South American camelids in North America

摘要

My wife and I are from Rochester, Minnesota, where we have a selected herd of 45 llamas. We started Kennelllamas as a family business in 1981. I am involved with the llama industry as a Director of the International Llama Association (ILA) active in its health and government relation activities, Chair of the Llama Medical Research Group, as a Trustee of the Morris Animal Foundation, and as a member of and a delegate to the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA). I welcome this opportunity todiscuss with you the small but fast growing llama industry in North America. While the focus will be on llamas, much of what is said applies equally to alpacas; thus "llamas" will be used frequently. I look forward to hearing from you of the status of llamas here in Europe and elsewhere. I hope these discussions open lines of communication and fruitful collaboration between our respective countries.