By Judge Will Pearson
What does a judge look for in a Dam and Daughter or Sire and Son Specialty Class?
Will: Dam and Daughter a judge looks for two does that are identical. Obviously, we love improvements in the daughter but we assume the buck did that. We are looking for a dam that reproduces herself. Poor quality dams can reproduce themselves but we want high quality dams that reproduce high quality daughters.
Of course improvements are always welcome in these classes, but the most competitive class would be a perfect animal that has produced a perfect animal. Identical is the key, not improvements. In contrast a perfect mother with a slightly less than perfect daughter is much worse that a daughter that is better than the mother.
Sire/son pretty much the same thing. Looking for traits that we want to see in both of their daughters. Dairyness, angularity, structural correctness, etc. It is not about the boys, it is about what we think they can produce. Food for thought: the greatest herds in the country are producing 1 or 2 great bucks a year. The rest are not worth your time. Of the less than great herds in this country maybe 1 in 20 herds are producing a buck of merit. Most bucks should be sent for meat. Your search for a buck is the most important task as a breeder that you can do. Choose wisely. $2000.00 for a premier national sire is cheap. $300.00 for a buck that ruins your herd is very expensive.
What does a judge look for in a Dairy Herd or Trio Specialty Class?
Will: In a Trio or Dairy Herd, a judge looks for consistency of type. Three or four individuals that look identical. Of course, high quality identical is of the greatest concern. I like to see young animals that perhaps look like they are going to be better than the older animals. I like to see old and young animals in the group. Others think that 4 aged does in a group is the most competitive group you can have; I like a group that was bred well, and is being bred well, and have the look that they will continue to be bred well. Example: Wee 3 Farms won every class senior class in my Oklahoma ring—they have their act together. They have been breeding good animals, are breeding good animals and look like that is going to continue breeding good animals.
Is it better to have a helper for each animal in a Specialty Show?
Will: I could care less if people are perfect about their showing. It is helpful to have enough people to share the work. Sometimes that is not possible. I have no problem with leads; those that do, need to get a life. Bending over to show a nigerian doe once in the ring would kill me. Doing it all day, I would be incapacitated. Perhaps I need to be in better shape, but at least I have empathy for others and the pain they endure.
What is the difference between Trio and Breeders Trio?
Will: Trio would be 3 animals owned by a person. Breeders trio would be trio bred by a person.
How is Produce of Dam different that Trio?
Will: Produce is two animals, trio is three.
Does color help with uniformity when judging group classes?
Will: Color always helps but a judge worth his socks can see beyond that.
How do you order Best 3? Smallest outside? Fault in the middle? Oldest to Youngest?
Will: Placing the fault in the middle will help to camouflage it.
