Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF)

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Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF)

• Funding the Future

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What IF

• We were able to cure our alpacas of potentially
  life-threatening diseases with just a few doses
  of the right medicine?
• Fewer defective cria were born?
• More alpacas had extremely dense baby-fine fleece
  and colors were easier to predict?
• Veterinarians had all the information they needed
  to treat our alpacas?

Photo by Jackie Donaldson
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Would You be Surprised to Know

• The researchers and technology are available to
  answer these questions.
• The science exists.
• All that is lacking is the funding to support the
  research.

Photo by Jackie Donaldson
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What is ARF?

• ARF is an independent non-profit organization
  that provides funding for alpaca-related
  research.
• ARF does not conduct research. However, it funds
  research proposals submitted byqualified
  researchers.

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ARFs Mission

• To encourage and support scientific research
  which benefits the North American alpaca
  industry, primarily in areas of alpaca health and
  husbandry, geneticsand fiber

Photo by Kerry Anderson
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ARFs Organization

• Board of Directors - comprised of DVMs,
  MDsand PhDs
• Set research priorities and select proposals for
  funding
• Disseminate research information to alpaca
  breeders
• Development Committee - comprised of industry
  representatives
• Develop and implement fundraising activities

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Partners for Knowledge

• Morris Animal Foundation (MAF)
• Largest private funding agency for companion
  animal and wildlife research
• Funds alpaca research through their Llama/Alpaca
  Division
• Has infrastructure for financial scientific
  monitoring of studies
• Enables ARF to work cooperatively with the llama
  community through the Lama Medical Research Group

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Partners for Knowledge

• ARF cooperates with MAF to provide
• Alpaca industry input to MAF projects
• Funding support for select MAF projects
• Representation on the MAF Board of Directors and
  Executive Committee

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Funding Process
ARF Requests Research Proposals
Spring
Researcher submits research proposal
Summer
Fall
ARF BoardReviews Proposal
Proposals Funded
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Funding Sources

• AOBA and ARI Check-offs on Membership Renewals
• Annual Giving Letter
• Auction of Donated Animals
• Super Stud Raffle at AOBA meeting
• Affiliate and Private Donations
• 100 of Donations Go Towards Funding Research

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ARF Successes

• An Integrated Radiation Hybrid Map of the Alpaca
• Analysis of the genome sequence of an alpaca
  corona virus
• Prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)
  infected US alpaca herds and factors associated
  with BVDV seropositive herd status
• Pharmacokinetics of Oral Omeprazole in Llamas

Photo by Lucy Farrar
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ARF Successes, cont.

• The Effect of Oral Omeprazole on Third
  Compartment pH in Clinically Normal Alpacas
• Efficacy and Pharmacokinetics of Pantoprazole in
  Alpacas
• Pharmacokinetics After Intravenous, Subcutaneous,
  and Oral Administration of Enrofloxacin to
  Alpacas
• Ovulation-inducing factor in alpaca semen

Photo by Deb Hill
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ARF Current Ongoing Projects

• Characterization and Identification of a novel
  Coronavirus and Association with Respiratory
  Symptoms in Alpacas
• Investigating the Infectivity of Camelid
  Coronavirus and Bovine Coronavirus in Camelids
• An Evaluation of Objective Measurements of Luster
  in Suri Alpaca Fleeces and comparison with
  Subjective Assessments

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ARF Ongoing Projects, cont.

• Use of a Fecal PCR to Detect Eimaria
  macusaniensis Infection in Camelids
• Assembly, Annotation, and Comparative Analysis of
  the Alpaca Whole Genome Sequence
• Investigation of the Multiple-Malformation
  Syndrome in Llamas and Alpacas Associated with
  Choanal Atresia
• Prevalence of Anthelmintic Resistant
  Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Camelids

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Could We Do More?

• Every year, we receive many excellent research
  proposals.
• There simply isnt enough money to fund them all.

Photo by Deb Hill
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What Can You Doto Help?

• Spread the word about ARF
• Write an ARF Investigator profile for Alpacas
  Magazine
• Consider volunteering for the Development
  Committee
• Encourage faculty members at your States
  veterinary college to submit research proposals
  to ARF

Photo by Jackie Donaldson
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What Can You Doto Help?

• Provide financial support through
• Donate breedings or auction proceeds
• Work through affiliateson special events to
  benefit ARF
• Make a cash donation

Photo by Jackie Donaldson
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Working Together

• We can find the medicines we need to cure life
  threatening diseases
• We can reduce the number of defective cria born
• We can improve fiber quality and improve the
  predictability of offspring colors
• Veterinarians will have the information they need
  to treat our alpacas

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For More Information

• Contact the ARF Board through our website with
  your research related questions and concerns
  atwww.alpacaresearchfoundation.org
• Watch for ARF sponsored articles in Alpacas
  Magazine

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Thank You