Lama Wellness Service, Inc.

Taken from the UK College of Ag...research your state for reports

Conditions in the spring and summer have created an abundance of hay. That is welcome news to many hay and livestock producers who suffered through the droughts of 2007 and 2008 that kept supplies below normal.

While hay supplies are good here, that is not the case in other parts of the country. Texas is experiencing a severe drought, and hay supplies will likely be short there.

The abundance will drop prices. But higher quality forages in square bales are still going to command a decent price.

While hay is plentiful in the state, several quality issues exist due to delayed harvests. Harvest conditions were few and sporadic because of rain. Second cuttings were made only recently.

Growers who applied nutrients to fields early likely saw an increase in volume and quality in their hay. However high fertilizer prices kept some farmers from applying nutrients then, which means some of the hay crop may lack sufficient quantities of nutrients.



These statements support the continual advice for alpaca or llama owners to test the hay. Purchasing from a "reputable" source is just not enough. Test hay before you purchase. Know the nutrients that make up the largest portion of the total diet. It is impossible to have a nutirtion program without this information. Don't mistake feeding with nutrition!

Alpaca owners should not get too comfortable. Management errors were listed in my earliest manual. That same list can be found in the latest edition. Any owner who does not test and measure the intake and weigh and record the animal's weight will be at risk. Factor in other management errors and it becomes a situation out of control.


The 2009 edition of the alpaca field manual has 4 contributing authors with over 80 years of alpaca experience. The 330 pages are great for the novice, a refresher course for the experienced, and information on "what's new." The index will let you easily thumb to the pages on holistic or complementary therapy, biosecurity, or even the familar parasite section. Please contact Able Publishing at 785-537-2495 or your favorite alpaca supply businss to order your copy.











Norm Evans, DVM.