
advance of February lambing.  I've found that getting
their fleeces off makes it a lot easier to eye ball
which ewes are going to lamb and to more easily "spot"
potential lambing problems--although these are
infrequent.

It's also important that the "judge" receives a copy
of the  breed standard in advance of the "show",
especially if the judge is not used to "judging"
Jacobs.

If it wasn't for the show at the Maryland Sheep & Wool
Festival, I'd shear all of our Jacobs (even our show
flock) in January; however, there wouldn't be enough
time for fleeces to regrow by May.  Accordingly, we
typically will trim the show flock for the September
"shows", so that they are not raggy looking.

Typically, there should be a minimum of 2" of fleece
on wool breeds for showing.

Trust that the Jacob lamb that we provide Marie for
the Youth Conservation Program is doing well.

Regards, Happy New Year, and (most importantly) happy
lambing to all.

Bob May
Swayze Inn Farm
Hope, NJ

--- Susan Roenke <oliveoyl_123 at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> Now that it is a little slower, I wanted to ask how
> you are supposed to show 
> Jacobs.  Are there "standards" that you should
> follow?  I have seen a lot of 
> different things done at the NY State Fair and
> wondered how we are really 
> supposed to show them.  Are we supposed to wash
> them, trim them, or leave 
> them alone?
> Sue (and Marie)
> 
> 
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