Supporting Alpaca Reproductive Research

Some of the most meaningful ways we can contribute to the alpaca industry happen outside the show ring.

Elderwood Farms has been fortunate to contribute blood samples, breeding records, and reproductive data from our herd to research led by Dr. Andrea Lear with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. The work relates to ongoing research involving blood-based pregnancy detection in South American camelids. UT has previously funded Dr. Lear’s work on validation of a blood-based pregnancy test in South American camelids. 

How Elderwood Became Involved

Our involvement began somewhat simply. We attended a seminar taught by Dr. Lear and learned more about the reproductive research underway at the University of Tennessee. Because there are relatively few breeding alpaca farms within convenient driving distance of Knoxville, access to additional animals and samples can be valuable.

At Elderwood, we routinely perform many aspects of our own herd management, including drawing blood. We realized that put us in a position to help. We offered our herd as an additional source of samples and reproductive information, allowing blood to be collected here in West Tennessee and shipped to the research team rather than requiring the animals themselves to travel.

More Than a Blood Sample

Approximately 30 Elderwood alpacas have participated through multiple rounds of sampling, with blood typically collected four to six times each year.

The value of the contribution extends beyond the samples themselves. Each submission can be paired with detailed reproductive information, including the alpaca’s age, breed, color, known breeding date, stage of pregnancy at the time of collection, and available progesterone data.

Because Elderwood hand breeds our females, we maintain actual breeding dates rather than relying solely on estimated exposure windows. Samples can therefore represent animals at many different points in gestation while remaining connected to a known reproductive timeline.

Progesterone levels obtained separately through Mississippi State University provide an additional comparison point alongside the information supplied to UT. We also continue those records through the conclusion of pregnancy, providing information such as birth date and cria sex.

Together, those samples and records help connect laboratory findings with known breeding histories and eventual pregnancy outcomes.

Why Better Pregnancy Testing Matters

Pregnancy diagnosis in alpacas is not always as straightforward as it may seem. A practical blood-based test could eventually provide veterinarians and alpaca owners with another useful tool for reproductive management.

For breeders, reliable pregnancy information can influence nutrition, veterinary care, breeding decisions, and preparations for cria season. It may be particularly valuable in situations where exact breeding dates are not known.

The research itself belongs to the scientists conducting it, but we are proud that animals raised and managed at Elderwood can contribute real-world samples and data that may help move that work forward.

From Our Herd to the Broader Industry

Research depends on data, and agricultural research often depends on farms willing and able to participate. For us, saying yes was an easy decision.

Elderwood has always believed that responsible breeding involves more than producing the next generation of alpacas. It also means continuing to learn, sharing what we can, and supporting work that may ultimately benefit veterinarians, breeders, and alpacas well beyond our own farm.

We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute a small piece to that process, one blood draw, one breeding record, and one pregnancy at a time.