Where have I been?

I didn't realize it's been a couple of weeks since the last time I wrote. Time really flies. My back went out right around the time of my last post, then I had some additional health issues to take care of. Now my back is fine and everything is looking much better.

Last weekend we microchipped our three crias. Alpaca farms participate in the livestock ID program by microchipping or eartagging their animals. We use Riley ID and have a scanner to read the chips. The chips come in a sealed package and are inside a very large "needle". We use a special injector that pushes the microchip out of the needle after we poke the needle under the skin. Click on this link to see instructions from Riley ID on how to inject the microchips: http://www.rileyid.com/directions/injecting.htm.

It looks like it might really hurt, but after we're finished our alpacas are fine. They might be upset with us at first, but they get over it in time. Fortunately, we've never had any complications or problems while microchipping our alpacas. As a matter of fact, there most often isn't any bleeding from the process either. It looks lot worse than it is.

I received an update from the AAFF regarding the alpaca fiber they've purchased from member farms. In their latest message they said, "December 3 & 4, 2008 will make history for the alpaca world. That is the date of the Denim by Première Vision, show http://www.denimbypremierevision.com/." The show is in Paris, France, and it's dedicated to denim. AAFF will be promoting their American alpaca denim fabric. Let's hope they have great success at the show so the demand for alpaca fiber increases in the U.S.

Hey, tomorrow is Election Day - don't forget to exercise your right to vote!