Here are some of the recent discussion subjects from the Australian Alpaca Association Forum. If you would like
to see the full discussion on any subject just click on the title link.
Alpaca Health, Husbandry and Welfare - selenium level published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM I have Janet Hull's contact as phone 0427754685 and 0754804417She has dealt with other herds with Melio I believe.
Alpaca and Fleece Shows and Public Events - Bathurst Royal 2012 published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM Dear MembersI invite you all to attend the the 2012 Royal Bathurst Show.Entry forms are available from the Bathurst Show website:http://www.bathurstshow.com.au/competitions.phpI will be emailing entry forms to all those breeders who exhibited at the 2010 and 2011 Royal Bathurst Show.ALL ENTRIES CLOSE ON FRIDAY 6 APRIL 2012.The Fleece Entry Fee is $5. Fleeces will be judged on Tuesday 24 April 2012 by Karen Caldwell.Fleeces must be received by the Bathurst Royal Show Society NO LATER than 5pm on Friday 20 April 2012.The Alpaca Entry Fee is $11. Alpacas will be judged on Sunday 29 April 2012 by Bill Robbins.We look forward to seeing you at our show.RegardsJennifer CareyConvenor
Alpaca Breeding and Genetics - Breeding for worm resistance published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM Taken fron an American Alpaca list.The article is about aussie Merino Rams.Here is an article that might be of interest for some breeders looking to their long term breeding goals.RegardsIan WattMorro Bay CAWorm resistance drives ram pricesBRENDAN MANSBRIDGE16 Feb, 2012 04:00 AMWORM resistance figures, demonstrated in sheep through worm egg count(WEC) Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), have been increasingly driving prices at ram sales.Petali Merinos principal Martin Oppenheimer, Walcha, had seen a growing trend towards WEC ASBVs for four to five years.Its become a yes or no thing for many producers if the ram doesnt have good WEC figures they wont buy it, he said.Theres been quite a premium for rams with high worm resistance, at our sale this year it could have been up to $1000.This was also evident at the recent Cressbrook Merino ram sale at Armidale last week where the studs 118 rams averaged $2356.Cressbrook principal Lach Fulloon said the majority of his clients were interested in WEC ASBVs.Rams with superior WEC figures are in demand from producers, he said.Southern Queensland grazier and top-priced ram buyer at Cressbrook, Don Thomas, Llancaut, Wallangarra, said he placed a big emphasis on buying rams with negative WEC ASBVs.Its one of the main reasons weve started buying rams here (at Cressbrook), he said.Kim Barnet, Miramoona Merinos, Walcha, has also noticed an increase in demand for worm resistance.Its been growing in the past few years, but this year it has been especially strong, he said.Mr Barnet said with so much rain in the New England during the past two summers, which had provided ideal conditions for worms to thrive, producers were looking for an alternative to drenching.More studs are starting to do it (display WEC ASBVs), but also people are seeing and hearing of good results from selecting for WEC figures, he said.Producers are starting to understand ASBVs more and how they work and are using them more.
Alpaca Health, Husbandry and Welfare - Camelid Veterinary Conference published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM A notice from America for their Vet Conference. How long is it since we had camelid vet conference here? This is a link to website for the Camelid Vet conference:http://vetmedce.osu.edu/ceactivities/conferences/index.cfm?action=coursesview&eventID=39277 Online registration starts today. This course is open to veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Five days of intense seminar for all levels of camelid practice. Practitioners entering camelid practice as well as seasoned veterans will benefit from this exhaustive state-of-the-art CE conference featuring world experts in the field of camelid medicine and surgery.There is also a one day conference geared to owners and breeders using a few of the vet conference speakers, but I don't have the link for that one. Perhaps someone else does?Smiles,Dr. Ruthanne
Alpaca and Fleece Shows and Public Events - EPIC Alpaca Expo Weekend - Register NOW published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM The Southern NSW Region will be holding its major annual marketing event, the EPIC Alpaca Expo, on the weekend of the 19th and 20th May at the Fitzroy Pavillion, Exhibition Park in Canberra.This year there will be an auction sale as well as the highly effective alpaca pen and alpaca product sales, and displays and demonstrations. Registration of animal for the sale and auction catalogue close on 9th March and for pens on the 30th March.Visit www.alpacasouthern.com.au under "Events", ring Greg Crease on 0411 718 666 or email Greg on greg@nurrenyen.com.au for more information.
Alpaca Health, Husbandry and Welfare - Alpaca down and can't get up published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM Please advise what ulcer medication you have given. Also what wormer and dose you have given and when.Have you actually had a vet or lab look at her faecal sample to check she hasnt got coccidia rather than other worms?Can you take her temperature? I am wondering if she is dehydrated.When you pull the bottom of the eye down, what colour is the conjunctiva? (reddish pink or pink or pale?)When you press her gums - do the blanch (go pale) and then the blood return? Are her gums/ mouth moist?Is she chewing her cud?I would leave her in a pen and clean up around her rather than try and move her. Sounds like you should be keeping her stress to a minimum. Keep a companion animal with her however. You may have to prop her up with bales of hay. She will stand when she is able.I would probably cut back the parafin to about 10-20 mls per day (my personal opinion but check with your vet) unti she is eliminating on her own (sounds like she has had plenty). However, I would start drenching her with electrolytes. Carefully and allowing her to swallow. Remember alpacas need minimum 2 to 4 litres per day (depending on the environmental temperature). So if you can get about 200ml each hour to get her hydrated. This will help the parafin to work. You can also give her a Microlax enema. Insert a lubricated tip and hold a tissue over her bottom for a few minutes so that it has time to work. This will encourage peristalsis. Check with your vet, but you should be able to safely do with morning and night until she goes on her own.I would also consult vet about some antibiotic cover (Engimicin).Can you please advise how much and how often she is getting (just so we can make sure she is getting optimum amounts):Vitamin ADEVitamin CVitamin B,,B12,CoPhos,VAMHas she had any Selenium lately? (Just want to cover all bases)How is she eating? is she picky or eating normally? I am also interested in the "Perrys Fatten Up" I can see it is a horse feed on google but cant find out what is in it. I would stay away from any grainy mixes and would be getting some Cracked Lupins (soaked them for a few hours - they swell up and add them to a pellet and lucerne chaff mix). According to Dr. jane Vaughan the best way to increase protien levels and not affect the gut because it doesnt cause acidosis like grains.The other thing that might help is a "spit transfer" from a healthy alpaca. Better than probiotics but if you can't manage then give Protexin paste.Sorry for all the questions but it might help us understand the situation and offer more help.
Alpaca Health, Husbandry and Welfare - Female quiet and sitting alot published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM Thats good Felica. Try looking for some protexin paste at the feed store or vets. It has probiotic bacteria which will hopefully help balance the gut. A injection of VAM Vitamin B Complex or you can get that in a paste also (about 4ml for an adult). You cant overdo the B vitamins as they body excretes what it doesnt need. The complex has a bit of thiamine (vit B1) which aids in digestion problems too.
Alpaca and Fleece Shows and Public Events - 2012 Royal Canberra Show Sponsors published on February 23rd, 2012 at 07:42 AM The 2012 Royal Canberra would like to SINCERELY THANK the following sponsors, without the generous support of these people the show would not go on. Millpaca Alpacas Jandarra Alpacas DaisyBank Wyndarra Alpacas Yuralee Alpacas Flowerdale Alpacas Currumbong Alpacas Molonglo Alpacas Kaybec Alpacas Accapacca Gilbarri Alpacas Elysion Alpacas Pacawoolly Alpacas Elimbari AlpacasGlenhaven Alpacas Duwirri Downs & the Braidwood Alpaca ShopLillyfield Alpacas Coraz & Tallo Alpacas Daer Enahs Alpacas Bova Alpacas Azzura Alpacas Errydge Park Suri'sLualto Alpacas Arachello Alpacas Aingel Ridge Alpacas Baarrooka Alpacas Nurrenyen Alpacas Lowanna AlpacasHidden Lake Alpacas Wyona Alpacas Penny PearcePetlyn Park Alpacas Currabungla Stevley Park Suri's Aureate Alpacas Canchones Alpacas Australian Alpaca Fibre Testing (AAFT) Sanguine Alpacas Aberfeldy AlpacasNSW Sth Region Alpaca Association Wombies Ridge AlpacasIllawarra Alpacas Bringarum AlpacasAlpha Centauri Alpacas Pacofino Alpacas Weeroona AlpacasAacbacus Alpacas Ambleside AlpacasAlpaca UltimateAlazar Alpacasa