NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
Board of Directors
Hans-Peter Vos – PRESIDENT
Newsletter Liaison
Box 106, Avonhurst, SK, S0G 0A0
Ph: (306) 771-2040
Email: hpavos@hotmail.com
Lloyd Ottenbreit – PAST
PRESIDENT
Fibre Initiative Liaison
Golden Willow Farm
Box 766, Regina, SK, S4P 3A8
Ph: (306) 949-3356
Email:
sottenbreit@imagewireless.ca
Maggie Spofford – SECRETARY
Website Liaison
Box 1664
Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1Z2
P- 306-236-5684
Email: wayne.spofford@mltc.ca
Diane Ridsdale – BOARD
MEMBER
Box 611, site 413, RR 4 STN
Main
Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J7
P-306- 653-5323
Email: pastureplace@gmail.com
Lorraine Bray – TREASURER
Membership & Education
Liaison
Prairie Wind Alpacas
Site 707, Comp 15 RR#7
Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1N2
Ph: (306) 934-1682
Fax: (306) 931-1684
Email: bray@sasktel.net
President’s Address
Table of Contents
First, on behalf of the membership and the
board I would like to extend a huge “thank-you” to
Polly Schindel, Gill Weber and Aaron Ciepliski, for
their contributions and hard work during their time
on the board. As your new President I am looking
forward to working with a great group of people
currently holding positions on the board. Welcome
to our new board members Maggie Spofford and
Dianne Ridsdale. There are currently 3 positions
open and I encourage you to consider volunteering!
This year we will see the long anticipated and
exciting conclusion of our Fibre Initiative Project
which we have all worked so hard for. This is truly an
exciting time to be part of the board and a member
of SABN. Thank you to everyone for your patience
and support of the SABN/UofS Fibre Initiative
project. Also keep the dates for Agribition 2012 on
your calendar. Last year’s was a result of SABN’s
member support and time. Please consider helping
in any way again this year. May everyone have a safe
and enjoyable summer! Hans-Peter Vos
Education Updates &
Upcoming Events………………………………..pg. 2
Show Results……………………………………... pg. 5
Craft Corner…………………………………………pg. 7
Health Issues……………………………………….pg. 8
Secondary Initiative…………………………....pg. 11
Advertisements…………………………………..pg. 11
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
Review of The World Alpaca
Conference in Oxford, England April
10-12, 2012
Education:
Fibre Arts Workshop
Written by Loraine Bray
Taken from Alpaca Culture @
www.alpacaculture.com
Friday, March 16, 2012 found about 20
people attending the SABN Fibre Arts Workshop. An
overview of fibre characteristics was presented by
Cathy Merkley. All workshop participants were
involved in learning techniques for dyeing fibre
products with some colourful, unique results.
Workshop members then broke into smaller groups
and worked to learn Resistance Felting with Cathy
Newby, Australian Locker Hooking with Polly
Schindel or Thrum Knitting with Cathy Merkley.
Participants learned techniques and worked on
sample pieces in each area. Participants then
changed areas and learned/practised another craft.
Set in the University town of Oxford, England at
Keble College, the World Alpaca Conference took on
an air of learning and education right away. Keble
College is a beautiful collection of brickwork
buildings founded in the 1870's. Once you enter the
main gates into the courtyard you are instantly
transported to an earlier time and a grand feeling of
tradition and higher learning.
The conference included speakers from
many countries, each from their respective areas of
expertise. Presentations ran throughout the first day
while workshops were conducted in separate areas.
Also, a main tent area housed several displays of
goods and alpaca breeders from the United Kingdom
and abroad.
Evaluations completed by the workshop
participants were very favorable. Sample comments
included:
“the dyeing and felting totally opened up my eyes to
new projects… I learned a lot” ,
Lectures included in the first day included
the topics:
1. Understanding Alpaca Behavior for Better
Management – by Eric Hoffman
2. Keeping Infectious and Parasitic Diseases out of
your herd – by Kat Bazeley
3. Alpaca Dentition – by Karin Mueller
4. Worms made easy - by Bob Broadbent
5. Objectively Assessing Alpaca Structural
Soundness, Phenotype Markers, General Health and
Fiber - by Eric Hoffman
6. An Overall World Update Part 1. (This included a
brief overview of the existing state of affairs in the
countries of: South Africa, Finland, Spain, Ireland and
Australia)
The workshops for the first day included:
1. Processing Fiber - with Sue Blacker of the Natural
Fiber Company, Richard Hagger of Hagger's Mill and
“fiber 101 (fibre characteristics) was a great
review”.
Participants indicated topics they would like
to see covered in future workshops: beginner
spinning, rug weaving using rovings, drop spindle,
showing animals, birthing troubleshooting,
crocheting, zuken knitting. Participants strongly
urged SABN to do more of this type of learning
activity.
SABN is planning more events and will
notify you when events and dates are finalized:
stay tuned!
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
Specialty Spinning Ltd., Peter Roisetter and Phil Allen
of Two Rivers Mill, Emily Brown of Clos du Jorat SA
Switzerland and Jon Arbon of John Arbon Textiles.
2. UK Fiber Initiatives - with Jean Field (chairperson
of the BAS National Fiber Committee)
3. Talk to Cameron Holt about All Things Alpaca Fiber
4. Ask the Geneticist - with Dr. Andrew Merriwether,
USA - Matchmaking/Defects/Strategies
2. Reproductive Pathology in Alpacas - by Dr. Julio
Sumar
3. Alpaca Fleece Testing for Advanced Breeding
Systems by Paul Vallely
4. Redesigning the Alpaca Genetically. Why is it
Necessary? by Dr. Jim Watts
5. Alpaca Fiber: Everything You Wanted to Know and
Then Some
6. An Overall World Update Part 2. (This included a
brief overview of the existing state of affairs in the
countries of: Canada, Italy, Germay, New Zealand,
Belgium, France and the UK)
The day’s workshops included:
1. Neonatal Issues and Birthing Box Demonstration with Katrine Bazeley
2. Ask the Geneticist - with Dr. Andrew Merriwether
USA -Matchmaking/Defects/Strategies
3.The UK Registry and Launch of the new European
Registry - with Libby Henson of Grassroots Systems
Ltd.
4. Understanding Fleece Judging - with Val Fullerlove
5. Alpaca Registration in the USA - with Darby
Vannier
The first day of activities was followed by dinner in
the Keble College dining hall, which was an
experience itself. The grandness of the room along
with its elegant fixtures and friendly company made
for a wonderful evening. A social gathering
continued after dinner in the student center bar and
was very well attended. Talk about alpacas
continued and even some alpaca examination
techniques where explored.
The next day of lectures continued to present a very
diverse set of topics. This day was broken in the
middle by The Best of British Fashion Show that
featured designs from students throughout the
United Kingdom. Arranged by Caroline Trotter (Field
Burcote Alpacas) and Caroline Roberts (Andante
Alpacas), this presentation was truly unique.
The end of the second day of lectures was
closed with a champagne reception in the Newman
Quad. Following the reception was the Gala Dinner
in the Grand Dining Hall. When everyone was seated
the main benefactor of the WAC, Amantani UK, gave
a presentation of their organization (presented by
Fred Branson, one of the trustees and co-founder).
Amantani provides both educational and boarding
facilities for children in Ccorca; home to a handful of
Quechua communities nestled high in the Andes of
Southern Peru. Without the help of Amantani, these
children were often subjected to harsh conditions
just to get to and from school and then only to learn
in a foreign language about topics that were not
relevant to their culture. Often, school was
abandoned and these children turned to prostitution
and other forms of abuse. To learn more about
The students were selected through a
process of judging and fourteen finalists were
selected. Each of these designers was then paired
with a sponsoring alpaca farm that supplied the
students with the fiber necessary to create their
design. This fashion show was an energetic and
uplifting view into what can be created with alpaca
fiber. It also was a wonderful show of support for up
and coming designers and the audience was very
receptive. The winner, Rebecca Peattie, received a
check for 500 pounds courtesy of The Natural Fibre
Company.
Lectures of the day included:
1. A Historical View of Alpaca Fiber and the Emerging
Fiber Market today - by Val Fullerlove
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
Amatani, visit their website at
www.amantani.org.uk.
Grassroots Systems Ltd.
3. Infertility Questions - with Dr. Claire Whitehead
Next to be presented was the much-sought
after Golden Fleece Award. This competition
featured entries from around the world in both
Huacaya and Suri classes. The winner of the Huacaya
Class was Snowmass Alpacas of the USA
(www.SnowmassAlpacas.com). The winner of the
Suri class was Pinkney Alpacas of the UK
(www.pinkneyalpacas.com). Both received a
beautiful crystal trophy to mark their
accomplishment.
The 2012 World Alpaca Conference was
well-planned and executed. The BAS and its
members and representatives were truly first class
and helpful. The wealth of information shared from
all the different countries was very fulfilling and
beneficial. If I can say one thing about the
conference that impressed me most it would have to
be the friendliness of those who attended and their
openness to discuss any and all issues about alpacas
among other topics. I can say that I felt very
welcome and was grateful for the friendly
atmosphere so far away from home.
The next World Alpaca Conference is scheduled for
2013 and is to be held in New Zealand. Next year’s
conference should be every bit as good as this year
and in a beautiful setting. Check back with Alpaca
Culture for future dates and announcements
concerning this event.
Also presented at the dinner were winners
of the raffle and a special recognition of Cameron
Holt as the guest of honor. Cameron has had great
influence on the alpaca industry as well as other
specialty fibers. He wrote the fleece judging rules for
alpaca associations on three continents and
continues to work closely with alpaca judges
throughout the world. Cameron is a very generous
man who donates much of his time and is willing to
speak to anyone with an interest in alpaca.
2012 ALPACA ONTARIO
The third day of the conference continued
with very interesting lectures including:
1. Neonatal Diarrhea - by Dr. Claire Whitehead
2. Understanding the Power of Expected Prgeny
Differences - by Darby Vannier
3. Color Genetics for Alpaca Breeders - by Dr.
Andrew Merriwether
4. Genetic Improvements in Alpacas by Embryo
Transfer - by Dr. Julio Sumar
The day’s workshops were:
1. Adding Value to your Fleece - with Kerry Lord of
the Toft Alpaca Shop, Paul Whittey of Penrose
Products and Patricia Ackroyd of Ackroyd & Dawson
Ltd.
2. Questions and Answers regarding the UK and
European Registries - with Libby Henson of
FALL EDUCATION EVENT
Location: Orangeville Fairgrounds, Orangeville,
Friday October 26th to Sunday October 28th,
2012
Get ready for the LARGEST EDUCATION WEEKEND
ever undertaken by ALPACA ONTARIO.
Special Guest Speaker:Dr. C. Norman Evans
Speakers:Dr. Brett Kaysen
AOBA Judge - Amanda VandenBosch
AOBA Judge - Polly Michealis
~4~
NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
Best Multi in Show:
PLA MING LEE from Baloun’s Alpaca Acres
Shows
This spring brought about the success of 3 famous
shows across the country. Starting the season was
the Alpaca Spring Show in Edmonton, Alberta,
followed by the Keystone Alpaca Classic in Brandon,
Manitoba, and the AO Spring Show in Orangeville,
Ontario. The season was then finished off in Red
Deer, Alberta with the Canadian National Select Sale
and Futurity. Keep in mind to all new members that
these are all annual shows, so stay tuned to the
provincial websites for the dates and deadlines for
next year.
Also representing Saskatchewan breeders were Ring
Ranch Alpacas, Tiger Lily Ranch, Spruce Park Alpacas,
Living Sky Alpacas, Blue Moon Alpacas, Just Choice
Alpacas, Spellbound Alpacas, Sunnyview Alpacas,
Country Vista Alpacas, Double “E” Alpacas, and
Foxwood Alpacas and also Circle “O”Alpacas from
Manitoba who is also part of our membership. To
see a full listing of results visit
www.manitobaalpacaclub.ca
AO Spring Show – Orangeville, ON
Alpaca Spring Show – Edmonton, AB
The show was held on April 13-15 with judges
Sharon Loner & Kevin O’Leary from the USA.
Male Supreme Champion Huacaya :
TnC Genesis Next Generation belonging to TnC
Farms (SK)
Supreme Female Champion:
Aztec Shamroc from Alpagas Des Neiges
Female Supreme Champion Huacaya:
Heart of Accoyo Islay SNF belonging to Sweet
Northern Farms (AB)
Supreme Male Champion:
SVA Ashton's Deefender from Averegan
Alpacas
Also representing Saskatchewan breeders were
Foxwood Alpacas, Ring Ranch Alpacas, Tiger Lily
Ranch, Sunnyview Alpacas, T & T Alpacas, Just
Choice Alpacas and Bluemoon Alpacas. To see a full
listing of results please visit www.alpaca.ca (under
events-results-2012.)
BEST IN SHOW HUACAYA:
SVA Ashton's Deefender from Averegan
Alpacas
Keystone Alpaca Classic – Brandon, MB
BEST IN SHOW SURI:
KA Warren from Alpaca Farms:
Koksilah/Graycott
BEST MULTI HUACAYA:
AGA Justice from Amazing Graze Alpacas
Was held on April 6 – 8 and hosted Amanda
VanDenbosch, from Bend, OREGON as judge.
Representing Saskatchewan breeders was TnC
Farms. For a complete listing of results visit
www.alpacaontario.ca
Supreme Male Champion:
TnC Genesis Next Generation from TnC
Farms
Congratulations to all the farms from Saskatchewan
that represented SABN so well.
Supreme Female Champion:
SPRUCE PARK MONET from Spruce Park
Alpacas
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
Upcoming Shows in the Fall:
2013 Alpaca Ontario Spring Show
SHOW DATES April 12-14, 2013
Orangeville, Ontario
National Select Sale and Futurity – Red Deer,
AB
Exhibition Grounds
Lloydminster, SK
October 14,15,16 2011
The Canadian Select Sale and Futurity is mainly
divided into 3 parts consisting of a stud auction,
female sale, and a judging competition with this
year’s judges Mike Safley and Diana Timmerman.
Come and join us for our 10th
Anniversary!!
Congratulations to Foxwood Alpacas for taking the
top stud auction bid at $2050.00! As well as to
Woody Acres, Ring Ranch Alpacas, TnC Farms,
Spellbound Alpacas, Spruce Park Alpacas, Tiger Lily,
SA-SS-Y Acres, Sunnyview Alpacas and Circle “O”
Alpacas who also participated in the auction and
helped to raise the total sale amount of $46,766.00!
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Futurity
October 25-28, 2012
Orangeville Fairgrounds, Orangeville ON
The Futurity Sale also did extremely well raising a
total of $54,650. Congratulations again to the happy
buyers and sellers!
Judge: Amanda VandenBosch & Polly Michaelis
www.cnalpacaeast.com
Supreme Champion: TnC Genesis Next Generation
from TnC Farms
2012 International ALPACA Fleece Show
A big thank-you to all who helped and supported this
event that raised so much to help our industry grow.
Please visit www.cnalpaca.com to view a complete
listing of all the results from all the events and to
stay tuned for the dates for next year’s event.
Location: Northlands, Edmonton, Alberta
Date: November 1 – 2, 2012
More info to come.
2012 Northlands Odyssey ALPACA Halter Show
Location: Northlands, Edmonton, AB
Date: November 2 – 4, 2012
~6~
NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
Craft Corner
Written by Rachel Vos
When we first purchased our alpacas it was
because I was in love with their luxurious fibre and
all the cozy things that could made from it. From
that moment I was already planning all the new skills
I was going to learn and all the projects I wanted to
undertake. However having kids, everyday life
chores and the time of travel were not things I had
taken into consideration and caused me to shelf
many of my ideas. I found it hard to find the time to
take classes or even get involved in drop-in sessions.
Plus when I did take a class, I often didn’t get enough
practice so after the class was finished so much of
what I learned was forgotten. Maybe this sounds like
something you can relate to or sounds like a familiar
story from people who have visited your farm and
take an interest in alpaca fibre. If so you may be
interested in what I came across this winter: the
beauty and wonder of online classes. Being that we
live in such an age of technology this is not a new
thing out there but perhaps one you have never
thought about. I never imagined how easy it would
be for even a computer-challenged person like I am.
Nor did I know the wealth of information at my
fingertips to explore and learn at my leisure. A
particular website I came across is called Craftsy and
can be found at www.craftsy.com. The site offers
classes for the beginner knitter and crocheted along
with classes that focus on certain projects, such as
socks, shawls, hats, sweaters, and stuffed animals.
But don’t stop there because you can also learn to
knit with beads, design your own creations or take
up weaving. The options are endless as new classes
are often being added. My favorite part of these
classes is that you can learn on your schedule for as
long or short as you can whenever you can. It also
gives you the chance to go back to any part of the
class as many times as you need if you forget
something or need a reminder. The program offers
2012 Northlands Odyssey ALPACA Auction
Location: Northlands, Edmonton, Alberta
Date: Saturday Nov 3, 2012
Time: 6:00 pm
Sale entry deadline is JULY 20, 2012
Sale entries must include a copy of registration
papers, recent histogram, a 1" by 1" fibre
sample, consignment fee, required pictures,
and a completed entry form.
Sale entry fee is $750.00 per alpaca – no
commission
For more information please contact one of
the sales committee members:
Bob Bijou 780-939-2368 e-mail
info@AlbertaRoseAlpacas.com
James Jarvis 403-227-1469 e-mail:
info@kjalpacas.com
Cam Thorburn 780-672-2437 e-mail:
info@caleyalpacas.com
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
great features that allow you to bookmark places in
the class for easy reference and has a message
center where you can ask questions of the
instructors and read the answers to questions that
others have asked. The courses are affordable and
often go on sale at a discounted price. The
instructors are easy to follow and personable and
quick to respond to your questions. For me,this
discovery was a gold mine with most of the courses
offered seemingly designed for alpaca lovers. This
might be something we want to add to our websites
or information we can have handy on our farms or
shows to pass on to those interested crafty people
we encounter, especially those who might pass up
the opportunity to use alpaca fibre because they
don’t have the time.
Learn to Dye Alpaca (natural dyes)
Arriba Linea Alpacas
Date: September 8 Uxbridge, ON. Visit
th
www.arribalinea.com for more
information and to register
WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE
Infection, Clinical Disease, and
Vaccination in Camelids
by Michelle Kutzler, DVM, PhD, DACT, Assistant
Professor and Donald Mattson, DVM, PhD, DACVD,
Emeritus Professor, Oregon State University,
Corvallis, OR
There are many more websites that offer online
classes or instructional DVDs. If you have come
across any that you would like to share please send
to ratchet_16@hotmail.com so that they can be
posted on our website.
Alpacas and llamas are susceptible to a multitude of
infectious agents that cause disease in other
domestic animals. Serologic evidence of exposure to
many viruses exists in camelids without clinical
presentation of disease. Generally speaking,
camelids have a low susceptibility to viral agents
compared to other domestic animals; however
clinical disease resulting from rabies, contagious
ecthyma, equine herpes virus-1 and West Nile virus
(WNV) has been reported.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Jul 19, 2012 - Aug 11, 2012
HWSDA VAAA Gallery Show
The HWSDA VAAA (Visual Arts Association of
Alberta) will be held July 19 - August 11,
West Nile virus was first described in 1937 in a
woman from Uganda suffering a fever and is
considered endemic throughout most parts of the
Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In 1999, WNV
was identified in the northeastern United States and
since then it has been found in all of the continental
states with the exception of Oregon. Although the
principal transmitter of WNV is the Northern House
Mosquito (Culex pipiens), migratory birds are the
means by which WNV is transported to new areas.
Birds migrating southward from the northern
Midwestern states where intense transmission was
2012 at the VAAA Gallery in Edmonton
Navan Fair Alpaca & Fleece Show
August 9-10, 2012
Navan Fairgrounds, Navan (Ottawa) ON
Judge: Kevin O'Leary
www.navanfairalpacashow.com
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
occurring in 2001 carried WNV into the southern
states. Similarly, the spring northward migration
reintroduced the virus to northern states.
Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when
they feed on birds that are infected with WNV. Once
the mosquito is infected, it may transmit the virus to
other animals or people, but birds are the most
common host. Many birds can be infected with WNV,
but crows, blue jays, and ravens are most likely to die
from the infection. Mammals are considered to be
“deadend hosts” because the virus does not reach
high enough levels in the bloodstream to be infective
through mosquitoes. However, WNV can be
transmitted via organ transplant, blood transfusion,
from infected mother to fetus, and through the milk.
of the confirmed WNV cases. The presence of a fever
is extremely variable, observed in less than 50% of
reported cases. Of course, a number of other
diseases can cause similar neurologic symptoms in
camelids, including equine herpes virus-1, listeriosis,
bacterial meningitis, rabies, meningeal worm
migration, brain abscessation, or mycotic
encephalitis. There have been mixed results from
treating clinically ill humans and horses with WNV
hyperimmunized plasma, with the general conclusion
being that early treatment before the onset of severe
clinical signs is rewarding and late treatment once
the patient is recumbent is unsuccessful. These
experiences mirror the results reported by
veterinarians treating WNV suspect animals with
passive WNV immunotherapy. For example, on one
farm in which two alpacas were stricken with WNV
clinical infection, normal llama plasma containing
high WNV antibody titers was transfused and the
animal that had recently developed symptoms
completely recovered while the other animal with a
more advanced case died.
The first reports of WNV clinical disease in camelids
occurred during the 2002 epizootic, which happened
to be a particularly bad year for WNV in other
species as well, accounting for 284 human deaths
and countless bird and horse losses. Confirmation of
camelid clinical neurologic disease resulting from
WNV infection was made from post-mortem testing
using immunohistochemistry and
reversetranscriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
from cases in Ohio and Iowa, respectively. Additional
proof of the pathogenicity of West Nile Virus in
camelids came in August and September of 2003,
when more than a dozen alpacas in Colorado, New
Mexico, and Texas died from the disease confirmed
by PCR.
Examinations and Findings
Examination of the brain and spinal cord tissue from
an infected alpaca revealed no gross lesions but on
microscopic evaluation, severe inflammation in the
form of lymphocytic perivascular cuffing was evident
in ten different areas of the central nervous system.
These findings are generally consistent with what
has been reported in humans and horses with WNV
encephalitis. Postmortem testing for WNV infection
is necessary to definitively confirm the disease in
camelids. In humans and horses, a blood test (IgM
capture ELISA) is available to determine recent
exposure to WNV and differentiate between
subclinical infection and clinical disease. This test
does not exist for camelids. A central database has
been established by the Alpaca Research Foundation
to monitor WNV infection and clinical disease in
camelids. The Foundation urges owners and
Based on careful observations made by veterinarians
treating these sick animals, it can be concluded that
the clinical disease that develops from WNV infection
in alpacas produces a broad range of symptoms.
Most commonly observed symptoms included
“Kathryn Hepburn” type facial or body tremors, head
shaking, and stumbling, which progressed quickly to
recumbency and death. However, vague neurologic
signs such as hyperexcitability, lame-ness, and colic
have been the only symptoms prior to death in some
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
veterinarians to report suspicious or confirmed cases
of WNV infection so that the actual risk of clinical
disease is better understood in this species. With the
information currently available, there does not
appear to be a breed, age, or sex predisposition for
the development of clinical WNV disease. ARF is
supporting confirmatory diagnostic testing of
alpacas that have died and WNV infection was
suspected.
Not all animals that become infected with WNV will
develop symptoms of disease. In fact, the vast
majority of infected animals do not show any
symptoms at all following transmission of the
disease from an infected mosquito. While the
Centers for Disease Control estimate that 20% of
infected humans will develop symptoms of WNV
disease, the incidence of clinical disease in camelids
is far less. Serologic testing from alpacas on farms in
Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, and Texas has
resulted in a prevalence of positive WNV antibody
titers from 10-83%. None of the animals tested has
ever shown any symptoms of illness, although based
on their immune response, they have obviously been
infected with WNV. In other countries where WNV is
enzootic, antibody seropositive rates in ruminant
species approach 62%, although clinical signs of
WNV infection in these species are infrequent.
As stated above, the risk of developing clinical WNV
disease is much greater for you than for your
animals, except for birds and horses. To reduce the
risk of contracting WNV, mosquito populations must
be kept to a mini- mum. Every effort should be made
to eliminate potential mosquito habitats on your
property. Shallow standing water found in bird
baths, clogged roof gutters, old tires, drainage areas,
and even puddles if they persist for more than four
days are ideal mosquito breeding places. Ponds
containing stagnant water should be aerated or
stocked with fish. Mosquito larvicides are available in
various formulations including organophosphates,
bacterial larvicides (Bacillus thurigiensis israelensis)
and insect growth regulators. Chemical control with
larvicides is more effective and target specific than
treatment with adulticides, but less permanent than
habitat reduction. Applications of chemicals (e.g.
organophosphates, pyrethrins, pyrethroids) to kill
adult mosquitoes is the least efficient mosquito
control technique. Starling, swallow, and pigeon
nests that are in the barn should be removed as
these birds can carry high concentrations of WNV
without showing any symptoms and serve as hosts
for potential infection in your animals. Dead crows,
blue jays, or ravens should be reported to the local
health department and removed from animal areas
using gloves to handle the dead birds. If possible,
animals should be housed indoors during peak
periods of mosquito activity (dusk, evening, and
dawn). As mosquitoes are attracted to light, turning
on outdoor lights close to animal housing during the
evening and overnight should be avoided. If lighting
is necessary, black lights should be used because
they do not attract mosquitoes as well. In addition,
lights can be placed away from where animals are
kept to attract mosquitoes away. Fans can also be
placed in the barns to help deter mosquitoes. Topical
preparations containing mosquito repellents are
available for livestock but care must be taken to read
the label before using. It is interesting to point out
that vitamin B and “ultrasonic” devices designed to
deter mosquitoes have not been shown to prevent
mosquito bites.
At Oregon State University, a WNV vaccination study
was conducted using 84 alpacas and llamas that
were immunologically-naïve to WNV. Using the WNV
vaccine licensed for horses (Innovator, Fort Dodge),
the researchers found that vaccination did not
produce any local or systemic adverse reactions.
Most vaccinated animals developed antibody titers
following two doses of the vaccine administered
intramuscularly three weeks apart. However, a third
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
vaccination was necessary to achieve similar
antibody titers as horses. Positive antibody titers
were still present in the majority of animals at the
time this article was written (>8 months from the
initial vaccination). It is not known what antibody
titer would be protective against clinical WNV
disease in camelids nor has it been published for
horses but it is clear from field reports by equine
veterinarians that even very low titers have some
protective effects. Because of the comparatively low
risk for developing clinical disease, we do not
recommend that camelids be routinely vaccinated
against WNV. In addition, human and veterinary
epidemiologists have reported that natural exposure
to WNV may provide longterm, if not lifetime,
protection to clinical WNV disease. However, if a
decision is made to vaccinate because of an
unusually high risk of exposure to WNV, a regimen of
three intramuscular vaccinations at 3-week intervals
using the horse vaccine should be followed. To
ensure adequate antibody titers during periods of
susceptibility, the final booster should be
administered 3-6 weeks of prior to peak exposure,
which is primarily in late summer and early fall but
can occur year round in southern climates. Currently,
there is no evidence to suggest that there is a danger
in vaccinating a WNV-immune animal.
and has been shown to be safe and to induce a longlasting antibody response. However, successful WNV
prevention strategies should be aimed at eliminating
nearby mosquito habitats and reducing opportunities
for mosquito bites.
Conclusions
Spring Meadows Frozen Pet Food is
chugging along like there is no tomorrow and things
are looking brighter for the future with every passing
day. They just had a second company in Ontario
want to try their product and are hoping they
continue using it as well. At the moment they have
animals booked into Sept/Oct 2012 and people are
calling them and bringing in more animals. The price
per pound is going up 10 cents per pound to $1.30
The only down side is that they can’t slaughter fast
enough.
In summary, WNV is typically a disease between
birds and mosquitoes, but can occasionally infect
mammals if bitten by an infected mosquito. The vast
majority of camelids that become infected with WNV
show no symptoms of illness and develop protective
antibodies that may provide lifelong immunity.
Symptoms associated with WNV clinical disease are
primarily neurologic and early treatment with
passive immunotherapy in addition to antiinflammatories and supportive care provide the best
opportunity for recovery. An extra-label vaccine is
available for the prevention of WNV clinical disease
These studies were supported by the Alpaca
Research Foundation (ARF), Willamette Valley Llama
Foundation, Southwestern Washington Llama
Association, and Fort Dodge Animal Health. In
addition, we thank Rocky Baker, Dr. Rob Bildfell, Dr.
Josepha Delay, Dr. Pat Long, Dr. Cheryl Tillman, Dr.
Kim Gardner-Graff, Dr. Jeanne Rankin, Dr. Hana Van
Campen, Dr. Julie Ann Jarvinen, Fern Hill Alpacas,
Weather’d T Ranch and Triple J Farms for their
assistance in these studies.
This article was written in the Spring of 2004 and
taken from www.alpacaresearchfoundation.org
Secondary Initiatives
Submitted by Robert Bloom as delivered at the SABN
General Meeting in March 2012.
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
If you wish to contact Spring Meadows call (306) 291
- 5660 and talk to Brett Flahr.
Advertisements
www.springmeadowsnaturalpetfood.com
FOR SALE
There is nothing on the go with the rest of
Canada except for the people who are butchering
alpacas and selling the meat on their own. From
what I understand, I have not verified this; there is a
place for the meat in the bigger centers that have
communities of people from South America. Not a
huge market yet but growing.
5 female alpaca (3 expecting or with cira at side, 1
bred and 1 yearling) $400 - 650 each. 6 male
alpaca (Zaccoyo, Coyo Destini & Centauso
bloodlines) $300 - 600 each. Sundog Alpacas
Phone: (306) 374-6737 or Email:
r.weber@sasktel.net
There is still work being done out west toward
government approval of the meat for use in
restaurants. Seems the delay is in getting the paper
work sorted out by the prospective meat man.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact
Rob Bloom @ nightskyalpacas@sasktel.net o 306242-6636 or Spring Meadows directly.
If you are interested in having an animal butchered
for your own use or for farmgate meat sales, a list of
butchers that members have used and received
good results from is being collected and will be
posted on the website. Please send the information
to Rachel Vos @ ratchet_16@hotmail.com and stay
tuned to the website.
For Sale or willing to trade for comparable
bloodlines: Junior Herdsires, Circle O Bookem
Dano, a white male, placed first in Brandon at his
first show and is eligible to be shown at the
CNASF East in the fall. Circle O Rockford is a
dark brown male, our herdsire Morocco's first
male offspring. Rockford placed 2nd in Brandon
and 4th in Red Deer. Fibre stats arriving soon!.
Please check out our webiste
www.circleoalpacas.com or call 204 752 2155 for
more info.
Lake Breeze Alpacas is located on beautiful Last
Mountain Lake, just south of Rowan's Ravine
Provincial Park! Dual registered alpacas for
sale, as well as custom crafted oak quilt stands
and alpaca fibre in a variety of colors. Come
visit the alp
FOR SALE: Proven White Herdsires: SNDG Simba
and S.Dream’s Cinder’s Aifos. Also great
selection of Fibre animals, all colours.
SASKAPACA Call 325-2075 or email
saskapaca@sasktel.net for prices and
details.acas and enjoy the lake experience!
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
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NEWSLETTER July
2012
Website:www.sabn.net
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