Why do we register SACs?

     The IGSCR-IDGR is dedicated to helping breeders to maintain accurate pedigrees to be able to make the best decisions for breeding. We feel there is a gap in the registry resources available for all breeders of SACs; specifically that the current registries available to breeders are focused almost exclusively on breeding for shows, with the main product produced from the SACs being stud service and offspring. SACs in their native region is raised with a purpose, and that purpose lies far outside any show ring. In addition, the registries currently have a policy that ostracizes a large portion of the population by only allowing animals that were imported prior to specified dates, have intact pedigrees, and mandatory blood testing. Our goal is to provide the same quality service that we provide our goat and sheep members and to encourage the thoughtful, informed breeding of these animals. 

What is the difference between a Purebred, American, and Grade SAC?

     We maintain registries for SACs in three different categories to provide breeders with as much information as possible when making breeding decisions. Is a Purebred animal better than a Grade animal? Not necessarily. The Purebred status simply indicates that this particular animal has a pedigree that can be traced back to many generations whereas a Grade animal has no known ancestors. A Grade animal may well be a superior quality animal, but we do not have any information about its parents or lineage. This can be especially important when breeding Miniature classes of Alpacas and Llamas. Upgrading animals from the Grade herdbook to American herdbook, and from American to Purebred, follow the same rules as our goat and sheep herdbooks.

Requirements for Registering South American Camelids

1. Accurate flock records are a must for raising registered livestock. These records are needed to properly fill out registration applications. You must know the dam and sire of each cria. This requires the use of only one herd-sire at a time in a breeding pen or pasture. If two herd-sires are to be used in the same pen, their use must be separated by a time interval that will leave no doubt as to the sire of the crias (suggested minimum of 17 days between sires). Each animal must be permanently identified using a microchip, tattoo, or other permanent means of identification. All crias entering the purebred herd book must be out of previously registered stock.

 2.Identification requirements: animals must be clearly tattooed in both ears. The right ear should contain the "farm tattoo" that is registered to your farm with the IGSCR-IDGR office. The left ear is used to place the individual animal ID that contains a letter indicating the birth year (see the website for year codes) and order of birth. For instance, the fifth cria born in 2013 would carry the tattoo E5 to indicate year "E" (2014) and that she was the fifth cria born that year. Other acceptable forms of permanent identification include but is not limited to ear tag or microchip. If using a microchip, it should be placed at the base of the right ear. At this time one clear picture of each animal submitted for registration in the purebred herdbook is required.
 
 Requirements for entering animals in the American herdbook:
All the above requirements apply except one parent may be unknown or unregistered. Also, two clear pictures, showing two different views of the animal must accompany the application for registration. Animals that do not conform to the breed will be registered as grade or experimental. American animals breed to purebred or American stock can eventually (at 98% or 3rd generation) enter the purebred herdbook.

Requirements for entering animals in the Grade herdbook:
All the above ID requirements must be met. These animals may be of unknown ancestry. They must conform to the breed standard and again 2 pictures will be required. Grade animals when bred with American, Purebred or Grade stock may enter the American herdbook at 87.5%

 Requirements for entering animals in the Experimental herdbook:
Animals submitted for registry in the Experimental herd book must have at least one registered parent and may have parents of different species. Again the above ID rules apply to Experimentals as well and two pictures are required.

All the above rules will be in effect starting January 31st, 2015