2009 Seminars
Seminars
Fecal & IgG Testing
Presented by Dr Steve Purdy, Director of the Camelid Studies Program at U Mass
Fecal Parasite Management SeminarFecal & IgG Seminar
Learn the benefits of performing your own tests and then learn how to test your alpacas and llamas for parasites yourself!
Take advantage of a pre-buy opportunity to buy equipment now and get FREE SHIPPING when we deliver to the seminar!
This hands-on event is focused on testing for internal parasites in alpacas & llamas as well as measuring antibody transfer in newborn cria. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct fecal parasite tests and use a centrifuge & microscope to identify fecal parasites as well as test IgG level and total protein in crias.

Ultrasound Clinic
Practical reproduction anatomy & physiology basics.
Behavior Testing
Principles & use of ultrasonography in camelids
Hands on teaching lab to identify the uterus and ovaries, pregnancy diagnosis, & saving/printing images.
Other topics may include (if time permits)
   Antibody transfer in crias
   Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of intestinal parasites in alpacas & llamas
   Reproduction
   Behavior Testing Host farm may vary topics as well
  • Learn the benefits of performing your own tests and then learn how to test your alpacas and llamas for parasites yourself!
  • Take advantage of a pre-buy opportunity to buy equipment now and get DISCOUNTS when we deliver or ship to the seminars.


  • BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF Steve Purdy, DVM

    Steve Purdy, DVM
    Steve Purdy received his DVM degree in 1981 from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Dr. Purdy is Associate Professor of Veterinary Education, Director of Camelid Studies, and Director of the Fund for Education and Research in Large Animal Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is also the director of the Camelid Reproduction Center at UMass Amherst. Dr. Purdy is very interested in the preventive medicine aspect of the management of camelids. His special interests include reproduction, neonatal care, nutrition, and infectious diseases. He emphasizes a hands on practical approach to caring for livestock, while keeping their environment as stress free and natural as possible. Dr. Purdy is committed to teaching practical large animal subjects to undergraduate and graduate students, and to helping undergraduate students gain admittance to veterinary school for a career as a large animal vet. He is involved in practical research and educational projects which promote improvement of camelid health.

  • Fecal and IgG Testing Seminar
    • Hands on lab focused on testing for internal parasites in alpacas and measuring antibody transfer in newborn crias. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct fecal parasite tests and use a centrifuge and microscope to identify fecal parasites as well as test IgG level and total protein of crias.
      Learn how to do your own fecals & IgGs!
      Registration required.
      Lab fee: $100 (Auction special: $150 less than standard price)
      limited to 25 people. Click here to register.
  • Neonatology and Antibody Transfer in Neonates and Correction of Antibody Deficiencies
  • Female Alpaca Reproductive Ultrasonography
  • Female Alpaca Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology Featuring a Behavior Testing Video
  • Camelid Vaccines and Management Issues - Q and A Session

  • Light Livestock Equipment & Supply supports Dr Purdy and the NUNOA Project.
    Learn more about this project to help a Peruvian Community and the children in its orphanage. (Click Here).
    Fecal & IgG Testing / Ultrasound Clinic                                                            
      with Dr Steve Purdy of U Mass Camelid Studies Program


    Date:    Friday July 31st
    Time:    8am to 5pm
    Place:   National Elite Auction
                  Leesburg,VA
                  www.elitealpacaauction.com
    Fecal & IgG Testing / Ultrasound Clinic                                                            
      with Dr Steve Purdy of U Mass Camelid Studies Program


    Date:    Saturday October 17th
    Time:    8am to 5pm
    Place:   Tripping Gnome Pen Sale/Educational Event
                  Freeport, ME
                  info@trippinggnomefarm.com
    Cancellation Policy:
    If a cancellation is received 30 days prior to the event tuition paid will be applied toward a future AVA seminar. Cancellations within 30 days of the event will result in the forfeiture of the tuition as expenses have been incurred and potential attendees may have been turned away. Thank you for your understanding.

     

    Dr Norm Evans
    Dr Norm Evans
    A day with the expert discussing the complete alpaca
    Jay, NY
    Saturday, August 8th, 2009
    8a to 5p (or later if needed)

      Seminar fee:
      $199 by 7/15/09
      $249 after 7/15/09
      $50 off for each added attendee per farm
    Seminar Registration
  • Parasite Control from the Ground Up with E.Mac & Epe
      This talk describes parasite prevention, and dewormer dosages. We discuss the 100 per cent deworming program as well as strategic control schedules. Do we “over deworm?” Is our fecal exam diagnostic? Are our dewormers working? We address these concerns.
  • Alpaca Skin Problems: Pictures; Diagnosis; Treatment
      Detailed Steps in Breeding Selection to Maximize Fiber including EPD's
  • How to Produce Fiber That Judges Will Reward
      We discuss selection for fiber, alpaca health, skin health, skin lesions, and how nutrition affects fiber quality and production
  • Nutrition Based on Need
      This talk addresses the reasons for testing alpaca forages and how to select the proper supplement based on the forage test. We discuss basic nutritional guidelines for different classes of alpacas. Also addressed is feeding space, choke, body scoring, etc. We discuss feeding management considerations, the obese alpaca & the thin alpaca. Nutrition related conditions such as polio, ulcers, and hepatic lipidosis.
  • Quarantine
      Many owners feel that they quarantine their alpacas. What is true quarantine? Many quarantines do not work. We discuss how diseases and parasites are affected by quarantine and how to make your quarantine work for you.
  • Costly Management Issues that Dr Evans encounters on alpaca farms
      This talk discusses several management considerations:
        Breeding and birthing considerations.
        Pregnancy monitoring
        Weak-born crias
        Colostrum and plasma considerations
        Weaning considerations
        Cheap vaccines and dewormers
        Prepurchase exams
        Stress, stressors, and the result
        We also discuss the problem breeding female and male.
  • Cancellation Policy:
    If a cancellation is received 30 days prior to the event tuition paid will be applied toward a future AVA seminar. Cancellations within 30 days of the event will result in the forfeiture of the tuition as expenses have been incurred and potential attendees may have been turned away. Thank you for your understanding.

     

    Evaluating your Alpacas

    Amanda VandenBosch
    Alpaca breeder: Huacayas and Suris.
    Senior AOBA Judge, Judge Trainer, Instructor and International Alpaca Judge.
    Location: AuSable Valley Alpacas, Jay, NY
    Saturday, September 19th, 2009
    8a to 5p (or later if needed)
      Seminar fee:
      $179 by 7/15/09
      $199 after 7/15/09
      $25 off for each added attendee per farm
    Seminar Registration
    Learn to assess conformation and fiber characteristics that will help you in your breeding decisions and developing your herd.

    A full day with power point presentations, hands-on assessments:
    Learn to systematically evaluate your alpacas. Proven techniques to assess conformation and fiber on your alpacas. This will help you assess each alpaca and look at values to improve your herd with each generation.

    Interested in showing? We will also discuss conformation and fiber characteristics and take the mystery of the show ring away. Which alpacas should go to a show; what do we mean by show ready?

    An interactive session, be ready work hands-on with the live alpacas and in the fleece room. Bring your questions and an open mind and we can arm you with valuable information for your future success.
    Amanda VandenBosch is a Senior AOBA Halter & Fleece Judge and an Alpaca Judge Trainer and Instructor in the USA. Amanda qualified as an International Alpaca Judge trained in Peru at the International Alpaca Judging School (IAJS) in 2000. She has judged shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. She has had the great honor of judging National Shows in the USA, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand, so truly has an International perspective. Amanda has a true love for judging and teaching.

    Amanda travels worldwide judging alpacas and giving presentations and workshops. Her “hands on” workshops are much sought after. Amanda worked with the (British Alpaca Society) BAS for 7 years with the Judge Training Program, and recently returned from New Zealand Judge Training along with regular appointments in the USA as a Senior Instructor for Judge Training in both Halter and Fleece.

    Amanda has spent many hours volunteering over the years at AOBA National Conferences, regional events and has participated on numerous committees.

    She is a past President of Calpaca, a Regional Affiliate and past Chair of the Judges Advisory Committee (JAC). She has had the opportunity to work with many of the world’s leading experts in the field of alpacas.

    Amanda is a native of the United Kingdom. She traveled and worked in England and Australia with thoroughbred horses, before she settled in the USA in 1991. With her husband Vince and two sons Cody (7) Hunter (3) they raise both Huacayas and Suris at their farm “Flying Dutchman Alpacas” in Bend, Oregon.
    Cancellation Policy:
    If a cancellation is received 30 days prior to the event tuition paid will be applied toward a future AVA seminar. Cancellations within 30 days of the event will result in the forfeiture of the tuition as expenses have been incurred and potential attendees may have been turned away. Thank you for your understanding.

    For More information, contact:
    Ausable Valley Alpacas
    Jay & Julie Ward
    57 Howard Heights Ln
    Jay, NY 12941
    Toll Free: (866)999-AVA1(2821)
    Cell:(518) 524-0545

    info@Ausablevalleyalpacas.com

     
    Take advantage of a pre-buy opportunity to buy equipment now and get DISCOUNTS when we deliver or ship to the seminars.
    Cancellation Policy:
    If a cancellation is received 30 days prior to the event tuition paid will be applied toward a future AVA seminar. Cancellations within 30 days of the event will result in the forfeiture of the tuition as expenses have been incurred and potential attendees may have been turned away. Thank you for your understanding.

    Past Seminars
    Alpaca Shearing - Presenter Matt Best

    Camelid Breeding & Medicine

    Alpacas - All Things Considered

    Fecal & IgG Testing
    Alpaca Health

    Neonatal Clinic with Dr LaRue Johnson

    Evaluating your Alpaca

    Tax benefits of Alpacas