The 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Junior Market Lamb Show began Thursday, March 4.
Market lambs are classified by breed, then broken into divisions based on weight. Are all lamb breeds the same? No!
A variety of breeds with origins from around the world can be found here at the Rodeo.
The fine wool class includes Rambouillet, Delaine, Debouillet or a cross between these breeds. They originated in Spain, and a typical breed characteristic is their silky, white face and ears.
The Southdown breed originated in the Sussex hills of England, and usually have a mouse-colored, gray to brown muzzle with matching colored legs.
The Dorper breed originated in South Africa and can either be solid white or white with black limited to head, neck and forequarters.
The medium wool class includes Suffolk and Hampshire breeds, as well as any lambs that do not fit into the other classes. Both Suffolk and Hampshire breeds have black faces and legs.
Tune into our Live Stream to see if you can identify the various lamb breeds!
 |
 |