Date To Be Announced. Cost $25.00/includes GST.
Presented by: Debby Ulrich, The High Sierra Llama Ranch, Portola, CA
Have you ever wondered why a cria's (baby llama) coat color appeared so unlike it's parents? Did you know that genetic grays and genetic whites do not exist in llamas? When it comes to actual colors, that there are only two genetic choices, black or red!
Every other phenotype we see of different color shades, intensities and patterns are not caused by color genes at all, but by non color related modifying, dilution, pattern and marking genes.
Is a bay pattern a brownish red color with black socks or is it a black llama with a brownish red body? What is an Agouti? Did you know it Is possible to plan color and patterns as a part of a breeding program, and actually predict the probability of the color of offspring of the two individuals you are pairing?.
Debby will present two seminars - one for the llama breeder and one for the fibre artist who wants to know more about colour. In both cases llamas will be available for hands on. Debby is a llama fleece judge and will also demonstrate how to pick a great llama fleece.
Debbie Ulrich resides with her husband Kevin, and their herd of select llamas in the high sierra town of Portola, CA. A small ranching community just north of Lake Tahoe, CA and Reno, NV. The Ullrich's have been a member of the llama community since 1991 when they bought their first llamas, and established the High Sierra Llama Ranch. Debby brought to her llamas the background of a lifetimes work of breeding, training and showing Arabian Horses. She had also worked for many years as a veterinary technician in large animal medicine, with an extensive education in the areas of reproduction, lameness, and nutrition as well as emergency medicine. She takes her commitment to llamas and the llama community very seriously. In developing a marketing strategy, Debby recognized that part of an individual buyers decision process includes a color preference. Be it purchasing a car, clothing, home, puppy or llama, color often is a deciding factor. 12 years ago despite constantly being told that one can not plan color, and that "llama color just happens, you can't breed for it", a exploration into llama color genetics begin. Today after years of observation, genetic research, the tracking of thousands of llama pedigrees, and extensive studies in the chemistry of pigment it was no surprise to understand that llamas are like every other species. Breeders can produce first and foremost for correctly conformed, sound minded llamas, but that phenotypic color and pattern preferences can also consistently be apart of a breeding program. Debby is presently completing a book titled Understanding Llama Color Phenotype, Genetics and the Chemistry of Color, which will be available in print soon! Besides her endeavor in Llama Color Debby:
*Is a ALSA Level II Llama Judge.
* Worked with breeders as a Llama Herd Consultant in developing programs, managing herd health, genetics, and sales and marketing.
*1995 to 2000 - Served on the Board of Director's for the Llama Association of North America (LANA) for five and a half years, ending in 2001. Acting as LANA's Research director for four and a half years and a term as President.
* 1996 after the cessation of a long term border close between the US and Canada, organized the first Veterinary CE and certification class for the Axillary TB Test for APHIS, which was needed at the time to import and export llamas between the US and Canada.
*1996 to present - Events coordinator, including 3 LANA Expo's and being part of the Reno Nevada, 2006 Virginia Christensen Classic team.
*1998 to Present - Member of the Llama Medical Research Group (LMRG).
*1998 - 2005 member of the Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group.
*2004 to Present - A member of the ILR color focus group. Working to redefine llama color phenotype definitions.
* 2007 - Became a ISLA and CSAA Licensed and Certified Livestock Appraiser specializing in camelids.
To register for this workshop call: 604-856-0771
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