Lamb weight
As discussed earlier different markets favour lambs of different weights. Generally speaking lambs in Ontario and Quebec are marketed at a lighter weight than in the West or in the US. Excepting various holiday peaks, the majority of lambs marketed in Ontario are between 65-79lbs. Buying a scale and monitoring lambs on-farm will help ensure your lambs are fitting into the desired category.
Degree of finish
The amount of finish (fatness) will depend to some extent on the age of the lambs. Generally speaking, market lambs should have a good fat cover, but not be overly fat (condition score of ~2.5). Condition scoring and modifying your feed schedule accordingly with help finish lambs properly. Be aware that some breeds will mature at different weights. If you wish to market heavy lambs, breeds with light adult weights may mature and be overfinished (too fat) before they reach the desired weight.
Healthy & Clean
Buyers will be much more likely to pay a good price for lambs that look healthy and clean. Some ethnic markets require ‘unblemished’ lambs, referring to the lack of marks, injuries, or other faults. Many buyers prefer shorn animals with docked tails. Shorn animals are easier for buyers to visually assess for quality (muscling, fat cover etc.). As well, shorn animals take up less room during transport. There is less chance of carcass contamination during slaughter by bacteria from soiled fleece if the animals have been shorn and the tails are docked.
Castration
Castration of ram lambs is preferred or of little importance in most cases. When marketing older lambs, castration may help decrease bruising from animals fighting. Generally, however, lambs will be marketed before they become sexually mature and some producers prefer to leave them intact. As well, certain ethnic markets favour ram lambs.
Uniform
If you are selling a number of animals, try to have the group as uniform as possible. Buyers are often looking for a specific type of animal. If your animals are similar in appearance, they may go for a better price than if the buyer has to pick and chose the preferred animals.
Food Safety
Maintain records regarding the use of medication and double check that animals being shipped to market have met the recommended withdrawal dates for all medications.
