Question:
We are considering upgrading the quality of our llama herd. Which is more important, buying a better stud or buying better quality females?

Answer:
The simple answer to your question is both. There are however, many variables in an upgrading program. One must have a vision of the end product prior to beginning the upgrading process. Breeding for correct conformation is very important and should be the first consideration. You may be breeding for the show ring, packing or for pets and companions llamas. In either case it is important to first breed for correct conformation. If they can’t move properly they can not function properly. Other things to consider include wool length, wool type, size and disposition. Having decided on these important factors one can now begin upgrading the herd.

A high quality male is an important ingredient in improving the cria over the Dam. The male can not do the job by himself and depending on the quality of the Dam it usually takes several generations of breeding quality males to see a marked improvement. Not to say the male is not important. He is. An old livestock adage says "If you buy the correct male he will be 50% of the future of your herd and if you purchase the wrong male he will be 100% of the future of your herd." The breeding male being used is so influential to the future of the herd that the most critical and the most important decision is the selection of the herd sire. Many articles have been written about the actual herd sire selection process. Let us simply say that it is important to purchase the best herd sire possible, one that portrays the traits you are looking for and is likely to produce the traits that you would like to improve in your females.

As I said above, the male can not do it by himself. Realizing that it is more expensive to upgrade the female herd it is never the less as important a step as the acquisition of the herd sire. When selecting females of greater quality one must again keep the original herd goals in mind. For example, if you decided to breed for long wooled llamas don’t buy a medium wool female because the sire had long wool. She may or may not produce long wooled cria. In turn, if you buy a long wooled female the odds are that if she is bred to a long wooled male she will produce woolly cria. The same considerations apply when selecting females with correct conformation or a pleasant disposition. Many experienced breeders of livestock will make comments regarding great female blood lines. History has shown that great females are truly influential in herd improvement. A really great female can be bred to an average quality male and will still often produce great cria. Consistently having great females bred to your high quality stud produces a large percentage of outstanding cria.

Upgrading first the male and then the females is generally a logical and affordable process in overall herd improvement.