AANZ August 2017 by NZ Alpaca

August 2017

MAGAZI NE IAL IC OF

OF F

August 2017

Inside this Issue

Message from the President

Greg Charteris

A Step by Step Journey to Living the Dream

Liz Barnes COVER Photo of Thistledown Oscuro by Molly Gardner

More Hefty Fines

Cilla Taylor

Life After Martina Alpacas

Joyce & Bob Martin

Creative Fibre

Alpaca & Creative Fibre - A New Perspective

20 20

Maree Churchill YOUR FREE GUIDE

Performance Shearing Competition

Nigel Wood

Fieldays 2017, Central District Field Days & South Island Field Days

Fun Training with an Alpaca

Terry Crowfoot FOCUS ON

ALPACA

Clicker Training Your Alpaca

Cindy Myers

Putting on a Show

Samantha Jung-Fielding

FOCUS ON ALPACA 2016 The latest update to the Alpaca Focus flyer is now available from Toni at AANZ HQ. As there are no major changes to the new issue we encourage members to complete distribution of the old Alpaca Focus they may still hold. The Alpaca Focus continues to be targeted at introducing alpacas to new participants as well as membership of the AANZ. We encourage members to distribute Alpaca Focus at any events they plan to hold, with the coming National Alpaca Day on Sunday 8th May an example. Please contact Toni by email (tonisoppet@alpaca.org.nzÂ ) if you require copies of the Alpaca Focus!

Testing the Testers - Fibre Testing Alpacas

Stephen Mulholland

Along-Fibre Data Reading the Past, Predicting the Future

Stephen Mulholland

Felting for Excercise

Terri Cattell

2016 Health Survey Results Summary

Stephen Mulholland

Advertiser Profile

Alpacas in the Attic

New Member Profile

David Martens & Lisa Charteris BOOK YOUR ADVERTISING NOW!! NZ Alpaca Magazine is now viewed by an international audience on ww.issuu.com

2017 North island Colourbration Results

New Zealand Alpaca is printed on paper derived from resources which are managed to ensure their renewability for generations to come.

Editor Amanda Bethune & Frith Latham magazine@alpaca.org.nz

Website www.alpaca.org.nz AANZ – All Enquiries Toni Soppet – AANZ Office Manager PO Box 6348, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8442 Phone (03) 341 5242. Mobile 021 368 994 tonisoppet@alpaca.org.nz or aanz@clear.net.nz

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AANZ Council President Greg Charteris 128 Stan Wright Road Karaka, Auckland president@alpaca.org.nz Vice President Lindsay Riddle vicepresident@alpaca.org.nz Secretary Lynette Gopperth secretary@alpaca.org.nz Treasurer Stephen Davy treasurer@alpaca.org.nz Southern Region Rep. Andy Nailard southernrep@alpaca.org.nz Central Region Rep. Neil Watson centralrep@alpaca.org.nz Northern Region Rep. Sarah Busby northernrep1@alpaca.org.nz Northern Region Rep. northernrep2@alpaca.org.nz Liability Whilst all efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of information this Association accepts no responsibility for any errors contained in advertisements or text. Views expressed by advertisements and contributors are not necessarily endorsed by this association. Copyright All material appearing in NZ Alpaca is copyright. Reproduction in whole or part is not permitted without the written permission of AANZ. Photographs Photographs are always welcome for use either on the cover or elsewhere in the magazine. Please forward the high resolution, full size version to the editor. Also include the photographer’s details so that the proper credit can be griven.

Message from the President Winter greetings to you all, we are now in the thick of winter with less food and more mud in most regions. A challenging time for all of us with the risk of parasite problems growing with close grazing and possible difficulties with stock rotation for many. One of the sound veterinary recommendations is to blanket drench your herd at the wettest and coldest time of the year to give parasite eggs the least chance of re-infection so consider this strategy for your herd protection. At the risk of repeating myself I am including some items from my annual report for those of you who did not get to read it. National Council have worked extremely well this year with a dedicated group of members contributing many hours for the betterment of our breed. We continue to look to more commercial gains for alpacas as this surely is the long term future of the breed. Although National Council cannot participate in commercial development we are seeing some gains in the development of improved commercial fibre, meat and hide opportunities which I hope will continue through 2017 to provide better return opportunities for breeders into 2018. These fledging commercial ventures need our support as people are putting investment into them and need the support of breeders to give them the best chance of success. The regional agricultural field days are continuing to be an important showcase for alpacas and significant money and time is being invested in these events with AANZ members doing great work to get our organisation in front of the agricultural public. As we get more traction on commercial diversity with the alpaca breed, we will attract further serious attention from the farming sector. Thank you to all those that are putting effort into these field days. I would like to commend Southern Region for their initiatives over the past year with a very successful Fibre Workshop which was attended by people as far away as Northern Region and were treated to some very professional tutelage from Molly Gardner and Anya Walkington. This type of regional training workshop event is essential for our industry and takes a huge effort to put on. Northern Region are planning a similar event and I encourage any breeders who are serious about advancing your alpaca breeding skills to make sure you attend one of these workshops. Thanks to the hard working organisers and judge trainers who put so much effort into these workshops. Our thanks also go to our NZ judges who have overseen a significant number of shows in the past season. An interesting statistic for those that wonder how many shows are being served by Australian judges â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we had 31 shows in the last season 23 were judged by NZ judges and 8 by Australian judges. We are certainly well served by our NZ judges and I admire their work and commitment in providing us with world class show assessments. TB has been one the issues that has taken up NC time over recent months as pressure has come from members who are finding it difficult and expensive to TB test animals to comply with the testing requirement for alpacas to be shown at A&P run shows. After much deliberation NC put forward a remit to RAS to have the TB test requirement for alpacas attending shows removed. There has been great debate around this matter with cattle breeds and some A&Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opposing the remit. National Council was, in the end, concerned about the possible perception of reducing our vigilance on TB would have in the Northern Hemisphere, given the

recent UK TB problems and we subsequently withdrew the remit to allow more consideration of the matter. One of the positives in this NC decision was a commitment given to AANZ by both RAS and cattle groups to assist AANZ in getting a more comprehensive geographic coverage of TB testing technicians throughout in NZ, which will assist those that currently have significant costs to bring a technician in from outside their local area. Australian Registry changes: Many of you will know that AAA are changing their registry provider on July 31 this year and the effect this will have on AANZ. National Council have meet with AAA and sought information on the new system. We are obtaining a copy of this new registry program to put into the hands of a few experienced AANZ members to test and evaluate its suitability for NZ use. Subject to its operational benefits, the operational cost and our undertaking an in depth peer review of the system; we will give consideration to its implementation into AANZ. In the meantime we are signed up with ABRI for another year through to July 2018 and taking a cautious wait and see approach as to how Australia fair with the new system. Any NZ breeders who attend the AAA National Show will have the opportunity to view the new registry first hand. Our National Show is this year in Fielding and we hope the central location will see a record number of entries. We know that the Kaikoura earthquake damage is making the trip from the south a bit more challenging but we hope that those of you from the south will take the scenic route and we will see you all in Fielding for 2017. The show is looking to be a great event with a committed Working Group under the guidance of Toni Soppet finalising the show. We are hoping to have an exciting addition to the show which will be announced to members prior to the publication of this magazine. SJSC is continuing to make improvements in our judging quality and standards and are planning a judge training and breed standard meeting to be run in conjunction with a one day Breeders Workshop in Auckland. This event is only possible through the support of our hard working judges and every alpaca breeder in the area should watch out for the rescheduled date of this event. All the best to everyone out there. Keep striving to improve the quality of our national herd, we certainly have the eyes of the world on us as we challenge Australia for the best alpacas in the Southern Hemisphere and we are expecting a great contingent of AAA members at Fielding in September.

Regards

Greg Charteris President, AANZ 5

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A STEP BY STEP JOURNEY TO

Living the Dream By Liz Barnes | The Alpaca Place

After living in South Auckland for 15 years, in 1990 my husband, Gordon, and I decided to move with our young family nearer to their grandparents in Wairarapa and so put our house on the market despite declining Auckland house prices (a scenario that is now hard to imagine). Coincidentally, shortly afterwards, my sister Cheryl was made redundant in the midst of the economic downturn and for financial reasons decided to rent out her house in Auckland and return “home” to Wairarapa to look for work. The Auckland property market was sluggish and it took several failed contracts and two years for our house to sell, by which time Cheryl had re-established herself temporarily back with our parents in Greytown, Wairarapa, had sold her Auckland house and found work commuting from Wairarapa to Petone near Wellington each day. While we were all looking for somewhere to settle down near to our parents (as our mother was suffering from terminal cancer), they offered both Cheryl, and Gordon and myself, house sections adjoining our parents’ home. This was land adjoining the market garden where we had grown up. In the end

Gordon and I built a house behind my parents’ house and Cheryl built a new house alongside our parents. Both of us had spectacular rural scenic views of the neighbouring farm and of the balance of the land still owned by our retired parents but which was grazed by sheep belonging to a neighbour. By the time we had lived there for around 10 years I had just one of our four sons still living at home. It was time for a new interest! My Dad suggested I could use the balance of his land to “grow something”. That was never going to fly! I had grown up on a berryfruit farm and was done “growing something”. I toyed with the idea of having a donkey and cart, an idea that was quite appealing in the quiet little country town. When I suggested this to Cheryl she said we should consider llamas. And then we heard about woolproducing alpacas which seemed to

ABOVE Liz (left) conducting a farm tour.

make more sense given there was some return. We looked into it. The price was exorbitant! At the average price of $10,000 +GST for a breeding female it was simply beyond our means. For a few months we put the idea aside but the more we thought about it the more appealing these animals became and a dream was born, followed by achievable goals that we have since set every year. Two sayings became our catchcry: “If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt Disney “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary” – Vidal Sassoon 7

We learned so much from other breeders and so, early in the days of the internet, set up our website simply to make information freely available to other alpaca owners. Our research back in 2001 indicated that a starter herd of five females and a ten-year plan would lead to self-employment, however for us five females was simply out of the question but with financial manoeuvring we could manage just two! While it was going to take us more than 10 years, provided we bought alpacas that were low cost (within our price range) and had no genetic faults we believed we could “breed up” to quality huacaya alpacas by establishing and meeting achievable goals. Cheryl decided to capitalise some employee shares she was entitled to. Her ideas of a sometime “O.E” changed and she used the money to buy just one registered pregnant alpaca in April 2001. The alpaca had a 4 month old female cria at foot and our father offered to buy the cria so that Cheryl had the requisite two alpacas needed to get us started. Our first mistake! A dependant cria is not company for an adult alpaca, just a huge responsibility for the Mum when there is no herd to 8

help watch out for the youngster. We always tell our customers they must have at least two adult alpacas. The day of arrival was a day of great excitement! I was so excited I took the day off work, knowing I couldn’t settle to working on such a momentous day. The alpacas were due to arrive from the South Island in Wellington on the 1pm ferry and were expected to arrive in Greytown at around 3pm. In the end delays all round meant they didn’t arrive until 7pm! The minutes had ticked by so slowly. The poor alpacas had been in the truck so long the cria couldn’t stand up and in those days picking up a 4 months old cria was physically impossible for us. Things have changed! Eventually we got the alpacas unloaded and then Millie’s 5 months of “pace the fenceline” began, and Cheryl regretted buying the poor, stressed alpaca. Relief for Millie only came when I finally managed to purchase a cheap pregnant female many months later. The change in Millie’s behaviour was instant. She had an adult friend. She could relax.

ABOVE Liz (left) and Cheryl (right) walking some young alpacas.

At the time when we purchased our original alpacas there was buoyancy in the alpaca industry with many new owners coming on board over the next few years. With no suitable studs available locally we struck a deal with another local new owner who was contemplating buying a quality stud but reluctant to pay the price demanded. We offered to use her stud should she buy it. That sealed the deal for her and so our need for our own stud male was postponed for a year or two. We noticed two common beliefs by alpaca owners during this period of rapid growth within the industry: • “If you have alpacas they have beautiful fleece.” • “If you have a sign at the gate alpacas will sell themselves.” and, in fact, many people seem to still believe this. Also at that time:

changes in our herd over the years and often comments on the way our herd continues to improve. He’s seen many, many keen beginners over the same time frame fall by the wayside in terms of improving their alpacas but we’re there year on year (and so is he!).

• Vets had very little knowledge of how to help these creatures that were new to them as well • There was almost no information available on how to care for alpacas We observed that there were two ways to achieve a quality herd – it took either money or time. We dealt with these issues in our own way: • We determined that we would work towards breeding alpacas with beautiful fleeces by selecting males that were within our reach financially and that were better than our females, hopeful that they would pass on improved fleece attributes. Ultimately we wanted alpacas that not only had beautiful wool but also looked attractive to potential purchasers. Learning about conformation and studying alpacas of renown, and the pedigrees of males that achieved well in the alpaca shows (that were set up shortly after our arrival on the alpaca scene) became an obvious requirement. • A single sign at the gate was never going to do it. We knew we wouldn’t know how to sell an ice cream in the tropics and that lack of marketing skills could be our downfall. So we studied marketing. Our marketing approach over the years has been multi-faceted (and yes, we still have a sign at the gate!) • At the time, vets could only gain knowledge by employing them to help our alpacas. They had no training and no alpaca-proven drugs. We also encouraged our vets to attend the vet conference that was offered at the annual conferences way back then. Nowadays our current vet can do some amazing things – a caesarean under sedation and local anaesthetic, permanently unblocking a tear duct by passing a thread from the tear duct down through the nostril to ensure the passage remained open while it healed, a blood transfusion following an onslaught by the evil Barber’s Pole Worm, dealing with fertility issues and much more. With alpacas here to stay NZ, vet trainees are now taught basic alpaca care during their training at Massey University. • The lack of easily available information was a problem for us until we joined the Central Region “04-06 group” way back at the turn of

ABOVE Our first alpaca, Millie, in 2001.

We made a move to a larger farm in Masterton in 2005 by doing something very few people would consider. Cheryl sold her residential property and Gordon and I did likewise. We pooled our resources and bought a joint property in Masterton, sharing both the residence and the farm. It was our plan to stay there just 5 years but 12 years on we are

We knew we wouldn’t know how to sell an ice cream in the tropics and that lack of marketing skills could be our downfall. So we studied marketing. the millennium. This was an informal social “alpaca owners” group that met in Manawatu to talk about our mutual passion. We learned so much from other breeders and so, early in the days of the internet, set up our website www.thealpacaplace.co.nz simply to make information freely available to other alpaca owners. It gradually worked its way up the Google list and is now readily found from all around the world. We have even used our own website as a resource when we had an alpaca developed a head tremor in the middle of winter! Our site advised us it was likely to be Polioencephalomacia or PEM (thiamine deficiency) treatable by the Vitamin B group. Recovery was rapid! However, we still consider other breeders to be our best resource (along with our very knowledgeable vet). These days we support our local Cluster Group to encourage the giveand-take of information as well as having the friendship and support of local alpaca owners. • Time was on our side and we used it to learn about alpaca pedigrees so they could be incorporated into our herd. The changes in our herd over 16 years are amazing. Most current members don’t remember our start-up, or the standard of alpaca we started with (and that we started with so few of them), but our shearer does – he shore our very first one adult alpaca and has seen the positive

still there and have no plans to move as the property, while being smaller than we would like, it simply suits us in so many other regards, having been developed over the years to particularly suit alpaca farming. We frequently had many people turning up asking to look at our alpacas, which we were happy to do but of course it took up time that we should have been using on the farm. At the time Cheryl and I both had full time jobs but a workmate of mine encouraged us to set up official farm tours to coincide with the 2011 rugby world cup. So we took the plunge and set up farm tours 3 days a week, went part-time at work, and sat back and waited for the visitors during that time. Unsurprisingly not a single person turned up! If you sit and wait NOTHING will happen! With such a short time frame for getting started, while we had advertised that we were now running official farm tours, we had not had time to properly market our tours. However, once our marketing got underway we came to the attention of firstly visitors from Wellington and Manawatu, our closest neighbours. Over time our visitors have steadily increased with many of them from countries all around the world and demand for the tours encouraged us to open for farm tours 6 days a week several years ago. 9

For us pedigree has always been important but we had to develop slowly, reinvesting money we made from sales back into breeding quality.

of ‘ribbons of success’ on display in our farm shop and it sometimes gives us pause to remember where we’ve come from. While we could never see the benefit of a computerised system for breeding such as Across Herd Genetic Evaluation (AGE), we have an altogether different view of DNA Parent Verification which we see as a great tool moving forward. We have deliberately reduced our herd down to 50-60 alpacas (we can’t see the point in working so hard that we have a life sentence rather than a lifestyle!) and each of our breeding alpacas has had their DNA recorded. Already we have several alpacas with proven pedigree going back generations. For us pedigree has always been important but we had to develop slowly, reinvesting money we made from sales back into breeding quality. Initially our target was to include all of the Australian “foundation greats” in the pedigree of our herd. Over time all six of them have turned up (and not accidentally): Purrumbete Highlander, Inti, El Dorado, Ledger’s Dream, Snowman, Sir Titus Salt.

TOP Pedigree Matters! Cheryl (left) and Liz with a family of winners at our local Masterton Show. ABOVE Quality proven by pedigree - a very much improved alpaca: Millie’s great-great-granddaughter Aria, 2017

Over the years we have been involved with the AANZ on many levels: as a member, on the Central Region Committee, showing alpacas, establishing and convening the local Masterton show, writing newsletters, on the National Show Working Group, and setting up and co-ordinating a local Cluster group. We see membership as a “glue” in 10

common with other members who have a similar vision. We attend shows in the lower North Island and the occasional Colourbration and National shows and have done so for years. We think showing our alpacas is about more than winning (since we’ve been beaten plenty of times but still turn up that’s probably pretty evident to other competitors). However, we have many

Later our horizons expanded to other stud males who were making an impact in Australasia. I remember once, many years ago Ian Nelson (the founder of the NZ alpaca industry) contacted me saying he had a young female who had recently given birth to her first cria but despite a normal birth the somewhat panicky mother had failed to feed her cria. The mother had been sired by Kaihere Peruvian Ven-Chura, an imported male who was making a name for himself in New Zealand at that time. Ian offered me both mum and her female cria at a giveaway price as he didn’t want the bother of bottlefeeding a cria at a time

when he was considering selling off his herd. I “ummed” and “ahh’d” for about 30 seconds. Would she have ongoing mothering difficulties? Was it an inherited trait? Worth the risk, I thought, to get two quality females at this price. And so I bottle fed her cria and awaited the birth of Abby’s second cria. Interestingly, a few weeks before she gave birth Abby stood nose-to-tail with another female alpaca giving birth, watching the whole proceeding with great interest for more than 20 minutes, later taking interest in the cria suckling. When she gave birth herself a few weeks later she fed her cria without hesitation and has been a model mother ever since. She just needed a bit of education! While Abby has long gone to a new home we still have her great-granddaughter Crystal in our herd. Along the generations Abby’s descendants have added “names” to their pedigree. Crystal’s next cria will have picked up the following names in his/her pedigree: Somerset Peruvian Challenge, Purrumbete Highlander (via Coricancha Brujo), Jolimont Warrior (via Flowerdale Shackleton), ILR

Alpine Fiber’s Brutus (via Silverstream Faberge) and Eringa Park Peruvian Irraquoy. So, its taken time, but here we’ll have an alpaca with a solid background of quality alpacas. She or he is not alone, most of our alpacas have a similar story. It’s been worth the wait! Genotype has never been interchangeable with phenotype for us. While it’s good to have a quality male in your herd who visually has what it takes (conformation and fleece qualities) we believe phenotype alone will not necessarily produce offspring even as good as the male himself. But if we add in the qualities that are evident in his whole family (as proven by specific animal pedigree/genotype) then all there is in the background is good quality. Such a cria will not miss out on the genetic goodies. We are proud that our achievements have been by the investment of time and breeding skills, and not simply with the investment of money. We’ve now both been working fulltime in alpacas for several years, doing the bulk of the farm work ourselves. Some

things have never changed: the arrival of a new alpaca is still cause for great excitement! We love our lifestyle. And reaching the “destination” has never been solely about “getting there”. While many people have joined the race at the three-quarter mark by investing in quality herds right from the start, we’re like the tortoise in the race between the hare and the tortoise, we simply keep plodding along with a destination in mind while enjoying the journey and living the dream. It’s so much more than winning the race. Alpacas have changed our lives for good.

Now working full time in alpacas, Liz and her sister Cheryl farm 60 alpacas at The Alpaca Place in the beautiful Rangitumau Valley, Masterton, within easy reach of Wellington, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay. They started farming alpacas in 2001 and quickly realised that pedigree matters and breeding decisions for their alpacas since then have been based on that philosophy. www.thealpacaplace.co.nz

Pedigree Matters!

We’re Committed to DNA Parent Verification

Yaringa Masterclass

Highway Star Gold Flash

Huari Geronimo

Phone 06 372 5565 Masterton, NZ Email cheryl@thealpacaplace.co.nz Our herd prefixes: Huari and NZ Eikon

www.thealpacaplace.co.nz 11

Hefty Fines

FOR FAKE ALPACA CLAIMS More hefty fines for NZ manufacturers making fake alpaca claims By Cilla Taylor | Wild Palette Suri

Some years ago I bought a scarf on TradeMe. The ad said This is made from genuine alpaca fibre, and is incredibly soft, very warm, and unlike wool – won’t itch. When I received my purchase I thought it felt very un-alpaca like, and I checked its labels. Hiding under the label containing the Peruvian company’s alpaca logo was a smaller label, in Spanish, stating that the content was 25% alpaca and 75% acrylic. The person who sold the scarf was also selling other similar products, so presumably was in trade. Anyone who is in trade in New Zealand must abide by the Fair Trading Act 1986, and that Act states that anyone who is in trade cannot make a false or misleading representation that goods are of 12

a particular kind, standard, quality, grade, quantity, composition, style, or model, or have had a particular history or particular previous use. If the TradeMe ad had said “this scarf contains 25% genuine alpaca fibre” it would have been fine. But to say it is “made from genuine alpaca fibre, and is incredibly soft, very warm, and unlike wool – won’t itch” is misleading. I can assure you it’s not incredibly soft. I don’t know whether it’s very warm because I’ve never worn it. And the reason I’ve never worn it? It’s far too scratchy! The government department that is responsible for enforcing the Fair Trading Act is the Commerce Commission. If a member of the public believes that a trader is breaching the Act they can make a complaint, or report the trader, to the Commission. It’s easy. They can complete the Commission’s on-line report form, email them or phone them. If the Commission agree that

there is a potential breach of the Act they will handle it from there. I didn’t report the lady who sold me the scarf. But I did warn her that she was possibly breaching the Fair Trading Act and suggested that she should be a little more careful with her advertising.

On May 23 this year the Commerce Commission published a media release announcing that it has now successfully prosecuted 11 companies under the Fair Trading Act for mislabelling alpaca products. These were all serious breaches, as the companies concerned were intentionally misleading their customers, and the breaches involved sales of expensive items. The total fines imposed on these companies now exceed $1,500,000. Yes, the commas are in the right place, that’s over 1.5 million dollars of fines, split between 11 companies! The highest fine imposed on any one company was $243,444 with a further $25,000 fine imposed on its director. The company, Wild Nature NZ Ltd, made false representations about alpaca duvets, merino duvets and alpaca rugs. The rugs were imported from Peru but had their labels removed and replaced with labels stating that they were made in New Zealand. The duvets that were sold as “alpaca” contained very little alpaca fibre and the “merino” duvets contained no merino wool at all. The latest prosecution was that of the Princess Wool Co Ltd, manufacturers of wool duvets – and also duvets that were supposedly made from alpaca or cashmere. These duvets were then sold to retailers. The alpaca and cashmere duvets manufactured by Princess Wool were labelled as containing “pure alpaca” or “pure cashmere”. The Commerce Commission asked an independent laboratory to test five alpaca duvets and three cashmere duvets. The alpaca duvets proved to contain predominantly sheep’s wool with a maximum of 17% alpaca, while the cashmere duvets contained 100% sheep’s wool and absolutely no cashmere at all. Princess Wool was already known to the Commerce Commission – they had been warned before about their use of misleading labels and “Made in New Zealand” claims, and had twice promised the Commission that they would remove the labels that said “pure alpaca”. They didn’t do it. Antonia Horrocks, manager of the Commerce Commissions “competition” branch, commented that "Consumers buy goods like

LEFT and ABOVE Promotional photographs advertising the Princess Wool Co’s product (now in liquidation).

alpaca duvets on trust, because they cannot themselves verify the accuracy of product claims”. She said “We refer to claims of this type as credence claims, and ensuring that traders don’t mislead consumers over such claims is a priority for the Commission.” (Credence claims are claims that can’t easily be verified by the consumer, so consumers have to take these claims at face value.) In a recent media release Commissioner Anna Rawlings commented “Consumers need to be able to trust these sorts of representations. Breaching that trust harms consumers, other competing businesses and New Zealand’s reputation in export markets.”. The judge in the Auckland District Court, Judge Gibson, said that the offending “had the effect of punishing honest traders who were unable to compete with Princess Wool’s prices”. He also commented that a significant feature in this case was that the offending had occurred “when the industry was on notice that individuals and companies who were offending in this way were likely to face prosecution.” Princess Wool Co Ltd went into liquidation on June 2 this year.

In a recent media release Commissioner Anna Rawlings commented “Consumers need to be able to trust these sorts of representations. Breaching that trust harms consumers, other competing businesses and New Zealand’s reputation in export markets.”. As alpaca breeders, if we are selling products made from our fleeces we are in trade. The Fair Trading Act applies to us too. Section 13 of the Act deals with the supply of goods and services. It says: No person shall, in trade, in connection with the supply or possible supply of goods … or with the promotion by any means of the supply or use of goods … make a false or misleading representation that goods are of a particular kind, standard, quality, grade, quantity, composition, style, or model, or have had a particular history or particular previous use… or make a false or misleading representation concerning the place of origin of goods. This means that in all our advertising, on the labels attached to our garments/duvets/yarns, and in face to face discussions with customers 13

we must be 100% accurate about the composition of our product and its place of origin. If the item you are selling was imported from Peru, say so! Section 13 also refers to “quality” – and this would apply to the quality of the fleece, especially when selling animals or stud services. If you say “He has great fleece stats – tested at 14.7 micron with an SD of 2.8, I can show you the histogram” it may well be true. Well, true that you can produce the histogram. And the fleece stats were true once – when he was shorn at one month of age, but he is now 5 years old and at the last shearing his fleece measured 30.5 micron with an SD of 5.7. Section 12A also applies to us. It says, in subsection (1): A person must not, in trade, make an unsubstantiated representation. It then goes on to explain in subsection (2): A representation is unsubstantiated if the person making the representation does not, when the representation is made, have reasonable grounds for

the representation, irrespective of whether the representation is false or misleading. Think about all those claims we make about alpaca fibre – lighter and warmer than sheep’s wool, stronger than sheep’s wool, prickle free, hypoallergenic – can we prove these claims? Or are they merely unsubstantiated representations? I noticed another ad for an alpaca scarf on TradeMe today. The heading is Gorgeous warm and snuggly red 100% alpaca scarf. The Buy Now price is $19. There are three photos – one of the scarf, and two showing the logo depicting the manufacturer’s name and a graphic of an alpaca. I asked the trader if she could confirm that this scarf is 100% alpaca, and asked her to upload a photo of the label that shows the composition. She replied that she had already uploaded photos of the only two labels, including the stitched label and what she called the composition label, and because both clearly said “alpaca” she presumes it must indeed be alpaca.

All our advertising, on the labels attached to our garments/duvets/yarns, and in face to face discussions with customers we must be 100% accurate about the composition of our product and its place of origin.

I won’t be buying it. It looks identical to the one I bought several years ago.

Cilla Taylor owns Wild Palette Suri in Waimauku, Auckland. She teaches for Unitec in Auckland and has written their course material for the National Certificate in Real Estate, which includes, amongst other legislation, a paper on the Fair Trading Act. www.wildpalette.co.nz

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27/02/14 4:21 pm

Life After MARTINA ALPACAS By Joyce and Bob Martin

Well, is there life after alpacas? Anyone out there know? Or are you always going to be tied to them in one way or another? No way to find out really except go cold turkey and find out. That's exactly what we did. After being in the alpaca business for ten years we came home from a holiday in Australia, totally relaxed as one of my sisters and her husband, retired farmers had farm sat for us and I was able to relax and not worry about the animals ( a trait I inherited from my dad). If you're a worrier then that's what you are. Our son was very good he would come over each day for a weekend to feed and check the animals (payback time) but it's just not the same as having someone farm sit. Anyhow, we came home and I said to Bob "we have five years and then we are getting off the land so we can go away whenever we feel like it without having to organise someone to farm sit".

Shortly after this conversation, which went nowhere I might add, we went to see friends, their property had just sold and they were selling their llamas and moving to the South Island. Time moved on and things kept ticking over as they do when you don't rock the boat and Bob came in for lunch one day and said " Prices are good for properties round Auckland so shall I phone the land agent now?"

four left, which a friend offered to take, and we could sell them from her place. All good.

Before I could even think about it he was on the phone to the agent who lived down the road, she was a friend and was up to talk to us before we could change our minds.

When people heard we were temporarily homeless the offers started to come in to house sit and so started our life of house/farm sitting. We were booked for seven months and during that time we were going overseas ourselves. Doing the Alaskan passage, going to a friend’s wedding in Scotland, canal boating from Passau to Budapest and visiting some woofers that we had kept in touch with in Germany.

"What for" was his astonished reply.

Our property sold with a long settlement date and as soon as people heard, we had lots of calls wanting to buy our equipment and stock which made it really easy for us.

"Well by that time you will be seventy five, how long do you want to be tied down for goodness sake". He forgets his age sometimes!

The alpacas just gradually sold without us having to resort to the dreaded TradeMe to sell them and when shifting day came we only had

We bought a house and 2 acres in Hampton downs just north of Te Kauwhata. Took it over on 1st April but the tenants in it had a long term lease until November. Friends offered to store our furniture for us until we moved in.

We bought a motorhome and organised with them to store it until we got back from holiday.

When people heard we were temporarily homeless then the offers started to come in to house sit and so started our life of house/farm sitting. We were booked for seven months and during that time we were going overseas ourselves. Not to be. I had a health scare, didn't have time to sort it, so, three weeks before our trip it had to be cancelled. Lots of tears, lots of swearing and an outpouring of love from family and friends. In and out of hospital. Wonderful friends offering us a place to stay while we recuperated. All done and dusted. Now let's get on with life. Our tenants wanted to stay on and we wanted to go off in the motor home so we made plans to build a shed to house the motor home when we weren't using it and a base for us when we weren't travelling. You have to have somewhere to store your stuff. The shed is still an ongoing project and will keep us busy for a while. Meanwhile on the alpaca front a friend taught herself to shear but needed help and so off we went. Bob needed to be working, he doesn't sit around well! Did you know shearing is very therapeutic? Well it seemed to be for

both Bob and I. To start with I was being told not to do anything and then they realised I was just going to do what I could and they should leave me alone and let me do what I wanted to do which I was going to do anyway ( a bit stubborn) and that was the best thing for my recovery. I became a survivor not a victim. March saw us biking with friends round Queenstown and we were away for about two and a half months living the life and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. We went down the east coast, saw our son and his family in Kakanui, our friends in Oamaru and then over to the west coast via Arthur's pass and back up. Missed all the horrible rain they had in the North Island. Even Greymouth was beautiful. Drove our motorhome back to Hampton Downs, put it in the shed, a few days at home to repackage bags and then flew down to Queenstown to farm sit for 4 weeks.

What a wonderful time, it even snowed for us while we were there and we loved it. It doesn't matter whose alpacas they are, they are lovely and so easy-care. Back in Waiau Pa and we're farm sitting again, then in July we are moving to Hampton downs to put in gardens and do shed work. We're still getting emails – “where are you gypsies now?” “can you?...”. We already have two more farm sits to do this year and three booked in for next year and we have the overseas trip to take for ourselves, so we're going to book a month for ourselves in and then we won't keep saying yes to people. Mind you, we'll have to remember shearing is coming up! Life after alpacas? Well I'm not sure we're there yet but we're sure having fun. 17

Creative Fibre Creative Fibre NZ is an organisation committed to bringing together people with a passion for fibre, textiles, and the craft use of fibre.

For as little as $35 per year for new and renewed subscriptions, this organisation can offer groups or individuals a wealth of knowledge in all things fibre, with 15 geographical Area Committee’s supporting and encouraging the use of fibre and fibre craft. Each area has various sub committees/groups such as Spinners, Weavers, Dyers, Wool-crafters etc. There is the great, informative Creative Fibre Magazine which is published quarterly and free to the over 3000 NZ members, with educational and inspiration articles, news and up and coming Creative Fibre events. It also offers advertising and promotion opportunities for fibre craft businesses. With sub groups offering learner classes for beginners right though to the more intermediate and advanced groups set up for regular get-totogether informal meetings and classes, there is a real appreciation for continued learning and a passion to keep and retain fibre and textile knowledge that has been built on for generations and to preserve and pass 18

this on. There is also an extensive library available to members online and by request. Recently Creative Fibre NZ held its bi-annual Festival 2017 “Entwine”, over 3 days in Christchurch at the end of April. A gathering of Creative Fibre members and interested public enjoyed workshops, classes and lectures, in conjunction with the National Creative Fibre Competition and Exhibition. There was also a Craft Traders Market, celebrating and selling every kind of fibre and fibre crafts. The AANZ is proud to support the National Creative Fibre competition with its alpaca section for a number of years and awards the prize of a quality alpaca fleece to the winner of this section. This year’s winner was Win Currie (Nelson/Marlborough) with her “Pieces of Light” a rainbow inspired Hand woven Alpaca Wrap, using 2ply Black Huacaya Yarn with coloured silk inserts. A wonderful example of the lightness and drape of alpaca into a superbly crafted garment.

ABOVE Creative Fibre magazine and Suri Alpaca Article. TOP Pieces of Light by Win Currie, photo by Kate Mahoney.

In 2018 the Creative Fibre Festival will be held in Gisborne during April, and the focus is on Fibre Education.

To join Creative Fibre NZ or to get more information about this organisation and upcoming events in your area got to: www.creativefibre.org.nz

ALPACA AND CREATIVE FIBRE

A New Perspective By Maree Churchill | El dos Cadena Alpacas A few months ago I was approached by the new editor of the Creative Fibre Magazine, asking if I would like to write an article for them about suri alpaca and also my fibre business. Being at no cost to myself and a great marketing opportunity, of course I said yes. The article was published in the recent autumn issue of the Creative Fibre magazine. At the same time I was planning to attend the Creative Fibre Festival to participate in some workshops as it was being held in Christchurch this year. I made the decision to instead apply and have a stall site at the Traders Market being held at the Festival. 20

It proved to be a good move with the exposure in the magazine and the fact that suri alpaca is still quite uncommon amongst fibre crafts; it was an opportunity to promote suri fibre. The public could touch, feel and appreciate this fibre first hand from raw though to carded suri and yarn, with knitted items. They could see and touch the differences between suri and huacaya and appreciate the different qualities of both against sheep wool. The majority of the craft-people were well informed and aware that there were two different fleece breeds of alpaca, but few had had the opportunity to handle or work with suri and to compare it to huacaya. As a mainly suri breeder, I saw that there was a definite need to further educate and improve the knowledge of suri to this creative world. There is

also a need as alpaca fibre growers, to aim to provide only quality fine huacaya alpaca to this market, as the comments from crafts people were that whilst in the past they had worked with huacaya, they felt it had been high in micron, non-uniform and coarse. Again by providing various raw skirted fibres for inspection, many were surprised as see and feel how fine and soft huacaya could be. From an alpaca fibre growers point of view, it was interesting to see that the main â&#x20AC;&#x153;rivalâ&#x20AC;? at this event was neither merino fibre nor its yarn but in fact the black and coloured sheep wool. I feel there are clearly two points of difference between alpaca and coloured sheep, which is generally alpaca (suri and huacaya), has a lower micron fineness and a more diverse range of colour compared to the coloured sheep. The richness

and depth of shades in all colours was appreciated by the public. I had 12 different colours represented on display, mainly in brown and darker fawn shades as this is what I breed, but also black and variations of white. These two differences are something that I feel, as coloured alpaca fibre growers, we should be focusing on and promoting against the coloured sheep market. This is instead of or before trying to compete against a well-established larger white merino market. The niche market for naturally coloured yarn is dominated by sheep growers of coloured wool. However, alpaca, with its wider colour range and ability to produce a higher quality yarn, should dominate instead. It is the larger range of natural colour that is the alpaca’s main advantage, therefore its selling point of difference against the coloured sheep. There is still untapped potential for alpaca in this particular niche, especially with the crafts people, many whom prefer to use natural non-dyed fibre. This was evident at the event by steady business at the black and coloured sheep stall. There is a now a generation of more environmentally educated public keen for a more natural and therefore a “greener” yarn, and the alpaca being itself a more environmentally friendly livestock than sheep can be promoted as such as a selling point in this niche market. The merino market has a majority of white merino, which is dyed. White alpaca in either breed should be competition for this market as it can also be dyed. However, I would point out that at this event alpaca was far outnumbered by merino yarn and blended merino fibre/yarn. This perhaps indicates either a lack of alpaca yarn on the market (mainly due to less fibre/ yarn available) or a shortfall due to inactive participation. For larger growers of alpaca, or larger alpaca fibre pools especially for white breeders, there still needs to be an increase in quantity and market availability of quality fibre/yarn to actively compete. The selling points of difference between alpaca and merino plus other sheep wool should be actively promoted outside the NZ alpaca industry. The Creative Fibre Festival was an excellent opportunity to do this, yet only four AANZ members were traders selling alpaca, ( three NZ, one imported), at this nationwide event.

A range of natural coloured alpaca fibre on display.

ABOVE LEFT Natural NZ Alpaca Yarn. ABOVE RIGHT NZ Alpaca Dyed Yarn and Fibre.

TAKE OPPORTUNITIES There is a huge opportunity to promote NZ alpaca by getting involved in Creative Fibre, joining a group or learning a new skill that enables you to use your own alpaca’s fleece.

* Begin networking and introducing alpaca fibre to others. classes and workshops to increase and enhance your * Attend knowledge of fibre in general. joining or establishing a regional or national alpaca * Consider fibre pool. in Creative Fibre competitions with your finished work so * Enter that the alpaca section can be the biggest and the best in future.

* Promote and market your alpaca locally to various crafts. together as a united industry to promote and supply * Working alpaca, both suri and huacaya to Creative Fibre members.

Leverage the income from your fibre - ask about our unique Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Price offer for Pacific Alpacasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; heirloom quality duvets and blankets

For all enquiries ring Michelle on 021-762 051 or Jason on 021-484 936 or email info@pacificalpacas.nz

Performance Shearing Competition SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW 2017

By Nigel Wood

The second alpaca shearing competition at the Sydney Royal Easter show has been and gone and it was a good step up from the first event. It's getting bigger and better every year. It was well organised by Sharon Dowson and Neil Parker - they are a great team. They had the very hard task of finding sponsors that were happy to put money into something new as this has been a first for Australia. They also needed to come up with the rules on how to judge both the shearing process and results. I would like to say a big thanks to them both. As for the shearing, it was a tough encounter in all classes and between all shearers. The shearers all supported each other and helped each other out. The more experienced shearers passed on tips to the lower grades which consisted

of the intermediate level and the ‘young guns’. We all shore once a day, two of us at a time, over the five days. At each shearing event there were anywhere between 200 and 250 people watching so there were a lot of eyes and a lot of pressure! It all came down to the last shearing! I was lucky enough to win the competition by one point but we didn't know what the score was and I had a tense wait until it was announced. There were two competitions in the one grade the Open and the Trans-Tasman Challenge (between Chris Power and myself). So once it was announced that I had won the Open it followed

that I had won the Trans-Tasman as well. It was such a shock as I knew it was extremely close between us all. I was very nervous the whole time. I'll be back to do it again next year, to help it get bigger and watch it grow. Who knows how big it will get? There aren’t many competitions in the world for us alpaca shearers so it was good to test my skills and see how I measured up against other shearers. In the future I would love to go to the U.S. and shear in their competitions and test my skills out against them. But for now I'll just keep shearing throughout the year in Australia, the UK and of course at home in New Zealand as I grow my business. 23

We all shore once a day, two of us at a time, over the five days. At each shearing event there were anywhere between 200 and 250 people watching so there were a lot of eyes and a lot of pressure! ABOVE The alpaca shearing contestants at the 2017 Sydney Royal Show. BELOW Nigel Wood (left) shearing in the competition. BOTTOM Nigel Wood with his award alongside Chris Power.

THE RESULTS INTERMEDIATE 1st: Kurtis Parker 2nd: Glenn Dawson OPEN 1st: Nigel Wood 2nd: Chris Power 3rd: Shawn McFadyen YOUNG GUNS 1st: Mitchell Power 2nd: John Dawson 3rd: Sean Timmony

Nigel Wood was born in Invercargill and grew up in the small town of Woodlands. He attended Southland Boys High School. He worked for AgResearch for 12 years and found he enjoyed shearing on his weekends off. Nigel left AgResearch over five years ago to take up shearing full time. He is lucky enough to travel around shearing alpacas all over New Zealand, Australia and now in the UK, shearing over 10,000 alpacas a year. His goal is to travel to other parts of the world doing what he enjoys bestâ&#x20AC;¦.alpaca shearing! 24

FIELDAYS 2017 Mystery Creek Fieldays 14-17 JUNE 2017 | HAMILTON Mystery Creek Fieldays, 2017 saw 133,588 through the gates. The weather was very kind to us, just the usual cold mornings and a little rain some days. But we had lovely days for most of the time. The AANZ site saw a great number of people, with lots of questions. First, thank you to Kerri Campbell for organising animals, people and the site. It looked amazing. Kerri put a lot of work into providing information on site for the public regarding the commercial side of alpacas, with general need to know information. There was plenty of information to take away. Lynda and Bruce Mathews loaned some of their lovely stock to demonstrate what can be produced from these amazing animals. Lynda set up the display of her product which made the marquee look very professional. Then they came back and manned the site so some of us could have a break as well.

Animals were brought in each day by Frith and Grant Latham of Shadow Wood, Herman Van Niekerk of Cornerstone (day one). Brenda and Ivor Gainsford of Brenor, they also transported animals for Sue Richards of Surico, (day two). Kerri Campbell of Blueridge and Terri and Art Cattell of Chipperfield (day three). Then Kerri Campbell again on the final day. There were also myself and Bruce Taplin, Dave Blom, Ron Pedder, Lynda and Bruce Mathews who manned the site on selected days. We all did a lot of talking! Everyone that came into the AANZ marquee would receive a smile and had their questions answered. Some of the common things I heard were, “I didn’t know that” and “well I have learnt something”. There was a genuine interest in how commercial alpacas could be, with interest from ‘lifestylers’ and crafty people, through to dry stock and dairy farmers.

Commercial ALPACA FARMING Comme rc

Alpaca provide a means for drystock farmers to diversify their income sources, and work well in conventional farming systems.

First domesticated 6,000 years ago, alpaca were originally farmed in high alpine deserts above 3,000 meters. Alpaca are tough, self-reliant, and low maintenance.

www.alpaca.org.nz

BENEFITS

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There are huge possibilities for improving the productivity ng at bet t premium gth, colour an docks • NZ w ter than m lling at lamb’s d finenes orks of the breed going forward. -wool pr to sheep’s wo s erino pric small volu are certified to ices, fine ol. es proc mes bein white alp g used pri ess alpaca for h aca uma marily to provide t n consumption he restaur www.a – current Early Days ant trade lpaca.o breed deve – Alpaca have rg.nz of the bree lopment proc been in NZ for only ess. d going forward. There are huge 30 years, and are thus possibilit still early ies for impr in the oving the productiv ity

The animals were of course very popular. They all coped really well with the attention. On day two Brenor’s Stephan was very popular! He would accommodate with cuddles at times as well. Being able to have different animals each day was very humane. The general public where pleased to learn that the animals were swapped out each day. Denise Taplin | Bruden Alpacas

Central District Field Days 16-18 MARCH 2017 | MANAWATU For the first time in several years, the sun shone for the whole three days and over 30,000 people came through the gates. We had alpacas on the site every day and this year the interest seemed to be more serious with people really wanting to know how they could make the best of having alpacas, as well as a few enquiries regarding keeping them as pets.

There were enquiries around the meat market and a few farmers looking to diversify, which is interesting and certainly a potential future market. Thank you again to the members who helped over the days which are to promote the alpaca association and responsible alpaca ownership.

South Island Field Days 29-31 MARCH 2017 | CANTERBURY Held in alternative years between Canterbury and Southland, this year it was held in Kirwee, Canterbury over three days. The AANZ Southern Region hosted an AANZ marquee, showcasing the Alpaca Association NZ to interested public. Held at the start of autumn, the foggy mornings at the event starts lent a slightly eerie feel to each day, but once this cleared the crisp days proceeded to be well attended by the public. The AANZ volunteers in the marquee were kept busy providing advice and discussing all things alpaca and handing out AANZ promotional material, including the Focus magazine and the new Commercial Alpaca flyer produced by the M&P subcommittee as well as showcasing the ‘Alpaca Fibre in a Product’ display. With a pen of alpacas attracting the public to come in for a closer look, both breeds of Suri and Huacaya were represented over the three days. The usual questions were asked by the public, but it was the more interesting questions posed by sheep farmers and other livestock farmers that were challenging to answer. Yet with the expert knowledge from the volunteers and the excellent promotional material on offer, these could be 26

answered satisfactory. There is certainly a renewed interest from wool growers and wool buyers in regard to alpaca and a growing awareness of the benefits of alpaca fibre, that this is perhaps an alternative commodity that is still under estimated and has a larger potential value than seen currently. The “guess the micron” competition run on Wednesday was interesting in that the end result was that while most sheep farmers could pretty accurately guess the Huacaya fibre, most struggled with the Suri fibre and guessed 2-3 micron lower than the actual recorded data, indicating that handling sheep wool compared to Suri is quite different to the touch. The usual comment received from these wool growers was that they were surprised by the fineness and feel of both Huacaya and Suri. There was also interest in the large range of colours that can be breed and the richness of the shades. There was great interest from the public to touch raw fibre, see it being turned into hand-carded fibre and then made into different types of alpaca garments and products. This ‘Start to End’ type of display needs to be reproduced in other alpaca promotions as it clearly shows that the public like to get hands-on to

There was great interest from the public to touch raw fibre, see it being turned into hand-carded fibre and then made into different types of alpaca garments and products.

feel finished garments and to see the variety of products that can be produced. The public also appreciated being able to touch the fleece on an actual alpaca and to interact with them. People were surprised about how talkative they were to each other, humming and cooing, and that they were calm and well behaved overall, which in itself is a promotion about alpaca and the ease of handling and management compared to other fleece livestock. Many thanks to Belise Alpacas and El dos Cadena Alpacas for lending their alpacas for the AANZ promotion and to all the volunteers who helped staff the marquee over the three days.

CUESTA

FOR TRUE BLACK ALPACA Breeding For: colour & handle fineness & low SD temperament ♦ Champion Stud Services ♦ Exports ♦ ♦ Full Sales & Support Service ♦ Training for New Owners ♦ ♦ Boutique Weaving Mill ♦ Jenny & Martyn Ellwood-Wade, 306 Jones Road, Hunua www.cuesta.co.nz ♦ cuesta@ellwood.co.nz 09 292 4334 ♦ 021 044 0033

Fun Training

WITH AN ALPACA By Terry Crowfoot | www.llama-training.co.uk

Camelids it seems, are very receptive to training. If you have an energetic alpaca that enjoys training with you, then Terry Crowfoot's YouTube videos may come in handy.

I was asked by your editor to write an article on training an alpaca to do tricks. She had seen one or two of my videos of Banksy, my alpaca, on YouTube. (The channel is Terry Crowfoot). I feel I should point out from the start that I have only ever owned, or had any contact with, one alpaca and I suspect that I am very lucky in that he is extremely receptive to training. He is a very energetic, extrovert suri. Banksy lives with, or rather bosses, six llamas. I am generally uncomfortable with the word “tricks”. It conjures up images of lions on stools in circuses being made to perform against their will. Banksy is mostly trained unrestrained in the open field where he is at liberty to wander off at will. He is so keen, he 28

never does! So I like to call my work ‘fun training’. Yes, we do a lot of fun routines together: selecting colours, football, bell-ringing etc. We are both enthusiastic. I train using clickertraining. This is a nickname given to a method of training animals based on a bridging stimulus (the clicker) in operant conditioning. The clicker is simply a small, noise-maker that is used to mark a desired behaviour. The click is always followed by a reward. In Banksy’s case it is a food reward: carrot, peppermints, pony nuts or horse treat stix. The internet is full of information about clicker training, but for those specifically interested in training camelids, I would suggest the very, very helpful video, now a DVD, made

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Banksy roll over, Banksy tossing the ball, Banksy chin down, Banksy bringing a thrown sock back.

by Jim Logan in the nineties, “Click & Reward Training for Llamas and Alpacas”. This covers both basic training and fun training. For years it was my Bible! It seems that camelids, at least some of them, are very trainable indeed compared to many other animals. A few years ago when Banksy first came to me, I decided to train him to kush down, off-lead, to verbal command. I might well have a very receptive alpaca but I certainly don’t have any special skills, but I managed to train this behaviour in slightly under twenty minutes. Dogs apart, are there

When I trained Banksy to retrieve a thrown ball, it was done in many progressive steps. other animals that could learn so quickly? (Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been trying for years to train any cat we have owned to sit to command; I have never succeeded!) Space does not allow me to go into detail about each piece of training I do, but I would make a general point. In training any piece of behaviour, whether fun stuff or basic training, the whole process is chunked down into numerous bite-size pieces. As each tiny step is successfully achieved, a click and reward is given. When I trained Banksy to retrieve a thrown ball, it was done in many progressive steps and each step itself was reduced to perhaps a dozen or more, smaller steps. It went like this: first getting Banksy to show interest in the ball, touching it with nose, touching it with mouth, holding it with mouth, picking

ABOVE Banksy, sit.

it up, giving it to me, having to do one pace to deliver to me, extending the distance between ball and me, asking for a run back rather than a walkâ&#x20AC;Ś..and gradually extending the distance to as far away as I could throw. Great fun for us both!

If you are interested in fun-training, do feel free to get in touch with me if I can help in any way. My email address is on the homepage of my website (llama-training.co.uk). Be warned, though, this type of fun is quite addictive!

STUD MALES

Smoke Screen ET Chromatic

Waters Edge Alpacas

Sarassin Aspen

AMAZING GREYS

E toni@tcs.net.nz www.watersedgealpacas.co.nz

CLICKER TRAINING YOUR ALPACA By Cindy Myers

What is clicker training? Clicker training is a method that is based on positive reinforcement. The clicker device is used to mark the behavior that is desired and the animals, by hearing the click, understand that they did something correctly and will be rewarded. I have used clicker training techniques with my alpacas and it works exceptionally well. I use it for more then just tricks, although those are fun to teach the alpacas too. Mostly, I use this training method because it makes my life easier. My philosophy and motto these days is to work smarter, not harder and clicker training my alpacas does just that. 32

The key to using the clicker training philosophy is to get your alpaca to take some sort of treat from your hand. I like to work with a couple of alpacas at a time. If I have one that is shyer, then I put them in with someone that is not so aggressive about food because they won’t step up. However, I will have them watching someone work with me so they can learn from the other alpacas. So I will mix it up. I don’t usually work with the entire group at the same time though. So just one or two, depending on their confidence and comfort level being with you. We don’t want them anxious. This should be really fun for them. Once the alpaca is willing to take treats from my hand, I then use the “hand touch” game. I always think of it as a game with them so I’m reminded to have fun and they pick up that energy of this as fun too. This simple “game” teaches them that click means they get rewarded with a treat whenever they hear that noise.

It also becomes a major component in teaching them more complex behaviors or skills because they will follow your hand and touch it to do so many different things. Follow these simple steps and you will have not only your alpaca eating out of your hand, but be able to teach them all sorts of things from sticking their noses in their halters on their own, walking to a corner for easier catching, and tricks like taking a bow or giving a kiss. Once they take pellets or treats from your hand, I add the click noise with either the little device or I often use my tongue since I always forget to keep a clicker in my pocket but I always have my tongue with me! I work with them to take pellets and treats from my hand. When they do that, then clicker training is a breeze. I click every time they take a bite of goodie from my hand. This gets them used to the noise and it also creates that Pavlovian response and association of click equals tasty

My philosophy and motto these days is to work smarter, not harder and clicker training my alpacas does just that. treat. After a few times doing that, as the alpaca approaches my hand for another bite of goodie, I close my hand so that their nose touches my closed hand and I click just as their nose touches my closed hand. I open my hand quickly and they get their treat. This starts to put a little space between hearing the click and receiving the treat. After a few times doing that, then I don’t put any goodies in my hand and see if the alpaca will touch my closed hand with my hand empty. You may have to go back and load the hand with some treats again if they aren’t quite ready but you will see that they catch on very quickly. As they touch your empty hand, click as quickly as you can as they do so and then offer them the treat. I like to use a pouch at my waist to hold my treats so I have both hands free but have easy access to it. Every click means they get a treat even if you do it accidentally. Click equals treat. I use just a few pellets at a time or a small piece of carrot. I give just a

taste. Quantity is not as important as number of times given. So it’s best not to give entire handfuls for one click. Use that handful for multiple clicks and nose touches. Once they are touching your closed fist regularly, start moving your arm to different locations. Raise your hand higher, down low, a step away. This will show you that they are truly getting it when they will move and touch your hand no matter where your hand is. You will notice that they get it in their eyes. Their eyes will light up as they get this new game! One common question I get is what do I do when they get competitive and spitty over their treats if they are in a group? I feed those piggy alpacas that get spitty down low. I put the pellets at their chest so they have to take a step backwards and put their head down. Remember their body language for spitting is head tilted back so if you make their body language less aggressive, they will

often stop spitting. I ALWAYS feed my more aggressive alpacas this way and they quickly learn that they don’t get pellets if they are in my space. They will start taking the step backwards on their own and being more polite but it is on us to be consistent with that rule. But it is very effective in fixing that problem.

Cindy Myers has owned alpacas for ten years. She owns and runs her own farm, Alpacas at Hum Sweet Hum in Oregon. She also works as an animal communicator and intuitive energy healer for both animals and humans. She teaches classes on Animal Communication using alpacas as her teaching assistants and she has authored two books, Alpacas Don’t Do That and 5 Steps to Animal Communication. Email Cindy@BeAnAnimalListener.com www.beananimallistener.com 33

Putting on a Show By Samantha Jung-Fielding | Alpacally Ever After “What did you do to him? Is he dead?” shouts my husband in his most accusatory tone, as he rounds the corner of the house and spies our brand new stud male sprawled out flat on his side. “Of course he’s not dead” I retort sharply. “He doesn’t fancy jumping in the trailer.” “Don’t be so ridiculous, he didn’t just collapse like that for no reason – you must have done something to him!!” This is rich coming from my husband… considering his area of responsibility is paddock management, whilst animal husbandry was launched my way at the first opportunity. The beast in question suddenly lurches to his feet, and I refrain from further comment. 34

There’s plenty I could add, because it’s not the first time one of our herd has feigned a quadriplegic limb malfunction. A couple of years ago, I proudly enter our prizewinning female alpaca into the Easter Show, one of the few alpaca events held indoors (at the ASB showgrounds in central Auckland). And I’m decidedly grateful for such luxury when the rain begins hammering down outside. I spy my girl, munching happily on the leaves I’ve carefully woven into the gates of her temporary enclosure. It’s comforting that we’re no longer complete amateurs. This is after all our second alpaca show, we’ve spent quite some time halter training in readiness for the event, plus we’ve got that whole “Can you please show me your alpaca’s teeth?” exercise down to a fine art. As our class approaches, we move towards the ring. Suddenly, my alpaca stops dead in her tracks. She’s taken

an instant dislike to the artificial grass lining the arena. Acting for all the world as if it will bite, she point-blank refuses to place so much as a toenail on the offending item. I haul her bodily into the ring where, after a few agonising steps, she simply plonks herself down disdainfully centre stage. There’s absolutely no shifting her. In the end, it takes three of us to carry her out, summoning louder cheers than the show’s Supreme Champion. I arrive home after the event, expecting tea and sympathy. Instead, my children gleefully inform me that my backside is now world-famous, thanks to the videos on YouTube. Back to the present day, my husband is still fussing around our stud male, and darting critical looks in my direction. Bearing in mind the artificial grass incident, I indicate the gravel driveway to our trailer. My husband soothingly murmurs to the beast in question: “Don’t you worry, lad. I’ll

Cherry lane alpacas

Because alpacas are our passion We love alpacas, and we enjoy sharing our passion for alpacas with others. We have:

With his final attempt, he lands squarely in the hydrangea bush, creating a lasting memorial of his walk of shame. I have no doubt he will do us proud at the show. back the trailer right up onto the grass for you”. Awesome! Now, it couldn’t be easier. Just a straight walk of less than 10 metres, past the hydrangeas. Our recalcitrant animal takes nearly 40 minutes to travel this short distance. Noting how well it worked for him on the first go, he also swoons three times more en route. With his final attempt, he lands squarely in the hydrangea bush, creating a lasting memorial of his walk of shame. I have no doubt he will do us proud at the show. I also have no time to worry about it, given I have the undeniable privilege of commentating the event. My husband beats a hasty retreat when he hears a handler is required to show our stud male in the ring…. This honour falls to a family friend, who’s known for his alpaca whispering skills. I wish him luck, aware that

divine intervention is unlikely. My animal lives up to all expectations, and is possibly the most popular attraction in the show ring – loud guffaws follow his painful progress around the arena. I quickly realise that if there’s one thing worse than leading your badly behaved alpaca on show day, it’s commentating on your animal’s antics while someone else endures the indignity.

-breeding stock -lifestyle pets -alpaca fleece -prize winning alpacas -for sale or to view Give us a call, email us or stop in for tea or coffee today. We would be happy to show you around our farm and introduce you to our alpacas and alpaca farming.

6 Sunnex road, RD2, Rotorua

I’m ready to hang my head in shame when I arrive to clear our holding pen. Imagine my surprise when I discover several admirers filming videos of the show’s “naughtiest alpaca”! Perhaps the one saving grace is that my backside does not feature quite so prominently this time round.

Samantha Jung-Fielding is a metaphysician. An award-winning speaker, Samantha regularly writes and presents on a variety of subjects, and she was a finalist in the 2014 Toastmasters (NZ) Humorous Speech competition. Originally from the UK, Samantha and her husband migrated to New Zealand in May 2012, where they now raise their four children at Alpacally Ever After, an alpaca farm in Bombay, South Auckland. 35

Testing the Testers

FIBRE TESTING ALPACAS By Stephen Mulholland, Ph.D.

Alpacas are capable of growing fibre of excellent quality, such that many people refer to it as “the fibre of the Gods.” But as we’ve all experienced, sometimes the Gods have a cruel sense of humour; for every silky-smooth 16 micron fleece, there are plenty of carpet-coarse 38 micron fleeces out there.

In order to breed alpacas with better fleeces, we need to know the quality of the fleeces of our dams and sires. The only quantitative, repeatable, transferrable way to get this information is to submit samples for analysis in one of the many alpacafibre-testing laboratories. We are reliant on those results in assessing our animals, yet we rarely ask critical questions about those labs: how consistent and reliable are their test results? What instrument do they use for the test? What information do they provide? Where is the best value for money? In this study I examined four different labs commonly used by NZ alpaca owners: New Zealand Wool Testing Authority (NZWTA) in Napier, SGS in Timaru, Pastoral Measurement Limited (PML) in Christchurch, and Australia Alpaca Fleece Testing (AAFT) in Australia. For the experiment I gathered fibre samples from 16 alpaca (10 huacaya / 6 suri, 11 females / 5 males), ranging from ~16 to ~36

micron, and from white to blue-black with many colours in between. A larger sample size of 40 to 50 would obviously have been preferred to increase statistical confidence, but AANZ’s National Council unfortunately declined funding. Sample Preparation: In order to measure the consistency of the labs, I had to ensure that the fibre samples were all prepared in a proper manner. This started at shearing where I collected extra-large side samples from the animals to be used in this study. Each such side sample had about 50 grams of fleece. Three of the testing labs (SGS, PML, AAFT) only required a small sample, usually specified as “2 staples”, while NZWTA requires a larger sample on the order of 20 grams, which in the field I interpret as a “generous fistful” of fibre. To reduce error from inconsistencies within a given fleece, I assembled each sample from fibre taken from similar locations in the fleece. For the seven smaller

samples (two each for the labs, plus a backup in case a sample was lost or damaged). by taking two clusters of fibre staples about 50 mm apart, and then combining one staple each from each cluster to create the sample for submission. While we know that animals do vary in fleece quality over their bodies, it seemed reasonable to assume that adjacent staples should be relatively consistent. For the NZWTA sample I took the remaining fleece, manually mixed it a bit, then split it in two. A rough graphical representation is provided below:

The samples were submitted to the labs in February and May of 2017. The three month gap between sample submissions was a way to see how consistent the labs were over time. Scientific instruments can drift out of calibration if not maintained properly, or a different technician might handle the process differently on the day, so checking consistency at different times is a good measure of lab reliability. I emailed the four laboratories requesting information on how they handled the samples, and how their staff are trained in the use of their instruments, and received replies from all. In Summary -

Handling of Samples: PML, AAFT and NZWTA wash/ degrease all of the samples before testing. This is done with an organic solvent or a quick-drying alcohol. The samples are allowed to dry before scanning. NZWTA specifically allows all samples to “condition” for two hours in a controlled atmosphere before micro-coring, as they have found this produces more consistent results. AAFT commented that they are trialling a data-adjustment “wizard” that may allow alpaca fibres to be scanned without scouring, but as it has not yet been validated they are still scouring the samples they analyse. SGS runs the samples “as is” without degreasing, and apply a software correction factor to the calculated results. AAFT, SGS and NZWTA have formal internal training methods for their own staff, and only certified operators are allowed to run tests. NZWTA runs four instruments to support the large volumes of wool they study, and they have internal consistency checks between these machines. NZWTA also complies with various ISOstandards for the testing of wool in the international market. PML maintains consistency by conducting all its tests with the same operator (Don Morrison).

The Instruments Used: Both AAFT and SGS use the ODFA 2000. The ODFA 2000 provides the same accuracy and speed as the older ODFA 100, but this instrument can produce more information about each sample analysed. The instrument uses a microscope video camera to capture images of the fibres which are then computer analysed to measure the fibre diameter. The accuracy for a single fibre measurement is about 1 micron, but by combining measurements from thousands of fibres the overall accuracy can be as close as 0.01 micron (as per the ODFA specifications, see www.odfa.com). The ODFA 2000 provides data for mean micron, SD, CV, Coarse Edge Micron, comfort factor, spin fineness, staple length, FPFT, SD along, curvature, SDC, as well as micron along the fibre. PML uses an instrument of their own design, called Fibrescan Technology, which like the ODFA 2000 captures a high-resolution image of the fibres coupled to a computer analysis of that image. The PML Fibrescan instrument also provides “micron along fibre” data. The Fibrescan

instrument provides data on mean micron, mean curvature, staple length, SD, CV, Coarse Edge Micron, Medulation % and comfort factor. NZWTA typically uses its Laserscan machines for alpaca fibre samples. This instrument was developed by CSIRO for use in the wool industry, and uses “micro-cored” samples. This is when the fibre is mechanically cut into 2 mm segments before scanning. Because of the sample preparation method the Laserscan can provide neither along-fibre nor staple length measurements. The Laserscan provides information on mean micron, SD, CV and % over 30 micron (which is the inverse of the comfort factor measure). The Laserscan and ODFA 2000 instruments have been longused in the sheep’s wool industry, and IWTO methods have been established for each. For this paper I’m looking at results for Mean Micron and Standard Deviation of Mean Micron for all four labs and for the Along-Fibre and Staple Length measurements from SGS, PML and AAFT.

Measurement Nomenclature – Accuracy Versus Precision

High Accuracy | High Precision

Low Accuracy | High Precision

High Accuracy | Low Precision

Low Accuracy | Low Precision

AAFT runs their ODFA 2000 with the trim-hi feature turned on, SGS runs with it turned off, unless otherwise instructed by the sample submitter. The labs report that the expected repeatability of their micron tests as: NZWTA ~ +/- 1.0 μ AAFT ~ +/- 0.3 μ SGS ~ +/- 0.3 μ

Accuracy is a measure of how closely centered your measurements are in respect to the target. Precision is a measure of how consistent your measurements are. It is possible to be very precise/consistent (a very tight group of measurements), but be way off the target (low accuracy). I could not measure the absolute accuracy of these instruments, because I have no way of knowing what the “real” microns of the samples I submitted were, so I can’t say which answer (if any) was “right.” I could measure their precision (tightness of re-tests of the same sample), and their accuracy relative to one another (if a lab gave higher or lower results than the average of all the labs). It is important to distinguish between accuracy and precision as we look at the results in the graph to the right. Where “Black” are Blue/true (double recessive) black alpaca, and where “brown” spans a range from a very dark brown-black to medium brown/ dark fawn.

The results in Summary (an average of all 8 tests on each sample): Alpaca:

Colour

Type

Fleece#

Micron

Staple

H-1

Fawn

Huacaya

15.7

3.59

92.33

S-1

Brown

Suri

17.7

5.2

101

S-2

Lt Fawn

Suri

18.6

4.16

140.5

H-2

Black

Huacaya

19.1

4.7

76.17

H-3

Brown

Huacaya

20.3

4.79

H-4

White

Huacaya

20.6

5.08

103

H-5

Brown

Huacaya

21.7

3.94

125.5

S-3

Lt Fawn

Suri

22.3

5.68

141.5

S-4

Fawn

Suri

22.7

4.68

89.5

H-6

White

Huacaya

23.2

4.74

S-5

White

Suri

23.6

5.15

137.67

H-7

Fawn

Huacaya

24.3

4.53

88.33

S-6

Brown

Suri

28.8

7.31

153.33

H-8

Black

Huacaya

34.4

7.96

82.33

H-9

Brown

Huacaya

34.7

6.23

82.33

H-10

Brown

Huacaya

8.39

98.17

Comparing micron results between different farms always introduces complicating factors because feed, weather and management practices vary from farm to farm. Overall Measurements – Mean Micron

Precision of Measurement of Mean Micron

Mean micron is probably the mostquoted numerical statistic about an alpaca, and it is a common measure of animal quality. Knowing the variability in measurements is important, as that is how you can differentiate inconsequential difference (when the two numbers are within measurement error of one another) from consequential and meaningful differences.

We wanted to know first if the labs would show the same result if we sent them the same sample twice. Based on the difference between the samples mailed in February to those mailed in May, the calculated variation in the results you are likely to see is shown in the table to the right.

Comparing micron results between different farms always introduces complicating factors because feed, weather and management practices vary from farm to farm. All of these factors can influence the reported micron of otherwise similar animals. Two of the test providers emphasised that their results are best applied within a herd of animals living on the same farm. Farm to farm comparisons are likely to have larger error bars, such that only proportionally greater differences in measured traits should be considered significant. 38

Variance between tests tends to increase as the animals coarsen. Four of the six cases where variance between measurements was above 2 μ happened in animals with fleeces greater than 28 μ though these animals only constituted a quarter of the sample set. So where a two micron difference between animals may be significant for fine-fleeced animals, for coarse animals expect much more noise (variance) in the reported micron numbers. It is also impossible to consider what role luck played in these results. With such a small sample set, good or bad luck could have easily made one of the result sets look better or worse

Lab:

Average Variance

Maximum Animals Variance with variance > 2μ

AAFT

+/- 0.41 μ

1.7 μ

SGS

+/- 0.75 μ

2.4 μ

PML

+/- 1.50 μ

5.7 μ

NZWTA +/- 0.91 μ

3.6 μ

(“μ” Is the Greek symbol commonly used for “micron.”)

than the reality, so do not read these numbers and become overly obsessed by small differences, as they might not reflect reality. There did not appear to be any great difference in the variance between measurements of white fibre vs blue-black, though the sample set was too small to detect anything less than a major difference. Likewise suri and huacaya fibre appears to have performed similarly in these tests, having about the same level of variance test-to-test.

Accuracy of Measurement This study did not provide for an absolute assessment of the accuracy of the various instruments/laboratories. I could tell roughly which of the samples I sent were coarse and which were fine, but I didn’t have an independent, verified answer as to the “true” the mean microns. What I could measure however was how results of the four labs compared to each other. This was done by averaging the eight results for each animal and generating a mean-of-the-means number, then seeing how the individual results compared against it. See Table A, top right. As you can see, the NZWTA data seemed to sit right in the middle, on average almost precisely the mean of all the measurements, with half above and half below. The ODFA 2000 instruments used by AAFT and SGS tended to measure higher average microns, while the PML instrument measured lower microns. Which is correct? As I said above, I don’t have that answer. But, based on these results, if you are comparing a result from SGS to a result from PML, you need to account for the fact that, on average, the same fleece will read 2 microns different between the two labs.

TABLE A Lab:

Average Variance from mean of means

Samples above the mean of means

Samples below the mean of means

AAFT

+ 0.39 μ

SGS

+ 0.71 μ

PML

- 1.09 μ

NZWTA

- 0.01 μ

TABLE B Lab:

Average variance from the calculated mean

Maximum Difference from mean

Measurements Above the mean

Measurements Below the mean

AAFT

6.7 mm

23.5 mm

SGS

10.1 mm

22.3 mm

PML

15.1 mm

40.5 mm

Independent of this study I also hand-measured the staple length of all the samples submitted using a ruler. My results were consistent with the lab-generated results. So this should be something that most people could do on their own consistently and accurately enough.

Standard deviation is a measure of the variability of fibre diameters within a given fleece. Fleeces with lower SDs will tend to have a better handle, and produce a higher quality garment because a consistent, low SD fleece will have a smaller “tail” of coarse fibre, and thus a better comfort factor.

What stood out most in this data was that every sample SGS analysed in February had a higher measured S.D than the same fleeces analysed in May. The data from the other three labs had a natural-appearing distribution for S.D. measurements, with an even mix, some up and some down (7 up & 9 down for AAFT, 12 & 4 for PML, 8 & 8 for NZWTA). This suggests there might have been a systematic error in the measurements taken by SGS in February (or May), but the sample set was too small to tell if this was just statistical bad luck or a true error.

Precision of Measurement of Standard Deviation

Overall Measurements – Staple Length

Average Variance in S.D. between the samples sent in February and May

The ODFA 2000 and PML instruments also automatically measure the staple length. Compared to the mean micron and SD, this measure seemed have a great deal more variation and this variation was not limited to the longer suri fleeces.

Overall Measurements – Standard Deviation

Lab:

Variance of S.D.

AAFT

+/- 0.32 μ

SGS

+/- 0.84 μ

PML

+/- 0.66 μ

NZWTA

+/- 0.35 μ

The six measurements for each alpaca were averaged to generate the average (mean) staple length.

Then each individual test was compared to that mean to see how far it fell from the average. The first column in Table B is the average amount each lab varied from that calculated average. The second column shows their most extreme difference from that calculated mean. The final two columns show how often each lab’s results were above or below the calculated mean. In this case the PML instrument tended to measure the staple as consistently shorter, while SGS tended to measured it consistently longer. There was no obvious effect of colour or fleece type (suri/ huacaya) on the accuracy of the measurements. Independent of this study I also hand-measured the staple length of all the samples submitted using a ruler. My results were consistent with the lab-generated results. So this should be something that most people could do on their own consistently and accurately enough. 39

Measurements of Diameter Along Fibre The ODFA 2000 used by SGS and AAFT, and the PML Fibrescan instrument are also capable of measuring the fibre diameter along the fibre. The along-fibre data can reveal a great deal about an animal, both in terms of genetic and environmental contributions to the mean-micron. (See “Along

Fibre Data, reading the past, predicting the future” in this issue of the magazine.) But what about the quality and consistency of the along-fibre data reported by AAFT, SGS and PML? Because along-fibre data can be subject to “noise” (jumps up and down in the measurements along the fibre) it is best suited when

looking at samples that have a clear trend. Many of the fibre samples submitted had fibre that didn’t change much through the year, as it came from adult animals that had settled into their final adult fleece characteristics. Some of the younger animals had clearer trends in their data. For this example I will use the three along-fibre measurements from May of the animal S-1.

From AAFT we see:

From PML we see:

This shows, with some considerable noise, an animal that started with a fleece of about 15 micron and over the year it coarsened to about 17 micron.

Again the fibre starts fine, about 15 microns in this case and ends the year it is just over 17 micron. As with the AAFT results, about a 2-3 micron increase over the year. (The PML machine uses a FiberTrac software system which scans the fibre every 19 microns along the staple, the large number of data points this produces is why the PML data looks “smoother” than the ODFA2000 data.)

But when we turn to SGS we see:

Now the fleece started at 22 micron, and ended at 14 micron. Not only is this a large difference in beginning-to-end differential (7 micron compared to the 3 above), but it is moving in the opposite direction! This graph appears to show an animal growing finer during the year, not coarser as we would expect (barring other health or nutrition factors). This is probably an error or possibly an extreme example of the possible sample-to-sample variability that can happen when running samples.

Serious discrepancies like this are why it is a good idea to double or triple-test animals that may be critical to your breeding programme. If the tests don’t concur, you know that at least one of them is in error. If all the tests concur it is highly unlikely that they all have suffered from the same error, and thus the result is likely quite trustworthy. In the case above because two of the labs concur, it suggests that the SGS data for alpaca S-1 was probably unreliable.

not concur. In these cases because each sample was in fact tested 6 times (twice for each of the three labs) it was easy to see which result was incorrect. But the high incidence of such errors suggests that a minimum of double testing for critical along-fibre data would be wise, while holding more sample in reserve for re-tests in case of non-consistent data.

Time Taken for the Return of Results

The “noise” inherent in these graphs meant that broadly speaking it was only safe to draw conclusions about trends in terms of fibre getting finer or coarser if there was a consistent and significant change. For many of the animals sampled there was little change during the year, as they were adult animals on consistent feed whose mean micron simply jumped around within a defined range.

All results were received within 7 to 21 days of posting the samples. As I don’t know how long it took the samples to arrive, I can’t grade any of the labs as being quicker or slower.

A “backwards” or otherwise seriously wrong answer, if undetected, could cause you reach the wrong conclusions about an animal’s fleece quality. You can also sometimes spot possibly wrong results by simply comparing to previous years for the same animal. If an animal has been 30 microns for the last five years, but suddenly comes back with a 25-micron result (assuming the animal is not sick or otherwise compromised) you can assume that the outlier result is likely wrong.

AAFT

~ $3.60 per sample

PML

~ $7.40 per sample

SGS

~ $14.30 per sample

Precision and Regularity in Along-fibre Graphs As you can see from the graphs above, there can be a good deal of “noise” in the along-fibre graphs. In an attempt to examine the consistency of these graphs I calculated the “trend” (difference between tip and butt of fibre) and “span” (difference between the minimum maximum values recoded during the year). Where the “span” was equal to or less than the “trend”, there were no large spikes, dips, or slopes in the data. Comparing pairs of data (e.g. H1 PML-Feb vs H-1 PML-May) I looked for examples where there was significant deviation (4 or more micron) in the measured “trend” between the two samples. For each of the three along-fibre testing labs, 2 of the 16 sample pairs had a deviation at least this great. So for 1 in 8 of the animals tested at each lab the two results did

Costs For the 16 samples submitted per batch I paid about: NZWTA ~ $2.50 per sample

Postage was about $3.50 for each batch of samples sent within NZ, and about $7.50 for each batch of samples sent to Australia. Many of these labs provide bulk-discounts for larger sample volumes, so these per-animal prices may be higher than what you would pay if you were submitting your whole herd. Many of these labs also offer different packages of service. For example NZWTA can measure your staple length for an extra cost, or SGS can drop the along-fibre analysis for a lowered cost. You can contact the labs to review the various testing options and costs. On our own farm we get all our animals fibre tested every year, and all of our younger animals (at least until the third fleece) and any “core breeding programme animals” are double tested at two different labs, at least one of which can provide along-fibre measurements. Double testing the most important breeding animals also provides the advantage that you might catch laboratory errors. If the two test results come back quite different, one is likely incorrect. Holding back a sample in reserve can allow for a re-test if it looks as though something has gone wrong; a few dollars well spent when compared to the cost and time investment in our animals!

Double testing the most important breeding animals also provides the advantage that you might catch laboratory errors. If the two test results come back quite different, one is likely incorrect.

Because some of the labs appear to produce systematically different results than others (trending finer, coarser, longer, etc.), it is good practice to always list what lab you used when displaying any fleece data. If the stats for an animal you are considering for purchase or stud don’t say where they’re from, you should probably ask. If the owners tested at various labs, all the different results should be available upon request. Remember that the measured micron of an animal is not just due to its genetic predisposition as feed quality and quantity, weather, and health status can all affect the fleece. Don’t just look at the number and think you necessarily have the complete picture. Yes, it is possible to send your fibre samples to multiple labs to “shop” for the “best” results, or to send the many samples of the same fleece to one lab so that the expected normal experiment to experiment variation gives you one answer that looks “better.” Misrepresenting your animals by using unreliable or cheery-picked test results is fraud. Faked fibre data can and has resulted in legal actions. Don’t do it. Finally, this sort of “testing the testers” is the sort of thing we as an industry should do regularly. Hopefully in a few years’ time the interest can be found to repeat this process, to see which labs are giving the most consistent results, and which are providing the best value for money.

I would like to thank Phil Cranswick of NZWTA, Eugene O’Sullivan of PML, Jeremy Wear of SGS and Paul Vallely of AAFT for their advice and feedback in the preparation of this article. 41

Along-Fibre Data

READING THE PAST, PREDICTING THE FUTURE By Stephen Mulholland, Ph.D

PHOTO - Surico

Regular fibre testing is a core component to any serious alpaca breeding programme, but if you’ve been relying solely on the mean-micron and the standard deviation (SD) as measures of animal quality then you’re missing out on some of the other information available in many fibre tests. In this article I’m going to focus on the along-fibre measurements of fibre diameter. This is effectively a measure of the mean-micron of the animal for the time when it was last shorn (usually a year ago), and it can tell you a great deal about where that animal’s fleece has gone in that time (in regards to fibre quality). The scanning instrument takes images along the scanned fibre staples (every 5 mm for the ODFA 2000, every 19 microns for the FibreScan) and calculates the mean micron at that point. Fleece can vary considerably in diameter over the course of a year, a fact that is hidden if you only use a solitary “mean micron” number to assess that animal’s fleece quality. The alongfibre data allows you to potentially gain information about the health and 42

nutrition status of the animal since it was last shorn, and also to make informed predictions what its fleece will be like in the future. Fibre samples sent to Pastoral Measurements Limited (PML), SGS (if ordering ODFA 2000 analysis), or Australian Alpaca Fibre Testing (AAFT) will give you along-fibre data for your samples. Both SGS and AAFT use ODFA 2000 instruments, while PML has their own Fibrescan technology. The PML technology takes more measurements along the fibre (~5000 measurements along the whole staple, compared to the ~20 with the ODFA 2000) which means the PML results give a smoother-appearing curve than the SGS/AAFT data. Both technologies are good at detecting major shifts or trends.

As you are probably aware, many (most?) alpaca fleeces coarsen in their first few years of life. The fine cria fleece is usually followed by fleeces of progressively lower quality. But this is not always the case, and the along-fibre data can sometimes be used to distinguish animals likely to maintain their fineness from those that clearly won’t. The along-fibre data can also be used to see if environmental or health effects have carried through into the fleece, which might reveal that a calculated mean-micron is not entirely representative of that animal’s true genetic potential. Understanding true genetic potential is the best way to make informed breeding decisions, and thus obtain the fastest progress in your herd.

Example One - Age Coarsening in Cria

GRAPH 1 - AGE COARSENING IN CRIA

In Graph 1, let us start with the alpaca “Cria B” (data kindly provided by Paul Vallely of AAFT). If we just looked at the measured/calculated statistics, all you would know is that the cria had a mean micron of 19.5, and an SD of 5.6. From these numbers it would be easy to say “not too bad!” and consider that this animal if of good to high quality. But what happens when we look at the along-fibre data (Graph 2)? When this cria was born (left hand side of the graph) it was about 16 micron. When it was shorn (right hand side of the graph) it had already coarsened to 23 microns. That’s 7 microns up in the first year alone! And while the coarsening curve might be levelling off (you don’t want to draw too many conclusions from the last few data points, given the inherent noise in the measurements), if we extrapolate the shape of the data curve from the last year into the future then “Cria B” is quite likely to keep coarsening through its second fleece and possibly beyond. So while the numbers might say this is a “19.5 micron cria”, from the along-fibre data we can see that this is likely to be a coarser-fleeced adult than those first encouraging numbers imply. Now let’s contrast that with the first fleece of the animal “Cria C.” The data presented is from PML. From the data summary we see a mean micron of 18.1, with an SD of 3.2. The along fibre data, however, looks quite different than what we saw with “Cria B”: There has essentially been no change in the mean micron in the first year of life, and all the measurements were in the bounds between 18 and 18.75 micron. From our experience this micron profile is consistent with an animal that is likely to maintain its fineness over time. Cria C’s three subsequent fleeces have tested in at 17.9, 18.4 and 17.3 micron (NZWTA data, PML data for the same years came in 0.5 to 1 micron finer, which is consistent with the inter-lab variance reported in the “Testing the Testers” study.)

GRAPH 2 -ALONG FIBRE DATA

When looking at and comparing along-fibre data from your alpaca it is very important to check the scale on the left (Y) axis. In the examples above 43

the PML graph spans 3 microns (17 to 20), while the AAFT graph spans 10 micron (14 to 24). Scale differences in the Y axis can make the along-fibre long deceptively smooth, or unfairly lumpy/inconsistent. As many alpaca owners are not trained in data analysis, it might be worthwhile if the testing labs gave the option of reporting all the data in a given testing-batch with a consistent Y axis. It may be very beneficial to your breeding programme to obtain along-fibre data for at least all your first fleeces. On our farm we typically obtain along-fibre data for at least the first three fleeces, so we can see how the fleece changes as the animal grows into adulthood. We also send all the fleeces of our high-genetic importance animals (studs, top females) to multiple testing labs every year to ensure consistent results. Errors happen, and if two labs are wildly different you known at least one of them is wrong!

The biological goal of an alpaca is not to produce fibre. Priority number one is to stay alive. Priority number two is to produce offspring. Fibre production is much further down the list.

GRAPH 3 - ALONG FIBRE DATA - CRIA D

Example 2 - Environmental and Nutritional Effects The biological goal of an alpaca is not to produce fibre. Priority number one is to stay alive. Priority number two is to produce offspring. Fibre production is much further down the list. What this means is that if an alpaca is under stress (harsh weather, poor feed, heavily metabolic needs from pregnancy or lactation, fighting off illness or parasites, etc.) then they will divert energy away from fibre production and into survival. What this means for you as a fibre grower/producer is that stressed animals tend to have both shorter and finer fleece. The effects of these stresses on the fibre can be misinterpreted, such that a mediocre animal might appear to have fine fibre only because it is not getting enough feed. Graph 3 shows the along-fibre data for the 1 year old alpaca “Cria D” The reported mean micron for this animal is 19.9, but that does not tell the whole story! From birth in November the fibre gets progressively finer, until in mid-July (the 55 mm along fibre mark) the cria was 44

diagnosed and treated for a tape worm. During this period the cria had been growing, though not quite as quickly as some of her age-mates. It was not until winter that the stress (weather + tapeworm) became too much, and she stopped growing and started losing body condition. Her health status shows up very clearly in her fibre. Once the tapeworm was cleared her fleece sprang back up to 22 micron. This profile reveals quite a bit about the animal, and how to fairly evaluate her fleece. • While 19.9 micron might be the average over the whole year, that is not a fair representation of her. She started and ended the year at 22

micron, which is likely of what her natural genetic fineness was. • Nutritional stress made this animal five microns finer. In this case it was a tape worm, but you can see peaks and valleys in-along fibre data from some farms that correspond to harsh weather or poor feed at various times of year. This can influence, possibly unfairly, the calculated mean micron. If the “genetic fineness” of this first fleece is in fact 22 micron, and was consistent at the start and end of the year, then like “Cria C” we would not expect this animal to coarsen too much as she ages. Her second fleece was 22.6 micron (which if you only looked at the “19.9 micron” number

Getting along-fibre data for animals imported from Australia can be especially revealing. The fleece will often start out looking very fine – they’ve just been shorn upon entering quarantine, and the stress they are under often leads to quite fine fleece production. Once they leave quarantine and reach rich New Zealand pasture you will very often see a huge jump of five or more micron as they are no longer stressed and on limited feed. for the first fleece might look like rapid coarsening), and her third and fourth fleeces were 25 and 24.9 micron (all subsequent fleece data again from NZWTA, which may be reporting numbers marginally coarser than the PML data). So, as expected, Cria D only coarsened very marginally (less than three microns) between her first and fourth fleeces. Getting along-fibre data for animals imported from Australia can be especially revealing. The fleece will often start out looking very fine – they’ve just been shorn upon entering quarantine, and the stress they are under often leads to quite fine fleece production. Once they leave quarantine and reach rich New

Zealand pasture you will very often see a huge jump of five or more micron as they are no longer stressed and on limited feed. Continuing to collect along-fibre data for the new arrivals first few years on New Zealand pastures will help you understand how their fleece performs here. Australia is a great place for growing fine-fleeced animals, because of the harsh environment in many places. But the unfortunate converse of this is that Australia can be very difficult place to breed genetically fine fleeced animals, as it can be very difficult distinguish those that are genetically fine from those that are merely under stress. Some Australian breeders make a point of supplementing their animals

specifically to counter this masking effect and get a better idea of their animals’ genetic potential. The along-fibre micron data can allow for a more accurate determination of the true genetic fineness of an animal by allowing you to identify and exclude environmental or health factors on fibre growth. There is also good evidence that the alongfibre data can help to distinguish between animals that will maintain their fineness from those that will likely coarsen significantly. We plan to continue studying this phenomenon, so as to better characterise its predictive reliability.

Canterbury Pet Foods We are buyers of old, injured or unwanted Alpacas. We pride ourselves on a fast, professional and understanding service, no mess, no fuss, nothing left behind.

www.canterburypetfoods.co.nz

Felting for Exercise By Terri Cattell | Chipperfield Alpacas

Do you (like me) feel that you really ought to get to the gym more often, but would rather spend your time doing something crafty? I have the solution - Felting! It is great fun, and once you know the basics it’s relatively easy, and is probably one of the most energetic craft activities I have ever done. This year has, for me, been ‘The Year of the Felt’. I’ve always seen other people’s efforts and wanted to give it a try - but didn’t know where to start. So when the Auckland Fun Felters group came to a Creative Fibre ‘retreat’ weekend I was also attending I asked if I could watch them. ‘Of course’, they said. And a lovely lady called Robyn said ‘Would you like to have a go?’ Is the Pope Catholic? Do alpacas s**t on a poo pile? Of course I would! Now I’ve always associated felting with flat pieces of fabric. But Robyn specialises in 3D felting. So my first attempt was at making a bowl. It would be one colour on the inside and another on the outside. I wondered if I was starting on something a tad complicated for my skill level – but was assured that it was really easy. We started with some felting concepts. At its very basic level, heat, moisture, friction and some detergent 46

will do the job. And as any domestic engineer will tell you, that’s the very reason you shouldn’t wash your best woollen jumpers on a hot wash in the washing machine! So when you’re felting, you need a sturdy table, covered in plastic (to protect it from the water), hot water in a squeegee bottle with a dash of detergent in it, some extra soap, and things to cause some friction in the fleece. I was amazed at the variety of things that fall into this category – bubble wrap, those plastic trays that supermarket meat comes on, hand massage paddles, swimming pool noodles... the list goes on. Next, I was handed a ‘former’ of round flexible rubber, and a pile of carded Corriedale sheep fleece (yup – I know – where’s the alpaca? Apparently, for beginners, sheep’s fleece felts better). We started by covering it with a very thin layer of fleece in the colour of the inside of the bowl. Then we wet it down with the hot water and detergent, and turned it over. The edges were wrapped around the edges, and we did the same again. We repeated this twelve times (that’s

TOP Needle felted fish on wet felted fabric. ABOVE Terri's first felted bowl. OPPOSITE A felted silk scarf.

six layers worth). A change of colour, to the outside of the bowl, and we repeated the whole process. A final addition of some silk for highlights and we were ready to start the friction part of the process. The currently flat disc of layered fleece was covered in some net curtain, and some extra soap rubbed across the top. Then the exercise

starts! You use your friction-making utensils to rub, and rub, and rub, and rub. In little circles, up and down, right and left. Then you turn the whole lot over, add some more hot water and soap, and do the other side. Then you do it some more. And some more…... Eventually, the fleece will start to felt together – you can feel it happening. When you think you’ve done enough – do some more! When you are lying exhausted on the floor, it’s time for the next step. Place a teacup (or anything round) in the middle of one side of the disk, and draw a circle. Very carefully, use a pair of scissors to cut the circle out. Then remove the former through the hole. At this stage, the item looks nothing like a bowl....But you can get to the inside now, and you can start shaping it. Plus, the inside will need some more felting. You can do this using your hands, or by finding something else that will cause the friction that’s needed. Gradually, with diligent work, the disc can be moulded into the shape of a bowl. Then just at the point that you think you’ve finished – there’s some more hard work to come. All the detergent needs to be rinsed out of the (now felted) fleece and a second stage of heat and friction (known as the ‘fulling’ process) begins. This involves throwing the piece about (flinging it hard onto the table, or into the sink, over and over again, the works), and generally man-handling it. And it will shrink. And become stronger. And

if you do it for long enough, it will become reasonably waterproof. A final shaping to bring it back into shape, leave it to dry, and Voila! You have your first ever felted ‘bowl’.

Felting for Stress Relief Needle felting isn’t as energetic as Wet felting, but is a great stress reliever. It involves taking bundles of fleece, compacting it, then sticking needles in it until it felts together (*). It can be done over a former (those polystyrene balls you can buy in craft shops are good for this), onto material (a wet felted piece works well) or by just using a core of fleece or wool. Done by someone more artistic than me, the results can be a sculpted animal, a picture, or... well, anywhere your imagination takes you! And even better, when you are sticking that needle into your creation, you can imagine who’s on the sharp end. As I said, amazing stress relief.... (*Health and Safety warning – missing the creation and hitting yourself hurts!)

Terri and Art Cattell, are the owners at Chipperfield Alpacas. They are based in Miranda and have been there since July 2011. Their herd has grown from four pet boys to over thirty animals.

Felting Alpaca I can’t leave an article in an Alpaca magazine without adding some more about felting alpaca fleece. It can be done – but, as any alpaca breeder knows, alpaca fleece has different characteristics to sheep fleece. The scales on a Huacaya fleece are smaller and smoother than those on wool. That’s one of the reasons that alpaca garments don’t felt as much as wool ones, when washed. Suri fleece is even smoother.

So felting alpaca takes more time. But the results can be beautiful. I used a thin layer of light fawn Huacaya fleece on the back of a fine silk scarf I picked up from a charity shop. With some silk highlights on the front, I have a light but very warm and beautiful scarf for the winter. One of the more experienced ladies at the retreat used some of my carded white Suri to felt a thin square of flat material. It was so delicate, but strong, and very beautiful.

www.chipperfield.co.nz

2016 HEALTH SURVEY

Results Summary By Stephen Mulholland, Ph.D. for the Camelid Health Trust

History The first health survey was run in 2004 by Jeanette Klomp, the founder of the Health and Education Subcommittee. This survey was a paper form sent out to the 30 monitor farms the AANZ had at the time, of which 11 replied. I got drawn into this survey when Jeanette sought my help with the data analysis. Starting in 2005 a paper-form survey was sent out to all AANZ (and NZLA) members. Later technological improvements let the health survey move online, and since 2010 it has been conducted on the SurveyMonkey platform. We now have a database containing about 20,000 animal-years’ worth of information with hundreds of recorded births, deaths, and reports of mishaps and fortuitous moments large and small.

Purpose of the Survey At its most fundamental level the Health Survey is about collecting and maintaining a record of the 48

morbidity, mortality and management systems used in NZ. Or phrased more directly: What makes alpacas sick? What do they die from? What are our management practices, and how can they be improved? We’ve all learned hard lessons in our years of owning alpacas and the health survey allows us to anonymously share those lessons for the betterment of all. The general information collected in the survey is used to write papers like this one (and the longer version of this report on the www. camelidhealth.org website), but the data is also available for specific inquiries by owners, veterinarians and relevant government agencies. For example, I was once contacted by an owner who’d seen a particular birth defect, and they wanted to know if the sire or dam should be culled. After digging through the records, I could tell them that the defect was relatively common and had never been linked to a particular bloodline – so it might have been bad luck – and not necessarily a reason to cull

all the animals involved. They took that information back to their vet and jointly decided how to proceed. The health survey provides something that most veterinarians don’t see: a record of all the healthy animals that are getting along without intervention. For many vets, the answer to the question “how many alpacas get sick?” would be “all of them.” Vets are often called only when things have gone wrong, and as such they don’t have good information on how common (or not) various health issues are. So the survey lets us measure the rate of incidents, like birthing problems, that either sort themselves out, or are successfully sorted by the owners without veterinary intervention.

Best Practice, a Forever Moving Target We all want to do well by the alpacas in our care, and to do so we must always be ready to apply the most current and up-to-date knowledge. We know a lot more about alpacas than we did ten years ago, though

The Health Survey not only collects information which can help in formulating and advancing best practice, it also provides a snapshot as to the practices commonly in use today.

On these farms 183 cria were born from 509 available adult females, with six in ten females going unbred that season. Thirty three animals died during the period, the youngest a newborn cria and the oldest a 17 year old.

Drench Practices

if you don’t keep abreast of the latest veterinary, pharmacologic and genetic studies it can be easy to miss these advances. The Health Survey not only collects information which can help in formulating and advancing best practice, it also provides a snapshot as to the practices commonly in use today. This lets us know when updated information needs to be pushed out to the membership to hopefully improve outcomes for everyone.

Protecting Privacy I deeply appreciate the information people share in their surveys. People honestly admit when they made mistakes with bad outcomes, generously sharing their experience so that others might learn. Likewise with tales of birth defects, health problems, and other issues which might make them “look bad.” In respect of that trust and honesty there is a strict privacy policy for all submitted health surveys (or any health information people share

with me). No individual reports are shared without the submitter’s express permission. For papers like this all of the data is aggregated and anonymised before publication to protect the privacy of the participants.

Some Findings of the 2016 Survey Thirty three farms submitted data to the 2015-2016 health survey. These farms stretched from Northland to Southland, and had a total of 871 alpacas, an average of 26 per farm. The largest farm responding had about 200 alpacas, the smallest had three. (Historically there has been very poor participation from the larger alpaca breeders, which is a shame because they no doubt have a great deal of experience which could be shared with the rest of the membership anonymously via these surveys. We are always looking for ways to make the survey faster and easier – while still collecting useful data – and appreciate feedback that we can use to help increase participation.)

Twenty Six farms reported their drenching practices, with 25 using chemical drenches and one using a cider-vinegar mix. The most common chemical drench was, as always, Dectomax, with 62% using that product. The reports also revealed that the drench practices were alarmingly out of date, with very many people systematically under-drenching their animals. Under-drenching is the best way to encourage the evolution of drench-resistant parasites, which can result in catastrophe. Of the 14 who reported their dose rates for Dectomax, three were giving major under-doses (less than 2ml to an adult), seven were giving at best marginal doses (about 2ml), and only four were dosing at the recommended rate (3ml for an adult). Dectomax current best practice (based on general veterinary consensus): 1ml per 25kg body weight, roughly Adult: 3ml Yearling: 2ml Cria: 1ml, depending on size Drench only the animals that need it, when they need it. 49

If you have stock scales, you can get more precise dosages for your lighter adults or heavier yearlings, etc. Dectomax has a wide safety margin, but this is not true of all drugs and drenches. Levamisole-based drenches in particular have a thin margin between effective and a harmfuloverdose. It is important for you to have an understanding how much your alpaca weigh. Adult alpaca can vary between 55 and 120 kg! Only give drench when there is a reason to do so – either a clinical indication (fecal egg count, poor body score, anaemia), or on the advice of a veterinarian. Avoid whole herddrenching where possible and only drench affected animals. Don’t drench based on an arbitrary date on the calendar, but based on evidence of clinical necessity. If you don’t follow good drenching practices eventually your drenches will stop working, and disaster may follow not long behind. There are already multiple alpaca farms in NZ with confirmed 100% Dectomax-resistant worms. There are many different drench products available that are effective with alpaca. Talk to your vet to make sure you are using the right drugs, in the right dose.

Vitamin D Supplementation Twenty five people reported providing supplemental Vitamin D, with most using injectable Hideject. This is good. All young and growing camelids need supplemental Vitamin D to ensure proper bone growth. Without enough vitamin D, young alpacas at best may not grow out fully and at worst can develop hypophosphataemia (rickets), a painful condition that will stunt and sometimes cripple them permanently. Even the sunnier and warmer parts of NZ are not immune from Rickets, and Vitamin D supplementation must be considered everywhere in the country. While adults are no longer growing, they probably also benefit from a bit of extra Vitamin D over winter, when the sun is dim and the fleeces are thick. Vitamin D is naturally produced in the skin by sunlight, so heavily fleeced and dark-coloured animals can be especially vulnerable. Of the fourteen people who reported their dose rates, five were giving their adults 2ml, three were giving doses 50

Don’t drench based on an arbitrary date on the calendar, but based on evidence of clinical necessity. If you don’t follow good drenching practices eventually your drenches will stop working, and disaster may follow not long behind.

between 1 and 2 ml, and five were giving doses of 0.5 to 1 ml. Only one was giving a dose of less than 0.5ml to adults. Hideject contains Vitamin D at a very high concentration, 500,000 IU/ml. The recommendations for Vitamin D supplementation vary depending what vet you talk to, but the numbers usually fall into the 1,000 to 2,000 IU/ kg range. A dose of 2ml of Hideject to an “average” 70 kg alpaca would be a whopping dose of 14,000 IU/kg! Doses that high can cause damage to alpacas. While they may not display symptoms or acute disease, studies in the US have shown that such high doses are sufficient to cause mild mineralization of blood vessels and renal tubules. (Cebra et al, Llama and Alpaca Care page 138) Hideject (VitaminD) Supplementation best practice: 0.33 ml to adult (~2,000 IU/kg), 0.25 ml to larger cria. Given about every 8 weeks over winter: May-September, though these dates may be different depending on your location and shearing schedule. Young animals shorn very late in summer may need doses through OctoberNovember, depending on fleece length and color.

Are our FE Prevention Systems Sufficient? Feeding out zinc-fortified alpaca nuts during the FE-risk season was the most common protective measure employed by farms situated in FE risk areas. Two farms sprayed paddocks with fungicide before the high-risk period in addition to feeding the Zinc nuts. Two farms attempted to deliver the zinc by means of dosing the water trough, which is generally ineffective because the alpacas don’t drink enough to get a therapeutic-effective dose, and they’ll drink even less of the bitter zinc-tasting water.

An important observation was made by two survey responders; each had done blood enzyme tests on ill animals and discovered that there was evidence of FE-damage to their livers. Subsequent blood testing revealed multiple animals with detectable liver damage, even though they were not necessarily displaying any clinical symptoms. In one case this invisible damage led to the subsequent death of an animal the next winter as the seasonal stress overwhelmed its weakened systems. It may be very worthwhile for people living in FE risk areas to get periodic blood tests done on some of their animals; this is the best way to confirm that the FE-prevention plan is working. The cost of those blood tests would be well worth it if they helped to prevent the loss of a valuable breeding animal. I also received anecdotal reports (not as part of the formal health survey process) of people getting “caught out” that year by a FE season that hit earlier and with more intensity than was historically common. With a changing climate and increasingly strange and out-of-season weather this is a warning we should all heed. The risk maps are changing and shifting, and the complacency of “we don’t get that here” could end up producing nasty surprises. This has already been seen with the spread of haemonchus contortus – the Barber’s Pole worm – throughout alpaca farms the length of NZ.

Adverse Drug Reactions Nearly every drug given to alpacas is done so “off label.” This means the drugs have never been specifically tested and approved for use in camelids, but the vets use them based on their knowledge of how that drug performs in similar species. All pharmacological compounds carry a

The 2016-2017 Health Survey will be launching this September. Please participate! Even if “nothing interesting” happened on your farm last year, that is still useful data.

LEFT Suri at El dos Cadena.

certain amount of risk, because some individuals will respond differently than others. By keeping track of when and how alpacas react to the drugs they are given we help to contribute to the body of knowledge vets can use when making future decisions. Two adverse reactions were reported. The first was reported in two female animals given Edge injectable drench (containing doramectin and leamisole) which the owner believes may have induced them to give birth prematurely. The second case was in a non-pregnant adult female given penicillin. The reaction was initially mistaken for general illness (as the alpaca was anaemic and generally quite crook), as she’d roll over onto her side and be unable to right her-self without help. Once helped back into kush she could stand, displaying only mild ataxia (wobbly), which might have been due to the sometimes lengthy immobility. With each subsequent dose of penicillin,

less time passed before the alpaca lay down and got stuck. It was only after the last dose was given, when the animal was otherwise recovering, that the linkage between the drug and her getting cast was identified.

Other Unusual Incidents Lots of things happen to alpaca around the country very year, and the health survey can catch some of these unusual and rare events. • A two headed cria (conjoined twins) was born. Sadly neither the cria(s) nor the mother survived the experience. • A 14 year old female died of a heart attack during shearing. This is not the first animal death recorded due to shearing, but it is the first heart attack. • A farm suffered a sustained poisoning event when, unbeknownst to the owners, buried contaminants were brought up by earthworks. A half-dozen animals died due to

the poisoning, and the owners are working to determine if there was any more hidden harm to their herd.

Next Survey in September The 2016-2017 Health Survey will be launching this September. Please participate! Even if “nothing interesting” happened on your farm last year, that is still useful data. Knowing how often things went right lets us better understand how rare (or not) it is for various things to go wrong. The more we know, the stronger we are. The “year” covered by the survey runs September through August. This period was picked so it would cover one ‘season’ on the farm, so that the outcome of the cria born that Spring and Summer could be tracked through their first year of life.

Thanks to Barbara Christensen (BVSc, MANZCVS) for assistance and feedback in preparing this paper. 51

Our featured advertiser is drawn from the pool of advertisers in the previous magazine. If you would like a chance to have your profile featured in the Alpaca magazine, make sure you advertise in the next issue of New Zealand Alpaca.

ADVERTISER

PROFILE Alpacas in the Attic MAREE CHURCHILL, SWANNANOA

Someone once told me that they stored all their alpaca (fleece) in their attic. So when trying to decide on a different and interesting name for my shop and online business, this memory resurfaced and “Alpacas in the Attic” became a reality. Actually I don’t even have attic, at present a spare garage has been converted into my studio/ shop which works well. It allows me space and freedom to be creative with everything on hand plus room for displaying products and holding classes. I stock a range of handcrafted NZ Alpaca Fibre products 52

plus alpaca inspired gifts. I aim to continue to develop my fibre-craft knowledge. As a creative person, I enjoy developing an idea from its concept to a finished product. While my passion is for breeding suri, I also have huacaya and a flock of black merino. To enable me to use a larger quantity of fibre, I sell my alpacas with a buy back fleece offer, at an agreed rate per kilo. I also buy quality skirted alpaca fleeces. My alpaca business has three income streams (1) Livestock (2) Alpaca products (3) Craft classes. It is run as a standalone business in that all costs and expenses are paid entirely from the three sources of income. Net profit is returned back into the business to further develop and

improve overall goals. The need to budget for livestock management gives me a more defined focus in my alpaca breeding in that desired outcomes have to be achieved within the funds allocated. “Alpacas in the Attic” Shop & Studio is currently located at El dos Cadena Alpacas, Swannanoa, North Canterbury or visit my online shop. I also enjoy interacting with the public with a stall at various markets and A&P shows around Canterbury and showcasing alpaca, especially the rarer suri.

www.alpacasintheattic.co.nz

I stock a range of handcrafted NZ Alpaca Fibre products plus alpaca inspired gifts. I aim to continue to develop my fibrecraft knowledge. As a creative person, I enjoy developing an idea from its concept to a finished product.

Alpacas for Sale

Services

Buyers & Sellers of Raw Quality Skirted Alpaca Fibre â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alpacas in the Atticâ&#x20AC;? Farm Shop & Studio See our advert in this magazine

Education Classes

Each issue AANZ profiles a new member, taken from a draw from the ranks of those who have joined the Association since the last magazine.

NEW MEMBER

PROFILE David Martens & Lisa Charteris CALLISTO ALPACAS, KARAKA

It was kind of inevitable for us to get into alpacas... It all started with Lisa. She has been helping her parents Toni and Greg Charteris of Waters Edge Alpacas since day one of their venture. Then three years ago David entered Lisa's life and jumped right in. The rest they say is history. The creation of our own herd was never something we ever thought would come to fruition, we were both very happy helping Waters Edge Alpacas. Nicknamed the "Ribbon Hunters" we spent our time taking Toni and Greg's animals into the ring at various shows. The inception of our herd started with a remark from Toni one night at dinner. "Why would you not start your own herd?" The seed was planted. After quite a bit of discussion and some 54

encouragement from friends in the business, it was decided that we should start our own herd. Callisto Alpacas was born. The name was inspired from David's love of outer space. Callisto is a moon of Jupiter. We are currently based in Karaka, South Auckland. We are lucky enough to share a property with Lisa's parents, Toni and Greg Charteris. Lisa works as a farm manager as well as running her own business, The Grand Wedding Show at the ASB Showgrounds. David spends his day inspiring the next generation as a science teacher at Manurewa Intermediate, recent supreme winners of the Prime Minister's Education Excellence Awards. Our huacaya herd has started with the backing of Waters Edge Alpacas. We have been very fortunate to be gifted some fabulous animals. Callisto Pandora whose dam is Snowmass Sweet Synthesis and Sire is EPC Invictus, is our very first cria, born early May. She is a stunning solid

white female, although our aim is to breed for colour, specifically light fawn to brown. Which is why we are pleased to announce that we have purchased our very first stud male from Shirley Grant of NZ Summerhill. NZ Summerhill Callisto Sirius will be joining us in November from Australia. A stunning dark fawn male who will bring fantastic genetics to our herd. Our goal is to start showing our animals starting at the Rotorua A&P show in January 2018. Lisa is also taking part in the upcoming apprentice judging course with the aspirations of becoming an alpaca judge. We have chosen our animals very carefully and have some superior genetics. We are hoping this translates into champion animals in the foreseeable future.

You can find Callisto Alpacas on Facebook.

Red Tussock Alpacas Established in 2002. Now need to downsize. Focused on developing quality alpaca and creating original apparel 238 Howden Road, RD9 Hamilton, New Zealand P 07 8481799 E info@karisma-alpacas.co.nz

www.karisma-alpacas.co.nz

Have concentrated on upgrading fleece animals of all colours. Success in show. Breeding Females now DNA tested. W redtussockalpacas.wix.com/alpacas E monataylor@orcon.net.nz

C 027 4157 637

Frith & Grant Latham 09 232 5689 | 027 336 0056 info@shadowwood.co.nz | shadowwood.co.nz

Welcome New Members On behalf of the membership of the Alpaca Association of NZ, National Council and the Editorial team, we would like to extend a warm welcome to the following new members of our association.

Lisa Charteris & David Martens - Aucklandâ&#x20AC;&#x2039; Deanne & Malika MacMillan - Aucklandâ&#x20AC;&#x2039; Rebecca & Jamie Toon - Ohaupo Heather Dawson & Richard Barber - Kaiapoi Bob & Kathryn Morton a- Pukekohe Joanne Clark - Waihi Tania Treloar & Kerry Pollock - Gisborne Jakki & Colin Guilford - Waimate Bart Lassnig - Northland Brydone Laming - Waikato Virginia Pak & Sam Boswell - Hamilton

2017 NORTH ISLAND

COLOURBRATION SHOW RESULTS JUDGE - BREED AND FLEECE KAREN CALDWELL Total Entries - Breed 112 ( 27 Suri & 85 Huacaya )

Breed Results - Suri

Breed Results â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Huacaya

Champion Black Female Shadow Wood Autumn Siesta

Champion Black Female Nevalea Janeiro

Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Female Gilt Edge Firebird

Reserve Champion Black Female Surisupre Yaquina

Reserve Champion Black Female Bruden Stella

Reserve Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Female Gilt Edge Rumour Et

Champion Black Male Te Kowhai Knees Up Reserve Champion Black Male Surisupre Midnight Blue Supreme Black Suri Te Kowhai Knees Up Champion Roan Female Te Kowhai Dancing Through The Fire Supreme Roan Suri Te Kowhai Dancing Through The Fire Champion Brown Female Surisupre Danica Reserve Champion Brown Female Wild Palette Heavenly Rock

Champion Black Male Cuesta Kissinger Reserve Champion Black Male Q Taz Thunderstruck Supreme Black Huacaya Cuesta Kissinger Champion Grey Female Malakai Waterlily Sunset Et Reserve Champion Grey Female Waters Edge Blueberry Champion Grey Male Neo Summerhill Aspen

Champion Brown Male Wild Palette Rubik

Reserve Champion Grey Male Silverstream Oberon

Reserve Champion Brown Male Wild Palette Medici

Supreme Grey Huacaya Neo Summerhill Aspen

Supreme Brown Suri Wild Palette Rubik

Champion Roan Female Blueridge Farm Lexie

Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Male Wild Palette Rock On Reserve Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Male Te Kowhai Quidam Supreme Mid/Dark Fawn Suri Wild Palette Rock On Champion Light Fawn Male Te Kowhai Top Wire Reserve Champion Light Fawn Male Te Kowhai Drums Of Autumn Supreme Light Fawn Suri Te Kowhai Top Wire Champion White Male Top Mill Halil

Fleece 96 ( 17 Suri & 79 Huacaya )

Reserve Champion Roan Female Blueridge Farm Tussock Champion Roan Male Waters Edge Cognac Et Supreme Roan Huacaya Waters Edge Cognac Et Champion Brown Female Gilt Edge Dark Secret Reserve Champion Brown Female Wainui Heights Jewelz Champion Brown Male Waters Edge Hennessy Et

Reserve Champion White Male Avon Tui Marceau

Reserve Champion Brown Male Wainui Heights Emmerson

Supreme White Suri Top Mill Halil

Supreme Brown Huacaya Waters Edge Hennessy Et

Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Male AlpacasRstyle Latte Reserve Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Male AlpacasRstyle Minnesota Supreme Mid/Dark Fawn Huacaya AlpacasRstyle Latte Champion Light Fawn Female Brenor Amy Reserve Champion Light Fawn Female Blueridge Farm Desert Sand Champion Light Fawn Male Waters Edge Invincible Reserve Champion Light Fawn Male Q Taz Danny Boy Supreme Light Fawn Huacaya Brenor Amy Champion White Female Gilt Edge Premium Edition Reserve Champion White Female Brenor Morning Mist Champion White Male Stylist Sir Edmund Hillary Reserve Champion White Male Gilt Edge Firebrand Supreme White Huacaya Stylist Sir Edmund Hillary

Fleece Results - Suri

Fleece Results â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Huacaya

Champion Black Fleece Female Canchones Lauren

Champion Black Fleece Female Kerdon Marta

Champion Light Fawn Fleece Female Nevalea Jasmine

Reserve Champion Black Fleece Female Canchones Barbizon

Reserve Champion Black Fleece Female Kerdon Carlotta

Champion Black Fleece Male Shadow Wood Lorenzo

Champion Black Fleece Male Sunsetestate Urban Myth

Reserve Champion Light Fawn Fleece Female Q Taz Angel Of The Morning (Junior Fleece)

Reserve Champion Black Fleece Male Canchones Brancusi

Reserve Champion Black Fleece Male Kerdon Vito

Supreme Black Fleece Suri Shadow Wood Lorenzo

Supreme Black Fleece Huacaya Sunsetestate Urban Myth

Reserve Champion Light Fawn Fleece Male Brenor Point Blanc

Champion Brown Fleece Male Shadow Wood Zedd

Champion Grey Fleece Female Softfoot Azure Et

Supreme Light Fawn Fleece Huacaya Waters Edge Invincible

Supreme Brown Fleece Suri Shadow Wood Zedd

Champion Grey Fleece Male Neo Summerhill Aspen

Champion White Fleece Female Brenor Zoe

Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Fleece Female Kandiah Tuscan Lass

Reserve Champion Grey Fleece Male Silverstream Oberon

Reserve Champion White Fleece Female Waters Edge Frangipani Et

Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Fleece Male Kandiah Kahurangi

Supreme Grey Fleece Huacaya Neo Summerhill Aspen

Champion White Fleece Male Awatere Lexington

Champion Brown Fleece Female Q Taz Pennt Arcade

Reserve Champion White Fleece Male Gilt Edge Enforcer

Reserve Champion Brown Fleece Female Q Taz Maybelline

Supreme White Fleece Huacaya Awatere Lexington

Supreme Mid/Dark Fawn Fleece Suri Kandiah Kahurangi Champion Light Fawn Fleece Male Kandiah Koha Supreme Light Fawn Fleece Suri Kandiah Koha

Champion Brown Fleece Male Aquaviva Cadbury

Champion White Fleece Female Surisilk Silhouette

Reserve Champion Brown Fleece Male Gilt Edge Humbolt

Reserve Champion White Fleece Female Sonric Katiana

Supreme Brown Fleece Huacaya Aquaviva Cadbury

Champion White Fleece Male Avon Tui Marceau

Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Fleece Female Waters Edge Popsicle Et

Reserve Champion White Fleece Male Avon Tui Lumo Aqua

Reserve Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Fleece Female Double M Soleil

Supreme White Fleece Suri Avon Tui Marceau

Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Male Gilt Edge Saracen

Champion Light Fawn Fleece Male Waters Edge Invincible

AANZ Bruce Johnstone Memorial Trophy (Most Successful Brown Huacaya Exhibitor - Combined Breed & Fleece)

Double M Alpacas Mark & Mary-Ann Pruden

Reserve Champion Mid/Dark Fawn Male Q Taz Wildfire Supreme Mid/Dark Fawn Huacaya Gilt Edge Saracen

2017 NORTH ISLAND

COLOURBRATION SHOW RESULTS JUDGE - FLEECE FINISHED PRODUCT CREATIVE FIBRE Total Entries 24

Fleece Finished Product Class 510 Hand Knitted Baby/Toddler Garment (6)

Class 522 Machine Knitted Adult Womens Garment (4)

1 A. Bethune

Moonacre Alpacas

1 K. Dodd

Nevalea Alpacas

2 A. Bethune

Moonacre Alpacas

2 L. Walker

Nevalea Alpacas

3 L. Walker

Nevalea Alpacas

3 K. Dodd

Nevalea Alpacas

4 A. Bethune

Moonacre Alpacas

4 L. Walker

Nevalea Alpacas

5 D. Taplin

Bruden Alpacas

6 L. Goppeth

NZ Alpacas Ltd

Class 523 Machine Knitted Adult Mens Garment (1) 1 K. Dodd

Nevalea Alpacas

Class 513 Hand Knitted Adult Mens Garment (4) 1 A. Bethune

Moonacre Alpacas

Class 531 Crochet Child/Teen Garment (1)

2 W. Johnstone

Wainui Heights Alpacas

1 A. Bethune

3 A. Bethune

Moonacre Alpacas

4 W. Johnstone

Wainui Heights Alpacas

Class 514 Hand Knitted Furnishing/Homeware (1) 1 A. Bethune

Moonacre Alpacas

Class 542 Felted Adult Womens Garment (3) S. Blom

Cornerstone Alpaca Stud

S. Blom

Cornerstone Alpaca Stud

S. Blom

Cornerstone Alpaca Stud

Class 515 Hand Knitted Novelty Item/Toy (1)

Class 544 Felted Furnishing/Homeware (1)

1 K. Dodd

1 L. Walker

Nevalea Alpacas

Class 520 Machine Knitted Baby/Toddler Garment (2)

Moonacre Alpacas

K. Dodd

Nevalea Alpacas

K. Dodd

Nevalea Alpacas

Specialising in Black Huacaya for 10 Years with Selected Genetics from Proven Lines

Committed to improving fleece structure, lustre and fineness, on well conformed, well structured frames

Black Alpacas from Champion Stock

19 Alessio Lane Swannanoa Phone: 03 312 0278 Mobile: 0274 342 708 Email: pacas@belisealpaca.co.nz

www.belisealpaca.co.nz 59

• Winners of the World’s First Alpaca Shearing Competition • World Class independent Alpaca shearers setting the standard and leading in every aspect of the Alpaca Shearing Industry • Introducing new technology in handling & safety of your Alpacas • 9 Cut Free style alpaca shearing, including show shearing and show blankets • Mobile shearing specialising in large and small herds • Shed management

Enquiries to: Mike Banks M: 021 256 2839 E: shearpac@hotmail.com