BLS News and Events

Charity Challenge

2012-04-23T17:21:00.000+01:00

Our Website designer and current webmaster Russell Ives, has been supporting friends in their 200 mile run over an 8 day period, across the width of Britain between St Bees in the Lake District and Robin Hoods Bay on the Yorkshire coast. Thats more than a marathon a day ! The run was to raise much needed funds for the charity The Christie and for some reason the boys thought it would be fun to wear tights for the duration of the run. Russell manned the support vehicle apparently wearing tights also !
The aims of The Christie is to raise funds for projects which are outside the scope of the NHS. Last year they raised nearly £13 million. This money funded a number of different projects, from a new radiopharmacy, a new wig service and a state-of-the-art surgical robot to groundbreaking cancer research and communications skills training for nursing staff.
Further information is available via the Website below and a link to just giving if you would like to donate directly to the Christie via Just Giving

http://www.men-in-tights.org.uk/
http://www.justgiving.com/menintights-coasttocoast

AGM held 11 March 2012

2012-04-05T11:14:00.000+01:00

The Reports presented to the meeting are available for members to read in the Members Only area of the Forum.

Fraudulent Prescriptions

2012-04-04T15:53:00.000+01:00

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is seeking to gather information on the instances of tampered or fraudulent prescriptions for veterinary medicines. A paper has been put together by the VMD with a number of questions in relation to this issue and they would be grateful for comments, in particular from the veterinary profession and pharmacists. They are also seeking suggestions on how to improve this area.

The paper can be found on the VMD website: www.vmd.defra.gov.uk under “what’s new”.

If you would like to send in your comments please send them by 25 May 2012 to: Denise Burge, either: by e-mail: d.burge@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk or by post to: Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3LS

The Archers' Llamas

2012-03-30T17:48:00.000+01:00

The April Edition of the Readers Digest poses the question "Is Lynda Snell a member of BLS?"
Lynda Snell and her llamas of The Archers fame, should be and so should you if you own Llamas - join us now at only £35 p.a.
You can join on line through this website and to convince you of the benefits, why not ask for a free copy of a past edition of our Llamallink magazine by
emailing Editor@BritishLlamaSociety.org

LLAMA SUPER STARS

2012-03-30T14:39:00.000+01:00

Nidderdale Llamas appeared in The Dales on ITV1 on the 26 March. Suzanne Benson and her Llamas were a little disappointed that the clip was short and not really what they had expected, She says
“ After 8 weeks of filming llamas in training, visits to hotels with the llamas, day treks and interviewing customers, we expected a little more ‘llama trekking exposure’ and more of our... story to reflect the years of hard work that has gone into creating a brand new trekking business. No we hadn’t just gone out bought a llama and set up trekking! However we can’t complain as the exposure is bringing in a lot of enquiries and bookings.”
As a result of the TV appearance in The Dales, Suzanne and her Llamas were invited to the UK’s biggest Tourism Event (Y12) held at the York Barbican Centre, York. The llamas attended on stage to expose themselves as the most relaxed creature you could ever spend time with! Suzanne Benson said ‘It went very well and both our ‘PR’ boys behaved impeccably as always”.
The Tourism Minister was also on stage with Suzanne and her Llamas along with Rob Walker (BBC presenter) and Gary Verity (Chief Exec, Welcome To Yorkshire). Over 1400 people attended the conference from all over the UK. The clip on The Dales was repeated, then Suzanne, led Harry the llama on to the stage and Beth a member of the Nidderdale Llama Team led on Chester. The llamas were very happy to be centre of attention and loved watching themselves on the big screen! The presenters and the audience, were very inspired and thought they were brilliant.

After the show, Suzanne says “ we enjoyed a networking lunch where nobody would leave us alone! Everyone had been amazed at how calm and relaxed the llamas were and people saying their views on llamas had been totally changed, with the episode and also meeting them in person! Leaflets were walking out of the venue and delegates stopping on the way out to thank the llamas in person for attending! I am again so proud of our llamas, they really enjoyed the event , llama Harry was all for going into York shopping afterwards, he didn’t want to leave’!
Lets hope the exposure we have received this week reflects on llama businesses all over the UK .

Conference on Handling, training and management of Llamas

2012-03-12T11:26:00.000Z

BLS MEMBERS ONLY :
On Saturday May 19th Mary and David Pryse of Catanger Llamas are going to host the 2012 BLS conference at their farm near Towcester. This is a new venture for BLS and if it is successful then we hope to make it an annual event which would be held in different parts of the country each year.

A conference perhaps implies to many a series of learned papers given in a slick conference... venue! This is not what we intend at all! Our conference is going to be a hands on affair with many of our presenters illustrating the points they want to make with real live llamas drawn from the varied stock at Catanger . It will also be an opportunity to ask questions of a panel of experienced BLS members.

The day will start with a session by Nick Harrington-Smith who is an experienced camelid judge who acted as our judge for the show classes at the Newbury Show last year. Nick will choose a cross section of llamas from the Catanger herd and use them to illustrate the finer points of conformation and what he looks for as a judge of llamas.

Julie Taylor-Brown, who is a Camelidynamics trainer and a BLS member based in Cornwall who owns both llamas and alpacas, will demonstrate some of the Camelidynamics training methods. She and Marty McGee, who developed the Camelidynamics training method in the US, visited our llama farm last September and Marty very rapidly used her method to halter one of our more reluctant llamas!

We hope then to have a talk on pasture management with the emphasis on creating meadows that are good for our stock while maintaining a diverse habitat for wild flowers and insects. This will be given by a representative of the Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust.

The day will complete with an “Any Questions” panel discussion where you can ask any question that you like about the care of llamas and the different ways you can enjoy them.

We hope to have a fibre display at the conference as well so please do bring along any articles you have made from camelid fibre for display, be it woven, knitted, felted or crocheted!

The cost of the day is minimal at £10 per head or £15 for a couple. Tea and coffee will be provided but we ask attendees to bring their own picnic and a folding chair. There is ample room to park and Mary and David have also said that anyone can camp/caravan at Catanger either the night before or after the event.

For more details contact me at timcrowfoot@btinternet.com (Tel. 01489 877631) and to reserve your place please send a cheque to Jane Brown our Secretary. Space may be limited so please book early!

I look forward to seeing many of you on the day!

Tim Crowfoot
Chairman

CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR FOR UP AND COMING EVENTS

2012-03-12T11:25:00.000Z

Bluetongue

2012-02-27T14:53:00.000Z

An update map is available under the Health and Welfare section of this website.

Conference on Handling and Management of Llamas

2012-02-24T08:17:00.000Z

BLS MEMBERS ONLY :
To be held 19 May 2012 - see calendar for further details

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 37b

2012-02-24T07:52:00.000Z

bTB – BADGER CULL -
Your Society has backed the Government in its decision to go ahead with the badger cull. At the moment there are 2 areas highlighted, West Somerset and West Gloucestershire. If you have animals in either of these areas, we would ask you to support the cull by letting your nearest NFU office know. The culls will not take place until after the Olympic Games, i.e. Autumn time.
We must help to stop the spread of bTB.

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative
Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey Tel: 01737-823375

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 37a

2012-02-24T07:49:00.000Z

SCHMALLENBERG VIRUS - This is a follow up to the alert issued by the Society on the 25 January 2012.

This is a very fast moving virus and more cases are being discovered on a daily basis. To date no reports of camelids have been received by the Authorities either in Europe or the UK. Livestock being reported with the virus in the UK are sheep and cows, with goats being reported in Europe. This may well be because now is the time for lambing and calving. Last weekend a case was found in sheep in Cornwall so the Authorities have made all the South Coast right round to East Anglia a ‘Risk Zone’.

The EU Commission have not made Schmallenberg Virus notifiable but it is reportable, i.e. if you are concerned for the health of your camelid or have any abnormal births or abortions please tell your vet. The clinical signs are diarrhoea, fever and early abortions. It also causes deformities in unborn animals. It is spread by a vector – midges, which bite your livestock. It is not thought that it can be passed from one animal to another but once an animal is affected with the virus it does spread to the placenta and affect unborn animals.

Foetal deformities vary depending on when the dam was infected during her pregnancy. It is thought that most animals were infected during the very mild Autumn. In sheep it has been found to produce foetus with badly deformed limbs, usually fused together. The ewe will try to give birth, a lot of the time early, but is unable to as either the lamb is mis-presented or it is so badly deformed, it cannot fit into the birth canal.

If you see your camelid in any distress whilst giving birth please do not try to help her but call your vet immediately. The chances are it may well need a caesarean.

There is no vaccine available to fight this virus. It is thought to be short lived within the animal i.e. 2 days, as the host animal can produce antibodies in that time. It also does not survive for long outside either a host or vector. Hopefully there is no long lasting effect on the animals but this is not proven yet. It is thought unlikely to be zoonotic and so far there is no threat to humans, albeit this is not proven.

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative
Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey Tel: 01737-823375

BLS AGM – Sunday 11th March BLS AGM – Sunday 11th March

2012-02-08T21:12:00.005Z

The annual BLS AGM will take place this year on Sunday 11th March 2012 at RAs Stoneleigh in the Jersey Pavilion starting at 11.00 am.

Coffee and tea will be available from 10.30 am and you can book a lunch for £8.75.

Full details are found in the Meetings and Minutes area in the members area of the forum.

If you would like to come then please send in the reply form with a cheque for lunch if you would like one. If you cannot come and would like to vote for any of the motions then please return the proxy form.

We are also looking for more members to join the Board as Directors. For more information please contact the Chairman, Tim Crowfoot, by e-mail timcrowfoot@btinternet.com or by phone 01489 877631.

JOIN THE SOCIETY

2012-02-01T09:13:00.000Z

Members of the Society enjoy access to a wealth of information and support from other owners. A magazine is issued quarterly to members only. Email Editor@BritishLlamaSociety.org to request a sample back copy of our magazine - we will send you a pdf and hope you will be so impressed you go to the "Join the BLS" page here on the website and apply for membership !!

Schmallenberg Virus Alert

2012-01-25T10:12:00.000Z

What appears to be a new virus has been discovered in the North Rhein Westphalia district of the west of Germany, and in Holland. It has been named Schmallenberg virus after the small town where it was first discovered.

Outbreaks of disease were originally seen in cattle last August. Clinical signs exhibited by affected cattle included fever, reduced milk yields, inappetance, weight loss and... diarrhoea: since November, there have been reports in sheep (and, to a lesser extent, cattle and goats) of abortion, still-births and congenital abnormalities. These congenital abnormalities have included limb contractures, brain abnormalities and twisted neck: no clinical signs were reported affecting dams of these offspring. No cases of the disease have been reported in camelids, and it is unknown whether or not they can be affected.

Research on the virus is still in its early stages but the virus is thought to belong to the genus Orthobunyavirus: this group includes the Akabane virus and although antibodies to Akabane virus have been found in camels, it is not known whether or not it causes disease (Al Busaidy et al, 1988; Davies & Jessett, 1985). Viruses of this genus are spread by arthropod vectors – midges and mosquitoes. No information is available for viruses of this group affecting South American Camelids. Therefore it is unknown whether or not they are likely to be affected with clinical disease. It is certainly possible that they are susceptible.

It has to be stressed that this virus has not yet been detected in the UK. There is potential for it to come to the UK via windborne spread of athropod vectors that carry the virus (as occurred with Bluetongue), or potentially via imported animals. Disease surveillance is ongoing and keepers of livestock are being urged to monitor for signs of disease and consult with their vet in case of concern.

AHVLA have asked that if any ruminants imported from anywhere in Europe during 2011 abort, or have stillborn or deformed offspring, please report the matter to your local AHVLA laboratory, or SAC laboratory if in Scotland. In England, ruminant samples will be taken for testing free of charge, although as tests for the disease are still under development, results will not be known immediately. Be sure to check with your local office whether charges will apply for camelids before submitting any crias for testing. In Scotland, the normal SAC charges will apply.

Similarly, if there are ANY aborted foetuses or stillborn animals which match the pattern of deformities described, please discuss them with AHVLA to see if samples should be taken for investigation, in particular if born to dams who had what would have been an undiagnosable fever in the late summer or early autumn. Again, to avoid embarrassment, discuss what charges might be made, if any, when discussing things with AHVLA.

Cont/….

-2-

Since this virus has only just been identified and the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease is far from known, this situation is evolving and further information will be forthcoming as more research is done. AHVLA will keep updating the information available on their website as more becomes known. [http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/news/]. It will be particularly important for us in the UK later in the year when we shall see if infected midges have crossed the North Sea, and this will depend on weather patterns during the summer. However it is POSSIBLE that infected midges could have crossed to England during 2011 although there were only a few days where this was considered to have been a possibility. As yet there is no evidence of this having happened, but please be on the lookout. This is a new disease, and hopefully we will develop a far better understanding of the epidemiological risk to the UK over the next 12 months.

Please do not panic. This is a very new virus and as previously stated, there have been no cases notified in Camelids but it is better to be aware of the unfolding situation.
I would like to acknowledge the following vets for assisting in producing this report:
Claire E Whitehead BVM&S MS DACVIM MRCVS, President British Veterinary Camelid Society
Nick Clayton, MRCVS

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative
Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey Tel: 01737-823375

NOTE: 23 January 2012
The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratory Agency has confirmed that tests on animals on four sheep farms in Norfolk, Suffolk and East Sussex had detected Schmallenberg Virus.
Please report any abnormalities in your herd to your vet.

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 36

2012-01-22T12:34:00.000Z

WINTER CATCH UP -

Remember if we have a really cold spell, below freezing for a number of days, always break any ice on the water and look out for signs of your camelids not drinking. Some camelids will not drink freezing water. In these cases (very few) add a little hot water to the bucket so the water is cold but not icy and check the animal drinks some. Hay is very dry and therefore our animals... need more water in the winter than in the summer when they get a lot of their water from the grass.

I expect many of you will be aware of the proposed badger cull in England. Due to this contentious decision by the Government and the high cost of policing, it will not take place until after the Para-Olympics, i.e. back end of the year.

In the farming press and various newspapers, it has been reported that a number of Veterinary Laboratory Agencies (VLA) are to close. There will be only six remaining in operation: 1) Shrewsbury, 2) Penrith, 3) Sutton Bonnington 4) Bury St.Edmonds, 5) Newcastle, 6) Star Cross.
BUT this only refers to the laboratories; the actual VLA where you take animals for post mortem will remain open for the time being. If the VLA find anything they are not happy about they will send samples to a laboratory that has stayed open.
If you have an animal die unexpectedly or in suspicious circumstances, please get your vet to carry out a post mortem or ask your vet to make arrangements for it to have a post mortem at your local VLA.

As time goes by, we are finding more and more camelids need to be re-homed. Some of these cases are genuine but we are finding some people have taken on animals and then suddenly decided they don’t want them anymore!

Camelids can live for over 20 years. Have you made provision for your camelids to be looked after and cared for should a disaster befall you? This may sound hard, but please think about what would happen to your lovely animals if you were no longer around to look after them.
Make provision in your will. Do you have a reliable family member who would take them on? Ask another member of BLS (providing them with the finance) to care for your animals.

The BLS Board is considering the setting up of a fund and more details will be in the spring edition of Llama Link. You could run coffee mornings, bring and buy sales or just give money. This would be ‘ring fenced’ for the welfare of beautiful animals that need help.
We are also in the market for a philanthropic person who would like to donate a farm to the whole of the camelid industry as a refuge/rescue centre. Put your thinking caps on!!

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative
Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey Tel: 01737-823375

16 January 2012

Badger culling update

2011-12-22T09:34:00.000Z

The Secretary of State has announced the go ahead for controlled culling of badgers as part of the package of measures to tackle bovine TB. The approach will be piloted in two areas in 2012. Open up this article and then Click here to read the full statement issued on the 14 December 2011.
You may also be interested in the response from Charles Henry (Farmers Guardian) which mentions alpacas and llamas and his “blog” for a fairly factual history of the case for the cull. Click on the following link :
http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/hot-topics/bovine-tb/badger-cull-hailed-as-a-major-step-forward/43708.article

Foot and Mouth Disease Control Strategy

2011-12-05T16:06:00.000Z

The Scottish Government, Defra and Welsh Government (the GB Administrations) have worked together to prepare a Foot and Mouth Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain (the ‘Strategy’). The aim of the Strategy is to consolidate GB Administrations current policies and response to control an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The Strategy encompasses existing legislation, setting out control measures to be put in place from suspicion of FMD through to regaining disease freedom and reflects the existing disease response set out in Scottish Government's Exotic Animal Disease Contingency Framework Plan: Annex 4 FMD.
It does not take account of the work currently in progress by Scottish Government as part of its review of Movement Licences, Carcase Disposal, Vaccination and Access in the Restricted Zone. However, the Strategy is a living document and will be regularly reviewed to take account of changes in Government policy.

The Strategy can be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/disease/foot/guidance/strategy

Alison Rock
Exotic Animal Diseases
Rural and Environment Directorate
Saughton House (P Spur)
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD

Tel 0300 2449270

Nottinghamshire Llama Trek

2011-11-29T09:54:00.000Z

Sunday 2nd October 2011

We had an excellent turnout on a beautiful day for the annual gathering at our house for the Llama Trek and tea. Although this is an East Midlands Group event we welcomed several visitors, some with and some without llamas, Steve and Chris Pankhurst and Caroline Champion from Shropshire, Steve and Lois Swift with their daughter and her partner from Worcestershire, and John and Charlotte Lawrence with their son Ben and daughter Sophie from Yorkshire, in addition to our own members and friends from Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

In total we had 11 llamas and 16 leaders so a bit of sharing took place. Thanks are due as always to John and Vivienne Ives for bringing 6 llamas (2 for themselves and 4 for visitors to borrow) to swell the numbers and make the whole event more successful.

We gathered at around 2pm on the lawn and eventually set off about 2.30pm, and trekked for about 2 hours. This year the route was a little more adventurous in that we had to climb up the side of a disused railway embankment to get to the track at the top. This involved me climbing up first, attaching a rope to a tree and then throwing this down the bank to be used by the leaders as a hand grip to help them ascend the slope. Also on the way back we had a dry ditch to jump! This was done by the leader passing the lead rope to me standing on a narrow plank bridge across the ditch, and then they climbed down the bank and up again, at which point the llama realised it had better jump to keep up with it’s friend/owner, who then took the lead rope back from me once safely on the other side! Once the first llama had crossed, the rest of them follow remarkably easily with some spectacular leaps, which sadly we neglected to photograph.

On our return to the house, tea, sandwiches and cakes were served outside, to the walkers and to some of our neighbours who come to admire the llamas and to partake of the refreshments. A collection for the Macmillan Cancer Charity raised £150.00 so many thanks to you all for your generosity. We look forward to welcoming you again next year, and might even try to alter the venue as a variation!

Brian Haughton
East Midlands Co-ordinator

World Alpaca Conference 2012

2011-10-18T20:23:00.000+01:00

WORLD ALPACA CONFERENCE 2012
to be held at Keble College, Oxford, UK on 10th - 12th April 2012.

Alpaca 2012 is being organised to provide interest for all levels of alpaca ownership with formal lectures plus hands-on workshops, to create an intimate 'alpaca experience' to ensure that allparticipants gain the maximum benefit from the conference.

There are a LIMITED number of places available for this worldwide event, which is being publicised enthusiastically across the globe by alpaca associations. REGISTER NOW!

Delegates are already committing early from across Europe, South Africa, the USA and Australia so if you do not want to miss out on this 'Golden Opportunity', book your place now using these online links for Alpaca 2012 before it's too late!

BOOK NOW for the 'Earlybird' discount! Offer ends 30th November.

Any enquiries can be sent to info@bas-uk.com or telephone +44 (0)1392 437788.

click here to read more

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 35

2011-09-22T12:22:00.000+01:00

Autumn has arrived and hopefully you all have your winter feed either in stock or reserved for you.

If you have hard feed left over from last winter, check it for signs of mould. If mouldy, throw it away as it could harbor bacteria. (My birds love it but if you feed the birds, do it out of the reach of vermin or you are asking for trouble).

Now is a good time to give the annual vaccination to your animals. They should all have had a good summer with nice grass to get them ready for the winter ahead. (Hopefully we will not have as bad a winter as the last two winters have been.) Worming should also be considered.

Due to the weather conditions, Horse Chestnut trees and Oak trees have been producing a huge number of conkers and acorns. Both of these, in quantity, are poisonous to Camelids. It would be a good idea to collect as many of these seeds as possible if you have them in your fields and remove them. Usually camelids do not bother eating them BUT if the grass has now been eaten down or the animal are a bit stressed, they tend to turn to conkers and acorns. Weanlings are a high risk in this respect as they are stressed about ‘Mum’ not being around anymore.

Remember if we have a really cold spell, below freezing for a number of days, always break any ice on the water and look out for signs of your camelids not drinking. Some camelids will not drink freezing water. In these cases (very few) add a little hot water to the bucket so the water is cold but not icy and check the animal drinks some. Hay is very dry and therefore our animals need more water in the winter than in the summer when they get a lot of their water from the grass.

Don’t forget, you all have a Regional Representatives to help with any problems. You will find their names and details on the back of the Llama Link magazine. Please do not feel embarrassed contacting them – that is what they are there for.

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative
Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey Tel: 01737-823375

20 September 2011

NEWBURY SHOW RESULTS AND PHOTOS.

2011-09-21T12:21:00.000+01:00

Saturday Classes

902 Female Llama 13-24 months of age
1st Marden Golden Valley
2nd Willow Ordellamas
3rd Zsa Zsa Golden Valley

903 Female Llama Adult over 25 months of age
1st Lilly Ordellamas
2nd Bella Ordellamas
3rd Hetty Pegler Golden Valley

904 Male Llama 6-12 months of age
1st Barnaby Catanger Llamas

905 Male llama 13-24 months of age
1st Sialalah Catanger Llamas
2nd Xing Catanger Llamas
3rd Albert Ordellamas

906 Male Llama Adult over 25 months of age
1st Pedro Ordellamas
2nd Lancelot Llama Adventures
3rd Henry Llama Adventures

907 Supreme Champion
Pedro Ordellamas Trophy awarded
Reserve Champion Barnaby Catanger Llamas

908 Gelding age 18 months and over Trophy awarded
1st Brodgar Golden Valley Llamas
2nd Sidney Llama Adventures
3rd Stanton Drew Golden Valley Llamas

Sunday Classes

910 Best turned out llama Judged: Nick
Trophy awarded
1st Brodgar Golden Valley Llamas
2nd Marden Golden Valley Llamas
3rd Silbury Golden Valley Llamas

911 Most handsome male llama Public vote
1st Silbury Golden Valley Llamas
2nd Sidney Llama Adventures
3rd Grey Winterbourne Llamas
= Brodgar Golden Valley Llamas

912 Prettiest Female Llama Public vote
1st Hetty Pegler Golden Valley Llamas
2nd Mardon Golden Valley Llamas
3rd Marion Winterbourne Llamas

913 Best Fleece on the Hoof Judged: Nick
1st Pedro Ordellamas
2nd Silbury Golden Valley Llamas
3rd Marion Winterbourne Llamas

914 Pack Carrying
Public vote
1st Sidney Llama Adventure
2nd Mary-Ann Tim and Terry Crowfoot
3rd Stella Winterbourne Llamas

915 Obstacle Course
Trophy awarded
1st Tiffany John and Vivienne Ives
2nd Brodgar Golden Valley llamas
3rd Kilrake Winterbourne Llamas

1st Silbury Golden Valley Llamas
2nd Tiffany John and Vivienne Ives
3rd Henry Llama Adventures

Armitage Challenge Trophy awarded to the llama that accrued the most points during the Sunday Funday Classes:

Winner: Silbury Golden Valley Llamas

HERE'S WHY WE ALL LOVE LLAMAS

2011-07-24T12:31:00.000+01:00

Willow had a girl on 10th July - Cola was born 10th July and Max was born to Katie on the 20th July. Max is the spitting image of his father Pepsi (get it? Pepsi – Max?)
Both are beautiful, strong crias. Max gave us a bit of a cause for concern as his front legs and head appeared, then everything stopped, he was breathing well and looking around but taking his time to make his full entrance to the world. We called the vet and she had just arrived when Katie gave one almighty push and there he was! He’s suckling for England and doing well! Katie is an excellent mum with lots of milk.

Vicki Woodward.

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 34

2011-07-24T12:25:00.000+01:00

ENGLISH GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON BOVINE TB IN CAMELIDS
The Secretary of State has just announced the Bovine TB Eradication Programme for England to the House of Commons. See links below to the News Release and the Programme document:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/07/19/next-steps-to-tackle-bovine-tb-in-england-2/
http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/07/19/pb13601-bovine-tb-eradication-programme/
Chapter 4 (pages 48-52 inclusive) covers TB in non-bovine farmed animals. DEFRA have shared their thinking with the Camelid Industry over the past few months, so its contents has not come as a surprise.

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative
Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey Tel: 01737-823375

Livestock Auctions - Cause for concern

2011-07-24T12:21:00.000+01:00

It has come to the attention of BLS that Camelids, both llamas and alpacas, have recently been sold at a livestock auction and the owners were ‘not available’ to be asked questions about the animals. Camelids were being purchased as individuals and some new owners had no previous experience of livestock let alone camelids. This is very worrying. One owner bought a female llama at the Saturday auction only to find that by Sunday morning he had two ! The female had given birth overnight.
We are writing to the Livestock Auctioneers Society with helpful information and contact numbers for help but if anyone hears of camelid auctions in their area, please let us know.

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 33

2011-07-24T12:19:00.000+01:00

*** Caution - Wasps and Bees ***

There have been reports of some very unfortunate incidents involving large animals and stinging insects. The animals have been stung badly and have required veterinary treatment.
All owners are advised to check round the hedges of their paddocks on a fine day. If you notice an unusual amount of insect activity, check whether there is a wasps nest or a bee swarm established in the hedge. If there is and any of your animals inadvertently go too close or disturb the nest, the occupants will do what comes naturally which is to sting and chase the 'predator' away. When the insect attacks (or defends its nest depending on your point of view), it burrows down through the coat until it reaches the skin. When they sting, both wasps and bees emit a pheromone which attracts their nest mates to come and help. If the predator does not move away quickly, more insects will sting.
Neither wasps nor bees will sting unless they perceive they are in danger. There are no 'killer bees' in this country and, even if there were, they would still not actively seek out a subject to attack, contrary to the popular depiction in the movies!
If you find a nest, determine whether it is wasps or bees. Wasps have distinct black and yellow stripes. They form their nest out of chewed wood pulp. It is usually roughly spherical and will be hanging from a branch in the hedge. Bees have more muted colours, ranging from completely dark to those with yellow segments on their abdomens. They build parallel, vertical combs from beeswax which are protected by a cluster of bees.
You will need to get a pest controller to deal with a wasps nest. If you can get in touch with the local beekeeping association, one of its members may well be prepared to come and collect a swarm.
If possible, move your animals to another paddock until the nest has been removed. If this is not possible, fence it off from their attentions.