Your online source for the show lamb industry.

Joe Hobbs

We caught up with market lamb judge Joe Hobbs before he steps “Inside the Ring” at the Arkansas State Fair. We invite you to read our candid interview with Joe below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Inside the Ring.”

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SHEEP INDUSTRY? 
I grew up showing sheep in 4-H and FFA, most were not great, but I got a little better at it every year. Seeing the evidence of working hard and making thoughtful decisions result in more success had me hooked by the time I was a teenager. Today my wife Megan and I have about 250 ewes and focus on producing the best market lambs and seedstock possible.

WHAT PERSON/PEOPLE INFLUENCED OR HELPED TO SHAPE YOUR VIEW ON WHAT THE IDEAL SHEEP SHOULD POSSESS?

Eric Kinsley was both my 4-H and collegiate livestock judging coach, as well as the first person to help find my family some real competitive wethers. Since then I feel like I’ve been influenced to some degree by lots of friends and mentors in the game. Hopefully that’s a life long process as well, year after year the best sheep get better and better, the minute you close your mind to what an ideal sheep is your evaluation skills and breeding program are likely to suffer.

WHERE DID YOU ATTEND COLLEGE AND WHAT AWARDS DID YOU ACHIEVE WHILE JUDGING IN COLLEGE? 
I graduated from Iowa State University. Our livestock judging team were Reserve National Champions, I was 11th overall at Louisville.

WHAT ARE YOUR INITIAL SORTS WHEN EVALUATING MARKET LAMBS? 
Like most, I’m impressed by a high headed, good looking one when they enter the ring. From there I feel like the challenge in sorting a show and breeding them is very similar, how much width and muscle can you put into them without sacrificing skeletal quality and balance?

WHAT’S THE BEST LAMB YOU HAVE EVER SEEN OR JUDGED?
To date the best one I have had the opportunity to judge in a show was Brooke Kuesel’s Harrell wether that went on to win the FFA show at the 2018 Iowa State Fair.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THE LAMB INDUSTRY TODAY?
From a show sheep perspective, my biggest concern is that the cost of the project is going to, or already has started to limit participation. The sheep, feed, additives, products, and travel are all expensive. I worry that we’ll loose families along the way if they feel like they have to spend too much to be competitive at the shows that are most important to them.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE IN THE SHOW RING? 
Poor sportsmanship. We all want to win, its human nature. Letting your emotions get the best of you inside or outside the ring is a bad look, and is only likely to hurt your chances of winning in future classes or shows if a judge notices.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE NOTICE MOST ABOUT YOU?
Relative to judging shows, that I’m working as hard as I can to give every sheep and every exhibitor a fair shot.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Potatoes

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ENJOY DOING THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE LIVESTOCK?
Reading or watching documentaries about history.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
Megan let me tag along on one of her work trips to Europe a few years ago. I though Berlin, Germany was great! I’d really like to go to Rome at some point in my life.