Superintendent - Kris Thorne (410-848-6971)Assistant Superintendent - Greg Thorne

Judging: Saturday, August   2, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.

PURPOSE:  To increase producer awareness of wool quality; encourage the production of better wool and educate the public about wool.

ELIGIBILITY:  The exhibitor must own the sheep at time of shearing to enter the fleece.

•            Fleece must have been shorn since the 2007 Fair.

•            A yearling fleece may be 16 months growth.

•            Fleeces should be clean, free of chaff, burrs and tags.  All fleeces must be
skirted.

•           Fleeces must be flesh side out and tagged with breed, sex, and number of
months of growth.  Fleeces may be tied or untied.  Untied fleeces should be
placed in plastic trash bags.

•            A producer is eligible for no more than two money awards in any one class.

•            In any dispute, the decision of the superintendent and judge shall be final.

•            Fleeces must be delivered to the Farm and Garden Building on Friday, August 1^st   between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. or on Saturday, August 2^nd   between 9:00 a.m. and 12 Noon.  Fleeces will be judged at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 2^nd.  The judge(s) will present reasons for their placements and answer questions at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 2^nd.  Producers and the public are invited.

•            All fleeces will be judged on hand spinning quality.

•            Exhibits must be removed on Sunday, August 9^th  between

11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  All unclaimed entries become the property of the Howard County Fair Association.               

DIVISIONS:        A – White Wool                    

B – Natural Colored Wool (Must contain at least 35% colored fibers)

Premiums for Classes 1-4 are:   $ 8.00     $6.00     $4.00     $2.00

CLASSES:

1.      Fine Wool -- Fleeces with counts of 60's and above (24.9 microns and below).
  Example:  Merino, Rambouillet, Targhee, Crosses.

2.      Medium Wool -- Counts of 58's - 50's (24.95 - 30.99 microns).
  Example:  Corriedale, Suffolk, Montadale, Crosses.

3.      Coarse or Long Wool -- Counts of 48's - 44's (31 - 36.19 microns).
  Example:  Romney, Border Leicester, Lincoln, Crosses.

4.      Very Coarse Wool -- Counts of 40's and below (36.20 microns and higher).
  Example:  Karakul, Cotswold, Crosses.

5.      Champion Fleece - Ribbon

6.      Grand Champion Fleece - Ribbon and Trophy

DIVISIONS:

C.        Llama and Alpaca Fiber

Premiums for Classes 7-20 are:   $8.00     $6.00     $4.00     $2.00

CLASSES:

7.         Juvenile and Yearling Huacaya Alpaca, Light & Fawn

8.         Juvenile and Yearling Huacaya Alpaca, Brown & Black

9.         Juvenile and Yearling Huacaya Alpaca, Grey & Multi

10.     2-Year Old and Adult Huacaya Alpaca, Light & Fawn

11.     2-Year Old and Adult Huacaya Alpaca, Brown & Black

12.     2-Year Old and Adult Huacaya Alpaca, Grey & Multi

13.     Juvenile and Yearling Suri Alpaca, Light & Fawn

14.     Juvenile and Yearling Suri Alpaca, Brown & Black

15.     Juvenile and Yearling Suri Alpaca, Grey & Multi

16.     2-Year Old and Adult Suri Alpaca, Light & Fawn

17.     2-Year Old and Adult Suri Alpaca, Brown & Black

18.     2-Year Old and Adult Suri Alpaca, Grey & Multi

19.     Juvenile and Yearling Llama

20.     2-Year Old and Adult Llama

21.     Champion Llama Fiber

22.     Champion Alpaca Fiber

D.        Mohair Fleece

Premiums for Classes 23-25 are:   $8.00     $6.00     $4.00     $2.00

CLASSES:

23.   Adult

24.     Yearling

25.     Kid

26.     Champion Mohair Fleece

Premium for Class 27 is: $5.00

27.     Shepherd/Hand Spinner Basket (includes raw fiber, and yarn spun, and intended use sketch)

***SPECIAL AWARD FOR WOOL FLEECE***

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival - Trophy - Grand Champion Fleece