BLS News and Events

MEMBERS SOCIAL DAY

2010-08-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

SOCIETY SOCIAL AT CATANGER LLAMAS.

Members gathered at the farm of Mary and David Pryse on Sunday the 8 August. Mary and David run a llama breeding and trekking business and have recently moved into a new eco-friendly house on their llama farm which also has a new visitor centre.

About 30 members were present and after a meet and greet coffee, tea and pastries, Mary
invited us each to take one of her Llamas which were already haltered, for a walk of approx. an hour, around the farm.

Mary and David have created a woodland walk within their Farm which circuits the paddocks of Llamas. We inspected the babies and needless to say, in spite of the fact that we were all hardened llama owners, the babies caused the usual human reflex in us to make all the ooos and aahh noises.

Following the walk, we sat in the wonderful sunshine and enjoyed our picnics exchanging banter and llama chit chat and experiences. This also gave us an opportunity to observe the antics of one of Mary’s females who would regularly leave her young cria and hop lightly over various fences to visit with the stud male of her choice. After doing we know not what she would hop just as easily back across the fences to her babe!

Soon after lunch we were joined by Mary and David’s regular Vet Alex who held a question and answer session. We all had the opportunity to cross examine Alex about llama health and welfare, vaccinations and general practice and maintenance of pasture. He gave very clear and informative answers.

Afterwards we went to visit the llamas with cria at foot and Mary discussed with us what to look for in a pregnant llama to assess how soon a cria is likely to be delivered as well as many other aspects of llama breeding and rearing.

The event was blessed with perfect weather and this combined with the sight of so many healthy llamas, from young week old crias to retired veterans in the beautiful surroundings that Mary and David have created made for a perfect day.

Thank you Mary and David!

MICRO-CHIPPING & REGISTRATION

2010-07-25T05:10:00.000-07:00

The BLS board is working hard to look after the interests of all members and their llamas. To do this it is vital that the llama register is accurate. In other species identification measures are enforced. For example all cattle must be registered with the national cattle movement services before they are two weeks old, must carry a passport, must have pre movement bTB test and must report all movements on or off the farm to the central registry; all equines must carry a passport and be microchipped; there are movement restrictions on pigs; and even sheep will have to be compulsorily microchipped from next year.
The BLS argue that we hold the national registry, can contact all owners and breeders quickly in the event of an emergency and that outside intervention is not necessary. If members are failing to register all births and sales, especially to non members, that argument begins to break down. If we cannot hold that argument, we cannot hope to represent the industry and protect our members from restrictive legislation.
Please register your cria NOW.
To record a Llama born after April 2009 and new cria, they must be microchipped. If your Llama was born before that date, you should still register but it is not necessary for the animal to be microchipped unless you wish to transfer him/her to a new owner.

It is recommended to microchip cria’s at six months old plus. To register your cria prior to the age of six months, just allocate a microchip to that animal and record it on your registration form. Don’t forget to get the cria microchipped once it is six months old.

Chips from BLS cost £4.15 each which is an extremely good price. To obtain your microchips please send a padded self addressed stamped envelope, with a cheque made out to British Llama Society to Liz Butler, Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey, RH1 5PA. Chips will be sent out within 48 hours.

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative

LETS START A GALLERY !

2010-07-25T04:58:00.000-07:00

Calling all members - email your best, most favourite and most cute photos of your camelids to the website administrator/registrar

REGISTER YOUR LLAMA

2010-07-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

Did you know that you can register your Llama/Guanco/Vicuna/Camel with the British Llama Society even if you are not a member?

The Society is keen to ensure that these camelids are registered so that we can respond with accuracy to enquiries received from Defra from time to time.
The registration fee is £5 per animal if the parents are already registered, £7.50 if one parent is registered and £10 if neither parent is registered.
If you also join the Society for the fee of only £25 per year, you will receive a certificate of registration also.
Contact the Registrar for further information at registrar@britishllamasociey.org

TB Support Group

2010-07-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Up to date information and contact details are available in the members only area of the Forum under Llama Health - Info

Arabian Camel Genome project

2010-07-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Interesting press release concerning the recently completed Genome project

CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR FOR UP AND COMING EVENTS

2010-06-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

TREK IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

2010-06-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday 26th September 2010.

A chance for members to meet and enjoy trekking their Llamas in wonderful north Nottinghamshire countryside.
Meet at 2pm at; Vale View, Manor House Court , Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts. NG17 8LH. This is 4 miles from Junction 28 of the M1.

We will trek for about 2 hours (3.25 miles), before returning to the house for Tea, Sandwiches, Cake and the all important Llama chat! A collection will be made for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The starting location is not easy to find, and parking will need to be organised beforehand. Therefore anyone intending to come should advise me, so I can send directions and make arrangements when I have an idea of numbers. Also could you advise if you have straw/shavings in your trailer as we are in a residential area and want to avoid making a mess. Parking will be allocated in a suitable area for those that have.

If anyone would like to come without animals, and borrow a llama please let me know, as I might be able to arrange this.

Stout shoes and nettle-proof trousers are recommended, as we will be going through a wooded area.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the day.

Brian Haughton
East Midlands Co-ordinator
Tel: 0775 220 6481
haughton_brian@hotmail.com

NEWBURY SHOW

2010-06-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

The Society will be holding its annual show as part of the Royal County of Berkshire Show at the Newbury Showground on the 18th and 19th September. The show is one of the biggest agricultural shows with a huge range of attractions for all the family - Members refer to Forum under "Notices & General Information" for application details and further information.

TWO DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

2010-06-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

Calling members and their families and friends -
Check the calendar for

Sunday July 25th, Kevin and Vicki Woodward invite you to join them at Bideford in North Devon
and Sunday August 22nd , Jennifer Letheren is organising a Llamagility event for us at her field at
Bridport near Salway Ash.

See the calendar for further details.

TB Update

2010-05-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

An update from Diane Summers of the Camelid Support Group is available to members via the Forum, under Llama Health - Info.

Wild Camel Protection Foundation

2010-05-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

A GREAT DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY WITH

Joseph's Amazing Camels –
WILD CAMEL PROTECTION FOUNDATION
WHERE: The Old Farmhouse, White House Farm,
Idlicote, Nr. Shipton-on- Stour, CV36 5DN
Directions from London M40 j11 thru Banbury following signs for Wroxton. Thru Wroxton follow this road (A422 ) until Pillerton Priors. At the end of the village turn left for Halford. Turn left when you reach the main road straight thru the roundabout and left at the crossroads in the centre of Halford. Thru Halford and follow the road for 2 miles signed Idlicote. Down a hill, over a bridge, up a hill on the brow are 9 big trees on right hand side and after last tree is a track on the right marked White House Farm. 1/2 mile down there and you have arrived. From the North M6, M42, M40 to j15. Follow signs for Stow A429 to Halford and then route as above.
WHEN: Sunday 27 June 2010
TIME: 12.00 pm - 6.00pm
After last year’s success the only camel racing business in the UK is putting on a spectacular display to raise money once again for the Wild Camel Protection Foundation(www.wildcamels.com) the only Camel Foundation in the world protecting and conserving the wild Bactrian camel in the wild in China and Mongolia.
This year there will be a Camel Polo Match as well.
So bring the whole family for a fascinating day out. Give YOUR children a ride on a camel.
Six well mannered and professionally trained Bactrian camels with Jockeys, all experienced riders. Jockeys and handlers are attired in Arab style, the camels in their magnificent racing colours.

Events
Belly Dancing 12.00pm - 2.00 pm
Camel Polo Match - 3.00pm Joseph’s Amazing Camel team v WCPF team Camel Racing - 4.00pm
Pig Racing - 4.00 pm
Camel Riding - 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Bowling at Skittles, Coconut Shy, and Smashing plates for a prize
Pin the tail on a camel Bar and food and ice-creams

Car Park Fee - £5.00
ALL FUNDS RAISED ON THE DAY GO TO THE
WILD CAMEL PROTECTION FOUNDATION
WWW.WILDCAMELS.COM

John Hare FRGS
Founder
Wild Camel Protection Foundation

BRISTOL UNIVERSITY WORM SURVEY

2010-05-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

Members will shortly receive a letter and short questionnaire from
Jacqueline Lusat of the University of Bristol, on the subject of worm
control in camelids.

Jacqueline's previous questionnaire study, on mange in camelids, received a
great response, and led to some important findings. These have now been
published, and a copy will be enclosed for those who are interested in the
outcome.

The worm questionnaire will try to find out how common health problems due
to worms and coccidia are in camelids in the UK, and what management systems
are commonly in place to control them. This is especially topical, with
drug resistance, and particularly dangerous parasites such as Haemonchus,
apparently on the rise in recent years. As with mange, there is a lot of
anecdotal information about, but not much solid data, hence the need for
this study.

We hope you will respond to the questionnaire if you are able, since the
results will really help to provide a basis for better parasite control
recommendations in camelids in the UK.

The study is being performed by Jacqueline Lusat

at the

Veterinary Parasitology and Ecology Group
School of Biological Sciences
University of Bristol
Woodland Road
Bristol, BS8 1UG
U.K.
Tel : 00 (44) 117 954 5948
FAX : 00 (44) 117 925 7374
Email : Jacqueline.Lusat@bristol.ac.uk

re TB Awareness meetings

2010-03-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

Members - please see in the members area of the Forum, under "Llama Health Info." for a follow up written by the BLS Health & Welfare representative, Liz Butler.

TB Awareness in Camelids

2010-01-20T13:28:00.000-08:00

TB Awareness Info Pack

Have I Got News for You - we most certainly have!

2009-10-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

BLS Llama Link magazine featured on the programme Have I Got News for You, aired 18 October - watch the 5 min clip below of the comedy show and see a couple of our headline articles causing much frivolity with Martin Clunes and the cast.

Biosecurity Recommendations for UK Camelid Farmers

2009-07-11T03:13:00.000-07:00

Given the recent emergence of several infectious diseases in the UK and the unknown effects of these diseases on South American Camelids, it seems prudent that camelid breeders take stock of their approach to biosecurity in order to protect these animals from disease This may mean changing some existing practices but the benefits of avoiding contact with disease should far outweigh any inconveniences faced. Members lo the British Veterinary Camelid Society have put these recommendations together,

The aim of "biosecurity` is to prevent the introduction and spread of disease in susceptible populations or herds lo animals. Mainly we are talking about viruses, bacteria and parasites Below is a list of potential diseases and organisms that may be spread from animal to animal:

Gastrointestinal parasites (including worms coccidia and fluke)
Skin parasites, especially Chorioptes mites
Bacterial pathogens (e.g. Strap zooepidemicus Salmonella)
Mycobacteria (including M bovis (TB) and M avium subsp paratuberculosis (Johne’s Disease)
Viruses (e.g. llama adenovirus, respiratory viruses. equine herpesvirus-1)
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus?
FMD?
Blue-tongue?

For the latter 3 viral diseases, the pathogenesis of potential disease in camelids and the effects of these viruses in terms of causing clinical disease in our species is largely unknown Further research is needed, but in the meantime, it would be prudent to include them in biosecurity considerations to try and minimize their effects. Essentially, biosecurity means protecting your existing herds from exposure to disease that may be brought in by new animals. and minimizing the risk oft spread of disease amongst newly introduced animals while also minimizing exposure to potential pathogens (disease-causing agents) that already exist on the farm. It is important to understand that animals may be clinically normal and showing no signs of disease while actually either incubating disease or being sub-clinically affected ‚ for example shedding coccidia although not having diarrhea. Therefore, it is not adequate merely to exclude animals that appear to be unhealthy as those that appear healthy (and may have passed veterinary health examinations) may still introduce disease onto your farm. A veterinary health certificate only shows that the animal appeared to be healthy at the time of the examination and does not certify the animal as free from disease It is also important to realize that the stress of moving animals from one farm to another, attending shows, changes in environmental conditions and social status can cause immune system suppression such that an animal that was previously healthy may be more susceptible to development of disease or may start to excrete the virus, bacterium or parasite, For example, it is quite common for an animal to have a negative fecal evaluation for parasites prior to transportation, and then several weeks later to find that the same animal has a clinically significant parasite burden, Commingling of animals at shows or while visiting breeding farms increases the potential exposure of animals to disease while also causing a certain degree of stress-induced immunosuppression For comparison, imagine a night spent on an aircraft traveling back from holiday - the effects of sleep deprivation (a stressor) suppress your immune system such that your body is less able to prevent the development of a cold from exposure to a cold virus breathed out by someone on the plane nearby.

We suggest following these practices:

1. Avoid introducing any animals that do not appear healthy to the rest of the herd.

2. Know the disease status lo any herd from which you are buying animals, or where your animals are being temporarily housed. Ask about current health status on the farm, but also previous problems with diseases such as gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, parasites…) respiratory disease, abortion, ill-thrift or failure of passive transfer. Knowing that a particular farm had a problem with diarrhea for example is not necessarily a problem; knowing that the problem was identified, diagnosed and correct treatment and prevention measures employed should be reassuring and also shows that the farm knows what they are doing!

3. Insist on the pre-movement testing (PMT) and treatment of animals prior to their arrival. This is to show that they are at least as healthy as your own animals and requires that you have that same knowledge of the health status of animals on your own farm. There is little point in demanding testing of incoming animals unless you know that your own animals are healthy! Testing might at a minimum involve PMT for bovine TB by the comparative intradermal skin test or blood test as agreed, for BVD antigen (not antibody), and the treatment for endoparasites if required. No farm without an obvious chorioptic mange problem should accept a new animal with active lesions.

4. Isolate and quarantine all new animals before introducing them to the herd This includes animals that have been to shows or off-farm for breeding purposes since they have been commingling with other animals. lf you are introducing solitary animals, you may wish to place herd animals in the quarantine area to reduce the separation stress - choose less valuable animals for this such as geldings, avoid using breeding or lactating females.

a) Recommended quarantine period 30 days. This is the gold standard DEFRA and WAG may well in future introduce post-movement standstill orders of 5-7 days

b) Operate an all-in, all-out policy such that all animals housed in the quarantine area leave quarantine at the same time The quarantine period only starts from the time the last animal entered. Do not have animals moving in and out of the quarantine area on an individual basis.

c) The location of the quarantine site should be physically separate from the main herd as well as its handling facilities and housing. Ideally this should be several hundred yards away if possible and positioned such that it is downwind from the main herd but at the very least. there should be a double fence-line between the groups in order to prevent direct contact.
d) On a larger facility, have different staff working with the quarantine group and do not have the same staff return to the main herd. If this is not possible, tend to the main herd before tending to the quarantine group.

e) Wear clothing and footwear that is dedicated to the quarantine group when tending to this group - must be washable (e.g. wellies okay suede or fabric workbooks are not) Color coding of overalls is an obvious and visible reminder.

f) Monitor the animals in quarantine on a daily basis. Monitor attitude, appetite, water consumption, urination and defecation as well as for any signs of coughing, discharge from the eyes or nose, diarrhea etc. Animals showing any signs of disease should be further separated from the rest of the animals in quarantine and evaluated by a vet.

g) Evaluate a fecal sample on entry to the facility and 3 weeks later Ideally fecal samples should be collected every 3 days and stored in the fridge (Cebra 2007) If there is a subsequent problem with parasite-related illness or excretion then the source of the infestation can be determined. Treatment should be done if animals are found to have significant parasite burdens and their faeces retested 14-21 days later.

5. Minimize exposure of herd to human visitors. lf visitors come to the farm, question them about exposure to other livestock and where they have come from and make sure that they come to the farm wearing clean clothes and boots. Provide visitors with overalls and either Wellington boots or overboots kept on the farm for this purpose. Make sure that hand-washing facilities are available and that they are used.

6. Maintain optimum condition of animals in the herd. This will make them less susceptible to disease.

under conditioning can cause problems
are provided. Mineral deficiencies can be responsible for disease problems in herds. Also, ensure that young growing stock receive sufficient vitamin D to prevent rickets
shelter from rain, wind, cold and snow in the winter. Appropriate bedding (e.g. straw) may also be necessary for protection from cold.

7. General cleaning and disinfection.

a) Personal hygiene to prevent transmission of pathogens between animals and from animals to humans (known as "zoonotic disease”).

Frequent hand washing with hot water and soap
Cleaning and disinfection of boots
Thorough washing of clothing used when caring for animals

b) Disinfection requires surfaces to be clean. All organic matter (faces, urine, milk, spit) must first be removed before disinfection can work on fences, floors, walls, clothing or hands. Disinfection may be difficult for certain organisms such as Cryptosporidia (which can also cause disease in humans) so is best avoided in the first place by following optimal biosecurity on the farm.

Reference:

Barrington GM et al. Biosecurity and biocontainment in alpaca operations. Small Rum Res 61 (2006).217-225 Cebra C. Update on parasitology. International Camel Conference, Oregon 2007

Claire E. Whitehead BVM&S MS DACVIM MRCVS

Health & Welfare Bulletin No.24 : Bovine Tuberculosis

2009-06-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

Dear BLS Member

Bovine TB is spreading out of control. Llamas are susceptible to bTB.

As many of you are aware there are an increasing number of llamas being found to have bovine TB. Although the mode of infection is as yet unknown, it is likely to be either llama to llama, cow to llama or badger to llama. This is very concerning especially as we, as an industry, do not have any workable systems in place to reduce the risk of infection.

TB is not caused by the owners lack of knowledge or by bad management. If you have infected animals you should not be embarrassed or ashamed. Our llamas and your fellow members need you to stand up and talk openly about your particular situation. This is the only way that others can become educated about the problem, how to handle it and what our rights are as llama owners.
What is needed from you

The BLS and the BAS have a meeting coming up shortly about bTB with the Government Minister in charge to put the camelid case to her. It would be very helpful if I could go knowing what it is that the members want.

I need your help to understand the extent of the problem. Unless those affected tell me who you are, I have no way of knowing how many of our members are affected. Your information will be treated in the strictest confidence, and will be known only to those on the board who are actively involved. As a relatively small industry we are much stronger when we talk as one. I can only do this if all those affected as well as those who may be in a hot spot come together and define what is required.

The first step is to let me know in the strictest confidence if you are affected. Please get in touch even if you think I already know.

You can email me: llamaliz@hotmail.com or call on 01737-823375. Once again, your information will be handled in confidence.

We, as representitives of the Camelid industry, can't go forward with this unless we know what you want. Those with infected herds know who you are. You have a duty to the greater livestock industry to eradicate bTB from your herds, to do this efficiently and effectively everyone needs to work together. Herds do recover from TB and there is light at the end of the tunnel. The future of llamas in the UK could be seriously damaged if we do not get to grips with this issue.
Thank you.
LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative

British Llama Society - a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 04897204.
Registered office: Mansion House, Princes Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1EP.