"Belonging to an association that provides the event insurance which makes it possible for me to participate in llama shows, pack trials and other events - $40 per year.
Receiving e-mail announcements about upcoming events as well as notices about current health issues and other useful information -
$40 per year.
Having free access to a large and varied collection of lama-related books,
videos and publications - $40 per year.
Having the opportunity to advertise animals, goods and services for sale at a reasonable cost in the Service Directory and the Journal - $40 per year.
Receiving a quarterly magazine with interesting articles on a wide variety
of topics relating to lamas and information about lama events in the Rocky
Mountain region on a regular and timely basis - $40 per year.
Having the opportunity to attend conferences where I can socialize with and learn from people like Murray Fowler, Chris Switzer, Sharon Beacham, Charlie Hackbarth and Stan Ebel (to name just a few) - $250 to $350 or less per conference.
Belonging to an association which exists for the primary purpose of
networking with other lama owners, sharing information and learning from each other instead of just competing or trying to sell animals * PRICELESS!"
Cheryl, Spring 2006
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• RMLA worked with other lama organizations to successfully defeat an effort by one National Parks Superintendent to ban llamas from its park lands, mistakenly claiming that llamas carried Johnes Disease. Now RMLA is supporting new lama research to determine the actual prevalence of Johnes in lamas. We feel that this research will prove once and for all that lamas are not carriers of Johnes and head off further efforts by government agencies to ban lamas or to require testing of lamas for the disease.
  
  
• RMLA participated in past years' attempts to "unify" the efforts of the llama and alpaca communities. We were members of and supported Llama Assembly, The Alpaca and Llama Symposium and The Lama Steering Committee.
  RMLA sponsors a variety of events with something for everyone. This past year RMLA sponsored over 30 events for lamas including ALSA shows, the JellyBean Classic fun day, Fairplay Llama Race, the Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade, and a number of fiber and training workshops.
  
  
• RMLA supports and promote the very successful Fiber Co-op. The Co-op is successful in creating a marketplace for lama fiber and has given RMLA members a sales outlet for the fiber their animals are naturally producing.
  
  
• RMLA holds Mini-Conferences at different locations. A typical conference costs around $25.00 and includes topics such as fiber, packing, marketing, pasture management, shearing, youth showing and caring for your lama. A scrumptious meal follows the classes providing a wonderful opportunity to gather with fellow lama owners. Afterward we hold our RMLA Board meeting with the membership.
  
  
• RMLA publishes Caring for Llamas and Alpacas . . . the industry standard. This book covers all the routine health maintenance issues concerning llamas and alpacas in an easy to understand format.
  
  
• The Service Directory: "The Yellow Pages" of the llama industry was distributed to over 1000 non-RMLA members in the Rocky Mountain Region and continues to be your very best means of advertising. All RMLA members received a copy of this directory. It will be passed out at shows and county fairs, and distributed to those seeking information about llamas or alpacas. This year the Directory will be an integral part of our marketing plan. Don't miss this opportunity to promote your ranch, your store or your special services. Your "Service Directory" hard copy advertisement may be placed, by category, on the RMLA web for no extra charge. Remember you must be a member to advertise! Our Web receives thousands of visitors every week, from all over the world. (Ads for the Service Directory must be placed from January 1 through March 31 each year - sorry we only do this once a year!)
  
  
• Internet: Many of our members are getting results from the RMLA web site and we'll always be expanding and enhancing our presence on the net in the future.
  Adult RMLA members are listed under "Members" on the RMLA web with Names, Farm/Ranch Name address, phone, fax, email and web listed for only the cost of the membership.
  
  
• In 2002, RMLA kept all of you informed about the status of Foot & Mouth Disease, including the possible government regulations that might have been imposed, in case of a major outbreak like that in the United Kingdom.
  
  
• In 2003, RMLA kept all of you informed about the status of West Nile Virus, symptoms, treatments and the possible preventive vaccine(s) available.
  
  
• In 2004 RMLA made you aware of a Government program to Identify each individual animal in the US Livestock industry, (including Llamas and Alpacas) and we kept you informed about your Farm/Ranch Identification requirements. Please be aware that this is an ongoing situation, and RMLA will do it's best to keep you all up to date on the latest information.
  
  
• In 2005 we were made aware of an emerging disease: BVDV. Postings about the disease are on the Health page. The 2006 "disease of the year" was "the Snots". Then there was the discovery that "Epe" was now Mycoplasma haemolamae.