A. Feed management

1. Use feeders designed to keep hay off the ground.

2. Quantity as important as quality

a. Fat llamas produce fat fiber

b. "Starvation fineness" describes a weak, brittle fiber

B. Environment

1. Remove pasture plants with burrs or seed heads.

2. Fence off access to trees that drip sap or drop twigs and pine cones

3. Provide sand for rolling.

4. Avoid bark chips or sawdust for bedding.

C. Minimize stress as much as possible.

1. Anxiety due to lack of training, barking dogs, exposure to harsh weather conditions and overcrowding all have adverse effects on fiber quality.

2. Consult with your veterinarian and establish a program of internal and external parasite control.

3. Geldings often make the best fiber producers because they’re not subject to the stress of breeding and pregnancy.