ILRe-port September 2005

Welcome to the September 2005 ILRe-port!

Important announcements from the ILR

CWG News Release on Microchipping
With the animal identification issues before us, specifics about microchipping our animals are more and more important to have a handle on. Check out the news release from the Camelid Working Group regarding microchip details.

CLASSIFIED ADS - A GREAT DEAL for YOU!!
We want your classified ads. We are offering a FREE classified for every classified ad you put in - 2 for the price of 1 for a limited time only. Double your ad or write two separate ads - we'll add the total words in your ad(s) and charge you 1/2 price!! It's a GREAT DEAL and we can give you targeted exposure! Check out the ILRe-port advertising form at www.lamaregistry.com/Forms/ilreport_ad.php.

Reach thousands of llama owners with your ad placed in the ILRe-port. Classified ads are in the report and ALSO included in the email announcement to 3000+ llama owners notifying them of the new issue of the ILRe-port. Discounts are offered for ads placed in multiple issues. Targeted advertising gives you great bang for your buck!! Check out the ILRe-port advertising form at www.lamaregistry.com/Forms/ilreport_ad.php.

IWantALlama.com
The I Want a Llama website is active! Check it out - you'll be glad you did! We are ready to add features to it - keep sending us your photos. Check it out at www.iwantallama.com

NEWS RELEASES - see articles in this month's Report.

United States Animal Health Association

Subject: USAHA Press Release on Brucellosis Vaccine Workshop.

Subject: "Healthy Wildlife: Is Focus of USAHA's Annual Meeting in Hershey, Pa., Nov. 3-9, 2005

Events Calendar
Check it out on the ILR web site www.lamaregistry.com/events.php, and add your event! It is only as good as the input you provide. If you prefer to submit your event over the phone, please call or fax our office. We will be glad to put it up for you. Call 406-755-3438 Mon. - Fri. 8am to 4pm MST. Or fax your event information to 406-755-3439.

Tell Us Your "Llama Tales"
Has your llama done something that you would like to share with other llama owners? Submit your "llama tale" to us at ilr@lamaregistry.com with "Llama Tale" in the Subject line and it may be published in the ILRe-port like Glacier The Bell Ringing Llama. Don't forget to send photos if you have them.

Welcome to fall! Now that summer vacations and activities are complete and school has started again, the flow of registrations into office will begin to pick up again. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to register your summer cria and make sure you take advantage of the “less than twelve months” price for registration. Also, if you couldn’t resist collecting another llama or two over the summer and you haven’t transferred ownership into your name yet, make sure you do it soon to get in under the “less than ninety days” transfer price.

We checked today to see how many members we have this year compared to last year and the results were very encouraging. In 2004, we had a total of 881 members. So far this year, we have 1464! That is an increase of just over 60%!

For those of you who are currently members, “thank you” for the vote of confidence in what the ILR is doing for llama owners. We also hope you are taking advantage of all the benefits of membership, and not just the reduced price for registrations and transfers.

For those of you who are not yet members, please consider joining the rapidly growing ranks of ILR members and take advantage of the opportunities membership brings.

We will be starting our annual membership drive in October so you will be receiving some communications from the ILR encouraging you to become a member if you are not already a member, or to renew your membership if you are currently a member. If you are actively breeding and selling llamas, the reduced registration and transfer costs for members quickly offsets the cost of the membership fee.

However, don’t dismiss the thought of becoming a member just because you are not actively breeding and selling llamas. We have many members who are not in the “business” of llamas who use the ILR website extensively. As time goes on and the llama community grows and matures, we are seeing more and more owners who have between one and three llamas. While some of these owners eventually decide to do some breeding and selling, many of them simply love their llamas and do things with them. ILR records show that the number of these “users” has more than doubled over the last ten years.

The ILR believes “users” function as important ambassadors to those outside the llama community and so are critical to the llama community as a whole. The ILR would like to provide more services that would benefit them, and, in turn, the entire llama community.

One of the services we are developing is the “I Want a Llama.com“ website. On that website, we hope to provide much of the information any “user” would need to care for their llama, have fun with their llama, contact other llama owners in their area, participate in llama activities, and so on.

In future ILRe-ports, I will outline some of the other plans for services that we believe will benefit the entire llama community. For now, keep in mind that the ILR is a non-profit member organization and the future direction of the ILR will be determined by its members. If you want a say in where we go from here, you need to get on the wagon.

However, joining is only the first step in supporting the llama community through the ILR – involvement is also very important. Next month I will devote this column to enumerating some of the ways in which you can get involved in the functions of the ILR.

RICHMOND , Va. , Sept. 7, 2005 - "Healthy North American Wildlife Initiative" is the focus of the Scientific Session of the 109th Annual Meeting of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) and the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) at the Hershey Lodge and Conference Center , Nov. 3-9, in Hershey , Pa.

Featured speakers at the scientific session include: Dr. Alex Thiermann, President of the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada , and Dr. Ted Leighton, Executive Director of the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre. They and other wildlife experts will address health concerns at the interface of wildlife, people and domestic animals. The USAHA annual meeting is open to animal health officials, producers, veterinarians, researchers, laboratory officials, wildlife disease specialists, allied organizations and others with an interest in animal and human health and food safety.

Other topics that will receive special attention at the week-long meeting include the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), Animal Emergency Preparedness and Management, and Assesment of Risk in the Food Supply.

USAHA, the nation's animal health forum for over a century, is a science-based, national organization made up of representatives from state and federal animal health agencies, other federal government agencies, veterinarians, university researchers, laboratory diagnosticians, wildlife disease experts, producer groups and national allied industry organizations. USAHA, founded in 1897, addresses issues of animal health and disease control, food safety, public health, homeland security and animal welfare.

For information on the USAHA Annual Meeting agenda and registration, call (804) 285-3210 or check the USAHA website (www.usaha.org). In addition to the Scientific Session, there are scheduled meetings of USAHA's 34 species- and subject-oriented science-based committees and more than 20 supporting industry and professional organizations. At its meeting, AAVLD will hold 11 scientific sessions, three symposiums, and 25 committee and subcommittee meetings. Additional information on the AAVLD annual meeting is available at www.aavld.org.

Questions Answered on Current and Future Microchipping of Camelids

Editorial Note: We saw this information in the L.A.M.A.S. (Lama Association of the Mid-Atlantic States) News, July 2005 issue Volume 20 No. 4 and realized we had not received this news release (likely an e-mail glitch) in June. The information is still current and valid so we want to get it out to you. The CWG expects to hear more updates at the ID Expo at the end of this month. The CWG news releases are available at www.camelidid.org/press_releases/index.html and ALL of the CWG information is available to the public on their web site – www.camelidid.org

Comments from several llama and alpaca owners concerning how microchips currently in use in camelids will fit into the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) provided additional impetus to a previously scheduled teleconference between several members of the Camelid Working Group (CWG) and Dr. John Wiemers, USDA’s liaison to the CWG. A summary of the June 1 discussion with Dr. Wiemers follows each question.

1. Can the microchips currently in common use in camelids, i.e. the 9, 10 or 12-character, 125- and 128-kHz microchips, be grandfathered in as a means of official identification in the NAIS for the lifetime of the animal?

Yes, if these microchips are currently implanted in a registered camelid, they can be grandfathered in for the remaining lifetime of the animal, and implantation with a second 134.2-kHz microchip will not be necessary. Several conditions, however, will apply to the grandfathering in these microchips. For example, the owner will be responsible for ensuring that the microchip is functional and for providing a scanner capable of reading the microchip if the animal is transported interstate. Whether or not these microchips could be grandfathered in for unregistered camelids has yet to be determined.

2. Neither the 125- or 128-kHz microchips have the requisite 15-digits with the USA country code, so how could they be used for official identification?

A breed registration number is currently one of several forms of official identification approved for participation in government programs and interstate movement of livestock. For the NAIS, the grandfathered microchips would be considered a supplemental form of identification secondary to the breed registration number. (It is important to note that permanent identification of animals will eventually be required by each state for intrastate transport of livestock as well.)

Here is how the 125- or 128-kHz microchips would be used as official identification in the NAIS: the animal must be registered, the microchip number must be on the registration certificate, a copy of the certificate listing the microchip number must accompany the animal during interstate transportation, the microchip in the animal must be functional and match the microchip number on the registration certificate, and a reader capable of reading the microchip must be available during transportation. For NAIS tracking purposed, the NAIS database would record the breed registry number as the primary form of identification and the microchip number as the alternate method.

3. Why might grandfathering of the 125- or 128-kHz microchips be limited to registered camelids?

The breed registration number if the official means of identification that links the microchip number to a specific animal. A 125- or 128-kHz microchip is not recognized as official identification, so without a registration number, unregistered animals have not form of official identification. The CWG needs to determine if there is a way the microchips in unregistered animals could also be grandfathered in, perhaps, for example, by listing them in the International Lama Registry database.

4. If an animal doesn’t currently have a 125- or 128-kHz microchip and the owner implants one in the future, will they be grandfathered in also?

Ongoing use of 125- or 128-kHz microchips is problematic, and there is no clear answer to your question. If the microchips were implanted recently, or will be in the near future, they will likely be grandfathered in.

As it stands now, it does not appear that owners can continue to implant 125- or 128-kHz microchips in camelids indefinitely and have them grandfathered in for use in the NAIS. When participation in the NAIS becomes mandatory, which is expected to be in 2008 or 2009, it appears that only 15-digit 134.2-kHz microchips will be acceptable. The CWG will need to develop a timeline for phasing out the use of 125- and 128-kHz microchips as new implants while making the transition to 134.2-kHz microchips. The timeline described in the NAIS Strategic Plan draft indicates “840 numbers” ( USA country code) will be initiated in August 2005. USDA is on target for release of official animal identification numbers (AIN) in late summer 2005, and 15-digit 134.2-kHz microchips bearing official AIN should be available shortly thereafter.

Note: Only those animals leaving the farm or ranch to enter commerce (e.g. travel to another state, move to another farm for breeding or because they sere sold, attend a show, etc.) will need to be microchippped; animals that stay on your farm will not require permanent identification.

The CWG will continue to keep the llama and alpaca community informed on development of the NAIS for camelids. Up-to-date information on the NAIS, including the recently released drafts of the NAIS Strategic Plan and Program Standards, is available at the USDA web site http://www.usda.gov/nais. The camelid ID plan is still under development by the CWG. Please submit your comments or questions to the following CWG members:

So You Want To Be A Llama Mama

Editorial Note: This information is brochure #8 from a complete set of informational brochures available at the ILR office. Contact us for copies for your events or check out the ILR website for a complete list of brochures available to view, print and/or order at: www.lamaregistry.com/Forms/materials_order.php.

These unique animals are rewarding spiritually and financially. Whether raising llamas as a business or a hobby, many people have had their lives and lifestyles totally changed by these lovable, easy-to-care-for creatures. One can quickly become a member of the growing ranks of “llamaholics.” No matter how long you own llamas you can learn something from or about them every day. They are kind, clean, quiet, peaceful, stoic, cute, uncomplaining and beautiful.

This brochure covers basic information on breeding, birthing and common problems and procedures for care of mother and baby. Welcome to the wonderful world of camelids!

(Shearing both males and females before breeding makes the whole procedure cleaner and healthier.) When is your llama old enough to breed? Males become fertile between 10 and 36 months of age, with the average being 24 months. In fact, from several months of age on, young males will mimic adult breeding males. These youngsters are often seen playing by piling on top of each other, a female in prone position or a male in the act of copulation. We firmly believe that pasture breeding (allowing the female and male to live together for a period of 14 to 21 days) produces a higher conception rate and is more natural than hand breeding (putting male and female together for as long as it takes for them to copulate and then separating them.)

The female is normally ready to be placed in the breeding herd between 15 and 20 months of age, or when she has reached approximately 60% of her adult weight. A female may conceive as young as four months, but this is extremely rare. Pregnancy at an early age can endanger not only your llama’s life, but her health and physical development as well. If a mature breeding male is living in the same field as females with babies, the young females should be weaned and removed at 4-6 months of age (depending on their size and condition), or they and their mothers should be separated from the breeding male.

Female llamas are induced ovulators, which means that the act of copulation will set into gear the mechanism initiating ovulation. They do not exhibit common outward signs of estrus or heat (as cattle or horses do), thus it is difficult to ascertain the day a female might be receptive to a male unless you actually see them breeding, or can “hand-tease” the female by presenting the breeding male to an isolated female to detect receptivity. You will not always see your female being bred, unless she is being hand bred, because copulation often occurs at night as well as during the day. During copulation, both the female and male are in sternal position for 5-50 minutes. A non-stop array of sounds from humming to grunt-chortling and orgling may be heard.

Females probably begin a follicular wave pattern about three days post partum. Normally the female remains receptive to the male until she has been bred and ovulated, although spontaneous ovulation can occur. Because it takes about 21 days for the uterus to totally involute and clean up, we recommend waiting this period of time until breeding. Your female should be checked for any outwards signs of discharge before being put in for breeding. Having your veterinarian do a vaginal check with a speculum 14-21 days post partum is highly recommended.

Because ovulation is induced, llamas may breed and conceive any month of the year and produce healthy babies. As a result, you may want to regulate the length of the breeding season according to your climate and conditions by introducing and removing the breeding male at specific times of the year. Where winters are severe, hypothermia, frostbite and exposure to cold rain or snow are factors to consider, just as extreme heat, humidity or dryness are in summer.

Gestation is normally between 335-365 days, with 350 days as a mean. Our ranch has yet to induce labor in a llama, preferring to let Mother Nature take her course. As the time of birth, or parturition approaches, you may notice some, all or rarely none of the following signs which are seen when kneeling or on your hands and knees beside or behind your female. (Shearing your female helps immensely in observation.)

2. The udder begins to swell close to the body. Swelling then continues into all four quarters, which normally have one nipple per quarter.

3. At 1-72 hours before parturition the nipples may swell and become tight and warm with globules of sticky or crystalline colostrum (the first milk) on the nipple tips.

4. The lips of the vulva may elongate and swell, relaxing for the imminent birth. When the female is resting in basic (sternal) position or goes on her side, the vulva may part, showing some of the inner vaginal lining. Do not become alarmed. This is normal.

Llamas give birth in daylight hours unless a problem with presentation occurs. Any difficult birth is called dystocia. There is no special English term for the process of the llama giving birth (like foaling, calving, lambing). Birthing or parturition are most commonly used.

The mother-to-be may stay off by herself for several hours to several days before giving birth. She may also seem more subdued and quieter than usual, lay down and stretch out sideways and emit louder, more frequent distressed humming sounds, or more “llama talk,” than normal. If she lives with a male, this is a good time to separate her, as breeding males will occasionally try to mount a birthing female - not a good situation for the mother or unborn baby!

Your llama will give birth in a standing-squatting or prone position. If all is well, the water will break, lubricating the birth canal, and a small shiny bag will be pushed out (it may appear and disappear several times before remaining out). The front feet, nose and head should follow, and may sometimes be seen inside the bag. With the next strong push, the sack is usually ruptured by the extension of the legs to the outside as the elbows are pushed over the pelvic rim. Sometimes there is a short delay at this time while the shoulders slip through the birth canal. When the rest of the body slides out, the umbilicus is automatically disconnected. Usually all of the placenta remains inside with nothing hanging out or showing until the entire placenta is expelled later.

Since most babies are delivered while the female is standing, fluids in the lungs, trachea and nasal passages have a chance to drain out due to gravity before the baby is dropped on the ground head first. If the baby is having trouble breathing, do not be afraid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or hold it by the hocks and swing it around to expel fluid from the lungs.

The baby will be delivered with a unique thin membrane (the epidermal membrane) covering its entire body and attached to the lips and toes. Make sure the nasal passages and mouth are clear of mucus and other debris, including the membrane which is sometimes tightly adhered to the edges of the lips and nostrils. After toweling off the baby (called a “cria” in Spanish) carefully follow the standard operating procedures outlined below. In the case of first-time mothers, it is helpful to move the mother and baby to a quiet stall or paddock, in sight of and in close proximity to llama friends so bonding can develop uninterrupted. Simply pick up the baby and the mother will follow. In hot weather, a shady spot with fresh water and hay or grass should be provided.

Llamas are good mothers and love their babies, but they are passive and do not lick their newborns or eat the afterbirth. They do commonly smell and touch the baby with their nose.

The following procedures are both recommended and commonly used, but may not be applicable in every situation.

1. Treat the navel with Betadine (tamed iodine) Chlorohexadine (Nolvasan) or use any antibiotic ointment if the above are not available. If the umbilical cord is dripping or pumping blood it should be clamped or tied off 1 to 1-1/2" from the body. Special ties and clamps can be obtained from your veterinarian or, in case of emergency, short pieces of dental floss or suture material work well. Use care in tying these materials to avoid amputating the stump. If the umbilicus is already dry or has been contaminated with dirt, treatment is not recommended.

2. Give a warm enema - squeezing gently. If the baby later appears to be straining even though it has previously passed a quantity of meconium (the first fecal material), it may be necessary to give another enema. A drop of liquid Ivory soap in 4-8 ounces of warm water is fine. A human Fleet enema, warmed in a bucket of hot water, also works well. Your veterinarian may recommend injectable Vitamin A and D at birth.

3. Only in a selenium deficient area, administer injectable selenium (Mu-se) sub-cutaneously or intramuscularly in the hind leg.

4. Weigh each baby at birth and monitor its weight carefully for the first week, or longer if necessary. Normal birth weight is 22-35 pounds. Most crias either lose or maintain weight for the first day or two, but should gain a minimum of 1/2 pound per day thereafter. This gain may be irregular but should average out.

5. Other vaccines or anti-toxins may be indicated in your area. Your veterinarian will best advise you in the matter.

6. The baby should ideally have colostrum within the first 2-4 hours of life because of the natural laxative effect of this milk, the energy provided by the nutrients and the high antibody content. It is known that colostrum is produced only during the first 24 hours of lactation and that the cria dramatically loses the ability to absorb the antibodies after 24 hours of age. The newborn llama is born without any antibodies. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to be sure that all neonates receive adequate colostrum as soon as possible after birth. An IgG (immunoglobulin) test may be done 24-48 hours after birth. If the IgG level is not adequate, a plasma transfusion may be necessary. We recommend milking the dam at birth and bottle feeding the cria 2-6 ounces of colostrum. The sucking response is normally excellent when the baby is first born. If baby will not drink from the bottle, it should be tubed.

7. We also recommend "Mallonizing" or desensitising crias at birth, this involves laying the cria on a towel and touching, rubbing and flexing all parts of the head, ears, mouth, body and tail. Around 15 - 20 minutes twice a day for the first few days works wonders for later training. We want baby to bond with mom, not with us - so no huggy kissy.

8. First day of life priorities are: A) Make sure baby is breathing without trouble. B) Check the eyes, bite, and umbilicus carefully. C) Be positive the baby is actually nursing. D) Be positive the baby has passed fecal material. E) Be positive the baby has urinated and that no urine is leaking from the umbilical area.

If you have any reason to think your baby has a problem, call your veterinarian and have a physical exam and a complete blood count (CBC), and Routine Llama Panel (RLP) done.

1. It will be much easier for baby to find the "right place" if mom is shorn. Crias can and do die from ingesting fiber.

2. Prime the pump by milking the mother and putting the milk in a stubby bottle with a sheep nipple (hole slightly enlarged) or other apparatus of similar nature. Two to four ounces every 4-6 hours is a normal amount to expect. After the baby has sucked down 1-2 ounces, place it at the mother's side and coax it to nurse. It helps to gently rub and blow warm air on the baby's hind quarters, especially on top in front of the tail in imitation of the mother. This and "humming" help initiate the search and nurse response. (Macho guys don't laugh - you can do this too!) Babies should be up and nursing within two hours.

3. Each neonate needs to receive 10% of its body weight in milk or milk replacer each day in order to grow and gain normally. If the baby will not suck from the bottle or nurse, it should be stomach tubed. Using a Lady Clairol type bottle and a 16" cat/puppy tube, place the llama in a sternal position between your knees. Bending over and holding the head in your left hand, insert tube (unattached and lightly lubricated) through the baby's mouth and into the esophagus which you should normally see or feel on the left side of the neck. To make sure you are not in the trachea, listen at the end of the tube to be sure there are no breathing sounds or suck gently back on the tube. You should be able to feel the resistence. Attach bottle to tube when tube is about 12" down. Squeeze gently, giving 4-8 ounces. Repeat every 4 hours if the baby is not nursing on its own. Then, stand the baby at the mother's side and coax to nurse.

4. Do not be afraid to perform all of the above with baby males, even if it takes several days. They do not turn instantly into "berserk males" - just treat them like llamas, taking care not to cuddle or talk to them.

Milk a squirt from each teat to dislodge the small plug of colostrum in the opening. If the udder is small and there is little or no milk, hot pack and massage it with warm water. Your veterinarian may suggest giving an injection of Oxytocin sub-cutaneously or intramuscularly. If, on the other hand, the udder is tight, distended, hot or swollen, milk out as much as possible and feed it to the baby from a bottle. Keep milking, extra milk should be frozen and put into a colostrum bank for future use. Rarely, it may be necessary for your veterinarian to administer an injection of Lasix to reduce udder edema and make the milk come more easily. If Lasix is given, make certain free choice fresh water is available for mother. Should blood be noticed in the milk (causing a pink tinge), the mother may have mastitis and should be checked by your veterinarian.

The mother should be watched carefully for the first week. If any discharge or pus is noted coming from the vulva after the first few days, ask your veterinarian to check her to determine whether or not she needs to be cultured and/or infused intra-uterinely. This will be an easy matter for the veterinarian to decide.

The placenta (afterbirth) should be passed within 4 hours and often comes shortly after birth. Call your veterinarian if after this length of time you cannot find evidence of the afterbirth or if membranes are still hanging out. Do not pull on the membranes since this can easily cause hemorrhage and/or retention of pieces of the placenta in the uterus and predispose the llama to uterine prolapse. Treatment should definitely be decided by your veterinarian and often includes the use of Oxytocin and systemic antibiotics along with intrauterine treatment.

Babies are most commonly weaned by the age of 6 months. We halter train our crias before weaning. Except in extremely rare instances, male and female weanlings may be safely placed together until the age of 1 year. This is also an excellent time to further train and work with your new llama.

Finally, the most important thing to remember when your llama begins to give birth is DON'T PANIC! Most of the time there will be no problem. If you suspect a problem and delivery seems prolonged, call your veterinarian immediately. If help is not available, pray and use your good common sense. If a neonatal care clinic is being held in your area, do attend it.

Kay has been closely involved in the breeding and daily health care of over 7,000 llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and camels since 1965 and has handled over 600 dystocial births.

Kay grew up on an Ohio farm with an M.D. father and a brother who is an exotic animal veterinarian. She was a pre-med graduate of the University of Colorado and received a teaching degree from John Carroll University , after which she spent two years at Case Western Reserve Medical School doing canine surgery for a pulmonary physiologist.

Since 1973, she has lived in Sisters, Oregon breeding camelids and Polish Arabian horses. Kay organized the first Llama Medical Conference for veterinarians on the Patterson Ranch in 1981. She was a founder not only of the North American llama industry, but of the ILA and the International Lama Registry on whose board she served from inception in 1985 until stepping down as president in 1991. Kay is a charter member of ALSA and a steering committee member of the Heifer Project International "Bolivian Llama Improvement Project."

Love for animals, medicine, and the education of llama lovers on all aspects of management, breeding, obstetrics, and neonatal care remain priorities as she and her husband, Eric Sharpnack, DVM continue caring for a herd of over 200 llamas on Hinterland Ranch.

USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
Contact: Larry Mark (703) 451-3954; ldmark@erols.com

RICHMOND , Va. , Aug. 22, 2005 - New solutions to an old problem were discussed during a three-day workshop held at the University of Wyoming last week. The workshop brought together more than 50 top researchers and scientists from across the nation as well as from Canada , Russia and New Zealand to focus on brucellosis in bison and elk, and to identify new and improved brucellosis vaccines and diagnostic tools, as well as systems to deliver those vaccines.

The workshop, underwritten by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the Department of Interior's National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey, was planned by a special committee appointed by United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) President Rick Willer. "The committee was appointed to address the extremely complex brucellosis issues in the Greater Yellowstone Area," said Willer. "My first charge to the special committee was to come up with a research roadmap to address the shortfalls in existing vaccines, delivery systems and diagnostic tools," Willer added.

The workshop participants identified immediate projects to address brucellosis in bison and elk, including analysis of existing knowledge on vaccine efficacy, new challenge studies, improvement of bio-bullet delivery, standardization of test protocols and establishing a network of collaborating scientists. Longer term projects discussed during the workshop included identification and testing of new vaccines and delivery systems, improvement of diagnostic tools, better understanding of disease processes in bison and elk, and identifying innovative funding sources.

USAHA President-Elect Bret Marsh, chair of the special committee, reported that the workshop was a tremendous success. "We expect that a draft report from the workshop will be shared at USAHA's Annual Meeting in Hershey , Pennsylvania , November 3-9, 2005 , as well as in a number of different forums," Marsh said. "The report will be used as a credible request of Congress for future research initiatives that will help address brucellosis control and eradication in bison and elk," Marsh added. In addition, Marsh anticipated exploring other avenues for funding outside of government.

USAHA is a 109 year-old science-based, national organization made up of state and federal animal health officials, laboratory diagnosticians, national allied industry organizations, livestock producers, veterinarians, wildlife health experts and research scientists. It serves as a forum for communication and coordination on issues of animal disease control, public health, homeland security and animal welfare, and as a clearinghouse for new information and methods that may be incorporated into laws, regulations, policy and programs. USAHA acts to develop solutions to animal health-related issues based on science, new information and methods, public policy, risk/benefit analysis, and the ability to develop consensus for changing laws, regulations, policies and programs. For more information about the organization, visit USAHA's website (www.usaha.org).

We encourage you to support the following advertisers. They make this information possible.

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	Mountain Oaks Ranch Norma Stevens Richard Thibert 29560 Valley Center Rd. Valley Center, CA 800-692-4636 www.whyllama.com		Pearson Pond Ranch Jack and Tracy Pearson 242 Charles Lane, #6017 Ellijay, GA 30540 706-276-3658 pprllama@direcway.com www.pearsonpond.com

	Rocky Mountain Llamas Bobra Goldsmith 7202 N 45th St Longmont, CO 80503 303-530-5575 questions@rockymtllamas.com www.rockymtllamas.com		Steven's Llama Tique and Suri Alpacas Loren and Judy Stevens 29581 US Hwy 59 Worthington, MN 56187 507-376-4230 Fax: 507-376-4242 llamatiq@rconnect.com www.stevenstique.com
	Tally Ho's Big Sky Ranch Tally Hoffman 41415 Calle Juanito Murrieta, CA 92562 951-677-0010 tallyhoffman@hotmail.com		Taylor Llamas Paul and Sally Taylor 14666 Horse Creek Road Bozeman, MT 55902 406-686-4723 fidoosh@aol.com www.taylorllamas.com
	Tillman Llamas and Suri Alpacas Andy and Dr. Cheryl Tillman 20510 Swalley Road Bend, OR 97701 541-389-1064 andy@tillmansranch.com cheryl@tillmansranch.com www.tillmansranch.com		Traditional Lama Coalition % Heather or Kay 541-592-3612 eastfork@cavenet.com
	Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc. Mike & Janet Wilkins, Stacy Wilkins 1405 Rd 12 Geneva, NE 68361 402-759-4901 fax: 402-759-4903 stacywilkins@galaxycable.net www.wilkinslivestock.com