n this issue we focus on breeding and take a look at objective breeding tools to help owners achieve breeding goals. We also include several articles on birthing, and highlight fleece skirting to help you make the most of your fleece.
Thank you to all our contributors, including US breeder Shauna Brummett who explains the science and practice behind breeding values. These have been in use in the US for more than 10 years and have helped breeders make good progress with breeding programmes. BAS CEO Duncan Pullar is working on a project to develop similar breeding values (EBVs) here in the UK.
Also in the UK we are grateful to Paul Hetherington from Beck Brow Alpacas for taking the time to write a fascinating article on the science behind a new genetic test for alpaca coat colour. Paul finds out how useful this test, developed by Dr Kylie Munyard in Australia to test for grey coat colour, may be for breeders, including those who breed black alpacas.
