Top USA Suri Llama Breeders Visit Llama Lookout

By Robyn Robinson, Llama Lookout

We couldn’t contain our excitement when Gary and Janet Brant of the Star Llama Company, Michigan emailed to say that they were planning a visit to New Zealand with their family and could they come and stay.

What a privilege to have one of the leading suri llama breeders in the world come and spend a few days with us!

Gary’s son, Nick had just completed his studies in Australia and it seemed like the ideal opportunity to pop across to NZ for a family holiday and see how their three suri llamas were doing at their new home at Llama Lookout.

Gary and Janet Brant, plus adult children, Jessica and Nick are some of the nicest people you could meet. Arriving to Llama Lookout on 24 November, the Brants generously allowed us to host the first ever gathering in NZ of people interested in suri llamas.

Gary gave a very informative talk showing his depth of knowledge in breeding genuine suri llamas. We then had a hands on with Star Spangled Banner, who Gary and Janet had bred by pairing their beautiful E Line dam to their 3rd generation suri llama, Peruvian Precedent from the Peruvian Maximo line.

Clearly Gary was very proud of star Spangled Banner as he showed the group how this future herd sire’s suri fleece locked from the tip right back to the skin.

We then moved to the courtyard area around the barn where llama enthusiasts viewed Llama Lookout’s females and the genuine suri llama female, American Suri Queen. The Star Llama Company also bred Suri Queen and she is currently the only genuine suri llama female in New Zealand.

After a potluck dinner of many delicious dishes and a lot of friendly camaraderie between guests brought together through their love of llamas, a group photo by international photographer, Martin Bennet seemed most appropriate to mark the occasion.

The next few days having the Brants stay with us was dreamy. They are such warm and lovely people and so passionate about their llamas. It was fantastic. Thank you so much for taking the time to come and share our little piece of paradise. We hope from this wonderful experience that other suri llama enthusiasts from other parts of the globe will be encouraged to come to Llama Lookout.

We would love to host you.