Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
笑口常開~~天天開心
tanslated............Smiling and happy every day ~ ~
and yet i feel my personal world is falling apart, and i do not know anylonger.
how much more ican physically take
and yet i feel my personal world is falling apart, and i do not know anylonger.
how much more ican physically take
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR FIBRE?
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(HALF OF OUR ULTRAFINE FIBRE FOR A YEARS GROWTH.......SO WE ARE PRODUCING WHAT THE MARKETPLACE IS CALLING FOR!AS I WAS SAYING IN MY BLOG YESTERDAY, THERE IS A MARKET FOR OUR FIBRE, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING HARD, THAT DESERVE RECONITION FOR THEIR EFFORTS.
BELOW WITH PERMISSION OF PAUL TO PUBLISH THIS LETTER.
tHERE IS A MARKET FOR YOUR FIBRE, AND THERE IS A MARKET FOR THE ALPACAS THAT PRODUCE THAT FIBRE.
aLL ALPACAS WILL PRODUCE THE BEST FIBRE THEY CAN PRODUCE IN THE FIRST TWO TO THREE YEARS, AND THEN WITH THE DRAIN OF PRODUCING PROGENY (MALE OR FEMALE), THEIR MICRONS MAY STILL COME UP WELL ON HISTOGRAMS, BUT THEIR FLEECE MAY NOT APPEAR AS GOOD AS WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER.
bUT THEIR PROGENY IS WHAT WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT, THESE ARE THE ALPACAS THAT ARE HIGHLIGHTED AS PRODUCERS OF THE FIBRE THAT WE ARE SEEKING TO MAKE WHAT ALPACAS ARE FAMOUS FOR, THE MOST LUXURIOUS FIBRE IN THE WORLD, WITH QUALITIES OTHER FIBRES DO NOT EXHIBIT.
PLEASE READ THIS LETTER FROM PAUL, AND IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE FIBRE THAT WILL MAKE THE GRADE ALSO IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND BETWEEN THE NUMBERS YOU CAN MAKE UP A FEW BALES, THAT HAVE MET THIS GRADE THEN AGAIN WE CAN SOURCE THIS FIBRE ( THAT HAS BEEN WELL SCRUTINISED AND SORTED TO MAKE THE ULTRAFINE BALE), BUT ALSO YOU ARE RECONISING WHAT ALPACAS YOU ARE WANTING TO KEEP AS YOUR PREMIUM PRODUCERS, (WHETHER IT BE FIBRE OR PRODUCERS OF THE PREMIUM FIBRED PROGENY).
lOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE.
Dear alpaca breeder,
I am writing to you as you are either a contributor to the Ultrafine Bale Scheme, or someone who has previously indicated interest in breeding alpacas for the premium end of the fibre industry.
Since the commencement of the Ultrafine Bale Scheme and the 'Premium Alpaca' workshops, AAFT has continually received requests for recommendations on which particular stud males and females should be purchased in order to breed towards premium fibre. Some requests have come from overseas. In all cases, I have had to resist making any recommendations in order to comply with Fair Trading legislati.jpg)
on and normal business ethics. Clearly, however, it would be in the best interests of the alpaca fibre industry that we facilitate trading of those alpacas that are suited to this prestigious market. At the moment, there is no facility that focuses on such alpacas, nor is there a facility that incorporates a test for a 'minimum standard' when trading alpacas.
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on and normal business ethics. Clearly, however, it would be in the best interests of the alpaca fibre industry that we facilitate trading of those alpacas that are suited to this prestigious market. At the moment, there is no facility that focuses on such alpacas, nor is there a facility that incorporates a test for a 'minimum standard' when trading alpacas.Consequently, AAFT will be creating the 'Premium Alpaca Marketplace' page on our website ( www.aaft.com.au ). The page should be running within one week. The idea is that prospective buyers can list the specifications of alpacas they would like to purchase, while prospective sellers can list alpacas they have for sale. The proviso for listing alpacas (wanted or for sale) is that they be suitable for breeding towards premium fleece, and therefore, should refer to AFD, SD and comfort factor stat's. Obviously, we would like to see GIFT test analysis as a criteria for selection, although we will not make this mandatory, (see 'GIFT testing' on our website). Any alpaca listed for sale must have a recent AAFT fibre test completed. The determination of suitability for breeding premium fleece will be made by me, and will be based on subjective and objective appraisal of available traits.
The Premium Alpaca Marketplace service will be provided at no charge. To insert details of alpaca/s you want to buy or sell, simply email me with the details of the alpaca/s (max of 40 words) and your contact particulars. Breeders will make direct contact with the other breeder to effect any sale. When you have bought the relevant alpaca/s or, alternatively, sold the alpaca/s, let us know so we can update the page.
I should make it clear that AAFT will not be accepting the role of broker, nor will be taking any responsibility for any decisions made in relation to the trading of alpacas from such service. However, all relevant fibre test results will include our usual 'Statement of Assurance'.
I hope you eventually find this service of benefit to your alpaca breeding. As many of you know, it is something I have talked about for a long time.
By the way, AAFT will have a stand at the 2010 National Show at Tamworth where we will have an update on the Ultrafine Scheme and, hopefully, some product to show you. I hope to see you there.
Kind regards
Paul
Paul Vallely
Australian Alpaca Fibre Testing
PO Box 246
Crookwell, NSW. 2583
Australia
Ph: (61) 2 48342132
Website: www.aaft.com.au
Email: info@aaft.com.au
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Talking to a marketing man today
I usually say no thank you, but this man did have a few good points to look at.
When you have your own home business.....that is us, and any other alpaca business.
You have two things that you must consider
Goals Objectives
*Long term- you are in this for the long run
*to make money straight away or as soon as possible
*you have a niche market to attract customers
you want your customers to come back
which creates base repeat business
Your Objectives Is to make money as soon as you can.
(this is the business point of view)
if i relate this also to alpaca breeding,
you want to make gains in fibre density, fineness,and your own initial goals
you want the Industry to grow, and also the end product, we all want to able to work together to gain a fibre that the marketplace wants
to benefit all countries
the biggest thing to remember, is that if you are doing a home business.
COMMITMENT
YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER SOMETHING, THAT PEOPLE WANT
AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN AUDIENCE, TO LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER.
As ALLOT IS DONE OVER THE INTERNET THESE DAYS,
ALLOT IS DONE THROUGH REFERRAL.BY EMAIL
SEARCHING
SEARCH ENGINES
BUT IN REALITY, MOST HOME BUSINESSES DO NOT SURVIVE WHY?
THEY HAVE GOALS AND DREAMS,
THEY FAIL, BECAUSE OF LACK OF COMMITMENT TO ACHEIVE.
I BELIEVE IN THE ALPACA INDUSTRY THERE IS A LOT OF COMMITMENT, BUT THERE IS ALSO ALOT OF NEGATIVITY,,,, WHICH SELF DESTRUCTS ALOT OF VERY GOOD BREEDERS.
THE ONES THAT FAIL, WILL HAVE AN EXCUSE, I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME..
BUT IT TAKES COMMITMENT TO ACHEIVE,
SECOND THING THEY LACK WILL BE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.
YOU ALSO NEED TOOLS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ACHEIVE.
THEN CAME THE SALES PITCH.....WHICH I TURNED OFF, BECAUSE $1,0000'S OF DOLLARS COULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME.
WELL, THAT PART THEY LOST ME.
BUT SO MANY IMPORTANT POINTS THIS MAN DID USE, WHICH I RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY.
A RECENT DISCUSSION ON FACEBOOK HIGHLIGHTS THAT EACH OF OUR COUNTRIES, HAVE THEIR OWN GOALS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS, BEACH BREEDER IN EACH OF THESE COUNTRIES, HAVE THEIR OWN GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, BE IT FINANCIAL OR BREEDING GOALS,. BUT WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOALS. AND EACH COUNTRY HAS IT'S OWN GOALS.
MAYBE THE COMMITMENT WE PUT INTO OUR OWN BREEDING GOALS, WE NEED THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TOOLS, TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.
BUT MAYBE ON AN ASSOCIATION LEVEL, ARE THESE EVER HIGHLIGHTED, AS EACH BREEDER HAVE SIMILAR GOALS AND WANTS IN FINANCIAL GAIN AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT ARE THE ASSOCIATIONS ALSO THE SAME GOALS FOR THEIR MEMBERS.
WE CANNOT RELY ON EACH ASSOCIATION TO DO THE HARD WORK FOR US, BUT FOR ALL OF US TO ACHEIVE OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, WE DO NEED THE ASSOCIATIONS TO ALSO REALISE WHAT THE BREEDERS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE, AND TO ACHEIVE THESE, WE NEED NEW BREEDERS TO ENTER THE MARKETPLACE.
we ALSO NEED THE END PRODUCT, WHICH SOME SMALL BREEDERS, LIKE OURSELVES AT ONE STAGE, OUTLAY ALOT OF MONEY TO HAVE THE END PRODUCT AS STOCK, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO UNIFY MORE AS AN INDUSTRY WORLD WIDE, NOT JUST PER COUNTRY TO ACHEIVE THIS INDUSTRY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
eVEN AFTER 20 YEARS IN THIS INDUSTRY, MY COMMITMENT HAS NOT DIMINISHED, ALTHOUGH AT TIMES HAS BEEN DAMPENED, BUT DAMPENED BY SOME PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY,.
MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF, AND OUR DAUGHTER, STILL BELIEVE WE ARE PRODUCING THE BEST PRODUCT IN THE WORLD, ALPACA FIBRE HAS SO MANY QUALITIES, AND THE ANIMALS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, AND REWARDING TO FARM.
WE ALL GET DOWN FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT IN ALL INDUSTRIES, THERE ARE UPS AND DOWNS , THIS INDUSTRY STARTED IN AUSTRALIA, THROUGH OUR GREATEST DEPRESSION IN MY LIFETIME, WHEN UNDER THE THEN AUSTRALIAN LEADERSHIP, THE PEOPLE, STILL SHIVER IN OUR BOOTS, WHEN OUR INTEREST RATE ON OUR HOUSING LOANS WHEN WE SIGNED UP FOR THE LOANS WERE 6% WENT UP TO 20%, WHEN IT WAS VERY HARD TO LIVE, AND MANY INDUSTRIES STRUGGLED, THEN WE WENT THROUGH OUR INDUSTRIES GOING THROUGH A BOOM BUST STAGE, LIKE THE OSTRICH, EMU, AND DEER INDUSTRIES. we SURVIVED THAT, AND AS THE COUNTRY FLOURISHED, AND THEN WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SMALL DEPRESSION,
the ALPACA industry SURVIVED WHERE OTHERS FAILED.
THERE ARE STILL SOME OF THE ORIGINAL BREEDERS LEFT, MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER BEING SOME OF THE FEW THAT ARE LEFT, AND WHY ARE E THERE, BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE THAT COMMITMENT.
I THINK ALOT OF WHAT THIS MARKETING MAN HAD SOME GOOD POINTS, YOU MAY NIT AGREE WITH ME
but I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND NOT AGAINST EACH OTHER, WE MAY BE DISTANCES APART, BUT ALL TOGETHER WE CAN PROMOTE ALPACA WORLDWIDE.
O
When you have your own home business.....that is us, and any other alpaca business.
You have two things that you must consider
Goals Objectives
*Long term- you are in this for the long run
*to make money straight away or as soon as possible
*you have a niche market to attract customers
you want your customers to come back
which creates base repeat business
Your Objectives Is to make money as soon as you can.
(this is the business point of view)
if i relate this also to alpaca breeding,
you want to make gains in fibre density, fineness,and your own initial goals
you want the Industry to grow, and also the end product, we all want to able to work together to gain a fibre that the marketplace wants
to benefit all countries
the biggest thing to remember, is that if you are doing a home business.
COMMITMENT
YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER SOMETHING, THAT PEOPLE WANT
AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN AUDIENCE, TO LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER.
As ALLOT IS DONE OVER THE INTERNET THESE DAYS,
ALLOT IS DONE THROUGH REFERRAL.BY EMAIL
SEARCHING
SEARCH ENGINES
BUT IN REALITY, MOST HOME BUSINESSES DO NOT SURVIVE WHY?
THEY HAVE GOALS AND DREAMS,
THEY FAIL, BECAUSE OF LACK OF COMMITMENT TO ACHEIVE.
I BELIEVE IN THE ALPACA INDUSTRY THERE IS A LOT OF COMMITMENT, BUT THERE IS ALSO ALOT OF NEGATIVITY,,,, WHICH SELF DESTRUCTS ALOT OF VERY GOOD BREEDERS.
THE ONES THAT FAIL, WILL HAVE AN EXCUSE, I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME..
BUT IT TAKES COMMITMENT TO ACHEIVE,
SECOND THING THEY LACK WILL BE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS.
YOU ALSO NEED TOOLS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ACHEIVE.
THEN CAME THE SALES PITCH.....WHICH I TURNED OFF, BECAUSE $1,0000'S OF DOLLARS COULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME.
WELL, THAT PART THEY LOST ME.
BUT SO MANY IMPORTANT POINTS THIS MAN DID USE, WHICH I RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY.
A RECENT DISCUSSION ON FACEBOOK HIGHLIGHTS THAT EACH OF OUR COUNTRIES, HAVE THEIR OWN GOALS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS, BEACH BREEDER IN EACH OF THESE COUNTRIES, HAVE THEIR OWN GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, BE IT FINANCIAL OR BREEDING GOALS,. BUT WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOALS. AND EACH COUNTRY HAS IT'S OWN GOALS.
MAYBE THE COMMITMENT WE PUT INTO OUR OWN BREEDING GOALS, WE NEED THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TOOLS, TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.
BUT MAYBE ON AN ASSOCIATION LEVEL, ARE THESE EVER HIGHLIGHTED, AS EACH BREEDER HAVE SIMILAR GOALS AND WANTS IN FINANCIAL GAIN AT THE END OF THE DAY, BUT ARE THE ASSOCIATIONS ALSO THE SAME GOALS FOR THEIR MEMBERS.
WE CANNOT RELY ON EACH ASSOCIATION TO DO THE HARD WORK FOR US, BUT FOR ALL OF US TO ACHEIVE OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, WE DO NEED THE ASSOCIATIONS TO ALSO REALISE WHAT THE BREEDERS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARE, AND TO ACHEIVE THESE, WE NEED NEW BREEDERS TO ENTER THE MARKETPLACE.
we ALSO NEED THE END PRODUCT, WHICH SOME SMALL BREEDERS, LIKE OURSELVES AT ONE STAGE, OUTLAY ALOT OF MONEY TO HAVE THE END PRODUCT AS STOCK, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO UNIFY MORE AS AN INDUSTRY WORLD WIDE, NOT JUST PER COUNTRY TO ACHEIVE THIS INDUSTRY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
eVEN AFTER 20 YEARS IN THIS INDUSTRY, MY COMMITMENT HAS NOT DIMINISHED, ALTHOUGH AT TIMES HAS BEEN DAMPENED, BUT DAMPENED BY SOME PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY,.
MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF, AND OUR DAUGHTER, STILL BELIEVE WE ARE PRODUCING THE BEST PRODUCT IN THE WORLD, ALPACA FIBRE HAS SO MANY QUALITIES, AND THE ANIMALS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL, AND REWARDING TO FARM.
WE ALL GET DOWN FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT IN ALL INDUSTRIES, THERE ARE UPS AND DOWNS , THIS INDUSTRY STARTED IN AUSTRALIA, THROUGH OUR GREATEST DEPRESSION IN MY LIFETIME, WHEN UNDER THE THEN AUSTRALIAN LEADERSHIP, THE PEOPLE, STILL SHIVER IN OUR BOOTS, WHEN OUR INTEREST RATE ON OUR HOUSING LOANS WHEN WE SIGNED UP FOR THE LOANS WERE 6% WENT UP TO 20%, WHEN IT WAS VERY HARD TO LIVE, AND MANY INDUSTRIES STRUGGLED, THEN WE WENT THROUGH OUR INDUSTRIES GOING THROUGH A BOOM BUST STAGE, LIKE THE OSTRICH, EMU, AND DEER INDUSTRIES. we SURVIVED THAT, AND AS THE COUNTRY FLOURISHED, AND THEN WENT THROUGH ANOTHER SMALL DEPRESSION,
the ALPACA industry SURVIVED WHERE OTHERS FAILED.
THERE ARE STILL SOME OF THE ORIGINAL BREEDERS LEFT, MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER BEING SOME OF THE FEW THAT ARE LEFT, AND WHY ARE E THERE, BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE THAT COMMITMENT.
I THINK ALOT OF WHAT THIS MARKETING MAN HAD SOME GOOD POINTS, YOU MAY NIT AGREE WITH ME
but I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND NOT AGAINST EACH OTHER, WE MAY BE DISTANCES APART, BUT ALL TOGETHER WE CAN PROMOTE ALPACA WORLDWIDE.
O
Saturday, August 7, 2010
AIRFREIGHT TO NZ FOR ANY EXPORT, LIVE GOAT, SHEEP ALPACA
WE CAN STILL OFFER THE SAME EXPORT SERVICE, AT THIS STAGE SAME COST AS PREVIOUSLY FOR EXPORT OF THE CATTLE, SHEEP, ALPACA, & GOATS, AT THE SAME PRICE PREVIOUSLY. IF YOU ARE IN NEW ZEALAND, AND STILL WANT TO PURCHASE AUSTRALIAN ALPACAS, GOATS, AND SHEEP, WE CAN STILL OFFER THE SAME SERVICE, (NUMBERS TO BE CONSIDERED), AND NOW WE CAN OFF A FLIGHT THROUGH TO CHRISTCHURCH FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.
SO DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT RAELENE IF YOU NEED A QUOTE
Friday, August 6, 2010
TB in Alpacas: Side effects following the skin test
TB in Alpacas: Side effects following the skin test: "Dianne Summers of the TB Support Group has asked us to post the following video and message. I urge everyone to watch the attached video ..."
I urge everyone to watch the attached video that is involved in TB Skin testing on camelids.
If you know of anyone who isn’t in the TB Support Group who is going through herd testing or considering having the skin test done privately please forward them this document and video
If you know of any vets who are involved with TB testing in camelids please forward it to them.
I have also sent it to B.A.S. ,B.C.L., B.L.S. and B.V.C.S. and hope they put it on their respective websites.
In March this year I added a question on the monthly data forms asking if any of the group had alpacas or llamas which suffered any side effects following the skin test. I was astonished with the response and at how many had witnessed the same experience that I had. .
I have just received the attached video sent to us by a member of the group that shows the dramatic reaction of one alpaca following her skin test jabs in Dec 09.
Please note when you watch the video the owner means the skin test jab when he states injection.
1. From those in touch with the Camelid TB Support Group we have 22 alpacas which suffered this same dramatic reaction. Remember not all herds under restriction are in touch with us so I strongly believe there may be many more that have experienced this.
2. Prior to the skin test jab ALL 22 had no outward signs or symptoms
3. Within hours of the test 22 suffered this dramatic reaction – not all were necessarily immediately after but all of them were the same day as the test.
4. From this 22 – 4 died or were euthanized before the skin test was read (within 72 hours)
The remaining 18 including the alpaca in the video appeared to fully recover the next day.
These remaining 18 then went on to either fail a blood test – or later were euthanized
due to showing clinical signs or died.
5. All 22 had Tb lesions on Post mortem examination only 3 of the 22 failed the skin test.
Therefore in these cases this side effect is more accurate than the skin test result itself. It is therefore extremely important.
6. Before you jump to the wrong conclusion and think the skin test jab has given these animals Tb, this is not the case. ALL these alpacas were found on post mortem to have advanced Tb lesions and for some unknown reason had experienced this dramatic reaction. Many leading vets have already suggested anaphylactic shock.
7. Those owners that carried out the Chembio Rapid Stat Pak test or Gamma test within 10 – 30 days following the skin test - the blood tests picked up ALL the animals that had this dramatic reaction. Owners who didn’t have blood test done had to endure either the alpaca dying or developing severe clinical signs which required euthanasia on welfare grounds..
Therefore, please monitor your herd very closely following the skin test procedure. If you hadn’t checked them until the next day you could have easily missed the fact that one or more of your herd had suffered this side effect because most of them appear to have fully recovered the next day.
If you experience this in your herd I strongly recommend you remove them from the rest of the group together with a companion to an isolation paddock or into your watch group with no nose to nose contact with your remaining herd or neighbouring livestock and do not return to your herd.
I urge all Vets or AHos who are conducting TB skin testing in camelids to make the owners aware of this side effect and strongly advise the owner to monitor the herd very closely.
I had one alpaca have this side effect on my first skin test in Jan 2009 and again on the next skin test 90 days later – and both times fully recovered by the next day. He then failed the Chembio Rapid following the second round of skin tests. Both my vet and AHO were unaware of any side effects following the skin test and they both thought it must be stress. At the time having only lost one alpaca before this to TB I didn’t make any connection nor was I aware of any other alpaca owner who had experienced this.
If I had received this email back in January 2009 not only would I have understood why my alpaca had this reaction but I would have certainly adopted a totally different approach. I hope this helps you do the same. It’s a classic example of “If I knew then what I know now”
Once again – the gathering of data such as this is vital and it is helping others make important decisions and we have to thank the people in the Tb Support group who religiously send in their monthly data to us – and to the member of the group who sent us this video.
For those reading this and not in touch with the Tb Support Group who have had camelids or their clients camelids with the same experience or perhaps other side effects please contact either myself or Dr Gina Bromage and let us know. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. We also welcome input and comments from industry professionals.
We are hoping to have this ‘Side Effect’ data written up as a paper for wider circulation in the veterinary press.
Dianne Summers summersdianne@yahoo.com 01209 822422
Gina Bromage MA, Vet MB, DVM, MRCVS ginabromage@googlemail.com
Camelid TB Support Group
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Side effects following the skin test
Dianne Summers of the TB Support Group has asked us to post the following video and message.
I urge everyone to watch the attached video that is involved in TB Skin testing on camelids.
If you know of anyone who isn’t in the TB Support Group who is going through herd testing or considering having the skin test done privately please forward them this document and video
If you know of any vets who are involved with TB testing in camelids please forward it to them.
I have also sent it to B.A.S. ,B.C.L., B.L.S. and B.V.C.S. and hope they put it on their respective websites.
In March this year I added a question on the monthly data forms asking if any of the group had alpacas or llamas which suffered any side effects following the skin test. I was astonished with the response and at how many had witnessed the same experience that I had. .
I have just received the attached video sent to us by a member of the group that shows the dramatic reaction of one alpaca following her skin test jabs in Dec 09.
Please note when you watch the video the owner means the skin test jab when he states injection.
1. From those in touch with the Camelid TB Support Group we have 22 alpacas which suffered this same dramatic reaction. Remember not all herds under restriction are in touch with us so I strongly believe there may be many more that have experienced this.
2. Prior to the skin test jab ALL 22 had no outward signs or symptoms
3. Within hours of the test 22 suffered this dramatic reaction – not all were necessarily immediately after but all of them were the same day as the test.
4. From this 22 – 4 died or were euthanized before the skin test was read (within 72 hours)
The remaining 18 including the alpaca in the video appeared to fully recover the next day.
These remaining 18 then went on to either fail a blood test – or later were euthanized
due to showing clinical signs or died.
5. All 22 had Tb lesions on Post mortem examination only 3 of the 22 failed the skin test.
Therefore in these cases this side effect is more accurate than the skin test result itself. It is therefore extremely important.
6. Before you jump to the wrong conclusion and think the skin test jab has given these animals Tb, this is not the case. ALL these alpacas were found on post mortem to have advanced Tb lesions and for some unknown reason had experienced this dramatic reaction. Many leading vets have already suggested anaphylactic shock.
7. Those owners that carried out the Chembio Rapid Stat Pak test or Gamma test within 10 – 30 days following the skin test - the blood tests picked up ALL the animals that had this dramatic reaction. Owners who didn’t have blood test done had to endure either the alpaca dying or developing severe clinical signs which required euthanasia on welfare grounds..
Therefore, please monitor your herd very closely following the skin test procedure. If you hadn’t checked them until the next day you could have easily missed the fact that one or more of your herd had suffered this side effect because most of them appear to have fully recovered the next day.
If you experience this in your herd I strongly recommend you remove them from the rest of the group together with a companion to an isolation paddock or into your watch group with no nose to nose contact with your remaining herd or neighbouring livestock and do not return to your herd.
I urge all Vets or AHos who are conducting TB skin testing in camelids to make the owners aware of this side effect and strongly advise the owner to monitor the herd very closely.
I had one alpaca have this side effect on my first skin test in Jan 2009 and again on the next skin test 90 days later – and both times fully recovered by the next day. He then failed the Chembio Rapid following the second round of skin tests. Both my vet and AHO were unaware of any side effects following the skin test and they both thought it must be stress. At the time having only lost one alpaca before this to TB I didn’t make any connection nor was I aware of any other alpaca owner who had experienced this.
If I had received this email back in January 2009 not only would I have understood why my alpaca had this reaction but I would have certainly adopted a totally different approach. I hope this helps you do the same. It’s a classic example of “If I knew then what I know now”
Once again – the gathering of data such as this is vital and it is helping others make important decisions and we have to thank the people in the Tb Support group who religiously send in their monthly data to us – and to the member of the group who sent us this video.
For those reading this and not in touch with the Tb Support Group who have had camelids or their clients camelids with the same experience or perhaps other side effects please contact either myself or Dr Gina Bromage and let us know. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence. We also welcome input and comments from industry professionals.
We are hoping to have this ‘Side Effect’ data written up as a paper for wider circulation in the veterinary press.
Dianne Summers summersdianne@yahoo.com 01209 822422
Gina Bromage MA, Vet MB, DVM, MRCVS ginabromage@googlemail.com
Camelid TB Support Group
HOW QUICKLY CAN AIRBORNE DISEASE SPREAD
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jUST LAST NIGHT, I WENT TO BED EARLY, IT HAD BEEN A HUGE DAY, AND I JUST COLLAPSED INTO BED, TURNED THE TV ON, AND THE GREAT POTATO FAMINE OF IRELAND AROUND1845 WAS ON.IT SHOWED ME HOW QUICKLY ANY AIRBORNE DISEASE OR FUNGUS CAN SPREAD.
AS MOST OF THE COUNTRY OF IRELAND WAS FED ON POTATO, AND APPARANTLY ONLY ONE SPECIES OF POTATO, AND IT WAS BASICALLY THEIR STAPLE DIET AT THAT TIME.
IT IS ASSUMED THAT A SHIP THAT VISITED IRELAND HAD AN AIR BORNE FUNGUS ON IT, WHICH IN 3 WEEKS SPREAD TO EVERY CROP OF POTATOES IN IRELAND.
THIS SHOWED ME TWO THINGS.
FIRSTLY, HOW QUICKLY AN AIR-BORNE DISEASE OR FUNGUS CAN SPREAD, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS TO ME HOW QUICKLY IF LOW BIOSECURITY IS ON THE FARM, THAT TB COULD SPREAD.
i AM ONLY WRITING THIS BLOG, TO HELP THOSE IN THE TB GROUP HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SPREAD THE WORD.
MY SECOND THOUGHT FROM THIS PROGRAM WAS TO DIVERSIFY.
BEING A FARMER, AND OUR ONNLY INCOME CURRENTLY IS ON THE LAND, YOU NEED TO DIVERSIFY AND NOT COUNT ON JUST ONE THING.
I THINK THAT DIANNE SUMMERS IS SUCH A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR THE ALPACA INDUSTRY, AND HER BRAVERY OF GETTING UP AND EDUCATING EVERYONE ABOUT TB, STANDING UP TO HELP OTHERS, THROUGH HER OWN LOSS, I BELIEVE SHE NEEDS AN AWARD.
Diseases recognised that Alpacas can contract
VLA Miscellaneous Exotic and Farmed
Species Expert Group
South American Camelids
Veterinary Information Sheet
Aide memoire for the diagnosis of
common disease syndromes
These differential diagnoses are not an exclusive list.
Other conditions may be involved and the results of
any tests must take into account the history including
feeding regime and clinical signs.
Condition Main differential diagnoses Samples
Skin disease
Parasites (Chorioptes, Psoroptes
scabies, Demodex, harvest mites, lice)
Abscesses / CLA
Dermatophytosis / ringworm
Dermatophilus
Orf (uncommon)
Neoplasia
*Superficial and deep skin scrapes and hair plucks
from number of sites especially interdigital areas
* Deep swab or tissue sample by biopsy for culture
Hair pluck and skin scale for culture
* Fresh moist crust and scale with hair pluck for
cytology and culture
Formalin-fixed and fresh skin tissue samples for
histopathology and electron microscopy
Formalin-fixed skin tissue
Abortion
Salmonellosis, Campylobacter, BVD,
neosporosis, opportunist bacteria,
Chlamydophila, toxoplasmosis,
leptospirosis, Brucella, infectious
causes are not common
In all cases: fetus, placenta and maternal serum
Ill-thrift / weight loss
Dentition
BVD
Trace element deficiency (rare except
copper)
Malnutrition
Worms / coccidia
Liver fluke
TB
Johne's disease (uncommon)
Clinical examination (radiography)
Plasma / serum for PCR and SNT respectively
Plasma and serum (EDTA for haematology with Cu)
Assess diet and history - serum, EDTA, heparin,
Ox-F bloods may help to rule out other primary
conditions
Faeces
Faeces and serum for liver enzymes
Discharging sinus from subcutaneous lymph node;
carcase – ZN, histopathology, culture
Faeces (ZN smear, culture & PCR) and serum
(AGIDT - Limited sensitivity)
Alimentary Disease
Young stock
Coccidia, parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE),
cryptosporidia, rotavirus, coronavirus,
Salmonella, E. coli
Faeces for routine parasitology and culture as
appropriate
Adults
Liver fluke / PGE / coccidia
Gastric ulcer
Hepatic lipidosis
Faeces (and serum for liver enzymes) for
parasitology
No specific tests. Faeces, serum, EDTA, heparin
and Ox-F bloods to rule out other disease
Carcase, liver histopathology, serum, Ox-F blood
June 2010
This link can be viewed from the
http://tbinalpacas.blogspot.com/2010/08/diagnostic-tests-available-at-vla.html
i congratulate the Tb group in Uk, who keep everyone well informed.
But vitally important is to reconise which diseases Alpacas are susceptible.
GIFT
New fibre analysis technology released
In 2005, Australian Alpaca Fibre Testing (A
a wedge into the world’s premium fibre industry by creating
Owner of A
While A
The ideal behind Premium Alpaca Fleece is to produce fleeces with attributes that are most valued by fibre buyers, spinners and processors in order to establish a truly viable and sustainable alpaca fibre industry. The aim is to offset the high logistic costs associated with low volume, by developing a high value product.
According to
Unfortunately, existing technologies and practices fall short of providing adequate tools to alpaca breeders to meet the challenge of premium fleece production.
In order to develop a trait analysis regime for selecting ‘premium fleece’
Crucially, A
The feedback A
Firstly, the finer the diameter, the softer and more ‘prestige’ the fabric and eventual garment, generally speaking.
Secondly, luxury garments cannot tolerate significant amounts of coarse fibres. A useful guide is that there should be 100% comfort factor (no fibres above 30 microns) These coarse fibres become extremely problematic in latter stage processing. It was worth noting that users of the fibre did not differentiate between primary and secondary fibres. The common response was that coarse secondary fibres can be as problematic as primary fibres.
Thirdly, there should be minimal variation in fibre diameter over the fleece area. High variation makes it extremely difficult for processors to reliably produce ‘top end’ product.
This third point highlighted a major problem with current forms of fibre analysis. Fibre
Based on the above experiences and subsequent scientific research, A
The concept has been labeled Genetic Fleece Improvement Technology, or
There are three main components of the
The first component of
This component avoids the problem of focusing on one small point of the fleece when appraising the breeding potential of an alpaca. It is this aspect of
Secondly, the analysis provides the breeder with a regular fibre measurement report using a ‘certified’ scoured
Thirdly, the
It is worthy to note that ‘across fibre’ variation measurement was successfully used in a WA research project in the 1990’s. The measurement form was again successfully trialed by the
Finally, the report ranks each analysis using a benchmark database compiled from all other
Possibly, the main benefits in using
As
Before embarking on a
It is expected that in the near future, alpaca stud sales will be held where
Monday, August 2, 2010
First shipment of Alpacas to arrive in Ireland through Alternative Route
It said it could not be done…….WHY….I say
Well, it has been done, and as if perfectly planned, as we now can honestly say we do have the alternative route through to Uk, Europe, via Canada now completing the export link
Cargolux, was the main freighter that connected Australia, New Zealand, to Europe.
and now that has now closed off the Australia, New Zealand connection.
Bout 2 years ago, there were two shipments a week we could choose from to send animals to NZ, but when this was reduced to one shipment a week, it alerted me to think forward, as if this shipment was stopped, then there would be animals stranded in NZ.
In looking through our options, whilst also not disbanding the negotiations for direct route through to Eu, via other ways, i knew there were other ways and these needed to be explored.
This is now proven, and i have now many options open to me, so that not only do i have 4 ports to depart from, including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, but we can deliver direct to Heathrow, Glass glow, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Zurich and a little cheaper than going via New Zealand, with more relaxed protocols than going through New Zealand.
This is a proven route, and animals are now arrived this weekend looking really refreshed, with their journey to Ireland.
Alot of logistics involved, but i have had great support from the Australian AQIS and Australian Biosecurity, Canadian Quarantine Officials, and a great team of organisers from my freight forwarders, and receivers.
We offer this service to all Europeans, and English.
We are so excited as this is another achievement and first for the team at Mariah Hill.
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