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Don't be a peeping llama...
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...come on in and take a look around!
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Welcome to our farm in the beautiful east central Iowa countryside.
We are a small operation of 10 acres near
Van Horne, Iowa. It is here we have found our version of heaven after 20 years of searching.
Our wonderful old farm home was built in 1890 on an Amana stone foundation.
It is so solid; you can really tell how bad a storm is by whether or not you can
actually hear it.
Even though Iowa is a state of rather rolling terrain, our farm sits on one of the
most flat sections in the area. On a clear day, you can literally see for
miles and miles.
We hope you enjoy your visit to our farm, and if you’re in the llama business, we
can't wait to make your acquaintance and swap some stories.
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What's in a name?
Our farm, Aulds' Lluminous Llamas, is named for the wonderful sunsets and celestial
lightshows we get to witness on most nights. Even our children in their pre/teens
know when a sunset warrants a "sunset alert" where everyone stops what they're doing
to watch. Add to that the countless stars, frequent shooting stars and meteor
showers, millions of lightning bugs and the occasional northern lights show; we
knew the word luminous had to be part of who we are.
Therefore, all llamas born at the farm will carry the name of a "lluminous" celestial
body.
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If you'll notice, on closer inspection
of our home, Sandy has created our logo in stained glass window (paint) form.
This is the same logo you will see adorning the top of our web pages. |
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Why llamas?
We get asked this question all the time, especially by the local crop and cattle
farmers. Well, the answer is very easy... uncle Buzz.
Buzz (Chuck) Kraft used to raise llamas near
LaPorte, MN under the farm name Hartland Llamas. From about 1985 -
1999 Buzz ran an operation of approximately 15 - 20 llamas on his 80 wooded acres.
We visited Buzz, Grandma Helen and the llamas several times a year from 1992 - 1998
at which time we relocated to Charlotte, NC. It was on these many trips we
became acquainted with and fell in love with the wonderful world of llamas.
Buzz has since retired from the llama life and now lives in Minneapolis, MN.
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What do you do with llamas?
Another very common question we get from our rural neighbors. This one is
a little bit harder for us to answer as we have them mainly for our own
enjoyment. However, llamas are most often used for packing, cart driving,
livestock guardians, livestock and wool production. Llama wool falls just
one rung down the ladder from alpaca wool in its fine quality. But anyone
who's priced the two species out lately knows there is a big difference in purchase
price.
Our plans are to use our llamas as 4H animals for our two children, possibly develop
a cart driving team and even work them up for obstacle competitions at the regional
fairs.
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How we started
Our first llamas came home to Aulds' Lluminous Llamas on August 12th, 2006, only
5 months after moving into our new country home. We had planned on waiting
a full year after moving in to bring home our first llama, but after 8 years of
being away from them and finally having the space to handle them, we just couldn't
wait when the right opportunity came along.
Around the first of August, during a trip to the groomer for our cocker spaniel,
the subject of llamas came up. During this conversation the groomer mentioned
seeing an ad in the local classifieds selling llamas for a VERY good price.
Well, THAT got our interest piqued.
We called the number and made arrangements to go meet the
llamas. Near the conclusion of our 3 hour meeting, the previous owner, so
enamored by our llama knowledge and passion about the animals begged us to take
all the llamas she was selling as she knew they would be going to a great home.
After politely explaining we were just not equipped to take on that large of a herd
to start, she relented and instead made us such a good deal, she practically gave
them away. Long story short, or maybe not, 2 weeks later we brought home "our
first herd".
We have since made a couple sales and acquisitions to build a herd to match our personalities.
Come on inside and meet them.
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Mashuga's Stryker
(Mashuga x PPF Peach Sorbet)
$1,500
Stryker is a very big boy. In fact, he is the largest llama we have ever had
the pleasure to be around. He stands 48" at the withers,
and about 425 pounds. He is majestic, but also very sweet.
He originally was very dark brown, but has turned quite gray! He is extremely easy to work with during routine
health procedures, and very well-mannered on lead.
Aside from his "tuxedo" stamp, Stryker has definitely and strongly improved the
fiber of all of his offspring over that of their dams. If you're looking to
breed to a male who will give you soft, silky fiber, Stryker is your guy!
Stryker was born to the Wastes of Premium Llamas on June 2, 1999. His dam,
PPF Peach Sorbet, is a
DDL
Dream Catcher daughter. Stryker's sire, Mashuga is owned by
Kellerllamas of Sanger, TX and he is a grandson of Crazy Mountain Man. |
WH Daphne Von Furstenburg
(White Oak ZipiZape x Diedre Von Hooligan)
$4,000
Daphne is a big beautiful girl with fabulous tuxedo markings. She is very
set in her ways and not all that welcoming, but does seem to have a soft spot for
Steve.
Daphne is second only to Kizi in herd standing. And even then, she and Kizi
often have "discussions" about how things should be run and who should be running
them.
That being said, Daphne and Kizi really are a couple of old "hens" who thoroughly
enjoy each others' company. Daphne is also mother to ALL's first born
cria, Mercury. She is an excellent mother and isn't shy about letting
the other moms and their crias know how things should be done.
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LCK Kizi
(Nagel's Trampas x LCK Carol Lyn)
$4,000
Kizi came to Aulds' Lluminous Llamas in our original herd purchase of August 2006.
Kizi is a big tall girl who all the other llamas, except Daphne, follow without question.
We were recently surprised to find that Kizi has llama royalty in her pedigree being
a descendant of Don Juan Quixote and Don Juan II.
Even though Kizi takes a back seat to no one, she is very easy to handle once she
is on lead and stands quite still for her vaccinations, shearing and nail trimming.
And, though she wouldn't admit to it, LOVES to be hugged and have her neck scratched.
Kizi who is 10 years old, recently gave birth to A. Lluminous Ursa Major on October
12, 2007. As with all things Kizi does, she did it on her own schedule going
about 2 weeks overdue. She is a great mother.
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Llilly
(Sire Unknown x LCK Zoey)
$2,000
Llilly also joined us in our original herd purchase of August 2006.
As her previous owner was not into llamas for anything other than "having llamas",
there are no records about her birth, etc. We believe Llilly to be about 4
years old.
Llilly is by far our most shy and reclusive llama. She has been bred to Stryker for what we hope will be an June 2008 cria. Pregnancy has been good for her. In the last 3 months, her personality
has changed significantly. While she is still the herd doormat, she has become a very curious llama who is
now often the first to approach "the humans".
Llilly and Mercury have become the best of buddies. Mercury
spends most of his time hanging out with "Aunt Llilly", and only looks to mom for meals and protection.
From what we've seen of her interaction with Mercury, Llilly will make an excellent mother. And with her beautiful paint
coloring, we can't wait to see what a gorgeous cria she will have with Stryker.
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Daphne's Mercury Rising
(Wild Ridge Super Doppler x WH Daphne Von Furstenburg)
$5,000
Reserve Grand Champion - 2008 Heartland Llama Show:
Medium Wool Male
Mercury was born on June 6th, 2007 to Daphne. He weighed 28 pounds and was up dry and nursing
when Sandy found him at shortly after 2 PM.
Mercury is a big strong boy and will be working with Sandy to get ready for the
shows of 2008. He is already very comfortable on lead and responds well to
the obstacle training he has been receiving around the farm.
Mercury is very attentive and enjoying his role as big brother to
Ursa. Between the two of them we should be very busy next year
when it's showtime.
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A. Lluminous Ursa Major
(Mashuga's Stryker x LCK Kizi)
$5,000
Aulds' Lluminous Llamas is pleased to introduce our first little female cria, Lluminous
Ursa Major.
Ursa was born Friday October 12th, 2007. Her mother, LCK Kizi, is our herd
queen and first llama to reside at ALL.
Ursa was 30.5 lbs at birth and is a very long legged petite little lady with her
grizzly bear coloring. It is this coloring that prompted the name Ursa or
bear.
Ursa has grown very quickly and will be a large llama like her mom and dad. She has faded
to a beautiful taupe color and has a fabulous personality. She is very people friendly and
loves giving kisses.
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Dreamer's Derringer
(Mountain Dreamer x Kitt Currey)
$1,000
Derringer came to us from Pinewood Llamas of Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is a gelded
male who has qualified for the ALSA Grand Nationals in 2007.
He is such a beautiful llama, it is heartbreaking to think he's gelded. He
would have made some beautiful babies.
Derringer is our son Talon's llama and they will be working together to see if they can
get to the 2008 ALSA Grand Nationals.
Derringer, who was the doormat of his previous herd, has found a nice niche at
ALL as the herd guard. He keeps the pasture free of
barn cats and anything else that may threaten the herd.
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Sweetdreams of Pinewood
(Daydream Believer x Lady Blossom)
$4,000
Sweetdreams, known as "Dreamy" at Aulds' Lluminous Llamas, came to us from Pinewood Llamas of Cedar Falls,
Iowa.
Dreamy, was born in October 2006, and was shown by Aspen at the 2007 Cedar Valley
Llama Adventure. It was Aspen's first show competition where she and Dreamy
performed in showmanship and the obstacle course.
Aspen and Dreamy proved to be a pretty well matched pair, and we were lucky enough
to have the opportunity to bring Dreamy home for Aspen to continue to work with for
the shows of 2008. Be on the lookout for these two rising stars.
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Pprecious Granola
(MGF Kon Tiki x Pprecious Moment)
$3,000
Nola, as she is referred to here at Aulds' Lluminous Llamas, came to our attention at a recent exotic
animal auction in Kalona, Iowa in early October 2007.
Nola is a tall girl with solid structure and a beautiful paint coloring. She
is 3 years old and settled in VERY quickly
with the rest of the herd, almost like she knew some of them before.
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Callisto
(Bloodlines Unknown)
$1,000
Callisto, along with Pprecious Granola, came
to Aulds' Lluminous Llamas through an exotic animal auction in Kalona, Iowa in early October, 2007.
Callisto's angelic face and petite frame caught our attention immediately.
She is a quiet timid llama who fits in well with the tall nature of our other females.
Callisto was born in July of 2006 and we are planning on submitting her for screening
with the ILR early in 2008 so we can register her future ALL offspring. Don't
be surprised to see her face as the subject of Sandy's art in the very near future.
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Mashuga's Stryker
Now available for outside breedings!
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Stryker is a very big boy. In fact, he is the largest llama we have ever had
the pleasure to be around. He stands 48" at the withers,
and about 425 pounds. He is majestic, but also very sweet.
He originally was very dark brown, but has turned quite gray! He is extremely easy to work with during routine
health procedures, and very well-mannered on lead.
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Aside from his "tuxedo" stamp, Stryker has definitely and strongly improved the fiber of all of his offspring over that of their dams. If you're looking to breed to a male who will give you soft, silky fiber, Stryker is your guy!
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Stryker was born to the Wastes of Premium
Llamas on June 2, 1999. His dam, PPF Peach Sorbet, is a
DDL Dream Catcher
daughter. Stryker's sire, Mashuga
is owned by Kellerllamas of Sanger, TX and he is a grandson
of Crazy Mountain Man. |
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Stryker came to ALL in June of 2007 having come to us from
Wild Ridge Llamas of Toddville, Iowa. We currently have 2 dams settled
by Stryker and recently had a beautiful female cria, A. Lluminous Ursa Major,
who is Styker's daughter. Stryker is also grandfather to Lluminous Mercury. |
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Competitve Results
- Blue Ribbon, 4H Pets - Other, Benton County, Iowa
Fair 2007
- 2nd place, Medium Wool 2-year-old, Anoka County Fair, 2001
- 2nd place, Medium Wool 2-year-old, Lama Market, 2001
- 2nd Place, Medium Wool 2-year-old, Minnesota State Fair 2001
- 2nd place, Medium Wool Adult, Heartland Classic 2002
- 2nd place, Medium Wool Adult, Iowa State Fair 2002
- 3rd place, 24 months+, Spinners Choice Fiber. Lamapalooza 2004
- 4th place, Medium Wool Adult, Lamapalooza I 2002
- 4th place, Medium Wool Adult, Lamapalooza II 2002
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The picture to the right is a felted version of Stryker created by Sandy. We think the resemblence is remarkable.
She can do one for you of your special llama or you can choose just a regular
variety. To see and learn more, visit our Felting page. |
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Stryker's Offspring
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A. Lluminous Ursa Major |
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Wild Ridge Super Doppler |
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Wild Ridge Jumpin' Jehosaphat (Joe) |
Wild Ridge Natalie Cole |
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Wild Ridge Willow |
2008 Show Schedule
This is the current schedule of events we plan on attending for the 2008 show season.
If you would like to come meet us, buy some of our llama products in person or
just meet and lay hands on our beautiful llamas, this is where we plan to be.
All of the below dates are subject to change depending on whether or not we need
to attend to qualify for the Grand National Show.
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| Dates |
Show |
Location |
Results |
| April 26th - 27th |
ALSA Heartland Llama Show |
Webster City, IA |
Daphne's Mercury Rising:
- Reserve Grand Champion - Medium Wool Male
2nd Place - Medium Wool Juvenile Male
Sweetdreams of Pinewood:
- 1st Place - Showmanship
- 2nd Place - Light Wool Yearling Female
- 2nd Place - Public Relations
Dreamer's Derringer:
- 1st Place - Showmanship
- 3rd Place - Public Relations
- 6th Place - Adult Non-Breeder
Mashuga's Stryker:
- 5th Place - Get of Sire (Ursa, Harmony, Velvet)
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| May 17th - 18th |
Llamapalooza |
Fairbault, MN |
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| June 20th - 22nd |
Llama Market |
Eau Claire, WI |
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| August 14th - 17th |
Iowa State Fair |
Des Moines, IA |
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| August 27th - 29th |
Minnesota State Fair |
St. Paul, MN |
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| September 6th & 7th |
Cedar Valley Llama Adventure |
La Porte City, IA |
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| September 19th - 21st |
LFA Annual Show & Sale |
Cedar Rapids, IA |
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| September 26th - 28th |
Great Lakes Regional |
La Crosse, WI |
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| October 24th - 26th |
ALSA Grand Nationals |
Lincoln, NE |
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What do you do with llamas? Well, when you have animals that produce some
of the softest wool you can imagine, you can begin felting.
Here at Aulds' Lluminous Llamas, Sandy is busy making "stuffed" llamas with it.
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| These wonderful llamas can be yours to own. The llamas come in 3 sizes.
Large, standard and cria. The standard size llamas are approximately 7" long by 7"
tall. Cria size llamas are approximately 5" x 5". And, the large size llamas are
approximately 11" x 11".
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These llamas can even be custom crafted to match that special llama in your
herd. To the left is an example of a large size llama made to look like
our llama Daphne.
Sandy added a face to this version complete with Daphne's beauty mark and
eyelashes.
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The two felted llamas to the right are standard size replicas of our herd sire
Stryker.
Sandy has really become adept at making these felted llamas look like their full
size models. |
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To the left is a representation of our future herd sire,
Mercury. This was Sandy's very first attempt at felting llamas.
It was obvious right away that she had a knack for it. Even the felting
instructor said she was a natural.
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| Do you have children or grandchildren who like fun colors? We can do that
too. To the right are samples of the llamas Sandy did for our niece's aged
5 & 6. They absolutely love their llamas. |
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To the left are a few of our llamas in two different sizes. The top dark
brown llama is the cria size. The other two, Stryker and Mercury, are
standard sizes.
Prices:
- Cria: $20; customized: $40; add $4 for a blanket.
- Standard: $40; customized: $60; add $6 for a blanket.
- Large: $60; customized: $90; add $10 for a blanket. |
Custom Web Development
Steve is an information technology professional by day and llama farmer by night.
He has over 16 years of information technology experience in all disciplines with
the last 10 years focused on web and database application development. Steve
has 8 years experience in ASP.NET and C# development and is experienced with both
Microsoft SQL Server 2000/2005 as well as Oracle databases. This web site
was developed utilizing Visual Studio 2005, ASP.NET and C#.
Steve is responsible for the design and development of this web site as well as several
other llama sites.
Steve is currently employed as the Web Developmet Team Lead for the Business
Intelligence Group at GoDaddy.com.
This web site is hosted by GoDaddy.com as well as having it's numerous domain
name references purchased there.
Steve's resume
If you would like a web site developed for your llama based business, or any other
business you may have, drop him an email and see what he can do for you.
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Personalized Art
Sandy has been drawing and painting since early childhood. In high school,
she was offered a good sum of money to sell her senior art project, a beautiful
farm painting, which Steve will not allow her to part with. He proudly displays
it in our home.
Sandy has also been commissioned to draw llamas, paint glass christmas ornaments
and design tattoos. And, don't forget the wonderful stained glass window painting.
Below you will find a scan of one of Sandy's llama drawings. Unfortunately,
the scanner we have was not large enough to capture all of it so you will see the
dark spots along the edges where the paper was not against the scanner glass.
But if you focus on the center image, you get an idea as to the kind of detail Sandy
can capture in her drawings.
If you like what
you see, drop us an email and maybe she can do one for you.
click on image to enlarge
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Farm Services
Doing business as Auld Farm & Livestock, LLC of Van Horne, Iowa, we also offer grain storage
and crop land rentals. We have 2 small grain bins, one @ 4,500 bushels and
the other @ 6,500 bushels. We also have a well restored and tinned corn crib
capable of holding @ 12,000 bushels.
We also have 4 acres of some of the most prime crop land in Iowa available for rent.
It is currently all in corn and in 2006 was partially corn and partially soy beans.
In all our years growing up in this part of the country, we have never seen corn
grow so tall and so dense.
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Wild, Wacky and Wonderful... Our Weather
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Since Iowa sits in the confines of "tornado alley" it is always nice to keep an eye out the window.
Fortunately, we have four certified National Weather Service Storm Spotters in the family to put a trained perspective on things.
But we also keep our NOAA Weather Radio on at all times. It's always nice
to know when things come in the dark too.
Want to know what the weather is like here right now? Click:
Van Horne Weather
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Back in June of 2006, we awoke one morning to the most impressive "wave" clouds any of use had ever seen.
Our kids commented that it looked like we were under water looking up at the ocean's
surface.
Nothing came of the clouds except for some pretty impressive and ominous views.
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Very early one August morning in 2006, we were treated to one of Iowa's strong thunderstorms.
It's 70+ mph winds managed to drop two large branches from one of our two matriarch trees.
This one was the 100+ year old red maple.
As you can see from the first two pictures, our PT Cruiser narrowly escaped with only one leaf wedged in
the seam of the hatchback.
The north facing door of our large pole barn was not as lucky.
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One of the reasons we chose the name Lluminous Llamas... our many wonderful sunsets!
As you can see, the llamas don't take them for granted either.
When someone in the house issues a "sunset alert", we all go out and enjoy the view.
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How to Contact Us
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If you would like to get in touch with us to talk llamas, invite us to a parade, buy a felted llama,
schedule a visit with one of our studs or make an offer or inquiry on one of our real llamas, please feel free to contact us through one of the methods below. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Aulds' Lluminous Llamas
1967 69th Street
Van Horne, Iowa 52346
319-228-8581
info at lluminousllamas dot com
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