Alpaca World Magazine Spring 2012

£6.25 WHERE SOLD

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE SPRING 2012

PULLING THEM IN...!

RECORD NUMBERS AT THE BRITISH ALPACA FUTURITY

THE OTHER PATH

THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING IN PERU

KAYSEN POINT

INSPIRATIONAL TEACHING FROM ACROSS THE POND

2 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

CONTENTS

Classical Publishing Ltd © 2012

WELCOME

The only independent magazine reporting on the international alpaca industry. Distributed by subscription worldwide and through country stores across the UK, Alpaca World Magazine reaches the largest readership in its market.

Issue 41 Spring 2012 ISSN 1477–7088 Editor: Rachel Hebditch Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB Telephone: 01884 243579 Mobile: 07540 748803 Email: rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk Advertising: Heidi Hardy Telephone 01598 752799 Email: heidi@ alpacaworldmagazine.com Copy deadline for the next issue: 8th June 2012 Design and Production: TRG Design 68 Rivermead Road Exeter EX2 4RL Telephone: 01392 279371 Email: info@trgdesign.co.uk www.trgdesign.co.uk Printed in England by: Magazine Printing Company Plc. www.magprint.co.uk The material contained in Alpaca World Magazine is compiled by the publishers for information purposes only.

Although the material included has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, no guarantees are given as to its accuracy or completeness.

Readers are reminded that expert advice should always be sought in individual cases.

TWO MAJOR EVENTS – THE BRITISH ALPACA FUTURITY 2012 AND THE WORLD ALPACA CONFERENCE – ARE NOW OVER AND HOPEFULLY HAVE INSPIRED OTHERS TO JOIN THE ALPACA INDUSTRY IN THE UK AND EUROPE. The Futurity’s move to the NEC gave the event a hugely improved footfall and made the Alpaca Fibre Arts Village a great success. It may have been a tough couple of years but nearly 70 breeders entered animals for the event including many from the north who found the NEC a breeze to get to.

Back here at the Alpaca World HQ we are happy to give away five vouchers to every breeder for a year’s subscription to Alpaca World that they can give to their new clients as a free gift. If you would like to take up this offer please email the editor.

We would also welcome questions to Claire Whitehead’s Ask the Vet column. Claire is an extremely experienced camelid veterinarian and lecturer and will be up to speed on all the latest developments in alpaca care.

Inside Alpaca World Magazine Spring 2012 NEWS 14 British Alpaca Society AGM 14 Burial Cloud

Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of the material contained in this issue the publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss arising out of such changes or inaccuracies nor for any other loss suffered as a result of information contained in this issue.

Notice to Advertisers: It is a condition of acceptance of advertisement orders that the publishers, Classical Publishing Ltd, do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specific date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers; further the company does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy in the printing or non appearance of any advertisement, or if we decide to edit or delete any objectionable wording, or reject any advertisement. Although every advertisement is carefully checked, occasionally mistakes do occur. We therefore ask advertisers to assist us by checking their advertisements carefully and to advise us by the deadline given should an error occur. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than one incorrect insertion and that no republication or discount will be granted in the case of typographic or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement.

Front cover: British Alpaca Futurity 2012, by Simon Jones, Pro Vision Photography

16 Concours de Bretagne, France 18 International Alpaca Show, Holland 20 First Alpacas in Estonia

SPECIAL FEATURES 04 British Alpaca Futurity 2012 36 Quechua Benefit: the other path 44 Learning with Brett Kaysen

04

FEATURES 30 Alpacas under southern skies

44

58 A Year at Meon Valley Alpacas 64 Letter from Belgium 68 Italian Job

22 30

72 So this is Thomas...

HEALTH & WELFARE 22 Commercial embryo transfer in alpacas

REGULAR FEATURES 52 Ask the vet 78 Letter from France 81 Breeders directory

www.alpacaworldmagazine.com ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 3

MAIN HEADING | ARTICLE CATEGORY

PULLING

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G THEM IN...!

Record numbers enjoy two days of all thing alpaca in Birmingham as the Futurity comes to town.

Photographs by Simon Jones, Pro Vision Photography www.provisionphoto.co.uk 01455 251585

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 5

MAIN HEADING

T

he British Alpaca Futurity’s move to the National Exhibition Centre brought a dramatic increase in the number of members of the public attending the show and the very popular Alpaca Fibre Arts Village and the Discover Alpacas video booth.

Alpaca breeders from Australia, Finland, Norway, Holland, Sweden, France, Austria and Estonia were present.

There were a record 440 alpaca halter entries for the show and nearly 140 fleece entries judged

by Val Fullerlove, huacaya halter, Matt Lloyd, suri halter, and Liz Barlow, huacaya fleece and Val Fullerlove, suri fleece.

There was an art and photographic competition judged

by Theresa Harrington Smith and a craft competition judged

by Val Fullerlove.

More than 160 people attended the celebration dinner that featured a fashion show, prize draw and a live alpaca auction that realised over 38,000 guineas.

All the trade stand places were filled and there was a programme of seminars and workshops featuring veterinarian Claire Whitehead, Postgraduate Researcher Sue Thomas, Judge Liz Barlow, Felt maker Liz Clay and the spinner and knitter Jean Field.

JUDGE'S CHOICE The British Alpaca Futurity judges award a Judge’s Choice Huacaya and Judge’s Choice Suri. This year the huacaya judge Val Fullerlove chose Fowberry Paloma owned by Fowberry Alpacas and Suri judge Matt Lloyd chose Simply Suris Pip Willow owned by Simply Suris.

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BRITISH ALPACA FUTURITY 2012

AWARDS The Futurity Champion Huacaya Herdsire was EP Cambridge Top Account owned by Fowberry Alpacas and the Futurity Champion Suri Herdsire was Alpaca Stud Phoenix owned by the Alpaca Stud. These are the males whose progeny won most points in the halter classes with their best nine entries.

The Small Breeder award went to Fiona Smith

of Simply Suri for the second year running.

Champion Huacaya Fleece was won by Bozedown Nyala of Bozedown Alpacas whilst the Champion Suri Fleece went to Pinkney Angelica of Pinkney Alpacas. As Mrs Margaret Silver was not present Fiona Smith collected the award for her.

In the Photo, Art and Craft competition The Best Photograph award went to Ken Freivokh, the Best Art Award to Daniel Childerley, the

Best Junior Art Award to Jodie Lane, the Best Hand Spinning Award to Susan Martin, the Best Weaving Award to Rick Westhorpe, the Best Hand Knitting & Crochet Award to Kathy Curryer, the Best Machine Knitting Award to Brenda Bugler, the Best Felting Award to Karen Childerley, the Best Junior Felting Award to Kim Roach and the Best Hand Dyeing Award to Kathy Curryer.

ALPACA FIBRE ARTS VILLAGE

CRAFT COMPETITION

A new feature for the Futurity was the Alpaca Fibre Arts Village where fibre artists, whether alpaca breeders or not, took a low cost table for the two days to display and sell their product.

The ‘village’ encouraged hand spinners, felt makers, weavers, knitters and crochet makers to come and practise their art in public. Fifteen small enterprises filled the area and attracted a lot of interest from the public. Hand spinners, knitters and crochet makers from the Walsall Guild put on demonstrations throughout the two days as did Greg Meyer with his weaving looms and Classic Carders.

SEMINARS

Sue Atkins Vicky Agar

Chris Williams schmoozing British judge Liz Barlow

Roger Mount

Nikki Haton

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 7

MAIN HEADING

FASHION SHOW The Futurity 2012 Fashion Show was staged during the celebration dinner on the Saturday at the Hilton Metropole on the NEC site. Clyde Sheriffe, associate lecturer at the Huddersfield College of Art and Design, who ran the show, brought two student collections and a group of student models.

The alpaca collections came from Tracy Birch of Purl Alpaca Designs, Moonsbrook Alpacas and Tomoko Yamanaka, Linda Hitchcock of Utopian Alpaca Clothing in France, Lacorine Designs, the hand felted designs from Liz Clay Couture, Solmut by Alpacas Incredible Finland, the fair trade company Concepts of Peru, the incredible felted hats from KealWork, a new range of British suri knitwear from The Alpaca Stud and the collection designed by Kerry Bettinson of the Toft Alpaca Shop.

TRADE STANDS

SELECT AUCTION The Futurity auction realised 38,800 guineas with a black pregnant female Cambridge Chiddy Bang Bang making the best price of 9,000 guineas to a British buyer with the average price per animal of 6,283 guineas. The auction took place at the Saturday evening Celebration dinner and was conducted by the auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington from Carlisle in Cumbria.

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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 9

MAIN HEADING

The British Alpaca Futurity 2012 would like to thank our advertisers for taking part in the Alpaca Fibre Arts Village.

This new venture was designed to showcase those people who are making end product out of British alpaca fibre and to give small enterprises the opportunity to take part in this major event at Britain’s biggest show venue – the NEC. It was the sixth Futurity and more members of the public than ever came to visit the Fibre Arts Village and to look at over 400 alpacas being shown in judged halter classes.

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BRITISH ALPACA FUTURITY 2012

Rarest of breeds • Ultimate natural fibre Beautiful, friendly, laid-back Suris.

Get top genetics from the USA into your herd.

At Stud in 2012: GLR The Synergist and Pucara Sur-Real Rapper son Springfarm Krug.

Mobile Stud Services available.

Full After Sales Support and Husbandry Training.

See our sales list on-line and visit our on-line store for original handwoven and knitted accessories. Fleece and Yarn also available.

01425 656748 or 07971 342975 nikki@farawayalpacas.co.uk www.farawayalpacas.co.uk

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 11

1 to a - 01 of in y 11 2 e u a 0 on y q ac 2 si rit om Ja u ty H e H ri Fu t u ot n u t ud Fu ec pio Fu St e ov m e a sir D ha sir ac rd C d lp e er A H H of ri e Su om n H pio m ha C

top quality breeding stock from the elite alpaca breeder

Dovecote Jaquinto of Alpaca Stud, BAF Champion Herdsire

Alpaca Stud Monopole

Alpaca Stud Monopole

WHAT ARE YOUR REQUIREMENTS?

Alpaca Stud Sharif

Alpaca Stud Thunderbird

Go to www.alpacastuduk.com/forsale for details of these and other prize winning Huacaya and Suri genetics we have for sale

Top Quality Genetics No Nonsense Advice Value for Money With the worlds best genetics available to all here at The Alpaca Stud, and with no nonsense advice given, you can be sure of getting the best value for your money, whether you are buying pregnant females, stud services, or purely pet alpacas. Call us for friendly advice and unsurpassed backup services.

Thinking about next season’s breeding?

Call us to discuss our new Lease Purchase/Lease Hire stud male scheme Telephone: 01903 891425, mobile: 07979 651742 | Spring 2012nick@alpacastuduk.com | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE or12 email

founded on experience The Alpaca Stud Bowford Farm, Goose Green, Thakeham, West Sussex, RH20 2LP, UK

www.alpacastuduk.com

Major Sponsor for Alpaca Events since 1998 16 years experience arranging specialised insurance for alpacas and llamas

Husbandry Courses Saturday 31 March Saturday 14 June Saturday 12 June

Shearing Courses Wednesday 2 May Thursday 3 May

Alpaca Assessment Day Saturday 8 September

Spinning Courses Autumn—TBC

*Also Available*

One-to-one courses individually tailored to your needs if required.

HUACAYA AND SURI STOCK FOR SALE

We have a selection of breeding females and castrated males from our long established herd of prize-winning Alpacas.

For further information on courses, stock for sale or merely an informal chat, please contact: Ian & Rachel Waldron Lower Langaton Farm • Chittlehampton • Umberleigh • Devon • EX37 9RD Tel: (01769) 540202 Email: info@langatonalpacas.co.uk www.langatonalpacas.co.uk

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 13

NEWS

If you have news of events or developments within the alpaca industry which you would like to share with others please send it to: The Editor, Alpaca World Magazine, Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8NB, United Kingdom Email: info@alpacaworldmagazine.com

BAS VOTES FOR EURO DELAY News from the British Alpaca Society Annual General Meeting JUST 20% OF the BAS members open the weekly emails from the breed society with an estimated 300 breeders active in some way out of a membership of almost 1500. There are 70 to 80 herds of over 50 alpacas and 400 to 500 herds of over ten with 50% of the membership owning less than 10.

The AGM was held at Stoneleigh Park on March 24 and unlike the first 2011 AGM achieved a quorum.

A resolution to cut the number of

members needed to make a quorum to 25 was defeated along with a resolution to amend the Articles to allow the Society to operate in Europe. Instead an amendment was passed asking the board to withdraw the resolution on Europe until the membership had been fully informed of what it was being asked to vote on.

Members were told that a new website will be up and running shortly which will inform the

public about alpacas, offer paid advertising, be more interactive and easier to use; BAS trailers were available for members to use; more work is to take place on the National Alpaca Education Initiative via LANTRA. There was a request from the floor for more judges and to encourage this, a subsidy for judge training, and that judges should be paid.

It was also announced that from October 1 all cria must be notified

before they are 12 months old or the registration fee will double.

Shelley Rhodes and Martin Vordermeier from the TB Research Group at the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, delivered their final report on the Validation of ante mortem TB tests in Camelids which was funded by the BAS, the British Llama Society and British Camelids. Copies of the report can be found on the BAS website.

EVERY CLOUD HAS A FLEECY LINING IF YOU WOULD like to be buried or burnt in an alpaca coffin woven out of your own alpaca fibre, there is someone out there who will make them.

Linda Robinson is a professional end-of-life carer and her clients, tucked up in warm, cozy beds, often confided to a dread of being carried out in a wooden box. When her children were young, the family wrapped dead pets in soft woollen jumpers for burial, and inspired by this, Demelza decided to try and design a more appealing coffin.

She came up with a woven pouch from sheeps wool and named it the BURIAL CLOUD. Now Linda will take on bespoke commissions to make an alpaca/sheep burial cloud in a 50/50 mix at a cost of £750.

An experienced weaver for over 25 years, Demelza sourced wool from local rare-breed farmers, some of whom were burning the fleeces as there was no market for them. She crafted local oak and pine wood to make a supporting underboard and used calico to make an inner liner.

Linda showed her prototype to a local undertaker and he loved it so much he helped finance the patent.

She was then offered space at

14 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

Humber Memorial Woodland Burial in Herefordshire as a base for her business, which was originally the site of an Iron Age fort. She trained local women to weave the wool and an eco-friendly business was born, revitalising the rural economy.

The Burial Cloud is: • Environmentally friendly, made from natural woven wool, produced and hand-crafted in Britain with minimal transport miles

• Made using organic, biodynamic and rare-breed fleeces where possible • Designed with a supporting underboard made from local oak or pine and an internal calico liner • Carrying handles made from locally coppiced ash • Supporting the rural economy by employing the skills of farmers, sheep shearers, weavers,

craftswomen and tree coppicers • Available in all sizes • Suitable for all forms of burial and air cremation • Retailing for £660 (adult size) • Also available for separate purchase are woven fleece liners for more traditional coffins (such as willow, seagrass and recycled cardboard) For further information visit www.burialcloud.co.uk

H

OUGHTON HALL alpacas

Here at Houghton Hall Alpacas in Cambridgeshire, a friendly welcome awaits newcomers and established breeders who wish to visit our Farm to view and have a friendly chat about Alpacas.

Established in 2002, Houghton Hall Alpacas is a premium independent farm set in beautiful orchards with quality pedigree Alpacas roaming though out our many paddocks. You will not be disappointed with our facilities which have been purpose built for practical alpaca management. We also offer full support with every aspect of alpaca ownership.

We take great pride in our herd and are always striving to produce good quality cria. We have gained recognition through selective breeding with our prize winning stock. We travel far and wide visiting the best breeders in Australia, New Zealand and of course the UK to ensure we source the best alpacas.

In 2012 we will be touring the U.S to compare the quality of their alpacas to ours in the UK. If the quality is what we are looking for, we are sure we will be bringing a few elite alpacas home.

Just look at our Stud Males Navigator

Neptune

All existing clients have access to our elite Males - One single purchase from Houghton Hall Alpacas gives you access to all of our Stud Males.

Centurion

In 2011 we began our Embryo Transplant Program which we have been planning for the past five years. We began with a series of successful single flushes. This is just the beginning of this exiting venture for us and we plan a much larger E T program during 2012 including super ovulation.

We are now offering a select few of our recipient girls for sale, carrying elite embryos at a very competitive price. We are confident you will be delighted with the results.

Storm

Balboa

Our Prize winning Herd includes:• Premium Huacayas and Suris available in a wide range of colours • Top quality pregnant females with excellent fleece quality • Recipient females, carrying elite embryos from our top breeding girls • Largest Selection of Proven Stud Males in the UK • Pet Males • Young females • New Stud’s on the block

So whatever your budget we feel sure to have an Alpackage© to suit you.

If you are looking to enhance your herd with some outstanding genetics, look no further.

Contact Mick or Liz today!

Mick and Liz look forward to welcoming you to their farm.

Please phone in advance to arrange a visit.

Office: 01480 461510 Home: 01480 492959 Liz: 07791 887986 Mick: 07860 430280

Take a look at the other sides of Mick George:

Houghton Hall Alpacas, Houghton Hall, St Ives Road, Houghton, Cambridgeshire PE28 2BL www.mickgeorge.co.uk & ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 15 Email: info@houghton-alpacas.co.uk www.houghtonhallalpacas.co.uk www.manorfarmec.co.uk

NEWS

HAPPY QUIMPERS Morag and Stuart Ferguson, new breeders in France, report on their first alpaca show, the Concours de Bretagne in Quimper, Brittany in March.

Judge's Choice Huacaya Europa Godswell Sirocco owned by Nigel and Ginny Cobb

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Judge's Choice Suri Alpagas de la Borie Brandy owned by Deborah Nicklen-Daggon

FRENC SHOWH

NEWS

After several changes of changing room and stage, the girls were neatly sandwiched between the champion cattle and the goose-herding dog display team TALK ABOUT IN at the deep end!

Stuart and I were the newest of newbies at Quimper last weekend.

At 3 months and 10 days as alpaca owners / apprentice “eleveurs” [Fr. breeder], it would have been hard for anyone to have been greener.

Robin Hodge and Linda Hitchcock – aka Utopian Alpacas – had been very persuasive when we collected the girls in December. “There’s a show in Quimper in March – you should take Hayley and Missy”, they said. “It’ll be good for you to meet other breeders”, “it’ll be good experience, you’ll enjoy it”, “don’t worry ” they said.

Well, R and L were right. It was great to meet other breeders. We found that people were so friendly, helpful and welcoming, no matter what the language and no matter how daft the questions we asked.

We’re now looking forward to meeting lots more folk at other shows and we’ve got the beginnings of a great network – the unknown doesn’t seem so scary now that we know we can ask and get answers from others who were like us, once

People were so friendly, helpful and welcoming, no matter what the language and no matter how daft the questions we asked

upon a time.

“It’ll be good experience,” umm, yes, it was good experience and showed us just how much more work we are going to have to do if our girls are to do themselves proud.

We’ll do it, watch this space.

“You’ll enjoy it” We did even if the weather was less than kind to us.

Slightly damp alpacas really don’t show at their best. If only the day had been as beautiful as it is now while I’m writing this, looking down the fields to clean and happy girls.

And on the subject of girls, the young ladies who showed off elegant alpaca knitwear in a large cattle shed – large shed, enormous cattle – were stars.

After several changes of changing room and stage, they were neatly sandwiched, in order of appearance, between the champion cattle and the goose-herding dog display team. Even the youngest of the girls, who’d never taken part in a fashion show before, showed great style – and all were very well received. I think the Festival organiser was somewhat amazed to meet young ladies who could do three changes of clothes in less than two hours.

Many of the 18,000 visitors to the Festival d’Elevage who passed through the alpaca marquee seemed very taken with all of the alpacas – still something of an unknown in France – and asked lots of questions. My French was worked very hard.

We have to say that our first experience at an alpaca show was really enjoyable and Missy’s second place rosette has pride of place on

our wall. Thank you for persuading us, Robin and Linda! And thanks too to Alpagas en Bretagne for all the hard work involved in organising the show.

We learned an enormous amount from everyone and appreciated how equitably all the animals were treated by the Judge Tim Hey. His comments were really helpful and his talk on stud males absolutely fascinating and no, we’re not looking for Brownie points for the next show, it really was fascinating.

Our girls are an endless source of fascination to us and we’re looking forward to our next adventure with them.

Oh yes, and the memory of the night of the show with the Judge, the Judge’s Choice trophy, the breeders (alpaca and limousin cattle), the fluorescent umbrellas and the ‘large rodent’ in a Quimper hotel will remain with us for a very long time...

Young handler Frederic Emeraud

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 17

NEWS

HAPERT TALK

DUTCH SHOW

International Alpaca Show, Hapert, Holland THE INTERNATIONAL ALPACA SHOW at Hapert in Holland was extended to two days in March with nearly 240 alpacas being shown.

The organisers invited Janie Hicks, a newly qualified AOBA judge, over from Australia to judge the show.

This year the show catalogue

had been upgraded to a full colour magazine size publication carrying a series of articles, a fashion show was staged on both days at lunchtime in the show ring. This was the collection from Small Peru Alpacas who also have an on farm shop to sell their knitwear.

A special Lustrum raffle was

held during the dinner at the NH Hotel Koningshof in Veldhoven to complement the existing fund raiser of a live auction of stud services held in the show ring on the Sunday.

For the fifth time the show was held in a riding hall ‘De Lemelvelden’ where volunteers from

the riding club ‘Sint Martinus’ do an amazingly fast job setting up the flooring and penning and an even faster job on the break down.

The local television station sent a crew who were broadcasting from the show with one of the organisers Yvonne Verbeek interviewing the winners.

Colour champions

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NEWS

There was the biggest cup you have ever seen for the Show Champion Huacaya

The Champion Suri and Reserve pictured here with the judge Janie Hicks were Pure Suri Figaro from Pure Suri Alpacas and reserve was AH Jody of High Meadow Farm

For the first time there was a Best Dutch Bred alpaca – ATD Eron Lunon Chi from Alpaca Top Dutch

Champion Huacaya was Aquaviva Claudius of Flanders of Alpaca Flanders and the Reserve Waratah Flats Earl Grey of Alpaca Osli

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 19

NEWS

OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH British alpacas from Bozedown Alpacas will be the pioneers in a new industry in Estonia, writes Mary Jo Smith.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED for our new friends Kai and Kaja, who have moved back to Estonia from Norway and are starting a whole new life. Kaja is orginally from Estonia and has been living with her partner Kai in Norway, as he is Norwegian. The number of alpacas in Norway is still quite small, and at the moment there aren’t any alpacas in Estonia. They are importing the first ever alpacas into Estonia and we feel very privileged to be helping them get started. Kai and Kaja have done their homework researching alpacas and came to us in November to start their handson alpaca experience. Having met the alpacas they just couldn’t wait to get more involved with them, and right away selected their first

female alpacas with cria at foot.

Then it was a waiting game until the snow melted in Estonia, so that the alpacas could start their journey to their new home.

Kaja’s first experience with alpacas was when she came across some yarn to knit with and loved it. She was then curious as to what an alpaca was. Upon searching Kaja came across a picture of an alpaca and immediately fell in love. After deciding to move back to Estonia they felt they needed to have an attraction to the farm and felt that alpacas would help attract tourists and at the same time allow Kaja the ability to work with this fantastic fleece.

With D-day approaching, Kaja came back to learn some more

They are importing the first ever alpacas into Estonia and we feel very privileged to be helping them get started

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about the care and keeping of their new alpacas. She decided to tie this in with attending the British Alpaca Futurity 2012 at the NEC. This was the first British alpaca show that she had attended and she thoroughly enjoyed all that the Futurity offers.

On Friday she attended all the seminars and workshops, enjoyed chatting with the various trade stands, and bought her first head collars ready for halter training the coming crias! Then on the Saturday she arrived dressed in the appropriate ring attire and we put her to work. We now refer to Kaja as our number one handler as all day Saturday she helped out and showed many of our show team.

After the Futurity ended Kaja helped us with the packing up

and we headed back to Bozedown where Kaja spent the next week doing all things alpaca and learned how to give injections, toe nail trimming, administering AD&E, matings, feeding and checking the alpacas and many other tasks that we cover in a week’s work here.

On Kaja’s next visit, just before her alpacas start their journey to their new home, she and Kai will be arriving to learn about shearing and birthing. By then they will be ready for their alpacas to arrive and start their new business of all things alpaca. What are the Estonians going to think of these new creatures that will be decorating their landscape? I am sure they will fall in love with them as much as we have here.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 21

COMMERCIAL EMBRYO TRANSFER IN ALPACAS

COMMERCIAL EMBRYO TRANSFER IN ALPACAS

JANE VAUGHAN BVSc PhD MACVSc

PO Box 406, Ocean Grove, Vic 3226 www.criagenesis.cc

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The first Embryo Transfer alpaca cria were born in 2002 at the Benleigh Alpaca Stud in Australia.

Allan and Carolyn Jinks, had been working with Dr David Hopkins and Dr Jane Vaughan to pioneer the first commercial embryo transfer in alpacas.

Since then ET programmes have become an established part of Australian alpaca breeding and, on a smaller scale, some have been successful in the UK and Europe.

O

ver the last decade, the development of commercial embryo transfer techniques in alpacas has increased the use of genetically superior animals in Australia.

Generation intervals are relatively long in alpacas because males are slow to sexually mature and females exhibit an extended gestation (11.5 months), so conventional breeding results in slow genetic gain. Embryo transfer can rapidly increase the numbers of crias born to superior females.

For example, it is possible to transfer the genes from the top 10% of an alpaca herd (donors) into the bottom 90% of females (recipients). Embryo transfer also allows breeders to determine optimal male/female combinations as multiple sires may be used over the same female in one year. Embryo transfer gives smaller breeders access to elite genes through purchase of embryos and allows for inter-farm/state/national movement of superior genetics. The inability to freeze alpaca embryos on a commercial basis has hindered the international movement of alpaca embryos to date.

The understanding of ovarian function in alpacas has been instrumental in the success of developing non-surgical, trans-cervical singleand multiple-ovulation embryo transfer. Females exhibit waves of ovarian follicular growth, with new waves emerging every 12 to 22 days.

Females are induced ovulators, and ovulate 28-30 hours after copulation when they have a dominant follicle of at least 6 mm on either ovary.

A corpus luteum develops on the ovary at the site of ovulation 3-4 days after mating and secretes progesterone (the pro-gestational hormone, or hormone needed to support the developing foetus throughout the entire pregnancy). If conception does not occur, prostaglandin is released from the uterine wall and induces regression of the

COMMERCIAL EMBRYO TRANSFER IN ALPACAS

corpus luteum (and cessation of progesterone production) 10-12 days after mating. The embryonic signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy must be transmitted as early as Day 8-10 after mating in order to ‘rescue’ the corpus luteum of pregnancy as the corpus luteum is the major source of progesterone throughout pregnancy.

SINGLE OVULATION VERSUS MULTIPLE OVULATION

Embryo transfer can rapidly increase the numbers of crias born to superior females.

Single-ovulation embryo transfer of alpacas does not require any hormonal treatment of donor females. Donor females are mated once and flushed a week later. Approximately 7 of every 10 females flushed will produce an embryo.

Follicle growth in the first 10 days after new wave emergence is consistent regardless of subsequent interwave interval, an observation integral to the success of single-embryo flushing of donor females every 10-12 days. More than 400 live births (50 % males, 50 % females) have occurred over the last decade in Australia, following singleembryo flushing performed by the author and Dr David Hopkins in numerous commercial alpaca herds. Donor females have since given birth to crias from matings performed soon after embryo flushing, indicating donor fertility was not interfered with during embryo collection.

Methods of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET or ‘superovulation’) have

also been implemented in alpacas in Australia on a commercial basis. Both equine chorionic gonadotrophin and follicle stimulating hormone are currently being used as agents to stimulate multiple ovulation. Techniques are producing an average of 6-7 corpora lutea as a result of superovulation and 2.5-3 embryos per flush (40 % recovery rate; up to 21 embryos per individual) on most farms. Results have been less reliable on some farms, presumably due to variations in alpaca fertility, nutrition, environment and management. The number of studies on MOET in camelids remains low and further refinement of existing protocols is continuing to identify a MOET program that consistently yields an acceptable number of transferable embryos, and is associated with minimal risk of infertility to the elite donor female. Embryos have been yielded on many consecutive MOET programs in the last eight years, without apparent effect on donor fertility as donor females have readily conceived within 2-4 weeks after their last MOET flush.

PREPARATION OF DONORS AND RECIPIENTS Females that are to be used as donors need to be reproductively sound (owners must resist the temptation of preparing females that have been difficult to get pregnant in the past), of superior genetic quality, have good conformation, and be free of all known inherited genetic disorders.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 23

COMMERCIAL EMBRYO TRANSFER IN ALPACAS

Embryo transfer also allows breeders to determine optimal male/female combinations as multiple sires may be used over the same female in one year.

Females that are to be used as embryo recipients must also be reproductively sound in order to optimise the chances of successful embryo implantation and birth of a cria.

Demonstrated good mothering ability is an advantage. Females with physical and/or genetic abnormalities (carpal valgus, luxating patellae, fused toes, extra toes, wry face) can be used as recipients since these characteristics will not be transferred to the embryo and gestating foetus.

Attention to detail and thorough preparation of males, donors and recipients is essential for successful embryo transfer. Certain factors appear to be important for all alpacas participating in an ET program: • Normal fertility – avoid females that have a history of failing to conceive/dystocia; avoid males with poor fertility rates (what is his average number of matings per conception?)

• Body condition score 2.5-3 out of 5 – beware of skinny, lactating females/fat, non-lactating females/overweight males which tend to have poor sperm quality • Less than 12 years of age – old male and female alpacas are less likely to perform well • Adequate selenium intake – selenium is an integral trace mineral involved in reproduction and immune function • Embryo quality and size – may be affected by in-breeding/inappropriate nutrition around the time of flushing.

Most females ovulate one egg after mating, with multiple ovulations occurring in approximately 5% of natural matings. Ideally, donor females should have their ovaries examined by ultrasonography every second day to monitor follicular wave patterns. If this is not possible, 24 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

donor females can be treated with a specific programme of reproductive hormones to synchronise ovarian function. When a growing or mature follicle (greater than 6mm diameter) is present on an ovary, the donor female can be mated to a genetically superior male. Recipient females with a growing or mature pre-ovulatory follicle on the day the donor female is inseminated are also induced to ovulate.

Both donor and recipient females are induced to ovulate at a similar time so that the uterine environment and circulating progesterone are comparable for donors and recipients. Hormones that can be used to induce ovulation include gonadotrophin-releasing-hormone (GnRH) analogues such as buserelin (e.g. Receptal®).

After injection of GnRH, around 90 % of females ovulate within 30 hours.

Whilst a second mating 12 hours after the first does not enhance the ovulatory stimulus in the donor female, additional spermatozoa would potentially be available for fertilisation. When a 2-mating protocol was used in superstimulated llamas, the embryo recovery rate was increased by 50%, without a change in ovulation rate.

EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN CAMELIDS Alpaca and llama embryos develop faster than those of domestic ruminants. Two to three days after ovulation, embryos are found in the oviduct as 2- to 4-cell stage embryos, 8- to 16-cell stage embryos and morulae. Embryos are flushed from donor females a week after mating. At this time, embryos have migrated to the uterus and are usually in the form of a spherical, hatched blastocyst. Embryos are up to 4 mm in diameter

COMMERCIAL EMBRYO TRANSFER IN ALPACAS

8.5 days after ovulation, and thereafter begin to elongate. By Day 14, blastocysts can be 10 cm in length. More than ninety-nine percent of embryos recovered between 6 and 8 days after ovulation have hatched from the zona pellucida, the protective coat around the outside of the oocyte and early embryo.

The faster rate of embryo development in camelids is likely related to early maternal recognition of pregnancy, which needs to occur around Day 8 to 10 after mating to ensure persistence of the corpus luteum of pregnancy.

A larger embryo is likely able to send a bigger signal to the uterus to indicate its presence.

NON-SURGICAL, TRANS-CERVICAL COLLECTION AND TRANSFER OF EMBRYOS This method involves the introduction of a Foley catheter through the cervix and placement of the catheter into the uterus. Medium is flushed through the catheter into the uterus, then allowed to drain, via gravity, into an embryo collection vessel. This method is relatively non-invasive and does not have the attendant risks of abdominal adhesions associated with surgical embryo collection. However, females with a narrow pelvis or excessive fat in their pelvis may not be suitable for non-surgical collection and there is also a risk of rectal trauma with this procedure.

The retrieved fluid is examined under a dissecting microscope for embryos. After collection and washing, single embryos are loaded into small plastic straws similar to those used for artificial insemination and then placed trans-cervically (non-surgically) into the uterus of the synchronised recipient female. In some studies, embryos were placed in the uterine horn

on the same side as the CL on the ovary, whilst in other studies embryos were placed at the tip of the left uterine horn, or only females with a CL on the left ovary were used as recipients, as 98% of pregnancies in alpaca are located in the left horn.

Approximately 50% of transferred embryos reach full term, whether derived from singleovulation or multiple-ovulation donors. It is likely that the absence of a zona pellucida around the outside of the embryo makes the embryo more susceptible to trauma during flushing and transfer (in comparison to cattle, sheep and goats where embryos are transferred with the protective zona pellucida still intact as their embryos are much smaller at the time of collection and transfer and not yet ‘hatched’ from the zona). Other factors that may affect embryo survival include embryo defects, chromosomal abnormalities and gamete ageing. Pregnancy diagnosis using transrectal ultrasonography can be performed from approximately Day 25 after embryo transfer to assess pregnancy.

Embryo transfer also allows breeders to determine optimal male/female combinations as multiple sires may be used over the same female in one year.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS Future developments include the continued refinement of multiple ovulation protocols and the freezing of embryos to allow indefinite storage and easy transport of genetic material.

Pregnancies have been achieved in camels and llamas following vitrification or slow freezing, thawing and transfer of embryos, but this success has not yet been translated commercially to alpacas. It is likely that the absence of a zona pellucida around the embryo at the time of freezing hinders successful freezing of embryos.

PO Box 406, Ocean Grove, Vic 3226 www.criagenesis.cc ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 25

In old te rn en SP at io F ON na le S l A e OR l p ce ac a A Co w nf ar er en ds ce 20 12

G

th e at

2012 and it’s time to make those all important decisions about the future of your herd.

Prize winning stud males in all colours (except grey). This group includes fawn and white, pure Accoyo males, with the quality of fleece that is typical of Shere Khan, Caligula and Ruffo descendants.

A wide selection of pregnant females, some with cria at foot, in all colours. We can put together groups of females to reflect both your budget and your aspirations. All dams will be pregnant to one of our stunning males.

In addition there is always a small number of high quality, potential herd sires for sale. A few of these will be pure Accoyo youngsters that would certainly make a difference to the quality of fleece in any herd.

Please ask either of us for further details about any of the above alpacas, and feel welcome to come and view the herd at either of our locations - NW Oxfordshire and East Sussex.

Kilnwood also has a small herd of, mainly black, alpacas in Australia. We are always happy to discuss exporting especially to the European mainland. Just ask!

for further information please contact

Mandy Wilson - kilnwoodalpacas@aol.com - 0777 565 2207 Philip O’Conor - philipoconor@btconnect.com - 0780 110 9243 01608 683937 www.kilnwoodalpacas.com 26 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

Meon Valley Alpacas Hampshire’s Leading Herd of Quality Huacaya Alpacas SALES • STUD SERVICES • TRAINING CONSULTANCY • AFTER SALES SUPPORT

Snowmass Incan King xxx

Snowmass Invincibly Elite xx

Snowmass Royal Vision

Snowmass Quetzalcoatl

Contact us for more information: info@mvalpacas.co.uk 01489 878663 Droxford Hampshire

www.mvalpacas.co.uk

Snowmass Studs are co-owned with The Alpaca Stud, Pure Alpacas and Melford Green Alpacas

Search or Advertise Alpacas for Sale Alpaca Stud Services Alpaca Breeders Alpaca Auctions Web Development Services for Alpaca Breeders

www.AlpacaSeller.co.uk

United States: www.alpacaseller.com Canada: www.alpacaseller.ca Australia: www.alpacaseller.com.au New Zealand: www.alpacaseller.co.nz South Africa: www.alpacaseller.co.za Germany: www.alpacaseller.de Austria: www.alpacaseller.at Switzerland: www.alpacaseller.ch Republic of Ireland: www.alpacaseller.com The Netherlands: www.alpacaseller.nl Belgium: www.alpacaseller.be

Online Alpaca Advertising at Affordable Prices ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 27

STANFORD LIVESTOCK INTERNATIONAL | ADVERTORIAL

TRANSPORTING ALPACAS

Stanford Livestock International was founded in 1966. It is now run from home by Richard and Anne Beale, livestock import-export agents.

We only handle Pedigree breeding stock.

In 1995 we did the first ever Commercial livestock importation of 250 alpaca into the UK from South America. The Protocol was 18 pages long. 18 different tests were done on the animals, some done 3 times, during pre-export quarantine, pre-export and post import. The animals were held under High Security conditions for the first 30 days. In total, the export-import took 8 months.

SO HOW DO WE DO IT? • Know the animal – species, breed characteristics • Contact sheet – all contact information required to meet animal health and fiscal requirements at the point of interface • List of animals with full identities The Journey: • Plan the route with an air freight agent – There are only 4 principle agents to cover the world – The EU has rules for routes and flights.

• There is a need for refuelling stops to avoid FMD countries and places with poor animal health controls On board: • Crate plan is done with the freight agent – The sexes are partitioned off

– Pregnant females and mothers with small cria need special attention – Overcrowding is not cost effective in the long term – Crates have water and hay is provided Preparing the alpaca: • Pre-quarantine, allow human contact • Feed regime • keeping the conditions peaceful, if possible play pop music to get animals used to noise Problems have varied over the years: • 11.5 month gestation, ranging in fact from 10.5 to 13 months. Pregnancy often does not show, and movement needs to be avoided in 1st and 4th quartile • Bad feeding in pre-export quarantine • Lack of proper worming, not keeping vaccination programme up to date How not to do it!

• Overcrowding in crates, no absorbent material on crate floor, bad crate design and bad construction • Excess waiting in crates prior to loading aircraft • Variable interpretation of EU rules • Inappropriate clearing agents at airports

WHAT WE OFFER 1. A farm to farm delivery service. For example: Getting alpacas from New Zealand to Norway involves: pre export quarantine; Air New Zealand Auckland - Heathrow; USDA Transit Auckland; Border Inspection Post Heathrow; Road transit; Ferry and delivery; 4 State Veterinary Services, 4 clearing agents and just one set of through documents and one set of European Traces.

2. Team work 3. Communication 4. Service to all involved – from 10 to 20 or more organisations, some of which we never see 5. We are always available We have moved approx 4000 alpacas worldwide. It is all about selecting the right partners.

CONCLUSION Our role is to make the exporting – importing of livestock as hassle free as possible for our clients and to deliver the animals safely.

Stanford LiveStock International Limited

Founded 1966

Livestock Agents

Independent professional livestock shippers moving alpacas around the world since 1995 With Excellent Alpaca Care and Customer Support We thank our clients world wide for their trust and support New Routes New Markets Contact: Richard Beale Stanford Livestock International Ltd, 4 Hilltop Close, Shrewton, Salisbury, SP3 4EB England Tel: (44) 01980 621334 Email: richardbeale@stanfordlivestock.co.uk

28 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

Contact Roger Mount

on 01386 853 841 or 07711044106 Email: snowshillalpacas@btinternet.com Web: www.snowshillalpacas.com

Snowshill Alpacas,

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

For sale : Snowshill Barnaby Solid Beige Stud Male.

Sire: Wellground Imber (s.white) Dam: Fine Bella (s.white) Fleece stats @ 23 months Mfd 22.6 Cv 16.8 SD 3.8 Cf 96.9 D.O.B. 16 - 7 - 2009 Price : ÂŁ4,950 plus VAT

For sale : Snowshill Zhivago Solid White Stud Male Sire: Silverstream Czar of Anzac (s.white) Dam: Silverstream Escudo (s.l-fawn) Fleece stats @ 23.5 months Mfd 18.5 Cv 21.5 SD 4.0 Cf 99.1 D.O.B. 30 - 6- 2009 Price: ÂŁ6,250 plus VAT

We have a number of other potential Stud Males available as well as pet quality males and breeding females for sale. If you require Stud services; we have a good selection of Studs with excellent pedigrees, conformation and fleece qualities. A small selection is shown below, but please visit our website for further information, or phone us.

We adhere to good biosecurity practices and had badger fencing installed in 2009.

Snowshill Shadow Dancer

Stats @ 46 months Mfd 22.1 Cv 22.1 SD 4.9 Cf 94.7

Snowshill Peregrin

Stats @ 72 months Mfd 21.7 Cv 17.6 SD 3.8 Cf 97.4

Snowshill Orlando

Stats @ 21 months Mfd 23.5 Cv 21.7 SD 5.1 Cf 90.4 ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 29

HELDERSTROOM ALPACAS

ALPACAS UNDER SOUTHERN

By Alison Notley of Helderstroom Alpacas in Western Cape, South Africa.

30 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

HERLDERSTROOM ALPACAS

AS

SKIES

I write this at the start of the English spring, summer in the Western Cape of South Africa will soon be coming to an end. This is now our birthing season, after the long hot months and before the Cape turns its winter vicissitudes on us.

The babies toughen up a bit before the winds and rain. We shear in October before the heat sets in and, importantly for our business, before the grass turns brown thereby keeping the fleeces as clean as possible. We look with envy upon those clean UK alpacas grazing on soft green grass.

At Helderstroom Alpacas our passion for these animals remains as strong as it was in 2007 when AWM published our first article. We had departed Mr Mugabe’s Zimbabwe in 2002, bought and renovated a 300 year old farmhouse in the Cape Winelands, and acquired from South America our start-up pack of five pregnant alpacas in 2004 when the agri-industry of breeding alpacas was in its infancy in South Africa. Since then our twin girls Salt and Pepper were born in 2009. Salt is now expecting her first baby whereas Pepper – to whom we refer as the most photographed alpaca in South Africa – is not! She was quite adamant she wanted nothing to do with boys this year.

Their own birth weights were 3.7 kgs and 2.4 kgs respectively. Everyone around here knows Pepper and she has her own little fan club. Being the rejected, and smaller, twin Pepper was bottle fed until seven months old and slept in the kitchen with the spaniels. She is particularly friendly and has become a fantastic ambassador for Helderstroom Alpacas, always greeting visitors on arrival.

The main thrust of our enterprise has been channelled into the production of ladies fashion knitwear including jackets, coats, cardigans and jumpers, woven wraps, scarves, hats, gloves and other accessories, a small line in gents’ pullovers and an extensive baby and toddler range, all from our own fibre and that purchased from other local breeders. Every piece we make is unique, and, unless specifically requested to do so, we do not repeat a garment.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 31

HELDERSTROOM ALPACAS

GETTING IN A SPIN Changing careers mid life presents its own challenges – one of which was learning to spin. I am self-taught and like most beginner spinners I overspun until my frustration got the better of me. I needed one lesson with a lady who has since become our mentor, and by watching and practising I overcame the problem and became addicted. I was then able to teach Brenda and Theresa, two local girls, who both joined us in 2009 and we are a team of three hand spinners.

Indeed Brenda has proved a natural, and for the second year running she has proudly brought home the top award for the Cape Spinners’ and Weavers’ Guild spinning competition. Nothing like being beaten by ones protégé!

To add exclusivity to an already high class fibre, we hand knit and hand weave only hand spun yarn. We do not dye our products, preferring to work in the 22 natural colours and shades with which the alpaca provides us. A certain amount of our yarn is variegated, where we draft three separate colours simultaneously into one single thread and all our yarn is plied.

We are fortunate in that a fellow breeder in South Africa imported an entire mini-mill from Canada and it is here that we send our fibre to be cleaned, carded and prepared into rovings for spinning. In the early days we did this ourselves on a long suffering Ashford drum carder. Now, with a much larger volume we send it away, preferring to devote our own time to producing yarn.

We have regular visitors to Helderstroom, not only to the alpaca studio and shop but also to see the herd and inevitably hug an alpaca. We host educational school trips as well as tour groups and coach outings for senior citizens. At the end of one particular school visit of mainly non-English speaking children we were rewarded for our 32 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

efforts by being sung a song which went, “Very very thank you”! Very very touching.

We are not big into showing alpacas yet in South Africa – hopefully this will come but we are a fairly vibrant and enthusiastic community with several of us trying to find niches for our products in the marketplace, whether it be fairs and country markets, open days and exhibitions. Last year we took a stand at the international Cape Town baby show, the Baba Indaba where we exhibited over 300 different baby and toddler items and a few maternity clothes and in October last year were invited to exhibit at the exclusive Cape Town Designer Boutique Show.

WISHFUL BEGINNINGS The industry is young, not many of us own old alpacas yet and we, as well as local veterinarians have much to learn. The national herd is made up mainly of huacaya alpacas although several breeders favour suris. Around 50 alpaca breeders are also members of the South African Alpaca Breeders Society and we believe the national herd numbers approximately 3000 animals. There are a few herds in the country numbering between 100 and 200 alpacas – our own is one of the smaller ones.

Between 20 and 30 ladies – oh, and one gent – knit for us, in the comfort of their own homes. Some use patterns, most do not. They are a wonderfully enthusiastic team of knitters and either they find us or we sniff them out and enroll them on to our books. Our one gentleman knitter works most elaborately, and without patterns.

While half way through his first piece, a cabled pullover in rose-grey, André had fallen so in love with alpaca yarn that he telephoned and bagged the rest of the same colour for his next piece.

Our paddocks provide kikuyu grazing and

While half way through his first piece André had fallen so in love with alpaca yarn that he telephoned and bagged the rest of the same colour for his next piece. during the long dry summers we supplement with oat hay and lucerne as well as a game pellet.

Kikuyu, or Pennisetum clandestinum is a resilient variety of grass producing thickly matted roots which makes it hardy and desirable. It easily sends out new shoots with a minimum amount of rain. In our low rainfall area the alpacas do well on this diet and our fibre has been of a consistently low micron.

Other activities in which we indulge at Helderstroom include breeding pedigree blue roan cocker spaniels as well as warmblood dressage horses although with the birth of each new foal and each new litter we swear it will be our last. It probably is now! Even sleeping as quickly as possible, it still doesn’t seem to give us enough hours in the day to do what we need.

And now, with our first cria on the ground this season, and in anticipation of respite from the high summer temperatures, what of the future? Well our current strategy is for us to continue to pursue our passion for these fascinating animals and identify further outlets for our unique alpaca products.

Under southern skies we produce some

of the finest pure alpaca finished products

A fine opportunity...

Helderstroom Alpacas Western Cape, South Africa

...is looking for a UK agent to market our extensive and exclusive range of pure alpaca finished products.

Using mostly royal baby alpaca fibre and superfine our collections are hand knitted and hand woven one-off treasures, some of heirloom quality, worked from hand spun undyed pure alpaca yarn.

BABYWEAR AND TODDLER RANGE includes charmingly embroidered felted bootees, matinee jackets, jumpers, baby blankets, cosy sleeping bags, dungarees, Christening dresses, Victorian carrying capes, nursery cushions, soft toys and many more…

uce mass prod We do not aim is not our – indeed but to pursue oduce to mass pr rafting individual n of c our passio oke lines for and besp clients. discerning

LADIES’ FASHIONWEAR includes gillets, cardigans, jerseys, our unique and stunningly elegant ‘Pacajac’ – our flagship garment and multi-directional jacket which can also be worn as a coat (below in white), jackets, coats, gloves, snoods, ponchos, tunics and our long woven shawls…

MEN’SWEAR AND ACCESSORIES form our third range – including gents’ pullovers and jumpers, scarves, mittens and beautiful ladies gloves with detail, “hobo” gloves for men, hats, both stylish and quirky and everything with the distinctive Spirit of Helderstroom signature.

HIGHLIGHTS Our team of dedicated spinners are proud to have won the top three places in the Cape Spinners’ and Weavers’ Guild annual spinning competition in 2010 with our top lady scooping the coveted award in 2011 for the second year running.

Genuinely interested parties should contact Alison Notley by email at alpacas@helderstroom.co.za or telephone +27 (0)28 840 0158 | | Many of our products may be seen on our website: www.helderstroomalpacas.co.za ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE Spring 2012 33

Somerset & Dorset

www.reddingvalealpacas.co.uk

Specialising in Black and Fawn Huacaya

We have top quality young stock, breeding females and pet males available for sale Affordable stud services from our award winning Australian boys Rondul Park Zorro Warralinga Gorge Top Brass

Please see our website for full details

REDDINGVALE ALPACAS, Lower Throop Farm, Throop Road, Templecombe, Somerset BA8 0HR Tel:01963 370223

Mobile: 07768 327141

Email: reddingvale@yahoo.co.uk

Alpaca Feeds Following popular demand, we are pleased to announce the launch of two new feeds for alpacas. These feeds have been designed to complement grazing and also winter forages. They contain: • Cereals for high energy • Sugar beet for quality fibre and palatability • Fully mineralised to balance forages • High levels of vitamins and trace elements for health and fertility • Available delivered direct to farm in minimum 1 tonne lots • Packed in 25kg plastic bags • Ex branch collections available by prior arrangement

Alpaca Winter Pellets Alpaca Winter Pellets are high quality 18% protein feed specifically formulated for winter feeding.

Alpaca Grazer Pellets Alpaca Grazer Pellets are a high quality 16% protein designed for feeding at grass.

For further information or to place an order call the feedline on 01278 444829

34 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

Ashill Alpacas dispersal sale www.homesteadfarmsupplies.co.uk

Auction of the prize winning herd of Ashill Alpacas

Saturday 12th May 2012

at Ashill Village Hall, nr Cullompton, Devon, EX15 3NL Viewing from 11.00am Auction starts at 1.00pm Details: www.ashillalpacas.co.uk email: ashillalpacas@gmail.com or phone 01884 841400 for catalogue All welcome - food and drink available

www.homesteadfarmsupplies.co.uk or 01295 713188

Ashill Alpacas

www.ashillalpacas.co.uk

2012 Fair trade with Peru

17, 18, 19 May

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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 35

QUECHUA BENEFIT

Mike Safley reflects on the benefits that volunteering is bringing to both the recipient and the giver in a remote part of Peru.

QUECHUA BENEFIT:

THE OTHER PATH

36 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

QUECHUA BENEFIT

The Mayor in Macusani told us that his town was so far from Lima that the government forgot that they were even there

A

vaguely shimmering halo crowned Mount Misti as the sun set. I asked Julio Barreda where alpacas came from. When Don Julio liked a question or an answer he typically responded by saying “Buenos” as he did when asked about the origins of the alpaca. Smiling he said that the Quechua pastoralists believed that alpacas came from the “inner” world.

It seems there was a Princess of the inner world who fell innocently in love with a Quechua boy from the outer world. The only doorway between their mythical worlds was Lake Titicaca.

The Princess’ father reluctantly agreed that his daughter could marry her new found love but he was worried that the young man would not be able to support her. He decided to send alpacas from his herd to the shores of the lake as a dowry. The “Apu’s” only condition was that the young man must take vigilant care of the alpacas. But the boy was lazy and not long after they were married a cria died from neglect. Ashamed the Princess instantly dove into the lake stroking her way back to her father’s inner world; taking with her almost all of the alpacas. But a few lingered and according to legend alpacas have populated the shores of Andean lakes and the snow fueled bofedales’ of the high Sierra ever since.

Do you believe this myth? I asked “No-no” he replied. “I believe that alpacas came from God, showered on the altiplano like manna from heaven. Alpacas are God’s gift to the Quechua people meant to sustain them just as the manna sustained the Israelites in the wilderness.”

The final interview for Alpacas: Synthesis of a Miracle had just concluded and Don Julio Barreda stood up from the table at La Posada Del Puente in downtown Arequipa; tugging his worn, sweat ringed hat firmly into place, he turned to leave. Suddenly he stopped; his walnut brown face creased in thought “Could you do anything

for the children of my village?” he asked. My friend Mario, a dentist, who had been translating wondered if they needed dental services and Don Julio immediately responded: “Buenos”.

GNASHING OF TEETH Later that year, November 11, 1996 to be exact, Mario an alpaca breeder and several dental assistants made their way to Macusani a remote town high in the Andes. The mission started in a storm of anger when Don Julio was told that the missionaries could not use the town’s clinic facility as had been promised. It seems the local dentists were unanimously opposed to the gringos offering free care. They saw it as a threat to their business. Never mind that the patients to be served could not afford to pay for their services and that dental disease is one of the leading killers Don Julio with kids

among third world populations. Julio Barreda stalked out of the clinic muttering in Quechua leaving us bewildered. We waited nervously.

Peruvian society has no tradition of charity.

The Mayor in Macusani told us that his town was so far from Lima that the government forgot that they were even there. He marveled that we gringos could even find them, “coming from a place so far that he knew not where.”

A person who worked for one of the largest textile companies in Peru once asked me why we chose to do dental clinics when all of the Indians had such good teeth. I remember his words every time I see puss oozing from the rotting teeth and gums of a small child. Peru has a colonial mindset in which everyone exploits the person on the rung below. The Quechua are at the bottom of that ladder.

MOLAR EXPRESS The dental chair was finally set up in the middle of a small bedroom in the Tejeda family’s home one block off of the plaza in Macusani. The family was a long time friend of Barreda and they took us in. The line of poor Quechua criadores’ stretched around the block, many of them barefoot in the freezing mid day sun, all of them waiting to see the gringo dentist. The children’s noses flattened on the bedroom window as they strained to see the “dentista” at work. The line did not shorten for the 7 days the clinic operated; from morning till night. Quechua Benefit was born.

From that day forward the path was marked in front of us, seemingly clear and easy to follow.

Quechua Benefit forged on, serving more than 60,000 patients in the ensuing 16 years. Today we conduct medical missions, cataract surgeries, optometry clinics, deliver disaster relief to remote alpaca breeders, support four orphanages and we are completing the children’s village we call Casa ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 37

QUECHUA BENEFIT

Chapi for 100 young residents most of whom come from homes that cannot afford their keep or they have no families at all. This year we will feed 78,000 hot meals in the courtyard of the church in Yanque through the Sister Antonia feeding program. Each of these programs is a step on a straight forward path.

THE OTHER PATH WAS INITIALLY INVISIBLE

The most reliable directions often come from a Quechua speaker who usually indicates the path to our destination with a wave of their hand.

38 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

On the second day of the clinic Don Julio stood in front of the Tejeda house talking with the people in line. Small barefooted children grabbed at his legs. Shy women in clouds of ballooning red and turquoise skirts, many of them single mothers, their shoulders pulled square by the baby tied in a warm blanket across their back came up and glancing down shyly at the dirt street they offered their hand in thanks. Barreda turned to me and said “The bible tells us to let the children come to you.” Over the years that sentence has echoed through my mind just as a catchy tune lives on in ones ears, occasionally re-playing its melody, never quite going away.

THE OTHER PATH SUDDENLY HAD ITS FIRST FAINT FOOT PRINTS BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO NOTICE Quechua Benefit soon began to extend their mission beyond Macusani. Peru, particularly the

highlands, is a difficult place to find your way.

There are no road signs and many of the locations where Quechua Benefit goes are not even on the map. The most reliable directions often come from a Quechua speaker who usually indicates the path to our destination with a wave of their hand.

We learned early on in our journeys that the most reliable contacts for our work were the Catholic priests and nuns whose churches seemed to appear on every town square no matter how small. They are often the last social safety net for the poorest people and are always reliable partners in seeing that the goods and services we sought to deliver to the poorest Quechua found their rightful place. Since that first trip in 1996 we have visited more than 60 small Andean villages.

There were often sisters and churches there to assist our teams.

As time went on and sometime after we began Casa Chapi I began to read the Bible, a gift from fellow Quechua Benefit Board member Dr. Wayne Jarvis. I searched to find the verse that Julio Barreda referred to on that second day of our first mission trip to Macusani. I found it in Luke 18:15 and just as Julio said, it tells us to “let the children come to me” and adds the admonishment “do not hinder them..,”

QUECHUA BENEFIT

THE OTHER PATH BEGAN TO COME INTO FOCUS; A TRAIL OF TRANSLUCENT LIGHT As I continued to read the bible James became my favorite book in the New Testament. There are two passages that I cannot get out of my mind; James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this: to visit widows and orphans in their affliction..,” and James 2:17 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

I cite these Bible passages, not for the purpose of attributing the work of Quechua Benefit as being Christian or any other religion for that matter but for the purpose of identifying what I believe is the spirituality that animates the benefactors of the charity. Quechua Benefit is supported by people of many faiths from the most personal to the most institutional. Some may be completely non religious but each supporter of Quechua Benefit endeavors to help someone far less fortunate than themselves: pure religion.

Each time a tooth is pulled and the pain subsides an act of faith is complete. The care giver must have faith in the outcome of the treatment and the patient must have faith in the essentially anonymous care giver. When someone receives eye glasses that bring a smile to their face our world becomes a brighter place. An antibiotic delivered to a sick Quechua child by a team doctor

completes a kind deed. Donors from around the world send their money through the internet or by mail to help people who they may never even see, do so because it is the right thing to do—deeds are more important than words.

Like most of us the Quechua, who are a spiritual people, pray in times of need. Their child might be at risk of death or afflicted by birth defects. The people they pray for, the ones with pneumonia or abscessed teeth or the ones blinded by cataracts or who could not read a book at school before Quechua Benefits mission team followed a faint path to their village and provided eye glasses are the recipients of acts of faith. On occasion the Quechua Benefit volunteers become an answer to their prayers The capacity of volunteers to do good is remarkable. Volunteerism is born of the idea that the more fortunate among us should give back.

It is sustained by sacrifices of time, treasure, personal comfort and sometimes ones safety.

During our last mission 16 volunteers braved airline cancellations and lack of sleep to find themselves on a pitch black night snaking their way down the mountain through a series of razor sharp switch backs on the road to Chivay.

Suddenly as the bus rounded a hairpin turn it slammed into a 4’ high pile of asphalt left in the middle of the narrow road by a construction crew.

No warning lights, safety crews or detours, just

Like most of us the Quechua, who are a spiritual people, pray in times of need. On occasion the Quechua Benefit volunteers become an answer to their prayers.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 39

QUECHUA BENEFIT

bloodied lips, lumps and stiff backs as the bus staggered to a halt a few feet from the edge of the road and a deep dark rock strewn ravine that stretched for hundreds of yards below.

Each volunteer on that bus was at the 7:00 am breakfast the next morning before making their way to the clinic and lines of Quechua people waiting to be served by gringos from a far off land. The spirit of volunteerism is strong in Quechua Benefit.

PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS As Quechua Benefit builds Casa Chapi and continues the medical missions, dental missions, provides eyeglasses and cataract surgeries, delivers wheel chairs, and provides funds for Sister Antonia’s feeding program it is amazing to witness the unique paths that people take to deliver of an act of charity.

Some come from as far away as Australia and others from the U.S., Canada, England and parts of Europe. Each of them arriving in the highlands of Peru to help a people they have never met and may never see again: paths of righteousness.

The other path was not initially envisioned by anyone save perhaps Julio Barreda. But it is paved with the footprints of people with good hearts from

around the world. People simply motivated by their own personnel faith, convictions, good will and charity. The other path is one devoid of labels, numbers, outcomes, miles traveled or material accomplishment. It is a simple spiritual journey that has led Quechua Benefit sponsors to do whatever good they may do. We need each of you no matter which road you take.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT QUECHUA BENEFIT visit the website: www.quechuabenefit.org.

Casa Chapi

40 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 41

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LEARNING WITH BRETT KAYSEN

LEARNING

WITH BRETT KAYSEN

With a wealth of experience from across the pond, the inspirational Brett Kaysen was invited to the UK to share his invaluable knowledge at a series of seminar sessions for alpaca judges and breeders.

Liz Barlow tells us more.

A

t the judges meetings in late 2010 and early 2011 we discussed our training needs and realised that we’d had no external input to our development for several years. Suggestions were made and we decided to ask Oral Reasoning/Judging/Form and Function expert Brett Kaysen over from the United States for some sessions in 2012.

I made contact with Brett via e mail and he agreed to come over. Fantastic! Even though we had to fund his trip ourselves, we thought that he was worth it, The dates were set, flights booked and venues agreed. The issue we then had was that people didn’t know Brett or his work and so they were rather “booking blind” when I sent out the ads for potential participants - hindsight tells me that I should have suggested that we put his profile into Alpaca World!

So here is a little about Brett’s background for those who don’t know him; Brett Kaysen was born in Denver, Colorado and was raised on a farm east of Brighton, in Colorado – his family still lives on a small farm there. While growing up, he was an active 4-H member and successfully competed in livestock shows at many levels and in many events. Even while attending middle school, Brett took an interest in livestock judging and competed at several youth contests around the state of Colorado as well as on a National level. He judged his first major show at the age of only 16 and continued to participate on

44 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

LEARNING WITH BRETT KAYSEN

livestock judging teams Colorado State University where he majored in Animal Sciences and earned a Bachelors degree in 1997. He continued his education at CSU earning a Master’s degree in Cooperative Extension and Education in 2003.

Brett joined the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University during the spring of 1998 and is still working there. He got involved in Alpaca Judging around 2003 when he was asked to help the AOBA judges to improve their oral reasoning. He has since run many seminars for US judges and contributed to the new book “The Art and Science of Alpaca Judging”.

His profile gives you only a little insight to the man himself; he and his visit were an inspiration to all who attended his courses and here is how it went…

I looked on the internet and studied his photo, so that I would recognize him and as insurance, I made a sign with his name and an alpaca – I need not have worried; there weren’t any other men with huge cowboy hats, blue jeans and no coat (it was minus 13 when I set off to collect him) walking through Heathrow terminal 5 at 10am on a Wednesday morning!

He was such a relaxed and interesting person that we were very much at ease with one another by the time we arrived at Bozedown Alpacas, so that he could see the venue and we could discuss the final arrangements. As it was Brett’s first visit to England he had lots of questions about our

countryside and villages and during his visit we introduced him to a variety of British beers.

He delivered 3 days of seminars; two for the judges group and one for other interested breeders and prospective judges.

THE CONTENT We discussed alpaca “Form and Function”; relating an alpacas’ conformation to the relevant functions. For example: Conformation form to function should emphasize those traits that impact the ability of the animal to: • Eat efficiently A good bite is critical if a female is to eat enough for both her and her cria’s needs.

• Walk The legs must be correctly formed and positioned to allow the alpaca to graze pastures for sufficient time and distance to stay well nourished.

• Reproduce easily - A male must have large testicles to produce abundant sperm.

- Males must have strong back legs for use in mounting the females.

- Males need spring of rib to accommodate the lung capacity necessary to chase down and breed females.

- Spring of rib and a strong top line give a female the capacity to carry their young.

There weren’t any other men with huge cowboy hats, blue jeans and no coat (it was minus 13 when I set off to collect him)

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 45

LEARNING WITH BRETT KAYSEN

We observed several alpacas in detail to aid our understanding of the cause of any deviation or fault. If an alpaca is not tracking correctly, where exactly is the issue? How might this affect it in the long term? Is it a highly heritable trait? There was no hiding place as Brett made sure that we all had to identify problems!

JUDGING For the judges sessions he led some discussions on Judging. He presented the idea that Judging is the assessment by comparison to an ideal and that this ideal is determined by: • Breeders • Associations/groups • Demands of Buyers • Stakeholders • Economic Value • Combination of the above As we don’t have a breed standard for alpacas, we may all have a slightly different view of what the “ideal” alpaca consists of, although we do have some documented data on both conformation and fleece.

We used the premise that Judging is both an art and a science and that judges need to; • Accept and understand criteria • Be able to assess visually • Be logical • Be consistent • Have the necessary background and experience • Be professional • Have integrity • Be punctual & respectful • Ensure that they continue their education • Be accountable • Be effective communicators We all agreed that judging is a dynamic process and will change as the industry evolves.

46 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

As it was Brett’s first visit to England he had lots of questions about our countryside and villages and during his visit we introduced him to a variety of British beers.

LEARNING WITH BRETT KAYSEN

ORAL REASONS Brett was great at helping us with our oral reasons and he introduced us to a methodology that might help us.

He advised that the style you choose to express yourself is of little importance. The truly important factors involved in giving an effective set of oral reasons include:

ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS 1. Completeness of all the important points.

2. Ability to bring out the important points between pairs of animals.

3. Complete vocabulary of Alpaca and fleece terminology.

4. Term variation.

5. Correct grammar.

6. A sincere, emphatic and precise presentation.

7. A n appropriate voice level, which depends on the size of the space 8. Clear enunciation.

9. Voice inflection.

10. A logical order to your reasons He encouraged us to vary our terminology (we all know that watching halter judging can be a little like watching paint dry!) so that at least the reasoning part is more interesting.

We brainstormed terminology and agreed a list of words that we are going to try not to use!

He emphasized that being accurate was more important than using “fancy words�. However, it might take us a few shows to improve our technique.

Brett made oral reasons sound great and seem easy; it clear that he has been doing them well for many, many years (when you judge from the age of eight with your first major show at 16 it helps).

He covered some of the same ground in the one day session at Toft Alpacas, starting with form and function and ending the day with the oral reasoning methodology. Participants travelled from all parts of England and from Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands.

He has such a great teaching style, he is exceedingly knowledgeable and was so encouraging and motivating, that we are already making plans to invite him back in the autumn of 2013.

If you want to know more or go on the list for his next seminars, let me know.

He has such a great teaching style, he is exceedingly knowledgeable and was so encouraging and motivating, that we are already making plans to invite him back.

With grateful thanks to Rob Bettinson and Madeleine Kihlberg for some of the pictures.

Liz Barlow

Livanti and Beacon Alpacas

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 47

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ASK THE VET

ASK the VET CLAIRE E. WHITEHEAD BVM&S MS MRCVS

Diplomate ACVIM (Large Animal). President, British Veterinary Camelid Society Camelid Veterinary Services www.ukalpacavet.com

BREEDING the MAIDEN FEMALE ALPACA B

reeding the maiden female alpaca can introduce some challenges that are different to those experienced with mature females. Firstly one has to decide at what age to breed her, then there may be problems interpreting maiden behaviour when presented to the male, and infertility may be caused by a different set of reasons than those causing infertility in mature females who have bred and produced cria previously. This article will explore those issues and aims to guide you in breeding young females and what to do if things just aren’t going quite right.

WHEN SHOULD YOU START BREEDING A MAIDEN? There is no clear answer to this question. What is clear is that a female cannot be bred before she has gone through puberty and this occurs anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Some females have been known to have been bred as young as 5 months of age (as have young males, sometimes penned together with these females at shows!), but this is clearly far too young to breed a female who still has to double in weight to reach her adult potential. In general, the right 52 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

ASK THE VET

time to start breeding a female is anywhere from 12- 18 months of age. Some females will not be ready at 12 months of age: they may not yet be sexually mature, or they may not have reached an appropriate body size compared to age-matched herd-mates. In these cases, it is best to wait a few months to give them a chance to develop more fully. If you wait too long, these females tend to put on too much weight and get fat, especially when grazing good English pasture and also being fed a pregnant/lactating female diet! Obesity can lead to infertility problems in itself…

Sometimes the time of year can introduce challenges in this decision-making process. It is advisable to aim for Spring and early summer birthings in order to allow crias to be born in optimal weather conditions that will also help them grow well, and to make the most of summer grazing for the dam and her milk production.

This also means that any female cria born will reach a minimum of a year old at a similar time of year: you can then start to introduce them to breeding earlier in the year and if they are not quite ready, you still have a few months in hand to enable breeding to take place before the end of the season. For this reason, Autumn-born crias are more likely to be bred the Spring following their first birthday, pushing them towards the older end of the ideal breeding age. If as a breeder you are dependent on the birth of offspring, delays in breeding maiden females can be a significant cost. Furthermore, when breeding for genetic improvement, it will also take longer for you to see the fruits of your breeding plans.

BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES If you have experience of breeding a maiden female, you will realise that things are not always what they seem. Compared with more experienced breeding females who are generally much more definite about whether they are receptive or non-receptive, it can sometimes be quite challenging to interpret maiden behaviour when they are introduced to the male. Normally, females should be receptive if they have a follicle Spit-off

on the ovary (ie cush), and run or spit-off if they don’t. This is an oversimplification of ovarian follicular dynamics of course, but in any case, maiden females haven’t read the textbook!

Regardless of their ovarian status, maiden females may behave in an unpredictable manner.

Some females may always cush and this might be due to the female being recessive in nature or feeling a bit overwhelmed by the dominance of an experienced male. On the other hand, some females may express their confusion by running away. Others still may just stand still in bewilderment or spit like crazy suggesting the presence of a CL that isn’t there at all.

A maiden female living on a farm where there isn’t much breeding activity going on, ie there are no stud males present, is likely to exhibit more of this confused behaviour when presented to the male for the first time. In contrast, females on larger units where breeding activity is commonplace have had an opportunity to observe the process and in general behave in a more consistent manner.

So what should you do if your female is exhibiting this sort of behaviour? First of all I will say that I am not generally in favour of date-rape – ie forcing the situation by use of sedative drugs! This adds unnecessary risk to the female concerned, not just the possibility of an adverse drug reaction, but also she may be mated at a time where ovulation is unlikely and this may allow infection into the uterus when conception isn’t even possible. Mating is not a benign event in camelids where each breeding causes inflammation of the cervix and uterus and potentially introduces bacteria into the uterine environment. Here are some alternative strategies: • Patience can sometimes be required with maiden females. This may involve allowing the female to stay on a breeding farm to observe breeding behaviour of other alpacas, or alternatively, where this is not possible, to allow a few more attempts at breeding. This may necessitate multiple trips to the breeding farm.

• If a maiden seems confused and doesn’t sit for the male, it could be that she is truly not receptive at that time, so remove her from the male and wait a few days before trying again.

Normally, if you keep re-introducing her to the male at intervals of a few days to a week, at some point during a period of 2-3 weeks, she should become receptive. If this doesn’t work, it may be that she needs longer to mature and that her ovaries are not yet undergoing normal waves of follicular development.

• If she is already old enough, certainly over 18 months, or you do not want to wait it out, consider having a breeding soundness evaluation performed to properly evaluate her reproductive tract.

• Sometimes a paddock-breeding scenario can be beneficial for some females as it removes the stress of a non-natural pen breeding environment. This can also be true of females who do mate, but don’t seem to conceive in a pen-breeding situation – the stress of the pen-

mating and subsequent spit-offs can prevent maternal recognition of pregnancy or cause early embryonic death.

OTHER BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES Another commonly reported problem with maiden females is the female that sits awkwardly for the male. She may lie on her side making intromission challenging for the male, or she may constantly shift her position. Sometimes the male may appear uncomfortable and give up prematurely such that insufficient time for a successful breeding has occurred. There may also be a little blood observed under the tail following breeding. Very occasionally, a painful or uncomfortable experience can make these females violently non-receptive at subsequent behaviour tests. If you observe these signs on multiple occasions with a maiden female, it could be that she has a persistent hymen. This is when the hymen fails to break down on breeding. Your vet can establish whether or not this is the case and the hymen can be manually broken down.

Using a lubricated and gloved finger, the hymen can be felt about 2 inches inside the vulva and is normally recognisable as a hole in a thin ring of tissue that can be dilated until it dissipates. It normally breaks down quite easily although the female will find this uncomfortable. Occasionally the hole can be quite small and special tools may be required to be certain of the diagnosis and to break it down.

There can be other structural issues that may result in this behaviour, such as segmental aplasia of the vagina. This would result in a wall of tissue obstructing the vagina such that breeding will not take place. In this case, there is likely to be an accumulation of mucus behind the obstruction and this can be visible on ultrasound of the reproductive tract. It is important to differentiate a persistent hymen from segmental aplasia since the latter will rule the female out of the breeding programme. I do not regard a persistent hymen to be a genetic problem if it can be broken down as described above.

Vulvar aplasia

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 53

ASK THE VET

CAUSES OF INFERTILITY IN MAIDEN FEMALES Some causes of infertility are due to congenital conditions (those that are present at birth) and these may be inherited – and/or capable of being passed onto the next generation. Not all congenital conditions are inherited, as they may be due to genetic problems that were caused by other means (eg exposure to toxins or viruses during foetal development) but they may still be capable of being passed on to their own offspring. It is important to realise these distinctions, although clearly research is required into the heritability of many defects occurring in camelids for which patterns of heritability are largely unknown. For this to be achieved, defects in individuals need to be properly characterised and samples collected and stored from affected individuals and their parents. Some infertility problems can also be caused by acquired problems in maiden females and the most common of these are noted below.

CONGENITAL DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH INFERTILITY Females with any congenital disorder should not be bred, even if they are capable of doing so or the defect can be corrected. Some of these defects are described below: 1 Imperforate vulva. In this condition, sometimes the vulvar lips are completely sealed over so that the neonate cannot urinate and it is therefore often detected early and easily corrected with a very simple surgical procedure. Most often though, there is a hole present (incompletely imperforate vulva) – the female can urinate so this is not normally

54 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

detected early on and may only be detected once attempts at breeding have been noted to be unsuccessful. These cases can look normal externally unless the hole is very small when urine is viewed passing under pressure in an arc shape. You can identify these incompletely imperforate vulva by parting the vulvar lips to examine the size of the opening.

2 Segmental aplasia of the vagina or uterus.

These “physical obstructions” of the vagina or uterus can occur in many different locations, but vaginal aplasia needs to be differentiated from a persistent hymen. An accumulation of mucus behind the obstruction (mucometra) is common. Mucometra can be mistaken for pregnancy if the fluid accumulation is large enough, so visualization of a foetus is vital for pregnancy diagnosis.

3 Double cervix. Rare.

4 Ovarian hypoplasia. This problem may be suspected in often tall maiden females with small ovaries on ultrasound and no ovarian follicular activity. Low oestradiol concentrations on blood sampling are supportive of this diagnosis and repeated ultrasound of the ovaries while still finding no ovarian activity at any stage is reasonably conclusive. Some of these cases have been found to have an abnormal chromosomal karyotype: this test is available (samples can be sent out to the US) but is relatively costly to perform.

5 Uterus unicornis. This is a rare diagnosis of a condition: on ultrasound examination and/or palpation of the reproductive tract, the female is found to have only a single uterine horn instead of two.

ACQUIRED DISORDERS 1 Endometritis. This is a relatively common cause of infertility in camelids due to the very invasive process of mating in camelids in which the male’s penis actually penetrates the cervix such that infection may be easily introduced into a normally sterile environment. It is less common in maiden females than in mature females since there have been fewer chances for infection to enter the uterus. Females with endometritis tend to alternately spit and sit (they will often spit off at 7 days and then cush at 14 days since they may ovulate but the uterine environment is inhospitable for the embryo to implant).

Do not keep breeding females that fail to get pregnant. This can just worsen the problem.

After 3 unsuccessful breeding attempts, have a breeding soundness evaluation performed.

There will be findings consistent with endometritis to be found on ultrasonographic examination but it is important for this to be done by a clinician with camelid reproduction experience since the findings may be subtle compared with other large animal species.

On vaginal exam there may be mucopurulent discharge found at the cervix (rarely is much discharge seen from the vulva), and the cervix may be reddened in appearance, suggestive of inflammation. Treatment is possible in the earlier stages of this problem using appropriate systemically-administered antibiotics. If you wait too long to seek help, the inflammation in the uterine wall may become irreversible.

2 Persistent or retained CL. The typical history for alpacas with this problem is of a female that is persistently non-receptive although not

ASK THE VET

pregnant based on ultrasound examination.

Ideally, the CL can be visualized on the ovary but evaluating the ovaries using ultrasound is a skilled technique that takes some time to master. Alternatively, the diagnosis can be made based on compatible history, finding a non-pregnant uterus on ultrasound and analysis of progesterone concentration.

Cloprostenol (Estrumate, Schering-Plough) is the prostaglandin of choice for camelids as toxic reactions have been observed when dinoprost is used (Lutalyse, Pfizer). In my experience, persistent CLs that are not recognised and treated may become resistant to pharmacologic intervention. This highlights the importance of ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy in addition to behaviour testing.

3 Endometrial cysts. These are usually found in maiden females and occur due to the presence of a blocked mucus-producing gland. They are usually solitary large cysts in maiden females and can be ruptured transcervically with the correct equipment. Following rupture of the cyst, I typically advise breeding the female as soon as possible (within days) such that the cyst is prevented from refilling: these breedings are usually successful at the first attempt.

4 Ovarian tumours. Fortunately these rarely occur but they may well interfere with fertility and if they are diagnosed early enough and only one ovary is affected, the affected ovary can be removed and fertility restored.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS The value of a breeding soundness evaluation cannot be emphasised enough – not just for animals that have experienced issues in becoming pregnant or following a difficult birthing, but also pre-breeding (and definitely pre-purchase) for maiden females. This allows you to ensure that you’re not buying in a reproductively unsound female and protects both the buyer and the seller from potential financial arguments. Furthermore, one must emphasize the welfare considerations associated with persistently breeding a female that is not capable of conception or embyro implantation, remembering that in camelids breeding causes not insignificant trauma to the cervix and uterus. The more times this is repeated without considering some underlying pathology, the worse the problem may become.

SUMMARY Breeding maiden female alpacas can be a confusing experience for both owners and the alpacas themselves! Some of the issues experienced can be resolved with changes in management whereas congenital or acquired conditions may require diagnosis by a competent camelid veterinarian with reproduction expertise.

A breeding soundness examination can identify

congenital problems such that time does not need to be wasted in endlessly breeding a female who is incapable of ever conceiving, while it can also identify acquired problems that may be amenable to treatment. Prompt identification of acquired problems is more likely to result in a desirable end result – that of a reproductively sound female – while postponing any diagnostic work may be false economy since previously treatable conditions such as endometritis may become irreversible.

Please visit my website at www.ukalpacavet.com for further information about breeding soundness evaluations.

Camelid Veterinary SerViCeS Offered by Claire e Whitehead bVm&S mS daCVim mrCVS

The 1st exclusively camelid vet service offered in the UK (est. may 2011) Camelid-specific reproduction services including: • breeding soundness evaluation • infertility workups (male and female) • embryo transfer.

Consultation on medical, reproductive and herd health issues affecting alpacas and llamas. herd health planning available.

Camelid-specific diagnostic services: • Faecal testing using the modified Stolls test (prices from £16 per faecal) • Cria igG testing Farm visits available in the new Forest area in association with Pilgrims Veterinary Practice.

For info/advice, contact Claire on +44 (0)7769 271506 or email her on claire@ukalpacavet.com now based in Oxfordshire.

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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 55

Alpaca books & digital discs from Classical MileEnd Alpacas Now available from our online shop at www.alpaca-uk.co.uk or by mail order The Complete Alpaca Book 2nd Edition Eric Hoffman The most complete and comprehensive study of the alpaca. £120 + £8.50 p&p

The Alpaca Colour Key Elizabeth Paul of Erehwon Alpacas An exhaustive study of colour inheritance in alpacas. £28 + £3 p&p Alpaca Field Manual C. Norman Evans, DVM Down to earth, comprehensive, and simple to navigate. Its pictures and recommended drug tables will help breeders keep their alpacas healthy. £105 + £5.85 p&p Neonatal Care for Camelids David E Anderson, Toni A Cotton, Claire E Whitehead Highly recommended book from three well respected veterinarians. Covers male and female reproduction, birthing, neonatal care and weaning. A practical ring bound manual based on clinical experiences with over 50,000 alpacas and llamas. A must for all breeders and veterinarians. £85 + £3.50 p&p

Cheques payable to Classical MileEnd Alpacas. Credit/Debit card payments accepted.

The Art & Science of Alpaca Judging AOBA with Anderson, Gehly, Safley & VandenBosch Five years in the making this book will become the bible for developing breeding strategies and explaining what goes on in the show judging ring. Essential reading for both new and experienced owners.

Highly recommended. £72 plus £6 p&p UK or £10 p&p Europe

w 12 Ne 20 r fo

Antenatal Birthing and Cria Care Dr E McMillan and C Jinks A practical guide for the new alpaca owner written by an experienced alpaca owner and their vet. £20 + £1.50 p&p

Calamity’s Bear Elaine Reeman Illustrated by Wendy Holloway Charming children’s book with lovely illustrations. £8 + £2.50 p&p

Orgling CD Alpaca World Magazine Fifty minutes of pure testosterone orgling courtesy of Classical Ikon. Ideal for those young males needing encouragement. £7 + £1.50 p&p Introduction to Alpacas DVD Rachel Hebditch of Classical Mile End Alpacas A 14 minute insight into these lovely animals for those thinking of owning alpacas. £10 + £1.75 p&p

Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB Telephone 01884 243579 or Fax 01884 243514 Email enquiries@alpaca-uk.co.uk

www.miriquidi-alpacas.com

56 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 57

A YEAR AT MEON VALLEY ALPACAS

2011

A YEAR AT MEON VALLEY ALPACAS Alpacas are a way of life for our family, have been for the last 14 years… It wasn't until I put these pictures together that I realised quite how much goes on in a year! By Karen Oglesby

Polly & Jazz, the family dogs.

Basking cria a few hours old.

I look forward to the shows, they're a chance to compare the quality of our animals with the best, swap stories, meet friends and have a good gossip. It's a real buzz too, if our animals do well. Rebecca, our daughter, enjoys it too, whilst Peter prefers to stay at home on the farm which is really handy as I don't have to worry about leaving the farm and I can give him a list of jobs!

Bonami & Bonaventure both did well in Rebecca wins Junior Handler at Royal

One of our many groups of visitors from schools, colleges and clubs - this time the reception class from Meonstoke Infant School.

58 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

Bath & West.

We held our own “Introduction to Alpacas” Days throughout the year and also hosted various other training courses for the Southern Alpaca Group, which included a Veterinary Workshop - Births and the Cria with Karin Mueller, Halter Training with Jay Holland and a Seminar and Fibre Testing Day with the Australia n Alpaca Fibre Testing AAFT all were very well supported.

the shows.

A YEAR AT MEON VALLEY ALPACAS

with shows and family life as much as Our 18 births began at the end of May and finished at the end of August to fit in them all. As anticipated their genetics will possible. 2011 was the first crop from our Snowmass Males; we were thrilled with crop. next the for wait be making a huge impact on the quality of our herd and we just can't

For a while we thought En a was going to rear two cria s, but in the end little Bliss, whose ow n mu m had no milk, had to be bott le-fed. We took on another bottle-fed and these quickly became devote d to each other.

Ena feeding two

Bruno and Bliss

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 59

MAIN A YEAR HEADING AT MEON VALLEY ALPACAS

Group of females with their crias.

Crias growing fast - white ones wearing collars for easy identification!

There's always something to do on the farm and one of our winter projects was to clear some of our wood and make a woodland walk - we use it most days and is really useful for halter training.

Shearing Day: 60 animals done in just a few hours we have a great team of volunteers - thank you guys!

Cotton Candy had to have her eye removed after she became blind in it after a very bad infection. She's very friendly from all the extra handling and will stay in our breeding herd - she's a Mummies Pet!

Not all our breedings had the desired colour results and we had the odd surprise!

60 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

Snowmass Incan King XXX - we have some fabulous crias from him and more on the way.

A YEAR AT MEON VALLEY MAIN HEADING ALPACAS

Open Day: 400 visitors! We offered a farm walk and sold teas and cakes and fibre products. The local Guild came and gave spinning and weaving demonstrations.

Exhibiting: Every year we take alpacas to our local Agricult ural shows they're always a big attraction.

Medusa with her first cria Midling ton - a female line we have had since 2004.

We have seen huge improvements with our breeding program me with selective breeding.

As joint organiser of the Regiona l Show at Romsey there was a lot to do it was a great success and lots of fun.

Another project for 2011 was to create a training room for our courses with space for an office by knocking two stables together. We’re really pleased with it and have used it for our courses already.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 61

BriTish AlPAcA FuTuriTy GolD sPoNsor Joint owners of Dovecote Jaquinto of TAS 2011 Futurity Champion Huacaya HerdSire

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Come and visit us. We know it is a long way to Devon but it will be worth it! Our biosecurity is professionally managed and the farm perimeter is securely badger fenced. Our herd of 170 produces a show team every year that punches above its weight with a string of broad ribbons. The alpacas that are for sale are excellent value in a range of prices to suit every pocket. Our stud males for sale have real depth in their pedigrees and we have the colours - brown, fawn, black and white.

Join us on this journey by using our genetics in your herd development Whether you are new to alpacas or an existing breeder, we have a depth of choice, service and fourteen years experience to help you.

With world class bloodlines in our herd always available at affordable prices, we can offer a package of quality alpacas, stud services and outstanding after sales

Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB Telephone: 01884 243579 1 Email: Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2009 62 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk

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www.alpacasofwales.com ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 63

LETTER FROM BELGIUM

Letter from

BELGIUM

A belated Happy Christmas and New Year from Belgium, and what a busy year it has been. Belinda White writes.

O

ur herd expanded dramatically last year with animals arriving from France and England. It was fascinating to watch the herd dynamics in both the male and female herds. I wasn’t expecting any great problem and I am pleased to say that I was correct, the females in particular kept to their own herds for a day or so and then curiosity got the better of the bolder girls and the young cria who started venturing into the other camp only to scurry back to the safety of their own crowd if they received too much attention. It was a very good indicator of who the strong personalities were in the new animals. I am pleased to say that they all get along very well and found their own places in the pecking order with

64 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

no great problem.

With 60 plus animals in the herd we also decided to change our herd management programme and have invested in one that I think will serve our purposes better. As with all new programmes we have had to learn how it all works but, thanks to numerous e mails flying back and forth to the support desk (who have never openly laughed at any of the questions - well not to my knowledge) it is working very well for me. Work has also been carried out on the website and as we have started to produce and sell products and yarn a web shop has been added. I am assured that when it is all finished it will be worth all the time and effort involved and will also be easy to administer.

LETTER FROM BELGIUM

Only time will tell. I have learnt lots of new words along the way and even know what a 'bot' and an RSS are, how many of you can do that?

In December we took some of the products to a large Christmas market in Brussels and, besides selling well I am now an honorary member of the Brussels knitting circle 'Stitch and Bitch'.

Fortunately I don't have to start knitting myself but I am very interested in what they are going to make with our yarn. They have all invited themselves down for a visit when the weather gets better to see the yarn on the hoof.

ROOFLESS STREAK At the beginning of this year we finally persuaded our neighbour to sell us the derelict stone barn that forms part of our court yard. We have been asking for years as every winter more and more falls down. To sign the final papers we were all sat around the table with the Notaire who, in between reading through the sales act, kept going on about the roof on the barn. Individually we each told her that the barn had no roof. The last time she mentioned it, in absolute frustration all four of us shouted in unison 'there is no roof' so she finally got the message. We are putting in an application to restore it so that we will have a shop area and a very large classroom so we can hold our own workshops and courses for not only alpaca related subjects but also covering knitting, weaving and felting.

It will also be nice to have an area that we can display all the information that we have on alpacas when we have open days. Unfortunately, as with

Having kept the alpacas warm and dry all winter when I let them out last week with a temperature at -2° and the mud all frozen, they promptly took it in turns to roll in an icy puddle before galloping and stotting round the field for 30 minutes. most things, I don't expect anything to happen for at least 12 months. The plans are drawn up but we have to jump through quite a few bureaucratic hoops before work can start. Nothing happens here unless it is in triplicate.

SHEAR DELIGHT The first course this year, if we have enough takers, will be a shearing course given by Colin Ottery. The necessity for this was brought home last year when my shearing buddy was taken ill before we had finished the whole herd. The last few were sheared by a sheep shearer who told me he was 6th in the world and assured me that he had had experience shearing alpacas. Never, never again, the term "scabby dog" comes to mind or the "should have gone to spec savers" advert. For the next week I brought them back in and tidied them up. Fortunately they seemed completely un-phased by the experience and all look fine now.

It highlighted the Europe wide problem due to the shortage of good alpaca shearers, so we are going to train some up.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 65

LETTER FROM BELGIUM

We have had a very wet winter so our herd has spent a lot of time inside out of the mud. They have coped very well with their confinement as they have lots of space and are looking great, very happy and full of beans. Having kept them warm and dry all winter when I let them out last week with a temperature at -2° and the mud all frozen, they promptly took it in turns to roll in an icy puddle before galloping and stotting round the field for 30 minutes. We had a row of cars parked up watching them and restricting the narrow road.

Hay has been a bit scarce here as in most places and the quality very varied but we have some good contacts who have kept good bales back for us. The first cut last year was about half of what it would normally have been due to the very dry spring so, for the rest of the summer and autumn the farmers were cutting everything in sight with baling still going on in October. I can't believe that there was any nourishment in that cut, just bulk. For this winter we have secured our own fields for cutting so as not to have to rely on others.

In July I had the pleasure of stewarding at the International Fleece show in Switzerland organized by Andy Ruedi.

There were 100 plus entries judged by Cathy Lloyd who seemed impressed by the high standard. From my point of view it was wonderful, full access to the fleeces and to Cathy’s reasoning as she awarded points. Except for Emily Browns workshop on 'what fiber processors want', (or in some cases don't want) all other workshops were in German which I don’t speak so there were no distractions. Cathy had brought with her some of Lawbreakers fleece to show what can be obtained and I returned home brandishing a small piece of this fleece - taken with Cathy's permission to compare with our own. Not quite there yet.

A STITCHING TIME December saw the first Alpaca Show North in 66 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

Holland run by the Stichtings show team. What a smooth running, well organized show it was.

Their next show is at Hapert and to celebrate their 5th anniversary it is a two day affair and entries are closed with the maximum 240 animals already entered.

With the open borders of the EU it might be expected that it would be easy to transport alpacas from one country to another for shows.

But it’s not. Crossing borders brings with it its own problem.

There has to be a bilateral agreement to be able to take animals out of one country and into another returning in less than 30 days.

This surprisingly does not exist between all EU countries.

Blood tests for Brucellosis and Tb reactor tests must have been carried out within the 30 days of the animal being exported.

A license to export the animal has to be obtained and the license to re-import stamped by a qualified official in the country that the competition takes place in so that you can take your animal back home. The cost of obtaining this license varies enormously from country to country. A rough example of costs is: To obtain a license for five alpacas to leave Belgium costs me approx 180 -200euros, 40

euros per animal. whilst alpacas from Holland would cost 450 – 500 euros, 84 – 100 euros per animal. Add on to this the large distances to get to a show and the animal welfare restrictions, fuel and overnight accommodation then the costs mount up. Sharing rides could help if it doesn’t contravene any bio security rules and, you then have the question, do you need an animal transportation license as all the animals are not your property? Fortunately I have this due to the foresight of my sheep farmer friend who was taking the exam and signed me up for it at the same time. I spent a happy afternoon sitting through a sheep farmers union meeting and then an hour before the exam explaining that I only have a few sheep now and I want the license to transport alpacas. What's an alpaca? Out come the pictures that I carry with me all the time and then we have the 'can you eat it' questions and so on... A question on alpacas and sheep. I have been extolling the virtues of alpaca guardians and there has been quite a bit of interest until I was asked 'How can I work my sheep if the alpaca is going to chase my dog'? Answers on a postcard please.

Another variable across Europe is the VAT/ TVA charged on alpacas. Here in Belgium it is 21%, Holland 19% whilst France has just increased it's rate from 5.5 to 7%. Quite a difference.

We have had our first cria already this year but we will hold back the remating so at to start birthing from April next year to improve the chances of warmer weather and better grass. We are hoping for a better male female ratio than we had last year. We had approximately 70% male and most people I have spoken to had similar or, even higher ratios.

Having wished you a late happy Christmas and new year, I can now wish you an early Happy Easter.

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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 67

ITALIAN JOB

ITALIAN JOB

HILARY SHENTON

Finding land to rent in Italy is difficult. In our move to Umbria I spent about six months looking at hectares of land owned by large families and either the fields were not suitable for alpacas, were too isolated or various family members were not committed to the idea of renting out.

E

ventually I decided that the best option would be to join forces with a farmer who was already committed to caring well for animals and for whom the presence of alpacas would be a benefit. I was very lucky to meet a talented and ambitious lady farmer, Elisa, whose family has been growing tobacco for over 30 years and who produces honey, keeps horses, a goat and a sheep as pets and whose farm is set up as a ‘ fattoria didattica’ ie. a teaching farm in Montone.

She has relatives next door who run a highly successful agriturismo and breed the famous Chianina cattle. The whole family have not only welcomed the idea of alpacas but have worked tirelessly with me to prepare the paddocks and make the alpaca area suitable.

68 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

ITALIAN JOB

Many sheep and goat farmers have had their stock attacked by wolves in this area and some have even been forced out of business.

WOLVES A key challenge for us is to protect the stock from wolves. Many sheep and goat farmers have had their stock attacked in this area and some have even been forced out of business. After seeking advice from within Italy and as far afield as Canada we have erected a fencing system which, to the uninformed, looks more like an elephant enclosure!

It comprises a two metre high chain-linked fence attached to sturdy chestnut poles. There is a ground level strand of barbed wire and two strands of electric fencing outside, at 20 cm above ground and 20 cm below the top of the fence. We required planning permission for this whole structure.

We also imported from Wales a large mobile stable, having found the cost of wooden buildings in Italy prohibitive.

When we first moved in, in January, I shut the alpacas in the stables at night, partly because I was not yet confident about the fencing and also because, for the first time, I noticed the adult suris shivering in the -10 degree temperatures we experienced for two weeks. However all are now free to roam in and out of the stable as they wish and we have noticed no signs of wolf activity at all. I am sure we are helped by being on a farm with dogs etc roaming free and other livestock.

Fingers remain tightly crossed!

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 69

ITALIAN JOB

Last year temperatures reached 40 degrees in the summer and we are preparing our sun shelters even now.

FIBRE Since being in Italy we have been impressed by the interest shown in fibre and products. We have our fibre processed in Biella, near Milan, having spent three years trying to set up a collaboration with a suitable mill. Our first shipment of suri fleece, which included white and fawn from colleagues in the UK, was sent to Biella and the results have been fabulous. We mixed the white and fawn together and had it spun in the worsted system and on to cones in a two ply fine yarn, suitable for hand or machine knitting or weaving.

This first consignment of 90 kg was of course quite expensive but we are very happy with the result and with the enthusiasm and help from this mill we want to increase the amount of fibre we submit to bring the price down.

The whole project has been undertaken on a strict cost-sharing basis and I am the agreed link with the mill that will not deal with individual breeders and have requested one person only to co-ordinate. We can accept huacaya and suri. For example, we aim for lots of 100kg minimum to get a price of 41 euro per kg or up to 600 kg to get 26 euro per kg for huacaya. These prices include carriage to and from UK. Breeders in UK can deliver their fleeces to a warehouse in Bristol and the finished yarn is delivered back to Bristol... couldn’t be simpler! We 70 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

are very pleased to accept fibre from anywhere and have already been contacted by breeders from New Zealand and Holland.

Anyone reading this who would like to join in, please contact me. We are getting together consignments after shearing this summer/autumn.

ZARZA ALPACA GROUP Our network of Associates continues to grow. We now cover Umbria, Tuscany, Marche, San Marino, Trentino and Belluno.

All breeders speak Italian and English and are committed to breeding BAS registered stock and to assisting with the development of the two embryonic breed societies here.

All Zarza’s services are offered on all sites.

We are now awaiting the spring and this year’s crias which we expect during April and May so as to avoid the heat. Last year temperatures reached 40 degrees in the summer and we are preparing our sun shelters even now.

Life here in Italy is very much in the ‘slow lane’. Decision-making is very slow on all fronts and the bureaucracy mind-boggling.

Just as well nothing happens quickly with the heat, I think!

HERTS ALPACAS ELITE HERD SIRES

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Lucienʼs first fleece had a micron of just 15.3 at 11 months and, like his sire he exhibits incredible brightness and a high frequency crimp from skin to tip.

He has a lovely handle throughout his fleece due in part to the absence of medullated fibres and show judges have all appreciated his density for an alpaca as fine as him.

1st fleece: 15.31u, SD:3.37, CV:22.0, 0.3%> 30u (11 months) 2nd fleece: 18.2u, SD: 4.1, CV:22.5, 0.9% > 30u (24 months) 3rd fleece: 18.34u, SD: 4.18, CV:22.8, 1.0%> 30u (35 months-May 2010) 4th fleece: 20.00u, SD:4.37, CV:21.9, 2.2%>30 (48 months-May 2011) LUCIENʼS SHOW RESULTS The BritishAlpaca Society National Show 2009 Lucien was 1st Intermediate White Male and went on to beat a further 28 other Intermediate white males to secure Reserve Intermediate Male Champion. Northumberland County Show 2009 1st Intermediate White Male, Intermediate Male Champion, Supreme Show Champion and Best White In Show.

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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 71

MAIN HEADING

SO THIS IS THOMAS… Bill and Linda Lyons of Cloverpark Alpacas describe their efforts to keep Thomas alive.

72 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

S

ophie, our three year old light fawn, was labouring and not at all patient with the other members of the herd. The other females had all given birth and she was the last. Her due date had passed some two weeks earlier and finally on a Tuesday morning in July her little cria arrived. Little was the operative word. All the crias ever born at Cloverpark had been a good weight, well over 7.5kgs. This boy weighed in at 6.3kgs. The smallest we had ever had with the biggest mum in the herd. His ears pointed inwards and the name “Devil boy” sprang to mind. Still, this light fawn, big black eyed, unsteady on his feet, chap had arrived and lay close to his mum. We checked him over and then watched closely for the next few hours to ensure that he was feeding. Initially there appeared to be no problems.

We weigh our cria every day until we are sure that their weight gain is steady and consistent and the next day when we weighed him he had lost weight. No surprise there as it was his first day but the next morning he had lost again. Straight away

we spoke to our vet and asked him to determine whether or not he felt the transfer of passive immunity had failed. The little chap had his first car ride - to the vet. A blood sample was taken and he was back with his mum within the hour.

The vet rang minutes after we arrived back at the paddock to advise us regarding his blood count - 30 was a failure, 60 was optimum and his count was around 52.

It was decided to cover him with antibiotics for five days and supplement his feeds with the bottle. We used pasteurised goats milk, three hourly feeds began and feeding became a battle.

He hated feeding from a bottle or he hated the goats milk, not sure which but either way it was more a “squeeze it down his throat” session. Over the next three weeks his weight went up then down then up then down and with it so did his resistance to the bottle or to anything else.

On a Sunday morning Bill rang and said Thomas, his ears had corrected themselves and a more appropriate name had emerged, had collapsed, I rushed down and took him straight

CLOVERPARK ALPACAS

to the vet. He had a touch of diarrhoea and was very dehydrated. Emily was the duty vet that weekend and she put him on antibiotics and gave us rehydration treatment to put in with his feeds.

After re-uniting him with mum Bill went off with one of the other females to Bozedown Alpacas for a mating whilst I watched over Thomas and gave him his feeds.

Bill had been gone two and a half hours when Thomas collapsed again. He lay there in the paddock not moving, no longer interested in anything and did not respond when mum called. Again I called Emily. It had to be that the colostrum from mum had been insufficient.

She agreed but had never carried out a plasma transfusion on an alpaca and had a heavy work load on with the in-patients already in her care. There was also the possibility that she could get called out to an emergency and not be there to monitor him during the procedure. She would contact some other practices to see if they could help and get back to me. Somehow we had to get help for this little boy. We could not just watch him die.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 73

CLOVERPARK ALPACAS

He lay there in the paddock not moving, no longer interested in anything and did not respond when mum called.

Emily then rang me back. Chine House would take him and mum, and there was also another vets who would take him. My heart leapt but then I discovered that Chine House though close enough to get to, was an equine practice and had never treated camelids. The other practice was miles away. I reasoned with Emily that she was his only chance. She was less than 15 minutes away and although she did not have the plasma in stock, we would get both the plasma and Thomas to her at the same time. We stressed that although she had never carried out the procedure before, giving it a go was better than not trying at all.

I once more rang Bill who had left Bozedown and was on his way to the vets with plasma.

He had mentioned our problem to Mary Jo, who happened to have plasma in her freezer.

Bill arrived at the vets just before I did, with the plasma. Now it was over to Emily and a waiting game to see if it would work. By now Thomas was extremely weak.

As usual Sophie came to greet the return of her cria. He wasn’t with me. She hummed and looked directly at me with an enquiring look. Whoever said animals are dumb had never owned an animal like her. Her humming went on until dark.

Next morning we let her out of the paddock so she was free to roam. She searched every nook and cranny for her cria, it was really heartbreaking. At 10.30am the vets rang to say Tommy was doing well and t 12.30pm we collected him and took him back to mum who by now had rejoined the herd. We were anxious not to keep him away from her longer than was necessary. Thomas had gone to the vets a weak, listless cria who could not even lift his head and was now alert and active. When we got him back home we called out to Sophie “Sophie cria - Thomas is back”. She quite literally lifted her head and bounded over to the edge of the paddock humming as she galloped towards us..

Thomas was put in with her and her joy was a delight to see.

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CLOVERPARK ALPACAS

In the midst of bottle feeding, the anxiety of administering antibiotics and looking after the other animals we were selling the land and our house some 35 miles away and moving to new pastures.

In the midst of bottle feeding, the anxiety of administering antibiotics and looking after the other animals we were selling the land and our house some 35 miles away and moving to new pastures where the house and land would be close together. Regularly the agents would ring to arrange viewings or need some information. Friends would also call and many times we would have to call them back because we were feeding, weighing or giving Thomas injections, so much so that in the end they all knew about Thomas. We would be greeted by “Hi Bill, Hi Linda, How’s Thomas?”

Now that all is past and he is out in the paddock, eating well and looking cute. Friends and visitors who knew his early problems see him and we hear, “so this is Thomas”.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 75

GWF NUTRITION | ADVERTORIAL

Stephen Tucker, managing director of GWF Nutrition explains why it’s worth feeding Camelibra Cria to young growing stock.

C

amelibra Cria has been formulated to supply key ingredients to meet what we see as the key nutritional requirements for very young growing crias. In the first few months of age the newborn cria faces the natural challenge of putting on weight, developing an active immune system and establishing a strong skeletal framework. It is helped on its way by the protection contained within the milk in the form of immuno-globulins that it suckles from its mother, but obviously the sooner it can look after itself the better.

Growing and developing vital organs and metabolic processes all involve cell multiplication through cell division at that level. For cells to divide all the contents within have to do likewise.

The key components here are the strands of RNA and DNA that control and define every aspect of the animal. One of the essential requirements needed for the division of RNA and DNA at cellular level are nucleotides. Nucleotides are the building blocks of RNA and DNA and are essential for growth. They can be synthesized in the body however a supply through ingestion is a great support to the development of all animals.

Camelibra Cria contains nucleotides specifically to fuel this natural process and to make sure that any deficiency in these specific molecules does not hinder growth.

The digestive system of the young Alpaca also undergoes rapid growth and change as the food source moves from milk to fibrous products.

In the first few weeks of its life the cria will be dependent on the milk from its mother; its foregut will also be very immature. However once the cria starts grazing and nibbling roughage this will trigger a response and a change to the digestive process. A gut flora will establish and microbial fermentation will occur in the foregut which will lead to the development of fibre digestion as the main source of nutrients for the animal.

Camelibra Cria contains a combination of high quality globular proteins, specific amino acids and prebiotics that compliment these changes in the first year of the Alpacas life. Prebiotics and beta glucans help the establishment of large populations of fibre degrading beneficial bacteria and support the change in digestive processes.

Proteins from milk and hemp seed are highly digestible and globular in form. Globular protein is the most abundant form of protein in the body and is a component of blood plasma and haemoglobin, hormones, enzymes and antibodies.

They are essential for good healthy growth. The addition of milk proteins in Camelibra Cria in comparison with Camelibra NG-2 reflects the immature status of the young digestive system; it provides palatability and provides excellent sources of calcium and phosphorus. Camelibra Cria also contains Glutamine, an amino acid that has been shown to have a higher requirement than any other for healthy gut function and the natural exclusion of antagonists as part of the immune system. It has been described as the fuel for gut wall integrity. Alpacas can be susceptible to conditions like ulcers on the gut wall so building a foundation of gut membrane health by feeding essential amino acids, polar fats, galactolipids,

antioxidants and high quality protein can only be beneficial for the long term prosperity of the cria.

Calcium and phosphorus from milk and mineral sources combined with a high level of Vitamin D3 i.e. 1,000 iu in every 25gm of Camelibra Cria are formulated to meet the needs of the pre and post weaned cria. These essential minerals and vitamins sustain the development of healthy bones and help prevent the occurrence of rickets that crias are particularly prone to. Crias do not necessarily have much of an appetite for solids at an early age however even a small amount of Camelibra Cria will be of benefit. Just 10gm per day will provide 400 iu of Vitamin D hence the concentration in this product compared to Camelibra NG-2.

GWF Nutrition use a variety of antioxidants in all formulations and Camelibra Cria is no exception to this policy. A combination of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, natural tocotrienols and Selenium provide the nutritional means of establishing good levels in the blood and providing long term health for long term productivity. The inclusion of Omega 3 fatty acids from hemp oil also provides natural antiinflammatory status and supports the brain development of young growing animals.

Camelibra Cria is recommended as a complementary feed for all crias but is particularly useful for those that appear to be unthrifty, those that have not suckled properly and even those that have not gone through the weaning process very well. The logistics of creep feeding cria while suckling is not always easy however our trials with some of our ‘Trading Partners’ have shown that if you get them off to a good start, they never look back.

www.gwfnutrition.com

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 77

LETTER FROM FRANCE

LETTER from

FRANCE

S a E n P d E C UD E T S S I C Andrew Spillane reports on some discoveries, delicacies and meteorological ups and downs of a French winter 78 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE

LETTER FROM FRANCE

L

ast summer produced a prolonged drought, and with a serious shortage of hay throughout France, we regarded our small harvest, down 55%, with concern. Luckily, August produced just enough thundery rain to keep the grass growing here and the alpacas didn’t eat much hay. Even better, the autumn produced enough rain and the weather stayed mild until Christmas.

Hay crisis averted on our farm at least, others fared worse and had to buy in expensive hay or import at huge cost from Spain and elsewhere.

Early autumn and Nicky noticed the alpacas apparently playing football with a roundish object in the field behind the house. Fearing a coiled up snake I rushed over to investigate. I found them tapping and kicking the shell of a Cistude.

I picked the poor creature up and took it back to our garden and washed it down. Cistudes are rare fresh water turtles from south western France.

Once common they have suffered from changes to their habitats and depredations from man as they are good to eat evidently, they are now a protected species. This specimen proved to be a fully grown male about 24 centimetres long, the females have a much deeper carapace. I took the photo just after washing him down and he looks blue from the reflection of the sky. After resting for an hour he carefully shuffled off to our lake. The main lake is about two acres and, because I am not a fishing enthusiast, is largely left undisturbed. As a result it has become a breeding ground for the cistude and two years ago I found one just two centimetres long in the garden, that one I rescued before one of our Belgian Shepherds ate it.

The Perigord is renowned for it’s truffles highly prized, hard to find and extremely expensive.

I tend to think they are overpriced and over rated, heresy no doubt. This forest produces a magnificent variety of funghi, pointy morilles, the aptly named trompettes de mort, thin black and cornet shaped, and the magnificent cepes to name but three. Our favourite is the cepe, these large, heavy rounded mushrooms, the best almost black in colour, give an unsurpassable earthy richness and aroma to soups, stews and sauces. Again, like the truffle, they are not always

The youngsters that we brought in each night were eager to be outside each morning easy to find. This year proved an exception with a massive crop throughout the forest, no doubt a result of the mild and lightly damp autumn.

Friends and neighbours arrived with boxes, panniers and plastic bags full of plump freshly picked cepes. When possible we slice them and sun dry them like tomatoes in Italy, kept in kilner jars they will last for several years. Because of the vast quantity this year we have had to simply freeze them but, ooh la la, what a menu we have enjoyed this winter.

If last summer was a record breaker at one end of the scale then this winter is proving a record breaker at the other. I checked our central heating oil at the end of January and was delighted to see how little we had used this winter, especially with prices at record highs. Just over two weeks later our consumption had doubled. The first Sunday in February it snowed all day and we were left with around six inches of snow. Thereafter the temperatures plummeted to minus seventeen Celsius and the snow stayed put for over a week.

This area had not seen anything like it for nearly thirty years. Heavy snow being so rare here the local region has virtually no snow clearing equipment, the snow packed down and even the main roads were like skid pans. I ventured out on the tractor to the village for some essentials and didn’t see one car on what is normally a very busy road. By Wednesday the roads had not improved but with the prolonged deep cold my ancient tractor refused to start. I set off in our little van but going up a slight hill quickly lost traction and slid back into a ditch. My neighbour, in possession of a modern tractor, happened by and kindly pulled me out.

After the failure of the tractor I had to quickly

improvise a sledge from the bed of a broken wheel barrow and use it to drag hay out to our alpacas. I remember doing this in Scotland in my youth but never expected to have to do it in the Dordogne .The alpacas coped well and stayed out throughout without losing any bodily condition.

The exceptions to this were the youngsters that we brought in each night, though they were eager to be outside each morning. Equally important our hay stocks are holding up well despite the small harvest. After about a week a slow thaw set in and by the end of the month temperatures were high enough to allow Nicky to sit in the garden in the afternoons. Hopefully it will be another thirty years before we see the like again.

I have been watching with interest the growing popularity of the stronger colours in alpacas over the last few years. At one time it seemed as if an alpaca that wasn’t white it was a second class alpaca. Then a few individuals started to specialise in black alpacas and consequently greatly improve them by selective breeding.

Now this specialisation has at last spread to the dark fawns, browns and even greys. I feel this is hugely important. We all know of the many great qualities possessed by alpaca fibre allowing it to compete with mohair and cashmere. But, it is in its natural colour range that alpaca fibre is unsurpassed and this, I feel, should give us a major marketing advantage. I believe this has been largely overlooked for too long but, at last, with careful breeding to improve fleece quality we should soon be in a position to benefit from this.

Now, at the beginning of March, the trees are quickly coming into leaf and the grass is showing signs of life. A busy spring lies ahead with three French shows before the first of May. What a difference from when we started here back in 2003. Last year was something of a struggle for all commercially here in France with the world and the French economy in particular in trouble.

Now however, there are the first signs of a return in consumer confidence and hopefully 2012 will see the start of a recovery in our alpaca market albeit with less inflated prices for average quality animals.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 79

Sale from

MARSHWOOD VALE SATURDAY 23rd JUNE 2012 at the Bristol Sales Centre, Bristol. BS35 5RE (adjacent to J17 of M5 motorway)

On offer are approximately 60 lots including: Pregnant Females l Open Females l Breeding Males Yearling Males - Males for Pets or for guarding sheep/hens Most of the Pregnant Females in the sale are in cria to

Warrior of Alpaca Stud

For full sale catalogue details contact:

HARRISON & HETHERINGTON Farmstock Auctioneers, Brokers & Valuers

Tel – 01228 406233 or 0771 476 1311 Website – www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk

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Alpaca World Magazine’s

BREEDERS DIRECTORY FRANCE Alpacas de la Grange Mynas Gillian Howard-Evieux, La Grange Mynas, La Glacière, Saint Chamond, France, 42400.

Tel: +33 (0) 4 77 22 85 69.

Email: howard-evieux@orange.fr.

Web: www.alpaga-alpaca.com.

In the heart of France (30 mins Lyon). Prizewinning alpacas for sale. On-farm and fly-by matings posible with top-class AlpacaStud males – all colours. Initiation and full aftersales support. English/French spoken. B&Bs, holiday flats available for your visit.

Aquitaine Alpacas Lindsay Naylor, Le Mayne de Gaye, Sainte Alvere, France, 24510.

Tel: +33 (0) 553 23 44 48.

Email: lindsay@aquitainealpacas.com Web: www.aquitainealpacas.com Established herd situated in the Dordogne.

Breeding quality Peruvian huacayas from contented home bred stock. Sales, stud males.

Practical guidance and support given on management and handling for happy alpacas.

Elevage de Garenne Isabelle Leydier Delavallade, Chez le Meunier, 16110 Marillac le Franc, France, 16110.

Tel: +33 685 53 80 54 Email: lama.de.garenne@wanadoo.fr Web: www.elevage-de-garenne.com Breeding prize winning camelids since 1990.

Limited number of huacayas available.

Specialising in Suri alpacas, white and coloured.

Stud and agistment services available.

Quelvehin Alpagas Steven & Jayne Parker, Quelvehin, Malguenac, Pontivy 56300, Brittany, France.

Tel: +33 (0) 297 27 38 86 Email: steve.parker@wanadoo.fr Web: www.quelvehinalpagas.com Breeding quality huacaya and suri alpacas. Australian and Accoyo bloodlines.

Championship winning males available for stud services. Two luxury cottages on farm for holiday rentals. Spinning and felting courses held.

IRELAND Burren Alpaca Damien Dyar, The Mohars, Murrough, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, Ireland.

Tel: 00353 (0)65 7076010.

Email: damien.dyar@burrenalpaca.com Web: www.burrenalpaca.com Ireland's premier alpaca stud. Over 10 years experience. A 'full house' of bloodline includes progeny of Australia's 'super six'; Allianza; Accoyo; ILR PPPeruvian Auzengate; FC Ultimo and Jolimont Warrior. Irish and Australian show winners at stud. Sales, agisting and full support services. Visit our farm in the beautiful Burren with a luxury thatch cottage for rental on the farm www. burrenthatch.com.

ITALY

DEVON

Zarza Alpacas Hilary Shenton, Via Spunta 2, 06019 Umbertide (PG), Italy.

Tel: 00 39 320 822 7068 Email: hilary@zarza-alpacas.com Web: www.zarza-alpacas.com Premier alpaca breeders in Italy. All BAS registered pedigree stock. Alpacas for sale, stud services, full training and support.

Located Umbria with Associate breeders in Tuscany, San Marino, Marche, Trentino and Belluno.

Classical MileEnd Alpacas Rachel Hebditch and Chas Brooke, Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB. Tel: 01884 243579. Mob: 07970 415638.

Email: rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk Website: www.alpaca-uk.co.uk Professional stud farm with 15 years alpaca experience. Show winning herd sires with pedigrees containing Australian, British and American genetics available for stud work.

Wide selection of quality alpacas for sale as pets or as breeding stock. We pride ourselves on excellent customer support and training.

Visitors welcome by appointment.

UNITED KINGDOM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Livanti Alpacas Liz Barlow, 1 Nash’s Farm, Aston Abbotts, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 4NT. Tel: 01296 682605 or 07976 671701.

Email: liz@livanti-alpacas.com Web: www.livanti-alpacas.com Established in 1999. Qualified BAS judge and trainer offers advice, herd assessments and training throughout the UK and Europe.

Excellent Huacaya alpacas for sale and stud services from proven males.

Hayne Alpacas Paul and Teresa Cullen, Hayne Barton Farm, Burrington, North Devon, EX37 9JW. Tel: 01769 520384. Fax: 01769 520469.

Email: info@hayne-alpacas.co.uk Web: www.hayne-alpacas.co.uk Established breeder offering a wide selection of excellent Huacaya and Suri alpacas for sale. On-farm or mobile mating service with a comprehensive range of support services including husbandry assistance and advice.

CORNWALL

DORSET

Home Manor Farm Alpacas Anne & Mike Higgins, Home Manor Farm, Trevellas, St Agnes, Cornwall, TR5 0XU. Tel/Fax: 01872 571310.

Email: homemanoralpacas@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.homemanoralpacas.co.uk Select Peruvian and Chilean breeding herd.

Stud services available. Stock for sale with after sales support and advice. Enquiries and visitors always welcome. Come and see our wonderful animals.

Alpha Alpacas Di Davies, Woodstock, Mapperton Lane, Melplash, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3UF. Tel: 07739 382483 or 01308 442661.

Email: didavies@alpaca.fsnet.co.uk Web: www.alphaalpacas.com A small elite herd with an excellent selection of proven Australian and Peruvian genetics and a great Show record. Sales, stud services and friendly after sales service provided.

Visitors welcome.

CUMBRIA

Marshwood Vale Alpacas Geoff & Brenda Bugler, Payne’s Down Cottage, Marshwood, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 5QG. Tel: 01297 678181.

Email: b.bugler611@btinternet.com Web: www.marshwood-alpacas.co.uk Dorset – Marshwood Vale Alpacas – Warrior of Alpaca Stud (fawn) + black, lt. fawn, rose grey and white males available for services.

Breeding Females, Pet Males, Guard Males, Fleece for sale. Alpaca/Llama easy-pen.

Aluminium hurdles.

WhyNot Alpacas Robin and Caroline Sandys-Clarke, Whynot Alpacas, Ghyllas, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5LT. Tel: 01539 621246.

Email: robin@whynotalpacas.co.uk Web: whynotalpacas.co.uk Amongst the North West's largest breeders.

Animals and knitwear products can be seen at many country shows. Big choice of alpacas for sale. Hands-on management instruction available for first-time buyers.

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 81

BREEDERS DIRECTORY GLOUCESTERSHIRE

LEICESTERSHIRE

SOMERSET

WILTSHIRE

Snowshill Alpacas Roger Mount, Snowshill Hill Barn, Temple Guiting, Cheltenham, GL54 5XX. Tel: 01386 853841 / 07701 10444106.

Fax: 01386 854791.

Email: roger.mount@btinternet.com Web: www.snowshillalpacas.com Breeders of prize winning Huacaya and Suri alpacas in Gloucestershire. We usually have alpacas for sale, from pet to show quality. Stud services available from a wide selection of proven sires. After sales support and advice. We also have fabrics for sale, all made from our own alpacas and spun, woven and finished in the UK.

Leicestershire Alpacas Tim and Jo Pickering, Kings Norton, Leicestershire, LE7 9BA. Tel: 0800 0835952.

Web: www.leicestershirealpacas.com Our alpacas haven't won awards nor do they have rosettes against their names. But we can guarantee they are from a strong bloodline. They are a healthy happy herd of huacaya alpacas. We provide friendly start up advice and after care support service.

Tai Wind Alpaca Stud Lynn Pepper, Staffords-Mead Stables, Lower Rudge, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QE. Tel: 07790 674334.

Email: info@taiwindalpacas.co.uk Web: www.taiwindalpacas.co.uk Show quality black alpacas. Fast forward your genetics with our stud males. We have a selection of pregnant females and young stock for sale from our show herd. Import, export.

Pinkney Alpacas Margaret Silver, Pinkney Court, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0PD. Tel: 07775 780345 or 01666 840540.

Email: info @pinkneyalpacas.com Web: www.pinkneyalpacas.com We specialise in suri alpacas and have top prize winning animals as well as ‘starter packs’ available for sale. We have a variety of champion males for stud purposes.

NORFOLK

SUSSEX WEST

AzSu Alpacas Nikki Lenk, The Low Farm, Letton, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 7TB. Tel: 01362 820097. Mob: 07798 522178 Fax: 01362 821333 Email: nikki.lenk@azsualpacas.com Web: www.azsualpacas.com Norfolk’s largest breeder offers potential and existing owners a friendly and complete service. High quality studs; breeding females and wethers for sale; practical training; caring agistment; fleece conversion; sound advice on all aspects of these magical animals.

The Alpaca Stud Nick Harrington Smith and John Potts, Bowford Farm, Goose Green, Thakeham, West Sussex, RH20 2LP. Tel. 01903 891425, 07770 586014 or 07979 651742. Fax: 01903 891425.

Email:info@alpacastuduk.com Web: www.alpacastuduk.com 600 huacayas and suris in all colours. 25 top stud males. Starter Packages. Shares in stud males. Free support. Courses. New Snowmass males.

Pure Alpacas Jay Holland, Torsend House, Main Road, Tirley, Glocs. GL19 4EU. Tel: 01452 780327 / 07789 257222.

Email: jay@purealpacas.co.uk Web: www.purealpacas.co.uk A family-run herd of both huacaya and suri with a range for sale from pets and poultry guards to elite breeding stock, all backed by professional, unrivalled support and advice.

Our herd sires, from renowned bloodlines, are all proven and available for outside services. We run a variety of courses which cater for all levels of experience.

HAMPSHIRE Watership Alpacas Keith Taylor, Cole Henley Farm, Cole Henley, Whitchurch, Hants, RG28 7QD Tel: 01256 892154 or 07889 864269 Email: info@watershipalpacas.co.uk Web: www.watershipalpacas.co.uk Watership Alpacas invites you to visit and discover alpacas. We have all colours of BAS registered huacaya breeding females, young and pet alpacas for sale, and stud services.

Ladies pure alpaca winter coats and jackets made to order locally.

HERTFORDSHIRE Herts Alpacas Nigel and Katie Beckwith, Fairview Farm, Wyddial Road, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9BS. Tel: 01763 271301 or 07802 433155.

Web: www.hertsalpacas.co.uk 2009 award winning British Alpaca Futurity breeder. Over 80 quality alpacas for sale in all colours from world famous bloodlines.

All our pregnant females are mated to the finest recognised and proven championship winning males. Stud services available, friendly halter trained pets and unbeatable after sales care.

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WORCESTERSHIRE

Burnt Fen Alpacas Ann Nickerson, Garden Cottage, Burnt Fen, Horning, Norfolk, NR12 8LA. Tel: 01692 630553.

Email: annnickerson@burntfen.plus.com Web: www.burntfen.co.uk We have been breeding alpacas for 12 years and have a fantastic friendly herd bred from excellent pedigree stock. Quality breeding females and gorgeous wethers are available, with genuine after sales support.

NORTH YORKSHIRE Fowberry Alpacas Graham and Jenny MacHarg, Crambe Grange, Barton Le Willows, York YO60 7PQ. Tel 01653 619520.

Email: info@fowberry-alpacas.com Web: www.fowberry-alpacas.com Your females visiting our Australian prize-winning males, have their own bio-secure paddock with a quiet, caring environment, conducive to conceiving. Each of our elite stud males has been bred or bought to improve future generations.

With outstanding conformation and fleece statistics, choose a male to complement your female – inspection welcomed!

WARWICKSHIRE Toft Alpacas Rob & Shirley Bettinson, Toft Manor, Toft Lane, Dunchurch, Warwickshire, CV22 6NR. Tel: 01788 810626.

Email: shirley@toft-alpacas.co.uk Web: www.toft-alpacas.co.uk Alpaca Stud Farm, est 1997. Pedigree stock for sale in all colours. Superior stud services.

Stud males for sale or lease. Pets for sale.

Introductory and advanced husbandry workshops. Fleece and fibre workshops.

24/7 advice and support. Holiday cottage on farm. Luxury alpaca products online and on-farm shop.

Hanley Hall Alpacas Val Fullerlove, Pool House Farm, Stock Green, Worcestershire B96 6TA. Tel: 07855 428464.

Email: valpacas@gmail.com Web: www.hanleyhallalpacas.com We have concentrated on breeding quality Huacayas for 20 years with proven genetics in our home bred champions. We have females pregnant to champion males, potential herdsires with outstanding genetics and some pet boys. We are always happy to give ongoing help and advice both before and after sales, whether your interest is in showing, breeding, pets or fibre. Contact Val for more information or to arrange a visit.

Priest Bridge Alpacas Kim and Andrew Perry, Priest Bridge Farm, Dark Lane, Bradley Green, Redditch, Worcestershire B96 6TJ Tel: 07813 509531 Email: kimperry1@live.co.uk Web: www.priestbridgealpacas.com Stud services from show winning home bred stud males. Super selection of quality pregnant females with start up packages to suit your budget. Full after sales support and courses available. Fabulous fibre producing friendly halter trained pet males. Call for free friendly no obligation advice.

Book your space in the Alpaca World Breeders Directory now by telephoning Heidi Hardy on 01598 752799. An entry is priced at just £35 to cover FOUR issues

ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Spring 2012 | 83

Wo r l d c l a s s b l ac k a l pac a s Tim and Tracey Hey West dorset, England e timhey@incaalpaca.co.uk t +44 (0) 1300 320580 m +44 (0) 7875 532827

www.incaalpaca.co.uk

Look who’s here...

Full support and service given to breeders

Aubrey from

Alpaca Pals

Soft toys and accessories now available

84 | Spring 2012 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE