The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 27, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 July 1986 — Page 24

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., July 2,1986

Lamas bring added dimension to farming for area couple

By DEE JAYNES Staff Writer Traffic often moves slowly in the westbound lanes of U.S. 30 near Huffman Lake these days. Unlike the usual snarls, this traffic slowdown isn’t due to rush hour traffic, road construction or accidents. The addition of a herd of llamas to the family farm of Ray and Margaret Williamson has motorists craning their necks in disbelief and delight — so much so that, in many instances, the cars turn around at the first available outlet and return for a second look!

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“Some days,” Margaret laughed, “we look out the window and there will be cars lined up at the pasture fence and people will be hanging out the windows taking pictures and pointing.” Other visitors to the farm include several school and church groups each year. The students enjoy the opportunity to see the animals and Ray and Margaret both say they enjoy answering the children’s questions. Ray and Margaret have been married for 35 years and are the parents of two sons: Mike and Gary, who both live at Huffman Lake, which borders the Williamson’s farm. Ray and Margaret

are also grandma and grandpa to four lively grandchildren who spend many hours each week at the farm. Located on CR 700 W, east of Atwood, the Williamson’s farm is the place where Ray was born and spent his childhood. Margaret also grew up in Atwood, but moved with her family to Warsaw while in high school. Both Ray and Margaret graduated from Atwood High School. Margaret said the decision to add llamas to the grain and livestock farming operation came after a visit with a man in Indianapolis who owned two of the gangly animals. “I decided that I would really like to buy a couple of them,” Margaret said, “but Ray said he wasn’t so sure he wanted them around. *’ In the end, Margaret got her llamas —two bred females and one baby — and the herd began to grow. After selling five males at a recent auction, the Williamson’s herd now consists of 29 animals.

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RAY AND MARGARET WILLIAMSON AND FRIENDS’

The llamas Margaret first became interested in as pets have now become a lucrative sideline for the family. According to the Williamsons the average price of a llama at auction is between SB,OOO and SIO,OOO, but many go for much more. “The auction we just came from grossed over $1.5 million,” Margaret said. “I’ve seen a female llama bring $50,000 at an auction, so they are very popular now.” Although the llama has never been known as a particular dainty animal, Margaret says she has heard of people who keep the animals as house pets. “I can’t imagine having something this size in my house,” she exclaimed, “but the people who do, swear they aren’t any trouble!” She went on to say that llamas are calm, gentle animals, requiring very little care and maintenance. “I just don’t have much bad to say about them,” she added. “They do spit sometimes, as a means of self-defense, but in the five years we’ve had llamas, I’ve never had a problem with it.”

The llamas have also proven popular with the Williamson grandchildren. Margaret says they enjoy walking them around and talking to them. At a recent show in Denver, four-year-old Amber showed the Williamson’s snow white llama in the ring. Dressed in a colorful Rainbow Brite costume, Amber led the costumed llama through his paces before the judges. “She had such a good time,” Margaret smiled, “that she was ready to enter him in every class in the show.” The Williamsons spend a great deal of their free time traveling to llama shows and auctions. In addition to their travel to Denver, they have also spent time in Oregon and Nebraska, pulling a gooseneck trailer with their pickup truck. “The llamas travel very well,” they explained. “Most of the time they just climb into the trailer and lay down for the trip.” Ray, who was active in 4-H activities for many years and is currently a member of the 4-H Council, says he would like to see a llama project started in the Indiana 4-H program. Such a program is proving successful with 4-H clubs in California, Oregon, Montana and Illinois, and Ray says he is sure the project would have support in this area. When asked about other activities and interests, Margaret replied that other than attending Warsaw’s basketball games on a regular basis, they spend most of their time working around the farm and attending llama events. “We’ve met quite a few people through the llamas,” she said, “and we enjoy attending the events.” Ray says he would eventually like to concentrate on raising and selling the llamas when the couple decides to retire from fulltime farming. “One friend of ours has suggested we put in coinoperated feeders like they have at zoos,” he laughed, “but we’re content to let things stay the way they are.” An unusual crop DENVfcR, IOWA - Llamas and ostriches won’t be the alternative crop to bail out most of lowa’s troubled farmers, but they are helping Bill Rector get by on his 1,700 acres. A llama mother and baby with right markings and hair growth could bring $30,000 to $35,000 he said.

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FLOTILLA COMMITTEE — Pictured are members of the Wawasee Flotilla Committee. Seated, from left to right, are Sandy McNary. Audrey Bishop. Julie Rogers and Kay Caskey. Standing are Bob McNary, Ted Rogers and Jim Caskey, president.

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YOUNG CHEERLEADERS — Krissy Eisenhour. who will be a freshman at Wawasee High School in the fall, instructs a group of young girts on how to do a cheer as a part of the Lakeland Youth Center's Cheerleading Clinic held last week at the center. The clinic gave the girls a chance to learn new cheers and moves, and how to use their voices. All the girls received certificates at the end of the week. The Lakeland Youth Center will also be holding outdoor games for children at Lakeside Park in Syracuse every Monday from 1:30-3 p.m. starting June 30. There is no charge for the event. (Photo by Paul Siegfried)