Breeder sheep are graded on Virginia grade standards. The grade names and marks are as follows:

AA on back: Fancy

A on back: Choice

G on back: Good

Blue - bar on shoulder: Medium

Fancy grade sheep closely approach the ideal of their respective breed. They are rugged and large for their age, demonstrate exceptional thrift, vitality, breediness, and firmness of muscling. They have excellent conformation, quality, and muscling. Fancy grade sheep must be rectangular in form, straight in top and bottom lines, must carry thickness uniformly from end to end, and stand squarely on their legs. Sheep of this grade are exceptionally long, well balanced, correct and stylish in their appearance. They have a dense and uniform fleece. Fancy grade sheep meet maximum breed and type requirements as established by their registry association.

Choice grade sheep are excellent mutton-type sheep, but may not be ideal in conformation, quality, or natural muscling. They show normal development for their age-breed and type considered-and have the general appearance of thrift and vitality.

In the Choice grade, sheep must be moderately rectangular in form, with the top line and under line being nearly straight and parallel.

Sheep of this grade are moderately well balanced, correct, and stylish in their appearance. They have a moderately dense and uniform fleece.

Good grade sheep are desirable mutton-type sheep, but may not be excellent in conformation, quality, and natural muscling. They show fairly normal development for their age-breed and type considered-and have the general appearance of thrift and vitality. Good grade sheep may be slightly long in relation to their width and depth and may be rangy in appearance, or they may be somewhat low set and compact. They are fairly thick, but may show less thickness at one end than at the other. They have a moderately dense and uniform fleece.

Medium grade sheep are sheep that fail to meet the minimum requirements for the Good grade.