What is the difference between our Argentine llamas and Chilean, Bolivian
and Peruvian llamas?
By: Kyle Mumford
In the 90’s llamas often sold for 5 figures at auctions, classes at shows were
routinely 20-30 animals deep, and Chilean and Bolivian bloodlines continued to
be more lucrative than traditional North American stock. A demand for
outcrossed bloodlines had skyrocketed the value of imported stock in the late
eighties, and this demand inflated the value of pure Bolivian, Chilean, and
Peruvian stock through the nineties and on until suri llamas gained in popularity.
With the rise in the popularity of suri animals an emphasis on country of origin
seemed to slip away until very few farms remained that specialized in Chilean,
Bolivian, or Peruvian stock. Mixed into this timeline is our beloved Argentines,
who were imported as the Chileans and Bolivians were losing steam and the
suris were gaining. They sold for less than the astronomical prices fetched by the
trendy suris, and blended in with the declining prices of Chileans and Bolivians.
In recent years Argentines have become somewhat of the new trend, with some
of the trendier bloodlines and higher priced animals sold at auction being from
Argentine lineage. I bring up this llama history to ask what I hope is an obvious
question: What is the difference between our Argentine llamas and Chilean,
Bolivian and Peruvian llamas? If there is no difference then Argentine llamas
are simply destined to see their value decline as some new fad gains in
popularity in the future.
Fortunately, as we know, there is a big difference between Argentine stock and
Chilean, Bolivian and Peruvian stock. The difference is in their type. The
widespread uniformity in type with our exotic, heavy fibered Argentines is
something previously unseen in the llama community. Previous popular
bloodlines have capitalized on the demand for this type (Lion of Bolivia, Chilean
Fuzzmaster, and Silverspirit to name a few), but never before has a group of
animals been assembled that was able to produce this type so consistently.
Chileans and Bolivians may have brought different types into the country but they
were far from uniform, and their types could be found in traditional North
American stock. At this point some may point out that Suri llamas also have a
consistent type that is different from the Chilean and Bolivian llamas of the 90's.
They also have an emphasis on type and not merely country of origin. But, I
would argue that the suri llama type does not necessarily add measurable value
to the llama. I understand that suri llama fleeces make wonderful and unique
garments that are difficult to create with other natural fibers- but I am not sure
that this niche market merits an added value for suri llamas (This is not to say
that I don’t think suri llamas are wonderful, they are and I have several in my
herd). Argentine llamas on the other hand produce an abundance of fine fibermaking them more valuable to fiber producers, they have consistently calm
personalities- making them more sought after in the pet market, and their robust
builds make them marketable to breeders of show llamas who would like to add
substance and bone to their herd.
All of the information I have brought to the table thus far brings me to this point:
Argentine llama breeders need to have a discussion about breed
standardization. Consistency of type is what will maintain the value of our
Argentine llamas, consistency of type is what prevents Argentines from becoming
another bygone fad, and consistency of type is improved by setting standards
and holding our fellow breeders to those standards. I fear that too many breeding
decisions in our Argentine breeding pool are made like they were made back in
the 90’s in the Chilean and Bolivian breeding pools. That is: "what cross will give
me the highest percentage ________(put your favorite country of origin here) so
that my offspring will be more marketable?" In a program based on breeding
standards the emphasis is placed on type over country of origin. Remember my
question from earlier in the article: What is the difference between our
Argentine llamas and Chilean, Bolivian and Peruvian llamas? If the answer
is simply that they have a different country of origin, then we are doomed to be
the next fad that eventually loses steam. If the answer is type, and we continue to
emphasize the marketable and valuable type found in our Argentine lines then
we have a chance to be a pillar of the llama community as the first true llama
breed.
I am aware that llama breeders have many different opinions when it comes to
the idea of breed standards. In an effort to begin the conversation about breed
standardization the ALA newsletter would like to publish your questions, thoughts
or opinions on the subject of breed standardization. Please email me at
Mumfordllamas@gmail.com if you would like to add your voice to this important
conversation.
-Kyle Mumford
Mumford Llamas
www.mumfordllamas.com