Narrator: At this year’s FFA sheep show, there were one hundred sixty-four exhibitors representing seventy-six chapters across the state of Iowa. Amongst these participants were four hundred and eighty-five lambs. As of January 1, 2016, there were 5.32 million head of sheep in the United States. Sheep operations are most prominent in the southern plains and the pacific region, and Texas leads the nation as the number one producer; but Iowa is still a leader in the industry ranking tenth overall. The Judge this year, Jordan Amburgey, hails from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky and he has had a passion for the industry since he was a child.

Jordan Amburgey, Judge - Mt. Sterling, KY: I grew up showing market lambs at a little age, me an my brother did. We showed at the state and national level pretty competitively. We were blessed with a great deal of success, and it just kind of carried over. Being abled to be blessed at a young age and judging these things.

Narrator: Jordan shares what he is looking for in a winning lamb.

Jordan Amburgey, Judge - Mt. Sterling, KY: If you watch me throughout the beginning of the day, if you will. You know we walk in and sometimes five or six feet. Within the class, I would pull them and have them sit in a corner and those are the kind that are easy to find. The ones that are real wild in terms of running up hill and still having some muscle but most importantly their right in their hoc and their feet and legs.

Narrator: These FFA members work hard year around; and Grand Champion Market Lamb owner, Brooke Kuesel, shares her routine.

Brooke Kuesel, Grand Champion Market Lamb - Victor: Every day my uncle and I get up at six o’clock in the morning and workout. We run them, walk them, set them up and then feed them three times a day.

Narrator: Brooke and her lamb Cordell were excited to be this year’s Grand Champion Market Lamb winners and she even took a break from the Iowa State Fair Queen contest to be at the show.

Brooke Kuesel, Grand Champion Market Lamb - Victor: Showing has been a part of my life ever since I joined fourth grade. I love showing, that would be my favorite part of the state fair.

Narrator: Judge Amburgey emphasizes the importance of making this event a learning experience for exhibitors.

Jordan Amburgey, Judge - Mt. Sterling, KY: A lot of times judges will pull you. They’ll never tell what they would like to change about them. And that’s something I tried to do. I tried to talk to each and everyone of these kids, asking them how they were doing. Making it an enjoyable experience, but most importantly I visited with each and everyone of them and told them why I would change about them and why they weren’t winning the class.

Judge, Jordan Amburgey, to a contestant: You need to keep the fundamentals alive. He needs to be made right at the ground and more muscle on him, good job.

Narrator: It’s not only the lambs that are being judged throughout the show. All members are also judged on showmanship and how well they present themselves and their sheep.

Jordan Amburgey, Judge - Mt. Sterling, KY: I think a good showman is one that understands the faults in their animal and has the ability to not only hide that fault from me but is very comfortable with that animal and that animal responds to that exhibitor.

Narrator: And we asked Brooke to share her advice to newcomers trying to get involved in the industry.

Brooke Kuesel, Grand Champion Market Lamb - Victor: My advice would be, of course, to always work hard and try your best no matter what the day brings. And it’s always one person’s opinion on a given day.

Narrator: Let’s take a look at the winners of the FFA Market Lambship.