ARF-Goals for the Future

The Alpaca Research Foundation provides funding to qualified investigators for alpaca-related scientific research that will benefit alpaca breeders on national and international levels. Some areas of current research interest are outlined below. However, ARF welcomes all proposals dealing with important aspects of alpaca health, husbandry, genetics and fiber.

Health : ARF is seeking proposals to study a) the prevention, early detection and treatment of disorders that are significant problems in alpacas including, but not limited to, meningeal worm and other parasites, reproductive disorders, bovine viral diarrhea (BVDV) and other infectious diseases; b) the incidence of thyroid disease and effects of thyroid dysfunction on reproductive physiology, fiber quality, and overall health; and c) pharmacokinetics of drugs that might be useful for the treatment of alpacas.

Husbandry: ARF is seeking proposals to establish optimal nutritional requirements of the alpaca, including trace minerals and vitamins at various stages of growth and development.

Genetics: ARF is seeking proposals to identify traits in the alpaca that may be amenable to DNA testing, particularly congenital defects such as choanal atresia and wry face.

Fiber: ARF is seeking proposals to identify objective measures of fleece character and to determine the influence of genetic and environmental factors on those measures.