1 INTHISISSUE ● KnittingMachines ● TheShag&SheilaStory ● NotJustaFunnyHaircut ● GardenGold ● CamelidTourism ● EventMarkerTraining Issue21-September2022 CamelidConnections MAGAZINE C C 1 SUBSCRIBENOWCLICKIT’SFREE!
3 www.oakgrovegraphics.com.au EMAIL:julie@oakgrovegraphics.com.au|PHONE:0264932036 WebsitesforFarmers Awebsitetodayisthebasisofmostbusinessmarke�ng-awebsitehelpsyousellyourlivestock, yourproduceorservicestothewidestaudiencepossible. WEKNOW&UNDERSTANDRURALBUSINESSES HereatOakGroveGraphicsweunderstandwhatittakestomakeagreatwebsiteforfarmers, becausewearealsofarmersaswellaswebdesigners!Weofferyouwebsiteop�onstosuityou, fromeasyselfmaintainedsitestowedoitallforyouop�ons,wedesignsitesthatarea�rac�ve, func�onalandindividuallikeyourbusiness.Fromthelandtothesea,ifyourbusinessisruralwe canhelpyoupromoteyourbusinesslocallyorAustraliawide.
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Editor EsmeGraham Telephone:0457304868Email: esme@camelidconnections.com.au
Contents
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Advertisers OakGroveGraphics...........................................................3 AlpacaDynamics................................................................6 BostonFineFibres.............................................................6 Knitalpaca.............................................................................15 MaylandsAlpacas..............................................................16 TheCamelidDynamicsMethod..........................................25 AustralianAlpacaAssociation.............................................36 MeetTheTeam........................................................................5 TheShag&SheilaStory.....................................................7 NotJustAFunnyHaircut.......................................................10 HypoxicIschemicEncephalopathy...................................12 MadeToOrderWithAlpaca................................................17 GardenGold...........................................................................21 Reproduc�vePhysiologyInAlpacas......................................23 CamelidTourism:MacedonRangesVIC................................26 EventMarkerTrainingYourAlpaca....................................28 FashionToFibre.................................................................33 AlpacaReconnectConference...............................................37 FarmFinder........................................................................39
JulieMcClentelephone0264932036Email: julie@camelidconnections.com.au
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4
Latelythemostpopulartopicofconversa�onseemstobetheweather.Thereisnothingse�ledaboutourclimateanditis verydifficulttoplanastheusual“norms”don’tseemtoapply.WithanotherLaNinaforecastforSpring/Summerfingers crossedfornottoomuchrainwhenyouhaveshearingcomingup!Inthisissuewecoverssomeoftheaspectsofshearingto makesureyougetthebestvaluefromyourfleeceandanotherar�cleshowshowtoprepareyourfleeceforspinningyourself orsendingtothemill.
Adver�sers-didyouknowthatCamelidConnec�onsofferssomeofthemostaffordableadver�singavailable?Eachadvertin ouronlinemagaiznehasadirecthyperlinkforreaderstojustclicktovisityourwebsiteandbackissuesarealwaysavailableso youradverthasaverylong‘shelflife’-seeouradver�singratesontheinsidefrontcover.
Ofinteresttoour“cra�y”readerswehavereprintedanar�clefromtheUSAontheuseofsmallkni�ngmachinestospeedup thesupplyofthekni�edproductsyoumaybesellingwhichmakesthemmorecosteffec�ve,andIbelievethatmostStates haveassocia�onswhereyoucanlearntousethesemachinesandswappa�erns.
Ifyouareacasualreaderofthismagazinewhydon’tyousubscribe?Thereisnocharge,wedon’thassleyouwithemailsand salespitches,youjustreceiveanemailwhenthelatestedi�ongoesonlinesoyouknowitisavailable.
WelcometoCamelidConnections
MeetTheTeam
AbreederofultrafineHuacayaalpacasfor over20yearsatOakGroveAlpacas,I haveapassionforfinefibreandthe gene�cconnec�ontothe most diminu�veandfinestofthe camelids-the wildVicuna.
MyhusbandandIhavebredsurialpacas forover20years,Iwasheavilyinvolved withbothregionalcommi�eesandthe na�onalboardoftheAustralianAlpaca Associa�onforanumberofyearsandhad thehonourofbeingselectedasalife memberoftheAssocia�on.
Istronglybelievethateduca�oninanyindustryisthekeyto success,sowithCamelidConnec�onswehopetoprovide interes�ngandinforma�vear�clestoassistallcamelid ownersinge�ngthemostoutoftheiranimalsand businesses. IalsoownOakGroveGraphicsawebandgraphicdesign agencywhichisproducingthismagazine,andalsoallowsme toconnectwithmanydifferentpeopleinthecamelidrelated worldthroughmydesignandwebwork. www.oakgrovegraphics.com.au
Wealsohaveaninteres�ngar�clefromStephenMulhollandabout“DealingwithaDummy”ormorecorrectly“Hypoxic IschemicEncephalopathy”aninteres�ngread.TheAAAtellsusabouttheir“FarmFinder”ini�a�veandcongratula�onstothe SouthQldNorthernNSWRegiononasuccessfulconference-youcanreadallaboutitonpage37.
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Subscribinghelpsusshowouradver�serswehaveanaudienceworthadvertsiingto,andadver�singinturnhelpsuskeepthe magazinefreeforyoutoenjoy.
Lookingforafewdaysawaywithacamelidtheme?HowaboutavisittoMtMacedon,goingonallamawalkatHangingRock, stayingatana�rac�veB&B,visitstowineriesandNa�onalParks-seewhatwehopewillbethefirstinaseriesofgetaways aroundthecountrysideallshowcasingourcamelidfamily.
Mymajorinteresthasbeeninmarke�ngandeduca�onand tothisendIwaseditorofAlpacasAustraliamagazineforsix yearsandIhopethattheexperienceIgainededi�ngthat publica�oncanbeextendedtoeducateandinformawider rangeofalpacaandllamabreederswhoarenotnecessarily associa�onmembersbuthavealoveofallthingscamelid.
EsmeGraham-Editor JulieMcClen-Designer/Editor
6 Boston Fine Fibres SPECIALTY FIBRE MILL www.bostonfinefibres.com.auPh: 0417 497 940 We can turn your fibre into: ● Knitting Yarn ● Lopi Yarn ● Rug Yarn ● Rovings/Bumps ● Felted pieces Boston Fine Fibres is a specialty fleece processing mill located in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. Our eco-friendly facility uses no harsh detergents, bleaches or dying Weagents.specialise in processing individual fleeces from alpaca, llama and other elite animal fibres. Our state-of-the-art mini mill is designed to maximise your options to suit your needs and the particular qualities of your fleece.
7 THE STORY
ByKeithPayne-BigEarsLlamaRanch
IdecidedtonamethemShagandSheila.
8 Justafewmonthsago,aTradeMeno�ceappearedabout theneedofanewhomefortwollamas,fromafarmoutside ofRiverdale,nearGoreintheSouthIsland.Therewasan18 (orso)yearolden�remale(nonamebutreferredtoas BananaEars)andhisdaughterof8years(orso),withouta name. Thebushblocktheyhadlivedonalltheirliveswassoldand thenewownersaidtoshi�themorshootthem.Theywere verywild,thedaughterhadneverbeenhandledandwas knowntodisappearintothebushforyearsata�me.The malehadbeenpurchasedatayoungagefromabreeder nearDunedin,hadbeenputinwithacoupleofguanacotype girls,whichdidresulta�eranumberofyearsinthebirthof hisdaughter.Theyhadnotbeenconcernedabouthavingan en�remalerunningloosewithfemalesbecauseanyoffspring willbehybridsand“asweallknow,theyaresterile”. Ittookacoupleofweekstoorganisetransportanda�ract thiswildpairtoanareawheretheycouldbeloaded.Butthis wasachieved,theyweretransportedtoGore,thenext morningloadedintoaca�letruckanddriventoChristchurch, whereImetthem.Quicklytheywerecoaxedintomyllama float,arrivinghomeonadark,wet,coldnight.Ididn’tgetmy firstgoodlookatthemun�la�ersunupthenextmorning Ofcourse,thiswasalmostwhatIhadexpected.Ifyoutakea llamathathadbeenrunningwildallitslife,survivingonits ins�nctsalone,withouthumancontact,youreallywouldnot expecttoomuch.ButIwasnotpreparedfortheabsolute fearthattheyoungladyhadofhumans.Tothepointwhere shewouldaggressivelyseektogetoutofsight,evenifthat meanttryingtobashthroughfencesandgates.Thepoten�al forharmingherselfwiththesean�csbecametoorealandI quicklydecidedIwouldjustbackawayfromherand concentratemya�en�ontothemale.
NowShagwasdifferentthanhisdaughter.Hehadanervous lookabouthimandwouldfollowherleadatall�mes, runningarounda�erher,buthelackedthelookof despera�onthataccompaniesthewildones.At�meshe seemedtobeintentlystudyingme,likehewastryingto figureifIwasathreatornot.FortwoweeksIwalkedupto andaroundhim,broughtfeed,ge�ngcloserbutnot a�emp�ngcontact.ThirdweekIcouldpursuadehimintothe yardsandwalkaroundhim.FourthweekIeasedhimintoa verysmallpenanda�eracoupledaysslowlyreachedout andstrokedhisneck.Hes�ffenedbutIslowlykeptitupand inafewmomentsfeltthetensioneaseout,heturnedhis head,lookedatme–nosignofaggression. A�erthatitbecameeasyaslongasIdidn’trushthings. Withinaweekheacceptedahalterandthenextdaybegan hisleadinglessons–thefirstdaywemanagedaboutthree metresinhalfanhour.Aweeklaterwewerecoveringthree 3km’sasession.Talkaboutacoupleofwildones!
AndallofasuddenIwasengulfedinawaveofpityforthis poorfellow,whatpainanddiscomforthemusthave endured,andhereheispu�nghistrustinme. Butthestoryendswell.Sheilaisnowinwithmygirlherdof 22andge�ngmorese�ledeachday.Shaghasrelocatedto thestudpaddockwherehehashisownareaandboyson eithersideforcompany.Forbothofthesellamasthisisthe first�meintheirlivestheyareabletobesafeandhavean amplesupplyoffeedandcareplusthecompanyoftheirown kind.
9 Sheilawillalwaysbeawildoneanditisbestshestayswith mewherethereislotsofroomplusotherfemaleswith whomshecantakecomfort.Iwillwaitun�lNovemberto giveShagafullhaircutanda�erthathewillbereadyfora quietforeverhomesomewhereinNZ. WhoevertakesShagwillbepleasantlysurprisedathis handlingandcompanionship.Iamimpressedwithhim.A lovelyboy. UPDATE PoorShag'sstorydidnotendwella�erall.Hesuffereda suspectedsuddenstrokeorhearta�ackandpassedquickly.I hadbeenfencingjustoverfromhisarea,oneminutehewas fineandnextlookoverhewasgone.SoIcanonlytake comfortinknowinghislastfewmonthswouldhavebeenthe best�meofhisdifficultlife. Sheilaontheotherhandgoesfromstrengthtostrength. Haven'tbeenabletohandleheryetbutsherunsupwiththe restofherdforfoodorrota�onthroughthepaddocks.She hastakenakeeninterestinacoupleofneighbouring gentlemenandI'veresolvedtomateherinthespring.She haslatchedontoChico,thegeldinginchargeofthegirlsand isneverfarfromhim.NowknownasChico'swife.Herehe standsguardwhileshehashermorningroll. Hedoesn’tliketobebrushedbuthasreluctantlyand somewhatgrudginglypermi�edmetobegintocuthis mightyfibreoff.Forabout2minuteseachsession-itisa slowprocess.ButasIworkedmywayfromfronttobackhis agita�onincreased.A�erawhileIwasabletoremove enoughdagsinhisbackendtoobtainmyfirstglimpseofhis genitals.SHOCK!Shaghasnotes�cles,justacoupleof wrinkledprunes!A�erasecondinspec�ontherealiza�on struckme,thisfellowhasnotbeengeldedcorrectly,hehas hadtheconnec�onofbloodvesselsetctohistes�cles crushed.Thenameforthisprocedureis“burdizzo”,Ihave neverheardofitbeingperformedonllamas,andIsuspect therewouldnotbeacamelidvetintheworldwhowould approveofitsuse.
•Don’t�ethetopsofthebagsso�ghtlyitishardtoundo them.Wehavehadbagsthathavebeenimpossibleto undoandtheyhavetobecut.
•Buyfleecebagsaheadof�metomakesureyouhavethe rightsizesfornecks,legs,saddle(onlybuybiodegradable bagsifyouintendsendingyourfleeceforprocessing immediatelyotherwisetheycanbreakdownandruinthe fleece).
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Isheshearingonatableoronthefloor?Whatequipment areyourequiredtosupply?Whatjobswilltheshearerorhis helperdoandwhatlabourdoyouhavetosupply? Gonearethedayswhenshearingwasa necessarychorejusttogetthefleece offtheanimal.Theendmarketwillpay thebestpriceforthecleanest,best preparedfleecesavailablewiththe specificationstheenduserrequires.
Notjusta
Severalyearsagoourveryexperiencedvetcametodosome ultrasounds.Shehoppedoutofhervehicleanddissolved intopealsoflaughterwhenshesawawholepaddockof newlyshornalpaca.Apparentlyshehadneverseenshorn alpacasenmasseandthesightcon�nuedtoamuseherfor herwholevisit.
Ihaveputtogetherthefollowingproceduretohelpbreeders getbe�ervaluefortheirfleece.
Mostshearerswilltrimtoenailsandteethatthe�meof shearing-checkyourshearerwilldothis.Isitincludedinhis priceoranextra?Ifyouwishtodoityourselfishehappy youwillnotbeholdinghimup?Thesameappliestorou�ne vaccina�ons.Doingthesejobsatshearing�mesaves valuable�mebutbeawareoftheimportanceofnot contamina�ngfleecewithtoenailcu�ngs.
Rememberthatyourshearerisaprofessionalanddeserves tobetreatedassuch.Youexpectagoodshearingjobso makesureyouarewellpreparedandorganizedwith sufficientpeopletohelp.Itisnotyourshearersjobtorun aroundpaddockscollec�nganimals.Communicatewithyour shearerabouthisandyourrequirementsbeforeshearing commences.
•Bagswithholespunchedinthempressdownbe�erthan bagswithout.
HoweverasCameronHoltpointsoutintheAustralianAlpaca FleeceIndustryShearingShedandPre-ClassingCodeof Prac�ce-“Theprepara�onofthealpacaclipforsaleisthe culmina�onoftheyear’swork”.O�en,shearingisthe culmina�onofmanyyearsofcarefulbreedingandwhilewe allsmiletoseeourverybarelookinganimals,andhave troublerecognizingindividuals,weknowthatshearingisa seriousbusinessandrequiressomethoughttoensurethe bestpossibleoutcome. Pre-shearing Preferablygrazeyouralpacasoncleangrassypaddocksfree fromburrsandothercontaminentsinthemonths/weeks beforeshearingandifyoucanfindthe�me,trim�psoff animalsthathaveburrs,vegetablema�erorthebrown�ps onblackanimals–easierwhilethefleeceisontheanimal thantryingtoremoveitlater.
ByEsmeGraham&PennyPi�ard
FunnyHaircut
•Takemidsidefleecesamplesatleast3weeksbefore shearingtohavetheresultsathandontheday-takethe samplesmidwaydownthesidetomakesureyouare ge�ngarealis�ctest.Toohighanditcanbefinerthan thebulkofthesaddle.Byknowingyourfleecesmidside testresultsatshearingitmakesitveryeasytoputaside fleecesthatmaybesuitableforspecialpurposese.g. showingorsellingtofleecepurchasersrequiringcertain microns.
VeterinaryMaintenance
PennyPi�ardusedtorunCurrabunglaAlpacasandAlpaca Ul�matehasawealthofexperiencewhenitcomesto evalua�ngfleece.Pennyseestheendresultsofbreeders shearingandhasthefollowingadvicetohelpyouimprove yourreturns: Sinceskir�ngandtes�ngfleecesforAlpacaUl�mate,Ihave realisedthatanumberofbreederslosevalueintheirfleeces bypoorprepara�onandnotskir�ngfleecesproperly.
•Haveplentyofoldtowelstomopupanyaccidents, puddlesorspi�ng.Donotbagupwetfleece.
Shearincolourgroups,allwhitetogetheretcandfromfine microntocoarsemicronifpossible. Sweepmatcleanbetweeneveryanimaltoavoidguardhair contamina�onetcandalwaysvacuumbetweencolours groupstoeliminatecolourcontamina�on.
•Awashingbasketondigitalscalessetonatablemakes foreasyweighingoffleeces.
putitontheskir�ngtable,anexperiencedskirteratthe table,apersontogetbagslabelledandtoweighthefleeces andrecorddetails.Anefficientteamismoreproduc�vethan heapsofinexperiencedfriendsandrela�ons.
•Setupequipmentforsmoothopera�on,saddlefleeceto skir�ngtable,awoolpackforskir�ngsnexttothetable sopiecesareputstraightintoit,weighingtablewith worksheettowriteweights,etc
Ifthereisnotquiteenough�metoskirtproperlyputa sheetofpaperoverthewholefleeceandrollitwiththe paperinthemiddle,thiswaytheedgepiecesdonot contaminatethesaddle.
•Havestorageareasdesignatedforfleecesofcertain micron-superfine,fine,medium,strongandalsointo colourgroups.Otherwisewritemidsidetestresultson bagssotheyareeasytoiden�fylater.Thismakesfor easysor�nglaterwhenbaggingupforprocessing.Ifa fleeceisobviouslytooshortforprocessingputitstraight inthepiecesbag.
Thenightbeforeshearinghaveallanimalsthatwillbeshorn thenextdayundercover.
Skir�ngimmediatelybeforebaggingsavessomuch contamina�onofthesaddle–ifstrongermicronfibresget intothemainsaddleitwilldowngradethesaddle–grid tes�ngshowsthisandcanmeanalotlessdollarsforyour fleece.Thiscannotbestressedenoughaswecomeacrossit �meand�meagain.
Carefultreatmentofyourfleeceatshearing�mecanmakea hugedifferenceindollarvalue. RecordKeeping Doyounotethefleeceweightsandresultsfromthetes�ng laboratoryforeachanimal?Thisisimportantsoyoucansee fromyeartoyearwhichanimalsareholdingtheirmicronand whichareblowingout.Allpartofyourbreedingdecisions! SmartShearing Rememberthatweareshearingtoobtainapar�cular outcome.Tex�lemanufacturersallhavepar�cular requirementsandweneedtokeepthisinmind.Aswe becomemoresophis�catedwithourmarketssoshearerswill becomemoreconsciousofwhattheyneedtodoandtheir techniqueswillimproveandbecomemorestrategic.
Nowaterorfeed tobeavailabletothemduringthenight–reducespuddles,spi�ngetc.Ruminateshaveplentytocarry themthroughandwill“notstarvetodeath”asmanythink. Onshearingdays,skir�ng,weighingandsor�ngasyougo meanswhenshearingisfinished,mostoftheworkisfinished –ifitisnotdoneatthe�me,manyfinditextremelyhardto getbacktoitandconsequentlyfleecegetsle�insheds forever.Organiseenoughpeopletohelpontheday. Peoplerequiredforshearing–theshearer,analpaca handler,apersontoorganisethefleeceasitcomesoffthe animal(experiencedinsepara�ngthehairylegandbelly piecesawayfromthesaddleasIknowthisiswhereahuge amountofcontamina�onoccurs)topickupthesaddleand
11
•Cleanshedofallcontaminates-feathers,balingtwine, toenails,etcandvacuumthoroughly.
•Haveacoveringonthefloorthatcanbesweptand vacuumedeasily-nodirtorroughconcrete.
Hairyfleeces,inotherwordsfleeceswithprimaryfibres longerthanthesecondaryfibresthroughthemainsaddleare notsuitableformakinggoodqualityproducts–thisis somethingthatneedstobewatchedinbreedingalpacas.
Infec�onsareverylikelyindummys.Thismaybebecausethe criaisweakfromalackoffood,orbecauseitisea�ngor suckingondirty,messy,orotherwisewrongthings.Youneed toregularlycheckanat-riskcria'stemperature,andpromptly treatanyinfec�onthattakeshold.
Prematurecriawillsleepforverylongperiods,butifyou haveafull-term,well-developedcriaanditwantstosleepall the�me,haveasecondlook.Manyofthesesymptomslead tothecrianotfeedingproperly,oratall.Consistentquality nutri�onisvitalforanewborn,anditsabsencequicklyleads tomanyotherproblems.Thecriamayforgetitneedstoeat, orhowtoeat,ormaysimplylosefocusandfallofftheteat beforege�ngaproperfeed.Thiscanbehardtono�cewhen itisalltakingplaceunderneaththefemale.
Theterm"dummy"comesfromthehorseworld,thesocalled"dummyfoal."Thecondi�onisalsoknownasNeonatal MaladjustmentSyndrome,ormoretechnicallyasHypoxic IschemicEncephalopathy.
Dangers Beonwatchforverydeepandlongsleepingcriathatare difficulttorouse,asthatcanbeasignofadummy.
Ifthecriahasbeenadummysincebirth,theymightnothave recievedsufficientcolostrumfromtheirmotherinthefirst24 hoursa�erbirth.Ifthisisthecase,thecriawillhavetobe givenplasmatoprovidethelife-savingan�bodiesitneedsto fightoffinfec�onduringthefirstfewmonths.
Whatdoesadummylooklike?Itvariesdependingonhow severethelackofoxygenwas.Inthemostextremecasesthe newborngoesintoimmediateseizures,andobviously promptveterinaryassistancewouldberequiredinthose circumstances.
12 TREATINGCRIAWITH
HypoxicIschemicEncephalopathy
Prac�callythismeansthatthecriadidnotgetenoughoxygen toitsbrain(andpossiblyotherorgansystemsinthecaseof severeoxygendepriva�on).Thislackofoxygencouldhave comefromawidevarietyofsourcesandmayhavehappened beforebirth(inadequateplacenta,anaemiainthedam,early placentalsepara�on),duringbirth(earlyruptureofthe umbilicalcord,variousconstric�vedystocias)orevena�er birth(intactmembranepreven�ngthecriafrombreathing).
Mostdummieshavemoresubtlesymptomsandaremore difficulttospot.Symptomscantakedaystodevelopand startwithminorproblemsthatescalate.Itmaybenothing morethananintui�vefeelingthatsomethingisnotquite right,perhapsfirstpresen�ngasamilddepressionwhichcan beoverlooked.Dummiesmightappearblind,havedifficulty swallowing,beveryun-coordinated(unabletostand/walk), maysuckonanythingindiscriminately,andmaydisplay twitches(eyes,lips)thatareindica�veofminorseizures.
Sometimebackwehadacriathatgot verysick.Wewereluckythatour veterinarianrecognizedwhatwewere dealingwith,adummy,andputusonthe pathtosavingher.
Spo�ngaDummy
ByStephenMulholland,Ph.D.
Also,watchoutforcriathatholdtheirbreath(apnea), breatheirregularlyordon'turinate,asthatisasignofmore severeorgandamage.
Day6 -Downto8kg.S�llfeedingher700mladay.WhenI wentoutintothepaddocktofeedhershewaso�ensi�ngin mudpuddles.Laterthatdaytherewasmudaroundher mouth,she'dbeenea�ngthemud!Andthiswasnasty,dirty mudduetothegeesealsomakinguseofthepuddles. (A�erwardswefiguredoutthatshemighthavebeensi�ng inthemudpuddlestotryandcoolherselfdown.)Inotedin thejournalthatshenowhadas�ffgait.Withahigh temperature,fallingweight,andstrangebehaviour,itwas �metogettothevet!BasedonthesymptomsI'ddescribed,
Asan"atrisk"cria,especiallyonefromamaidenfemale,I startedfeedinghercolostrum,andputmotherandcriainthe shedovernight.Checkinglaterthateveningshowedthat Suleluriwasreac�vetolightandhadregainedatleastsome vision.
Criathatarenotea�ngproperlyneedtobefed.Remember thataveryyoungcrianeedsmanysmallfeedsthroughout theday.Acriaconsumesabout10%ofitsbodyweightin milkperdayandspli�ngthisacrosssixormorefeedsis ideal.Theirli�lestomachcanonlyhandlesomuchmilkat once!Andsinceyouaredealingwithadummyyoucan'trely onthemrefusingthebo�leoncetheyfeelfull. Ifacriacan'tfeedfromitsmother,itwouldbegoodideato milkthemotherbothtokeeptheudders�mulatedand producing,andtotakepressureoffduetoanexcessofmilk.I knowthiscanbeachallengeifthemotherisnotkeen!But mostdummyswillrecoversufficientlywithinafewdaysor weekstostartfeedingnormallyagain,anditiseasiertomilk thedamafew�mesthantobo�le-raisehercria.
13 Treatment Treatthesymptoms.Thecriawillneedtobesupportedun�l itrecovers.Thereisnosinglefix;itisaboutgoodsuppor�ve nursingandcare.Symptomstendtodisappearinthereverse orderinwhichtheyappeared(lastin,firstout).Asthecria improvesitshouldn'trelapseonceasymptomisgone,it's goneforgood.
Day3 -Iprovidedabout50%ofhermilkrequirements(total of400mlover4feeds),Sule'sweightwasup100gattheend oftheday(8.3kg),soIputthetwoofthembackintothe paddockwiththerestofthegirls.
Day4 -S�llproviding50%offeed.Weightupanother100g to8.4kg.Butnowthecriawasrunningaslighttemperature (39Cinlatea�ernoon).Italkedtoourvetonthephone, le�ngherknowofthesitua�on.Shegavethefirstindica�on thatwemighthaveadummy.Ialsonotedinmyfarmjournal thatshewasaverysleepycria.
Keepacloseeyeonbodytemperaturesinceinfec�onis likely.Sincecamelidsdon'thaveafixedbodytemperature (theyarecoolerinthemorningandwillbequitewarma�era longa�ernooninthesun)itcanbeabitchallengingto determinewhenyouareseeingafever.Ifinditveryuseful (wherepossible)tocomparetemperaturesinequivalent animals.Takethetemperatureofanothercriaofthesame sizeandcolour,ifyoucan,andlookforadifference.Acria thatis39Cfirstthinginthemorninghasafever. Watchoutforobsessivebehaviourthatcangetacriakilled. Theymaydrinkwater,eitheroutofhungerorjustasanodd behaviour,un�ltheykillthemselves.Theymaytryandeatall sortsofoddobjectswhichacamelidwouldnormallyignore. Youmayneedtobuildyourselfa"criaproof"peninwhich motherandcriacanlivewhilethecriaisbeingtreated. Infoals,goodcaresavesabout80%ofalldummies. OurDummy,thetaleofSvalinnandSuleluri Day0 -Svalinn,amaidenfemale,gavebirth.Itwasnotan easybirth.Shestartedwithanormalpresenta�on,butthen thecriagotstuckwithoneandahalflegsout.Oneofthelegs wasonlypartlyout,andweeventuallydetermineditwas bentinthewombandjammedagainsttheentranceofthe birthcanal.Inretrospectweshouldhaveintervenedand helpedearlier,butwewaitedtoolonghopingthatthe motherwouldsortitout.Itwas90minutesfromthehead firstappearingtoge�ngthecriaoutandontheground.She was8.9kg,whichisatthetopendofthenormalrangefor alpaca(6-9kg).
Day2 -Herweightdroppedbyanother300gto8.2kg,soI startedsupplementalbo�lefeedingthatevening.Atthis pointwewerenotsureifthiswasaproblemwiththecria,or ifthemaidenmotherhadinsufficientmilk.
Day1 -ThenextmorningSuleluriwasupandfeeding.Idid giveherabitmoresupplementalcolostrum,suchthatinher first24hoursI'dprovidedabout30%ofhercolostrumneeds (asaninsurancepolicya�ersometragediesinthepast).Idid noteinmyjournal"headbobbingupanddown?"Atthe�me wera�onalisedthisasbeingrelatedtohervisionproblems.I alsoprocuredandbeganadministeringeye-dropsfromthe vet.Attheendofdayoneshewasdown400gfromherbirth weight.(now8.5kg)Theweightlosswasnotasurprisewe'veseensomealpacacrialose500gthefirstday,then comeroaringbackinthedaysthatfollowed.
Fromthemomentofbirthweknewtherewereproblems. Suleluri's(thecutefemalecria)eyeswerecloudy,andthere wereindica�onsofblindness(nomenacereflex).Even thoughshewasfullterm(bybirthdate),therewereafew slightsignsofdysmaturity(looselegtendons).
Day5 -Sulewas37.5Cat6AM,whichisabitwarmforso earlyinthemorninga�eracool,clearnight.Herweighthad droppedthough,down300gto8.1kg!Iincreasedmy supplementalfeedsto700mlover5feeds,whichwasabout 85%ofherdailyneeds.Shes�lllookedlikeshewasfeeding offhermumaswell.
Thateveningwemilked275mloutofthemother(usinga shearingtabletoimmobilizeher)andfedsometothecria. Svalinneventuallygotusedtotheperiodicmilking-Ithink shewashappytohavethepressuretakenoffherudder.We putmotherandcriainapen,andthecriaimmediatelytried todrinkitselftodeathinthewaterbucket!Thankfullywe hadbeenwarnedaboutsuchobsessivebehaviour,and movedthebuckettowhereSulecouldnotreach(buther mothercould)anddidourbestto"cria-proof"theirpen.
Lookingback,whatIgotrightandwrong
Myearlydecisiontoprovidecolostrum(andlaterpre-vet-trip supplementalmilk)probablyavertedanevenworsedisaster. Sincewehaveasmallherd,andonlyget10-20criaperyear, itiseasytogiveabitofsupplementalcolostrumto newborns.Idon'tfeedcolostrumtoallthecria,justtheones Iamsuspiciousabout.This“suspicious-list”iscomprisedof anycriafromanassistedordifficultbirth,andalmostallfirst�memothers.Iwillalsofeedthecriaofamoreexperienced motherifIknowsheisnotthebestmilkproducerinthe world.Be�erabitofeffortnow,thanatragedylateron.By feeding~50%oftheircolostrumneedsoverthefirst24hours youmakesuretheyremainhungryenoughtogoa�erthe naturalsource,whileatthesame�meprovidingminimally adequatean�bodyprotec�onifforsomereasonmum's colostrumisnotavailableorofagoodstandard. Mybiggestmistakewasnotinterveningsooner.Wekept wai�ngforSuleto"comeright",wheneachdayshewas clearlyge�ngslightlyworseinsmallsteps.IfI'dsteppedinat day3andstartedproviding100%ofherfoodneedsand startedwatchingmorecloselyforinfec�onwewouldhave probablyhavefixedherbeforeshehitrock-bo�omand nearlydied. I'dalsoliketosharewithyouthe"MilkMix"Iuseforfeeding cria.(Note-thisisnotthecolostrumthisisthemilkIusefor longer-termfeedingofcria.ForcolostrumI'vehadgood successwiththe"JumpStart"brandfromFonterra.)The formulaisamixof470mlbluetopmilk,30mlcream,and3 tablespoonsofnon-fatmilkpowder(withanop�onalextra
14 ourvetimmediatelydiagnosedthatwewereindeeddealing witha"dummy".ItwasaSaturdaya�ernoon,ofcourse,so wehadtotakeSuletothevet'shome.
Day11 -WhileIwass�llfeedingSule750mlofmilkperday, shehadstartedrocke�ngaroundthepen.Herbehaviour nowappearedquitenormalforacriaherage.Temperature of38.5Cintheevening.
Overthenext5daysItaperedofftheamountofmilkIwas offeringSuleun�lonthelasttwodaysshestartedrefusing thebo�lesoffered-clearly,shewasnowge�ngplentyof milkfrommum.PerhapsIcouldhaveeasedoffonthe supplementalmilkabitearlier,asshewasgainingweight veryquickly,butIwantedtomakesureshewasgoingtobe okayanddidn'twanthertorelapse.
Wewaitedun�lweweresureSulewasnolonger compulsivelydrinkingwaterbeforepu�ngherintheyards withaccesstoawatertrough. Day10 -Weightupanother400g(9.9kg),asSulereadily devouredallthemilkIprovidedher.
Now,seventeenmonthslater,Suleluriisahappyandfriendly younggirl.Herbehaviouriscompletelynormal.Infact,she's thebiggestofthecriafromlastyear.
Sulewas7.9kgfirstthinginthemorning,and8.6kgby evening.Mostofthatweightgainwasjustrehydra�on.
Bythe�mewegottherehertempwasupto41.6C,whichis wellintothedangerzonefor"febrileseizures."Westarted heronan�bio�cs(a5daycourse),andusedacoolingcoatto gethertemperaturedown.Thecoolingcoatwasaspecial fibrecoatforthevets'Bernesemountaindogs,whichreally feelthesummerheat.Whenwegothomeweimproviseda coolingcoatofourown,cu�ngupacampingmicrofiber towelandsafety-pinningonsomestraps.Yousoakthecoat, wringitdripdry,andputitonthecria.Thecriastaysdry,but theevapora�ngwatercarriesawayexcessheat.Bynigh�all shewasdownto39.5C-s�llquitewarm,butoutofthe immediatedangerzone.
Day7 -Thiswasthelowpointofthewholeprocess,andit wasastruggletokeepli�leSulegoing.Shewas39Cat6AM, s�llquitefeverish.Shehadlosthersuckreflexandwasvery lethargic.Criamustsuckdownthemilk,otherwiseitcanend upintherumenwhereitcurdlesandaddstotheproblems.It wastakingme20to30minutestogethertodrink100mlof milk,asIhadtos�mulatehersuckandswallowreflexesby massaginghercheeksandthroat.InbetweenmilkfeedsI wasgivingherelectrolyteswithdissolvedBeroccatablets. (Criadon'tneedtosuckdownelectrolytes,soyoucansyringe itin.Ali�lethroatmassagewoulds�mulateaswallow reflex.)Itwasalong,hardday,withalterna�nghourlyfeeds, milkthenelectrolytes.
Day8 -FromthefirstfeedofthemorningIcouldtellSule wasimproving-mostno�ceablyshenowhadagoodsuck reflexandcoulddrinkmilkagain.Ifedher900mlofmilk (100%ofherneeds)plussomeelectrolytesoverthecourse oftheday.Isawhernosingunderhermotheronoccasion, butshedidn'tappeartobefeedingfromhermuch,ifatall. Wemilkedthemotheroutagain.BytheendofthedaySule wasupto9.1kg(another500ggain).
Day9 -Iwass�llprovidingmostofSule'smilkneeds(90%).
Hereveningtempwas38.5C,whichwaspre�ynormalfora warmsummer'sday,andherweightwasupanother400gto 9.5kg.Motherandcriawerespendingthedaysinthefenced yardsoutsidetheshed,andnightsbackinthepen.
15 of1-3teaspoonsofyoghurt).Ihavefoundthatourcriado verywellonit,andverymuchpreferthetasteoverAnlamb. WeusedtouseAnlamb(NZlambmilkreplacer),andIfound thecriawouldonlydrinkwhentheywereveryhungry,and eventhenitwasachoretogetthemtodrinkenoughtogain weight.Theotherbigadvantageofthe"MilkMix"isthat blue-topmilkandcream(NZfullfatmilk)canbepurchased fromanydairyorpetrolsta�on,meaningyoucancreatethe milkmixlateatnightoronaholidaywhenallthefarmsupplystoresareclosed,sinceMurphy'slawdictatesthat'sthe�me whenananimalwillbein Ifyouarecurious,Suleluri means"Silliness"in Georgian.Itseemedan appropriatenameforour firsteverdummy. OneyearlaterSuleluriisbright,friendly,and completelynormal.You'dneverguessshehadsuch atoughstart. MILKMILK
16 DIDYOUKNOW? Everysingleissueof CamelidConnec�ons Isavailabletoread inourwebsitelibrary. Clickheretoviewthelibrary
Therearealsobrandingadvantagesavailable,andthese reflectthevaluethatcustomproduc�oncanaddfromthe consumer’sperspec�ve.Forexample,partofthefashion industry’slargeenvironmentalfootprintisdrivenbyfactors likethetypicallylong,geographicallydispersed manufacturingsupplychainsaswellasbythetremendous amountoffabricthatiswastedintheprocessitself.By contrast,makingaccessoriesandgarmentstoordercan significantlyreducethesenega�veenvironmentalimpacts andappealtoconsumers’desireforsustainability.
ByLynnEdensUSA
MadeToOrder,WithAlpaca: KnittingMachines InTheFarmStore
17
It’soursensethatthesebusinessesareinthevanguardof ourindustry’sadop�onofthegrowingretailcategoryof made-to-orderfashion.Made-to-orderclothingand accessoriesofferadvantagestoconsumersandsmallerretail businessesalikeandmaybeapar�cularlygoodfitforthose inver�callyintegratedalpacabusinesses.Wetookacloser lookatthistrendtolearnmore.
Beingabletoproduceagarmentoraccessoryforacustomer atthe�meofsaleisefficientformanyproductsellers.For one,inventorycostsarelower:Brandsandstoreshold produc�onyarnsininventoryratherthanmoreexpensive finishedproduct,andthereisnoneedtofrontfundingfor themanufacturingofproductthatwillbedeliveredmany monthslater.Costsassociatedwithamismatchbetween inventoryanddemandarealsoreducedoreliminated,with noproductsofunwantedsizesorcolorsle�ontheshelf.
We’reseeingatrendinour yarnsalesatImperialYarn, withanincreasingnumberof ourretailandfarmstore customerspurchasingyarn onconesforuseproducing custom,oftenmade-to-order products,ontheirown knittingmachines.
Makingsizedgarmentstoorderalsobenefitsconsumers, par�cularlythosewhoarelesslikelytofindclothesmatching theirownbodytypeandsizeonashelf.Madetoorder“fits” everyoneandconveysaninclusivebrandmessagethatcan expanditsappeal.Italsoexpandsthearrayofproductsfrom whichanyonecomingthroughthestoredoorcanchoose.
MakingCustomKnitProducts
Butperhapsthebiggestadvantageofmade-to-orderfashion formanysmalland/orfarm-basedalpacaretailersandtheir customersalikeinpar�cularistheopportunitytoincrease customerengagementwithandcommitmentto,their business.Thetypicalcustomerhasalreadydemonstrated theirrealinterestinbothbychoosingtocometothefarmor asmallstoreratherthanheadingtothenearestbigboxstore tomakeapurchase.Thestoreownerwhocanoffertheir customerstheopportunitytobeinvolvedinthemakingof accessoriesandgarmentsgivesthemachancetofeellikea partofthefarmfamilyandalpacacommunityinawaythat engendersrealloyaltyandbroadensregionalconnec�onsto thefarm.
Smallcircularkni�ngmachinesarealreadyfamiliartomany inthealpacaretailbusiness,andweareseeingmoreofour customersaddtheseinexpensive,easy-to-usemachinesto theirownbusinesses.Experiencedhandscanuseonetoturn outahatusingacustomer’schoiceofyarnsinhalfanhour.A smallmachinecanalsobeusedtoproducetubesoffabricfor socks,againbasedoncustomers’choicesofyarns,withsock finishinganotherserviceastorecouldoffertothose interested.Therearecrea�vewaystoexpandfromherealso. Forinstance,astoreownercouldconsiderofferingsocktube kni�ngservicesusingacustomer’sownyarn,aservicethat hasprovenpopularonwebsiteslikeEtsy.Asyarnsellers know,natureabhorsanemptyyarnstash,andthecustomer whobringsherownyarninformachinekni�ngisprobably notgoingtoleavethestoreempty-handed.
Atatypicalcostofacouplehundreddollarsforahigh quality,sturdyhandoperatedmachine,storeownersmight wanttopurchaseseveralandteachclassesonhowtouse them,andevenconsiderofferingthemachinesforin-store purchase.Thisisanindirectwaytobuildacustomerbasefor
Thereareanumberofwaystoaddmade-to-orderkni�ed productsandrelatedservicestoanalpacaretailbusiness, withagreatdealofrangewithrespecttotheinvestment requiredaswellasthescopeandop�onsthatareproduced bythatinvestment.Thatsaid,mostalpacabusinessesare small,andneedlow-cost,scalablewaystointroducecustom productsandservices,andtherearecircularandflatpanel kni�ngmachinesthatofferexcellentop�onsinthisregard. Circularkni�ngmachinescomeinsizesrangingfromlarge industrialmodelstothehand-operatedtable-topmachines thatareusedbyhome-basedfibrear�stsaswellasinsmaller scaleproduc�onefforts.Thesemachinesmaketubesof kni�edfabric,andbeforesomeofyouwonderoutloudwhy anyonewouldwantatubeoffabric,considertheshapeof yoursocksortheknithatsontheshelfinyourcloset:Circular kni�ngmachinescanmakethetypeofalpacaproductsthat aretopsellersinmanystores.Atubeoffabriccanalsobe usedasdoublecloth(two-layered)fabricinavarietyof applica�ons.
Theseone-of-a-kindhats areaquickknitonatabletopcircularknitting machineandevenquicker tosellforImperialYarn.
18
“ ”
19 storeyarnsaswell.Alpacabusinessowners couldalsoconsidercollabora�ngwithan ar�sanaldyerintheirareatocreateone-of-akinddyedyarnsforusewiththemachines,or workwithanar�sanwhowillknithatsorsocks intheirowninspiredpa�ernsandcoloursfor thestoretosell.Bothcanhelpbuild communityconnec�onsandsupportregional tex�leac�vity. StacieChavezofImperialYarnchosetowork withalocalfibrear�sttodevelopaconceptfor one-of-a-kindbeaniesthatcouldbeproduced onahand-operatedcircularkni�ngmachine. Thebeanieshavebeensopopularshehas troublekeepingtheminstock.Staciesays, “Peoplewanttobuyhighqualitysustainablymadeproductsatareasonableprice.The beanieswesellareindividuallymadebythe ar�stwithourownAmerican-grownalpaca/ woolblendyarn.Eachhatshowcasescoloursin uniqueways,whichisanimportantpartofthe appealandnotsomethingwecouldachieve withlargerscalemanufacturing.” Flatpanelkni�ngmachinesareanother interes�ngandaffordableop�onforalpaca stores.Astheirnameimplies,flatpanelkni�ng machinesproduceasinglelayerofknitfabric thatcanthenbeseamedtoproducednotjust accessorieslikehatsandscarvesbutalsofi�ed productslikesweatersandgloves.Unlikethe simplecircularkni�ngmachine,aflatpanel machinecanproduces�tchpa�ernsandalso domorecomplexcolourwork,crea�nga wealthofproductdesignop�ons. Used,small-sizedflatpanelkni�ngmachines suitableforfarmstoreapplica�onscanreadily besourcedonsiteslikeEbayandCraigslistfora
fewhundreddollars.Fornewmachineswith state-of-the-artcapabili�eslikePC-based designso�wareandkni�ngmachineinterface, poten�albuyersmayfindtheSilverReedbrand machinesofinterest.Oneexample,theSilver ReedSK840,ispricedataround$1,500,andhas agenerous43.7”bedwidth.Withamodest investmentintrainingintheiruse,machines likethisofferincredibleproductdesign flexibility.Therearelibrariesofkni�ng machinepa�ernsforbusinessownerstowork withaswell.Asanaddi�onalsourceof revenue,ownerscansell�meontheirmachine tocustomerswhowanttodesigntheirown garmentsorotherkni�editemswiththe so�ware,ortofellowregionalbusinessowners ordesignerswhowanttocreatecustom productsoftheirown.This,too,couldhelp buildvolumeinthestore’syarnbusiness.
Thisconversionop�oncanallowacustomertopickany suitableyarninthestorefortheproduc�onoflargermadeto-orderknitproductsandarealsousefulifthestorewishes tooffercustomkni�ngwiththecustomers’ownyarns.
Technologicaladvancesmayul�matelycreatenew opportuni�esforsmallerscaleretailmadetoorder businesses.Oneofthemoreinteres�ngadvancementsin recentyearshasbeenthedevelopmentof3Dkni�ng machines,alsoknownasawholegarmentkni�ngmachines. Thesemachinesknitaseamlessgarmentinasinglestep, elimina�ngtheneedforseamingorotherassemblyand reducingyarnwastetoalmostzero.
Ar�clereproducedcourtesyof: TheAmericanAlpacaJournal-Issue4
Anothertypeofcustomiza�ontoolthat canimproveinventoryflexibilityand increaseastore’sofferingsisaconewinder thatcanwindskeinedorballedyarnonto toconesforusewiththestore’sor customers’kni�ngmachinesorlooms.
RollingOakAlpacaRanchinIllinoishas beenusingvintageflatpanelkni�ng machinesintheiralpacaproductbusiness forthreeyears.“Currentlyweareusing vintagemachinestomakehats,cowls, scarvesandfingerlessglovesforour customers,andwehopetomakesweaters andcapesinthefuture,”saidbusinesscoownerMorganStevenson.“Usingthe vintagemachineshasreallyspedupthe produc�onprocessforusandwesellmore nowthatwehavemoreproductinstock.”
Therearehand-heldyarnsplicingtoolsavailableforthose whoan�cipateasteadydemandforlarger-sizedconesand an�cipatetheneedtojoinskeins,orwhosemade-to-order businessleavesthemwithle�overyarnoncones.These typicallyusepressuredairfromacompressortosplicethe yarn,andsmallhand-heldsplicerssuitablefortheirregular demandlikelyfrommostretailyarnsellerscanbesourced forasli�leas$100.
ThemachineshavealsoallowedRolling Oaktorespondquicklytocustomerrequests.“Recentlysomeoneaskedusto makebabyhatsfromacoupleoftheyarns wehadavailableintheshop,”saidcoownerJudyHoepker.“Anothersawapair ofourfingerlessmi�sandaskedusto makesixmorepairsasChristmasgi�s.” Judynotesanimportantlinkwithanother trendalso.“Overthelastfewyearssome peoplehaverequestedtobuyonlyitems thatwemadeourselves.Thisyear,almost everyonewantsitemsmadehere.”Kni�ng machineshavehelpedRollingOakkeepup withincreasingdemandforlocalproducts.
Withpurchasepricesrangingintothelowsixfiguresand significanttechnicaltrainingandexper�serequiredto programandoperatethem,3Dkni�ngmachinesarenot a�rac�vedirectinvestmentsformostsmallerscalealpaca retailbusinesses.However,astheybecomemorecommon, alpacaretailbusinessesmaybenefitfromthetechnologyvia thesmallerminimums,shortenedproduc�on�melines,and regionalproduc�onop�onsthatmanufacturingbusinesses thatownthesemachineswilllikelyoffer.
20
It’swellworthmakingtheefforttostayuptodatewiththe developmentofthe3Dkni�ngindustryandlearningabout theop�onsthatmanufacturersinyourareawhoareusing thisequipmentmaybeabletoofferyou.
Forcomparison,alpacamanurehasanN-P-Kof1.7-0.691.2,whereascowmanureiscloserto0.6-0.2-0.5andhorse manureis0.7-0.3-0.6(theseareapproximateastheycan varyaccordingtofeedregimeandcondi�ons)
21
HavingspentmanyyearsinthenurseryindustryIamwell awareofthebenefitsofcompostsandmanures.Alpacapoo isagreatop�ontofer�lizeyourplants.Likeallfer�lizersit canbringahostofbenefits.Itwillimprovethequalityofthe soil,especiallyitsabilitytoholdwateraswellasaddvaluable nutrientssuchasnitrogen,potassium(potash)and phosphorus.AlpacapoohasthehighestN-P-Kofanynatural fer�liser.
Youknowthatpileofalpacapoothat youvacuumorrakefromyour paddocksandthatkeepsgetting biggerandbigger!Well,yourgarden wouldloveit.
Therearesixprimarynutrientsthatplantsrequireinfairly largequan��es.
.Growthmaybestuntedbecausetheplantisn'tabsorbing enoughoftheotherelementsitneeds.
1.CarbonfromCO2intheair 2.Hydrogenfromwater 3.Oxygenfromwaterandair 4.Nitrogenhelpsplantsmaketheproteinstheyneedto producenew�ssues.Innature,nitrogeniso�eninshort supplysoplantshaveevolvedtotakeupasmuchnitrogenas possible,evenifitmeansnottakingupothernecessary elements.Iftoomuchnitrogenisavailable,theplantmay growabundantfoliagebutnotproducefruitorflowers.
ByEsmeGraham
5.Phosphoruss�mulatesrootgrowth,helpstheplantset budsandflowers,improvesvitalityandincreasesseedsize.It doesthisbyhelpingtransferenergyfromonepartofthe planttoanother.Toabsorbphosphorus,mostplantsrequire asoilpHof6.5to6.8.Organicma�erandtheac�vityofsoil organismsalsoincreasetheavailabilityofphosphorus.
6.Potassiumimprovesoverallvigouroftheplant.Ithelpsthe plantsmakecarbohydratesandprovidesdiseaseresistance. Italsohelpsregulatemetabolicac�vi�es. AlthoughalltypesofmanurehaveamuchlowerN-P-Kra�o thansynthe�cfer�lizers,alpaca/llamamanurescompare veryfavourablywiththatofotherlivestock.
22 Oneofthemaindrawbacksofnaturalmanuresisthatthey cangetveryhot,evenenoughtoburnyourplantsand thereforeneedtobecompostedforalengthof�mebefore applying.However,theefficiencyofthealpacas’three stomachsmeansthatalpacamanurehasveryli�leorganic contentand,asitisthisorganiccontactthatisthemain factorinwhetheramanureisconsideredhot,thelackofthis organicma�eriswhatmakesthealpacapoosafeforyouto usewithoutcompos�ng. Youcansimplyapplythepelletsdirectlytothesoilifyou wish.However,ifitispossibletoworkthepelletsintothe soilyouwillgetfastersoilstructureimprovementasthe pelletswillbreakdownfaster.Youmayhaveno�cedifyou leaveyourpoopileforanylengthof�methatthemanure crumblestoaveryfine�lthandthisisreally“gardengold”to useanywhereinyourgardenandwillimprovesoilstructure veryquicklyaswellasfer�lizingyourplants.Ihavefound thatusingamulchertobreakdowndrypelletsinto“alpaca fines”improvessoilfasterandmakesafinefer�lizerthatyou canuseasalawnfer�lizertogreenupyourlawn.Aswellas touseinthegarden. Oneop�onpopularwiththoselookingtofer�lizeindoor plants,seedlingsorevenordinarygardenplantsisalpacapoo tea.Thisisawaterbasedsolu�onthatcanbepouredonto plantstogivenutri�onalbenefits.Tomakethis,mixthe pelletswithwaterinara�oofapproximately1:2and letsteepovernight.Onalargerscalethiscanbe usedwithasprayunittospraypaddocks. Ifyouhaveexcessmanureandthe�metobagityou willfindareadymarketfortheproduct!
•Anovula�on-inducingfactor(OIF,β-nervegrowthfactor) inseminalplasmaisabsorbedacrosstheuterineliningof thefemalea�ercopula�ontoinduceovula�on.
•60-80%of2year-oldmales
Percentageofspermatogenictubules producingelongated spermatids(thefinalstagepriortomaturespermatozoa)with increasingtesticularsize(Galloway²⁰⁰⁰).
Above:Fibrocar�lagenous�pofthepenis,usedtopenetrate thecervixduringcopula�on.
•Allmalesshouldbefer�leby3yearsofage Pubertyisinfluencedbygene�csandbodyweight.
•Lackofseminalvesiclesresultsinlowejaculatevolume (av.�mL).
23 Puberty Alpacasarebornwithadhesionsbetweenpenisandprepuce (sheath)andcannotexteriorisetheirpenisforma�ngun�l theyapproachpubertyandsecretehigherlevelsof testosterone.Adhesionsbreakdownandspermproduc�on beginsin: •10%of1year-oldmales
ReproductivePhysiologyInAlpacas
Anatomy Malealpacashaveafibro-elas�cpenisthatis1-2cmin diameterand35-40cmlong.Thereisapre-scrotalsigmoid flexuretoretractthepenisintotheprepuceinthenon-erect state.Thetapering�pofthepenisendsinacurved,fibrocar�lagenousprojec�on(seebelow).Theurethraisatthe baseoftheprocess.
MALES
JaneVaughanBVScPhDMACVSc
Testesaresmallandnon-pendulous.Theyarepresentinthe scrotumfrombirth.Tes�cularsizeismeasuredasmean tes�cularlength(averageoflengthofle�andrighttestes,in cm).Maleswithameantes�cularlength<4cmareunlikely tobeproducingany/manyspermandifover3yearsofage shouldbeculledfromthebreedingherdduetoin/subfer�lity(seebelow).
•Smalltestesresultinlowspermconcentra�on(��-��� sperm/mL).
•Thebulbo-urethralglandsaddmucintoseminalplasma makingsemenveryviscous,andcurrentlyprecludes successfulpreserva�onforAI.
•Onefolliclebecomesdominant: •Growthphase4-6days(4-6mmdiam)
•Ovarianfollicularac�vityalternatesbetweenovaries randomly.
•Follicularac�vitycon�nuesduringthelutealphasesoifa femaleovulates,butfailstoconceive,thewillbean ovulatable-sizedfollicleononeovaryassoonasshe becomesrecep�veagain(Figure3).
Figure1.Thereproduc�vetractofanalpaca,withthele� uterinehornopeneduptoshowtheendometrialsurface. Notethepresenceofadominantfollicleonthele�ovary.
•Regressionphase4-5days
•Intervalbetweenemergenceofeachnewgroupof folliclesrangesfrom12to20days.
•Ovula�onoccurs26hoursa�erma�ng.Acorpusluteum (CL)developsatthesiteofovula�on2-3daysa�er ovula�onandsecretes
•Ifconcep�ondoesnotoccur,prostaglandin(PG)is releasedfromtheuterusandinducesregressionoftheCL 9-11daysa�erma�ng.Femalesreturntosexual recep�vityapproximately12-14daysa�erma�ng.
Figure2.Ovarianfolliculardynamicsinafemalealpacaobserved over100days.Redlinesrefertoac�vityonthele�ovary,black linesrefertoac�vityontherightovary,numbersindicateinterwave intervalforthewavewithwhichtheyareassociated(Vaughan 2001).
24
FEMALES
Ma�ngandovula�on
•progesterone.Thisisthehormoneofpregnancyand inducesspi�ngbehaviourinfemales.
Anatomy Ovarianac�vityinunmatedfemales
•Copula�ontakesplaceinasi�ngposi�onandusually lastsfor15-20minutes.Duringcopula�on,themale penetratesthecervixwithhispenis,anddepositssemen intobothuterinehorns.Ma�ngsthatoccurinthe absenceofadominantpre-ovulatoryfollicledonot induceovula�onandconcep�onsdonotoccur.
•Ma�ngsthatoccurinthepresenceofagrowingor maturefollicle(≥6mmdiameter)resultinovula�on.An ovula�on-inducingfactor(OIF,β-nervegrowthfactor)in thesemenandneurals�mulifromthema�ngprocess (orglingnoise,cervicalpenetra�on)aretransmi�edto thebrainofthefemaletos�mulateahormonecascade andovula�on.
•Maturephase4-8days(7-12mmdiam)
•Ovarianfollicularwavesinvolvesynchronousemergence ofgroupsoffollicles(fluid-filledstructurecontainingthe oocyte/egg)onbothovaries.
•Follicleac�vityisnon-seasonal.
Puberty Nutri�onisrecognisedasamajorenvironmentalfactorthat influencestheonsetofovarianac�vityinyoungfemales. Femalesneedtoa�ainapproximately65%oftheirmature weightinordertoensureahighlikelihoodofconcep�on, whilstavoidingstun�ngandbirthingdifficul�es.InAustralia, thisweightshouldbeeasilyachievableby12months.Good nutri�ona�erweaningtogetherwithmonitoringoflive weightandbodycondi�onscoreareessen�alforcon�nued reproduc�vesuccess.
•Femalesthathavenotbeenexposedtoamaleare sexuallyrecep�vemostofthe�me,regardlessof folliculardiameter.
•Alpacasareknownasinduced-ovulatorsbecausefemales requirecoitals�mula�onfortheeggtobereleasedfrom thedominantfollicleontheovary.
•Varia�oninnewwaveemergencewithinandbetween animals(Figure2).
Certainhormonesproducedduringlacta�onmayreduce/ inhibitovarianfunc�on.Peaklacta�onoccursapproximately 3-4weekspost-partum.Thisisthemostmetabolically demanding�meforalpacas,andnutrientsarediverted preferen�allytotheudder,possiblytothedetrimentof ovarianfunc�on.
•Criasexdistribu�onis50%females,50%males throughouttheyear.
Recep�vitya�erunpacking
•Stage1:Prepara�onforbirth1-4hours
•Stage2:Passageoffoetus30-45minutes
Pregnancy
•98%ofpregnanciesoccurinthele�uterinehorn,even thoughtheCLofpregnancyisfoundequallyonthele�or rightovary.Therefore,embryosderivedfromovula�on oftherightovarymigrateintothele�uterinehorn.
Figure3.Ultrasonographshowinganalpacaovary(O)withacorpus luteum(CL)andadevelopingfollicle(F).reproduc�vetractofan alpaca,withthele�uterinehornopeneduptoshowthe endometrialsurface.Notethepresenceofadominantfollicleonthe le�ovary.
•Damsdonotlicknewbornoreatplactenta.
Theintervalfromparturi�ontoresump�onofovarian follicularac�vityis5-7daysinalpacasandfemalescanbe readytoovulateby10dayspost-partum.Theuterusonly takesabout20daystoinvolute,probablybecauseofthe diffusenatureofplacenta�on.
•Mostbirthoccurbetween7amand2pmsoneverletthe sunsetonanalpacatryingtogivebirth.
•Stage3:Passageofplacenta1-4hours
Difficul�esge�ngfemalespregnantduringlacta�on? Somelacta�ngfemalesstruggletoconceiveifmated>3-4 weekspost-partum.Femalesgenerallyconceiveeasilyonce theircriahasbeenweanedbecause:
•Gesta�onlengthaverages342days,usuallyvariesfrom 330to350daysbutmayrangefrom300-380days. Gesta�ontendstobelongerinspringthanautumn.
•Theembryonicsignalformaternalrecogni�onof pregnancyisunknown,butmustbetransmi�edasearly asDay8-9a�erma�nginorderto‘rescue’theCLof pregnancy.TheCListhemajorsourceofprogesterone throughoutpregnancyanditspresenceisrequiredto maintainpregnancy.
•Thereareapproximately5%foetallossesfromDay60to fullterm.
•Alpacasdonoto�enshowexternalsignsofimpending deliverysobeobservant.
•Twinovula�onsoccurapprox.5%ofthe�me,buttwins arerare,sothereislikelyamechanismoffoetal reduc�ontosingleton.
•Foetuscoveredinepidermalmembrane.
•Epitheliochorial,diffuseplacenta�on.
Parturi�on •Watchnormalbirthstolearnwhatisnormal.
•Embryonicdeathiscommoninalpacas:5-10%of embryosmaybelostinthefirst60daysofpregnancy, possiblyduetonutri�onalconstraints,hormonal imbalanceorchromosomalaberra�ons.
•Donotusethesamepaddockasamaternitypaddock long-termasparasites,protozoa,bacteriaandviruses buildupandputcriasathigherriskofinfec�on.
25
CourtesyofMacedonRangesShireCouncil&ChloeSmithPhotography
Wehopeyou’llcomeoutandexperiencefirst-handthejoyof hikingtheseincrediblelandscapeswithllamasasyour companions.WealsoofferuniqueLlamaMeetandGreet experiencesthatareonehourindura�on.Theseareidealfor familieswithsmallchildrenorthosejustwan�ngtogetup closeandpersonalwiththellamas.
Llamasmakegreathikingcompanions,andinfactthe rela�onshipgoesfarbeyondthemsimplytranspor�ngyour supplies.Llamasarenaturallycuriousandveryawareoftheir surroundings,o�enthefirsttospotwildlifealongthetrail. Theyenjoynewsightsandbecomeverymuchapartnerin youradventure.
Uponyourarrivalyouwillreceiveashortintroduc�onto yourllamaandyourguidewillcoverthedo’sanddon’tsof llamahandling.Peopleofallageslovellamasbutthereis alwaystheques�onwilltheyspitatme?Mostllamaswon’t spitonyou,butyoumaygetcaughtinthecrossfire.Llamas don’tliketosharefoodsotheymayspitatanotherllama whogetstoclose.Llamaswillalsospitwhenanotherllama encroachesintotheir‘llamapersonalspace’. So,youneedtomakesuretokeepthemhappybyknowing whattheylikeandwhattheydon’t.Whileitmaybetemp�ng towanttoscratchtheirfaceorrubtheirears;llamasarenot likehorsesandwouldpreferifyoudidnotdothat.What theydolikeisscratchesontheirneck,snacksandmore snacks,butnottoomany!
IfyouaretravellingtotheMacedonRangesandwishto par�cipateinsomethingali�ledifferent,thenwhynotwalk allamaaroundtheiconicHangingRockReservewithHanging RockLlamaTreks.It’sa5kmwalktakingapproximately3 hours.Llamashavetwospeeds,stoppedandllamapaceso it’saveryrelaxingwalk.Onthellamatrekyouwillhikeboth theBaseandCreekwalkswithintheHangingRockReserve andexperiencetheReserveinauniqueway.Thewalk includeseitheramorningora�ernoonteaintheReserve withoneofthewelltrainedllamascarryingitforyou.
26 CamelidTourism MacedonRangesVIC
27 PlacestoStay&ThingsToDo CellarDooratMountTowrongVineyard EnjoyNationalParks WhynotmakeaweekendofitastherearemanyB&Bsinthe MacedonRangesandotherthingstodointhearea. FlophouseAccommoda�onhasawidevarietyofplacesto staywithintheMacedonrangesandtheHepburnShire. There’salsotheBraesideMtMacedonCountryRetreat,the SpudDiggersHutatHesketEstateWineryandMtMacedon CountryRetreat.TheMacedonRangesalsohasawidevariety ofotherthingstoseeanddo.Wineries,dis�lleries,the MemorialCross&theMtMacedonwalkingtrails.Travela li�lefurtherandyoucanvisitTrenthamFalls. TheMacedonRangesTourismwebsiteisalsoagreatplaceto findaccommoda�onandthingstodointhearea. Visith�ps://www.visitmacedonranges.comformore informa�on UnlessindicatedphotosatrightcourtesyofMacedonRangesShireCouncil&Chloe SmithPhotography BraesideMtMacedonCountryRetreat 47TaylorsRoad,MtMacedonVIC3441 Ph:0354261762|www.braesidemtmacedon.com.au TiffanyWarnerPhotography TheMemorialCross
EventMarkerTrainingYourCamelid byMartyMcGeeBenne�
Moreinforma�onaboutfoodop�onslaterinthisar�cle.
28
Thisar�cleisabasicintroduc�onto EventMarkerTraining alongwithsomeofthespecificconsidera�onsforusingthe methodwithcamelids.
Theprocessofpairingaspecificmarkerwithabehaviorand thenofferingsomesortofreinforcerisessen�allythesame, whetheryouaretrainingadog,agiraffe,aparrot,ora camelid.Inthisar�cleIampresen�ngthebasicsofthe processandsomespecificinforma�onabouthowtocreatea goodphysicalsetupthatwillhelpwhenworkingwith camelids.Therearemanyfinebooksonthesubjectofevent markertrainingandworkshopsinalmosteverytownfor dogs.Learningwithdogsisagreatwaytolearntheprocess. Ifyouarereallykeen,youcangotoachickencamp.These are2-6daytrainingswithchickenswhereyoulearnthe mechanicsofeventmarkertrainingandthesciencebehindit. Ihavea�endedachickencampandfoundittobealotoffun andveryhelpful.ItgivesyouaLOTofrespectforthe learningabilityofchickens!
Whatitis…
EventMarkertrainingissome�mescalledmarktraining.The clickerisonlyoneofmanychoicesformarkingabehavior. Thekeyconceptisthatyouaremarkingabehaviorthatyou willreinforce(usuallywithfood)withinafewsecondof deliveringthemark. AreinforcerissomethingthatismeaningfulfortheANIMAL andthattheanimalwillworkfor.Therearemanyop�ons dependingontheanimalanditisuptoyou,thetrainer,to figureoutwhatissufficientlyimportantfortheanimaltostay inthetraininggameandwork.Foodisthemostlogical choicebutthereareotherthingsthatcamelidsfind reinforcing.Anescaperouteiftheyareconcerned,TTouch bodyworkiftheyhavelearnedtoappreciatethat,orinthe caseofmalesaccesstoafemale.
ChargingtheEventMarker
Youcanteachyouralpacatomaketheconnec�onbetween themarkandthefoodbydoingwhatiscalled“chargingthe mark”orhelpingtheanimalstudentbecome“clicker-wise.” Thisprocessisquitesimple-clickandthentreat(C/T) enough�mesinarow,usually5-8repe��ons,thatthe alpacabeginstoexpectthatthefoodfollowsthemark. Observeyouranimalcloselylookingforindica�onsa�erthe mark,thatyouranimalisexpec�ngthefood.Indica�ons mightbeaprickingoftheearsforward,turningthehead movingorinthedirec�onofthehandler.Theloca�onofthe foodasitisdeliveredisimportant.Theanimalshouldget accesstothefoodinneutralterritory-asinnotinyour personalspace.Animalsmustlearntobepoliteastheyeat thefoodandwaitforittobeofferedinaspacethatis betweenthehandlerandtheanimal.
TeachingaBehavior-TheBasics
Onceyouranimalunderstandsthesignificanceofthemarkor atleastyouareseeingsomeindica�onsthatthemarkhas somerelevance,youcanbegintopairthedeliveryofthe markwithaspecificbehavior.Oncethealpacabeginsto figureoutthatthemarkandbehaviorandreinforcerareall relatedshewillbegintodeliberatelyofferthebehavioryou havemarked,togetthereinforcer.Whenitbecomesvery obviousandconsistentthattheanimalisofferingaspecific behaviortogetthereinforceritisthen�metoputthe behavioroncue.Pu�ngabehavioroncuemeansteaching theanimalaveryspecificindicator/cuethatispairedwitha par�cularbehavior.Thecuediffersfromthemarkintwokey ways: 1. thecueisspecifictoapar�cularbehaviorthemarkis general 2. themarkcomesa�erthebehaviorthecueisgivenbefore Theverbalcue“sit”meanssomethingveryspecific-itmeans toadogthathemustarrangehisbodysothathisbu�ison thegroundandthefrontlegsares�llstraight.Dogtrainers mightwantevenmorespecificityfromthedog-si�ng perfectlystraightwithoutrollingovertoonesideonahipfor Example-moreonchanging/shapingabehaviorinabit.Like themarkthatyouchoosecuescanbevisualorauditory. Rememberacuediffersfromthemarkinthatthemarkisa generalindicatorthatthebehaviortheanimalwas performingatthe�meoftheclickwillbereinforced. Dependingonthetrainingagendatheclickisusedformany differentbehaviors.Acueisarequestforaspecificbehavior andunlessthatspecificbehaviorisperformedthereisno reinforceroffered. CapturingandShaping Therearetwobasicwaystogetbehavior,youcancaptureit orshapeit.Capturingbehavioriswhenyouwaitun�lthe exactbehaviorthatyouwantoccursandthenclickand reinforcethatbehavior.Thisismostusefulwhenyoucan predictthatthedesiredbehaviorwillhappen.Otherwise wai�ngaroundforapar�cularbehaviorcantakealong�me! Iamhardpressedtocomeupwithanexampleofcapturinga behaviorincamelidsbutoneexamplemightbewhenyou enterthebarnandananimalnaturallygetsuptocomeover andseewhatyouaredoing.Youcanchooseaspecificanimal andwhenyouwalkthroughthebarndoor,markthege�ng upbehavior,whenthatspecificanimalgetsup.Itwouldbea goodideatochooseinadvancewhichpartofthege�ngup sequenceyouwanttocaptureandthenclickwhenthat happens.Themarkcouldbedeliveredwhentheanimalis fullystandingoratany�mealongtheway.Oncethe connec�onbetweenthespecificbehaviorandtheclick occursyoucanputthebehavioroncue.Inthiscasethecue mightbe“standup.”Thebehaviorissaidtobeoncuewhen theanimalstandswhenyoudeliverthecueinthiscaseby saying,“standup.” Shapingbehavioriswhenyouchangeabehaviorwithaseries ofsmallapproxima�onsfromasimplebehaviortoamore complexone.Agoodexampleofshapingisteachingan animaltoputabodypartonanobject.Thisiscalled “targe�ng.”Examplesoftarge�ngarepu�nganoseonaflat surfacelikeafrisbeeforexampleorpu�ngafootona pla�orm.Ifyouwanttocapturethisbehavioritmighttakea long�meforanalpacatospontaneouslyputhisfootona smallpla�orm.Shapingoffersawaytogetfromhereto there-fromsimpletomorecomplexorfromgeneraltomore specific.Beforeyoucantrainanybehavioritisreally importanttohaveaveryspecificvisionofwhatthefinished behavior(theoneyouwillputoncue)lookslike.Animals offerawidevarietyofnuanceandvaria�onintheirbehavior. Thisnaturalvaria�onisinpartwhatmakestheprocessof shapingwork,butitcanalsomeanthatwithoutaspecific planyoumaygetcaughtonasideroadthatwilltakeyou awayfromthebehavioryouwant.Thesesideroadscanlead toge�ngstuck.Itiseasiertohaveasclearapathandplan andeventhenyouranimalstudentwillthrowyousome curves.Thegoodnewsisthateventmarkertrainingcan neverbecoercivebecausethechoicetopar�cipateisalways theanimal’s.
29 Thinkofthemarkliketheshu�erofacamera.Themarkis deliveredaspreciselyaspossibleatthemomentthedesired behavioroccursandthereinforceristhenofferedassoonas isprac�callypossible-usuallywithin1-3seconds.Markerscan beasoundsuchasaclicker,whistleorasoundyoucreate withyourvoice.Markscanalsobeavisualsignal.Whatever yourmarkis,themoreconsistentitisthebe�eritworks.The mostimportantthingisthattheanimalunderstandsthatthe markisgoingtoresultintheofferofadesiredoutcome, againusuallyfood.Fromthispointforwardforsimplicity’s sakeIamgoingtousethemarkforeventmarkerandfoodas thereinforcerandshe,oralpacatorefertotheanimal.
30
Pu�ngaBehavioronCue
Trainingontheflypar�cularlywhenyouareinexperienced cancreatestrangebehaviorsyoudon’tintendtoteach.In thecaseoftarge�ng,Iwouldsuggestholdingoutforthe animaltomovehisnoseclosertothefrisbee.Now,whenyou presentthefrisbeeandtheanimaldoeswhathewasdoing before-simplylookinginthedirec�onofthefrisbee-you don’tclickortreatbutcon�nuetoholdthefrisbeeouttothe side.Theanimalwillbemomentarilyconfusedandwilltryto figureoutwhattodotogetthetreat.Thisiswherethe magichappens.Animalswillinevitablyandnaturallyoffer varia�onsofthebehaviorandyouwillclickandtreatthe varia�onthatmovesyoutowardstheul�matefinished behavior.Thisiswhyitisimportanttohavesomekindofa generalplaninmind-soyoucanbereadytoclickwhatyou wantnext. Theartinherentinthescienceofeventmarkertrainingisthis processofmovingtheprocessforward-shaping.Holdoutfor toobigaleapandyourstudentwillbecomediscouragedand quitthegame,notwhatyouwantbutNOTtheendofthe world!Thebeautyoftheprocessisthatmistakesare forgivenanditisaneasythingtosimplybackuptowhatwas workingandreinforcethatbehavioracoupleof�mesand thenmaketheleaptothenextapproxima�oneasier.Inthe caseoftarge�ngtheanimalswillo�engettheideavery quicklyandskipmanystepsandputtheirnosesonthetarget rightawayandbyallmeansclickandtreatthat!However therewillprobablybesomeflashesofbrilliancelikethis followedbysomeconfusion.Becauseananimalleapt forwarddoesn’tmeanyouholdoutforthisbigleapfromthat pointforward.Youmayneedtogobacktosomeofthein betweensteps.Therearereallynomistakesonly opportuni�esfortheanimalandforyoutogetmore informa�on.Oneveryimportantthing…Iamgoingtoput thisinboldle�ers… whenyouareeventmarkertrainingif youmarkyoumustalwaysreinforce.Thisisthecontract thatyoumakewithyouranimalstudent.Therearegoingto be�meswhenyoujumpthegunandmis-markANDyous�ll payup.
Targe�ng…anExampleofShapingaBehavior
Sinceitistheeasiestthingtoteach,letslookfirstattarge�ng withthenose.Youwillbeginwithananimalwhois“clicker wise.”Myvisionforthefinishedbehavioristohavethe animalplacehisnoseONthetarget(aplas�cfrisbee)fora momentwiththenoseinthecenterofthefrisbee.Youcan begintheprocessbybringingthefrisbeefrombehindyour backtoaplaceouttothesideofyourbodyandthenclicking whentheanimalsimplylooksinthedirec�onofthefrisbee. Clickandtreatandputthefrisbeebehindyourbackagainto restarttheprocess.Onceyouaresure(youwouldbet someoneahundreddollarbill)thattheanimalwilldothe behaviorwhenyouprovidetheopportunity,itis�meto changethecriteriaforreinforcement.Decidewhatthenext levelofapproxima�onwillbe.Itisalwaysgoodtohavea gameplaninmindaheadof�me.
Onceyouhavetaughtafinishedbehavioritis�metoput thatbehavioroncue.Thisisapre�ysimpleprocess.The hardestpartisfiguringoutgoodcues-onesthatarelogical, easytorememberandaredis�nc�ve.Rememberacuecan beverbalorvisual.Ifyouchooseaverbalcueitshouldbea wordthatiseasilyrecognizedandisgoingtobedis�nctfrom otherverbalcues.Forexampleintarge�ngIusethebody partratherthantheword“target”sinceImaybeteachingan animaltotargetwithotherpartsofthebody.Sointhecase oftarge�ngwiththenoseIusethecue“nose.”Toputthe behavioroncue,Iobservetheanimalcloselyandheheads towardthetargetwithhisnoseandIamsurethatheisgoing tocompletethebehaviorIsayNOSEjustbeforehisnose touchesthetargetANDasthenoseactuallytouchesthe targetIclickandthentreat.Nowitisama�erofcrea�ng moreandmore�meanddistancebetweenthedeliveryof thecueandthetarget.A�erseveralrepe��onsyoubeginto saythecueearlierintheprocess-whentheanimalisfurther wayfromthetarget.Yous�llclickandthentreateach�me thenosetouchesthetargetandreinforce.Whenyouthink theanimalunderstandsthecueyoucanbegintotestit.Offer thecuewhentheanimalisotherwisedistractedif,upon hearingthecuehelooksforthetargetwalkssomedistance toitandtouchesitwithhisnoseyoucanassumethathe understandsthespecificbehaviorthatgoeswiththatcue. Onceyouhavetaughtabehaviorandputitoncuethemark isnolongernecessaryforthatpar�cularbehavior.Ifyou needtobrushupyoucanalwaysbringthemarkbackfora reviewsession.Asforofferingareinforcerconsistentlywhen youcueabehavior…therearedivergingopinions.Some trainersfeelthatunlessyouconsistentlyoffersomekindof meaningfulreinforcerwhencueingabehavioryouwillseea deteriora�onofthebehavior.Othersthinkthatofferinga reinforcereach�mewillcreateananimalthatneedsa reinforcerforeverything!Ithinkthetruthissomewherein betweenandvariesfromanimaltoanimal,BUTtheanswer whenabehaviorbreaksdownforsomereasonisMORE prac�cewithvaluedreinforcers.
Whataboutteachingananimaltotargetwiththefoot?You mightthinkyoucouldstartbyteachingtheanimaltolookat thetargetbutIthinkthisisamistake.Ithinkyouhavetoget theanimal’sa�en�onveryquicklyonthebodypartand leavethetargettolateron.Iwouldclickandreinforcetaking astepandteachthatbehaviorbeforeaddingthetarget.If youwanttoteachananimaltoputhisfootonapla�ormyou canstartwithsomethingonthegroundforexampleasquare pieceofcarpet.Nextputsomethingunderthattoraiseitoff thegroundjustali�lebit.Learninghowtochunkthings downandbuildonebehaviorontheonebefore,ishowyou shapebehavior.
3.
.Workinsideacatchpenwithotheranimalsinadjoining areasthataresmallenoughthattheanimalinthepen doesn’tfeelallalone.Althoughworkinginthetypical9x9 footcatchpenthatIrecommendforhalteringandother typesoftrainingcanbetoosmall.Roomtomovearoundis important.
4.
Workinasmallpaddockwithoneortwoanimalswith otheranimalsinanadjoiningpaddock.
Workinalargefieldwithagroupofanimalschoosingto workwiththeanimalthatismostinterested.Inthiscasemy experienceisthatthemostasser�veanimalwillusuallygo firstbutwillo�en�reandthenextoneinlinestepsup.This setupismuchlessofaproblemthanyouwouldthink.Infact workingwithagroupofanimalsevenabiggroupcanbethe easiestwaytowork. Ifyouhaveananimalwhoispar�cularlyfoodaggressiveyou maybepleasantlysurprisedwithhowtheyrespondtoevent markertrainingwithfood.Inmostcaseswhenfoodieslearn howtoworkforfoodtheyputtheirenergyintofiguringout whatyouwantsothattheycangetthefoodinsteadoftrying totakeitfromyou.
EventMarkerTrainingSet-uporTheAntecedent ArrangementforCamelids
Theprocesscanbeslowatfirstbutonceananimallearnsthe processitgoesmuchfaster.Eventmarkertrainingteaches crea�vityandini�a�veandtheanimallearnseachnew behaviormorequicklythantheonebefore.
Herearesomeop�ons:
2
.Workwiththeanimalinsideapeneitheraloneorwith oneortwootheranimalseitherinthepenorinanadjoining pen,withyouontheOUTSIDEofthepen.Thiskeepsyour learnerclosebutsafebecauseyouarenotinsidethepen withher.
1
Whenitcomestotheset-uportheantecedentarrangement eventmarkertrainingcamelidsisdifferentfromteaching dogs.Inorderforananimaltolearnandtryoutnew behaviorstheymustfeelsafe.Mostcamelidsfeelsaferina group.Isolateoneanimalfromthegroupandtheanimalcan becomesodistractedthatshecan’tconcentrateandlearn. Eventmarkertrainingrequiresfocusfromboththelearner andtheteacher.Thisisoneofthose�mestoowhenthere aredifferencebetweenllamasandalpacasandfromone animalofthesamespeciestoanother.Itisperfectlyfineto trydifferentthingsandseewhatworksforyouandforthe animalyouareteaching.
31
32
FoodConsidera�ons YoumustbeinCHARGEofthefood.
Usingthissystemyoucanbeincompletecontrolofthefood anditisnotvisibletotheanimal.Addi�onallyyoucanleave thegearinthehouseandyouranimalsarenotalways followingyouaroundwonderingifyouaregoingtooffer food.Itisagoodideatoprac�cewithyourdishandpouchso thatyougetskilledatscoopingoutasmallamountofgrain fromthepouchandofferingittotheanimalinawaythat avoidsdroppingthegrainontheground.Grainonthe groundisFREEandtheanimalbecomesconfusedabout workingforfoodandge�ngitfordoingnothing.Ialso selectedaclickertouseasmymarker.TheonethatIuse makesaloudbutnotjarringsoundthatworkswelloutdoors orinabarn.
Traininthewinterwhenanimalsaremoredependentonthe foodwegivethem.Whentheanimalsliveinlushpasture theyarelessmo�vatedtoworkforfood.Thisgivesyou somethingtodointhewinterthatyoucandobundledup withglovesonthatyouranimalswilllove.
Itisalwaysagoodideatoweighyouranimalsregularly,butit becomesmoreimportantifyouuseconcentratedfoodfor traininganddoalotoftraining.Rememberthatifyougive youranimalsconcentratedfoodonaregularbasisyoumust subtracttheamountoffoodyouofferfortrainingfromtheir regularra�on.
Visith�ps://www.camelidynamics.comformoreinforma�on aboutCamelidynamics.
Theworstthingisfortheanimaltogetthefoodfromyouby pokinghernoseinyourpocketorpushingintoyourbody.I preferusingapouchwithaclosurethatIweararoundmy waistforcontrollingthefood.Thepouchallowsmetousea smalldishtoofferthefood.Ithinkitisbe�erwithcamelids toofferfoodinadishandtokeepthereservoiroffoodinthe pouch.Manyanimalseitherdon’tliketotakefoodfroma handorareafraidto.ThesmalldishIthinkisabe�erwayto offerfoodthanyournakedhand.Ithastheaddedbenefitof separa�ngtheeventmarkertrainingprocessfromhand feedingwhichcanturnintofoodorientedinappropriate searching.
FibretoFabric
excessiveamountofVM.ThebestdefenceagainstexcessVM isorganizingearlyshearingbeforeseedset,andmanaging paddockstoreducespinyweedsandblackberryinfesta�on. Dirt Alpacashaveadryfleecewithli�lelanolin,andtheyrollin dusthollowsinordertogroomit,helpmakeitabitmore waterproof,andalsotohelpkeepitfreeofexternal parasites.Dirtanddustcanbewashedorbrushedout,and themainproblemwithheavydirtisexcessweightin.
VegetableMatterorVM
LossandReturn
Rawfleeceneedstobeseparatedatshearingintosaddle, neckandleggingsbags.Necksusuallyconsistofshorter,finer fibre,andcanbeprocessedwithothernecksbutshouldnot beincludedwithsaddles.Leggingsarebothshorterand coarserthaneither.Thesaddlethenneedstobeskirtedto removethe“bird’snest”,theareaatthebaseoftheneck whereitjoinstheshoulders,whichbecomesfullofvegetable ma�er,andanyotherbitssuchashairybrisketwhichwillbe lostinprocessing.Coarsefibrecanbeu�lizedbyhand.See Pic2:LowVMBrisketfibre.Thiswaswashed,carded, handspun,andwovenintoacushioncover,whichwas stuffedwiththele�overfibre.SeePic3:CushionCover wovenfrombrisketfibre.Thepointhereisifthefibreisfree ofVMitcanbeusedforsomething.
AShortYarnbyElizabethPaulApril2022
1.
FleeceSortingandSkirting
OvertheyearsIhavehandprocessedorsentforminimill processingalmostmyen�realpacacliptomakeyarnforcra� stallitems.Ihaveusedallgradesoffleece,andIams�ll surprisedatthepoorpresenta�onoffleecebeingu�lized,or a�emp�ngtobeu�lized,bybothownersandcra�workers alike.O�encra�workerssourceorareofferedacoupleof bagsoffleecefromsomebody’spetwethers.Thesebagsare likelytocontainoverlongfleeceastheboysweren’tshornfor acoupleofyears,withtheleggingsthrowninontopso they’renotwasted,fullofVMando�enotherrubbishsuch asmothsordeadmiceduetopoorstorage.Fleecepresented likethishascreatedaverynega�veimageofalpacafibre withincertaincra�circleswhichhasprovendifficultto overcome.Thereareanumberofprepara�onprocessesthat canbedonetoimprovefleecepresenta�on,andtherefore theyarnqualityproduced,whichwillcreatemoreposi�ve feelingsaboutalpacaforeveryfibreuser.
33
Thebiggestproblemforallfibreworkersistheamountofdry vegetablema�erorVMpresentinthefibreatthestart.VM doesnotwashoutandisalmostimpossibletoremoveby processing.Largerpiecescanbepickedoutbyhand,but machineprocessinggenerallydistributesVMevenly throughoutthefibrefromthestarttothefinishedproduct. Therearealsoissuesforworkershandlingfleecewith possiblespinesorthorns(orworse)andcontamina�onof machineryforsubsequentfleeces.SeePic1:HighVMCria fleece.This16ucriafleecewassentformillprocessing,but wouldreturnveryli�leyarnforthecostinvolvedduetothe
Creatingyarnfromanimalfibreisa relativelysimpleprocessbutlabour intensivebyhandandexpensiveby machineintervention.
Minimillscostprocessingonweightoffibrein,andfora givenamountoffibre,therearelossesallthewaythrough theprocess.Toachievemaximizereturnforminimumcost thefleeceneedstobeproperlysortedandskirtedtomakeit asuniformaspossible,andasfreeaspossiblefromar�facts.
Dehairing Industrialmillsdon’tusedehairingmachines,partlybecause themachinesworkveryslowlyandaddtotheexpense,and partlybecausethemillsaresetuptoprocessfinemerino wool.Minimillsdousethem,whichinmyopinionhasbeena gamechangerinalpacayarnproduc�on.SeePic10:Grey alpacayarn.Thisisanexampleofan8plyalpacayarn(not mine)spunbymylocalminimill.ItisVMfree,dehaired, beau�fullyevenwithasuperbtwistwhichgivesitaspring almostlikeacrepeyarn–theul�matealpacayarn.
Thepickerconsistsofmanylongcurvedneedlepointsintop andbo�omwithinarockingcradle.Notethisisadangerous instrumentandshouldbelockedbeforemovingit,andkept lockedandoutofthewayatall�mesunlessinuse.SeePic7: Rearofpicker.Smallhandfulsoffleeceareputinattheback androckedthrough,andthebrokenupfibrecomesoutina dri�atthefront.Ifounditusefultoposi�onagarbagebag underthepickeratthefrontsothatthefibrefallsintoit.See Pic8:Bagunderpicker.Fibrecaughtinthetophalfofthe pickerisuseful,andcanbecarefullyremovedusingthe lockingpin.Rubbishiscaughtinthebo�om.SeePic9:Picker waste.Thepickercanbecleanedusingthecrevicetoolhead ofavacuumcleaner,beingcarefulnottodamagethepoints. IfIhaveblacksandgreysIstartwithacleanpickerandblacks first,darkergreynextandfinishingwithlightestgrey.Witheg arangeofwhiteandfawns,Iwoulddowhitefirst,downto darkestfawncolour,endingwithrosegreyifIhaveoneto mopupthecolouredfibres.
35 HandPicker Pickingcomesbeforecarding,asapickerbreaksupthelocks andhelpsremoverubbishwhereasadrumcarderstraightens andalignsthefibre.Iusedtocardmyfleecebutnowusea handpickeronallmyfibrebeforesendingitforprocessing. Ifpreparingafleeceforhandspinning,Iwouldpickfirst,then cardandthenwashtheba�sinnetbags,whichismuch easierthantryingtowashanddrylumpsofrawfleeceat home.(Rawalpacaisnotverywe�able.)
7. 8. 9. 10.
36 Buildinga successful and sustainable alpacaindustry inAustralia www.alpaca.asn.au Stayconnected AustralianAlpacaAssociation Level1,95NorthbourneAve, TurnerACT,2612 POBox5108,BraddonACT,2612 T: (02)61512073 E: info@alpaca.asn.au Followus! Stayup-to-datewiththelatestinformationon our websiteandsocialmediaat: www.alpaca.asn.au @AustralianAlpacaAssociation @AustAlpacaAssoc @aus_alpaca Whybecomeamember? AsamemberoftheAAAyou’llhaveaccessto: • specificmember-onlyresources • abroadsupportnetworkofmorethan 1,200members,whoshareyourpassionforalpacas • expertswhounderstandtheindustryandarededicatedtoexploringopportunitiesand helpingyousucceed • thetoolsandresourcesyouneedtodevelop yourherdtoitsgreatestpotentialandenjoythemanybenefitsofthese uniqueanimals. Witharangeofmembershipcategoriestosuityourinterestsandstageintheindustry,jointodayandenjoyallthat membershipoftheAAAhastooffer.Visit www.ealpaca.com.au/join
TherippleeffectfromtheCovid pandemicdidnotsparethealpaca industry–noshows,noworkshopsand nomeetings,soaftertwolongyearsof beinginlockdown,itwasdecidedin November2021thatitwastimetoburst thealpacabubbleand“Reconnect”. Anopportunityforcurrentmemberstocatchupandnew membersencouragedtoenjoymanyofthebenefitsour Regionhastooffer.
Nottobedeterredthenewdateof18th/19thJunewas chosenandfortunatelyallpresenterswereconducivetothe datechange.Similarly,undeterredbythechange,fi�y-five delegatesfromacrossourRegion,NSWandQueensland Regionscametogetherforthetwo-dayconference.
Eachofthesetopics generatedconstruc�ve interac�onand some�mes,livelydebate fromthedelegates!Dr Vaughan’sinforma�ve book,“GloveBoxGuide ToAlpacas”containsbestprac�cehusbandryadvice foralpacafarmersand veterinarianstoensure op�malcareforalpacas andishighly recommended.
Guestpresenterswereapproached,sponsorsorganised,a silentauc�onandstudsireauc�onwereset-up,andavariety ofalpacaproductspreparedforsale.Ini�alinvita�onswere sentouttotheRegionsanditwasnotlongbeforeresponses werereceivedandsowewereupandrunning.However,in March,thenorthernriverswereonceagainhitby devasta�ngfloodswiththetowninundatedandtotallycut off–allplanningwasputonhold.
So,thiswasthegenesisfortheAlpacaReconnectConference andplanningstartedforMarch2022withacommi�eeof willingvolunteerstakingonthenumeroustasksofmaking thisconferenceasuccess.Thecentrallylocatedvenuewasto betheMurwillumbahServicesClubwithexcellentfacili�es andthedatewassettobe5th/6thMarch.
RosemaryEvaandLizColes,ConferenceConvenors
37 AustralianAlpacaAssocia�on ALPACARECONNECTCONFERENCE 18TH/19THJUNE2022
A�eravideowelcomefromourAAAPresident,ourfirst presenterwasDrJaneVaughan,wellknowntoallinthe alpacaindustry.Herfirsttopiccoveredtheperennialproblem ofparasites,howtorecognisetheproblem,anddrenching protocolsincludingpasturemanagement.Overthefollowing twodaysJanecoveredseveraltopicsincludingReproduc�on, Nutri�on,DealingwithDifficultDeliveries,SkinCondi�ons.
IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND LIVES OF ALPACAS Allison Quagliani is the first dedicated Alpaca Dentist in Australia & has been providing dental care to alpacas for over 15 years. ‘Alpaca Teeth: The Owner’s Guide to Alpaca Dental Health and Wellbeing’ is another way for Allison to share her extensive knowledge with alpaca owners & carers worldwide. ‘What a fantastic, accessible work with great photos and beautiful diagrams. I learned a lot about teeth. Should be compulsory reading for all breeders.’ ‘FANTASTIC’-J.M.AUSTRALIA ALPACA TEETH The Owner’s Guide to Alpaca Dental Health and Wellbeing AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.ALPACADENTIST.COM.AU Alpaca Dental Services www.alpacadentist.com.au
Runninginparallelwiththeeduca�onalaspectsofthe conference,aStudSireAuc�onforservicesofsevenstud maleswasgreatlyappreciatedbybidderswiththe opportunitytoenhancetheirherdsbreedinggene�cs.Also, throughthegenerosityofnumeroussponsorsaSilent Auc�onsawa�endeesge�ngsomeexcellentalpacaand farmproductsatveryreasonableprices.
38
DrJoanGibbonsfromMurwillumbahVeterinaryClinic,with severalalpacaclientsinthenorthernrivers,presenteda videooftwoveryinteres�ngcasestudiesofsurgical interven�onforasuriandahuacaya.Shealsoacknowledged theeffortinvolvedbyalltheveterinaryteamtoachievea successfuloutcome.
AustralianAlpacaAssocia�on
BrianDonovan,amemberinourregion,showedavery informa�vevideoofhisPocketFarmFibreMillinsoutheast Queensland.Brian’saimistobringbackmanufacturingto Australiaandprocesscommercialquan��esofyarntosupply thelocalandinterna�onalmarket.Hisknowledge, professionalismandenthusiasmwasgreatlyappreciatedby alldelegatesandnowthereisnoexcusetohavefleece storedinmembers’sheds!
Throughoutthetwodaysourmerchandiseteamwerekept busywiththeirimpressivedisplayofallthingsalpacaand withthecoolerweathernewscarvesandbeanieswerethe orderoftheday. So,inconclusion,thesuccessofthisconferencewouldnot havebeenpossiblewithouttheun�ringteamworkofthe commi�eeovertheprecedingsixmonthsandinpar�cular duringthatweekend.Toalltheteam,ourpresentersandall delegatesaveryspecial“thankyou”forhelpingusall “Reconnect”. ‘Tilnext�me!
WewereveryfortunatetohavetheAlpacaDen�st,Allison Quaglianashareherexperiencesasshetookusona“Tripto theAlpacaDen�st”.Hergraphicphotosdemonstratedthe anomaliesthatcanoccurinthemouth,teethandjawsofthe alpacaandthetechniquesusedtoaddresstheseproblems. Allison’sinforma�vebook“AlpacaTeeth”shouldbe consideredasanaddi�ontothebreeders’bookshelf!
FarmFinder
Isanewini�a�veoftheAustralianAlpacaAssocia�ontoprovidememberswiththeabilitytohavetheirbusinesseson-lineand forthepublictofindAlpacabreedersintheirarea.TheAAAcon�nuestoinvestinthevalueproposi�onformembers. FarmFinderisagreatopportunityforAAAmemberstomarketyouralpacastudfor$20peryear,or$70peryearforyour alpacaaccommoda�onbusiness.It’saonestopspotforwebsitelink,Facebooklinkortelephone&emailforthepublictofind yourbusiness. YoucanfindFarmFinderatAlpacaFarmFinder-AustralianAlpacaAssocia�on Formoreinforma�onpleasecalltheofficeon0261512073oremailinfo@alpaca.asn.au
39 AustralianAlpacaAssocia�on
4036 www.camelidconnec�ons.com.au ALPACAS|LLAMAS|VICUNAS|GUANACOS|CAMELS IfCamelidsareyourthing-wehaveyoucovered! Interes�ng,informa�vear�cles&relevantadver�sing C C