John Gunther is a young man with a vision.  At 22 years of age, John has been shearing for over 10 years.  John lives and works on his family's sheep farm in Ohio, and has decided to concentrate his shearing business on Alpacas since 2004.  John brings a crew of assistants for shearing, and is very mindful of bio-security.  Being self-trained, John has developed his own method of shearing that works well with the Certified Sorted system.  Call Rachel, John's mother, for scheduling information.

330/378-5150

http://www.shearingalpaca.com

johnbrian@shearingalpaca.com

Jamie Jones is one of the shearers trained by Mark Loffhagen.  Jamie has been shearing on his own since the 2003 season.  He also works well with the fiber sorters using the Certified Sorted system.  To schedule shearing with Jamie Jones, contact Mark Loffhagen, above.  Jamie is in demand, so get on the list early.

Alpaca Shearer:

Tracey Annis, professional shearer

We have known Tracey fo many years.  She has been the Ranch Manager for Old Oaks Ranch for quite some time, and has provided shearing services for a number of Texas alpaca ranches as well.  There are several good points about Tracey: She only works in Texas, she prefers to travel to the client's ranch for shearing, and finally but also important she works during the summer.  So for late season shearing, in Texas only, give Tracey Annis a call.

(512) 293-5021 mobile

Paul Smith is an Alpaca shearer I have not worked with.  Paul works out of Ft. Collins, Colorado during the shearing season, from April to July.  The contact information I have is from New Zealand, his home country, so I assume he lives there the rest of the year.  I have only heard good feedback about Paul Smith, including his work with fiber sorters using the Certified Sorted system, and can recommend him from this dependable, second-hand information.

New Zealand phone: #0116433776351

alpaca_shearing@callsouth.net.nz 

Dr. Turner cares for our herd from his office at Risinger Veterinary Hospital in Terrell, Texas.  As a mixed practice vet, Dr. Turner can cover most Alpaca medical care issues, and can recommend specialists when necessary.  We are very pleased with the care Dr. Turner has delivered, and recommend him for other alpaca ranches in the area.

972/563-3305

551 FM 146, Terrell, Texas 75160

Dr. John Walla is a mixed animal practice vet in the Navasota, Texas area.  He covers many of the Alpaca herds in his area.  Dr. Walla can diagnos and treat most Alpaca medical issues, or can recommend specialists when necessary.  Dr. John Walla has an office at South Central Veterinary Services in Navasota, Texas.

936-870-4033

502 E Washington Ave., Navasota, Texas 77868

Dr. Ben Buchanan

Dr. Ben Buchanan is an alpaca specialists in the Navasota, Texas area.  A graduate of Texas A&M in 2001, Dr. Buchanan has specific skills in diagnosis of alpaca disease, emergency service, and surgery if necessary.  Dr. Ben Buchanan is officed at the Brazos Valley Equine Hospital in Navasota, Texas.

936/825-2197

6999 Hwy. 6, Navasota, Texas 77866 

Scholarship developed by STAR to support Veterinary Students at TAMU

STAR and the Mid-America Alpaca Foundation

The State of Texas Alpaca Ranchers (STAR) in partnership with the Mid-America Alpaca Foundation (MAAF) is funding an "externship," or scholarship for a vet student to gain valuable experience working directly with an alpaca vet.  The agreement was established in early 2011 and funded by STAR in March of that year.  The funds are distributed annually by MAAF to a selected student at Texas A&M University.  The student will arrange to work directly with a practicing vet who routinely treats alpacas.  The scholarship will be funded by STAR for 5 years. 

For more information about STAR

For more information about Mid-America Alpaca Foundation

Mail order supply company with more camelid ranching equipment and stuff.  They are not usually present at the shows, but they have an accessible and full inventory available online.

http://www.useful-items.com/ 

Mail order supply company with a little bit of everything you might need for an Alpaca ranch. You might have met these folks at the last show you attended, or have ordered from their website.  Check it out for new items or that missing tool you needed since last year.

https://secure.llamaproducts.com/