Alpaca research at its best

I recently attended one of the best informational camelid conference in the country. Steve R. Purdy DVM of the University Of Massachusetts Amherst Camelid study program Hosted the UMass Amherst 2006 Camelid Conference for Owners, Students, and Veterinarians on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29.

The conference was held at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Campus Center Conference Center which holds approx. 600 seats. Conference Registration started at 7:30- 8:15 AM, Saturday morning and the conference Program began at 8:30 AM. The cost of the program was: $250 per person, $125 for veterinary students they provided a light breakfast and full lunch both days.

Seminar proceedings notebooks were provided to all registrants, and became a wealth of valuable camelid information . There were also many Sponsors from surrounding Alpaca farms. All proceeds from this conference are going to support the education and research efforts of the UMass Amherst Camelid Studies Program.

The Conference started with Dr. Steve R. Purdy DVM speaking on: , Alpacas 101- social interaction, handling, and housing,
• Intestinal Parasite Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention- Stephanie Schaaf, Susan Stehman, DVM, Susan Wade (Cornell University),
• Nutritional Requirements and feeding strategies- Robert Van Saun, DVM, PhD (Penn State University),
• Nutritional Supplementation for Alpacas- Van Saun,
• Hepatic Lipidosis in Camelids- Van Saun,
• BVD in alpacas- Edward Dubovie, DVM, PhD (Cornell University),
• Lessons Learned in the Alpaca Business- Jennifer Lutz (Cas-Cad-Nac Farm),
• Environmental Effects of Deworming Medications- Penny LoVerme (UMass),
• Neonatal Immunoglobulins-Rob Williamson (UMass),
• Meningeal Worm Disease- Jennifer Dawson (UMass),
• Cria Disease- Daniela Bedenice, DVM (Tufts University),
• Pulmonary Disease and Function in Camelids- Bedenice,
• Cryptosporidium Infection- Bedenice and Purdy,
• Alpaca Reproduction and Behavior Testing- Purdy,
• Alpaca Cria Growth Study- Vanessa Emerson (UMass),
• EEE in Alpacas- Amy Bright, DVM (Epping, NH).
As you can see just a few speakers.

I was very impressed with the amount of information UMass put together. If this becomes a yearly Conference, I recommend that all Serious Alpaca Owners, Breeders, And Veterinarians plan ahead for next years conference. Its not only a great conference, but it’s a great way for alpaca owners, and breeder and Veterinarians to come together on the most recent studies and research on camelids.

After all the Alpaca is most beautiful animals in the world as far as I'm concerned, and we owe it to the Alpacas to care for them the very best we can. We seem to forget sometimes, that the Alpaca doesn't have a choice when and where it will go from day to day. So I hope we all will continue to supresearche camelid reserch that is being done across this country. I truly support the hard work and efforts of the UMass Amherst 2006 Camelid Conference for Ownerveterinarians and Veterinarans and wish them the bestresearchir future reserch.

Terry Cummins