|
Written
by David E Anderson, DVM
Environmental Impact of Camelids (Herein
defined as alpacas and llamas, but not including vicuna or guanaco)
We have been investigating the
environmental impact of camelids for several years. These studies have included
containment and shelter, feed intake, water intake, fecal output, fecal
examination for important pathogens, and pasture management. These studies have
allowed us to make a number of statements.
Containment
and shelter: Camelids are
easily contained and rarely challenge fencing. These species do not perform
activities that are destructive to fencing or wooden structures and rarely jump
through, over, or under fences. Shelter must be provided for protection against
adverse weather conditions. We have determined that alpacas require a minimum of
8 square feet per animal and llamas a minimum of 10 square feet per animal.
Three sided shelters with a roof are adequate for this requirement.
Feed
and water intake and fecal output: Camelids
consume approximately similar amounts of water as compared with goats
(approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons per head per day for alpacas; 2 to 3 gallons
per head per day for llamas). Daily urine output of alpacas (average adult body
weight 125 to 165 lbs.) and llamas (average adult body weight 250 to 350 lbs.)
are similar to that of sheep (average adult body weight 150 to 300 lbs.) and
goats (average adult body weight 125 to 200 lbs.). Thus, the biological
equivalency to sheep is approximately 1.0. Camelids consume a relatively lower
percentage of their body weight in dry matter on a daily basis as compared with
sheep and goats. Sheep and goats are expected to consume approximately 2.5% of
their body weight per day (e.g. 200 lbs. sheep consumes 5 lbs. dry matter per
day or 16.6 lbs. grass (assuming 30% dry matter of grass). Alpacas and llamas
are expected to consume approximately 1.8 % of their body weight per day in dry
matter (e.g. a 200 lbs. camelid would consume approximately 3.6 lbs. dry matter
or 12 lbs. grass per day (assuming
30% dry matter of grass). Fecal output is proportional to dry matter intake.
Thus, the biological equivalency to sheep is approximately 0.72. Based on these
findings, we consider camelids to be a low risk for ground water contamination
(see further comments in pasture management).
Urine
contamination: Urine is a necessary by-product of life. Water is a
vital nutrient for digestion and metabolic processes. Marcilese et al (1994)
determined water turnover in llamas. In winter, body water was estimated as 659
ml/kg with a daily water turnover of 116-ml/ kg0.82. In spring and summer,
daily water turnover was increased. Daily water turnover in lactating llamas in
summer was approximately 396 ml/kg0.82 and that of non-lactating llamas was
260-ml/ kg0.82. In studies of water
consumption, alpacas consumed similar water on a body weight basis as compared
with goats… Rubsamen et al (1975) determined that llamas consumed 62
ml/kg0.82/24 hours and goats consumed 59 ml/kg0.82/24 hours. Thus, a 60 kg
alpaca will consume less than 1 gallon (3.7 L) of water per day. Urine
production is expected to approximate 10 to 15 ml/kg/24 hours. Thus, a 60 kg
alpaca will produce approximately 1 quart (600 to 900 ml) of urine per day.
Pesticide
use: Pesticides are uncommonly
used in alpacas because of the limited need to do so. Thus, the potential
environmental impact is negligible.
Fecal
pathogens: Compared with
traditional livestock species, camelids are not known to be carriers of
important pathogens (e.g. Johne's disease, Salmonella sp., E. coli OH: 157,
etc) and are uncommon carriers of secondary pathogens (e.g. Cryptosporidium
sp., Giardia sp). In our studies involving random sampling of farms with
alpacas and llamas, we have not found Salmonella SP or Johne's Disease
organisms. In a study performed by the University of California at Davis, they
did not find E coli OH: 157 or Cryptosporidium SP in camelid feces. Compared
with traditional livestock species, we do not consider camelids to be a source
of concern for potential pathogens to the human population.
Pasture
management: Camelids have a
unique instinctual trait with respect to deposition of feces and urine as
compared with all traditional livestock. The camelids form "dung
piles" in pastures. These dung piles are the animal kingdom equivalent of
"community toilets". Thus, these animals are extremely hygienic as
compared with horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. These dung piles allow pastures
to be cleaned effectively and efficiently on a regular basis. This is rarely
done in other livestock because of the necessity to clean the entire pasture,
not selected areas. In our research, dung piles will consume approximately 10 %
of the pasture if kept cleaned on a regular basis. Without cleaning, pasture
consumption increases to approximately 20%. Thus, the pasture contamination
equivalency of camelids as compared with other livestock is approximately 0.1
to 0.2. Cleaning of dung piles with composting of manure allows for further
limitation of any risk of ground water contamination.
Summary
Statement: Based on our
research to date, we consider camelids to be one of the lowest risk species in
North American agriculture with respect to potential human exposure to
pathogens or to by-products of the animals' waste. This species seems ideally
suited to "urban farm" settings.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if
you require further information.
David E Anderson, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Phone: 614 292 6661:
Fax: 614 292 3530
E-mail: Anderson.670@osu
|
