Riseland Llama Farm

15 July 2007 - We had taken our time coming north from Ft. Myers but finally could delay it no longer and drove on up to Talking Rock, GA. Well it is really closer to Ellijay, GA but post offices being like they are, the mailing address is Talking Rock. The name reminded us of a small town in N. Carolina we visited last summer called Blowing Rock but the resemblance ended at the name. Blowing Rock is a thriving tourist town with property values valued mostly in 7 digits and land in 6 digits per acre - Talking Rock has some dozen houses and 3 or 4 businesses (open only on weekends). However, land is still some 30 to 40k per acre so perhaps they will soon catch up to Blowing Rock.

The photos are of some of the animals we help take care of. The llama is a quite gentle animal with hard two towed feet which have to be trimmed periodically. They are fed once a day with an adult receiving some 1/2 to 3/4 cup of a special blend of feed for llamas plus they graze and/or consume some 1/2 flake of hay (called a fold here). As with most animals they have distinct personalities but are easily handled and some are quite affectionate. We have 10 females, 3 adult males and 3 young males at present with over half of the females bred to have their young before the end of the year. Unfortunately, Becky and I will be gone by then but we may pay a quick visit on our way to Florida to check on them.

All of the animals can be shown and over half are prize winners at past shows. We try to walk them and handle all of them frequently to keep them ready for 'showtime' (most shows are in October/November). They also have an Obstacle Class for llamas which several of out animals do well in as they are easy to handle and have quiet personalities. Wish I were going to be here to show some of them but make do with the training and handling.

More to follow......