THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR LLAMA SHOW

The IL State Fair Llama Show is now history. Here at Wier World Llamas & Alpacas we are proud of the accomplishments of our animals -- and the wonderful friends that took over when my purse was stolen on the Friday night of the fair. Punxsutawney (3rd), Pebbles, Autumn all placed for us.

Congrats to all -- especially to the Thompson's and Holliday's -- whose 19 year old llama placed 6th in the Land of Lincoln show.

Read more about the IL State Fair on our blog.

CAMELID COMMUNITY 2010

This year's event produced a "Basics of Fiber" brochure at the annual working meeting; a"must attend" by those wanting to help direct the future of the camelid industry.

Read more about our participation in the annual Camelid Community conference on our blog.

PAINTING ON THE TIPI

Artist Rebecca Peterson was commissioned to paint a likeness of our favorite llama, Pale Moon's Amanda, on our Native American tipi. Becky is a college student at Carthage College in Wisconsin and a remarkably talented artist. She even caught Amanda's "tipped" ear and the small heart above her right eye. Thank you, Becky, for your depiction of our Amanda!

Check out our blog post about the tipi painting.

SALE! SALE! SALE!

Are you looking for some fabulous animals to add to your herd? Are you wanting to start your own llama or alpaca farm? Wier World has a TON of great llamas and alpacas for sale at ridiculously great prices. We have crias, suris, parade-ready animals, registered llamas, registered alpacas and more!

Check out the current deals by clicking here!

ACCEPTED INDUSTRY PRACTICE

1. When your animal dies?
a. Use your tractor/loader or shovel to dig a plot and bury the animal.
b. Pay a neighbor with equipment to bury the animal (going rate is $100).
c. Call a rendering company that disposes of livestock.

2. When you sell an animal that dies or is nonproductive?
a. Are you willing to replace that animal with a similarly valued animal?
b. Be clear about your return/replacement policy up front.

3. If you ask another breeder to sell an animal for you.
a. Establish the commission price up front.
b. If animal is boarded at seller's farm, expect deduction for care, upon sale.

4. If you "gift" and older/unsaleable animal to another farm.
a. Offer some monetary amount toward that animal's care.
b. Give them ALL the paperwork.

5. When you buy animals:
a. Expect to pay board if they are not picked up within 30 days.
b. Expect to pay transport costs for delivery of animals, unless included.
c. Expect that animals must be paid in full before delivery.
d. Realize that the seller has spent YEARS and DOLLARS to amass necessary equipment, medications, microchips, etc., and they are not FREE.

6. If you are a new farm/new owner:
a. Set aside furnds for FEED, HAY, incidentals. Don't spend all of your liquid cash on animals, as they must be fed and cared for once they arrive.
b. Realize that you will eventually need a tractor/loader; system to transport your animals; qualified veterinarian; certain meds on hand at all times.
c. There is a cost and value for colostrum, antibiotics; medications. These are standard things that EVERY camelid breeder should have on hand.
d. If you "borrow" such items, expect to pay for them or replace them quickly.