National Animal Identification System (NAIS) Prepared by the Camelid ID Working Group, Education/Outreach Subcommittee Berry Acres Llamas.

National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

Prepared by the Camelid ID Working Group,Education/Outreach Subcommittee

Berry Acres Llamas

Camelid Industry Brief Overview

~300,000 - 325,000 camelids overall in the US:

• Registered Llama/guanaco/cross-breeds 157, 803

• Registered Alpacas 86, 054

243 ,857

Top 4 alpaca farming states: OH, WA, OR, CA

Top 4 llama farming states: OR, CA, TX, WA

Average herd size is less than 50 animals Intl. Lama Registry

Camelid Industry Brief Overview cont’d

Major record-keeping organizations:

Registries: Alpaca Registry Inc.

International Lama Registry, Inc.

Owner Assoc. - Alpaca Owners & Breeders Ass’n

Show Assoc. - AOBA Show Division

- Alpaca & Llama Show Assoc.

• 3300 entered in ALSA shows 2005

Growth of the New World Camelid population in North America

Year New Regis. Total Registered

New Regis. Total Registered

1986 458 - - 6,700 est.

1996 2,765 - 14,930 -

2004 7,339 49,047 5,768 149,524

2005 16,056 - 5,170 154,694

2006

(to 7/31/06)

11,025 86,054 3,109 157,803

Alpaca Registry Inc. Intl. Lama Registry

CWG Accomplishments Since 2005

• Established a web site: www.camelidid.org

• Web site contains a generic Power Point file for use by any camelid group, explaining NAIS

• Issues press releases

• Conducted owner survey Spring 2006 to determine current use and preference of method of ID in camelids

Camelid ID WG

Industry Survey – Major Findings

Method of ID:

• 67.5% responding have at least one animal identified with a microchip

• 93% prefer to use this method over any other in future

Implant Site:

• 61% currently use base of either ear, many other locations also used• 57% prefer base of left ear for recommended site

Movement Tracking:

• 50% say not enough detail to make decision on tracking entity• 33% willing to spend less than $1 over animal’s life

CWG Recommendation to USDA

#1. For participation in the NAIS, the Camelid ID Working Group (CWG) recommends the implanted microchip as the preferred method for identification of camelids.(approved by industry 8/18/06)

• Based upon current Registry statistics

~50% registered alpacas microchipped

~10% registered llamas microchipped

• Preferred method per industry survey (93%)

Future Tasks

Three Subcommittees established:

• Specifications on implanted microchips

• Details on movement tracking

• Camelid epidemiology

• Conditions for industry participation:

* Grandfathering in of existing chips

* Confidentiality of data

* Minimal cost to producers

Implanted Microchip - Details

• Insertion site(s) to be used?

• Chip frequency to be used? Move to ISO?

• Universal scanner availability is critical

• Phase-in timeline if move to ISO?

• Determine what data element to use for AIN

Alpacas Magazine

Movement Tracking - Details

• Determine reportable vs recordable events

• When to report and to whom?

• Can registries track for that species?

• What role might show associations have?

Berry Acres LlamasLeraso Farms

Industry Concerns with NAIS

• Cost to producers for both identification and tracking

• Increase in number of rescue animals?

• Confidentiality of information

• Reduce the level of interest in owning camelids?• Regulation of industry

S. Bramblett

Questions or Comments??

Contact the CWG Co-Chairs:

Dr. Julie Jarvinen

Office: 515-294-0869

Home: 515-292-3829

[email protected]

Teri Nilson Baird

Cell (303) 549-4434

Home: 303-646-4373

[email protected] Broken Windmill Ranch

Wellspring Suri Alpacas,LLC

Pat Sullivan, Star Sapphire Ranch