Alpaca Summer 2020

Alpaca British Alpaca Society quarterly magazine

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

www.bas-uk.com

KELSEYmedia

FEBRUARY 20202020£2.95 SUMMER £5.99

KELSEYmedia

ISSUE 80 | SUMMER 2020

£

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

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CONTENTS

Fibre reminder Livestock worrying “Almost catastrophic”

Alpaca editor Liz Mason talks to owners about the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on trekking businesses.

32 Heatwave husbandry

Camelid specialist Ami Sawran, Westpoint Farm Vets takes a look at five important shearing time tasks to keep alpacas healthy through the summer months..

EDITORIAL Editor: Liz Mason alpaca.ed@kelsey.co.uk Studio Manager: Jo Legg jo.legg@kelsey.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT SALES Wendy King 01233 555735 wendy@tandemmedia.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION Tandem Media Ltd Ad Production Manager: Andy Welch Alpaca@tandemmedia.co.uk 01233 220245

14 Why can’t our alpacas be furloughed?

Carla Cortesi outlines the financial and emotional impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on businesses like Urcuchillay Alpacas.

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34 Guide to fibre terms 36 Calming and creative fibre craft

Alpaca fibre from the Ling’s Meadow herd in Norfolk is used to crochet garments for customers.

18 Lockdown learning

Dr Michelle Dunniece, Mourne Alpacas, explains how Covid-19 restrictions led her to create a world first in webinar learning.

20 Zoom parties reunite families

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38 A head start

Stepping out in a stylish felt Fedora or Trilby made from your own alpaca fibre can take just a few hours.

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22 Breeding elite alpacas

43 A letter from Holland 44 Living life to the full

Ken Hibbits, Alpaca Owners Association certified judge reflects on some key advice for breeders in this second part of our exclusive question and answer interview.

28 Selecting a stud male

BAS judge and breeder Rob Bettinson offers expert advice on choosing a stud male to improve your offspring in the second of an essential two part guide.

46 Cria gallery

Winners of the first Cria Gallery.

Cover photo: Mullacott Alpacas: Perdy with her cria Mullacott Appaloosa Angel

Alpaca Summer 2020

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FROM THE EDITOR

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

elcome to our Summer issue. I hope you enjoy this issue of Alpaca. This is not our usual Summer magazine – in normal years our Summer issue includes several pages of regional BAS show reports.

But this Summer the magazine reflects the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on the alpaca community.

We include reports from owners with trekking and therapy businesses that have been devastated by the lockdown. It almost goes without saying that Covid-19 has had a severe impact on owners with trekking and therapy businesses and we will be looking at the way forward as lockdown eases in future issues.

Thank you to Doug Steen from Teesdale Alpacas, BAS board member Neil Payne from West Wight Alpacas and Carla Cortesi, Urcuchillay Alpacas for their contributions setting out the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on their businesses.

We also include several online initiatives, launched by owners during lockdown, who have used internet meeting platforms, including Zoom to extend their businesses. At Bowbridge Alpacas

in Scotland online Zoom parties with alpacas have been a huge hit. Dr Michelle Dunniece from Mourne Alpacas in County Down also tells us about her own groundbreaking webinar launched as a learning tool for the alpaca community worldwide and she also explains her exciting future plans.

Our diarist, who has spent lockdown in self-isolation, describes how lockdown life out in the sticks with alpacas has been a joy – especially as spring unfolds and birthing begins. Messages from other owners have also shown that you are not alone as real friends are made in the alpaca community.

Some owners have been busy crafting and have found it to be calming and therapeutic as Katherine Shearer from Ling’s Meadow explains. If you do have a spare couple of hours Mike Birch provides a detailed guide to making a stylish Trilby or Fedora from your own fibre and the end result is stunning.

BAS Alpaca judge Liz Barlow offers a straightfoward guide to alpaca fibre terms which can seem technical but are well worth taking the time to understand to ensure your alpacas produce quality fibre.

We also have Part Two of our expert guides to breeding from BAS judge Rob Bettinson who looks

at selecting a stud male and US judge Ken Hibbits looks at how to breed elite alpacas. Thank you to all our contributors for sharing their experience. I hope you find the magazine entertaining and informative.

› Liz Mason

CEO NOTES...

A

Duncan Pullar

lpacas in the UK are riding a wave of interest and popularity that is very encouraging for members of the British Alpaca Society (BAS). For reasons that are not always easy to understand the British media love alpacas and we have had good exposure on National TV and Radio as well as local programmes.

One factor that is identifiable is the frequent appearance of alpacas on a TV programme that documents the daily lives of a Yorkshire Vet Practice. But we have had features on Breakfast TV and Judge Robert Rinder as well.

The BAS aims to support its members through providing information and advice that encourages alpaca wellbeing, alpacas as a “lifestyle” choice and alpacas for personal and business opportunities. Membership continues to grow, in 2020 we have 1800 voting members. In 2010 it was 1300. Live animals on the registry are currently 43,000 compared to 33,000 10 years ago.

BAS is passionate about all things alpaca, and within the UK helps to ensure the wellbeing of the animals its members love, as well as celebrating and promoting them to members and the general public to ensure they have a bright and long lasting future in the UK.

Become a BAS member www.bas-uk.com

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Alpaca Summer 2020

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

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FIBRE REMINDER

S

hearing season is in full swing despite lockdown and the annual fibre harvest is underway, writes BAS board member Emma Taylor from East Anglia Alpaca Mill.

It is hugely beneficial to skirt fleeces as they come off your animals at the time of shearing. This saves time later and avoids coarse/ fine fibre contamination. At the very least you need to separate your blanket fibre, which is your best fibre, from neck and leg fibre.

Weighing your fibre and recording your results gives a good indication of your fibre production capabilities but you must bear in mind that a heavy weight fleece is not necessarily a fine fleece.

There is a use for all alpaca fibre but not all alpaca fibre is equal; not all is beautiful fibre – be realistic about what you have. The cost of producing yarn and products is the same whether you use good quality or poor quality fibre but your end products will be very different both in terms of quality and the price you can charge for them. Only best quality, uniform fibre can produce ‘luxury’ goods and command premium prices.

It is not always the case that fibre from one animal from several years shearings’ can be combined. Fleeces are matched for no more than a three micron difference and no more than 20mm difference in staple length.

Where necessary you can store fleeces either in individual paper or plastic sacks or in a sealed vacuum bag. I would caveat that by saying that vacuum bags are not recommended for fleeces you intend to show but are fine for all other fleeces and all grades.

Do not store your fibre where vermin, moths, flies and other animals can access it or in damp conditions. This is your harvest, your alpacas have grown it over the last 12 or so months, you have paid for their care, nurtured them and this is their reward to you.

Irrespective of why you keep alpacas all alpacas produce fibre and all of it is usable for something You may not give a hoot that fibre is the primary reason that alpacas are bred and kept (and that is totally fine) however your fibre still has a value to someone somewhere. Look after it even if you are not going to use it yourself.

We really do not have sufficient best quality white fibre available in the UK – nor the number of alpacas to produce it and need to consider ways to improve quality and yield. The BAS, with others, can provide education and tools to help you, but cannot build an industry for you, rather with you.

Have a great summer despite the restrictions!

Training in Alpaca Husbandry from BAS affiliates Sign up for some training by going to the BAS website: www.bas-uk.com/education-welfare Course offered by affiliates across the UK as full day courses.

Module 1: Module 2: Module 3: Module 4:

Module 5:

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Catching your alpaca Fitting a head collar Halter training Feeding and basic management Vaccination, worming and supplements

Alpaca Summer 2020

Module 6: Module 7: Module 8: Module 9: Module 10: Module 11:

Alpaca breeding Alpaca mating Birthing Shearing What do to with fleece Marketing your alpaca business

TROPHY FOR WELFARE C ongratulations to Doug Steen who has been awarded the 2020 Benevides Trophy by the British Camelid Board for his services to alpaca and llama welfare.

Doug, from Teesdale Alpacas in County Durham stepped down from the BAS board in 2019. He worked as a BAS board member to promote alpaca welfare and also dealt with individual welfare cases with BAS and the RSPCA. Doug also launched the BAS “Keep Dogs On A Lead” initiative which saw warning signs sent to all BAS members in Alpaca magazine. British Llama Society (BLS) members also received the signs. The warning signs followed a BAS survey led by Doug to identify the impact of dog attacks on BAS members. Its findings were sent to MPs and police chiefs investigating livestock worrying and helped to highlight the devastating impact of dog attacks on camelid owners.

Doug also works with DEFRA on the ongoing issue of TB in camelids. Duncan Pullar, BAS CEO said: “His tireless work and good humour has enabled a huge amount of good camelid welfare work to be done. Congratulations Doug.”

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LIVESTOCK WORRYING Pet owners face prison for dog attacks

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eckless pet owners face up to six months in prison for dog attacks on alpacas, llamas and other farm animals under plans for tougher livestock worrying rules in Scotland.

A potential prison sentence for offenders is included in a private member’s bill formally introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Emma Harper.

The bill will tighten livestock worrying rules and introduce tougher penalties when a dog chases, attacks or kills farmed animals, including alpacas and llamas.

The move has been welcomed by the Scottish NFU who called the bill “a vital stepping stone in the fight to reduce this blight on the countryside”. Scottish alpaca group members also lobbied MPs for a change in worrying law to include alpacas in the definition of livestock.

Ms Harper’s bill will give courts the powers to increase the maximum penalty for livestock worrying to a £5000 fine or imprisonment for up to six months. The current penalty limit for livestock worrying is £1,000. It extends the definition of livestock to include alpacas, llamas and ostriches, reflecting what Ms Harper said is “a more up to date list of animals farmed in Scotland”.

Commenting on the Bill, Emma Harper MSP said: “I am pleased – after almost two years of rigorous consultation, stakeholder engagement and a drafting process - that I have now formally introduced my Bill to the Scottish Parliament where it will shortly proceed to the three stage legislative process before hopefully becoming law in Scotland.

She said: “As well as the legalities of the Bill, I want it to be the catalyst for educating the public about the importance of having their dog under control

when near livestock and for people to understand the severity of livestock being chased, attacked and killed. The consequences of the offence can be both emotionally and financially detrimental to farmers and it is only right that the penalties of the crime reflect this.”

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill follows a Scottish police campaign launched in the wake of an increasing number of dog attacks on livestock. Police leaders also highlighted a loophole in the current law which meant alpacas and llamas were not included in the definition of livestock.

Ms Harper said she introduced her bill because current livestock worrying law, introduced in 1953, it is out of date and isn’t working effectively. She hopes tougher rules will encourage people to keep dogs under control, and where attacks happen make it easier for police to investigate them and punish those responsible.

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick welcomed the bill and called for further powers to ensure full compensation for dog attack victims. “Current penalty levels and associated legislation have not presented enough of a deterrent to prevent reckless dog owners from allowing their dogs to carry out livestock attacks,” he said.

“We also urge politicians to consider further strengthening of the proposals.

Looking ahead, we want Scottish Government to introduce further powers to ensure that victims of livestock worrying can receive full compensation for their actual losses. Given the impact that such attacks can have on livestock businesses, we think that full compensation is wholly appropriate.”

Dog worrying law needs updating

A

lpacas in Scotland are set to be classed as livestock under plans to tighten dog worrying law. The proposal, included in a private member’s bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Emma Harper (MSP) after consultation has widespread support and is expected to become law.

But alpacas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will still not be included in the definition of livestock under the existing Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

This issue was highlighted by police chiefs in 2018 in the final report of the Livestock Worrying Police Working Group. “The existing definition of “livestock” is outdated and doesn’t include modern farming livestock types. Missing animal types from the legislation include llama, alpaca, emu and

8

Alpaca Summer 2020

ostrich. Consultation with key stakeholders should be considered to develop a definition that is fit for the future,” the report said.

There has been no movement from the Home Office since then. Dog attacks continue to be “a blight on the countryside” as the Scottish NFU said.

Most alpaca owners know someone whose alpacas have been attacked – alpacas have been killed, injured left maimed and miscarried but existing dog worrying law remains unfit for purpose.

The current Act does nothing to stop owners from allowing their dogs to cause havoc and it does not include alpacas as livestock which means police cannot bring charges against reckless pet owners.

The police working group’s report called for increased police powers to investigate incidents, tougher penalties for offenders and “suitable

compensation” for livestock owners – so far, no government response.

But Emma Harper’s bill means Scotland is set to move forward and introduce its own tighter rules that will recognise alpacas, and llamas, as livestock.

But where does that leave alpacas in the rest of the UK? Surely, they need similar protection?

A change in the law in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is urgently needed and as Scottish law is being updated this is a good time to write to MPs urging them to back a UK wide update to the law.

It may be that the impact of Covid-19 is high on their agenda but it is at least worth an email. Do let us know if you have a response – maybe someone can find a MP like Emma Harper who is prepared to act to tackle reckless dog owners and protect alpacas throughout the UK.

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WELSH LLAMA IS A LOCKDOWN LEGEND

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llama called Max is a media celebrity after delivering food to residents in a remote Welsh valley during lockdown.

Max, from Pembrokeshire Llamas in Llandissilio, normally takes visitors on treks several times a week. But during lockdown he carried food to residents self -isolating in their remote valley homes. The deliveries delighted people otherwise stuck at home and allowed Max to continue his trekking training and keep occupied.

Max’s owner Matt Yorke, who set up Pembrokeshire Llamas with his fiancé Alex Blackford, posted a video of Max making the deliveries on the herd’s Facebook page. Max’s deliveries have since featured on BBC, ITV and in other national and international press. Max and Matt also appeared on ITV’s This Morning show which was reported in the Sun newspaper.

10 Alpaca Summer 2020

Matt came up with the idea of deliveries by llama after offering to deliver essential food to his neighbours. But some remote homes can be difficult to reach by car and llama delivery “makes an excellent eco-friendly alternative”.

Feedback from residents has been “extremely positive”, Matt said. “Everyone says it is a huge improvement on traditional food shopping”. It is also good exercise and great fun.

Matt is the Llama Rehoming Coordinator for the British Llama Society, and finds homes for llamas whose owners can no longer care for them. Matt and Alex are planning to set up a llama sanctuary to rehome llamas in need and have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help the Llama Sanctuary of Great Britain – see their JustGiving page (www.justgiving.com/llama or Pembrokeshire Llama’s Facebook page).

“ALMOST CATASTROPHIC” Alpaca editor Liz Mason talks to owners about the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on trekking businesses. In the next issue we will take a look at the way forward as lockdown eases.

A

lpaca trekking, open farms and therapy businesses across the country have seen their incomes wiped out as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Facing a summer season without income some owners fear their businesses will not survive the lockdown. Some are turning to online crowdfunding schemes to raise money to pay feed and vet bills because they do not qualify for government support or want to go into debt by accessing loans.

BAS board member Neil Payne, who owns and manages West Wight Alpacas and Llamas with wife Michelle described the impact of coronavirus on trekking businesses as “almost catastrophic”.

His business includes an open farm, café, shop, walks and award winning Suri alpaca and llama breeding herds on the Isle of Wight. The farm is not business rated but the café and shop are rated and as a result it qualifies for a £10,000 government grant.

But the lockdown could not have come at a worse time for businesses like West Wight that rely on holiday visitors for their income, he said.

12 Alpaca Summer 2020

In 2019 more than 2,200 people took part in walks during the summer months alone with a walking team of more than thirty alpacas and llamas. Another 2000 people took part in walks at West Wight over the rest of the year.

“As a business we earn our money over the summer months. We are on a holiday island and our main business is holiday makers. We hold our breath through the winter months and we have always taken the view that we keep our best staff employed.

“Normally we get to Easter which is our busiest month and the business takes off again through the new season.

“But this is beyond anything you could think would happen. We haven’t just taken a hit we’ve taken a huge hit – it’s almost catastrophic,” Neil said.

“If we don’t get a summer season we won’t be opening again as we are doing currently.”

West Wight Alpacas was never started as a business to make a lot of money – it was more a lifestyle. But the Covid-19 pandemic has been that destructive it may not reopen in its current form, Neil said.

Former BAS board member Doug Steen, who co-wrote a code of conduct for trekking businesses with Neil, also fears businesses who rely on income from walks or treks may not survive the summer shutdown.

He has written to local MP Dehenna Davison warning her that many businesses, including his own, could “cease trading unless something is done to help”.

“This couldn’t have happened at a worse time for our business,” Doug said.

“The first three months of the year were rubbish – we couldn’t do anything because of the torrential rain. Then as soon as the weather picked up we were in lockdown which stopped our business in its tracks.

“We should have been getting on with the treks at that time but we couldn’t.

And there are a lot of people as well as us who will have been banking on the income from trekking.”

Doug told Ms Davison that his business failed to qualify for any government help because most of the income made from trekking goes back into the business to pay for feed, vets bills and general maintenance.

“We haven't been assessed for business rates and have barely made a real profit over the last three years so there seems to be little to nothing to help us through this unfortunate situation. Are we that unique? I imagine there will be quite a few rural businesses with livestock in a similar predicament,” he said in his letter to Ms Davison.

The reply, from her office manager, set out the government’s range of support schemes. It also highlighted the government’s move to widen access to universal credit for self-employed workers.

But Doug who keeps 65 alpacas at Teesdale Alpacas in County Durham does not qualify for universal credit. And as his letter explained the business is not eligible for any other government support or grant. His insurance company is not paying any compensation but he has been offered a reduction in his premium of about £100.

Many business owners are getting together in an attempt to persuade some insurance companies to pay compensation. “They thought their business insurance covered pandemics. By getting together they may have some chance but on an individual basis there is no chance,” Doug said.

Like other owners Doug is looking to alpaca sales to bring in income. Selfemployed business owners were able to travel during the lockdown and Doug has confirmation from his local council that he can travel to sell animals and inspect potential new homes. Fibre product sales are another option to earn revenue and

Doug is considering a crowdfunding scheme giving customers special offers.

The government has outlined its roadmap to easing lockdown with the tourism sector due to begin reopening from July. But uncertainty remains over working practices to ensure businesses are Covid-19 safe.

Doug is a member of the National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) and its members have been discussing ideas. “The general consensus is that there will not be a return to any semblance of normality this year,” Doug said.

Suggestions for reopening include restricting visitor numbers to allow for social distancing and limiting treks to members of the same household. But this still leaves concern over possible contact between owners and different trekking groups; social distancing may be difficult to maintain in practice and business income will inevitably fall as a result of any restriction in visitor numbers.

But if they can survive through the summer and on through the winter months outdoor leisure businesses may yet come through the crisis because there will be future opportunities, said Neil Payne.

“I’ve not given up. If we do get going in July and we get half a season and we can keep going through the winter we may have half a chance.

“When this (pandemic) is over people won’t want to travel on aeroplanes. The staycation and holiday at home are going to be much bigger. Flights are going to be more expensive, more difficult and more frightening as airlines are saying they can’t do anything about viruses in the air circulation system.

“The same applies to cruises. People will want do things but they won’t want to put themselves at risk.

“This means there will be a big boost for people running tourist businesses in the UK and I think if we can just get through it there will be opportunities.”

Alpaca Summer 2020

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WHY CAN’T OUR ALPACAS BE FURLOUGHED?

Carla Cortesi, outlines the financial and emotional impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on businesses like Urcuchillay Alpacas in Somerset which she shares with her husband Andre Shaw.

U

nfortunately our alpacas did not qualify for the Government’s Furlough Scheme which we cannot understand. They have their own housing, land, and jobs. Why can’t Urcuchillay Jessica become Jessica Urcuchillay and be paid 80% of her wages? Just 80% would have saved us, her bosses, many hours of worry and many sleepless nights.

Let’s face it, she’s a single mum, she has a youngster to care for, is pregnant again and now she’s lost her job. She needs maintenance to her housing, she has her haircut to pay for as well as her pedicure and dental work. She must have vitamin injections, minerals and health products, as well as high quality food and lots of it – a girl in her condition cannot diet. Then there are medical bills for any pregnancy or birth complications and her on call gynaecologist – the list goes on! These girls are not what we would call low maintenance.

Like many alpacas across the world, Jessica and her friends are kept in a lifestyle to which they have

14 Alpaca Summer 2020

become very accustomed, But they do have to work for that lovely lifestyle. Granted they don’t work terribly hard, nor do they work many days of the year, however their earnings for the days they do work are used towards their upkeep.

So, what has happened to their ability to generate an income that contributes to these costs? Well, some had weddings to attend that were cancelled; they were all geared up for peak trekking season which didn’t happen and they have had their regular therapy sessions with clients cancelled.

As well as not taking bookings during this time, pre-paid events have been refunded which has been extraordinarily difficult financially. Although

we managed to get some savings together, issuing refunds was not in the budget and those savings vanished pretty quickly, as many with livestock will understand.

Added to that many of us have missed some very lucrative market stalls and shows where we attempt to recover costs on products we have already paid for and where those takings would have contributed towards the herds’ upkeep. We also would have taken some of them to agricultural shows by now which is where sales and matings are often secured, as well as adding value to our herd by achieving rosettes and sashes.

Continued on the next page >>

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Alpaca Summer 2020

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While there have been many benefits to lockdown on a farm, and not for a minute do I think we have it as hard as many people, that doesn’t mean it has been without its challenges. To an outsider looking in it appears bliss – we are not cooped up inside and we are not bored that’s for sure. But for all the moments of magic our alpacas have provided us with during lockdown we can match each of those with moments of stress, anxiety and worry. <<

Counting the cost

Here is the crux of the problem: their outgoings have not reduced and, where we can adapt our own outgoings to try to make the recent situation manageable, alpacas cannot. In fact, contrary to costs reducing during this time, their costs have gone up. This is because it is birthing season so there are unforeseen costs during this period, added to this is having to buy products online at increased prices instead of at our local store. Equally I know many people who have had to pay vets to do husbandry work because they have no staff or volunteers to help them. A fully qualified vet is a lot more expensive than a volunteer!.

So, could any of these costs be reduced that would not be detrimental to the welfare of the alpaca? Vets, shearing, feed, health products, birth costs? In my opinion no they couldn’t.

As well trekking, many of our alpacas generate income through their therapy work with our regular clients and that has gone too. Sadly, that may be gone for quite some time because those who benefit are now in the medically “at risk” group and may not be able to see the alpacas for many months, if at all.

While this is another big financial loss, there is also an emotional, human cost too. We are under no illusions that it is not us these people are missing, but the animals themselves and the benefits that come with working with such lovely natured animals. For those who visit the alpaca sites it’s the physical work of caring for them, the benefits of the open space and the comfort they get from the animals themselves which is now gone from their lives.

I have had messages from people in tears because they miss the animals so much. For those in dementia and elderly care who have the alpacas come to them our visits were a highlight, something to really look forward to, but that has gone and may not return in their lifetime. Never underestimate the power of wellbeing an animal can bring to a vulnerable person so for some this loss is indescribable.

16 Alpaca Summer 2020

Government support gaps

So, what went wrong with the government schemes? Ministers gave daily updates telling us how they were helping businesses and it sounded great. But the reality is that many of us have fallen through the gaps in these schemes and received no financial support whatsoever.

• First there was the Furloughing Scheme where the government will pay all of your staff 80% of their wages. Excellent scheme for those who have staff, which many of us don’t. Equally even if we did have staff, that ensures they are supported and rightly so, but what about the business owner?

• This was followed by the CBILs (Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme) where only 1.5% of businesses who applied for support actually qualified.

• Then there was the offer to pay the self-employed 80% of their profits. Brilliant – if you made a profit that is! So what exactly is profit? Profit is the revenue remaining after all costs are paid. In my limited accounting world profit is spending money – but who pays the alpacas’ overheads? Perhaps a scheme where 80% of takings were covered, capped at £2,500/month would have been better.

• At some point there were the Small Business Grants for those who pay Business Rates – again not us.

• Following this the government introduced the BBL (Bounce Back Loan) with “No repayments needed for one year”. That again is great but with low income this year, escalating costs, reduced outside matings and shows, difficulty running on farm matings without staff, volunteers and helpers as well as trying to “home school” our children in anything other than Biology it’s likely cria numbers will be low next year, so the thought of taking on a loan is not the answer for some.

Finally, there is a new government grant scheme for all of those who didn’t qualify for any of the above, who didn’t make a profit, who don’t pay business rates etc. Well on the first day I found myself staring at a spinning icon on my computer willing it to move and on the second day it moved to “Sorry, this is taking a little longer than normal ...”.

So that’s us really! And when I say us I don’t just mean Urcuchillay Alpacas – I mean all of us in similar situations. Nothing changed for us here. It was business as usual – oh except without any business!

oak view alpacas

Garry and Andrea Naish, Wickwar, South Glos.

Tel: 01454-227124 Mob. 07785-116211 Small selection of alpacas for sale, full backup given to clients, including pre-movement TB test.

Call for details

Scotfield www.ScotfieldAlpaca.co.uk

Family run Berkshire farm breeding high quality Suri and Huacaya alpacas Alpacas sold, with full after-sales support and husbandry training

Breeding happy, healthy, quality alpacas…

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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 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.

Visit our online shop for hats, gloves & scarves, designed and made right here on our farm.

Totally natural, hypo-allergenic , no dyes, no blends purely 100% alpaca yarn.

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Scotlands Farm, Warfield, Berkshire RG42 6AJ Alpaca Summer 2020

17

LOCKDOWN LEARNING

Dr Michelle Dunniece, Mourne Alpacas, explains how Covid-19 restrictions led her to create a world first in webinar learning and she shares her future plans for learning and research. › First cria of 2020 –

Mourne Independance

I

t was shaping up to be a normal manic Spring for us all here at Mourne Alpacas in County Down. Plans for an alpaca research conference were in early stages, mixed with preparations for the four day Balmoral Show that we exhibit at every year, together with four teenagers (very) slowly warming up to sit AS, GCSE and other exams. Add to the mix two day jobs, and a recently added wolfhound pup getting bigger and bolder, we thought we were in our normal version of family and farm mayhem. No one knew what monumental changes lay ahead.

We have been very fortunate to enjoy alpacas in large numbers in our lives for many years now, and have reared four children into teenage years surrounded by crias, football playing stud boys, and lots of females permanently in various stages of pregnancy or cria care. It is all hands on here on the farm for the six of us, with the usual husbandry, peppered in strong doses at all times with my passion for research and learning, informing our decision making processes and plans for farm growth and diversification.

When we started, we had no avenues for support at home, so I wrote personally to any registered alpaca owners identified to me by the BAS, and I founded the regional group of the BAS here in Northern Ireland. I completed a foundation stage BAS judges’ course, a parasitology, a handling and husbandry and a neonates course and attended the BVCS Camelid Vets conference to learn all I could. Research has always come before action in my life!

Our first group of pregnant females with cria at foot arrived from Houghton Hall Alpacas, with Mick and Liz George guiding us in our early years and becoming true family friends in the process. As we grew in alpaca numbers, we started to sell some, a significant step for us to take. From the first alpacas that we sold, we have been very conscious of the importance of supporting our new owners with training to give them a sense of confidence as they begin their alpaca journey.

Every new owner has become a member of our Mourne Alpacas Club, through which they are offered free (now BAS affiliate) training courses by us, in order that

18 Alpaca Summer 2020

› Mourne Ginger Chaos daughter

they feel supported and we can be assured we have done our best to secure great homes for our alpacas.

Coupled with the development of our Club, and mirroring the work in my third sector day job, we linked the opportunity to use the ownership of alpacas and the good will of our club members, and created a Mourne Alpacas fundraiser partner with the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, chosen by our children for personal family reasons, and as a focus for benefit from our alpaca family activities. We are very proud of the latest handover, at £4,400. More work to be done here as we are very concerned at the lack of opportunity for fundraising during lockdown for many worthy charities.

The need for training, developed from research and experience based content, continues to drive the design and delivery of our activities, never more so in the face of increased dependence on social media sources as a ‘go to’ place for advice and information. A concern, amplified in lockdown, is that many rely heavily on these sources and perhaps may not be receiving more than personal opinions, unfortunately broadcast as fact. As a researcher by profession, this is a very worrying development.

Webinar series one goes live

On March 13, my work went into lockdown, and everything ground to a halt.

Most of the very talented people I have the privilege of researching and creating with daily were the first to go into lockdown, due to the nature of their different abilities and physical conditions. We here at home ‘locked’ the farm gates, and like everyone else, held our breath.

With long days, and lots of training cancelled, a new route to learning to replace our conference was needed. Desk-based research moved to the phone, and long conversations with camelid professionals of varied backgrounds ensued.

Programming skills were homed, and PR and marketing plans were set in place.

With no idea if we would even be able to interest, never mind secure an audience, we chatted, budgeted, planned, and created a schedule of webinars

 24 June

 1 July

 8 July

Nick Harrington Smith: Evolution Alpacas, UK Every individual has a different idea as to what constitutes herd improvement and how quickly they seek to achieve that. Firstly though we need to understand what the objective is and to do this we must recognise what the ultimate goal is. In this presentation we will look at the various market drivers and how they fit with personal objectives.

Dr Ami Sawran: Westpoint Veterinary, UK In this webinar, Ami will discuss five common scenarios that usually lead to veterinary intervention.

This presentation will emphasise when veterinary advice should be sought, and how best to prepare for a vet visit; from noting important signs in your animals and delivering the history, to how to facilitate safe veterinary exam and treatment.

Victoria Barrett: Camelid Dynamics UK This webinar is aimed at alpaca and llama owners who have an interest in working with their animals in Animal Assisted Interventions. As public awareness of the benefits of animal-assisted interventions increases this presentation will give an insight into what is required to ensure a consistent, responsible and safe approach to these interventions.

What drives improvement?

Looking at different methods for achieving and measuring herd improvement.

Call the vet – Five common alpaca callouts and how to handle them.

originally as one per month. When lockdown became a reality across the globe, we shifted to fifth gear, added more subjects, balancing veterinary sessions with more eclectic and narrative subjects, and we had a 10-week programme on our hands. We settled on 8pm BST weekly as go-live, and, well, the rest is, quite literally – history!

Our choice of platform, our bombardment of Facebook groups (for which we still say thanks for your patience) and the absolute hunger of alpaca owners, old and new, across the globe, has allowed us to make history. Here in Mourne Alpacas, at the foot of the beautiful Slieve Croob mountain in Co. Down, we have broadcast live, weekly to four continents. Audiences have engaged on subjects about birthing, cria care, lifestyle options, handling and camelid training, fibre processing and breeding, therapeutic applications, and parasites – a whirlwind of alpaca topics. The first series has proved hugely interesting to many diverse audiences from the island of Ireland, to the British Isles, Washington State, Tennessee, western seaboard of the US, Canada, South Africa, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and even Peru! We want to say a huge thank you to all the presenters in this first series, who took a step into the untested virtual world of weekly alpaca training live broadcasting with us!

A new Alpaca Academy™

We are even more hungry to learn and add evidenced research to our training activities. We have many research threads ongoing because of the contacts we have made, before and during this webinar series.

We are delighted to be in conversation with the Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF) in the US, and are hosting a webinar to highlight the critical research that this not-for-profit carries out to inform alpaca health and welfare. Proceeds from the webinar will be driven directly to the Foundation to support their on-going work, which we hope to interact with on many levels.

Whether we are aware or not, in life, many decisions made on our behalf are determined on risk versus benefits. Our cars, our flights, our medicines – all are risk based decisions, in design, in delivery and in impact. It seems logical that our learning, training and decisions about our breeding, husbandry and use of our alpacas should also be risk based and evidence driven. Research in all

ALPACA

PODS

In therapy – Working with alpacas and llamas in animal assisted interventions.

forms (qualitative, field based, primary and secondary, interviews, surveys, and observational), all harvested from owners, breeders, vets, fibre producers etc, can be collated, evaluated and then provide us with proof, indeed in research terms, a single source of truth (SSOT), available as a resource for all.

To that end, we here at Mourne Alpacas are launching our Alpaca Academy™.

We have been in the planning stages for some time and have been able to use the experience of our first webinar series to proof some of our concepts. Our Alpaca Academy™ will operate as a research entity on one side, feeding the creation of training and resources on the other, thereby facilitating and supporting best practice. We are also active in planning with certified training bodies to select the suitable body and create a recognised qualification in alpaca husbandry and welfare.

We have much to plan, and conversations to be had in terms of engagement with the alpaca community who are the primary information source. Membership models are being considered, as we at Mourne Alpacas cannot and should not be driving this alone. This is not a corporate, this is a breeder who, as a professional researcher by day and an alpaca addict by day and night, is putting out a call to aim to create research projects, with data collection by many methods, to correlate, then inform.

We believe our alpaca circle for learning can professionalise much of what we all need to know and update regularly. From our best practice and research inputs, training outputs can be made available in a library of online resources, video sessions and formats yet to be discovered to disseminate learning, and further feed the circle.

This circle, equalising best practice with research and training, can only operate with the vested interests of the best resource we have – ourselves, locally, nationally, and internationally, as the dedicated passionate alpaca community worldwide. Join the conversation!

 michelle@mournealpacas.com facebook-f @mournealpacas  www.mournealpacas.com

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Alpaca Summer 2020

19

ZOOM PARTIES REUNITE FAMILIES

A

lpacas on a Scottish farm are making new friends around the world after their owner Alison Johnston began offering Zoom alpaca parties, writes Alpaca editor Liz Mason.

The party packages, which allow people to meet the Bowbridge Alpacas online, were started to raise money and keep the alpacas entertained after the farm’s alpaca experiences were stopped following lockdown.

The party package attracted national media attention after they were featured on Channel 4’s The Steph Show. Reports appeared in The Telegraph and The Guardian and Alison was interviewed live on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine Show. Star of the show was a two-day old cria called Ethan, looking especially cute in a pink jacket alongside a proud first-time mum Emilie.

The cria, the first of about 18 expected on the farm this year, reduced a little girl to tears when she saw the baby alpaca during her Zoom party.

Pet boys including Denzel and Reginald have also taken part in the 30-minute Zoom parties and business meetings. The alpacas wandering the paddocks on their farm in Fife have been “zoomed” online onto screens in Australia, the US, Russia, Belgium, Switzerland as well as the UK and interest in the popular parties shows no sign of slowing.

“We are quite overwhelmed by the response,” Alison told Alpaca magazine.”

I never thought the Zoom parties would take off like they have done. It has just been amazing. “ Alison is planning to continue the Zoom parties after lockdown has eased. She has enjoyed seeing people’s reactions to the alpacas and is pleased the Zoom parties can reunite families who may be in different parts of the country or on opposite sides of the world. One surprise party with the alpacas took place with a mother and daughter in England and an aunt in Hong Kong. The daughter had no idea Alison was going to make an appearance and her positive response was a real joy for everyone.

“It was a great way for the family to get together and do something nice to

20 Alpaca Summer 2020

celebrate,” Alison said.

The Zoom party packages were launched on Bowbridge Alpacas’ Facebook page and website after Alison took part in Zoom church services and ballet lessons. She thought the online meeting space would work with the alpacas and bring in income after the alpaca experiences stopped following lockdown.

Her daughter Sarah was particularly keen for the family to raise money to buy stand on scales after she attended a vet course. The scales, which have now been bought with Zoom party funds, allow the family to weigh mothers and their cria with minimal stress allowing them to keep an eye on any potential health issues.

Alison uses her mobile camera to film the alpacas for the Zoom party packages.

As they are naturally curious they will come close to the camera and interact with party guests while Alison talks about alpacas and their personalities. Adoptions allowing people to get to know individual alpacas are also on offer.

The alpacas are all calm, well-mannered and happy being handled. Alison uses Camelidynamics a handling approach introduced to the UK by Marty McGee Bennett. Their training meant the boys were happy to appear before lockdown as “camels” during a church nativity, destressing for students taking exams, village fun days, visits to nurseries and care homes as well as birthdays, wedding and other celebrations. Visitors taking part in the alpaca experiences could also take their alpacas over an obstacle course safely.

Alison is also keen to make use of her herd’s fibre. Needle felting kits including all the material needed to make a mini herd of up to five felted alpacas have proved popular with people looking for calming crafts during lockdown. Alison estimates she has sent out enough kits for people to make thousands of felted alpacas.

The kits are suitable for beginners and include an alpaca mould made by Alison’s husband and enough fleece in mixed colours from the Bowbridge herd for a felted starter herd. Recommendations on the herd’s Facebook page show that these have been well received as an easy to follow stress relieving craft.

Meon Valley Alpacas Hampshire

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!

Mulberry Grange, Red Hall Lane Higher Penley, Wrexham LL13 ONA Tel: 07713 639 447 or 01978 710224 Email: mulberryalpacas@btconnect.com We’re 4 miles north of Ellesmere OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ❘ TELPHONE ORDERS WELCOME

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Are You Doing The Rounds ? …

With 18 years Experience we can help you select your breeding stock, or pets, from our prize-winning herd of friendly Huacayas – and we’re friendly too!

Visit our website or call Karen 07913 247144

www.mvalpacas.co.uk Beginner & Advanced Courses by Arrangement

Snowshill Alpacas Snowshill Hill Barn, Temple Guiting, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5XX

Contact Roger Mount on 01386 853 841 or 07711044106 Email: snowshillalpacas@btinternet.com Web: www.snowhillalpacas.com

We have a large selection of potential Stud Males, Pet Males and Breeding Females available in a variety of colours.

Stud Services – we have several proven/championship winning Huacaya and Suri boys to choose from.

Pre-arranged visits are very welcome.

We adhere to good biosecurity practices and badger deterrent fencing has been in place since 2009.

Alpaca Summer 2020

21

BREEDING ELITE ALPACAS

Ken Hibbits, Alpaca Owners Association (AOA) certified judge and co-owner at Alpaca By the Sea in California reflects on some key advice for breeders in this second part of our exclusive question and answer interview.

What is the best advice you have been given?

While this concept may seem quite basic to many, one simple rule we learned was very helpful.

Focusing on both members of the breeding pair.

That is of course focusing both on the female and male side of the breeding equation. This is one key piece of advice we received that proved to be very insightful. In time, all successful breeders learn this through experience. Often the lesson is learned through those pairings that were suspected to be at risk but were continued anyway. We all have

them! Thus, it is prudent and helpful advice.

This is particularly important for new breeders.

Furthermore, this principle may sound rather obvious to many breeders so it is sometimes easily overlooked.

Once again, such a simple notion yet universal in its breeding impacts. With this in mind, the breeder can then use all the available data to drive the best breed pairings that resources provide in order to advance the progeny. This advice and perspective can be essential to driving better herd production. Many experienced breeders may scoff at such a simple and obvious notion. Yet think of

› ABS Magnolia CA Classic 2010

22 Alpaca Summer 2020

the times we have all made compromises on one side of the pair. These are driven by many factors.

A common factor is often logistics, another is often cost. However, the most common is utilizing existing herd resources despite its current limitations. There are likely many more!

When we began, we had some basic breeder instinct and some good objective data. So, at the core considering all data – phenotypic, genetic, environmental factors and measuring outcomes – becomes the basic tool of the trade. However, in those early days we learned the hard, slow, way. Like each of us, one cria at time of course. By utilizing the most basic breed knowledge our first attempts produced wide variance. Then we soon learned to regularly employ “breed up” practice. At the beginning, many of the alpacas we had available to us had faults we simply had to work around. Early on, we were breeding almost any female alpaca we could get our hands on at the time. When you breed up and produce a better cria in this fashion, through the averaging effect – a common denominator in all pairings – the results become quite evident. “Wow look how much better the cria is here”!

In this methodology, the stronger member of the breeding pair drives marginal relative improvement.

The result is an averaging effect thus moving the weaker member of the pair forward. Statistically speaking, almost any pairing will generate average improvements from the pair. However, nobody wants to be average! Thus, we sometimes miss the real opportunities to drive herd production forward by simply breeding what we have immediately available. That is not to say that we still may use this effect to inherent gains. However, elite alpaca breeders often begin with a stronger prepotent pair that represent more ideal type and present a higher level of advanced trait linkage. These pairings have often been progeny tested and provide excellent outcomes data through evaluation of measurable offspring and herd data. Thus, providing a more

For Part One see the Spring issue

› Treasure

©Jennifer Clark By Design Graphics

advanced breeding foundation. What else can we average folks do? As we have said, nobody wants to be average.

Many breeders can tell you everything about all of the great herd sires available. Today’s elite breeders can tell you that information too. Beyond that, they can also list the best dams available because they track them too. This improved focus can facilitate herd depth and can be an opportunity to move your progeny out of the average range from the very beginning. It will not always be perfect as we know this is not a perfect science. However, the smart money is on the more advanced pair rather than driving gains from one side of the pair alone.

Astute breeders often spend additional time analysing trait weakness from both members of the pair to compensate for traits that need immediate attention rather than leaving them to chance. With this in play, we can begin to work on weaknesses and decide what types of new bloodlines and traits we need to acquire. In this fashion, we can attempt to break our own internal cycle. Many breeders know their herd weaknesses but do not always take immediate action and hope for the best. Think of the all data now available – Histograms, EPD’s (Estimated Progeny Differences), Fleece Score Cards, Halter Results, Pedigree data and new statistical information. As such, the perceptive breeder has more information than ever before to break these cycles. Thus, careful review of each alpaca on both sides of the equation becomes an important herd management technique. The steps include progeny testing and verification followed by show string selection and post show follow up and leveraging all herd statistics and data. Next the team can move on to final decisions including culling of both male and female alpacas within the herd to drive better breeding outcomes. This will become a yearly routine.

What measures can breeders take to drive modest pairings to more powerful ones? Elite breeders spend significant time on detailed and benchmark phenotypical assessment at all stages of an alpaca’s development in the paddocks. Elite breeders also use the show ring to measure results and inspect competitive winning alpacas at shows to gain further insight. To that end, they can often be seen working hands-on in the show pens looking at other winning alpacas to gauge the competition.

They use the evaluations to consider new breeding expansion opportunities in the local or national market. In this fashion, the savvy breeder can look to outcross to new alpaca bloodlines to compensate for herd weaknesses or bolster strengths.

Many breeders do not take the opportunity to inspect the alpacas they compete with at shows to gain insight when these insights are most readily available. Many shows have a brief inspection period following halter class for this interaction.

Some shows provide a small stall at ringside for this purpose. This is a great format as it provides an opportunity for exhibitors and spectators alike Continued on the next page >>

<< to see the class winners first hand right as they finish the class. At this time the judge’s oral reasons are still fresh in mind. This is an excellent opportunity for new alpaca breeders to see winning alpacas and investigate class placing points up close and measure their own show string in a quick empirical fashion. These insights are not soon forgotten and can serve to drive new thinking.

What is your ideal alpaca and have you achieved this yet?

As we all know, there is no perfect alpaca but all breeders work to create the best offspring possible. Clearly, perfection is elusive yet always an enduring goal. Striving to breed the best progeny that your herd can produce is always the ultimate goal. Great breeders seek out new bloodlines to expand herd depth and measure the results and impacts. Quality continues to advance and in alpacas, it never goes out of style.

My wife Victoria was an ARI phenotypic screener so early on we gained insight from veterinarians and camelid experts on the depth and quality that could be produced utilising improved selection methodology. The screening program led primarily by Eric Hoffman and others, was an exciting new development at the time in the North American alpaca experience. Based on her screening assignments in South America we gained early insights that formed the foundation of our own breeding program.

We were also humbled by the production we saw in other competitive herds and populations. As we all know, producing great alpacas is much harder than any of us ever anticipated! As such, this arena has been both motivating and informative. Yet today, the news of the joys and rewards of alpaca ownership is still reaching more people than ever before. In particular, we are impressed with a new, and younger group of alpaca aficionado that are joining the alpaca industry today with new and fresh ideas. It is also exciting to see the new science and medical innovation that is being applied to the ancient art of alpaca breeding.

Today, with all of the new scientific information available it may be even more challenging given all of the available data to shape these choices. However, the breeder will ultimately make the final choices. Keen breeding decisions are one of the best rewards. An endeavour that is certainly easy to love – indeed!

› Plantel females 24 Alpaca Summer 2020

Have you met your ideal alpaca in the show ring?

Once again there are no perfect alpacas but some are much closer than others to that end goal! In today’s halter rings we are frequently impressed with the quality that we see coming forward at the shows that I am fortunate enough to be invited to judge. As judges, we are excited to see excellence in primary traits tracking consistently to secondary traits from this vantage point. We often encounter alpacas that score high across a myriad of many key fleece traits.

Ideally, we would like to see these advanced fleece traits on alpacas with balanced and correct conformation. Therefore, it is this trait linkage across multiple fleece and advanced conformational elements that differentiates the leading characteristics that are universally our ideal goal.

In real practice, we often see alpacas in the ring that come close in representing ideal breeding end points. As always, we welcome excellent fleece attributes covered uniformly upon a solid and true to type alpaca frame. Once again “the complete package”. At its core, the goal is straightforward enough but sometimes extremely difficult to actualise. Elite alpacas demonstrate consistently higher degrees of key trait linkage across all criteria. While it is humble to say that you simply need to score high in every trait, this is essentially our ultimate goal. This is our journey and life’s work! It is an honour and privilege for all of us to a part of it!

Another key show goal is being systematic about the endeavour so it can be more rewarding and educational. In the showring we are fortunate to see alpacas up close. Exhibitors leverage the format to benchmark their progeny as well as showcase their production. Extra time can also be allocated to homework while at the show. This is time specifically dedicated to research and information gathering. What better place to do your homework than at an alpaca show? The practice can provide valuable feedback about your show string’s gains and short comings. However, these observations are only there for those who go the extra mile to investigate the results. As we know, all alpacas are not created equal. New breeders will benefit by seeking out support from nearby breeders to educate themselves on the key fundamentals. They will benefit from leadership in this arena to assist them so that they can bring show ready alpacas to the ring. This is always a key association mission.

Continued on the next page >>

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TOFT S

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Let us inspire you with the complete alpaca experience.

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Alpaca Summer 2020

25

<< Another key skill in this process is utilising a consistent and repeatable phenotypical evaluation process. This is a skill that may take time to master.

In this fashion, each time you encounter an alpaca you work systematically through a deliberate and detailed assessment routine. We use this in the show ring. We begin observing the alpaca as they enter the ring analysing correction conformational elements that are observed while the alpaca is in motion. Then we begin the individual evaluation of each member of the class.

As exhibitors you learn how to assist the judge in this process by showing teeth and securing the alpaca for the thorough evaluation. We begin at the head and work our way to the tail tabulating the all-important conformational points that will contribute to the final conformation score. We also perform a methodical hands-on fleece assessment. We begin by evaluating the fleece carefully and obtain a representative fibre sample at the mid-side. All alpaca breeders should be able to perform their own alpaca evaluations. While this may sound very simple. It will require practice and attention to detail to perfect.

We will also want the assessment to be rigorous, routine and consistent. To that end, you can study and practice this skill to develop your own reliable phenotypic method. The good news is there are mentor breeders everywhere that can assist in advancement of this all-important skill. To perfect it, just get out and see some alpacas! That means of course visiting other ranches, doing homework at shows and working through your herd each week. Practice assessment of your own alpacas. Attend shows and get your hands on as many alpacas as possible. This is where many new breeders fall short. Like mileage to a cyclist, the more miles you ride the more experience you gain.

What do you aim to achieve in the next few years?

As I said earlier, there are no perfect alpacas. And with all due respect, there are no perfect alpaca judges either. To that end, all judges strive for continued excellence and professionalism through years of dedication to their craft. This is all driven by years of study and good old fashion hard work. Subsequently, I want to continue to grow into the best judge that I can be. As I mentioned earlier, I will always be a student of all things alpaca and my goal is to improve each year in this challenging craft.

My constant goal is to advance my accuracy and expand my knowledge base to enhance my judging skill set. Collectively, we are all on a quest to learn more about the wonderful field of alpaca breeding. Early on as an apprentice I was fortunate to learn from leading judges like Jill (MacLeod) Marcellus, Mike Safley, Amanda VandenBosch, Jude Anderson, Tim Lavan and Kristin Buhrmann. Then when I became a judge, I learned from others judges like Wade Gease, Cheryl Gehley, Peter Kennedy-Gane, and Sharon Loner and my fellow judges have

› Caezar Cria Shania Ca Classic 2006

provided constructive criticism and feedback along the way. Perhaps I learned more about the craft of alpaca judging from Brett Kaysen. He brought his expertise to the showring from outside the alpaca community through years as a livestock judge, trainer and coach. As such, the sky is the limit and we will always benefit from the view and counsel of others who have different perspectives and see things from a different point of view. In fact, many we come in contact with will have advanced knowledge and experience that we simply do not possess.

It is exciting to be open to new ways to assimilate these new horizons into my judging world view. Therefore, I feel that I am still a student of this discipline – a lifelong learner. Each year I learn new things about alpacas and new skills from those in the industry around me. It is important to be open to contribution to new ideas and viewpoints. It is also important to even take a risk from time to time and try something new to invigorate your breeding program. That is, to step out of your comfort zone so to speak. An example might be to show fleeces or try the halter ring if you have not had the pleasure. Expand your show format to push new boundaries. Perhaps be a volunteer at the next show. Who knows, maybe that will lead to something new!

To that end, we will all benefit from learning new perspectives that help to evolve our current knowledge and foundation. As we learn new techniques, skills, new tricks of the trade, and other perspectives this allows us to gain new insights on how to develop our craft. As an Alpaca judge, it is a challenging and sometimes humbling endeavour. Not all exhibitors will agree on all of the placements that are delivered in the ring. One prospect for agreement is that working together to contribute new ideas to further advance our growing alpaca community is our long-term collective goal.

Essential literature and reference reading list:

• The Art & Science of Alpaca Judging by Jude Anderson, Cheryl Gehly, Michael Safley, and Amanda VandenBosch – The best reference available on key criteria and methodology for judging alpacas.

• Alpacas Synthesis of a Miracle by Mike Safley • Ideal Alpacas From Myth to Reality by Mike Safley • The Alpaca Shepherd by Mike Safley • The Complete Alpaca Book by Eric Hoffman – This is the all essential complete alpaca reference book.

• The Alpaca Evaluation: A Guide for Owners and Breeders by Eric Hoffman with Sherry Edensmith & Pat Long DVM • Alpaca Breeder’s Terminology Sourcebook Limited Edition by Glen M. Finbow • The International Alpaca Handbook by Ian Watt • Caring for Llamas & Alpacas: A Health and Management Guide Book by Clare Hoffmann and Ingrid Asmus

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27

SELECTING A STUD MALE

BAS judge and breeder Rob Bettinson offers expert advice on choosing a stud male to improve your offspring in the second of an essential two part guide. â&#x20AC;ş Shirley Bettinson For Part One see the Spring issue

28 Alpaca Summer 2020

C

onformation is absolutely critical when choosing a stud male.

Regardless of reputation or show records a stud alpaca should be correct in its conformation. A stud alpaca must be fit for purpose well balanced, strong in bone, straight legged, have good teeth and testicles and capacity across his chest. He should be strong enough to get the females to the ground, mate regularly and of course be seriously fertile.

You now know your females’ conformation (see part one – Spring issue) so if you want them stronger in the bone choose a good strong male with good solid straight legs. Better teeth – then check the teeth are absolutely correct. Better proportion – then stand well back and make sure he fits into the boxes as described previously. If your female has a dipped backline make sure the chosen male’s topline is straight and correct. If your female has weakness in the legs make sure the male is correct in his leg angulation. If your female lacks a little capacity across her chest choose a male which has a good deep chest on a correct frame.

Try not to compromise ever on conformation.

Even if the male you are considering has won the Supreme Champion in fleece if it has “iffy” legs, proportion, teeth, bone etc by selecting him solely on his fleece alone you will breed those conformational faults into your herd. If you are unlucky enough to have girls to a flawed male it will take generations to breed out any major conformational faults. None of us have enough girls ever to discard them lightly so if we’ve inadvertently bred in faults then we must grit our teeth as we walk the long walk to breed them out.

Colour is one of the main attractions of alpaca. All alpacas need to be one solid colour. Why? Because ultimately the dream of the manufacturer is to be able to contact alpaca breeders and order batches of sorted fleece in one colour to be able to mix a percentage of this with fleece of another solid colour to produce a repeatable natural coloured yarn with a minimum of dyeing.

As breeders of one of the finest fibres in the world our ultimate dream, even if we don’t live to see it, must surely be the establishment of a commercial alpaca industry which can put together sorted, graded batches of quality single coloured fibre in tonne bales for the world market. If the colour in the bale varies at all it becomes almost worthless. If one single fleece in it contains colour variance this will mix throughout the batch during the manufacturing process and eventually contaminate the product.

The result? You get a scarf or jumper for Christmas for your Granny who is constantly picking out every ‘different’ coloured fibre she sees and tut tutting like a pet parrot.

All alpacas need to be one solid colour because at shearing we would like to shear and sort the fleece quicker and confidently into quality one colour batches without having to over analyse colour variation and have to isolate any variance into a

separate category. Shearing and sorting is labour intensive and expensive. The easier we can get from animal to processor with confidence the better. As the commercial alpaca fibre industry progresses we will need to be able to guarantee our product as being exactly what it says on the tin. Colour variance is detrimental to this guarantee.

Grey All alpacas are bred to be one solid colour except for the greys which are an accepted very attractive exception and of course more recently the appaloosa, which is an exception but not yet officially recognised. Greys being a mix of colours can only ever produce a unique one off yarn in small quantities as the mix of colours is somewhat unrepeatable. This is fine for successful craft and cottage industry development but is not applicable in a commercial ideal. Any natural coloured shade can be blended and reproduced commercially using a palette of single coloured fleeces. It is not advisable to deliberately breed colour variance into your females unless you want a herd of Multi coloured alpacas and are happy to work with individual fleeces at the cottage industry level.

Age Age is something to take into account when selecting a male. It is always tempting to choose the younger males over the proven older males. The proof of any male is always in his progeny. By using a proven male you can assess his progeny. Remember before a male is fully mature and his testosterone kicks in he is not yet the full package. He will be showing potential of course but until he matures sexually that’s all it is ‘potential’. Many experienced breeders will take a punt on a stunning young male but that’s all it ever is a calculated punt. When his testosterone finally kicks in he could well change in his fleece. As his body matures conformational faults may surface that were not evident in his younger self. Any conformational issue you see that you thought he would “grow out of” may not in fact change and may become more pronounced. This happens. Often it is not dramatic but if you are trying to fine tune some stunning females then lashing out on an immature male might be a disappointment when eventually he becomes an adult. We shall discuss how to take the variables out of this decision later.

Pedigree All alpacas are registered with the British Alpaca Society (BAS). You can clearly view the pedigree, progeny and show record, of every registered alpaca. This is a vital resource for every breeder. It is wise to keep your genetics as far apart as possible.

The genetic base of alpacas is not vast worldwide.

So try to keep the family bloodlines as separate as possible. You can study the bloodlines to your hearts content in order to inform your decision. This will give you background and add confidence to your Continued on the next page >>

<< choice but it will never replace getting hands on with the male in question.

There are no fleece records on the registry and the alpaca is all about fleece.

Fleece Fleece is key to the alpaca. Until Sainsbury’s puts alpaca chops on its shelves for most of us fleece is our sole and primary product. As the primary product it is vital that you gain an understanding of fleece and what you are looking for. To do this you need to get to the fleece shows, understand the scorecard and recognise what is: Poor, Average, Good, Excellent and Elite.

You can do this quickly at a fleece show. Judges, stewards and members are all on hand to illuminate. There are no stupid questions. Even if they might seem so at the time, trust me, we have all asked them before. Ask and listen. If you don’t understand ask again and learn. Take on board what you are being told and place it against your growing knowledge. Understanding fleece is not absolute. It is not a science where you have to be a judge or need a degree to understand it.

Understanding fleece is about observation, honesty, touch, feel and instinct and this can be gained easily if you apply yourself.

Improving the fleece of your offspring is only possible if you truly understand objectively the shortcomings of the fleece on your female and can identify the positive traits of the males fleece you are considering relative to your females fleece. Recognising the difference is the only way to know you are making the right decision.

Halter Show results alone won’t give you this knowledge as show results are only relative to who this alpaca was standing next to in the ring. Fleece Shows are more objective and the judges scores are a reasonably good indicator of all that is positive and negative in any given fleece but not the alpaca. A fleece show entry is only representative of the very best that any given fleece has to offer not the alpaca. Always there is the need to confirm what is not on the table. Laboratory statistics alone won’t do it. Fleece stats are always a guide and indicator but never the full story. Recommendation won’t do it, especially from the breeder trying to sell you the mating.

Getting hands on with the male is the only way you will be able to see and feel the quality. You can do this at halter shows. Breeders always want to show you their alpacas if you show polite and positive interest. You can make appointments to view the males on farm in full fleece early in the year. Any breeder selling stud services will be eager to show you their males. If they are not then look elsewhere.

Understanding what you are seeing and feeling is vital in your assessment of the male in question. Then applying the same objective clinical process to the male, in the same way you’ve assessed your females, is the only way to do it.

Write it down – make a list of his positives and his shortcomings. Consider carefully any compromises you may have to make. To make gains in improving your offspring you need to know why his offspring might be an improvement on yours. Your chosen male needs to demonstrate clearly to you qualities that your females may lack.

Progeny the real and solid proof of any stud male are his progeny. The offspring of a stud male are a living embodiment of his genetic potential. Never forget the youngstock represent only 50% of his positive traits. If you like the young stock and it is an improvement on your young stock then the male is getting into the frame. If you hands on assess the male and he is better than your females he is starting to fill the frame. If you get hands on with the females that produced this young stock and apply your newly found toolbox. You will be able to answer the questions: Are these girls better than mine? Are they roughly the same? Are they worse? How has this male improved the offspring of these females?

The answers to these questions when placed against your new found detailed knowledge of your own females should put you in a strong position to make a confident prediction of what cria you may expect from combining this given male with your female. All you have to do now is do a deal on the price. Get the deed done and spend the next 11.5 months hoping you were right. Nothing in alpacas is ever guaranteed. Often we do all the work and they surprise us in colour and quality for no apparent reason. Our aim is to reduce the variables and achieve predictability. At TOFT we always pursue the policy – “if it works repeat it”. If we produce offspring that are better than we have in the paddock then our herd is

30 Alpaca Summer 2020

always moving forward and we are maintaining value in the market place.

Patience Unless you have limitless resources and sometimes even if you do- patience is a must. Massive genetic gain no longer happens fast like it did 24 years ago. The elite alpacas we produce in the national herd today are the result of 25 years of selective breeding, achieved by the efforts of many breeders, layering in better genetics every season towards a goal we can only imagine. Sometimes it is frustrating but always the indicators are that “the best is yet to come”.

Sometimes your best efforts will result in a disappointing result. The converse is that if you keep improving and layering good genetics into your herd you are moving forward and improving. Then in addition to your gradual improvement wonderful jumps and surprises can occur. Our current National Champion Brown male TOFT Tarkhan came out of a good but not great female in our herd. One that had always produced good but not exceptional offspring. We happened to mate her to TOFT Tamburlaine a young Tulley male and bang… out came Toft Tarkhan, National Brown Champion. Last year the same pairing produced a female of the same quality. This year? Who knows? That’s alpacas.

Price Well since the inception of the alpaca industry in the UK the adage has always been that the price depends on how much you want it and how many alternatives with the same potential exist for you.

Twenty four years on there are lots of very good stud males out there with proven track record. There are now lots of young males coming through with real potential. There are many males available on stud farms that may not win the top prizes but will benefit your females and move your offspring forward. Good stud genetics are readily available at a range of prices to suit your budget and aspiration.

Many stud farms will lease young males at a discount to prove them. Many will have older proven males that they are no longer using. Many breeders will have males that they cannot use because their bloodlines are too close. Prices vary depending on quality, show record, scarcity etc. There are a lot of options and variables to suit your budget but the important thing is to do the work, know what it is you are looking for and always breed better than the female in your paddock.

So what do you need to choose a stud male? Honesty, knowledge, a list, application and time to get around and look at males, their mothers, their fathers and their progeny. If you choose to breed alpacas and you want to breed better and maintain value in your herd then you need to get about a bit and get busy.

I hope this helps start you on the journey to excellence and the pursuit of that journey brings you all great satisfaction and joy.

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31

HEATWAVE HUSBANDRY

Camelid specialist Ami Sawran, Westpoint Farm Vets takes a look at five important shearing time tasks to keep alpacas healthy through the summer months.

S

ummer has finally arrived, and with temperatures already hitting the high twenties, I am sure you will all be aware of just how much heat affects how we manage alpacas.

The first port of call when we hit the sunny season is shearing.

Hopefully, we should all be well into or past shearing by now, but if fleeces are still hefty, then please ensure you have shearing booked in as soon as possible.

Your vets, local alpaca groups or keepers should be able to give you some recommendations.

When shearing early, it is still possible that there will be a temperature dip, especially at night, so though it may seem counterintuitive, having rugs on hand for both adults and youngstock can be very useful. Later shearing reduces the risk of having to temper weather fluctuations but can increase the risk of heat stress and fly strike; once again, we find ourselves trying to keep a balance. When you do have shearing booked, there are a few management tasks that you may want to consider around this time. After all, you have animals together, and safe restraint, so a full MOT is probably in order.

Toes

©Kate Brookes

With animals restrained during shearing, it is a good opportunity to check their feet; you will be able to see the condition of the foot pads, and to trim any over-long toenails back level with the foot. Care should be taken not to cut directly through the point of the toe; work along the walls of the nail, towards the tip, to avoid cutting/ nipping sensitive tissues or causing bleeding. If unsure, your vet or experienced owners could demonstrate. Some shearers include this as part of the service.

› Alpaca shearer Colin Ottery with Peaches at Mullacott Alpacas in North Devon

About the author

Ami Sawran graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2011 and works for Westpoint Farm Vets, where she is head of the small ruminant and camelid working group, and head of the camelid specialist interest group for VetPartners, where she also sits on the production animal clinical board. She is working towards her Certificate in Advanced Camelid Practice.

32 Alpaca Summer 2020

Teeth

Again, fighting teeth may also be taken down in a shearing session, as well as trimming of the incisors. I would urge everyone to take incisor trimming on a case by case basis. Teeth do not always need to look perfect to work normally, and decisions to trim should balance the alpaca’s ability to pick up and chew food, its body condition, and whether the teeth are impinging on the nose, or preventing proper closure of the mouth. Trimming should always be undertaken by someone experienced, to prevent damage to the pulp cavities, and ideally incisors should be precision trimmed with a rotating blade as opposed to wire, so that they can be taken down gradually. Sometimes bites that are a little bit ‘off’ at the front can be associated with poor alignment of the cheek teeth; concerns of this kind could be relayed to your vet to allow for a more detailed oral examination.

Parasite control

Though the temptation is there to simply dose with wormer, parasite treatment should really be targeted at the problems you have on your holding. Worming in the absence of a problem and using wormers ‘just in case’ is a sure fire way to promote resistance, rendering medications useless when you need them most.

Since you have animals grouped together ready for shearing, now is a great opportunity to take faecal samples from your animals, and using your laboratory of choice (veterinary, independent, or even your own), really get to understand

Vaccination

It is very common for shearing to be accompanied by vaccination for clostridial disease, often administered by shearers as part of the service. A few things need to be considered if this is your preferred practice. The first is that vaccines absolutely must be kept cold, or risk being inactivated. Therefore, whomever is administering the vaccines must preserve the cold chain. The next is that vaccines expire within mere hours of being broached, so care must be taken that you are not out with the limit of your chosen vaccine. Lastly, shearing, though done with the utmost care and attention, is rather a big day for alpacas, and one has to consider carefully whether you feel vaccinating on the same day as a stressful event is worth the risk of adverse reaction or poor immune response.

Any management change puts stress on animals, even if they do not appear disgruntled, and I usually advise that vaccination is undertaken in the calmest, safest way with minimal interaction, especially in the case of pregnant females.

Vaccination, right down to exactly which product to use, is a personal decision, which should be made with advice from your vet, considering your holding’s risk profile, handling facilities and capabilities.

If any or all the above sound daunting, please worry not. A discussion with your vet surrounding these health and husbandry tasks could be due; they should be able to help you put together a task calendar and demonstrate techniques, or, depending on your intentions for the herd, create a comprehensive health plan.

I personally feel that a plan, however basic, should be in place for every herd, so that no task slips through the net.

Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy, and productive season with your alpacas and new arrivals.

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Shearing reveals that indeed there is an alpaca underneath all that fluff! Fibre can be very deceptive when assessing the bodyweight and condition of the animal, which is why scoring should always be done ‘hands on’. Whether they’ve got a bit of extra condition that could do with shifting, or whether they need to put weight on, shearing is the perfect time to assess body condition on a scale of either 1-5 or 1-10 (one being thin and 5 or 10 obese) and group the animals so that you can tailor their diets.

There are plenty of online resources as to how to body condition score, and your vet can demonstrate, but the basic premise is to assess the level of tissue coverage over the bones of the spine. This is best performed over the spine between the ribs and pelvis, with covering ranging from a straight drop either side of the spinal process, a ‘Toblerone’ triangle, or, if over fat, a rather ‘peachier’ shape. Alpacas should ideally sit in the middle of whichever scale you use to avoid reproductive and fibre quality issues.

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the parasite challenges on your pastures.

Different wormers target different worm species, and coccidia (another internal parasite) are treated by a different class of medication entirely so it really pays to know what you are dealing with. Your vet can best advise you on sampling, but individual samples taken (gently) direct from the rectum yield the best quality information. Be sure to let the lab know the age, condition, and any previous treatments of the animals to help tailor the treatment required.

Sticking with parasites, shearing can suddenly reveal a lot about what is lurking under fleece and is often a time when we discover mite burdens, or worse, flystrike. The good news is that these conditions are easier to manage once fibre is short, so if you do have any immediate concerns such as crusting, itching or scabbing (particularly on the legs, and the groin/’armpit’ regions), your vet can take the appropriate samples and set a course of treatment depending on the mite responsible.

Preventative fly repellents should be used over these warmer months: flystrike can advance frighteningly fast and should be treated as an emergency. The most common comments I hear when attending a flystrike are that the affected area looked like a ‘wet patch’ or as though the alpacas had rolled in something, so if you see darker patches on fibre, it is definitely worth investigating. Initial treatment such as washing and flushing out all fly larvae can limit damage while you seek veterinary advice; struck animals often need extra supportive care.

GUIDE TO FIBRE TERMS F

ARCHITECTURE

The general structure of how the fibre lays within the lock/staples that make up the overall appearance of the fleece.

BLANKET

Prime fleece from shoulder to mid-section to rump, both sides as far as base of tail.

BRIGHTNESS

Mainly used to describe Huacaya fleece; it describes the light reflected by the fibre.

BRITCH

Fibre from the tail/rear area of the alpaca.

CHARACTER

The demonstration of the crimp, lock formation and length of staple

CLASSING

The grading and sorting of various qualities of fleece into a like group.

CONSISTENCY

The uniformity of the crimp or lock structure, character, colour and density within the lock and throughout the fleece.

COVERAGE

The distribution of continuously growing fibre.

Greater coverage of high-quality fleece is desirable. In some alpacas the neck fibre is long enough and of high enough quality to process.

The further the good quality fibre continues into the belly the better.

CRIMP

The natural wave or curl of individual fibres, grown from the follicle.

CUTICLE

Outer scale-like surface of individual alpaca fibres.

DENSITY

The number of fibres measured per square unit area; the greater the density the larger the yield but beware that you don’t confuse density with a high micron.

FINENESS

The diameter of fibres measured in microns; its best to process similar micron fleece together, otherwise the finished product is only as good as lowest quality.

FLEECE

The fibre from a single live alpaca, in its natural state.

FLEECE WEIGHT

The weight of an entire fleece measured at the same time each year.

GRADING

The process of defining the average micron count of select quantities of fleece.

GUARD HAIR

A coarser fibre that is usually more than 30 microns and generally grows longer and straighter than the rest of the fibre.

HANDLE

A tactile feel of the fleece to the hand – soft, harsh, etc.

34 Alpaca Summer 2020

ibre, fibre, fibre; that’s why many people keep and breed alpacas, but sometimes the terms used are difficult to decipher, especially to those relatively new to the industry writes Liz Barlow.

Rob Bettinson’s excellent article in the spring edition of Alpaca about selecting a stud male (Issue79, pages 12/13) gave an excellent overview of some of the fibre traits that are key to a wonderful fibre producing alpaca, and I hope to add to your knowledge with a short glossary of some fibre terminology. This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start.

Most of the traits and terminology are the same for Suri and Huacaya with a couple of important exceptions... Lustre vs Brightness and Suri style vs Huacaya character.

› Characterful

Huacaya fleece

› Colourful products › Skirted Suri fleece

› Hand sorting in a Peruvian mill

About the author

Liz is a BAS qualified judge and a former chair of the BAS Judges group from 2009 to 2012. She was one of the first three UK accredited Alpaca Breeders Fibre School breeders and is a tutor on BAS courses. Since she began judging in 2003 she has judged both Huacaya and Suri fleece and halter classes, in the UK and Europe and co-judged the BAS National Show halter classes in 2007, 2013, 2018 and 2019.

LOCK

A group of fibres of similar character.

LUSTRE

The lustre is determined by the amount of light reflected by the fibre. The sheen or gloss generally used for Suri fleece and it can clearly be seen in the finished garments.

MATTING

Meshing of fibres in a fleece.

MEDULLATION

Fibre that has a central core or medulla that individual cell structure continues unbroken for a greater length than in prime fibre. Cannot be seen with the naked eye.

MEDULLA FIBRE

A continuous, hollow, cellular space inside most medium and coarse alpaca fibres. Present in fine fibres, but limited.

MID-SIDE

An area midway between the front and rear legs on the side of an alpaca and approximately 15cm/6 inches from the backbone. Often the place with the best quality fleece and a good place to take a fleece sample.

NOILS

The short alpaca fibres removed from the comb in the process of manufacturing tops.

ORGANSIATION The alignment of the fibres as they leave the skin; highly organised fleeces allow more fibres per square cm and are therefore often denser.

What breeders are usually looking for in an alpaca fleece is a uniform, soft handling, fine, dense fleece over the largest area of the alpaca. This enables them to receive the best possible return on their fleece/products. The heavier the good quality fleece, the more that a producer will receive for it.

If a breeder wants to sell alpacas to other breeders, then they will be looking for an alpaca with the best possible fleece qualities coupled with the alpacas ability to hold these qualities as it gets older and pass the positives onto its offspring.

Fleece is a huge and fascinating topic; you can learn more on the BAS courses. If you haven’t attended any yet, then the Evaluation course is a great place to start.

› Spinning

› Lustrous suri

PRICKLE

The quality in a fleece or yarn that causes irritation when pressed against the skin. Often associated with strong fibres/guard hair.

PRIME FIBRE

The best fibre the alpaca produces; usually found in the blanket but can include neck, shoulder and upper thigh.

ROVING

A slightly twisted sliver or roll of alpaca fibre produced during processing before the fibre is further drawn and spun into yarn.

SECOND CUTS

Short fibres created during shearing process. If first cut is not close enough to skin, second pass creates short pieces of fibre and these can cause small lumps in the finished product.

SHEARING

The removal of fleece from the alpaca by electric shears or blade shears.

SKIRTING

The separation of lesser quality fibre and foreign matter from prime quality fibre.

STAPLE

The group of fibres or lock.

STAPLE LENGTH

The length of the staple from skin to tip.

STRONG

Thick, coarse fibre having a higher micron measurement.

STYLE

A cumulative and overall aesthetic effect of fibre characteristics found in a fleece.

TENDER BREAKS

Weakness along a staple of fibre, often caused by stress or lack of nutrition.

UNIFORMITY

The even distribution of characteristics within a fleece – crimp, length of staple, colour, fineness.

YIELD

The quantity of clean alpaca fibre which remains after all contaminants have been removed.

Alpaca Summer 2020

35

CALMING AND CREATIVE FIBRE CRAFT

Alpaca fibre from the Lingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meadow herd in Norfolk is used to crochet garments for customers.

Crochet is also a therapeutic hobby as co-owner Katherine Shearer explains.

36 Alpaca Summer 2020

M

y father started us thinking about alpacas. We wanted animals to graze some grassland on the farm and looked at goats originally but Dad (an arable farmer who grew up with animals on the farm) said: “Have you thought about alpacas?”

He thinks that they are the perfect livestock as they are light on the land, pretty hardy, friendly and manageable and can take rougher pasture. I thought he was a bit bonkers at the time but we met alpacas at the Farm Business Innovation show and immediately fell in love with them.

As soon as I handled their fibre I knew owning alpacas was meant to be. I love the fact that they are real individuals and incredibly curious. They are also extremely gentle with our children.

Our first four boys arrived four years ago, and our little herd has now grown to thirteen. We have a mix of Suri and Huacaya and all are castrated boys. We look specifically for temperament and lovely fibre and have a range of colours in the team.

My mother-in-law taught me to crochet several years ago and I have used it as therapy and as a means of finding time and space for myself ever since.

In the past few years I have also been lucky enough to turn it into part of my income.

We always knew that we wanted to focus on fibre when we bought the boys and we have slowly been finding ways of using all of the fleece that they produce. We have chosen to keep the natural colour of the fibre as there is such a wonderful range to choose from.

I crochet, my husband Neel has taught himself to weave, and we both make felted soaps. The soaps are handmade at a small local company in Norfolk. The best of the fibre is sent to East Anglia Alpaca Mill to be spun into double knit (DK) yarn or fine two-ply for weaving projects. We use the rougher bits for felting, giving to customers and our visitors as samples, or for the birds to make nests with on the farm.

A shawl made for a birthday present was one of the first commissions woven on our rigid heddle loom. I really like the pattern and was able to use a variety of natural alpaca colours. I found that one hard to part with!

Our customers call in to the farm, or we meet them at our stall at Wyken Farmer's Market each month. The stall has been a great way to meet people, share ideas and spread the word about the joys of alpaca fibre. We are really missing it now that social distancing is in force. We have our own online shop and have also just opened an Etsy shop in order to keep going in difficult times.

I have recently started to take on crochet commissions which I really enjoy and during lockdown I was commissioned to make a baby cardigan. I was asked for the cardigan as it is more important than usual for the family to have something physical to mark the announcement of their pregnancy because they can't be with their extended family. They particularly wanted white alpaca because

of its softness and because it is so cosy.

A wedding shawl I made for the 2019 BAS National Show Fibre Zone always attracts a lot of interest on our stall. Fingerless gloves made for customers are particularly popular with the market stall holders as they keep your hands so warm! I have also recently worked on a baby blanket, snoods and headbands

› Kath needlefelting soap

in customers' favourite alpaca colours. Rose grey is always a firm favourite.

People talk about the calming effect of alpacas and I completely agree. I think it can also be applied to working with their fibre. Whether it be skirting, needle felting, stuffing pillows or working with yarn, the feel of alpaca is like nothing else.

› Woven suri scarf

› Wedding shawl

› Felted soaps › Rigid heddle loom weaving

A HEAD START

Stepping out in a stylish felt Fedora or Trilby made from your own alpaca fibre can take just a few hours as Mike Birch explains.

T

here are few uses for alpaca fibre that give such a good return on such a small amount of fibre as making a wet felt hat. Not only that, you can do the whole thing in house without needing to send anything away for processing. If you can spare 140 grams of prime fibre from your favourite alpaca (and be honest – you can), you can have the perfect alpaca colour matched accessory in just a few short hours.

For those of you not in the know, felt is a non-woven fabric. Every Trilby, Fedora and Bowler that you have ever seen is made from felt. Felt is made by rubbing, agitating and rolling fur or wool fibres causing the scales on each fibre to ‘ratchet’ into each other to form a tight, solid cloth – and before you ask, yes it is tough, permanent and water resistant. If a felt Fedora is good enough for Indiana Jones

38 Alpaca Summer 2020

then it is good enough for us alpaca wranglers! You can work with natural colours or dye your white alpaca to any shade half way through the process once the felt starts to take shape.

Huacaya alpaca fibre felts extremely well and makes great hats. Not surprisingly, to get the best result you should use the best fibre, using hairy seconds and thirds will produce frustrating and disappointing results. Like all crafts, practice makes perfect, and the better you prepare, the better the result.

Working from carded fibre allows you to produce a more even (dare I say professional looking) felt, but you can get a really good result straight from the fleece bag if you take your time teasing and laying the fibre out.

My current hat method is hard won over a number of years. I’ve made plenty of experimental hats so that you don’t have to. You can see my hat tutorials on

Youtube by searching for my channel ‘Donutpanic’.

For your first hat, you can improvise your equipment. It is fairly simple though to make a custom hat block from rigid craft foam for the perfect fit. Other basic equipment is a bamboo roller blind (Granny won’t miss the one at the top of the stairs) and a piece of net curtain or similar (Granny again) for the initial settling of the fibres. Add to that a large piece of bubble wrap and a bar of soap and you are almost there. A suitable mixing bowl a few-sizes-too-big is also a help to start the initial shaping before wrestling the hat into its finished size.

I start by weighing out 140gm of prime fibre – don’t be tempted to use hairy seconds! If you are going to invest two or three hours in working on your hat, then use the good stuff. Using hairy seconds will result in a hanging basket liner – not a good look.

It is at this point that I should mention that there is lots of soapy water involved, and you need to work somewhere this isn’t a problem. I use plenty of soap and work the felt very wet. Soap helps the scales on the fibres open up and lets the fibres move between each other to form the felt.

The weighed fibre is then carefully laid out in several light layers on top of the bamboo blind within a 60 cm circle drawn on the blind to achieve the correct weight and thickness of finished felt. The reason for the layers is to achieve consistency of cover and to ensure that there are no bald patches. Time spent laying out evenly will be rewarded in the quality of the end result. 140 grams of fibre in a 60cm circle is a big scary looking pile by the way, but it will settle down once soapy water is involved.

To keep the carefully laid out fibres in place while you make a start, Granny’s curtain netting is laid over what is now a large pile of fibre, and then you gradually Continued on the next page >>

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED

140 gm alpaca fibre, carded or straight from the fleece

Bar of soap (grated)

Bamboo blind

Curtain netting

Bubble wrap

Suitable size mixing bowl

Craft foam hat block or improvise

Step 1:

Weigh fibre

Step 2:

Lay out in 60cm circle

Step 3:

Add fibre in layers

Step 4: Fibre laid out

Alpaca Summer 2020

39

Step 5: Cover with net

Step 6: Soak the fibres

Step 9:

Cover with bubble wrap and rub!

Step 10: Time to roll

Step 13:

It can seem impossible but persevere

Step 14:

Pull loose fabric up onto the crown << wet the fibre with soapy water until it is completely flat and wetted out. If you don’t use the net you will end up with fibre stuck to your hands and holes in your hat. I’m not convinced that heat makes much of a difference, but warm water is more comfortable to work with and helps the soap dissolve. I generally use olive oil soap but any will do the job.

After a few minutes of gently rubbing with your hands through the net, the fibres will have begun to bind together to the point where the net can be removed. Next the bubble wrap is laid bubble side down and more rubbing takes place – the bubbles work like hundreds of extra finger tips rubbing away to further consolidate the felt. Once you feel that the felt is properly on its way to becoming a piece of cloth rather than a pile of wool, the bubble wrap can be removed and tentative rolling in the bamboo blind can begin. After half a dozen rolls – changing the direction that the felt is lying each time – you will have a piece of pre-felt that will not fall apart. If you are working straight from the fleece you will now realise how dirty your alpaca was as you are washing it as you go!

40 Alpaca Summer 2020

The more observant amongst you will have noticed that this is now a piece of flat cloth, rather than a three dimensional hat.

To get from flat to hat involves a lot of working the felt. Take a suitable upturned mixing bowl from the kitchen to start the initial shaping and drape the felt over it, spacing out the excess wrinkles around the bowl. For pre-felt to become proper felt it must have room to get smaller, and the excess folds allow the felt to reduce in size and improve in quality. The more you work felt, the tougher and tighter it becomes. Rub in all directions but especially horizontally following the shape of the bowl. Felt reduces in size in the direction that you rub it, so by working across the folds of excess cloth you will gradually tighten the felt onto the bowl while also improving the quality of the felt. Once you have fought the numerous creases out of existence you then need to do it all again on your chosen hat block or hat block substitute. At this point the excess folds will seem impossible to work out but you have to persevere. Remember that the felt reduces in size in the direction that you rub it – trust me and keep going. Of course the

Step 7:

Rub vigorously

Step 8:

Fibres start to bind

Step 11:

You now have a piece of cloth

Step 12:

Begin shaping on a bowl

Step 15:

Work across the wrinkles until...

Step 16:

...the wrinkles will felt out

Step 17:

Then do it all again on the block

Step 18:

Work across the wrinkles again Alpaca Summer 2020

41

Step 19:

When you are confident you have enough brim

Step 20:

The felt will have become dense and water resistent

Step 21:

Waiting to be trimmed and one I prepared earlier

Step 22:

Sweat band, hat band, bias binding – job done outside of the brim has further to go, so that will need a lot of work following the outer curve. Pull some wrinkles up onto the top of the crown and work them flat at regular intervals to make sure the top of the hat is felted properly too.

Once you feel you have finished (you probably haven’t – go back and do some more rubbing), the hat body should be thoroughly rinsed to remove any soap and then left to dry. If the felt has been worked properly it should be stiff, quite thin, tight and not fluffy. It will hold its shape as it is, but it can be stiffened with shellac so that you can steam it to refresh its shape at any time. I like to use a plain

About the author

Mike and Carolyn Birch, Brooklea Alpacas have kept alpacas for 18 years and currently have a herd of 42 on their 60 acre farm in Thorpe in the Glebe, Nottinghamshire.

shaped block and then shape the hat body to the chosen style by hand – shellac comes into its own at this point. Shellac is like witchcraft for milliners, leaving the felt looking and feeling natural but allowing it to be shaped and re-shaped by a quick blast from the steam iron.

Many felt hats that I see are often still at what I would deem a pre-felt stage.

This is not a criticism if that is the look you are going for, but if you work at it you can achieve a hat that if properly finished you can wear in the street without being stared at. Inserting a sweatband and hatband made from milliners petersham ribbon will ensure a good fit and keep the hat from stretching. The brim can be trimmed to size and finished with a bias binding or the cut edge can be further wet felted to a finish.

Good things are worth a little effort. Even if you don't end up with something you could wear to Royal Ascot, you can produce a fabulous dog walking heirloom to be proud of. Have a go!

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42 Alpaca Summer 2020

LETTER FROM HOLLAND Dutch breeder Anita Huls loves to travel. Her herd includes alpacas from Australia, New Zealand (NZ) and the UK and they will soon be joined by NZ’s 2019 Supreme Champion Huacaya Stoneleigh Fiorello.

H

i everyone.

Most of you know me as the Dutch lady from High Meadow Farm, who visits the BAS National show every year and travels all over the world and, oh yes, loves alpacas.

How do you start a letter from Holland? Well the most common questions you hear as an alpaca breeder are why alpacas and how many do you have?

Starting with the why I am a big fan of McLeod’s Daughters, an Australian television series from 2004 about five women who run a farm called Drovers Run in the South Australian outback. In that series alpacas were featured occasionally and I was so fascinated that I made a plan for myself -whenever I had enough money I would start my own alpaca farm.

In the winter of 2010 this dream became reality and I bought my first 11 alpacas from Dutch breeders. I entered my first show (an international event) and I was hooked forever.

At one of the alpaca shows I met an Australian guy, Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) judge Chris Williams from Ambersun Alpacas, and of course the “why” question came up. I told him McLeod’s Daughters of course not expecting his welcoming reply: “I live close to where that is filmed, come on over to Australia and I will show you.”

Meanwhile I had already met Gary and Felicia Sanders from Popham Alpacas in Cornwall at one of the Dutch alpaca shows. I visited them and their beautiful farm and alpacas. I was blown away by their knowledge and we became good friends clearly because of our big love for the Suri alpaca.

In 2013 I visited Australia for the first time and made lots of new friends. I visited many shows, learnt how big Australia is and how committed their breeders are to alpacas. I bought my first Australian animals and waited, full of excitement for their arrival at my farm.

I also bought some alpacas from the UK,

including Centurion and Alpaca Stud Anarchy. Did you know, when a Dutch breeder buys an alpaca from the UK, he/she is banned from showing for two years? (The ban was introduced in 2017 as a result of TB (tuberculosis) cases in the UK).

Since my travels started I have met so many nice people in the alpaca world – many more than I have ever could have imagined. And yes I have even been to Drovers Run where McCleod’s Daughters was filmed.

On my own farm I now have a range of alpacas imported from all over the world, including New Zealand (which I visited in 2016 and 2017). I run my farm completely on my own and as a result I aim to breed a small number of high quality animals. I don’t aim for large numbers and I have 42 alpacas at the moment.

My imported alpacas include: • 2012: Exccellenz Nero Cadiz, a Black Suri male to breed black Suris. He gave Supreme Champion boys but all brown.

• 2013: Ambersun FireBall, a stud male to upgrade my fawns.

• 2014 : Inca Devotion, a black female who gives stunning fawn crias.

• 2014: ATA Cambridge Centurion (this was before the change to my breeding plan).

• 2014: Popham Sunshine and Popham Maid Marion, fawn females to upgrade the females.

• 2015: EP Cambrige Raving Rumour and EP Cambride Fire Lace, both females to upgrade the herd.

• 2015: EP Cambridge Gilt Edge, a great fawn male to improve on all my females.

• 2015: Alpaca Stud Anarchy, a black Suri to try to breed black female Suris.

• 2016 : Shamarra Summer, a female to upgrade the girls.

• 2017: NZ Summerhill, two appaloosa girls and one male to start my appaloosa breeding plan.

• 2019: Shamarra Ting Ting and her cria, (unfortunately she became unwell after the

journey and died).

Why did I select these animals? They fit my breeding plan and I want only the best and buy from people I trust.

I am already very successful with my Suri herd and have many great champions; now, I aim to do the same with Huacayas and I have bought the 2019 New Zealand National Champion Stoneleigh Fiorello.

He is still in New Zealand but I hope he can come over soon!

One of the best lessons I learnt was to make a breeding plan and stick to it. My original breeding plan was to breed fawn and black Suri and Huacaya.

But there is already a very good specialist black breeder in the Netherlands so I changed from black Huacaya to Appaloosa in 2017.

Ok, so I changed it a little bit from fawn and black to fawn and Appaloosa and I enjoy them every day which has to be the point doesn’t it?

Lastly, a special thank you for Tim Hey, for his true dedication in the alpaca world.

› Anita's very first show

S

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL

tuart and Angela Wilson are owners of an ever-growing awardwinning travel company. They are proud parents of four children and six dogs, and are managing a two property renovation project – it is easy to say they like to keep busy. Their motto – life is short,

live it.

Stuart and I are townies born and bred, growing up we both had the usual menagerie of animals that most townie’s have: dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters and of course, a goldfish. I have always loved animals and been interested in alpacas, but from a distance.

When the chance came along to purchase our dream home in a rural location in Staffordshire, we jumped at it! The property had four acres and we soon realised that mowing the lawn was a very different task compared to our previous experience. The reality of having the land meant that the dream of having alpacas could come true. So, began our wonderful journey to Acton Hill Alpacas.

Although some might say we started on a whim, we did not jump into the world of alpacas lightly. After visiting several farms, we met Janet and Paul Ireland of Titus Alpacas, and that is where it really started. We were initially looking at purchasing pet boys, but as we learnt more, we became hooked on the idea of breeding our own small herd. As well as guiding us practically, Janet introduced us to the British Alpaca Society (BAS) and the world of information and courses that were on offer and off we went.

The resources we found available for new and established alpaca owners were very impressive. Over the years, we have attended birthing, herd health and fibre courses as well as being reassured and supported by the shared learning

44 Alpaca Summer 2020

from other breeders in the alpaca community. Constantly striving to learn more is a must, as there is still so much to learn about these fascinating creatures. It is also enjoyable to pass our growing knowledge onto new owners who purchase alpacas from us.

We started with four females in November 2015, two of whom were pregnant, and as everyone says, we soon became obsessed. Over the last four years, we have increased our land to just over twenty acres and our herd now numbers thirty with another twelve cria due to be born this spring/summer.

We have learnt lots of things along the way, however, our number one priority is that our animals are kept as healthy and stress-free as possible. Camelidynamics techniques have been an essential tool from the beginning of our alpaca journey as understanding what alpacas think and feel is important to ensure they enjoy their experience with us.

Some people say our alpacas are pampered, but through trial and error we learn from each alpaca’s behaviour and adapt what we do to best suit them. Our alpacas have taught us to feel the benefits of remaining calm, and activities such as group weigh-ins are now an enjoyable time with the herd. We also poop pick every day of the year and check faecal egg counts regularly. Biosecurity is high priority, so the use of foot dips is non-negotiable. Our paddocks have dug-in badger wire or electric fencing and in the areas where deer pass through the fences are higher to deter them from jumping into the field. This last winter we battled with mud and rain, along with much of the country, and this proved that our shelters were inadequate, so this year we are constructing a winter housing barn, and increasing the number of paddocks to allow more rotation.

Highlights and low points

Over the last five years, we have had so many highs but also a few lows.

The birth of our first cria in July 2016 was an amazing experience, however, the euphoria was short lived, as that very same day another dam delivered a stillborn cria and we were plummeted into despair and self-doubt. Since then, almost twenty cria have been born on farm; we have had three plasma transfers and a further two losses, so the learning curve continues with every birth – the joy of watching a cria happily pronk around the field outweighs all the anguish in time.

Another highlight has been watching our first fleeces turned into beautiful yarn. Personally, we are novices at anything craft-related, however, through learning how to weave, it certainly gives a new perspective to the quality of fleece that we aspire to. Everyone in the family had a 100% British Bred handmade Acton Hill Alpaca scarf for Christmas (scarves and hats are the extent of our repertoire for now).

Being townies with no experience of livestock meant that owning alpacas totally changed our way of life; injections, toenails and drenching were something alien to us, and at first a little daunting. When we sold shares in our travel business in 2017, everyone asked us what we were going to splash out on? A new car or designer purchases? But, no, we bought a towable paddock hoover and it’s about the best thing we’ve ever bought! If someone had asked this question five years ago, they would have got a very different answer – never in a million years would you have got me cleaning poop from a paddock, let alone birthing alpacas but now it’s an enjoyable part of our daily life.

A real turning point in our journey came when we attended a genetics course run by international alpaca judge and breeder, Jude Anderson. It was

a fascinating two day course and it completely changed our vision of where we wanted to go with our alpacas. Since then, we have aimed to continually improve our herd through our breeding decisions; we recently purchased several elite females from award-winning herds, and last year we took the plunge and invested in two stud males – Timbertop CT Goldmine ET of Beck Brow and, 2017 BAS National Supreme Champion, Fowberry Constantine, both offer different qualities that will enable us to layer the very best genetics across our females in the coming years.

Goldmine is superb at giving great super fineness, density and organisation to his offspring and has produced numerous champions in the showring. Constantine has an extremely bright, highly organised fleece that offers fineness, uniformity, and density, but most impressive is his length of staple. Our aim is to breed strong, healthy alpacas that produce an abundance of fine, soft fibre.

For the past three years, I have been volunteering on the National Show Committee. It was such a shame the show was cancelled this year as the amount of planning and organisation that goes into it was a real eye-opener.

Being on the committee was another great learning opportunity, and we are excited for the show’s return next year and finally getting a chance to showcase our alpacas.

Alpacas teach us something every day and fortunately for us, we have also met some great mentors along the way. Our breeding programme is beginning to take shape and offers exciting possibilities for the future…

On a personal level, alpacas have changed our perspective on life, helping us realise what is important: family, health, and quality time. Life is short, live it…

› Angela and Stuart Wilson

› Constantine

› Nimeria

› Ophelia › Tsarina sheared fleece

› Debutante and Brea

› Goldmine

› Constantine fleece

CRIA GALLERY

BAS CEO Duncan Pullar introduces the winners of the first Cria Gallery which looks set to be a regular feature in the Summer and Autumn issues of Alpaca.

W

hen Alpaca editor Liz Mason came up with idea of a cria gallery photo competition for members to celebrate the arrival of new cria I was immediately in favour. The discussion then turned to who should be the judge and I could see I was being cornered!! As it turned out being cornered was not such a bad thing and I have enjoyed collating and judging the entries.

The response has been really good with more than 60 entries, including some international entries, and a plea to have a second round in the autumn for those of you still waiting for the 2020 cria to arrive. I am happy to say this is definitely going to occur. As judge my criteria were based on making sure the cria was the key part of the photo and that it had some “ahh” appeal. I was not looking for conformation or fleece quality – I will leave that to others who are better qualified.

Your collective enthusiasm for cria and your photographic skills are evident from the entries and I chose the top three from a short list of really good pictures.

In first place: Kate Brookes from Mullacott Alpacas, Ilfracombe with her picture of Angel and Perdy. Second place is Steven Ellershaw from Lythe Brow Alpacas in Lancashire and third is Sandra Holmudden from Royal Alpacas in Sweden with her Suri cria photo.

Well done to everyone who entered and good luck in the next round later in the year – make sure you have your camera with you whenever you can.

› First place: Kate Brookes, Mullacott

Alpacas. Perdy with her cria Mullacott Appaloosa Angel born on Good Friday. Perdy is registered as Pentney Leopardess but is called Perdita or Perdy after a character from 101 Dalmatians as she was the first spotty girl at Mullacott. The sire is Inca Domino's Deam – a harlequin leopard appaloosa. Angel is Perdy's second cria and her birth was live streamed on Mullacott Alpacas Facebook page and so far has reached more than 1.2 million people. It has been viewed 700,000 times!

46 Alpaca Summer 2020

A

HIGHLY COMMENDED

›

Second place: Steven Ellershaw from Lythe Brow Alpacas in Lancashire

A. Charlotte Brockwell, Cadbury Alpacas, North Somerset B. Myra John, Garth Mountain Alpacas, South Wales C. Lane House Alpacas, Chippenham, Wiltshire D. Lizzie Ross, Stony Pasture, Northumberland E. Mark Steele, Patou Alpacas, Wellington, Somerset F. Dave Bearman, Apple Vale Alpacas, Somerset G. Kim Inglis Jeffries, Blencogo Farm Alpacas, Cumbria H. Amanda from Abbie's Army, Foords Water Farm I. Steven Ellershaw, Lythe Brow Alpacas

B

C

G

› Third place: Sandra Holmudden from Royal Alpacas in Sweden with Royal Jubilee Iceing - sire Pucara PureSuri Tikanui's Ice King and dam Alpaca Stud Abelia

D

H

E F

I

Alpaca Summer 2020

47

Alpacas for sale

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

SOUTHERN ENGLAND

ALPACA EVOLUTION

Herts AlpAcAs

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.

15 years of selective breeding and dedication has successfully proven our genetics both in and outside the show ring, winning multiple Herts Alpacas championships and of course one of the British Alpaca Futurity’s major Best Breeder awards.

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.

We offer a range of courses including: ‘Introduction to alpacas’, ‘Birthing’, ‘Husbandry’, and a day long ‘Advanced’ course.

Alpacas for sale in all colours, at prices to suit all pockets, but more importantly from elite herd sires and proven bloodlines.

Our farm in Hertfordshire offers: feed, supplies, coats, halters etc. Importantly we deliver total customer care. See website for customer reviews and details of our award-winning herd sires.

PENNYBRIDGE ALPACAS 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.

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

tel: 01763 271301 or 07802 433155 emAil: beckwith904@aol.com Web: www.hertsalpacas.co.uk

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

SCOTFIELD ALPACAS

SNOWSHILL ALPACAS

ADVERTISE HERE

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.

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.

TEL: WEB:

Sue Hipkin 07770 455533 Lisa Batup 07770 455534 www.scotfieldalpacas.co.uk

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

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.

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

Foronly£280+VATfortheyear whichincludesanonlinelisting,you canadvertiseintheAlpacasforSale classifieds.

TEL: 01233 555735 EMAIL: wendy@tandemmedia.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 450 Huacaya and Suri. Lightfoot is a closed herd, we believe that the bio security and health of our animals is paramount to their breeding and care. We always have for the full range of colours and ages, mainly Huacaya with 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.

PINNACLE ALPACAS

ALPACA ANNIE

Situated in the beautiful Surrey hills, the Pinnacle Huacaya herd can be found grazing in badger fenced, lush pastures.

We are passionate about alpacas and committed to maintaining the highest standards in our breeding programme.

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

Whether you are just starting out or wish to enhance your breeding programme from our outstanding, world renowned genetics, we would be delighted to help you. Every Pinnacle alpaca carries an exceptional pedigree and is halter trained from an early age. We have a selection of quality animals for sale from pet males, through to breeding females and herd sires.

As BAS Affiliate Trainers we provide learning opportunities at all levels and always give full support with ongoing aftersales care.

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

TEL: Hilary 07957 689002 WEB: www.pinnaclealpacas.com EMAIL: info@pinnaclealpacas.com

EAST MIDLANDS

WEST MIDLANDS

JANDJ ALPACAS

JandJ Alpacas WE SPECIALISE IN COLOURED ALPACAS

The family run JandJ Alpaca herd was established in 2005 with four pregnant females, today we have over 90 beautiful animals. We are located in Lincolnshire on the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leiceistershire border just off the A1.

With years of experience our aim is to help you choose the best alpacas to start you journey, whether it be pregnant females, stud males, pet boys or girls.

Please feel free to get in touch.

TEL:

Martin or Clare 01636 626990

EMAIL: jandj.alpacas@zen.co.uk WEB:

www.jandjalpacas.co.uk

48 Alpaca Summer 2020

TOFT ALPACAS We offer over 150 pedigree alpacas in all colours, ages and price ranges and are confident that our prize-winning herd will live up to all your alpaca expectations. We will be delighted to share our extensive experience to guide you towards your alpaca aspiration, whatever that might be. Through the TOFT studio we run an extensive programme of practical husbandry and textile, crochet and knitting workshops throughout the year. The TOFT studio retails exclusive luxury yarn from throughout the world. Come and see for yourself – the complete alpaca experience.

TEL: 01788 810626 or 07970 626245 EMAIL: shirley@toft-alpacas.co.uk WEB: www.toftalpacastud.com

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: becca@alpacaannie.com WEB: www.alpacaannie.com

NORTH WEST

POTTERY ALPACAS Pottery Alpacas are a family run farm located in 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 MARK: 07702 540270 AMANDA: 07882 456084 EMAIL: mark@potteryalpacas.com WEB: www.potteryalpacas.com

SOUTH WEST

CENTRAL ENGLAND

URCUCHILLAY ALPACAS

FAERIE TALE ALPACAS

For over 10 years we have bred multiple-champion alpacas, selecting the best genetics while working to very high ethical standards. Our reputation and many awards are testament to our passion, commitment, knowledge and experience.

We have BAS registered and halter trained alpacas for sale in a range of colours, ages and quality, champion studs in a range of colours with a variety of sought-after genetics from New Zealand, Australia, America and the UK. We offer alpaca walks, experiences, events and parties as well as a shop. Visits are welcome by appointment.

TEL: 01458 860052 or 07570 511299 EMAIL: carla@urcuchillay.co.uk or carla@fibreofthegods.co.uk WEB: www.urcuchillay.co.uk or www.fibreofthegods.co.uk

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 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

Fibre Processors and Retailers RETAILERS/WHOLESALERS IN BRITISH ALPACA PRODUCTS

ANIMAL HEALTH

JG ANIMAL HEALTH 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

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 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.

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

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 WEB: www.classiccarder.co.uk

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

www.bas-uk.com

Medisave

The Professional Solution

25% OFF

5% OFF

ALL products Safe4disinfectant www.medisave.co.uk Terms and conditions apply

Discounted Prices on Microchips*

Terms and conditions apply

10% OFF

AGRI Shelter® Terms and conditions apply

M.R.HARNESS

CLASSIC CARDER

TEL: 01746 714130

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

HOMESTEAD FARM SUPPLIES

High specification organic chealated nutritional supplements

drum change for carding different fibres.

BAS Members exclusive

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

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.

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

www.bas-uk.com Alpaca Summer 2020

49

SEASONAL RAMBLINGS

Our regular diary writer has been self-isolating on the farm but alpaca friends make sure she is not alone as she looks forward to the first births of the year.

L

ockdown – love it, as long as you don’t think about what’s going on in the outside world. The way I cope is to just cocoon myself on the farm with the alpacas and get on with the seasonal jobs which need doing and look forward to the imminent births.

There is nobody around to interrupt you; no unexpected visitors and no one banging on your door wanting a cup of tea because they were passing – pure bliss.

Each day I think how lucky I am to have the freedom to go outside in the fields with the sun belting down, the breeze in my face, the trees and hedges coming into leaf and a rich green colour appearing all around the fields. I love spring it’s all so fresh.

We alpaca breeders are lucky not be stuck in a high rise flat with loads of children not being able to go out, or to be a frontline NHS worker. I clap for the NHS every Thursday and regard myself as lucky to be out in the sticks away from all that is going on in the world in these uncertain times.

Most of us do however miss the camaraderie at the shows, the excitement of seeing old friends meeting new ones, a hug and a kiss – no more I fear (and I don’t know how I will cope with that one). We miss showing off our beautiful alpacas, the hopes the dreams, the aspirations of doing well and receiving a ribbon or two. It’s so easy to get caught up on the chase for a rosette or a championship but it will be even more thrilling waiting for next year’s shows to come along.

I am amazed at the number of alpaca people who have kept in contact by text, email or have rung to see if I am ok and to have a good chat, putting their view on things and the world to rights. Of course, a great topic is the weather. From November to March we all wished it would stop raining. We were praying even for a little sun and now we are praying for a little rain. So be careful what you wish for – a little rain please but no, not too much. The grass (what grass? I hear you say) is yellow and down to the roots with bare patches by the gateways from the winter rain. The fields are a mess, but nature always sorts itself out.

Cria care

I am getting broody watching pictures on Facebook of everyone's of cria being born. I can't wait for mine to start arriving safely. (If you find one missing it wasn’t me).

Make sure you have checked the birthing basket: long sterile gloves ( be clean), lube, sterile towels, naval clamp, cotton wool, iodine spray, bandage to tie tail out of the way, bowl of warm water and some Hibiscrub (an antiseptic solution) for cleaning the vulva area afterwards and don’t forget your vet’s number. A nose and two front feet are what you want to see. When your cria is born wipe the fluid from its mouth and nose so it can breathe. Don’t’ rush things let mum do the work and if you are unsure ring the vet. It’s worth a vet’s call out fee rather than risk losing a mum or cria. Spray the navel, check the sex and make sure all is where it should be under the tail and don’t worry if your cria is not the colour you wanted – as long as it is alive and healthy. Now for that first drink ...

50 Alpaca Summer 2020

©Barbara Hetherington, Beck Brow Alpacas, Cumbria

In last year’s heat I found that when a cria was taking its time getting up to the milk bar it would become dehydrated and lethargic as soon as it was in the cush position, or holding the cush position. I dribbled a few millilitres of warm water and honey onto its lips and within seconds it came back to life. Birthing is such a joyous time – new life.

I felt for the alpaca owners who were worrying about shearing at the beginning of lockdown. The welfare of our alpacas is paramount. We are very short on shearers in the UK. But in the main the weather has been very good for shearing so let’s hope everyone gets their alpacas sheared safely. I am so grateful that my shearer lives in the UK so I didn’t have to worry.

I have already booked my hay ages ago. Farmers are complaining the grass is not growing so well in some parts of the country and around here we have had so little rain so I got my order in quick. And now the flies have decided to join us.

What about social distancing flies? Did you know two flies can become one million in four months?

With that let’s hope we all can look forward to the fleece shows later this year and of course the halter shows next year and hope the world will become a safer place.

Supreme Champion alpaca breeders with 26 years experience Inca Jealousy - Female

We are proud to offer: Detailed guidance and support for new owners.

Business planning for breeding herds.

Elite pedigree breeding and pet stock for sale.

Help obtaining planning permission for a dwelling using alpaca breeding as justification â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we did it and have helped others.

www.incaalpaca.co.uk Please call Tim and Tracey to talk more about alpaca ownership: +44 (0) 7875 532827

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