Alpaca Issue 89

Alpaca British Alpaca Society bi-monthly magazine

ISSUE 89: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

www.bas-uk.com

ARTWORK ALPACAS Bringing art to the science of Alpaca breeding. www.artworkalpacas.com

Snowmass Mystic Star of Artwork cria.....

Artwork Alpacas, Mills Farm House, Rogate, West Sussex, GU31 5EQ, UK T : 07785 258740 E : alpacas@freivokh.com

Alpaca www.bas-uk.com THE BRITISH ALPACA SOCIETY c/o Grassroots Systems Ltd, PO Box 251, Exeter EX2 8WX. Tel (within UK): 0845 3312468 Tel (Overseas): +44(0)1392 437788 Fax: +44(0)1392 437788 Email: info@bas-uk.com

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CONTENTS

Thank you Ron Mackintosh

BAS CHIEF EXECUTIVE Dr Duncan Pullar Tel: 07496 578781 Email: ceo@bas-uk.com

26 Planning Christmas sales

Christmas fairs are back and alpaca owners are looking forward to selling a range of handmade alpaca products.

28 Christmas Gift Mouse

An easy crochet pattern using alpaca yarn.

EDITORIAL Editor: Liz Mason alpaca.ed@kelsey.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT SALES Wendy King Talk Media Sales Tel: 01732 448748 Email: Wendy.King@talkmediasales.co.uk GRAPHIC DESIGN Jo Legg 07306 482166 jo.legg@flair-design.co.uk

8 Our new BAS chair 10 Christmas prize crossword 12 National alpaca farm open days

30 Knits, socks and kits 32 Bespoke jewellery

KELSEY MEDIA The Granary, Downs Court Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL 01959 541444 MANAGEMENT Chief Executive: Steve Wright Chief Operating Officer: Phil Weeden Managing Director: Kevin McCormick Publisher: Jamie McGrorty Retail Director: Steve Brown Renewals and Projects Manager: Andy Cotton Senior Subscription Marketing Manager: Nick McIntosh Subscription Marketing Director: Gill Lambert Subscription Marketing Manager: Kate Chamberlain Print Production Manager: Georgina Harris Print Production Controller: Kelly Orriss

16 Shows

The HOEAG Fleece Show and East of England Alpaca Show

Kelsey Media 2021 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers. Note to contributors: articles submitted for consideration by the editor must be the original work of the author and not previously published. Where photographs are included, which are not the property of the contributor, permission to reproduce them must have been obtained from the owner of the copyright. The editor cannot guarantee a personal response to all letters and emails received. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Publisher. Kelsey Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for products and services offered by third parties.

After learning about alpacas while working in Peru textile designer Ella Wall has returned to Cornwall to make and sell alpaca products from Cornish fibre.

38 Christmas magic 20 Showing alpacas

Santa is coming to Beirhope Farm in the Scottish Borders to help families enjoy the magic of Christmas with alpacas.

BAS judge and leading breeder Tim Hey gave an insight into the commitment, and attention to detail, required to produce show champions.

Kelsey Media takes your personal data very seriously. For more information of our privacy policy, please visit Kelsey Media takes your personal data very seriously. For more information of our privacy policy, please visit https://www.kelsey.co.uk/privacy-policy/ . If at any point you have any queries regarding Kelsey’s data policy you can email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@kelsey.co.uk.

40 Exclusive designs 24 Sustainable Fibre Initiative

www.kelsey.co.uk

Sales of handmade alpaca products online have increased and Angela Andersen wants to make sure she has enough stock to sell.

36 Made in Cornwall

DISTRIBUTION Distribution in Great Britain: Marketforce (UK) 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9AP Tel: 020 3148 5000 PRINTING Precision Colour Print

34 Countdown to Christmas

How breeders are working together to ensure customers can have confidence in animal welfare and environmental standards.

Softly Softly was created to show the vast range of products that can be produced from alpaca fibre.

42 Practical biosecurity 44 BAS regional spotlight West Shires Alpaca Group.

Cover photo: Beirhope Farm in the Scottish Borders

Alpaca #89

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FROM THE EDITOR

W

T: 01959 541444 E: alpaca.ed@kelsey.co.uk facebook-f @BritishAlpacaMagazine

elcome to the Christmas issue. Thank you to all our contributors– I hope you enjoy reading their articles as much as I did. In this issue we also say thank you to Ron Mackintosh who has stepped down as BAS chair after six years in office.

As part of his work Ron was closely involved with the magazine making sure our content is interesting and most importantly relevant to all alpaca owners regardless of their herd size or business focus.

We also say goodbye to our regular diarist who has written so many entertaining articles for us over the past two years. She has preferred to remain anonymous but her humour and down to earth style has been much appreciated.

Looking to Christmas we include lots of lovely gift ideas from talented and creative designers working with alpaca fibre. Rachel Hebditch from UK Alpaca shares some of their pattern designs for UK yarns.

Textile designer Ella Wall tells us how she returned to her home of County of Cornwall to work with alpaca fibre after an inspirational visit to Peru, and Sandra Muriel from Alpacas of Cornwall shares her excitement at having bespoke jewellery made from show winning alpacas. › Liz Mason It would be wonderful to support alpaca owners

across the country, by buying alpaca products as presents this Christmas. Our message is ‘shop alpaca’ either online, in farm shops or at Christmas Fairs and support the UK alpaca community.

Alternatively, you could have a go at making your own alpaca gift as we include a crochet pattern for an adorable Christmas mouse from Etsy retailer Nancy Said. The aim is to encourage owners to use fibre; who knows next year it could be you offering your own alpaca products for sale.

Our Christmas Prize Crossword returns for a second time – thank you to our crossword complier BAS CEO Duncan Pullar and to Lulu Phipps at Softly Softly for kindly donating a pair of luxurious alpaca socks to the winner.

We also include show results from two big regional BAS shows – the Heart of England Alpaca Group (HoEAG) Fleece Show and the East of England Alpaca Show. Entries for the BAS National (25, 26, 27 March) open on 2 December and in a recent BAS webinar members learnt, from leading breeder and judge Tim Hey, how to make sure alpacas are in top condition for this, the biggest show in the BAS calendar, and other halter shows now making a welcome comeback.

And finally… Happy Christmas. I hope you and your alpacas enjoy a very happy and healthy festive season.

CEO NOTES...

T

Duncan Pullar

he alpaca community is beginning to bounce back after some difficult times thanks to Covid-19. We have had some successful halter shows which have allowed people to meet! The fleece shows helped keep the show scene ticking over, but they are not as sociable as halter shows. It is clear from the speed at which shows have filled up that BAS members have been missing these events.

Show organisers have, wisely, been cautious with their arrangements to ensure human and alpaca safety, but the desire to get out and meet friends and potentially win a ribbon has been strong. Well done to everyone involved!

The number of BAS members continues to grow! At the time of writing there are more than 2000 members from 1,600 herds. BAS offers new and existing members access to lots of educational material to help improve their knowledge of all things alpaca.

Recent new ventures include webinars, that are free to members and a scheme to help subsidise vets in their continuing professional development (CPD) studies that are alpaca specific. If you think your vet or vet practice would benefit from some alpaca specific training, ask them to email me for details: ceo@bas-uk.com.

Become a BAS member www.bas-uk.com

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Alpaca #89

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THANK YOU RON MACKINTOSH

F

ollowing a full two terms in office as chairman of the BAS Board, it would be remiss of the Society membership not to extend a massive vote of thanks to Ron Mackintosh for his selfless and fully committed years of service for the benefit of the membership, the standing of the Society and the many initiatives which he either proposed or supported to a successful conclusion, writes Ken Freivokh.

If there is one massively salient aspect of his chairmanship, it most definitely would be his unique ability to motivate the entire Board to work together as a team. It is no secret that this has not always been achieved by previously elected Boards, and Ron’s long-standing experience as chairman of many companies clearly played an essential part.

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Tim Hey introduced us to Ron during the early stages of Artwork Alpacas, and we were very fortunate to benefit from his unfailing ability to research issues and share best solutions. Such approach eventually migrated to the Board’s workings, the allocation of responsibilities and the creation of clear roles for each Board member. Beyond such internal structure, which included retaining continuity of the Board’s work during Covid-19, he was instrumental in creating much closer links with show organisers, Grassroots, the panel of judges, streamlining of the screening process, and was extremely supportive of my role to at long last finalise a breed standard and provide a Board presence within the National Show organising team.

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been one of the main concerns for the membership as a whole, and Ron had to confront an outbreak on his own farm.

He was able to restrict the spread through systematic testing and isolating, made every effort to establish close links with DEFRA, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and Surefarm. Ron has continued to work extremely hard to promote a better understanding of the merits of voluntary testing and, more recently, making strong representations to ensure that alpacas are included in proposed Government vaccination programmes.

One of the essential qualifications for successfully chairing the Board clearly includes a full awareness of the complexity and continuity required to achieve the many concurrent tasks and, to that effect, Ron played an essential role in the selection and appointment of Duncan Pullar as CEO. I do not believe that any society member would dispute how important such a role has become, and indeed how necessary it is for the proper working of the Society. Ron was also determined to ensure that the Board was able to target essential tasks promoting the creation of a Message House approach through use of smart insights to improve understanding of the Board’s mission. Likewise, Ron successfully proposed and/or encouraged the nomination of key Board Directors, which have resulted in a Board which is truly representative of the many aspects of the Society.

Quite apart from fulfilling his responsibilities as Board Chairman, Ron has played a vital role in totally transforming the official Alpaca magazine, which is now unfailingly full of interesting content and seriously captivating stories covering all aspects of alpaca keeping.

During more recent years, Ron has developed a unique knowledge of many key alpaca related issues and I have no doubt that, having reached the point when it is appropriate to propose that Chairmanship of the Board is placed in new hands, Ron will remain available to guide us regarding the many challenges which await us.

Ron – a huge thank you from the Board and, I am sure, from the entire BAS membership!

CALM AND PATIENT A s a fellow BAS Board member, I had the opportunity to work closely with Ron over a number of years, writes Doug Steen. Observing Ron as chair I was impressed by his calm and patient attitude most especially evident during some of the more difficult board meetings and our often frustrating meetings with DEFRA – Ron invariably kept his cool remaining unflappable even when others were not.

Ron brought a considered approach to the job and his deep concern for health and welfare issues was always there for others to see.

Undeterred by the challenges which seemed to be continually thrown in the mix and threatening to derail the board activities Ron was always able to stand back and come up with a sensible way to move forward.

Ron was always willing to spend time on the phone and happy to share his own experiences

for the benefit of others and certainly spent a significant amount of time with me both from a BAS Board perspective and also privately regarding herd health where he has a deep understanding of many issues.

I think the BAS is lucky to have been able to cajole Ron into accepting the chair and hope we will be able to continue to have the benefit of his knowledge going forward now he has stepped down.

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OUR NEW BAS CHAIR

My name is Sue Loach and I live with my partner John in Kidderminster, Worcestershire with our two daughters, Georgina and Harriette.

Photo: Steve Taylor

A

s well as our alpacas (registered herd name Putjade) I have a veritable menagerie of dogs. We also have two cats, two horses, chickens and Harriette's small flock of pedigree Texel sheep. I have shown animals for most of my life, starting with ponies, then Welsh Sec D cobs, Golden Retrievers and occasionally my alpacas.

I fell in love with alpacas about 16 years ago and on viewing some I felt that all too familiar feeling that I get when I see a truly beautiful animal and I just knew I was going to have to have some.

I’m not embarrassed to say I bought incredibly badly and paid far too much for my original herd, but they were healthy and gave me some hands on experience – they also taught me as much about what I didn’t want to breed as they did about what I wanted to breed. Over the years I have bought better animals from well established herds and I showed for a while, winning a couple of championships.

Since the day I bought my first animals they have had to fund themselves and as such I have grown my herd relatively slowly. I now keep about 60 alpacas.

My personal love is for unusual colours – greys and now appaloosas – and while I understand that for commercial fibre buyers their colouring may not be ideal, I think there is room within our industry for both.

For me, alpacas are really versatile animals and there are so many

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reasons to own them, whether as show animals, fibre producers, trekking, experiences, yoga, weddings, therapy animals or just pets and BAS should support and represent all owners regardless of why they keep alpacas.

Serving BAS members

I was co-opted on to the BAS Board and then re-elected two years ago and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the membership as welfare officer and judge liaison. I have also helped to organise the recent National Alpaca Farm Day and our new Young Members scheme.

Ron Mackintosh has been an amazing chair and has enabled us to move the Society forward in such a positive way with his extensive knowledge and pragmatic approach and I have very big boots to fill. I was honoured to have been unanimously voted as his successor by my fellow Board Members and I truly hope I can carry on Ron’s good work, none of which would have been possible without the support of our hardworking volunteer Board.

Having a full-time CEO has also made such a difference to the amount we can achieve and having joined the Board at the same time as our CEO Duncan Pullar, I can’t imagine how much work previous Board members had to put in just to keep the Society ticking along.

On a personal level please try and be kind to the Board, we are all volunteers and trying to do our best for all members; if you have an issue you want to raise please feel free to contact me, I will always do my best to help.

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CHRISTMAS PRIZE CROSSWORD T hank you to CEO Duncan Pullar for compiling our Christmas prize crossword and to Lulu Phipps, from Softly Softly and Luisi Alpacas, for kindly donating a cosy pair of alpaca socks to our first prize winner.

Email the two word answer from the highlighted squares to ceo@bas-uk.com before 31 January for a chance to win – all correct entries received by the above date will be put into a draw for the prize.

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ACROSS 2 Loose twist of yarn (5) 4 Shawl (8) 9 Mesh (3) 12. Parasitic plant (9) 13. Antelope (6) 17. Xmas door decoration (6) 18. Garden shrub (12) 20. Alpaca speak (7) 23. Old cloth measure (3) 25. Remnant (5) 26. Simple exam (4) 27. Feeling (4) 28. Twisted fibre (4) 29. Wake up or danger call (5) 30. Brazil, pea, cashew etc (4) 33. Flightless bird (3) 35. Field maintenance (3,7) 36. BAS breeding scheme (acronym) (3) 38. Juicy (4) 10 Alpaca #89

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39. Paddington bear was born there (4) 40. Wise men (4) 41. Rocky outcrop (3) 42. Term for overweight (7) 45. _ _ _ _ Edmunds – TV presenter (4) 48. Muck or snow shifter (6) 50. Ladder step (4) 51. Type of serape (6) 52. The best camelid! (6) DOWN 1. Fibres in cloth are these (10) 3. South American people (5) 5. Seed coating (4) 6. Not well (3) 7. Even toed ungulate (11) 8. Filled pastry case (3) 10. Christmas sparkle (6) 11. Alpaca head gear (6)

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14. Gift for the baby Jesus (12) 15. Spirit measure (3) 16. First milk (9) 19. Santa’s helpers (5) 21. Modern _ _ _ _ (4) 22. Spanish males (6) 24. Feature of Suri fleece (8) 25. Long walk (4) 30. Animal Farm boar (8) 31. Transport in the snow (7) 32. Evergreen tree (3) 34. Keeps Rhianna dry (8) 37. Seasonal log (4) 43. Visible identification – ID (3,3) 44. See 43 Down 46. Possess (3) 47. Note that follows far (3) 49. By way of (3)

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OPEN DAYS

NATIONAL ALPACA FARM OPEN DAYS The National Alpaca Farm Open Days were a resounding success with 90 BAS Members opening their gates to the public in early September, writes Duncan Pullar, BAS CEO.

> Fullwood Alpacas > Akesmere Farm > Ings Park Alpacas

R

> Akesmere Farm

> Gorefield Alpacas

eports from delighted BAS members recorded more than 30,000 people attending the events throughout the UK. BAS hosts worked very hard on local promotion which was supported by radio and press coverage. As ever social media (Facebook) proved to be a potent tool for getting the message out. Local charities also benefited as many members raised money for good causes.

Events ranged in size from 12 to 6,000 participants but that was the beauty of the idea, as everyone who wanted to be involved could be involved on a scale that suited them. Having said that I did get one or two reports back suggesting that some hosts were surprised by the response and had more people than they bargained for.

Our aim is to make this an annual event and we will be targeting the weekend of 3-4 September in 2022. The comments below summarised the fantastic feedback.

"We had a wonderful time on Saturday. It was a really enjoyable day for visitors, helpers and me too. Can’t wait to do it again."

"Both the response and atmosphere were amazing with visitors ranging from those with a passing curiosity to those with a desire to pursue ownership."

"We had an absolute blast at the weekend! We have never run an event at the farm and are not open to the public so this was a first! We had about 800 visitors over both days. A lovely steady stream all day from start to finish. All the feedback since the event and on the day has been wonderful and people have been very appreciative of the chance to see the farm and meet the animals."

"We were blown away by the turn out we received. It was a great day and the smile on all of the kids' faces was amazing and lovely to see."

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> Crabtree Orchard

"We made new friends with some of the locals (we've only been trekking five weeks!) And showed our old friends what we've achieved. We got some super feedback (All good)!"

“We had about 150 plus people on the Sunday 12-4pm. I had friends demonstrating spinning, crocheting and knitting and a friend selling her alpaca cards. We had a 'Name the new cria' stall with punters paying 50p a name with the winning name owner awarded a book token. The name picked out was Truffle. The cria is a black male – suits him perfectly. Teas and coffees and delicious cakes were served all afternoon and were very popular. We had a wine bar set up by our local wine cellar to add to the ambience. The feedback has been good and everyone including all our helpers seemed to enjoy the afternoon.”

“We had a fantastic event! We incorporated our Alpaca Farm Day with a Charity Event raising funds for our local Neonatal Unit which is close to my heart as my identical twin grandsons were in there for nearly five weeks. We had over 550 visitors throughout the day. There was live entertainment, disco, games, market stalls, children’s activities which included meeting the reptiles, crafts, face painting and of course a bouncy castle. The alpacas were very inquisitive and loved the attention, we had a set time that they were all up at the fence when we feed them and some people were given carrots to hand feed them, which they loved.”

“Thank you again for organising the event. It was lovely to meet so many people, and all had a great time meeting our alpacas. We did a mini walk, get up close to feel their fleece/photo opportunity and alpaca agility demo. Cake and Devon homemade cream teas helped to raise money by donation for the local Scout group.”

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OPEN DAYS

BAS JUNIOR MEMBER’S REPORT > Emily with Salvador

E

mily Standen has been full time herd manager at Arkadia Alpacas, owned by Drew Thomas, since April after volunteering with the herd for four years. She has taken advantage of the BAS junior membership scheme to join as a senior junior member and plans to start her own herd – Epiphany Alpacas.

When we heard about the National Alpaca Farm Open Days, Drew and I decided to go ahead and open to the general public with free entry between 12 noon and 4pm on both days. We’re used to having the public here, being open for ‘Walking with Alpacas’ three or four days a week, but thought this would be an excellent chance to allow people to just pop in and meet the herd, particularly those with small children who wouldn’t yet be able to manage a walk.

After much preparation, which included roping in Drew’s mum Angela to provide refreshments - with proceeds to be donated to the local Air Ambulanceand his dad Martin to oversee car parking, we moved all the females and cria to paddocks where they could be easily viewed by the public.

I had devised an alpaca-based quiz for children centred around alpaca facts displayed on the paddock fences and lined up four experienced, calm and reliable walking boys to do mini walks with the public, including photo opportunities at the Arkadia Alpacas picture frame, with breaks for them to be hand fed portions of their regular feed. To educate the public, I broke the feed down into its separate components – including the essential added minerals – to demonstrate how their

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dietary needs are met.

We thought we were ready when opening time approached and, to be honest, were expecting around 50 or 60 people to turn up. From the moment the clock struck twelve, a steady stream of cars and people arrived and we were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming turnout and delighted to see people of all ages meeting alpacas, asking questions and getting involved in the activities. The alpacas doing the mini walks were delighted to be the centre of attention, loved posing for their photo opportunities and were more than satisfied with the generous portions fed to them by eager hands.

We managed to avoid being overwhelmed and braced ourselves for the Sunday, which turned out to be even busier!

Reflecting on the overall success of our event, which saw about 500 visitors across both days, we will definitely do it again and hope it becomes an annual tradition here at Arkadia Alpacas and with all the other alpaca farms around the country who participate. If anyone is hesitant to get involved next year, our advice would be to definitely take part as it allows a wider range of people to discover the wonderful world of alpacas.

For more details on the BAS junior member scheme see the website www.bas-uk.com

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THE HOEAG FLEECE SHOW

The HoEAG Fleece Show 2021, which took place over two days, had a slightly more normal feel this year, apart from the fact that the craft and photography competitions were postponed until the HoEAG Fiesta in April 2022, writes show organiser Julia Corrigan-Stuart.

> Supreme Champion and Best British winners, Brillbury Alpacas with judges Tim Hey and Jay Holland

> Huacaya Supreme

> Suri Judges Choice > Suri Supreme

> Suri Best British

> Huacaya Judges Choice

D

ue to Covid-19 restrictions and petrol shortages, it was decided not to go ahead with the Open Day on Sunday this year. As people would not be able to get to actually see the fleeces we asked the judges to oral reason each of the colour champion classes. This was captured on video and is available to view on the Heart of England Alpaca Group website.

The judges this year were Tim Hey, judging the lights and whites in both Huacaya and Suri and Jay Holland judging all the darker colours. As usual, they did an amazing job with 192 entries to judge, especially as we also trialled a new fleece scoring system for research purposes alongside the normal BAS system.

We had plenty of helpers this year, both new and established stars of the task, all making the days run smoothly and being a thoroughly enjoyable group to work with – thank you very much. The show could not be what it is without you all!

Show results

• Supreme Champion Huacaya Fleece was awarded to Brillbury Alpacas

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> Huacaya Best British

for the second year running with Brillbury Elite Star and with Acton Hill Constancia, owned by Acton Hill Alpacas as Reserve Champion.

• Best British Huacaya was awarded to Brillbury Elite Star.

• Judges Choice was awarded to Spring Farm Wizard.

• Supreme Champion Suri Fleece was awarded to Alpaca Evolution Ltd with Evolution Lord Francis, and with Evolution Rocket Jet as Reserve Champion.

• Best British Suri was awarded to Evolution Rocket Jet. • Judges Choice was awarded to CS Alpacas Antonio.

The HoEAG Special Awards were awarded again this year and the results of these, as well as the Colour Champion with judge’s videos and class winners can be seen on the HoEAG website – please visit www.heartofenglandalpacagroup.co.uk and take a look.

So, a massive thank you to all the exhibitors, helpers and Judges who continue to support our show – we are very grateful. We look forward to getting together in 2022, when hopefully normality will return. Take care and stay safe this winter.

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EAST OF ENGLAND ALPACA SHOW

The renamed East of England Alpaca show, hosted by the Eastern Alpaca Group (EAG), took place close to Chelmsford in Essex, writes Emma Taylor.

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lanning for shows takes a huge amount of time and we were never sure how the pandemic would play its part, but with no halter shows in 2020 we were keen to try to offer willing exhibitors an exceptional show.

When team EAG arrived at the venue early on Saturday morning we had a blank canvas to very quickly transform into a venue suitable to receive 142 alpacas from 23 farms.

Unbelievably by one o’clock membrane was laid and taped, electrics deployed, pens created, show ring completed and ringside sponsors banners hung, sponsor goodie bags allocated and we were transformed, ready for those early birds who travelled from as far afield as Wales and the Isle of Wight.

At this point I will include the fact that team EAG had numerous in-house disasters in the final week ahead of the show including caterers pulling out, visits to hospital accident and emergency department, a family member blue lighted to hospital, the fuel shortage to contend with and finally heavy fog on the morning of travel. But we pulled together as a team, as always, and hopefully none of the disasters were apparent to exhibitors.

I must also mention the sheer grit, guts and determination of one farm who were sadly involved in a road accident en route to the venue – thankfully neither humans nor alpacas were injured. Not to be defeated they were recovered to home, hitched up to an alternative tow vehicle and set out again arriving by agreed arrangement at 1.15am.

Thank goodness for our night security who not only assisted in settling in the alpacas but also chip and colour checked them too. No doubt some of us would have returned alpacas to the paddock, had a stiff drink and settled back on the sofa for the evening wondering what might have been!

Good food and company

In 2019 we were able to offer exhibitors a simple hot evening meal with a general knowledge quiz on site. Having taken feedback on board we were hosted by a very local pub where about 30 of us gathered for a very good evening meal, a few drinks with lots of chat and time to catch up.

Sunday started early with the exhibitors meeting at 7:30 am where our

18 Alpaca #89

judge Mary-Jo Smith, hopefully put everyone at ease with her light hearted introduction. Our last minute caterers, Woodfired Pizzas, served breakfast from eight and kept us all fed and topped up with tea and coffee ahead of the hog baps at lunchtime.

By four o’clock we were almost at the finale – the awards for Supreme Huacaya, Supreme Suri, Best of British, Judges Choice and Best of EAG. We had a small interlude while alpacas and handlers were rapidly reassembled. EAG asked Mary-Jo to announce the final awards consecutively just to add variation and anticipation to those lucky enough to have been awarded Championship sashes. And then it was (almost) all over for another year with team EAG breaking down back to a bare venue in record time.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our sponsors together with our team of volunteers (and those remaining at home to facilitate the helpers) who have worked tirelessly through thick and thin to get our show ‘on the road’ this year. We look forward now to the East of England Fleece and Halter shows of 2022 to do it all over again.

Show results •

•

•

•

•

•

• •

Huacaya Supreme Champion – Sponsored by Nigel Wood Alpaca Shearing: Artwork B.R Irma La Deuce – Artwork Alpacas Suri Supreme Champion – Sponsored by Nigel Wood Alpaca Shearing: Caprhianna Casper The Casanova – Lane House Alpacas Best of British Huacaya – Sponsored by Pemberley Alpaca: Lane House Emperor’s Quest – Lane House Alpacas Best of British Suri – Sponsored by Free Range Fibre: Caprhianna Casper The Casanova – Lane House Alpacas Judge’s Choice Huacaya – Sponsored by CS Alpacas: Artwork B.R Irma La Deuce – Artwork Alpacas Judge’s Choice Suri – Sponsored by CS Alpacas: Caprhianna Casper The Casanova – Lane House Alpacas Champion: Redens Evita – Redens Alpacas Reserve Champion: Redens Electra – Redens Alpacas Full results for each category can be found on the EAG website.

SHOWING ALPACAS BAS judge and leading breeder Tim Hey gave an insight into the commitment, and attention to detail, required to produce show champions during a recent BAS webinar.

S

"

howing is highly addictive, and there is nothing prouder for me than having bred an alpaca that goes into the showring and gets a top award... it really is a wonderful thing.”

Speaking to more than 75 BAS members Tim said his enthusiasm for shows was sparked at an early age after his family entered two alpacas into their first show – the Royal Hobart in Tasmania in 1994.

One of the two was a blue-eyed white female called Van Diemen Snowanna.

“I remember us proudly winning second place with Snowanna in a class of one and it was a very proud moment – although at my age I didn’t quite understand what that meant. But the fact that we won a second place ribbon really did spark my enthusiasm for shows. “ It was the first, and last time we showed a blue -eyed white female, or male, and we pushed on and

20 Alpaca #89

it just got better and better.”

Tim’s family built their herd to about 40 females and in 2002 he came to the UK to work at Alpacas of Wessex. He now runs more than 300 mainly black and some grey Huacayas at Inca Alpacas in Dorset and has seen big changes take place in the UK showring over 19 years.

The early shows, in the mid-late 1990s, saw owners blowing fleeces with cattle blowers until “every last bit of dust was gone and that was the extent of your alpaca preparation.”

At the time the Chilean imports had fleece which was long stapled and not dense and they looked “like Moses parting the Red Sea as they were blown”.

As breeders added recently imported stock from Peru to their herd, fleece quality started to develop and density and crimp began to be evident. “We then realised that blowing the fleece was not such a good idea,” Tim says.

As showing developed owners learnt how to better prepare their animals for the showring.

And during the webinar Tim shared “the lessons I have learnt and adopted to enhance the showing experience, preparation and the value you get from the shows”.

Why show alpacas?

Goals and objectives of the alpaca breeder • To have fun • To talk and learn from other owners (showing also allows owners to share ideas about husbandry and breeding.)

• To market your herd to potential customers including the public and other owners • To gain recognition for sound breeding • To identify how your stock compares to the industry standard and to gain an understanding of industry breeding goals and direction

Preparing for show season – late autumn

• Decide which shows you would like to attend.

With short fleece shows added to the show calendar the show season now runs for ten months of the year from August-June. To plan your entries it is important to identify early on, preferably a year in advance, which shows you are going to attend. Are you going to enter short fleece shows in August and September? If so, you don’t want to be shearing alpacas in June; you want to be shearing in April/May to make sure they have a decent fleece length.

• Identify which alpacas look promising and select fleeces you would like to enter.

The earlier you can identify cria that are entering shows the sooner you can nurture them to ensure they are in the right condition.

• Ensure all stock is up to date with registration and is the correct colour.

The BAS National sees about 50 colour changes take place every year, including many beige or light fawn cria that become white. Tim said: “If you go to shows you should have a colour chart.

It is really important that you keep revisiting the colour chart.”

• Take measures to ensure your preliminary show team have the best conditions for winter housing.

In September/October Tim creates “a new mob” or show team on the farm including mothers and crias and females to fill the intermediate, adult and senior classes, and makes sure they receive five- star treatment. This includes bringing them inside when there is continuous heavy rain to keep their fleece dry.

“This year has been a great year for grass growth and when you’ve got grass sitting 15cm-20cm off the ground and there is two or three days of rain it’s going to keep their legs wet and it won’t take long before the fleece starts to rot about half way down the shin of your alpacas.

“It’s a real shame when you’ve got alpacas that are really well covered down the leg and they turn up to a show with fleece that has rotted off – it spoils a good looking animal.

“I look at the forecast and if it is going to rain heavily for more than a day and a half then I will bring mine into a barn. I’ve got fans in the barn along the wall and the moment it stops raining they go outside.

“I’ve also got a timer to adjust the lights at 11 o’clock, during the winter months. This means alpacas generally will continue eating, particularly the young ones, well past five o’clock and when they’re eating longer you will get better growth.”

Tim’s alpacas are housed on winter barley straw on a deep litter system, with chalk below the straw. A second barn with a concrete floor has a deep layer of cardboard chips which is cleaner than straw for the show team if they need to be inside close to show Continued on next page >>

> Tim Hey judging

Colour charts can be purchased from the BAS website.

They make a great stocking filler!

< day. Hay feeders are kept close to the ground to avoid too many seeds getting into cria fleece.

Fans increase ventilation and prevent sweating – you can never have too much ventilation, Tim adds. In light rain the alpacas stay outside as the wind and sun will dry the fleece.

Tim acknowledged that not everyone has a barn but says: “If you don’t have a barn then you can bring your show team onto a clean paddock with short grass and they will dry faster.”

Deciding which shows to attend

Local shows attract customers from your local area. But the BAS National Show gives the highest rewards. Tim says: “It’s the strongest competition and a National Show award does trump everything else because it is the most competitive.”

Make sure you are familiar with the format and running order of the show and check arrival and departure times. You will also need to think about accommodation and farm cover.

Choosing which alpacas and fleece to enter

Points to consider: • Is your alpaca going to be the minimum age at the time of the show?

• Will its staple or lock length be within the rules?

• Check the pregnancy state of females – allow for minimal travel in the last two/three months of pregnancy. Tim encourages breeders to show pregnant females so long as they are calm natured and well halter trained.

• Are you looking to add value to your animals by showing them? (Tim said: “For the BAS National I would take my best team, for a local show I would take my second or third rail – the more ribbons you can get, particularly on a female the more value it will add to your stock.”)

Halter and fleece selection to enhance brand Tim says: “I focus on breeding blacks, and more recently greys, and when I go

22 Alpaca #89

to a show I only take alpacas that represent my style and my brand to the full.

“They must have the right head style, the right body shape, the right fleece type and the right colour so that people can instantly recognise them and match them to my brand.”

Think about your brand when selecting your show team and setting up your show pen – think about colour matching your logo with feed bins, halters, water buckets and haynets and try to ensure everything is co-ordinated and smart.

What does a judge look for in a halter class?

Correct conformation and show presence is a must. Alpacas have improved over the years but that improvement is starting to slow and judges are having to look deeper into fleeces. This means staple length on the neck, and fineness as well as uniformity of micron is becoming more important at the bigger shows at the top end of a closely bunched class.

“As a judge we want to see if the animal is true to type as a Huacaya or Suri and has that wow factor,” Tim adds.

You can enhance how the animals look in the showring with proper halter training. Tim said: “If your animals are really well halter trained, they are going to be interested in their surroundings rather than what you are doing to them.

They must be alert and have presence, as no matter how good the fleece is, the alpaca is not going to do well unless it has the wow factor in the showring.”

Health is paramount Finally, Tim underlined the importance of good alpaca health and condition.

“When choosing your show team don’t get too driven by fleece – stand back and have a look at the animal. Is it in good body condition to go to a show?

“You would be surprised by how many animals I see as a judge both here, and on the continent that turn up only a frost away from death – they are that thin and sick.

“Your show team is only going to do well in the show ring if they are in prime condition – if they are not their fleece is going to be dry, brittle and handle poorly, so health is paramount with these animals and this is so important to remember.”

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www.artoffibre.com Alpaca #89

23

SUSTAINABLE FIBRE INITIATIVE

In this second part of our focus on the Australian fibre industry, Julie Wilkinson, Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) board member, outlines how breeders are working together to ensure customers can have confidence in animal welfare and environmental standards.

T

he Australian alpaca industry has floated between a pet/ lifestyle focus and a livestock industry for 30 years. The truth is, it is both of these, with the commonality being the alpaca, with its exotic looks, its captivating temperament and its wonderful fleece. However, the future viability of alpaca requires us to align more closely with other livestock sectors.

Many alpaca growers extol the environmental, or green, attributes of the alpaca, but there hasn’t been an industry-wide policy, which we, as growers, could use to back up the claims we were making. All other comparable livestock industries (including cattle, pigs, sheep, dairy) have developed a sustainability framework for their industries and it was time that the alpaca industry did this too.

The Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) Board and a working party comprising members from throughout Australia began developing an Australian Alpaca

Sustainability Framework in 2020. The Sustainability Framework is critical for the alpaca industry as we market our fibre and livestock throughout the world.

It will provide opportunities to meet best practice recommendations for animal welfare, traceability, biosecurity and environmental stewardship; and will identify pathways for improving the profitability of member’s businesses and the workplace conditions of employees.

A recent campaign by PETA, claiming animal welfare issues associated with alpaca shearing, has pressured a number of fashion brands to ban the use of alpaca fibre, resulting in the cancellation of fibre orders and tainting the image of alpaca.

New world alpaca farmers have been clear to state that that is not how animals are handled in their countries, but often do not have written protocols to back up their claims. In response, the global non-profit Textile Exchange has developed an international Responsible Alpaca Standard, which allows individual sites to be certified and provides an audited chain of custody for fibre from farm to garment.

Most alpaca associations around the world have now placed greater focus on documented animal welfare policies.

Regular reporting on the progress of the Australian Alpaca Sustainability Framework in meeting our targets will provide transparency and give our customers the confidence that the Australian alpaca industry is a demonstrably responsible and sustainable fibre industry.

What is a Sustainability Framework?

A Sustainability Framework is an industry policy document that sets out

About the author

AAA board member Julie Wilkinson is chair of the Sustainability Framework Working Group. Her passion is the development of a commercial fibre industry - with a focus on Suri fibre.

Julie has been involved in the alpaca industry since 2001 and runs a herd of more than 1200 Suris. Her involvement in alpaca industry development includes research and development and education within the Suri sub-committee, participation in the AAA environmental management working party, editor of the Victorian central region magazine The Yarn and editor and publisher of Alpacas Victoria. Julie has also been a member of the AAA Suri Fibre Development Group and the education and training working group.

Julie has worked in environmental education and consulting for 30 years. Her areas of expertise include community consultation, environmental education and training, environmental impact assessment and environmental management.

the goals and practices to be undertaken by members to align with the needs and expectations of consumers, customers, government departments and the public.

The purpose of the Sustainability Framework is to ensure members meet their duty of care and legislative obligations as a minimum, and can demonstrate their sustainability credentials if they implement the Codes of Practice/Standard Operational Procedures or other tools developed by the Australian Alpaca Association and outside bodies.

What is included in a Sustainability Framework?

A Sustainability Framework covers five areas involved in alpaca farming: Animal Welfare; Environmental Stewardship; Biosecurity Control; Economic Resilience (keeping farmers profitable) People and Community (protecting staff and customers).

The Sustainability Framework outlines minimal requirements for all parts of the industry, sets goals and performance indicators that can be measured. The AAA will report annually on performance toward those goals and regularly review the document to ensure ongoing improvement.

• • • • •

How is the Sustainability Framework being developed?

The AAA’s CEO prepared a draft Sustainability Framework based on other agricultural industries and the Board recruited me (Julie Wilkinson as an environmental consultant with experience in developing corporate documentation of this nature in a range of industries). A working party, comprising a range of large to small breeders, from different parts of the country and with involvement in different aspects of the alpaca industry, is guiding the development of the Framework, setting priority goals and assisting with its implementation.

The working party has prepared a matrix of goals under the five areas identified and this is being sent out to members and stakeholders to determine levels of priority for addressing each of these goals. This is called a materiality assessment.

The materiality assessment will allow resources and time to be allocated to ensure the highest priority goals are met first. These priorities will change over time, so there will be a need to reassess them regularly.

All members will be given an opportunity to comment on drafts of the document and will be asked to complete a survey, which will provide the baseline data to measure against.

Input from members will ensure the Association develops a Sustainability Framework document that applies to all industry sectors and provides certainty to customers and benefits to members.

As part of the development of the Sustainability Framework, up to 10 members will be asked to participate in a pilot programme to provide feedback and assist in improving the framework, goals and performance indicators and

To follow the on-going development of this important initiative, visit the Australian Alpaca Association website: www.alpaca.asn.au/sustainability-framework/ the implementation programme. These members will become mentors for the Framework implementation rollout.

What will the Sustainability Framework look like?

The working party has discussed in depth the format of the Sustainability Framework document and decided that it should be a strategic document which outlines the sustainability goals for the alpaca industry until 2030, with a working time frame of five years at which time it should be reviewed and updated.

The Framework will set goals and identify measurable indicators, on which data can be collected annually via a membership survey.

Once the Framework strategic document has been made available for member and stakeholder consultation and approved by the Board, it will guide the preparation of various policies, protocols and guidelines, direct education and training curriculum and identify research needs.

Implementation of the Framework will allow both members and non-member stakeholders to demonstrate both the alpaca industry generally, and individual businesses specifically, meet sustainable agriculture principles.

PLANNING CHRISTMAS SALES Christmas Fairs are back and alpaca owners are looking forward to selling a range of handmade alpaca products.

Penny Wylie, of Yew Tree Alpacas in Hertfordshire explains how she prepares for a busy Christmas season

26 Alpaca #89

P

lanning is key to ensure the team at Yew Tree Alpacas is prepared for Christmas, writes Alpaca editor Liz Mason.

To make sure there’s time to prepare the product range for the Christmas season, alpaca walks on the farm near Buntingford, Hertfordshire ended in mid-September.

The walks alone (excluding treks and adventures), all pre booked, attracted more than 800 people to the farm since April, but other than five Christmas walks in mid-December, they will not reopen until mid-April 2022. The focus for Yew Tree Alpacas from mid- September onwards is the retail side of the business and the Christmas season.

Penny says: “I get frequent calls about the walks after the end of the season, and we could easily book all through October but it’s essential to have the early autumn period to prepare our product range packaging, labelling, planning fairs displays, and buy in stock where necessary.”

The five Frosty Christmas Walks, including a homemade ‘Frosty menu’, take place in December on selected dates near to Christmas but festive visitors must plan ahead as these were fully booked by the end of September.

The winter season at Yew Tree starts with a one day ‘Early Bird Christmas Shop’ on October 30, at their base in Anstey, offering a 10% discount (with extra for locals) on all alpaca products. There’s also a coffee shop for the day in a marquee area close to the alpacas. “As well as homemade cakes and coffee we also have a small range of non-alpaca products including chutneys, local honey, marmalades and greeting cards,” Penny adds.

The Christmas shop is also open for a week from 6 December – this and the ‘Early Bird’ day are the only times in the year when visitors can arrive with no booking. “During November we’ll be at three different Christmas Fairs in the Eastern region. The shortest being the two day Essex Christmas Fair at Cressing Barns near Braintree. This is followed by Ely Cathedral Christmas Fair, 17-20 November – a very popular event which takes place inside the Cathedral and entrance is by ticket only”.

At the end of November, Yew Tree Alpacas will be at the National Trust owned, Waddesdon Manor, where the ‘Christmas at Waddesdon’ season spans four weeks from mid-November to Christmas. “We have a chalet for week two at Waddesdon. We were booked for this event in 2020 but like so many fairs last year our week was cancelled. Returning on November 28 gives us a short period for

ALPACA

PODS

restocking until our own Christmas shop opens on 6 December.”

During November and early December online orders are also a key part of revenue stream and are managed by other part time staff.

The Yew Tree products (most also available online) include British made alpaca socks – always a popular Christmas gift; everyday socks, bed socks, cushioned walking socks and longer country socks, making up a wide range.

Handknitted accessories, knitted locally by a small team of knitters, include Beanie hats knitted from both Yew Tree’s own alpaca yarn in natural colours, as well alpaca yarns from UK Alpaca in a range of dyed colours. Scarves, snoods, headbands, wrist warmers and gloves complement the hand knitted range.

There’s also something for knitters with yarns and knitting kits made from both Yew Tree and the UK Alpaca yarns.

Yew Tree uses their best fleece below 26 micron for their own yarns. They have used a range of yarn processors over the years and are currently awaiting a new batch processed at East Anglia Alpaca Mill in Norfolk. “The 2021 yarn is looking excellent based on the images sent over so I’m very optimistic on this year’s yarn quality.”

Fleece that is unsuitable for Yew Tree’s alpaca yarn is used as filling for cushions and pillows, with pillows requiring a higher grade of fleece than cushions. The alpaca pillows are handmade at Yew Tree as are cotton tea towels, aprons, cushion covers and lavender bags.

This year for the first time Yew Tree has added alpaca jigsaw puzzles using images of the herd to their range. They were a very popular pastime in lockdown last year and Penny hopes these will be a popular gift.

Yew Tree Alpacas are constantly looking to expand and improve the product range, and helped by Sharon, a former graphic designer, who helps with alpaca care, have designed bespoke product and sock labels and Christmas shop promotional material.

“The retail side is very much an important part of the business,” says Penny.

“It’s definitely a developing area and there’s a lot more scope to expand and improve particularly on the online side.

“People like the fact that most of our products are made locally, many using our own yarns and fleece. We are hoping small rural business with a local and British range, rather than imported goods, will be a hit with customers this year."

Weather: Protecting against adverse weather Ventilation: Provide good air flow Flies: Shelter against summer heat and flies Adaptability: Water drinkers, troughs and deep bedding can all be added Husbandry: A great place to complete feet-trimming, vitamin drenches or as a quarantine area Appearance: Practical and attractive Size: Various options and sizes available.

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We designed the Alpaca pods for our own herd and are now pleased to offer these for sale.

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Alpaca #89

27

CHRISTMAS GIFT MOUSE

An easy crochet pattern for a Christmas Gift Mouse by Nancy Said using alpaca yarn. Simple stitches and construction make this a fun project you’ll enjoy making again and again.

Skill level: EASY

Materials:

• Approx 30g (50m/55yds) Alpaca yarn (main colour – pictured here in yarn by Amberly Alpacas) • Small amount of red, pink, black, brown, silver, grey • 3mm crochet hook (or size to obtain a firm fabric) • Darning needle • Stitch marker (preferably lockable) • Toy stuffing • Small amount of bean bag filling (or rice, lentils etc) to weight the base of the mouse

28 Alpaca #89

Special stitches:

• Magic Ring link to video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/ag2qkyzaNAE • Inc (increase): work 2dc in the same stitch • Dec (decrease over 2 separate stitches): *[insert hook in next stitch and draw up a loop]; rep from * once more, then yarn round hook and draw through all three loops

Notes to this pattern: 1. Pattern is written in UK terms 2. Work snugly throughout

Pattern instructions:

BEGIN PATTERN – please read all notes BODY – worked in a continuous spiral Using Main Colour, make a Magic Ring (see Special Stitches Video Tutorial) (or else ch4 and join with a ss to form a ring, working over the tail as you go) Round 1: Work 6dc in the ring, place marker in the front loop of the last stitch (keep moving the marker up at the end of each round) Round 2: 2dc (=Increase - see Special Stitches) into each stitch around [12dc] Round 3: *Inc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * around [18dc] Round 4: *Inc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 2sts; rep from * around [24dc] Round 5: *Inc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 3sts; rep from * around [30dc] Round 6: *Inc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 4sts; rep from * around [36dc] Round 7: *Inc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 5sts; rep from * around [42dc] Rounds 8 to 26: Work 1dc into each stitch around [42dc] Round 27: *1Dec (see Special Stitches), 1dc in each of the next 5sts; rep from * around [36dc] Round 28: 1dc in each dc around Round 29: *1Dec, 1dc in each of the next 4sts; rep from * around [30dc] Round 30: 1dc in each dc around [30dc] Round 31: *1Dec, 1dc in each of the next 3sts; rep from * around [24dc] Round 32: 1dc in each dc around [24dc]

TAIL – Using Main Colour, ch47, slip st in 2nd ch from hook, *[skip next ch, slip st into next ch] 5 times, 1slip st into each of the next 5ch; repeat from * to end.

Fasten off with a long tail for sewing.

Attach the tail to Round 1 of the body and stitch in place along the centre back (as far as Round 18), leaving the remainder of the TAIL free. Encourage TAIL to curl around into a spiral.

Fill a small bag with bean bag filling (or filling of your choice. I used dried barley).

Place it in the bottom of your mouse. Stuff the rest of the mouse with soft toy stuffing, quite firmly.

Round 33: *1Dec, 1dc in each of the next 2sts; rep from * around [18dc] Rounds 34 - 36: 1dc in each dc around [18dc] Round 37: *1Dec, 1dc next st; rep from * around [12dc] Add a little more stuffing if necessary.

Rounds 38 & 39: 1dc in each dc around [12dc] Round 40: Dec around [6dc] Fasten off with a long tail and sew the tip closed NOSE Using White, make a Magic Ring Round 1: Work 6dc into the ring. Fasten off with a tail for sewing. Using a darning needle, pick up every loop of each stitch around and pull tightly to make the round ‘pop’. Stitch onto the tip of the nose.

EARS (make 2) – Using Main Colour, work as Rounds 1 – 5 of the BODY [30dc].

Fasten off with a long tail. Stitch EARS in place between Rounds 25 & 26 of the BODY (secure about 5sts per EAR), leaving 4sts between each EAR. HAT - Using Red, make a Magic Ring Rounds 1 - 3: Work Rounds 1 – 4 of BODY [18dc] Rounds 4 - 6: Work 1dc into each stitch around, drawing up WHITE on the last st.

Rounds 7 & 8 (White): 1dc in each dc Slip stitch into next st, fasten off with a long tail for sewing. Tie ends together inside the Hat (you can use them as part of the stuffing) Pompom for HAT – work as for NOSE. Stitch to top of HAT through the centre.

Stuff HAT lightly with Toy Stuffing. Stitch to the head between the EARS using White, making sure the EARS are in front.

About the author

Nancy Said is a small crochet business run by Nina Couser, a passionate crochet designer living near Carrickfergus on the Antrim Coast. She specialises in vintage inspired shawls, gloves and accessories but now and again brings little woolly creatures to life to celebrate the seasons.

You can find the full range of Nancy Said crochet patterns in her Etsy Shop www.etsy.com/uk/shop/nancysaid. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram and via her Blog nancysaid.blogspot.com

ARMS – Using Main Colour, ch19, starting in 2nd ch from hook, slip st into each ch to end. Fasten off with a long tail for sewing.

Using a crochet hook, pull one end of the ARMS through Rounds 25 & 26 , leaving 5sts between. Use the tails to sew the ends of the Arms together and also to attach the Cracker.

CRACKER – Using Silver, ch7 Row 1: 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in each chain across [6dc] Rows 2-6: Ch1, 1dc in each st across.

Fasten off with a longer tail. Sew into a tube. Tie a length of yarn tightly around each end, close to the edge.

EYES – Using Black held double, make a few straight stitches (3sts wide) between Rounds 28 & 29, leaving 9 sts between.

MOUTH – Using Pink held double, make two straight stitches (5sts wide) between Rounds 34 & 35 WHISKERS Using Grey, stitch 3x Whiskers at each side of the Nose between Rounds 35 and 36

Alpaca #89

29

KNITS, SOCKS AND KITS

Christmas time is here, by golly, disapproval would be folly, these are the first two lines of Tom Lehrer’s satirical Christmas Carol, that always makes me giggle writes Rachel Hebditch, UK Alpaca.

T

his year we are hearing dire warnings of the demise of Christmas and it is true that Brexit and the pandemic have brought with them supply issues for us.

UK Alpaca majors in knitting yarns in three weights, 4-ply, double knitting and chunky, all made from British alpaca fibre. The fleeces arrive in our barn post shearing, are hand graded and then baled up and sent off on the long journey through scouring, top making, spinning, dyeing and finishing. Most years around eight to 10,000 kilos come in and we have upped our prices for white and fawn as these are the most desired colours for us. We pay more for outsorts too, that is fleeces that are too short or coarse as we have a good market in the UK and Europe for those.

The autumn is the time when the serious knitters out there start buying large amounts of knitting wool to get those big project presents ready for Christmas.

The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in October was a prime example of this where we were stunned by the amount of buyers on the stand and the number of orders we had to send out when we got home having not taken enough spare yarn, my fault.

They were buying yarn for some of our most popular sweater patterns like the delicate beaded Tendu in Suri, the multicoloured Highland Dreams, the cabled unisex Let’s Twist Again, a new boyfriend jumper in chunky and Sasha Kagan’s Poppy cardigan.

New additions and Christmas favourites

We commission patterns all the time to expand our range and we have close to 100 knitting and crochet patterns now. The most recent additions are two new shawls from designer Anniken Allis, crochet and knitted cowls and a blanket in the new chunky range by our Cyd Jenkin – Cyd is a crochet person and this was her very first knitting project.

I am told by our repeat buyers that they have made numerous presents for

30 Alpaca #89

their relatives from the same pattern. These are often one or two ball projects and therefore quick and easy to get ready for Christmas. Favourites are the gauntlet gloves by Chrissy Smith, the Merry Fairies cowl and the beaded set by Jemima Bicknell.

We started working on our ‘kits in a tin’ some time ago trying to find an environmentally friendly packaging solution that would also travel happily to shows without getting squished. Packaging of all descriptions flowed into the office and eventually we settled for tins with a clear lid. This is reusable for knitting stuff, sandwiches and even cake – crafty people love cake.

The tins will take up to three balls of yarn but mostly they are for one or two ball projects. They contain the yarn, pattern, extra things like beads or a crochet hook depending on the pattern plus facts about alpacas, lavender and an alpaca keyring. They have proved very popular and an excellent present.

Online sales soared during lockdown but have been a bit quieter this year.

Instead our wholesale buyers have returned in force to fill the gap. Which brings me to our Posh Socks. We make a ton of sock yarn every year for our sock range and others.

Unfortunately our sock man as we like to call him has had a really torrid time during the pandemic and is still understaffed, so we spend a lot of time pleading with him to make more SOON as the orders keep coming.

I don’t think when we started making Posh Socks as our only finished product that I realised what a hit they would be. Thousands of pairs are sold every year.

We have just three types, a cushion soled walking sock, the everyday Town and Country sock and Lounge socks, in lots of different colours.

And if any of you want to knit your own Christmas stocking, we have the pattern!

It is a busy old life down here in darkest Devon as we have a few alpacas to look after as well. The herd, Classical MileEnd Alpacas, has been downsized a bit so that we can cope without a stockman and today there are 103 alpacas on farm.

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01344 486969 Alpaca #89

31

BESPOKE JEWELLERY I was intrigued to see jewellery made from alpaca yarn and excited that Marta Kwaśniewicz, from Alpacappella Jewellery, selected my yarns to make some of her designs, writes Sandra Muriel, Alpacas of Cornwall – the Crewenna herd. > LYCUS BRACELETS

> NYMEVA’S TRINITY BRACELETS

I

n two years, Marta has developed an amazing range, expanding into earrings, key rings and pendants using not only the natural colours of alpaca but some hand dyed colours as well.

Initially, I supplied Marta with fawn, light and black yarns, more recently I supplied her with a large batch of light yarn which she can have dyed to her own specific colours.

Our natural black 4 ply was particularly special because it included our National Black Champion Amadeus’s first two fleeces plus our best black cria fleeces to date – not a white fibre in sight and great brightness. The yarn yielded the quality end products that Marta was seeking. I had a bespoke double bangle made for myself from the Amadeus yarn – even in the braid I can feel it is his fleece which is a very special way to have a momento of his first two fleeces.

The grey yarn was blended from an alpaca called Bentley's cria and second fleece plus his dams' Isabel. This is a super silver grey 4 ply, which I also used for a throw (with natural light yarn) which won Best in Show at the Heart of England Craft 2020 – testimony that the best quality yarns are the way forward to create the highest quality products.

I stock several pieces made by Marta and farm visitors are delighted to be able to select a piece of jewellery to match a hat or scarf. I particularly like Marta's Celtic knot design, which complements our Cornish heritage perfectly.

I am so proud of how Marta has developed her business in two years, selling not only nationally but internationally. Her jewellery is by far the best I have seen, her braiding is superb. Marta not only uses my yarns but makes her designs from client's own yarns – her jewellery design business is a fabulous opportunity for breeders to have products from their alpacas which are personal and unique.

Nymeva’s trinity bracelets

Unique pieces made from yarn signed by Alpacappella Jewellery. The base for the bracelets is specially selected white baby alpaca yarn from Alpacas

of Cornwall hand-dyed by Hannah Mackie from HeyJay Yarn in Oxfordshire.

Handmade by Marta Kwaśniewicz in Norfolk, the bracelets make exquisite gifts for others and yourself.

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Each LYCUS bracelet is made from British hand-blended ethical baby alpaca yarn and combines beauty with elegance. The minimalist surgical steel tunnel adds a unique touch to the design. This perfect everyday, stackable piece looks amazing layered with other Lycus or Nyx bracelets in unique alpaca tweed colours.

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Alpaca #89

33

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

Sales of handmade alpaca products online have increased and Angela Andersen, from Langley Alpacas, Derbyshire wants to make sure she has enough stock to sell for Christmas.

W

hen autumn approaches, I start to think about creating Christmas alpaca products to sell on my Etsy online shop, AllAlpaca or on my Langley Alpacas website. I also think I should get my act together and begin earlier – especially as I almost sold out of everything last year due to Covid-19 and the increase in online shopping.

Sales have still been up and consequently stocks of my handmade products are low. The products I sell are made mostly by myself, but I do send some fleece to a mill to be spun into wool, which I either knit into clothing or sell in balls or skeins to other knitters. I learnt to spin the fibre a long time ago and really enjoy doing so, but my yarn tends to be a bit rustic and doesn’t compare to the beautiful yarn made by the mills.

My hats and scarves are produced by a local knitwear manufacturer to a very high standard. Luckily, I have plenty of stocks of these. There are always a wide range of items available as I like to make use of every part of the fleece.

Rewind ten years when I first thought of getting alpacas, little did I imagine that the fleece from these wonderful animals would take over my life!

We originally bought our first three pregnant girls to keep the grass down in our fields. Never having had any kind of livestock previously my daughter and I went on a husbandry course to get up close and meet some alpacas to see what we thought as there weren’t many around at that time. We were immediately smitten and ordered our first alpacas there and then.

I tend to have between 10-15 alpacas at any one time. They range in colour and ages, my oldest being 15 years old, down to my youngest who is two. I find myself painstakingly skirting and combing out vegetation from a cria’s fleece one minute to wet felting the older ones’ fleece the next, as their fibre suits different uses.

I use the shorter cuts and coarser fleeces to stuff cushion pads, a particularly popular item in my Etsy shop. It’s great to be able to use the BAS Fibre logo to give customers reassurance of the origin of my products. The natural hypoallergenic qualities of alpaca are another positive selling point.

I don’t like to waste any fibre, but I could not possibly utilise it all by myself, so I sometimes sell the excess to UK Alpaca based in Devon.

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Last Christmas I created and added felted gingerbread men garlands and crotched reindeer to my collection. One of my male alpacas, called Ed, is a lovely colour – just the right shade for gingerbread – and the fact that his fleece is not the finest gave me the idea to use it in this way.

The reindeer, as with my other ‘amigurami’ animals, including bunnies, chimps and gorillas to name but a few, are stuffed with carded fibre seconds, which makes great stuffing and a totally hypoallergenic gift for a baby or young child.

(Amigurami is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals.)

I shall be making these again and perhaps adding one or two new items. I have in mind knitting kits for beginners containing wool, needles and an easy pattern and together with some information about the alpaca the fleece has come from. I’m sure they will be popular.

Another big hit with Christmas shoppers is alpaca socks. They are a brilliant and practical present for all ages being warm, soft and toasty for winter. Last year walking socks were in particularly high demand as people walked more during lockdown Apart from online sales Christmas craft fairs are another outlet and a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a few hours or a day meeting lots of lovely people. There is usually a festive feel to the event and hopefully lots of eager buyers looking for gifts. But I do strongly urge you to do your homework first and make sure the fair has been well advertised or is renowned for its past attendances.

A stall can physically showcase the wonderful qualities of alpaca fibre and impress potential buyers with its softness and warmth at first hand. At the same time you can promote your alpaca business and any walks, workshops or experiences.

Next on my craft agenda is to learn to weave and then hopefully make myself a rug. If that goes well, who knows! I have lots of ideas – it’s just time I’m short of!

Why not come to ‘Meet & Greet’ the alpacas who made the scarves?

Telephone to book your experience Tony & Hilary Monkcom • 01306 628003 info@pinnaclealpacas.com • www.pinnaclealpacas.co.uk Alpaca #89

35

MADE IN CORNWALL

Textile designer Ella Wall grew up in Cornwall and after learning about alpacas while working in Peru has returned to her home county to make and sell alpaca products from Cornish fibre.

A

fter graduating from Chelsea College of Art where I studied textile design, with a specialism in knitted textiles, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go on a month-long internship to Peru. I worked with a company that used mostly alpaca fibre in their production. From this experience, I learnt a lot about alpaca fibre, including the grading of the fibre by microns, which determines the quality.

I also gained a behind the scenes insight into the whole animal to garment process from a manufacturing point of view. After returning to Cornwall and feeling inspired by my trip, and new knowledge of alpacas, I wanted to see if there were any alpaca herds local to me that had their fibres spun into yarn that I could knit with.

It is important to me that I am able to know where my fibre is from and even be able to visit the animals too. This means that I can have a clearer idea of animal welfare and the story of my product from beginning to end. This is also why I choose to use undyed alpaca fibre, as there is such a beautiful range of natural

colours which means dying isn’t needed.

The products I am currently knitting are made with 100% Cornish alpaca fibre, designed and knitted by me in Cornwall too. The yarn I use is a blend of both Huacaya and Suri fibre, which creates a lovely soft yarn. I both knit and felt my work to create different finishes.

The felted finish gives a more structured feel, which is perfect for bags, whereas the knitted pieces hang more fluidly, with a lovely weight.

I like to let the luxurious quality of the alpaca fibre speak for itself, with minimal designs and natural colours.

I am currently selling my items on my Etsy shop; EllaWallTextiles. I am focussed on creating more work that reflects the importance of using local fibres, with an emphasis on Cornwall, as opposed to more readily available commercial yarns .

I am happy to say I have made products that are 100% Cornish, as this is where I grew up and currently work from. This is something that I really wanted to achieve, to showcase what we have in the UK in terms of resources for knitters like myself.

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Alpaca #89

37

CHRISTMAS MAGIC Santa is coming to Beirhope Farm in the Scottish Borders to help families enjoy the magic of Christmas with alpacas, writes Alpaca editor Liz Mason.

L

ynne Jobes started planning the popular Christmas events in September when some of her many annual visitors started to ask about booking for this year.

The smallholding, in the rural uplands near Kelso attracts families from Northumberland, Edinburgh, Newcastle and the Scottish Borders, wanting to enjoy a festive and fun day out in the run-up to Christmas.

Lynne says: “We get a lot of repeat visitors and bookings for Christmas are rapidly filling up. It is probably our favourite time of the year – it is old

38 Alpaca #89

fashioned, honest and humble entertainment that families really enjoy.”

Lynne, who is a former social worker, started ‘Christmas at Beirhope’ in December 2018. The festive event has grown in popularity with visitor numbers doubling each year. This year she expects more than 500 people to visit the farm, which is open the rest of the year for hikes, treks and walks in stunning countryside.

“December is a very quiet time and after taking our alpacas to other people’s events I thought I needed to offer my own,” Lynne explains.

Families can choose between three different

Christmas adventures including, ‘Meet Santa and His Alpaca Friends”, ‘All Aboard the Alpaca Express’ and ‘An Evening with Santa’ which run on various dates throughout December, including Christmas Eve. On the ‘Alpaca Express’ visitors meet and feed the alpacas, before “boarding the Express” and enjoying a short stroll around the farm led by Santa.

Afterwards children enjoy story time and a scavenger hunt for Santa’s missing button.

Lynne says: “When you look at alpacas walking in a line they look like a train and so that’s how I came up with the idea for ‘All Aboard the Alpaca Express’.

“I also wrote a children’s story called ‘Sam Saves

Santa’. It’s a story about how Santa crashes his sleigh and our alpacas arrive and pull his sleigh out. The children get to hear all about it at story time and then they go on the scavenger hunt.”

Beirhope Alpacas began after Lynne decided to move out of the suburbs and buy a smallholding in rural Kelso. A chance encounter with alpacas at a glamping show gave her the idea to keep alpacas and she started out with a small herd of five boys.

Before they arrived on the farm Lynne learnt all she could about owning alpacas from books as

well as visits to local breeders. She also attended a course.

The herd has now grown to 23 alpacas and Lynne has established an award -winning trekking business, and enjoys an outdoor lifestyle offering alpaca hikes and treks against the stunning backdrop of the Cheviot Hills.

In summer she also runs “Beirhope Campacas”, where visitors can enjoy off-grid, eco-camping pitches next to the alpacas.

Lynne describes Beirhope as a small, local

business helped, and supported by local friends and neighbours. The local sewing circle, which meets in the village hall, is helping to sew Santa’s buttons onto gold thread for the children to find in the scavenger hunt. Friends and neighbours also help with the Christmas events dressed as “naughty elves” – Lynne’s husband is taking the starring role as Santa.

Although it’s a busy time Christmas is hugely enjoyable and Lynne loves welcoming the families over the festive season. “We are all shattered come Christmas but it is great fun.”

Here at Mulberry Alpacas we have:

Alpaca socks Lovely knitted items Penrose alpaca duvets and pillows Alpaca yarn and fleece Cuddly toys And a herd of friendly Alpacas So, come and visit soon!

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www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk Alpaca #89

39

EXCLUSIVE DESIGNS

Softly Softly was created to show the vast range of products that can be produced from alpaca fibre, writes Lulu Phipps. This year we’ve included a new collection of baby blankets and accessories made from alpaca and rose fibre blended yarn and recently launched Softly ‘Alpaca’ Portrait cushions.

H

aving bred alpacas for 15 years through our herd Lusi Alpacas, I wanted to promote not just the amazing and creative work that is done in the UK but also the remarkable Peruvian heritage that has sustained farmers, breeders and families for 100s of years.

We are passionate about alpaca fibre – the most sustainable luxury fibre in the world. Not only is it eco- friendly and ethical, it has temperature controlling properties and is hypoallergenic. To see the animals themselves in our paddocks and then create new and exciting products from their fleece is incredibly satisfying.

So why import alpaca from Peru? I often get asked, well the answer lies in the

40 Alpaca #89

history. The Peruvians have been working with alpacas and their fibre for 1000s of years. The Inca Royalty wore alpaca clothing, evidence of this has been found in their burial sites. The experience and technical ability of a small number of Peruvian companies is second to none, and is something that we in the UK have not yet mastered. Though in fact one of the largest and most famous companies was in fact started by an Englishman 200 years ago, when as a naval officer who visited Peru, he fell in love with the country and its people and stayed!

Alpaca farming in South America supports entire families and villages and is integral to an entire way of life. The employing companies provide education, healthcare and excellent working practices, allowing the traditional skills to

flourish alongside modern technology.

So, by supporting alpaca production from around the world we can showcase the skills, heritage and innovation of a worldwide business.

I am always looking for new products to add to our range and this year we have designed a collection of baby blankets and accessories made from alpaca and rose fibre blended yarn.

Our good friends at The Border Mill, and an amazing weaver in Scotland Janis Embleton, have created exclusive designs for throws and cushions to add to our home wares collection.

The Softly Alpaca ‘Portrait’ cushions are just launched and make perfect Christmas presents. The photographs were taken by ourselves of Mercury and Skylar. Then we designed them into ‘portraits’ and digitally printed them onto the fabric. They are designed to co- ordinate with some of our 100% alpaca throws.

Totally exclusive to us and in very limited numbers we think they will enhance any sofa or bed. They are filled with 100% UK alpaca fibre cushion pads.

We have an exclusive range of scarves, wraps and capes for both men and women, and the warmest, softest socks that anyone would love to find under the Christmas tree.

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Alpaca #89

41

T

PRACTICAL BIOSECURITY

his article is a collaboration between Ami Sawran and Fay Pooley. Both are part of the TB Advisory Service, which is expanding to allow veterinary advisors to engage with camelid owners in England. With camelid vets forming part of the team, this means biosecurity advice can be tailored and realistic for your herds’ risk profiles.

What is biosecurity?

Biosecurity is the prevention of potential disease risks from leaving or entering your farm.

Biosecurity carries a dual importance – protecting your stock from disease threats posed by other livestock, vehicles, equipment, wildlife and people, but also maintaining safety of your unit itself; your pasture, fittings, housing, food and bedding.

Why should alpaca owners maintain biosecurity?

Your alpacas have the potential to suffer from many of the communicable diseases that are present in other livestock, including but not limited to bovine tuberculosis (TB), Johne’s, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus, mites and the abortive diseases of sheep (enzootic abortion and toxoplasmosis). You could be forgiven for having rarely or never heard of these being diagnosed – we do not test for many as a matter of course in the UK camelid population.

Alpacas are at risk from contact with novel camelids, other farm species and wildlife. Not just in terms of infectious disease, but parasitism; mites, for example, could easily be spread on contaminated equipment and clothing as well as through direct contact with susceptible animals. Although there may be initial operational changes you must make, prevention is much easier than cure, and there are various holistic ways to manage the risk to your herd.

Biosecurity easy wins

Some options for consideration are presented below, but all aspects of your biosecurity plan could be discussed with your vet.

Quarantine and screen

Newcomers to the herd should be isolated from existing stock until results of screening are in – the timescale will depend on what you are testing for

42 Alpaca #89

and the incubation period of the disease. Most recommend a three–four-week isolation period.

New stock arriving should be tested for infectious disease based on the farm of origin’s risk profile and your vet’s advice, and faecal testing should always be carried out with treatment based on results.

New stock should be unable to make nose-to-nose contact with your herd and should not be allowed to contaminate clean pasture.

This can be difficult if buying in a single animal, but a discussion with your vet should make for appropriate welfare-based compromises. Wash between tending to new stock and your existing herd.

This point is also pertinent for those who show.

Show animals are at higher risk of disease exposure through travel, public contact, and being housed in a smaller airspace with animals from other herds.

Your biosecurity policy should include screening and quarantining protocols for their return.

If you absolutely must bring stock on to the farm for drive-by matings (or guests to stud) ensure guest alpacas are housed in readily disinfected areas. Rubber mats are a good compromise for pasture based matings and do not give guests the opportunity to defaecate on pasture and deliver a potential parasite population that your own animals are naïve to. It is sensible to discuss with your partner farms what sort of disease testing they require prior to you travelling with your alpacas, and to screen and quarantine upon return.

Minimise contact with other animals

Secure perimeter fencing is essential to prevent mixing of your stock with neighbours’, no matter what they happen to keep. Double check hedgerows do not allow for sneaking off to pastures new, and ensure gates are low enough (and fences ideally sunk) to prevent wildlife passage underneath.

Food and bedding should be protected from wildlife, and from cats, who may spread toxoplasmosis. Water troughs and feed spaces should be raised to prevent contamination from badgers who may clamber into them.

Disinfect equipment

The entrances to your farm (both pedestrian and vehicular) are risk points – ensure that vehicles are passing over disinfectant, or ideally, disinfected off-site. Contractor vehicles should not, where possible, drive on to pasture – it is helpful to provide

hard standing for vehicles, though not always practicable! You may consider specific PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for visitors – perhaps an array of farm-own wellies or waterproofs, or at least a boot dip and disinfection points with an Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)-approved disinfectant such as FAM30.

Do not be afraid to ask people to wash before interacting with stock, particularly if they are visiting other farms. Shearers and husbandry contractors should also be disinfecting equipment and clothing between farms.

Of course, this basic advice merely scratches the surface of biosecurity! Your regular health planning discussion with a vet is the perfect time to take a farm walk to determine risk factors and where improvements could be made.

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43

BAS REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT West Shires Alpaca Group

CHAIR: Roger Mount SECRETARY: Trish Tatchell TREASURER: Iain Sharp COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Anne Cheston, Jay Holland, Liz Welch

ENVELOPE info@WSAG.org.uk facebook-f @West Shires Alpaca Group DESKTOP Nwww.wsag.org.uk

I

n this series of articles highlighting the work of BAS regional groups to promote and educate owners about all aspects of alpaca keeping we feature the West Shires Alpaca Group (WSAG).

We are a friendly and active BAS affiliated regional group for alpaca owners and those interested in all things alpaca from sharing knowledge, teaching practical techniques, to running shows and everything in between, writes Iain Sharp, treasurer.

We cover Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and surrounding counties and we offer advice, support, social events and learning opportunities to both members and non-members.

The Group was founded in 2011 to promote and protect the interests of owners and breeders, as well as others interested in alpacas and / or their products (including vets, fibre processors and textile designers) in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire.

Our aim is to: • share information and experience • run husbandry and training days • offer practical support • organise vet days • help with promotional days and farm visits • run shearing and fibre workshops • help with craft ideas • organise and run the Royal Three Counties Show and The Midland Championship Halter Show.

We have a pretty diverse membership, including members without alpacas and those with more than 300 alpacas and we are lucky enough to have an international BAS judge in our group. This means that there is plenty of

experience close at hand and help is not far away if you ever have a problem or need to ask questions.

Members receive regular emails and newsletters keeping them up to date with group activities, member’s experiences and general items of interest. In ‘normal’ times we run a full timetable events and activities throughout the year and our events have included: • Cotswold Seeds talk at our annual general meeting (AGM) on pasture management • Mill visit • Basic husbandry • Fibre workshops • Summer BBQ • Breeding decisions • Christmas social.

We also organise three annual alpaca shows.

These are very popular drawing entrants from all over the country and include the alpaca section of The Royal Three Counties Show in June, the Three Counties Fleece Show in July and The Midlands Championship Halter Show in November.

These are great events and give members an opportunity to get involved in the running of the show and to meet the breeders and some of the best alpacas in the UK. As the world begins to re-open post Covid-19, we will start to run more of these events.

This summer’s fleece show was very successful – keep an eye out on the BAS weekly newsletter, the usual social media outlets or www.wsag.org.uk for further information and results about all our shows.

Membership also provides discounted training course fees (some free), and free advice on welfare and keeping alpacas.

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From our acclaimed Camelibra, designed to provide the correct nutritional balance to maintain healthy digestion from natural forage/fibre based diets, our unique Hembra & Cria to maximise the growth and fibre development of the newborn from birth to post weaning and Fibregest, our high quality soluble fibre feed, we have the perfect answer for optimum nutrition whatever your situation.

In addition, no minimum order quantities, nationwide sales support and full nutritional backup all come as standard too. www.gwfnutrition.com

For further information, stockist details and to order, please visit gwfnutrition.com or call 01225 708482

LETTER FROM BELGIUM

Breeder and mill owner Gunther Willems, shares his passion for alpacas and their fibre. There is a growing demand for fibre but a big difference still exists between breeding for shows and breeding for fibre.

W

e are Gunther and Els Willems and we live in the Dutch part of Belgium. We started in 2012 with two pet alpacas for Els. We never had the intention to have a large herd, but as soon those two arrived Els got addicted. Two became more and more and a year later I had 20 alpacas running in my backyard.

At that point we started participating in shows. Our first show went quite well with a second and a third place. When a breeder says that he is participating in shows just for fun he is not a real breeder – you always try to go for first place.

You have fun with the other breeders, but the moment you get into the ring you want to win.

In 2016 I lost my job and told Els I wanted to have a sabbatical year to think over what I wanted to do. I was an IT-er and lost the feeling with it. So, a year later around Christmas I said more as a joke “we are going to start a mini mill.”

Els was over the moon, she started to make plans and saw her dream coming true.

So said, so done, as a few weeks later we went to Canada to learn about the machinery and at the end of 2017 our machines arrived and we started processing and training. With all the courses and BAS judge training, we had been on regarding alpacas we had a head start and our training went easier than expected. A few weeks later we were able to start processing for clients.

We kept on showing and 2018 was our best year so far. We took five alpacas with us and came home with four first places and a second place, three colour champions and one reserve champion in the colours grey, black and brown.

High quality fibre producer

The years go on and we notice that there is a change in interest and business over here. The wool federation isn’t supporting the breeders and the wool price

A prize winning, working alpaca farm in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the Chiltern Hills

is dropping. But the demand for wool is growing and more and more people are starting to see the advantages of alpaca fibre. We try to educate people about alpaca fibre and teach them how to select and breed alpacas to earn more profit.

It’s a pity that many breeders still don’t understand that they have a high quality wool producer running about in their field. We know a lot of breeders that look differently at alpacas – they are proud of their animal and the show results, they ask a very high price for such an outstanding alpaca, but once shorn they throw the fleece in the trash bin. There is still a big difference between breeding for shows and breeding for wool/fibre production.

We try to do our best for every client, sometimes we need to disappoint them, not every fleece is the same quality, you can transform it to different things, but sometimes not the thing that you want.

We’ve been running the mill now for a few years and last year we were rewarded with the Handmade in Belgium (HIB) label of UNIZO. The label is awarded to producers who make quality products on a small scale and meet strict quality requirements.

We are very proud of what we have achieved with our mill in such a small time. Also last year we received a once in a lifetime award for our farm – Sustainable Farmer of the Year 2020/21. This was a big surprise for us as you need to be selected and brought forward by someone else.

We are still trying to renew and improve our way of working. I hope that we can keep on growing with our mill and alpacas. My goal is to have a herd of about 70 alpacas – if we have enough fields for them.

I hope the remaining month of the year 2021 will pass quickly as it isn’t my best year; I have had a heart attack and an emergency surgery was needed, a few days later our carder in the mill broke down and was out of action for more than a week, a few months later I was so smart as to cut myself in the knee with a circular saw and needed to be stitched up and couldn’t walk for several days.

Next to all this we also started with our own label of alpaca yarn ‘Suzanne’, which is Els second name and the name of her godmother who lived where we have our mill. We went to a yarn/wool fair to ask other experienced small holders their thoughts on our yarn and where to improve or what the market was missing but we came home with orders as they were all thrilled about the quality and softness of our yarn.

We selected the shops who are allowed to sell our brand as it is a high quality yarn that does not fit in everywhere. This fall we plan to put together different crafts into one big project so exciting times ahead.

We are very grateful every day we can open our door and walk into the mill starting our passion for fibre with a view on the most amazing animals in our fields.

Photo: Charlotte Bull

FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS QUALITY ANIMALS FOR SALE STUD SERVICES PRE-ARRANGED VISITS WEDDINGS CRAFTING ALPACA PRODUCTS LOCATION THE CHILTERNS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE HP16 OEB SOUTH OF ENGLAND PHONE 07783 417618 MAIL info@lattonalpacas.co.uk WEB www.lattonalpacas.co.uk

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Alpacas for sale

A list of BAS members who are breeders and advertising their alpacas for sale

SOUTHERN ENGLAND

ALPACA EVOLUTION We are committed to the success of the British Alpaca industry and realising the potential and possibilities this offers. We are passionate about the Alpaca, and continuing to progress the quality of our herd of 700 plus alpacas, both Huacaya and Suri, without compromising our high standards in ensuring excellent herd welfare. Offering unrivalled experience and support to our clients, and helping them achieve success is core to our business ethos.

We offer a full range of alpacas for sale, stud males, breeding females and pets as well as learning opportunities for all levels of experience. We welcome visitors by appointment. Located in Buckinghamshire.

TEL: Nick 07979 651742 & Alexandra 07795 843790 EMAIL: enquiries@alpacaevolution.com WEB: www.alpacaevolution.com

ADVERTISE HERE

Your booking will include an online listing in the Alpacas for Sale section on the BAS website.

TEL: 01732 448748 EMAIL: Wendy.King@talkmediasales.co.uk

SOUTHERN ENGLAND

SCOTFIELD ALPACAS We are a family run farm in Warfield, Berkshire, breeding high quality Huacaya and Suri alpacas from show winning sires. We would like to welcome you to Scotlands Farm to see our wonderful herd of both white and coloured animals.

The PennyBridge Herd and Stud. One of the first alpaca farms set up in the South of England, still producing show winners from champion stock. Good quality starter herds, proven and potential stud males, stud services, fancy grazers and sheep guards available. Please phone to book a viewing with no obligation to purchase. ‘Home of The Alpaca Experience’ – visit our website for further info.

Situated in North Hampshire, close to the Surrey and Berkshire borders with good access to ports and airports, less than five minutes drive from both J5 and 6 of the M3.

TEL: 01256 764824 or 07801 132757 EMAIL: joy@pennybridgealpacas.co.uk WEB: www.pennybridgealpacas.co.uk

CENTRAL ENGLAND

SNOWSHILL ALPACAS

FAERIE TALE ALPACAS

Established in 2002 and situated on the North Cotswold hills close to the picturesque village of Snowshill, the current herd numbers over 300.

Faerie–Tale Alpacas is a small family run farm based in Kenilworth in Warwickshire J15 of M40. We focus on breeding sound, healthy, friendly, elite alpacas with gorgeous fleeces and top class genetics at very reasonable prices.

We breed both Huacaya and Suri alpacas (approximately 85% are Huacaya). Although our breeding programme is biased towards the darker colours, we do also have superb quality whites and beige alpacas.

We are happy to discuss your requirements, be it for pet males, stock guards, or breeding females to suit your budget but with no obligation to purchase. We have over ten years of experience with these adorable animals. Give us a call and let us see if we can help you.

Full range of alpacas for sale, attractive pets to top show quality breeding girls and stud boys. Large choice of stunning stud males available to service your girls. Also offering natural alpaca fabrics made in the UK from the fleece of our own herd.

TEL:

TEL: 01386 853841 or 07711 044106 EMAIL: snowshillalpacas@btinternet.com WEB: www.snowshillalpacas.com

Sue Hipkin 07770 455533 Lisa Hipkin 07770 455534 WEB: www.scotfieldalpacas.co.uk

PENNYBRIDGE ALPACAS

We know each alpaca and have most colours available from blue black to dazzling white. Whether you are new to alpacas or wish to expand your herd we have an alpaca to suit you! Prices to suit all budgets and with full after sales support given.

We offer: • Quality breeding stock • Starter herds • Stud services • 2 hour alpaca experiences • Alpacas for weddings and events • Luxury range of hand knitted alpaca garments and accessories using our own fleeces TEL: 07950 671672 FACEBOOK: Faerie Tale Alpacas EMAIL: info@faerietalealpacas.co.uk WEB: www.faerietalealpacas.co.uk

SOUTH EAST

LIGHTFOOT ALPACAS Lightfoot Alpacas are situated in Hawkhurst in the Weald of Kent. We have been breeding alpacas since 1997 and have over 250 Huacaya. Lightfoot is a closed herd, we believe that the bio security and health of our animals is paramount to their breeding and care. We have a range of colours and ages, mainly Huacaya and some Suris. Our animals are known for being friendly as we spend time with them and know them individually.

We provide after sales advice and back up services when we sell our animals. Whether you are looking to improve or expand your herd or just thinking of alpacas as pets, why not contact us to arrange a visit.

TEL: 07802 263589 WEB: www.alpacabreeder.co.uk EMAIL: graham@alpacabreeder.co.uk

ALPACA ANNIE Breeding quality, friendly alpacas on the Romney Marsh, we pride ourselves on the relationship we have with our animals and our high welfare standards.

Many of the herd have been halter trained and are great walking companions. We can help you find anything from a fleecy friend to a show winning fleece.

For new keepers we have well bonded starter herds available with a full support package including – training with our head herdsperson, home visits, shearing, ongoing phone/ face-to-face support and a ‘Home for Life’ guarantee as standard. So please come on down and meet the herd!

TEL: 01303 870527 EMAIL: office@alpacaannie.com WEB: www.alpacaannie.com

WEST MIDLANDS

ADVERTISE HERE

Your booking will include an online listing in the Alpacas for Sale section on the BAS website.

TEL: 01732 448748 EMAIL: Wendy.King@talkmediasales.co.uk

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TOFT ALPACAS Based in North East Warwickshire we offer over 120 pedigree alpacas in all colours, ages and price ranges. We run a number of prizewinning stud males and offer on farm and mobile mating services. We are confident that our prize winning herd will live up to all your alpaca expectations.

Shirley and I have been qualified BAS judges for a great number of years and have judged throughout the UK and Europe.

We run regular alpaca husbandry workshops every month throughout the year. We have been breeding alpacas for 25 years and are dedicated to sharing our extensive experience to guide you towards realising your own alpaca aspiration whatever that maybe. Please ring to book.

TEL: Shirley 07970 626245 / Rob 07973 123008 EMAIL: shirley@toftalpacastud.com / rob@toftalpacastud.com WEB: www.toftalpacastud.com

ADVERTISE HERE

Your booking will include an online listing in the Alpacas for Sale section on the BAS website.

TEL: 01732 448748 EMAIL: Wendy.King@talkmediasales.co.uk NORTH WEST

POTTERY ALPACAS

Pottery Alpacas are a family run farm located in Blackburn, Lancashire, we focus on breeding high quality animals from elite bloodlines. We have a wide range of alpacas for sale, with everything from Pet Quality males and females to Stud males and show quality stock. We offer first class support and advice with every purchase and are more than happy to discuss your requirements with no obligation. We are here to help you every step of the way on your alpaca journey!

TEL: 01254 419069 (Blackburn) MARK: 07540 115329 AMANDA: 07882 456084 EMAIL: mark@potteryalpacas.com WEB: www.potteryalpacas.com

Fibre Processors and Retailers RETAILERS/WHOLESALERS IN BRITISH ALPACA PRODUCTS

ANIMAL HEALTH

JG ANIMAL HEALTH High specification organic chealated nutritional supplements suitable for all camelids.

• Premier Camelid Drench • Premier Mineral Supplement • Premier Mineral Bucket • A, D3 & E Paste TEL: 07866 607466 EMAIL: jganimalhealth@aol.com WEB: www.jganimalhealth.co.uk

PROCESSORS OF FIBRE – MINI MILLS AND OTHER

CLASSIC CARDER Classic Carder produce a full range of British, handmade drum carders for fibre preparation. Featuring our unique interchangeable drum system which allows quick and easy drum change for carding different fibres.

TEL: 01746 714130

HOMESTEAD FARM SUPPLIES Everything you need for your alpacas delivered to your door! We are a one-stop-shop for alpaca supplies, including headcollars and leads, vitamins and nutritional supplements, healthcare and welfare supplies, colostrum, coats for cria and adults and microchipping equipment.

We also have a good selection for your other animals, including dogs, chickens and horses, as well as a range of farmhouse items and gifts, including our famous home cheese-making kits.

We are alpaca owners ourselves and we are always happy to help with your questions and enquiries.

Order direct from our website or by phone. You can expect fast, friendly service and advice.

TEL: 01295 713188 EMAIL: homesteadfarms@btinternet.com WEB: www.homesteadfarmsupplies.co.uk

M.R.HARNESS M.R.Harness was founded in 1995 after existing part time for a number of years. Mary herself is a qualified engineer and is well placed to assess materials and their useage.

Company policy is to test as many of the webbing designs as possible before release, as each item is unique to the animal it is designed for. This has led M.R.Harness to become the supplier of choice for headcollars, leads, coats and harness for all the various smallholding animals, but specialising in alpacas and llamas, and working ponies.

All items are hand crafted ‘in house’, in England, so you can be assured of good workmanship and quality products that last.

So please come and try the ‘Choice of Champions’.

TEL: 01299 896827 EMAIL: mary@mrharness.co.uk

EMAIL: paulbrittain@mac.com

BAS Members exclusive BAS Members get free membership to My Society and can benefit from a number of exclusive offers. Here are a few:

Medisave

The Professional Solution

25% OFF Terms and conditions apply

Discounted Prices on Microchips*

Terms and conditions apply

10% OFF

AGRI Shelter®

WEB: www.classiccarder.co.uk Terms and conditions apply

2 FREE worm counts worth £40 for NEW BAS members then 25% OFF Worm Counts after that*

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

Become a BAS member Single membership £74 per annum Joint membership £95 per annum Herd registration fee £25

www.bas-uk.com

5% OFF

ALL products Safe4disinfectant www.medisave.co.uk

www.ellipsefabrications.co.uk Terms and conditions apply

Wildwood Animal Health www.wildwoodanimalhealth.co.uk

Free bag of Camelibra NG2

Terms and conditions apply

Terms and conditions apply

(worth £28 & free delivery)

Checkout these and many other offers on The My Society page on the BAS website by going to the moving carousel on the home page and clicking on the My Society link www.bas-uk.com The British Alpaca Society cannot be held responsible for any issues regarding products, offers or services offered under the My Society scheme. All offers can be withdrawn or changed without notice. The British Alpaca Society does not endorse or recommend any of the companies listed under the My Society Scheme. * Full terms and conditions of the My Society offers can be seen on the BAS website.

www.bas-uk.com Alpaca #89

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EFFICIENT TEST SERVICE

After Wool Testing Authority Europe’s (WTAE) introduction in Alpaca’s May issue, and following informative feedback from their customer survey, WTAE is introducing an OFDA 2000 fleece testing service to the industry, writes managing director Courtney Pye.

W

TAE would like to launch their new OFDA 2000 fleece testing services.

We have been providing wool certification to the UK and European wool industry for almost 20 years and we have proven our technical excellence year after year through our accreditation to the technical standard ISO 17025 and UKAS regulation.

Investment into an OFDA 2000 now allows us to build on this technical excellence and knowledge, and to expand our impressive suite of testing equipment. WTAE now have the capability of measuring fibre diameter using OFDA 2000, OFDA 100, laserscan and airflow. There are not many

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facilities in the UK and Europe with such an extensive array of testing equipment and we are very proud of what we have achieved and the level of service we offer the natural fibre industry.

As much as OFDA 100 is a perfectly good method to measure fleece samples, it is only capable of testing samples with the grease removed. Consequently, the sample preparation is more involved. With OFDA 2000, the need for

grease removal is no longer required and so not only can WTAE offer a more efficient service to alpaca breeders, but we can also pass the cost savings onto them as well. It’s a “win win” situation for all.

These are exciting times here at WTAE. After the stresses and strains of the past 18 months it feels great to be looking to the future and building new relationships. OFDA 2000 testing is available now.

Please contact us for prices; info@wtaeurope.com. You can also visit our website: www.wtaeurope.com. Please note that OFDA 100 and laserscan testing is still available and we look forward to hearing from you.

WOOL TESTING AUTHORITY EUROPE

FLEECE TESTING SERVICES OFDA 2000 TESTING NOW AVAILABLE

CONTACT US NOW FOR PRICES E: info@wtaeurope.com T: 01286 678097 ✔ OFDA 2000 ✔ OFDA 100 ✔ Colour Testing

✔ Laserscan ✔ VM Determination

www.wtaeurope.com