Jordan Nothdurft, Sioux City, took Grand Champion honors with this 136-pound black face lamb during the Plymouth County Fair sheep show. Judge Mark Henry, Nevada, said picking winners at Thursday's show was a challenge due to the large number of quality animals. [Click to enlarge]

Mark Henry had his work cut out for him as judge of this year's sheep show at the Plymouth County Fair.

"It's more of a challenge to pick a winner when there are so much quality animals here," the Nevada man said Thursday. "It's a darn tough decision."

A black face market lamb, shown by Jordan Nothdurft, Sioux City, was Henry's choice for overall grand champion from the 99 market lambs that were exhibited. Taylor Plendl, Sioux City, showed the reserve champion lamb. Both lambs were top winners in the black face market lamb category before winning the overall market lamb competition.

Plendl captured the top trophies in two categories: pen of three market lambs and commercial ewe lamb. Sheep shown by Leanne Lill, Le Mars, won reserve champion honors in both the pen of three market lamb and commercial ewe lamb categories.

Zachary Schoenrock, Hinton, took home the grand champion trophy in the pen of three breeding ewe lamb category. Kristie Appley, Akron, a newcomer to the show ring, won the reserve champion trophy for her pen of three.

The number of sheep entries was up about 12 over last year, according to Sheep Superintendent Jeff Klemme. He was pleased with this year's entries.

"The quality is excellent. We're very happy with the entries," Klemme said.

The 4-H members displayed fine showmanship throughout the seven-hour show.

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Eric Kumm, Paullina, this year's showmanship judge, selected five seniors as top sheep showmen.

Schoenrock and Amy Samuelson, Sioux City, took home trophies for the top two coveted senior showmen spots. Plendl and twins Tessa and Talia Baker, Akron, rounded out the senior showmanship top five.

Aly Vondrak, Hinton, and Daniel Ahlers, Le Mars, were named as the top junior showmen. They edged out Dylan Blinde, Akron, Ericka Cockburn, Le Mars, and Kurtis Hoffman, Westfield, who were included in the top five junior showmanship circle.

Other category winners during Thursday's show were: Hailey Moodie, Kingsley, who showed the champion white face market lamb. Kyle Vondrak, Kingsley, had the reserve champion lamb in that class.

Moodie also showed the top spotted face market lamb. Kaylee Hoffman, Westfield, received the reserve trophy in that category.

Cassandra Martin, Brunsville, exhibited the top performance market lamb. Schoenrock had the reserve champion performance lamb.

Sheep shown by Becca Meerdink, Hawarden, and Mackenzie De Jong, Le Mars, tied for top place for average daily gain with an ADG of 1.0680. Meerdink's sheep edged out De Jong's lamb for the top spot when both animals were scanned.

Meerdink took top honors in the registered ewe lamb competition. Her sister, Emily Meerdink, was reserve champion.

Kurtis Hoffman showed the champion white face pen of three market lambs. Logan Niehus, Le Mars, took home the reserve champion trophy for that category.

The champion commercial ewe lamb was shown by Chris Erickson, Le Mars. Kyle Vondrak had the reserve champion spotted face commercial ewe lamb.

Leanne Lill, who collected five reserve trophies during Thursday's show, showed the champion yearling breeding lamb.