BLS News and Events

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 !!

Camelid Open Day

2012-01-27T22:14:00.000Z

An opportunity to enhance your knowledge relating to the health and wellbeing of camelids. A conference to be held on Saturday the 18 February 2012.

Dick White Referrals' camelid medicine consultant Karin Mueller, MRCVS, will speak on Parasites and give an update from the International Camelid Health Conference.

You will have the opportunity to take a Tour of the Facilities offered at Dick... White Referrals Centre of Veterinary Excellence.

PROGRAMME

9.30 Registration and coffee

10.00 Parasites
Which parasites can affect my animals, and how do I detect, treat and control them?
Concentrating on gut parasites, with a brief look at skin parasites such as mange

12.45 Lunch & Tour of the facilities at Dick White Referrals

13.30 Selected topics from the International Camelid Health Conference
Latest thinking on topics including dental disease, breeding management and pregnancy, drug usage, gut impaction in crias and dropped pasterns

15.00 Close

To register, please send your contact details (and any dietary restrictions) by 8th February to:

alpaca@dickwhitereferrals.com

Please note that places are limited: if after registering you find yourself unable to attend, please
inform us by e-mail to allow re-allocation of your place.

There is no charge for this event. Donations to the DWR Charitable Foundation are welcome.

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

BLS MEMBERS ..

2012-01-04T15:26:00.000Z

Remember - you can register your llamas, guanacos, vicunas and camels for FREE during January and February 2012.
The clock is ticking - send your applications to the registrar now. You can download a registration form from the members area
of The Forum or email the Registrar for a form at registrar@britishllamasociety.org

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

CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR FOR UP AND COMING EVENTS

2011-10-09T09:17:00.000+01:00

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

Llamas collect GCSE results !

2011-09-09T16:58:00.000+01:00

BLS member, Geraldine Hill was escorted by her Llamas when she collected GCSE results from her school, The Royal High School, Bath GDST. Clever Llamas !!

(and our special congratulations to Geraldine)

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.

Builth Wells Show

2011-06-18T19:23:00.000+01:00

Three members supported the show with their animals: Michelle Huxley, Hiliary Wilson and Kingsley Hawkins.
David Pryse and Allen Brown acted as Stewards.

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 32

2011-06-17T05:33:00.000+01:00

Below is today's news release regarding GB regaining bluetongue free status on July 5:

BTV FREEDOM NEWS RELEASE

The key points are:
Vaccination will be prohibited from July 5.
Exports: There will be no bluetongue restrictions on animals moving out of GB to other EU Member States from July 5. This means that vaccination or any other ‘Annex III conditions’ will no longer be required.
Imports: There is no change for imports into GB from countries/areas that are under bluetongue restrictions. All animals will continue to meet full ‘Annex III conditions’ unless they are direct moves to slaughter.
Post import testing : There is no change to the policy regarding post import testing.
It is vital that everybody involved in the industry remains vigilant for bluetongue, continues to source livestock responsibly and to notify their local Divisional Veterinary Manager of any suspicion of disease.
Below is an explanation for the press release:
GB to be declared BTV8 free on 5th July 2011

GB has remained part of a Protection Zone for BTV8 since our first case of
disease in 2007. In June 2010 GB changed its status to Lower Risk Zone for
BTV8 which offered protection against the risk of disease from imported animals,
and was an important step toward BTV freedom.

EU requirements necessitate 2 years of evidence to demonstrate no active
disease circulation before BTV freedom can be declared. The results of our
bluetongue surveillance in 2009 and 2010 showed that all samples were
negative for all BTV serotypes, and the European Commission has accepted
GB’s case for BTV free status.

The BTV8 zones across England, Scotland and Wales will be removed on
5th July 2011, and all bluetongue restrictions on exporting sheep and cattle
from Great Britain will be lifted from this date. This means that a vaccination
against BTV8 will no longer be required before export from GB.

The Bluetongue situation in the rest of Europe also appears to have improved
significantly with no reports of active BTV8 circulation in any Northern EU
Member State. BTV Experts have advised that the threat of disease entering GB
via an imported animal or via windborne incursion appears to have reduced
considerably. Hungary, Austria, Denmark and Sweden have all declared disease
freedom recently.

The stringent conditions for animals imported from other Bluetongue zones
will remain in place. We will also continue to test high risk imports. It is vital that
livestock keepers continue to source responsibly and check the health and
vaccination status of their animals.

Currently the EU Bluetongue Directive (Council Directive 2000/75 /EC) only
permits vaccination against bluetongue within a protection zone. This means
that when GB is declared free of BTV8, vaccination will no longer be
permitted. Should any livestock keepers wish to vaccinate their stock, they
should do so before 5th July 2011 when the BTV8 zone is lifted.

We had anticipated amendments to the Bluetongue Directive which would permit
vaccination in bluetongue free areas, however these changes at European level
have been delayed and are now not expected until Autumn 2011. The
Government is continuing to press for changes at European level so vaccination
can be used more flexibly in future.

If and when changes are made, vaccination will be permitted once more across
GB, potentially for a wider range of serotypes. We will keep livestock keepers up
to date on latest developments with the Bluetongue Directive, and continue to
provide information on the latest disease situation in Europe.

Information on BTV Zones across the EU can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bt_restrictedzonesmap.
jpg

All livestock keepers are reminded that suspicion of bluetongue disease must be
notified immediately to your local Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories
Agency Office.

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative

Health and Welfare Bulletin No. 31

2011-06-11T15:28:00.000+01:00

ANNUAL VACCINATIONS:
Are you animals up to date with their regular vaccinations ?

WORMING:
A number of you re-locate your animals to their summer grazing at this time of year. Check for worms before you move them. Either worm them or send samples to your vet for analysis. There is no point in taking worms to new pastures when it is so easy to prevent.

FLYSTRIKE:
Due to the weather conditions we have already had a number of instances of flystrike. Check your animals regularly. Look under the tail first as flies need warm, damp conditions to lay their eggs but look all over the animal.

SHEARING:
Although llamas do not necessarily need to be shorn, I have seen a number of animals recently that have long, very matted coats. It is not good for them to be like this. The wind blows and picks up the matt’s and the rain gets to the skin and that is when they get cold. Also it is difficult to see if your llama is loosing weight or if it gets fly strike, Think about having your animals shorn. There are a number of camelid shearers who are happy to shear llamas.

FEED:
Winter hay is going to be short again this year especially in the south and south east. Now is the time to contact your local farmer and put your order in. If you have space to store hay, ask if you can pick it up from the field as it may cost less. Last winter hay was being sold for as much as £10 per small bale, let’s hope we don’t have those prices this year !!

MICROCHIPS:
I still have a small supply of microchips at a cost of £4.15 each. Please send a cheque made out to British Llama Society together with a self addressed stamped jiffy bag if you wish to purchase any, to me at Nutfield Park Farm, South Nutfield, REDHILL, Surrey RH1 5PA.

LIZ BUTLER
Vice Chairman BLS & Health & Welfare Representative

AND HERE'S ANOTHER THING ....

2011-06-11T15:19:00.000+01:00

... in the Andean civilisation, Llamas are thought to accompany the dead into the next world. Well there's a treat !

DID YOU KNOW ?

2011-05-21T15:47:00.000+01:00

that Fly makers enjoy using llama hair because it floats and also traps tiny air bubbles that resemble the small creatures the fisherman are trying to imitate to tempt the fish !!!

NORTH SOMERSET AGRICULTURAL SHOW

2011-05-05T19:15:00.000+01:00

On the 2nd May 2011, a sunny and breezy day at the North Somerset Showground, saw llama and guanaco entries double from last year. 6 farms brought 22 animals, and it is hoped the numbers could rise again in 2012.

The North Somerset has run llama classes for two decades – longer than any other British show, and this success is down to the continuing efforts of Norma Chandler Paterson.

Show classes began at 10am with the young male class which was won by Norma’s Grey and three hours later Mary Pryse brought proceedings to a close in winning the obstacle race with Charlie.

The Championship was awarded to Robert Dewar and his 21 month old female llama Golden Valley Hetty Pegler.

Llama owners spent the afternoon talking to visitors to the show and chatted to other owners about the usual range of issues that always crop up when llama owners meet.

It was a very good day out for llamas and owners alike. The road links are decent with the showground being situated close to the M5 and with so many BLS members in the South West there is every opportunity to attend with llamas or visit and meet fellow owners.

(Many thanks to Robert & Amanda Dewar for this article)

MINUTES OF THE AGM 12 March 2011

2011-03-21T19:30:00.000Z

Minutes and Reports of the BLS AGM presented are available in the members area of the Forum.

MICROCHIPS

2011-03-13T16:43:00.000Z

Microchips for llamas are available to members of the BLS at cost price. Contact llamaliz@hotmail.com