Trip to Bloomington

Drove to Bloomington, IL yesterday with Ben.
Productive trip.
Took Evocati, Blessing, Froyo and Shepherd to meet their new owners, the Wilkinsons from Iowa.
Met Kim and Aggie -- with Comet (suri llama) in tow for Sally.
Lisa and family came with Bruno and another awesome alpaca boy for Sally.
I went home with Temujin -- a mini alpaca male -- full Peruvian and fabulous.

When we got back to the farm there was a newborn cria in the pasture. Paskay had a female baby - Penelope. She's a suri, rose grey and a wow!

abscess in alpacas

Hey -- a little paca boy in my herd had a small "nick" on his back. I've been watching it -- and today decided to examine it a little closer.

Yup -- it was an abscess. Gunky, yucky and swollen. I got most of the "stuff" out of it -- doused it with solution -- and now he's on antibiotics. It's always something, isn't it?

Llama o rama 2009

What a great day for llama-dom in Effingham, IL. The 4H Llama Lleaders did a bang up job of providing an education, exciting and fun event.
Kudos to Jo Ring and Trish Purcell for all of the work they put into it. Great job!

Spinning Class Rocked!

Seven sassy spinners were taught the finer points of fiber at the spinning class hosted at Wier World Farm. Check out all the photos from the class.

Stay tuned for another class to be scheduled soon!

In Photo: Margaret, and instructor, Tammy Duensing.

The Real Face of Camelid Rescue

Is it possible to own llamas and:

- NEVER shear them?
- Not give them immunizations or deworming meds?
- No routine toenail trims?
- Allow their halters to grow into their faces?
- Not halter train them?
- Not even give them names?
- Let intact males (3 generations) run with females (3 generations)?

That was the situation in the most recent transport of 10 rescue llamas. These llamas are remarkably well adjusted, considering their former circumstances. Learn more about these rescues and how you can adopt one.

It's a lifestyle, people.

Hey - so you wanna own alpacas? So you wanna get rich? hahahahahahahahahaha

You should own alpacas/llamas because:

10. They're cute!
9. They provide free psychological counseling on a daily basis.
8. They make you FEEL good.
7. The babies are gorgeous.
6. It's a healthy way to live - get up early -- stay outside - sweat, sweat, sweat.
5. They're cute!
4. They are compassionate beings -- they sense when you are sad and they comfort you.
3. You can possibly get some great tax breaks for your farm.
2. You meet awesome like-minded people.
1. You take road trips WITH your favorite animals -- parades, walk-a-thons, etc.

Shearing Days: The good, the bad & the ugly!

Wier World Llamas & Alpacas hosted the annual Shearing Days event May 6th through 9th. The event was filled with scouts, spits and storms, oh my! Over 100 llamas and alpacas were sheared during that time. Check out all the photos from the event!

Willoughby Farm Event Successful

Members of the Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois spent May 2nd at the Willoughby Heritage Farm in Collinsville. Guild members demonstrated pottery, spinning, weaving, dutch oven cooking, animal husbandry, papermaking, photography and other skills. It was a beautiful day and a great opportunity for the public to learn.

Shearing at the St. Louis Children's Zoo!

Wier World Llamas & Alpacas went to the zoo on June 2nd to shear Doc Andrus and Doc Freeman, the two alpacas on loan to the St. Louis Children's Zoo. They were both really excited to get their summer haircuts and head back to their spotlight on stage for the Zoo Acres show. Tammy & Bruce Volpert were the shearing experts on hand for the job. Check out all the photos!