Schedule 1 Classes of conformation and fat cover to be used in classification of carcases obtained from sheep aged less than twelve months

Table 1

CONFORMATION CLASSES Descriptions of the essential parts of a sheep carcase (hindquarter, back and shoulder) which indicate the conformation class for that carcase

Conformation class	Description
S Superior	Hindquarter: double muscled. Profiles extremely convex. Back: extremely convex, extremely wide, extremely thick. Shoulder: extremely convex and extremely thick.
E Excellent	Hindquarter: very thick. Profiles very convex. Back: very convex, very wide and very thick to the shoulder. Shoulder: very convex and very thick.
U Very good	Hindquarter: thick. Profiles convex. Back: wide and thick to the shoulder. Shoulder: thick and convex.
R Good	Hindquarter: profiles mainly straight. Back: thick, but less wide to the shoulder. Shoulder: good development, but less thick.
O Fair	Hindquarter: profiles tending to slightly concave. Back: lacking width and thickness. Shoulder: tending to narrow. Lacking thickness.
P Poor	Hindquarter: profiles concave to very concave. Back: narrow and concave, with bones apparent. Shoulder: narrow, flat and bones apparent.

Conformation class

Description

Superior

Hindquarter: double muscled. Profiles extremely convex.

Back: extremely convex, extremely wide, extremely thick.

Shoulder: extremely convex and extremely thick.

Excellent

Hindquarter: very thick. Profiles very convex.

Back: very convex, very wide and very thick to the shoulder.

Shoulder: very convex and very thick.

Very good

Hindquarter: thick. Profiles convex.

Back: wide and thick to the shoulder.

Shoulder: thick and convex.

Good

Hindquarter: profiles mainly straight.

Back: thick, but less wide to the shoulder.

Shoulder: good development, but less thick.

Fair

Hindquarter: profiles tending to slightly concave.

Back: lacking width and thickness.

Shoulder: tending to narrow. Lacking thickness.

Poor

Hindquarter: profiles concave to very concave.

Back: narrow and concave, with bones apparent.

Shoulder: narrow, flat and bones apparent.

Table 2

CLASS OF FAT COVER Descriptions of the degrees of fat coverage of a sheep carcase which indicate the fat cover class for that carcase

Class of fat cover	Description
1. Low	External:	Traces of, or no, fat visible.
1. Low	Internal:	Abdominal: Traces of, or no, fat visible on kidneys. Thoracic: Traces of, or no, fat visible between ribs.
2. Slight	External:	A slight layer of fat covers part of the carcase, but may be less evident on the limbs.
2. Slight	Internal:	Abdominal: Traces of fat, or slight layer of fat envelops part of the kidneys. Thoracic: Muscle clearly visible between ribs.
3. Average	External:	A light layer of fat covering most, or all, of the carcase. Slightly thickened fat zones at the base of the tail.
3. Average	Internal:	Abdominal: Light layer of fat envelops part, or all, of the kidneys. Thoracic: Muscle still visible between ribs.
4. High	External:	A thick layer of fat covering most, or all, of the carcase; but may be thinner on limbs, and thickening on shoulders.
4. High	Internal:	Abdominal: Kidney is enveloped in fat. Thoracic: Muscle between ribs may be infiltrated with fat. Fat deposits may be visible on the ribs.
5. Very high	External:	Very thick fat cover. Patches of fat sometimes visible.
5. Very high	Internal:	Abdominal: Kidneys enveloped in thick layer of fat. Thoracic: Muscle between ribs infiltrated with fat. Fat deposits visible on ribs.