Alpaca Supplies, Where did you get that?

I am going to be more active in blogging this year hope to keep blogs short and sweet.

Every new breeder knows what it is like to try to figure out where to get the equipment and supplies they need to take care of their alpacas. Every established breeder knows what it is like to try to help them and to find out where to get all the items they need too.

We ask each other; we search the web; we scout around at events; there are lots of ways to increase your list.

I have tried to compile a list of the vendors we use and all of the ones sent into me by other alpaca friends as well. Maybe we can add to this list and republish it from time to time. I am sure there are lots of good companies we have left off and this list is by no means complete.

Please send me your favorites and I will keep the list updated

Ridge Mist Llama and Alpaca Supplies
1-800-24LAMAS

Quality Llama Products
1-800-638-4689

Jeffers Livestock
1-800-533-3377

Stevens Llamatique
1-800-469-5262

M & M Vet Labs
1-734-439-2698
Lab work. Mel is the BEST! We overnight blood samples before 3 pm; get progesterone results by fax by 5 the next day.

Valley Vet
1-800-468-0059

PBS Animal Health
1-800-321-0235
A dedicated alpaca rep gives great service at competitive prices.

Light Livestock Equipment by Ausable Valley Alpacas
1-866-999-2821
Really alpaca-friendly hay feeders, chutes, panels, shearing tables, scales etc. You can pick them up at shows sometimes. Saves shipping.

Halcyon Yarn
1-800-341-0282
All sorts of spinning wheels, looms, knitting supplies, etc. I bought their English combs, perfect for carding dirty cria fleeces.

If you have other companies you like, send the information to me and we’ll keep this list updated. Let me know if you think we should change the format, ie. put in more descriptions or organize differently.

Aussie rap! Bill the Alpaca breeder

I know it has been around for while a while, but it make me laugh every time I watch it. CGU is one of Australia's largerer insurance companies and they started a new advertising campaign a few months back.

'Bill' was the first one they made in the series and they ran it a few times late at night then we didn't see it again for weeks. Then, CGU started started sponsoring the football on satellite TV and suddenly Bill is getting prime time spots on the weekend and he's becoming a minor celebrity.

CGU has been a great publicity boost for the alpacas industry and best of all make me laugh.

Football, Alpacas and small children

I love college football, but I think this kid has taken it too far!

As a rugby-mad youngster, Rory Matthews likes to train every day. Unfortunately, he lives on a farm and does not have anyone his own age to play with.

But he's not worried - because he's got Chicky the alpaca. Chicky, a fellow resident at the Children's Animal Farm near Melbourne, has proved a formidable sparring partner for eight-year-old Rory.

"I don't have any brothers and sisters to play rugby with, so Chicky helps me out," said Rory after another tough session with the brown and grey South American animal.

"He's picked up the basic idea - I run with the ball and he charges at me and tries to knock me off my feet. Sometimes I manage to knock him over but that makes him even madder. He's helped me far more than a human could. I can't tackle dad when he's around because he's too fast.

Anyway, I don't think dad likes to knock me over, whereas Chicky thinks it's good fun."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-388715/Alpaca-punch-I-rugby-scrum.html#ixzz0NwFwsEQg