Welcome to the November 2006 ILRe-port!
Welcome to the November 2006 ILRe-port!
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Important Announcements from the ILR |
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Check out the press release from the Camelid Working Group, USAHA's annual meeting report including info on infectious diseases and livestock ID, and a press release on Wyeth signing a $212 million deal for drugs from Llama DNA. All very interesting information that is pertinent to the llama industry. |
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The LAMARIBBEAN Cruise |
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Events Calendar |
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From the Registrar - Jan L. Wassink |
Dear Llama Owners,
RE: Membership
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from the ILR office staff! Dar and I are very thankful and feel blessed to have gotten to know many of you over the 22+ years we have been involved with the llama industry in one way or another and consider you friends. We wish you the best during this holiday season!
We would like to thank those of you who filled out the survey. As we mentioned before, that information will be used as a jumping off point (not literally) on the cruise conference and by the ILR board as they work on plans for the future role of the ILR.
After the responses have all been recorded, we will make the results available on the ILR website for your review. I have seen some of the preliminary results and I am sure you will find the results interesting, informative and helpful.
Sometime in the next week or two, you will be receiving a packet from the ILR regarding membership in the ILR. Why Membership?
For those of you who register enough cria to pay for the membership by reduced registration fees – the decision should be easy. For those of you who believe that registration is an important part of any animal endeavor, and realize that registration fees do not pay for all of the functions currently being requested by llama owners – the decision should be easy. For those of you who use the “member” areas of the website for research on llamas or llama owners – the decision should be easy. For those of you who believe there is a need for a national llama organization to provide educational materials to new minds inquiring about llamas – the decision should be easy. And, for those who simply enjoy llamas and would like to give something back to an organization that provides support so others can also enjoy llamas – the decision should be easy. It's as easy as clicking on this link – http://www.lamaregistry.com/membership_app.php. And, yes, we will take your credit card online! We welcome your membership!
There is still time to join us for the cruise! I have never considered myself to be a “cruise” person and never really had any desire to go on a cruise. However, I must admit that I am looking forward to this event. I heard Kevin Oschner do a presentation at the National Pedigreed Livestock Council last May and came away with several ideas that I am using in several of the activities I find myself involved in. Join us the end of January and I am sure you will be glad you did.
If you have questions about membership, feel free to contact the ILR office at (406) 755-3438.
Sincerely,
Jan L. Wassink
ILR Registrar
P.S. Payments online now being accepted on the ILR web site www.lamaregistry.com
If you have conducted business on the ILR website recently, we want you to know that it is now possible for you to make payments online using a credit card. You can make a payment on your account or pay for current transactions. Check it out!
November 7, 2006
USAHA Committee on Livestock Identification—Report from the 2006 USAHA Meeting
(The US Animal Health Association held its annual meeting Oct. 14-18, 2006, in Minneapolis. The following report covers the highlights from the Livestock Identification Committee.)
Bruce Knight, newly appointed Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (USDA), addressed the committee and emphasized that the NAIS (National Animal Identification System) will follow these four guiding principles: The NAIS must avoid unnecessary burden to livestock producers, avoid growth in government, maintain flexibility and keep data in private hands. He announced that to date approximately 320,000 premises have been registered nationwide and that USDA assumes there are between 1.4 and 2.1 million animal holding premises in the US. Knight also stressed that the NAIS is a “voluntary program with a capital V” and that if any states wish to pursue a mandatory ID program, they would do so on their own.
Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services, stated that animal health is the focus of the NAIS. The program will enhance US efforts to respond to intentionally or unintentionally introduced animal disease outbreaks more quickly and effectively. The NAIS only works if the states, industry and producers actively shape and use the program, he said.
Because the NAIS is a completely voluntary program, USDA must continue to consider all issues of concern that may cause producers not to participate. Protecting confidentiality of information has been an issue that USDA has taken very seriously. With regard to NAIS information, USDA has taken the position that information should only be used when there is a need to respond to specific disease issues. In keeping with this position, and in response to ongoing concerns about confidentiality, USDA has determined that the distribution records of animal identification devices (tags or microchips) distributed to a premises will be held in private databases or by states, rather than in USDA’s AIN Management System.
Four tags have been approved for use in the NAIS. All are RFID tags and all are ISO 11784/85 compliant. As species working groups finalize their recommendations, other methods will be authorized for use with the NAIS. For example, the equine industry recently recommended the use of ISO 11784/11785 compliant injectable transponders. As of October 17, no injectable microchip manufacturers have applied to have their devices certified for “840” country code 15-digit numbers.
Robert Fourdraine, director of the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, provided a report on the actions of the NAIS Advisory Subcommittee (which reports to Sec. Johanns via the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases). The subcommittee recognizes the importance of the NAIS to protect the US livestock industry and that timely implementation of the NAIS is extremely important. Since implementation of the NAIS seems to be focused on the cattle industry, he said, key recommendations of the Cattle Working Group should be made available as soon as possible.
Other NAIS Advisory Subcommittee recommendations include:
*The subcommittee has reviewed reports of the species working groups. Several reports are still in progress, however, the Cattle, Swine, Sheep and Equine species reports are completed and ready for adoption. They strongly recommended that the USDA adopt the Sheep and Equine Species Working Group recommendations as written. The equine recommendations can be found at: http://www.equinespeciesworkinggroup.com/
*All producers should have the opportunity to utilize a government-managed animal tracking database system under NAIS for those species that track animal movement.
*USDA should conduct a complete research of all patents and intellectual properties pertaining to animal identification issues that could be in potential conflict with and/or of relevance to the NAIS and that a summary of such be provided to the subcommittee.
Dr. Sam Holland, State Veterinarian of South Dakota, provided a presentation on Common Sense Animal Identification. He suggested addressing the question: “What can we implement, in the near term and practically, that will meet immediate needs for animal health?” A complete copy of his suggestions can be found at: http://www.animalagriculture.org/proceedings/IDINFOEXPO2006/Wednesday/4GeneralSessionIV/1%20Holland.pdf
The full text of all USAHA committee reports and resolutions will be posted on the USAHA web site once they have been finalized: http://www.usaha.org/committees/
Please submit your comments and questions to any of the following CWG members:
Teri Nilson Baird at teri@brokenwindmill.com
Karen Conyngham at 72040.3361@compuserve.com
Sheila Fugina at bsfugina@pressenter.com
Dr. Julie Ann Jarvinen at jarvinen@iastate.edu
Marsharee Wilcox at mwilcox@travelers.com
www.camelidid.org
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2007 Lamaribbean Cruise / Conference Information Lamaribbean . . . in celebration of llamas January 29 - February 3, 2007 |
An ILR Conference Reunion of Old and New Llama Friends
- It's getting colder -
Sign up now to enjoy the winter warmth and sunshine!!
Based on availability, you can still book your spot on the cruise.
Call Diane at 1-888-583-2020
See itinerary below.
Be a part of it - BOOK today!!
Information including registration forms, cruise and shore tour specifics
(you can sign up for tours online - some fill up so it's a good idea to do it now)
available at:
www.lamaribbean.com
REMINDER - if you have already booked your cruise and plan to arrive the night prior to departure, which is a good idea, you need to call Diane at Cruises Inc. - 1-888-583-2020 to get your name on the hotel list, as well as set up a hotel-to-ship transfer for the following morning.
NOTE: If you have friends or family who would like to go on the cruise but not be involved in the llama conference activities, they are welcome to join us. They need to register for the cruise but NOT the conference.
ITINERARY| DAY | PORT | ARRIVE | DEPART | STATUS |
| Monday | Galveston, Texas | 5:00 PM | Docked | |
| Tuesday | At Sea |
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| Wednesday | Cozumel, Mexico | 7:00 AM | 7:00 PM | Docked |
| Thursday | Costa Maya, Mexico | 7:00 AM | 3:00 PM | Docked |
| Friday | At Sea | |||
| Saturday | Galveston, Texas | 7:00 AM | Docked |
Report on the US Animal Health Association Annual Meeting 2006The 110th annual meeting of the US Animal Health Association was held in Minneapolis , October 15-18, 2006 . Camelid owners who attended this year included Teri Nilson Baird, Karen Conyngham and Dr. Cheryl Tillman. Cheryl represents the Alpaca Owners & Breeders Assoc. on the USAHA Board of Directors and Karen represents the Intl. Lama Registry.
USAHA is comprised of 33 species- and subject-oriented committees, all of which hold sessions during the annual meeting. This year, committee meetings attended by camelid representatives included:
Animal Welfare, Import/Export, Infectious Diseases of Cattle, Bison and Camelids, International Standards, Livestock Identification, Public Relations and Information Technology, Committee on Sheep and Goats, and the Committee on Tuberculosis. The following report covers committees in which camelids were mentioned.
The General Session topic this year was “Animal Disease Surveillance – the Next 20 Years”. Many federal government disease surveillance programs were reviewed for areas such as bioterrorism preparedness, global Avian Influenza monitoring and the “One Health” concept (intersection of human, domestic animal and wildlife health) was discussed.
The USAHA meeting is held in conjunction with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians; there was one AAVLD session that included a presentation by Dr. Susan Tornquist of Oregon State Univ. who spoke on Mycoplasmahaemolamae in camelids (formerly EPE). This is an organism that infects the red blood cells of camelids. The condition is found in 30 species, not just llamas and alpacas. Oregon State Univ. is using a PCR assay developed by them to detect M. haemolamae. Signs of infection vary widely and can include fever, anemia, depression, infertility, edema, poor growth rate and hypoglycemia. Tetracyclines are now being used to treat this infection but they are not wholly effective. A study was done using injectable florfenicol to treat infection but it was less effective than tetracyclines in clearing infection. Another used oral and injectable enrofloxacin (Baytril) which showed no efficacy. Otherwise healthy animals appear to be able to clear infection without treatment. This condition is most severe in stressed and immune suppressed animals. The mode of transmission is not fully understood. Once infected, animals appear to become chronic carriers.
Talks presented in the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) Sub-committee highlighted the challenges of BVDV control. These challenges include the absence of standard criteria for validation and proficiency in BVDV testing programs, the existence of persistently infected (PI) animals in non-bovine species, the lack of diagnostic and control tools available for those non-bovine species and the need to establish cooperative efforts with producer and professional groups.
Dr. Julia Ridpath, National Animal Disease Center , presented a talk on the current state of BVDV testing in the U.S. It was reported that while BVDV testing in the U.S. is expanding at a exponential rate, some laboratories - including a significant number of independent start up laboratories - are using tests that focus more on cost than sensitivity. In particular the practice of pooling ear notch samples may miss 10% to 50% of field samples depending on the pool size.
Dr. Donal O’Toole, president of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, addressed the AAVLD stance on test standards. Typically field validation requires testing of 300 positive samples and 1000 negative samples no matter what the species. Dr. O’Toole emphasized that it was “important for diagnostics laboratories to get it right before they make it cheap”. It is important for private practice veterinarians to use an AAVLD accredited laboratory for BVDV testing. A list of those accredited labs can be found at: http://www.aavld.org/aavld-3/accredlabs.jsp
Dr. Ed Dubovi, Cornell University , and Dr. Jim Evermann, Washington State University , presented talks on BVDV infection in alpacas. Topics covered included identification of PI alpacas, incidence rate (based on serology), clinical presentation and routes of infection and samples that are unique to this species. Testing since 1-1-2006 has screened 9,900 alpacas. To date, 27 confirmed PI animals have been found, 9 acutely infected, 6 suspected plus 4 undefined. There has been 1 reported death due to BVDV and 5 reported abortions. Characteristics of possible PI crias include: low birth weight, slow or very low weight gain, abnormal fiber (dull, brittle, sparse). These crias have chronic or periodic health issues such as ill-doers, diarrhea, and chronic respiratory problems. Dr. Evermann recommended testing all pregnant females. If they are antibody positive, the owner should carefully monitor their birthing – quarantine the females and test the crias at and following birth.
At this point it appears that overall alpaca exposure is less than 20%. However, these studies indicate circulation of BVDV in alpaca herds is apparently independent of exposure to cattle. The presence of BVDV in the saliva of persistently infected alpacas suggest that saliva may be a good test sample for diagnosing persistent infection and that spitting may be a route of exposure for this species. The low incidence rate suggests that the best approach to BVDV control in alpacas is to continue the current high level of surveying for BVDV, eliminating PI animals and monitoring for exposure by serology. Use of vaccines at this time is not recommended as vaccination would interfere with monitoring by serology. 2 positive tests are required to confirm PI, tests to be run 2-3 weeks apart with a 3-week interval preferred. Dr. DuBovi noted that alpaca owners are to be commended for keeping excellent records which aids tremendously in tracking any exposure to or track-back of BVDV. There is a wealth of information on BVDV in camelids available at: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/camelids/
Dr. Hana VanCampen, Colorado State University , presented a talk summarizing the use of bovine vaccines and diagnostics in non-bovine species. Bovine vaccines and diagnostics are used because there is a lack of reagents for other farmed ruminants such as llamas, alpacas, bison and elk. While BVDV has been shown to be a problem in these species, little or no validation or tests of efficacy have been completed.
Karen Conyngham, International Lama Registry, presented a brief review of the industry-developed minimum standards of care and recommended practices in caring for llamas and alpacas. These documents were designed for use by animal welfare and health agency professionals as well as llama and alpaca owners. The Minimum Standards are mandatory to llama and alpaca survival and humane treatment and are the most basic requirements the animals must have for physical well-being. The Recommended Practices offer more details and are intended as an educational foundation for camelid care. The full text of both documents and a copy of the PowerPoint presentation given can be found on the Internet at: www.camelidcare.info
At the request of the committee chair, Karen also presented a short overview of biosecurity practices among camelid owners. The confirmation of a small number of BVDV persistently infected alpaca crias over the past two years has raised the level of owner awareness regarding biosecurity. The Alpaca Owners & Breeders Assoc. now requires negative BVDV tests for animals entered in their sanctioned shows; some shows have banned exhibition of animals less than 6 months of age. Alpaca transporters likewise require negative testing before hauling. Owners are strongly encouraged to euthanize any BVDV persistently infected crias.
Biosecurity recommendations include having a separate quarantine facility on any farm that will be receiving either new additions to their herds or performing outside breeding. Animals in the quarantine facility should be the last animals to be handled/fed each day to protect the main herd from exposure to any pathogens. New animals should be quarantined for at least 30 days. Those arriving for breeding should have deworming performed before and after breeding and close monitoring of the weight and IgG status of any crias who accompany their dams. An IgG lower than 1000 indicates an at-risk cria. Farms that host events for the public and other camelid owners should keep a visitors log, provide foot coverings for any people who enter animal areas and restrict access to the main herd. Animals that attend shows should be isolated from the rest of their herd for 14-21 days upon returning home. While at the show, use of communal dung piles should be avoided and camelids should not be walked in areas used by other species.
One very timely presentation was made by Pam Hullinger of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She presented an update on the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) rule-out assay and high throughput sample processing system. In addition to testing for FMD, the assay simultaneously tests for bovine viral diarrhea, bovine herpes-1, bovine parapox virus complex, bluetongue, swine vesicular disease and vesicular exanthema of swine. The new rapid diagnostic test for these important and economically devastating animal diseases was developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in partnership with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of California , Davis . The new diagnostic tool reduces the period required to detect FMD, and six indigenous diseases with similar symptoms from days to hours. In addition the test can simultaneously detect all seven diseases in one sample. Early detection of these diseases provides an opportunity to more quickly trace and minimize the spread of these diseases and enhance the nation's ability to respond to natural or terrorist introduction of these diseases into the national animal population.
Three resolutions were passed unanimously by 10 members of the Committee and submitted to the Committee on Nominations and Resolutions. They dealt with 1) Eradication of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus from North America , 2) BVDV PI Animal Status Disclosure, and 3) Vaccine Development for Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Bison.
The Committee made a recommendation, by unanimous vote of the 10 members present, to adamantly discourage marketing or movement of animals persistently infected (PI) with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) in any manner that potentially exposes at-risk animals.
The Honorable Bruce Knight, newly appointed Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, addressed the committee. He emphasized that NAIS (National Animal Identification System) participation is voluntary, with the following four guiding principles:
Avoid unnecessary burden to livestock producers; Avoid growth in government; Maintain flexibility; Keep data in private hands.
He announced that about 320,000 premises have been registered to date. USDA assumes there are between 1.4 to 2.1 million animal holding premises nationwide. He also stressed that the NAIS is a “…Voluntary program, with a capital V”. Mr. Knight said that if any states wish to pursue a mandatory ID program, they would do so on their own.
Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services, stated that animal health is the focus of the NAIS. The program will enhance U.S. efforts to respond to intentionally or unintentionally introduced animal disease outbreaks more quickly and effectively. USDA strongly believes that the best approach is a voluntary system driven by the states and the private sector. The NAIS only works if the states, industry, and producers actively shape and use the program.
Because the NAIS is a completely voluntary program, USDA must continue to consider all issues of concern that may cause producers not to participate. Confidentiality of information has been an issue that USDA has taken very seriously. With regard to NAIS information, USDA has taken the position that information should only be used when specific disease issues need to be addressed or responded to. In keeping with this position, and in response to ongoing concerns about confidentiality, USDA has determined that the distribution records of animal identification devices (tags or microchips) distributed to a premises will be held in private databases or by states, rather than in USDA’s AIN Management System. As of October 17, no injectable microchip manufacturers had applied to have their devices certified for ‘840’ country code 15-digit numbers.
The NAIS web site is going to be redesigned for easier navigation.
Robert Fourdraine, director of the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, provided a report on the actions of the National Animal Identification System Advisory Subcommittee (which reports to Sec. Johanns via the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases). He said that the NAIS Subcommittee reviewed the NAIS Draft Strategic Plan and subsequent updates to the plan. The Subcommittee recognizes the importance of NAIS to protect the US livestock industry and that timely implementation of NAIS is extremely important. Since implementation of the NAIS seems to be focused on the cattle industry, it is important that key components of the NAIS recommended by the Cattle Working Group are made available as soon as possible.
Other NAIS Subcommittee recommendations include:
* All producers have the opportunity to utilize a government-managed animal tracking database system under NAIS for those species that will track animal movement.
* USDA should conduct a complete research of all patents and intellectual properties pertaining to animal identification issues that could be a potential conflict and/or of relevance to the NAIS and that a summary of such be provided to the Subcommittee.
* The Subcommittee has reviewed species working group reports. Several reports are still in progress. However, the Cattle, Swine, Sheep and Equine species reports are completed and ready for adoption. They strongly recommended that the USDA adopt the Sheep and Equine Species Working Group recommendations as written. The equine recommendations can be found at: http://www.equinespeciesworkinggroup.com/
* NAIS is a public-private partnership. In order to have an adequate level of participation, it is important that states and industry are involved in communications and providing a consistent message about the purpose of the NAIS to producers.
Dr. Sam Holland, State Veterinarian of South Dakota, provided a presentation on ‘Common Sense Animal Identification’. His suggestion was to address the question: “What can we implement, in the near term and practically, that will meet immediate needs for animal health?”. He said states could maintain a database system accessible by USDA, instituting premises of origin ID and individual ID for cattle and swine used for breeding. Premises ID could be instituted in a short time for these breeding animals. The individual ID could be the official alpha-numeric metal tag, or other official ID. This system is proven, is economical, has always had broad industry support, and has demonstrated effectiveness. Feeder animals could continue to be traced through use of marketing records, brand records, health certificates and other industry records.
A complete copy of Dr. Holland’s suggestions can be found at: http://www.animalagriculture.org/proceedings/IDINFOEXPO2006/Wednesday/4GeneralSessionIV/1%20Holland.pdf
Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 7:24 PM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Ablynx, a Belgian biotech company using llama DNA to develop a new class of drugs, has signed a deal worth up to $212.5 million with U.S. healthcare group Wyeth, the two companies said on Monday.
The agreement will allow Wyeth to develop a new generation of anti-TNF treatments for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis using ultra-small antibodies.
Ablynx is pioneering medicines called nanobodies, which it believes could treat conditions including arthritis, thrombosis, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. It expects to start testing them on humans early in 2007. Its nanobodies are produced by cloning DNA sequences from llamas, which possess fully functional antibodies that are much smaller than those in humans and other animals. As a result, nanobodies may reach new targets in the body and could potentially be given by mouth rather than injection.
Ablynx has granted Wyeth exclusive worldwide rights to use the technology to target tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF), a protein implicated in inflammation which is inhibited by existing injectable drugs like Wyeth's Enbrel. Rivals to Enbrel include Johnson & Johnson's Remicade and Abbott Laboratories Inc.'s Humira.
Under the agreement, Ablynx and Wyeth will collaborate to advance drug candidates through preclinical development. Ablynx – which hopes to go public next year - will receive an initial payment, research support and milestone payments that could total $212.5 million. It is also entitled to royalties on any future sales.
The Ghent-based company already has deals with Novartis AG, Johnson & Johnson, Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd. and Procter & Gamble Co.
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LAMARIBBEAN 2007 - An ILR conference reunion of Old and New Llama Friends. Call Diane at 888-583-2020 for new cruise rates. Book today - rates have BEEN REDUCED. Check out www.lamaribbean.com for info including registration forms, cruise and shore tour opportunities.
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The Brownderosa |
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Hinterland Llamas |
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Little Doc's Veterinary Care |
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Llama Things Carolyn Myers Rt. 1 Box 62 Lakeview, TX 79239 806-867-3423 800-552-6213 carolynmyers@arn.net www.llamathings.com |
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Mountain Oaks Ranch |
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Rocky Mountain Llamas |
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Steven's Llama Tique and Suri Alpacas |
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Tally Ho's Big Sky Ranch |
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Traditional Lama Coalition |
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Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc. |