President’s Letter:

Winter is just around corner and we have all started that annual project of having the essentials is place. Hopefully, our llama friends have a good coat and have a just a little extra weight for those unbearable days when eating so difficult. More, importantly have you done everything to protect them?

I was never great in breaking water so we have heaters in all of our water tanks. Always test them. For some strange reason they can go bad just sitting in the barn. Also, wrap those outside water pipes to the top with heat tape. It is a good idea to cover the pipe bottoms with bags of sand for insulation. I certainly don’t like to haul water at 5 degrees and 6” of snow!

Finally,our food and shelter. We feed round bales of hay and grain. We set enough bales to provide some wind protection right along with food. Our grain bins are raised fairly high and we keep the snow out. The shelter factor can range from loafing sheds to barns and to natural barriers. The best shelter factor though is really you. Watch and watch and if something isn’t right, always err  on the side of caution. Most of you know all this, but sometimes it awakes a matter for your attention. God Bless You and

Merry Christmas,

Jim Wining, President                                              

Editorial

Anyway, this year  my husband has had two long stays in the hospital , my daughter has moved her café into larger quarters, and things seem to be piling up on me.

I am certain we have some talented people out there who can do this job and bring some new ideas to make this association grow.  I will be happy to continue to submit articles, events for the calendar, but really, after 20 years it is time to retire. 

Saying this, I still plan to be a MLA member and in full support of this association working to create opportunities for our llama owners to raise, show, sell, and find fiber really interesting.   

Thanks for all the support over the years.

Zelma Cleaveland

Zellama Farm

P.O. Box 846

Chillicothe, MO 64601

phone 660 646-5233

email: zkllamas@aol.com