Futurity Best Head Winners 2012 with elena Bareeda in Red

Pucara Kahuna wins the Get with Huckleberry fourth and Chakotah fifth out of 18 Get teams, the highest number in several years.

Pucara PureSuri Tikanui wins Best Male Suri head judged by Elena Bareeda.

We won four Reserves and two Championships.

All three auction lots sold…Holokai and Tikanui became Reserve Champions and Elena fourth in her class.

WE’RE STOKED!!!

BOOK YOUR BREEDING BEFORE HE LEAVES FOR CANADA

pucara@earthlink.net

Thank you to the very discerning breeders from Canada, and new owners, Kevin and Leanne Sept of Sunny Hill Alpacas.

Conopa details

Some of you may have seen Al doing the color commentary at the recent Snowmass auction. As he does every year before the auction Al gets his hands on every alpaca in the auction, many of which he already knows, to collate notes for his commentary. He was blown away when he got hands on Conopa again. The last time was three years ago. The density with fineness at age that Conopa exhibited was as stunning in 2012 as it was three years earlier. Americans call this lingering fineness, Pucaraites call it genetic fineness.

Snowmass Conopa 2012

There is no doubt as to Conopa’s contribution to the US alpaca industry. You only have to see alpacas like Conopa’s Kahuna who Tripping Gnome Alpacas now own half share . Quite possibly the best juvie female we have seen in a long time, Lot 18 at the 2012 sale, Snowmass Conopa’s Inca, had Alonso from Grupo Inca salivating. And he is an expert! Then Lot 49, Exxtreme Legacy XXX, a bay black, exhibited the exact same quality as his sire Conopa. He sold for $54,000!

Snowmass Conopa is a champion, has produced champions…has excelled in fleece and halter classes, has won Get classes and has been Reserve Dark Herdsire of the year at the Futurity. WHY would you not breed to him before he leaves the country!

Conopa Get team 2011 Futurity

Fleece of a Champ!

We had 12 book for the event, a hands on delving into the intricacies of alpaca fiber and conformation for newbies over two days. We normally limit it to 10…but only four showed up!!! But what a great four they were. It wasn’t long before Cheryl and Brad, Rebecca and Joan became absorbed in the skills of fleece evaluation, and just in case you are reading you four did splendidly.

We really enjoyed the small group because it gave us a chance to relax and to give personal time to people who really cared about it. We weren’t spreading ourselves thin. They got to know us!!!???

I forgot to take seminar pics, as usual, so sorry guys but you might enjoy this pic, you did ask a lot about Australia so I found a pic I had of what these Aussies in the pic do a lot of …….Al and Jude

]]> http://www.pucara-alpacas.com/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=1062 0 http://www.pucara-alpacas.com/wordpress/?p=1051 http://www.pucara-alpacas.com/wordpress/?p=1051#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:18:37 +0000 admin http://www.pucara-alpacas.com/wordpress/?p=1051 Well, they have taught them how to play Aussie rules football!

Ouch, Alpacas Play Hard!

In Peru they have taught them how to surf!

Hang Ten Paca Boy!

So what got me onto this thread of thought?? It was what I’d call an ignorant Face Book  posting, and whilst I don’t mean to demean the author of the post, I think the ignorance of the post is a direct result of not having their eyes and mind open to issues within the industry that are surrounded in myth, gossip, innuendo and lack of research of livestock industries. It was a posting saying that Embryo Transfer only favors the wealthy big breeders. What a load of…you know what! It favors those who have good females. It is as simple as that. Anyway if they were a little better read they could stop the BS and propaganda that is handicapping the US industry. Can you tell I’m a little angry????

Here is an Aussie breeders take on ET...you should know her..it is AOBA judge Janie Hicks.

So really, whats the diff? We see and hear so many comments, generalizations and  gossip about how Aussie alpaca farmers are this or that and we thought we’d give you all a link to our Association website so you can figure it out for yourself…but here’s our take:

Aussies use more science: They have established EPD programs through the AGE program, that breeders have used now for ten years plus. They use skin biopsy reports a lot more and have produced some of the best alpacas you’ll ever see using Embryo Transfer. A process that helps all breeders despite what some uneducated US breeders are saying about it. And whilst it is a not an exact science they have a BREED STANDARD!

Aussies do more about commercial end product: The cottage industry is way bigger here in the US but the Aussies have endeavored to create a Co-operative ever since 1995 that represented breeders and purchased their fiber to make end product. The latest version is here http://www.aafl.com.au/

Aussie shows are way smaller: Even though Aussies have as many alpacas as the US participation at shows is way less. That is the number of alpacas at shows and the number of shows.Possibly that’s a population thing with there only being 20 million people in a country just a wee bit smaller the size of the US but Aussies are very frugal. They will only take their best. Perhaps also this is a small reflection on a philosophy that is more about end product. The AAA even has shearing codes and supplies lists of buyers and sellers of fiber to breeders.

Aussie industry structure is more streamlined: We think this is the most noticeable diff. between the AAA and AOBA. The AAA owns its own registry. Thats right. This is huge because all the registration income comes back to the breeders own association whereas in the US the ARI has a huge bank account from registration fees. Now if the AOBA board had access to that they could offer way more to breeders rather that nickel and dimming them everywhere from show registration fees to breeders having to buy leads. Personally I think AOBA does a sterling  job although in the past it spent way too much.

The Aussie industry as a whole is way less healthy: Be it the population base, the preoccupation with science and end product, the lack of marketing initiative, or the lack of where with all the Aussie industry does not have the  oomph despite them being as good at breeding alpacas and producing elite fiber as any one in the world.

The Aussie industry is more globally aware: We just do not understand the insular nature of Americans when it comes to this. The representation of AOBA at the Sydney World Alpaca Conference was almost an insult. The fact that the World Alpaca Conference is being hosted in the UK next month gets no mention on any AOBA home page…there is a brief in the Schedule of Events. This is a significant event. I hope there is at least an attempt to send someone from the AOBA organization that reflects leadership and not a bloody office manager again! There are a small number of US breeders who keep an eye on Aussie, European, Peruvian and NZ goings on like Don and Julie at Snowmass Alpacas who participate in those industries but generally breeders here don’t get  why they should! The ignorance surrounding breed standards and Embryo Transfer reflects that.

But America rules for Jude and Al: That’s right we wouldn’t swap it for any where in the world. The energy, the where with all, the intelligence and generosity  the marketing savvy along with being bloody good alpaca breeders, makes it home for us. We think the US has all the ingredients for breeding the best alpacas, and more than anywhere, if they’d just pay attention what other nations bring to the equation.

Australian Alpaca Association

A valuable learning resource for all alpaca breeders

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/foodart/138/Buffalo_Mozzarella

Roger Haldane out for a ride

Roger and Clyde with Icelandic pony

….with such simplicity of thought it is stunning. From originally being fisherman’s sons on the shores of the wild Southern Ocean and Roger studying fine art (he  illustrated a world best selling children’s book in his spare time) they went onto tuna fishing ( they owned their own pole fishing trawlers at 16 years of age!!) in Port Lincoln and while they did that they farmed 10,000 Merino sheep, started the largest Mohair goat farm in the southern hemisphere, dominating fleece sales, imported alpacas into Australia, did the selection for US importers from Peru, imported Boar Goats into Australia, Clyde started a HUGE dairy farm and imported Icelandic ponies before dying. Roger imported the first milking buffalo into Australia and now he and his daughter are recognized as cheese making experts by all the culinary writers in Australia. They did all of this totally hands on. These brothers are not your stand back and delegate types. In fact Clyde ate and slept in the huts of the Quechua Indians when he did the Peruvian selections for three months at a time! Oh, I forgot , they also pioneered the prawn fishing industry in the Spencer Gulf, South Australia!

Roger recently enjoying a stroll on an Aussie beach where he was brought up!

I have a few links to articles written about them so you can get a taste…there is also a video I hope to post. We are writing an article/history of their contribution because it needs to be recognized and told that they probably more than anyone contributed more to the quality of the Aussie and US alpaca herds.

I was going to post a video of Roger and his milking buffalo here but now its gone and when I find it again I’ll post it….anyway here is a list of links  which I will add to as I find them researching for the article. It will tickle your imagination perhaps into what sort of spirit you need to be a true innovator/entrepreneur not just because of the money you could make  but because its new and interesting and that might make some money!!

http://www.icelandichorses.com.au/index.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s43785.htm

http://www.moyne.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=474&h=1

http://buffaloaustralia.org/media/buffnewsapril06.pdf

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/foodart/138/Buffalo_Mozzarella

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2011/04/27/323761_print_friendly_article.html

http://www.austlit.edu.au/run?ex=ShowAgent&agentId=A0b}

 NEWS UPDATE…WE FOUND THE VIDEO…SEE  THIS POST

Winter at Muddy Valley

for the Mid West and Lakes area breeders who get way more than us. Its all very pretty for an hour, for four hours, for a day  then its melting, then it rains and then….Tim Vincent from celebrity Sales who runs the Futurity will call to say he is waiting for it to hit 60F before he goes outside from where they stay in AZ….aaarrrggghhhhh!

Cutting hay at Pucara with Guard Llama Supervising

I got pumped last week. You know as part of my New’s Resolution I am seeking the positive and trying to dump the rest. So when I heard new car sales had rebounded I was thrilled. I heard “them” (it was on the radio, Bloomberg I think) say Ford, and Chevvy were up at least 10%, and I think Toyota 17% and Chrysler 37%  WOW!! But immediately I got pissed because when I Googled new car sales 2011 nothing mentioning it apart from the article below. Was it that all those million dollar ads and all the personal attacks and the Bravado of the Republican nomination process or maybe all the Tebowing was getting in the way of some reason for us to be hopeful. Now hang on we are not allied to any political party, we think they are all ( both parties) are bottom dwellers all pointing the finger at one another with no one taking responsibility for the mess they ALL….we all…created!

How can all get the positive news to the front?

January 09. 2012 12:00PM – Last modified: January 09. 2012 12:14PM

Sutliff: New car sales up big in 2011

By Jason Scott

Agriculture Animal Department
College of Veterinary Medicine
January 2006

Parasite Control
1. What is parasite control and what does it entail?
Parasite control is based on maintaining parasite populations below which clinical signs are observed.
It does not involve the complete elimination of all parasites from a herd for several reasons. A low
level of parasites develops immunity in the animals, decreases drug resistance, saves money for the
owner, and finally because complete elimination is impossible.
2. How do parasites cause immunity?
An animal exposed to parasites, bacteria, viruses, etc. develops specialized cells that are used to fight
infections from these foreign organisms. Some produce life long immunity after a single exposure
while others produce immunity for as little as several months. Low level repeated exposure to a
foreign organism can stimulate the immune system to continue producing the specialized cells and
thereby reduces the severity of infections in the future.
3. Why is drug resistance important?
Drug resistance to anthelmintics (anti-parasite drugs) is becoming more common. Unfortunately
these drugs are unable to completely eliminate an entire population of parasites. The few that remain
are resistant to the drug and with time reproduce creating a new population that is also resistant.
Anthelmintic resistance is very common in sheep and goats and increasing in alpacas and llamas.
Resistance is encouraged with indiscriminate use of anthelmintics, shipping animals, open herds, and
inadequate biosecurity. Anthelmintics should complement but not replace good management and
sanitation practices.
4. How can management and sanitation reduce the need for anthelmintics?
Management strategies include using feed bunkers and eliminating standing water and wet areas
around waterers to reduce the favorable environment most parasites need to become infective.
Frequent cleanup of the dung pile and pasture rotation reduces the parasite load and possible chances
of exposure. Quarantine pens for all incoming animals helps reduce exposure of the existing herd to
new parasite species as well as other diseases. Incoming animals are stressed from transportation,
new surroundings, and removal from existing herdmates. The stress can cause a mild
immunosuppression causing an increase shedding of parasites or other organisms.
We suggest that every 2 months a random sample of fecals from the herd be evaluated to assess
parasite control. Concentrate on 3 general groups: crias in the first 3-4 months of life, yearlings, and
adults. A sampling of 3-5 animals or 10% of the group should be adequate.
Agriculture Animal Department
College of Veterinary Medicine
January 2006
5. What types of deworming programs are available?
Deworming can be performed on a seasonal basis and/or as needed. Which you use will vary by your
geographical location, open or closed herd, pasture – dry or irrigated, travel, stocking density, etc.
Periodic fecal sampling (as described above) including fecal egg counts will provide information as to
types and numbers of parasites present. You should review your particular situation with your
veterinarian and in combination with fecal egg counts determine the best deworming program for
your situation.
A general program for the inland Pacific Northwest would include twice a year treatments of all
animals over 2-3 months old twice a year. In the fall after a killing frost, animals would be treated
with an ivermectin-type product for intestinal worms, external parasites, and nose bots. Animals
should be treated in the spring prior to majority of births with a fenbendazole-type product. The
periodic fecal exams would determine if additional dewormings would be needed.
6. Who to contact for more information?
• Contact WADDL (509)335-9696 for fecal testing questions.
• Contact WSU-VTH Agriculture Animal Department, Ms. Sallie Bayly, RVT (509-335-0711) to
contact a veterinarian regarding management questions.
The following information is a brief overview of the more common parasites seen in alpacas and llamas
and some of the treatments available. It is strongly recommended that a veterinarian evaluate if treatment
is warranted through examination of the animal or herd, fecal analyses, and fecal egg counts. Use of
anthelmintics should not exclude good management and pasture sanitation programs.
Not all available anthelmintics are listed below. Use is “off-label” as none are currently approved
for use in alpacas or llamas.
I. PROTOZOA
A. Coccidia (Eimeria alpacae, E. lamae, E. macusaniensis, E. punoensis)
A parasite problematic for crias <1 year old and naïve (previously unexposed) or immunosuppressed
adults. There is no cross protection between species so adults can be infected and develop clinical
disease from a different species. Due to developing drug resistance and the inability to completely
eliminate the parasite from animals, treatment is only recommended if oocyst counts are significantly
high with the presence of diarrhea.
Infection is through the fecal-oral route and can occur in as little as 4 days if oocysts are exposed in
cool, moist pastures. Pasture management is a key factor to reduce exposure to susceptible animals.
The oocysts die in warm, dry pasture in 20-30 days but can persist for years in cool, damp
environments. The prepatent period (time from ingestion of the oocyst to shedding in feces) is
variable among species but ranges from 10 days for E. punoensis to 33 days for E. macusaniensis.
Oocysts cause diarrhea by damaging intestinal cells. After anthelmintic treatment is finished, feces
may remain loose until the intestinal lining is repaired. In severe infections, stunting or ill-thrift with
continued diarrhea may occur due to permanent damage to the intestinal lining. Contact your
veterinarian if severe diarrhea occurs since dehydration can rapidly lead to death especially in warmer
weather conditions.
Treatments Available:
Amprolium (Corid®)
5 day treatment or a 21 day prevention program. There are several formulations available and dosage
and delivery vary with each. The product can be used for treating individual animals or via water
delivery for herd situations. It is best to treat individual animals in face of outbreak as crias may not
drink the water and not all animals will receive the same dose.
Sulfadimethoxine (Albon®)
Available in both liquid and tablets for individual animal treatment.
Decoquinate (Deccox®)
A preventative product. Add to feed of pregnant females 1 month prior to parturition or when moved
onto clean pasture prior to parturition. It can be added to creep feed provided to crias to reduce
oocyst production. If coccidiosis has been a problem in a herd, decoquinate should be fed to all
growing animals on a daily basis.
B. Cryptosporidium (Cryptosporidium sp.)
Rarely seen but can cause diarrhea in young camelids, especially less than 30 days old. This is
zoonotic so humans can get it too! Use good hygiene/sanitation since no treatments are available.
Keep the animal dry and well hydrated until the parasite runs its course. Prepatent period is 3-7 days.
II. NEMATODES (ROUND WORMS)
A. Strongyles (Cooperia, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus)
There are many types of “strongyles” that cannot be differentiated by egg shape alone. Fortunately
the treatment is similar for all. These parasites can cause stunting, weight loss, and diarrhea
especially in juvenile animals.
B. Whipworms (Trichuris tenuis)
This parasite causes poor growth, diarrhea, and blood loss. It can severely debilitate crias. This
parasite is somewhat resistant to the ivermectin-type products but the benzimidazoles such as
fenbendazole and albendazole are effective at the high end of the dose range. This parasite requires 3
weeks in the environment to become infective and is very difficult to remove once present. The
prepatent period is unknown.
C. Nematodirus battus, N. helvetianus
Nematodirus spp. eggs are approximately 2 times the size of strongyle eggs. The parasite is a low
egg producer so any eggs present indicates a significant infection and should be treated. This parasite
can cause poor growth and diarrhea especially in crias. Use the high end dose range.
D. Parelaphostrongylus tenuis
Commonly called “meningeal worm”. The parasite is found in white-tailed deer and requires a snail
to continue the life cycle. When camelids and other animals eat an infected snail, the parasite
migrates through the animal and penetrate the spinal cord causing paralysis 50-60 days after ingestion
death soon after. This parasite is prevalent in the eastern United States but is currently not present in
the western states. Prevention includes deer-proof fencing, snail-eating fowl, and the use of
ivermectin products every 30 days.
Treatments Available:
Benzimidazoles:
Increasing parasite resistance to many of these products especially in sheep and goats and also in
areas of the country with favorable parasite environments.
Products available:
Fenbendazole (Panacur®, Safe-guard®)
Albendazole (Valbazen® – not recommended in pregnant animals)
Avermectins:
Effective against many internal and external parasites. Reduced efficacy with Trichuris.
Products available in oral or injectable forms:
Ivermectin (Ivomec® and many others)
Doramectin (Dectomax®)
Moxidectin (Cydectin®, Quest®)
Levamisole (Levasole®, Tramisol®)
Not recommended in lactating animals.
Pyrantel-Pamoate (Strongid-T®)
III. CESTODES (TAPEWORMS)
Cestodes are rare in camelids at this time.
IV. TREMATODES (LIVER FLUKES)
A. Fasciola hepatica, Fascioloides magna
Requires a snail as an intermediate host so only at risk in wet areas and the presence of snails.
Camelids are good definitive hosts for Fasciola hepatica and pass eggs in their feces when infected.
It takes approximately 10-12 weeks after infection before eggs can be detected in the feces. This
parasite can cause severe liver damage. Animals are often infected when co-pastured with infected
cattle, sheep, or goats.
Camelids are an aberrant host for Fascioloides magna so eggs are not produced and therefore not
detected on fecal examinations. Infection is possible in areas that have infected deer and elk.
Treatment for either type of liver fluke includes ivermectin-clorsulon combination products or
albendazole in non-pregnant animals. Limiting co-mingling with infected domestic ruminants,
limiting deer and elk access, and use of snail-eating fowl can reduce exposure.
V. LICE
Lice are commonly seen in the winter months. If the animal has a severe infection, you may see areas
of fiber loss from chewing or rubbing as the animal tends to be itchy. Poor growth may be seen as
well. These parasites can often be found by parting the fiber along the dorsal midline or rump and
looking at the skin for movement at the base of the fiber. Lice are 2-4 mm in length. Sucking lice
can be treated with oral or injectable avermectin products. Biting lice are more successfully treated
with insecticidal dustings. Treat all animals in a group or they can re-infect each other. Repeat in 3
weeks if using an insecticidal dusting product. Pour-on products do not work well due to the heavy
fiber limiting contact and absorption through the skin.
Lice are species-specific so you cannot get infections from your animals.
VI. MITES (aka. Mange, Scabies)
The prevalence of Sarcoptes, Psoroptes, Chorioptes have decreased with the increased use of
ivermectin. Animals with infections will often have areas of alopecia on the face, neck, and
perineum. The areas are also itchy. Treat all animals in a group at the same time with injectable or
oral avermectin products. Repeat in 2 weeks. These are reportable diseases in some states but not
Washington.
VII. TICKS
Ear ticks can cause secondary ear infections, itching, drooping ears. Treatment involves cleaning the
ear and use of ivermectin products both systemic and topical in the ear. Other ticks are difficult to
detect due to the fiber. In cases of suspected tick paralysis, a thorough examination is required which
includes close clipping of the fiber. Treatment is with ivermectin products.
References
1. Cebra CK, Mattson DE, Baker RJ, et al. Potential pathogens in feces from unweaned llamas and alpacas with
diarrhea. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2003;223:1806-1808.
2. Foreyt WJ. Veterinary Parasitology Reference Manual. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press; 2001.
3. Foreyt WJ, Jasmer DP. An Illustrated Outline for Veterinary Parasitology (VM537). Washington State
University, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and pathology; 2003.
4. Haskell SRR, Anttila TA. Small Ruminant Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy. University of Minnesota, College of
Veterinary Medicine; 2001:94-96.
5. Jarvinen JA. Anthelmintics for use in camelids (VET-590). Western Veterinary Conference 2004.