Sisters Country llama breeder honored

Sisters Country resident Kay Patterson recently became the first llama breeder to be selected as a recipient of the National Pedigreed Livestock Council's (NPLC) Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented on May 3 at the NPLC annual meeting, held in Nashville, Tennessee, and marks the milestone 100th year of the organization.

Patterson is an industry icon and, prior to the dispersal of Hinterland llamas last September, was an active participant in all aspects of llama breeding and promotion. Her involvement with the species spanned more than 45

years.

The NPLC is composed of executive officers of breed registries and associations of dairy and beef cattle, equine, sheep, goat, swine, llama and alpaca. The council provides a place for these officers to exchange ideas and techniques that benefit the objectives of each breed association.

"I was totally humbled and honored to be in the presence of such amazing people," she said. "To be chosen as the recipient on the 100th anniversary, well, I feel greatly honored."

Patterson's award is unique in two ways. As well as being the first llama breeder to be honored, she is the first with long-time ties to two species.

Her earlier work in the Arabian horse world is also well-recognized.

When Patterson began breeding llamas with her former husband, Richard Patterson, there was no formal stud book for the species in the United States. She began keeping individual records, which became the Patterson Llama Stud books and eventually formed the foundation of the pedigree llama industry here.

Patterson was a visionary breeder of both horses and llamas, and used the same principles, choosing bloodstock with emphasis on the female lines in both species. The breeding programs became known worldwide.

She was a founder of the International Llama Association, the International Llama Registry and a charter member of the Alpaca and Llama Show Association. She served as president of the latter two.

Patterson said that her former husband deserves much of the credit for the success of the Patterson Llamas.

He was instrumental in the early setting-up of the record books.