The Fred Knop Family's interest in sheep genetics traces back to the early 1980s with the purchase of some key females from the flocks of P.C. Walters, Fred Krenk, and Jerry Dale. We added rams from breeders such as Darrell Anderson, Jerry Dale, and Fred Krenk to stir the "genetic pot". Many friends and customers over the years have commented on the "Knop look" of our sheep. We attribute this look to the unique genetic foundation upon which our flock was created. Following the addition of the Mel Marx Crazy Horse line of Suffolk genetics starting in the late 1980s and the "Red Tag-Mayer" Hampshire line a bit later, our flock was closed to other outside genetic lines. The Fred Knop Family is proud to have produced the 3 rams who sired, respectively, 3 Grand Champion carcasses at the prestigious AkSarBen Livestock Exposition (the largest carcass evaluation in the U.S.) and 2 Grand Champion carcasses at the National Western Stock Show, Denver. To our knowledge, no other flock in the club lamb industry can equal this record.

Our mission statement is: "Knop Genetics: Combining show ring presence with carcass performance". We strive to produce sheep which will perform predictably in our customers' flocks particularly in the areas of structural soundness, bone, maternal ability, growth, carcass merit and show ring phenotype. Our unique brand of linebred genetics, not available anywhere else in this form, has proven to work for our customers from over 25 states.

We have tested all female members of our flock for the spider and codon 171 genetic parameters. All stud rams have also been tested. We also plan to participate in the USDA's scrapie program as its details become implemented in our industry.

We offer breeding stock, club lambs, and late-born females at private treaty, starting around the end of March each year. If you are looking for that special stud ram, wether, or replacement female, we believe you will like what we have to offer.

Thanks for viewing our web page. We hope you can stop by the farm real soon!

Fred, Janine, and Louise Knop
Adam and Brittney Roorda