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 The
2006 Suri Llama Association conference was held at the
Estes Park Conference Center & Fairgrounds in Estes
Park, Colorado
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Photos
Copyright © Jennifer Clark
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“Back to the Future” Suri Llama Association Conference
Report
by Sue Rolfing
Not since the national conferences of the 1980s have I witnessed
so much genuine excitement about llama breeding, seen such
rapt attention and serious quizzing of scholarly speakers,
and enjoyed such a kicked-back gathering as at the first Suri
Llama Association conference June 1-4, 2006, in Estes Park,
CO.
Statements from the podium reverberated with such promise
that most, maybe all, of the crowd went home convinced that
SLA has embarked on something entirely worthwhile. And it
may be just what we need to sustain our llama operations.
First up was Peru-based archaeozoologist Dr. Jane Wheeler.
Jane’s speaking manner is almost as moving as the camelid
bones she has spent her entire career studying, but she held
us spellbound. Flashing a 1,000-year-old, pre-Incan suri llama
mummy on the screen, Jane pleaded with us to preserve biodiversity
and this ancient breed “no matter what the cost.” Every ear
in the place perked up, and the message was taken to heart.
Single-handedly Jane validated the work, indeed the very existence,
of the SLA.
Delving further into the breed concept, Virginia Geneticist
Dr. Phil Sponenberg said we are not so much preserving as
“recreating” the suri llama breed by goal-driven selective
breeding, just as our Andean forebears did thousands of years
ago.
Both Phil and Dr. David Ames, a Colorado livestock breed
standard expert, gave high praise to SLA for so quickly taking
the necessary steps toward setting suris apart as a breed:
writing a breed standard, developing the keuring inspection
process, setting up a registry with good database potential.
Andy Tillman supplied additional evidence of suri as a distinct
llama breed based on electron microscope studies of fiber
from his Oregon herd.
Ruth Elvestad, manager of Canada’s Natural Fibre Center and
testing laboratory in Olds, Alberta, provided hands-in-the-bag
learning and discussed the potential for suri llama fleece.
From a textile standpoint, suri llama is virtually indistinguishable
from suri alpaca according to producers of garments featured
in SLA’s style show of suri llama fashions. After years of
itchy disappointment, I am thrilled to report that suri wears
as comfortably as cashmere, even on super-sensitive skin.
Indiana livestock veteran Darrell Anderson summed up the
experience of his 80 fellow attendees, whose combined years
as camelid breeders numbers about 1,000: “It was a breath
of fresh air. People were really excited, anxious to talk,
exchange ideas and learn new facts. The options for using
DNA technology and genomic information in breeding programs
not too far down the road was really fascinating.”
Darrell was also impressed with the marketing plan rolled
out by the board during the membership meeting. “In establishing
a separate breed there are opportunities to distinguish ourselves
through cooperation. The marketing for suris is going to be
positive for the whole industry.” Darrell presided as auctioneer
for SLA’s post-banquet sale of suri llamas and art that raised
$92,500 for an ad campaign.
“The animals at the conference were beautiful and intriguing,”
according to Loren Hoppe, who finds the SLA breed preservation
project very appealing. After 15 years as a respected breeder,
Loren “retired” from llamas eight years ago but is considering
putting suri llamas on a small Minnesota acreage where he
is building a new home.
“It’s not like going back and doing what I did before. It’s
refreshing, a new direction with new dimensions that use my
same experience and contacts. And I think there’s a good chance
the market will be there for something different and new.
I’m also looking at suri alpacas, but there is something rustically
elegant about llamas, a calmness and personality I like.”
Conference organizers were commended for assembling PhD-level
speakers with vast experience in breed development and organization.
They graciously hung around all weekend to let us pick their
brains. Their perspectives were at once complimentary of the
visionary work of the board and cautionary regarding the need
to involve as many breeders and owners as possible.
Accessible throughout the event, the SLA board was anxious
to receive and respond to membership input. To resolve apparent
confusion over keuring (an evaluation of fiber and conformation
required for entry in the Suri Llama Registry), an impromptu
explanatory session was conducted before an informal “Show
Off” competition with not-too-suri-ous awards for Best Luster,
Wildest Color, Best Movement and such.
The conference and lodging venue, the llama and vendor displays
at the nearby fairgrounds, and Western BBQ dinner site (imagine
talking llama breeding over a beer at a campfire with elk
grazing a few yards away) were welcoming for newcomers. For
old-timers, it lent to a casual, friendly atmosphere of mutual
respect and humble gratitude that we are still in this wonderful
business, with an exciting new project to work on together.
Special recognition is due to suri llama auction donors
Bonnie & Tom Riley, Michelle & Tony Feidler, Linda
Berry Walker & Brent Walker, Ileen & Wendell Miller,
Victoria Miller & Jim Carter, Karen & Mark Brant,
Sharon & Fred Isayew, Pat Sullivan; fashion show organizer
Judy Wolff-Mills; MCs Boyd & Pat Bell; SLA board members
and conference organizers Linda Berry Walker, Tom Riley, Cheryl
Frey, Andy Tillman and Vicki Miller, president.
Photos
Copyright © Jennifer Clark
Mark your calendar for the 2007 conference:
May 31 - June 3, 2007
Back to Events
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