We brought the ram we call Levi (Knop 4981) back into our flock to use on the DeSpain 86 Hampshire daughters as well as the daughters of the Team Johnson/LSU/Marcantel ram named Marx 7007.
Levi is an NNRR son of Marx 3-36. His mother is an own daughter of Marx 08. His maternal grandmother is an Omega daughter. Phenotypically Levi is mid-sized in skeleton dimension with lots of bone and muscle. His hip structure is awesome in all dimensions. His loin is not only flat but is also three-dimensional with a plank type edge.
We lost the service of Marx 08 way before his time. I would refer you to the wether we called Ryan (AKSARBEN 2002, Res. Div. Champion) shown by Louise sired by 08. Many well respected breeders to this day remember the uniqueness of Ryan and the flawless way he was put together. This wether is featured under our champions page.
Marx 08 also sired a great ram we called Wedge whose photo is under our sires tab. We also lost the services of Wedge due to a back injury. I think you will agree that Wedge with his awesome chest floor design and muscle shape would work today on the genetics of the time.
I outline all of the above to state that the main reason we brought Levi back into our flock was to reintroduce the genetic influence of Marx 08. What we have seen so far of Levi’s offspring has not disappointed us. Two of the NNRR Levi ram lambs are featured on our 2010 lamb photos tab. Check them out. I think they will meet your approval.
Fred Knop