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CamelidConnectionsispublishedbyOakGroveGraphics ABN 84171413342
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Thecra�sideofthealpacaindustryhasalwaysbeenenjoyedbymanyofouralpacabreedersandoverthelastfewyearswith travelformanypeoperestricted,perhapsthishasgivenourcra�peopleanincen�vetoproducemorelocalproducts.Over thelastfewissueswehavepublishedseveralar�clesbyElizabethPaulwhohasbeenspinning,weavingandfel�ngformany yearsandhasgivenusthebenefitofherexper�se.Thisissuewefeatureseveralofourminimillswhowillspinyourfleeceto giveyouaheadstartwithyourproductsandElizabethhaswri�enanar�cle�tled“Kni�ngNotes”tohelpwithyourcra� projects.
Manybreedersopentheirfarmstotouristsorlocalswan�nganalpacaexperienceandwefeatureaTasmanianfarminthis issue.Ifyouhavesomethingofinterestthatyoudoonyourfarmwewouldlovetohearfromyouaswhodoesn’twantto haveaweekendawayinaninteres�ngarea,haveanencounterwithanalpacaorllama,stayatalovelyB&B,visitgardens, na�onalparksetc.Onpage25youcanreadaboutToffeemontAlpacasinthebeau�fulRichmondareaofEasternTassie.
WealsobringyoutheverysadtalefromTaryanMathewsabouttheethicsbehindsellingalpacas.Hopefullytherearenottoo manybreedersouttherewhofailatprovidinga�ersaleshelptobuyers.Howeverthecaveat-“buyerbeware”isextremely importantandpleasenewbuyersdoyourhomeworkbeforeyoupurchase.
Onpage20youcanreadtheupsanddownsofllamatrekkingfromtwodifferentperspec�ves-anentertainingread.
CatchupwithwhattheNSWAlpacaYouthGrouphavebeenuptowiththedetailsfromtheirrecentYouthCampevent.
Asalwaysabigthankyoutotheadver�serswhosupportourmagazine,itwouldn’tbepossiblewithoutyouandwewould lovetohaveadvertsfrommoreofourreaderstopromoteyourproductsoranimals.
WhynotgiveeitherJulieorEsmeacalltodiscusshowwecanhelpyou.Youwillfindouradver�singratesaresomeofthe mostaffordableanywhere,youcandownloadallthepricinganddetailsinfofromourwebsite.
MyhusbandandIhavebredsurialpacas forover20years,Iwasheavilyinvolved withbothregionalcommi�eesandthe na�onalboardoftheAustralianAlpaca Associa�onforanumberofyearsandhad thehonourofbeingselectedasalife memberoftheAssocia�on.
Mymajorinteresthasbeeninmarke�ngandeduca�onand tothisendIwaseditorofAlpacasAustraliamagazineforsix yearsandIhopethattheexperienceIgainededi�ngthat publica�oncanbeextendedtoeducateandinformawider rangeofalpacaandllamabreederswhoarenotnecessarily associa�onmembersbuthavealoveofallthingscamelid.
AbreederofultrafineHuacayaalpacasfor over20yearsatOakGroveAlpacas,I haveapassionforfinefibreandthe gene�cconnec�ontothe most diminu�veandfinestofthe camelids-the wildVicuna.
Istronglybelievethateduca�oninanyindustryisthekeyto success,sowithCamelidConnec�onswehopetoprovide interes�ngandinforma�vear�clestoassistallcamelid ownersinge�ngthemostoutoftheiranimalsand businesses.
IalsoownOakGroveGraphicsawebandgraphicdesign agencywhichisproducingthismagazine,andalsoallowsme toconnectwithmanydifferentpeopleinthecamelidrelated worldthroughmydesignandwebwork. www.oakgrovegraphics.com.au
ByTheEditor
Asforalllivestock,feedersaremanyand variedandeveryonehastheirownideasas tohowtheywouldliketoputouttheirfeed, dependingwhethertheyfeedinsheds,out inthepaddock,ontheroadwhile travellingorevenattendingshows.
Keepinmindthatitdoesn’tnecessarilyhavetocostvast sumsofmoneytobuysafefeeders.Therearemanywaysto makeyourownfeedersusingle�overbuildingsuppliesor recycling/adap�ngoldbathorlaundrytubsorusingoldtyres fromyourcarorfarmmachinery.
Butyoucanalsobuyreadymadefeedersthatsave�meand manydesignsarealsoamoreportableop�onmakingthema versa�lechoicefortakingtoshows,insidestables/shedsorif youdon’tneedpermanentfixtures.
Ifyouarejuststar�ngout,keepinmindthatitwillprobably benecessaryatsomestagetoseparateanimalstoensure thateveryonegetsafairshareofthefeed.
ABOVE:Fencemountedfeed/watertroughs www.alpacadynamics.com.au
Heavyduty“D”shapedoverthefencefeeder.Has2metal brackettohangoverthedoororfence&somemodelshavea convenientcarryhandle.Idealinthebarnoratshows.
Yourlocalwheelalignmentspecialistwill behappytocutonewalloutofatyrefor you(saveshimdisposingofthem).Nocost andeasytomovearoundasrequired.
Therearealwayssomeverypushy,greedyanimalswhowill trytohogthefeedtroughsandpushawaythemore�mid,so some�mes,providingseveralfeedsta�onsistheonlywayto go.
Youmayhaveafewyoungonesyouwanttofeeduporgive specialfeedtoawayfromtheadultsandifyouareusing fencehangingfeedersyoumayneedtohangthemlowerfor themtofeedcomfortably.
Keepinmindthatsafetyisimportant,youdon’twantan alpacage�ngtangledinhayfeederswhichcancauseserious damage.Ensurethatallfeedersonlegsaresecurely anchoredandcan’tblowoverinthewindorbeeasily knocked.
Howyousupplywatertoyouralpacasiseverybitas importantasfeeding.Whilebucketsmaysufficefor overnightinapenorshed,inthelongtermitisimportantto useaselffillingwatertroughasitisalltooeasyforbuckets tobeknockedoverortoforgettofillfencehungtroughsand bucketscausing,attheveryleastdiscomfort,par�cularlyon hotdays.
ABOVE:MetalStockWaterer-www.everythingid.com.au
Asimpleandeasytousewatererforalltypesoflivestock.It hasanautoma�crefillfunc�onthatallowswatertoflow insidethebowlwhenitdropsbelowthedesiredlevel. Adjustablefloathelpsmaintainaconstantwaterlevel.The bowliseasytocleanwithawide,deepdrinkarea.
ABOVE:NylonStockWaterer-www.everythingid.com.au
Asimpleandeasytousewatererforalltypesoflivestock.It hasanautoma�crefillfunc�onthatallowswatertoflow insidethebowlwhenitdropsbelowthedesiredlevel. Adjustablefloathelpsmaintainaconstantwaterlevel.The bowliseasytocleanwithawide,deepdrinkarea.
Pregnancydiagnosisisimportantfor facilitatingherdmanagementinalpaca andllamaherds.Upto15%of pregnancydiagnosesbasedon behaviouralnon-receptivitytothemale areinaccurateandthiscouldresultin significantcost-implicationsforthe breeder.
Correctpregnancydiagnosisfacilitatesplanningforop�mal nutri�onalandherdhealthmanagement,itprovessire fer�lityandiden�fiessub-fer�lefemalesforinves�ga�on. Breedersshoulddevelopaprogrammeformonitoring pregnancyandfoetalwell-being.Ultrasonographyisareadily availabletoolandshouldbeusedtoconfirmbehavioural indica�onsofpregnancy.
Mostvetshaveli�ledifficultyperformingtheearlierstage pregnancydiagnosisusinganultrasoundmachine.However, somestrugglewithlatertermpregnancydiagnosiswhichcan bemorechallengingduetothepresenceoflessfoetalfluid tohelpiden�fythepregnancy.Costsofultrasoundmachines canbequiteexpensiveandregularvetvisitsmaybebeyond manybreeders,thereishowever,anotherop�onwhichmay beworthlookingintowhichisnotsoexpensiveandperhaps easierforthelaypersontouse.Thesesmachinesemithigh
frequencysoundwavescalledultrasoundfromaprobe.The ultrasoundwavestravelintothebodyofthealpacaand reflect(echo)backfromthe�ssueandfluidsurfacestothe probe.Thereflectedsoundwavesareprocessedbythe instrumenttodetermineifthereisamnio�cfluidinthe uterus.Thepresenceoffluidintheuterusindicates pregnancy.Iffluidisdetectedacon�nuoustoneisproduced.
Abreederwhohasuseda“PregTone”machineonherherd for3yearsnowsaysithasbeen100%accurateandmakes thefollowingsugges�ons:.-“Iusuallybreedandconfirmthe female'spregnancyusingspittes�ngforthefirst45days.I usethePregTonetomakesurethatthefemalehasnot resorbedorabortedthefeotusuptothelasttrimester. Throughthelasttrimester,thepregnancyisvisually confirmedbyobsessivelystaringatthefemale'sbelly,in an�cipa�on!“
FromtheLlama&AlpacaNeonatalCarebook:"Threetofour weeksfollowingma�ng,theembryofinallya�achestothe uterinewallandbeginstodevelopaplacenta.
Morethan95%oftheembryosmigratetothele�hornof theuterusanda�achthere.Itisrecommendedthat28to60 daysisagood�meforanultrasoundconfirma�onof pregnancy.Transabdominalultrasounddoesnotworkwell un�lthefeotushasgrownsufficientlylargeenoughtopull theuterusforwardanddownintotheabdominalcavity.
Uptothis�methefeotusisrela�velysmallandthedistance betweentheultrasoundheadandfeotusislessthan100mm. Fromapproximately90daysun�lbirth,theuterusiscloseto (ortouching)thebodywallandthefeotuscanbevisualized acrossthebodywall(transabdominal).
By4monthsofgesta�onthellamacriaisapproximately 215mminlengthandweighsapproximately200grams,while thealpacacriaatthesamestageofdevelopmentwillbe somewhatsmaller.Fromthreeorfourmonthsofgesta�on un�lbirth,theprimaryfeotalchangesarecomple�onof organdevelopmentandoverallgrowth.Duringthisperiod (fourmonthsofgesta�ontobirth),bodyweightwillincrease fi�yorsixty�mes,withthemostdrama�cgrowthoccurring inthelastthirdofgesta�on.
180daysgesta�on(6months),alpacacriaweighs.6kg. approx.230daysgesta�on(7.6months),criaweighs2.5kg. approx.
345daysgesta�on,criaweighs9kgapprox.Totalweightgain inlast1/3ofgesta�on-6.5kgapprox...”
FromtheMedicineandSurgeryoftheAmericanCamelid book:"Compartmentoneofthestomachoccupiestheen�re le�sideoftheabdomen,sothepregnantuterusisdiverted totherightside."
Basedonthisinforma�onIcanconcludethatpriorto45days theremaynotbeasufficientamountoffluidtobedetected bythePregTone.Ibeginbyultrasoundingfromthele�side ofthefemalepriorto60days.From60daysonIworkfrom therightside.IfIdonotgetresultsfromthele�side,Iwill alwaystrytherightside,sinceyoumayhaveapregnancyin therightuterinehorn.
Onsomefemales,youmayneedtohaveasmallareaonthe bellytogetgoodcontact.Iusedtorou�nelyhave,butIhave sincefoundthatifIapplysomeofthecontactoilandsmooth thehairdown,thenapplymoreoiltotheprobe,Icanusually getgoodcontactwithoutshaving.Thehairintheproperarea fortes�ngisusuallyfairlysmoothandthinlydistributed.I haveusedwaterbasedOBlubricantssuchasKYJelly.
Apparently,duetocoldtemperature,theseproducts some�meswilltrapairbubbleswhichaffectstheabilityof theultrasoundtopenetratetheskin.Ihaveusedmineraloil whichhaseliminatedthisproblembutishardertokeepon theprobe.Frequently,whatendsuphappeningis,IuseKY Jellytosmoothdownthehairandprepareanareaforthe probeandthenIendupusingmineraloiltogetgoodcontact withtheprobe.Youwillneedtoexperimenttoseewhat productworksbestforyou.Remember,theideaistogetall oftheairbetweentheprobeandtheskinoutsothatthe ultrasoundwavescanbetransmi�ed.Theywillnottransmit throughtheair.Withthefemalestanding,Iusuallyplacethe probeabout150-180mmdownfromthefemalesudder.On maidenfemales,youmayneedtoplacetheprobeali�le
higher,about127mmfromtheudder.Idon'talwaysgeta contacttone(whichisanintermi�entbeep).O�en,the posi�vetoneisimmediatewhengoodcontactismade.I pointtheprobestraightintothebellyfromtheanglethatis definedbythefemalesbelly.Some�mes,direc�ngituptoa morever�calline.Itwouldbedifficulttopickupthefemale's bladderbymistakefromthisposi�onwithoutreallypushing intothebellyanddirec�ngtheprobetowardtherear.”
Perhapsworthinves�ga�ngtoavoiddisappointmentwhen thatlongawaitedcriadoesn’tarrive?
uses no harsh detergents, bleaches or dying agents.
We specialise in processing individual fleeces from alpaca, llama and other elite animal fibres. Our state-of-the-art mini mill is designed to maximise your options to suit your needs and the particular qualities of your fleece.
ByTaryanMa�hews
“Iattendeda shearingjobthat brokemyheart”
Manyofus,asbreeders/shearers/ownershavereceived“the call”.Thecallthatmakesyourbloodboilandleavesyour heartaching.Someone,withnoknowledgeoftheanimals, hassourcedsomealpacasfromaless-than-ethicalsourceand nowithasallgonehorriblywrong.
Arecentoneurgedmetopostaboutit.
Ia�endedashearingjobthatbrokemyheart.Please,ifyou aregoingtobreedanimalswiththeinten�ontosell,be ethicalandresponsibleinyoursalesandDON’Tsellmales withfemales.
Igotthecall,adistraughtownerwithafemaledown-the explana�onoverthephonewasdire.They’dpurchasedthe animalsover2yearsago.They’dpurchased“4females”. Turnsoutoneofthe“females”wasanen�remale-towhich apparentlythesellerjustsaid“oopssillyme,ohwell”. Subsequentlyhenowhadsix,astwofemaleshadbirthed viablecria.
Oninspec�on,itwasclearthatthedownfemalewasin extremelybadshape.Worses�ll,itwasblindinglyclearwhy. PusoozedfromhervaginawhenIexaminedher.Shewas emaciated,shecouldbarelystand….andthemalewas ge�ngontoptohaveanothergo.Becauseshewasthe quiet,�midoneofthethreegirls,shehadbeenthetargetof hisongoingma�ngsforover2yearsnow.Whiletheother twomanagedtofighthimoff,haveviablebabiesandareon theirsecondpregnancies,sheborethebruntofthemale’s frustra�on.Notonlythis,thisfemalewas20yearsold!!
BELOW:Source-ToffeemontAlpacaShearing-wereaskedtoshear thisalpacawithtoomuchextraweighttowanttostand.
Theownerstoldmetheysawhimmountherdaily,yearround,andthatherlastbabyhaddied(unsurprising).
Thefactis,thisshouldneverhavehappened.
Therearemanytree-changersge�ngintoalpacaswhohave absolutelyzeroknowledgeaboutanimalownership.
Unfortunately,thehealthandwelfareoftheanimalsthey buyrelyen�relyonsellersbehavingethically,becausethe buyerssimplydonotknowandwillnotlearnunlessthe situa�onbecomesdireenoughforthemtodoso.Iftheygo tothepreviousownerandexplainthesitua�onandthe previousownershowsli�letonoconcern,whatalong-term breederwouldconsidercommonsenseo�ensimplywillnot prevail.
•Itisyourresponsibilitytosellethically.Whetheryou breed1or1000peryear,ifyousellthemthenyouneed tobeethicalinthatsale.
•Youdon’tsellagroupof“4females”toanewownerand notevenknow(orcare)you’dthrownamaleinthere.
•Youmustgiveatleasttheverybasichusbandry informa�on–feed,water,shelter,shearing,worming, vaccina�ng,vitaminD,separatesexes.
•Don’tsellsinglebo�lebabiestoberaisedasfamilypets… weallknowhowthatendstoo.
We,assellers,mustassumethatthenewownersknow nothingandwon’tgoanywhereelsetoask.Manywon’teven realisethereisaproblemun�lananimaliscri�callyillor injured…eventhenIhavea�endedacasewheretheFARM MANAGERdidn’tknowhehadamixedsexherda�eryears ofownership.Hethoughtthecriatheyhadmusthavebeen dumpedoverthefencebecausehedidn’tknowhehad femalesatall.Plus,heassumedtheinjuriesoccurringtohis sheepmusthavebeenfreakaccidents-despitetheen�re malesclearlybeinganissueaswewatchedthem.
Willyourinsistenceonthenewownersknowingthevery basicsloseyouthesalesome�mes?YES!Absolutelyitwill. Butiftheygosomewhereelsebecausetheyrefusetomeet basicwelfarestandards,thenthatisnothingbutaposi�ve foryouranimals.
Willthosesamepeoplethencallyouinayearwhenthey’ve managedtosourceexactlywhattheywantfromsomeone else(breederpair,bo�lefedbabyetc)andithasallturned outhorrifically?Alsoabigyes.Andinthesesitua�ons?Well, wegritourteethandcometotherescueforsaketheofthe animalseverysingle�me.
Itisyourresponsibilitytolearnthebasicsbeforepurchase. No,thissaleshouldnothavehappenedinthefirstplace,but averyquickgooglesearchorchattoareputablebreeder wouldhavegiventheanswer2yearsagoandtherewould nothavebeenyetanotherfemaleinthishorriblesitua�on.
•Knowbasiclivingarrangementsbeforepurchase.
•Knowbasicfeedrequirementsbeforepurchase.
•Knowbasichusbandryrequirements–shearing, vaccina�ons,worming,vitaminD–beforepurchase.
INSET:Source-TaryanMathews-alpacasabandonedbyold propertyowners-fleecelength
Muchoftherestwelearnaswego,buttherearezero excusesforcomingintoownershipofalpacaswithout knowingtheverybasics.Andifyouhavepurchasedand somethingseemswrong?Don’ttaketheseller’swordforit! Getasecond,third,fourthopinion.Ul�mately,youandyou aloneareresponsibleforthehealthandsafetyoftheanimals onceyoutakeownership.Anysufferingtheyexperience,no ma�erwhereyouboughtthemfromorwhatyouweretold, isen�relyonyourheadonceinyourpossession.
Idon’thavethemagicanswer.Itisanongoingissuethatwe, asanindustry,mustbandtogetherandface.Themoregood informa�onwecangetoutthere,hopefullytheless situa�onsliketheoneaboveoccurtobeginwith.
Butthecruxis,wearethesource.Ifwearetakingthemoney overtheethics,thenitisjustasmuchonourheadsthatthis keepshappening.
AlpacaFibre.com.au
Theopera�onissetupasadepotshedforthe purposeoflotbuildingtarge�ngthewidercommercial market.Unlessbypriorarrangementallfleeceistobe deliveredtodepotbythegrower.Weexpectmainline fibretobesuppliedindividuallybagged.Weonly acceptfleecebulkclassedbyprioragreement. www.alpacafibre.com.au
AlpacaGear
AlpacaGearisaFleeceCollec�onandClassingService. Fleecesmaybedeliveredtoourcollec�ondepotsat KinKin(nearGympie),Lismoreandatourclassing facilityatDalveen(nearStanthorpe).
www.alpacagear.com.au alpacagear@ac�v8.net.au
AustralianAlpacaFleeceLtd
fleece@aafl.com.auPHTel:0393110933 www.aafl.com.au
AustralianAlpacaYarn/AlpacaUltimate 99NerremanRoad,WivenhoePocket,Qld4306 www.australianalpacayarn.com.auPH0419673823
E-mail:sales@australianalpacayarn.com.au
FleecepurchasedbuyersofwellskirtedHuacayaupto 28micrononaslidingpricescalein2micron incrementsonagridtest.Fleeceisprocessedintohigh qualityyarn.
CashmereConnectionsPtyLtd
www.cashmereconnec�ons.com.au
Ph:0353674222
E-mail:cashmere.connec�ons@gmail.com
Alpacabreedersit'stimetogetyourfleece outoftheshedandtotheprocessors.We havecompiledalistoffleecebuyersthat weareawareofandhighlightedthose whosentusadditionalinformation.
Ifyouareasmallbreedermaybeseeifyou canjoinwithotherbreederstogetnotjust yourmostbeautifulfleeces,butallyour clean,skirtedfleecetomarket-asthe buyerstellusthereisamarketforallfleece!
ScotchGroup
IanPreuss0407931789
Email:ianpreuss1@bigpond.com
TheScotchGroupisacollec�onCompanycommi�edto collec�ngalpacafleece,bothHuacayaandSuriofallmicrons andcolours. TailoredStrands
Showroom120EwanCharlesonsRdAllendaleVictoria3364 www.tailoredstrands.com.au
Ph:0353456169
E-mail:info@tailoredstrands.com.au
WaratahAlpacaFibre
www.waratahalpacafibre.com.au
MickWilliamsatwaratahalpacafibre@gmail.com
Ph:0407407618
WaratahAlpacaFibreisamember-ownedco-opera�veof Australianalpacafarmerssupplyingsomeoftheworld’s finestalpacafibretobothAustraliandomes�cand interna�onalexportmarkets.
AussieAlpacaMills
Email:info@aussiealpacamills.com.au|Phone:0492885629
Website:www.aussiealpacamills.com.au Instagram:www.instagram.com/aussie_alpaca_mills Facebook:www.facebook.com/aussiealpacamills
BasedintheHawkesburyofNSW,oursmallfamilybusiness,offersAlpacaFibre ProcessingServices(Yarn,Rovings&Fel�ngBa�s).WerunaDualMiniMillwiththe capacityforbothsmall&largejobsandcanalsoblendcoloursasrequested.We stronglybelieve&followSustainableManufacturingandFarming. WealsopurchasequalityAlpacaFleeces.
PocketFarmFibreMill
Phone:0419673823
Email:info@pocke�arm.com.au
Afamily-ownedbusinessnestledalongsidetheupperreachesoftheBrisbaneRiverat 99NerremanRoad,WivenhoePocket,Queensland4306.
Wearealpacafibrebuyersofallcolours,grades,etc.,butunlikemost,thefibrewe buydoesnotgetexportedbutisprocessedbyourownmill.Fromscouringthroughto finalproduct.WeareprocessinglocallyandareproudtobepartoftheAustralia MadecampaignasalicencedAustralianMadebusiness.
Ourmillisabou�quemill(notaminimill)andourmainlinehasthecurrentannual capacityofover15tonnesperannumonasingleshi�basis,andiscapableof increasingcapacitybasedondemand.Pleasecontactusformoredetailson requirementsforfibrewebuy
BostonFineFibres
Contact:TanyaBoston
Mobile:0417497940
Email:tanyatboston@gmail.com
Address:1339BurraRoad,BURRANSW2620
Website:bostonfinefibres.com.au
Weprocessyouralpacafleecetorovingsoryarnwiththeutmostcare.Checkour websiteforguidanceonprepara�onofyourfleecetoensureyoureceiveatopquality product.Oureco-friendlyfacilityusesrainwaterandsolarenergyharvestedfromour roo�op,andthegreywaterirrigatesourorchard.Ouronlinestorealsostocksyarn andaccessoriesfromalpacasthathavebeenborn,grown,shornandprocessedright hereonourfarm!
FibreNaturally -FibreNaturallyAlpacaWoollenMill
Email:fibrenaturally@gmail.comPh.0407729227
Address:2HuntRd,Macclesfield,Victoria,Australia3782
Website:www.fibrenaturally.com.au
FibreNaturallyisasmallfamilyownedbou�queMiniMilllocatedintheDandenong Ranges.FibreNaturallyisanextensionofGlenavonAlpacaswhichhasbeenbreeding qualitywhiteandcolouredalpacasfor30years.Forthepast15yearsFibreNaturally hasbeensuppor�ngalpacabreedersacrossAustraliatoturntheiralpacafleecesinto beau�fulluxuriousyarnthathelpsshowcasethenaturalcoloursandversa�lityof alpaca.WehavealsobeenproducingourownyarnforsalefromourGlenavonAlpaca herd,andcantrulysaythattheyarniszerocarbonmilesfromshearingalltheway throughtothefinishedproduct.
ByMarkBrindley-HangingRockLlamaTreks&StephanieCoward
“Weexperienced acoupleofliteral llamadramas overthecourseof theweekend”
Steph:IfIhadtosumupthisexperienceinoneworditwould beamazing!Picturefourdefinitelyurbangirls,withli�leor nexttonoknowledgeaboutcampingorthebush(!),deciding toundertakeanovernighttripintheforest!Itturnedoutto anextremelyenjoyable,trulyunique,andmemorable experiencethatwe’llnevereverforget.
Mark:Ireceivedanemailaskingaboutanovernightcamp trip.Myfirstovernightforcustomers-howexci�ng!A�era fewmoreemailsbackandforth,adateandaloca�onwere confirmed.Iputtogetheracampingchecklistandemailedit tothem,alongwithanoteaboutabaggageallowanceof twentypoundsperperson.IalsoapproachedmysonDrewto helpout,asIhadafeelingIwasgoingtoneedhelp.Drew washappytohelpandactuallyseemedtobelookingforward toit.
ThreedaysbeforethetrekIreceivedanemailaskingifthe twelve-pound,self-infla�ngma�ressesthatthewomen purchasedwouldbeokayforthetrek!Itrequiredatent realloca�on,asthema�ressdimensionswerequitelarge, butIshi�edthingsaroundwithoutmuchproblem.Thegirls arrivedattheBlackwoodCaravanParkon�meand
introduc�onsandllamahandlinginduc�onswerecarriedout beforeweloadedupthellamas.Thebigma�ressesandthe llamas’hayweretop-loaded.
Steph:Uponmee�ngourprospec�vellamamatchesinthe morning,Markexplainedimportantinforma�on(and extremelyfunnyfacts)aboutourtrekkingpals.Ini�ally,a�er loadinguptheboysandse�ngout,wewalkedthroughthe localtownship.Wefeltlikecompletecelebri�es,aslocalsand touristsalikesnappedphotosontheirphones.Weevengot photographedbythelocalpaper!Thellamastookthisallin theirstride,though,andwerecompletelyunfazedbythe commo�ontheycaused.
Mark:Thefirstsec�onofthewalkisontheroadandisa goodintroduc�ontollamahandling.Weneedtoturnup here,Ithink.Maybe?Lostalready-notagoodlook.The llamasstopforthefirst�me,thenstaggertheirbathroom breakstostretchouttheamountof�metheygettorest.We don’tgomuchfurtherbeforethefirsthumanstopis required:takeawaycoffeesatGardenofStEarth.
Nowthewalkstartsforreal:single-trackfollowingtheold miningwaterracesthatarecutintotheslopesabovethe LerderdergRiver.
Steph:Westartedthebulkofthewalkintheforest,which wasbeyondbeau�fulandfullofbreathtakingscenery.Aswe walkedfurtherdownthetrack,learningaboutthehistoryof theseareas,wefounditveryeasytoloseourselvesinthought ando�entherewasacalmingsilenceaswele�civiliza�on andmoderncomfortsbehind.Weencounteredinteres�ng obstaclessuchasfallentreesandbridgesalongtheway, whichMarkandhissonAndyweremorethanwillingtoclear aswetookselfieswithournewbes�es.
Weexperiencedacoupleofliteralllamadramasoverthe courseoftheweekend,suchasWarregofallingoffthetrack withahundred-footdropunderneathhim(andafullpackon) andSonnyge�ngviolentlyillovernightfromfoodpoisoning. MarkandAndywerepreparedfortheunexpected,though, andtheyhandledbothofthesesitua�onsinanextremely calmandnurturingmannerandsoavoidedcausinganypanic inourgroup.Eachofusbondedtothellamaweweregiven anditwaswonderfultoseeeachofthequirkyandunique personali�esthatstoleourheartsoverthecourseofthe weekend.
Mark:Weencounterourfirsttreeacrossthetrail.Outcomes thehandsawanditisremoved.Offwego.Anothertreeand thenathirdtree!What’shappening?!Thegodsareagainst us!Drewcallsa�me-outduetocramping(theseyoung kids—nostamina!).DrewandIare�red,now,andwe’re behindschedule.Thegirlshavebeenhappilycha�ngand feedingtheboyswhilewework.Iknewtherewasagood reasonIbroughtDrewalong.
Furtheralongandthegodsares�lllaughingatus.Another fallentree!Thisoneistoobigtocutsoweneedtodetour aroundit.Upthehillwego,bush-bashingatitsbest.The llamasfollowusasthoughit’snobigdeal.Wefinallyclearit andarebackontrack.
Wehavestoppedagain!Iyell“What,notanothertreeacross thetrail?”
Thereplyisano.It’smuchworse,actually.Warregohasgone overtheedge,wheretheLerderdergRivermeandersone hundredfeetbelow.Don’tpanic.Actlikeit’sallinaday’s work.
Fortunately,Warregogainedafoo�ngaboutfivefeetdown theembankment.Ourfirstjobistoremovethetop-loaded hay.Ineedtogoovertheedgetoremovehispanniers.My feetareplacedunderWarrego’ssoIhavesomethingtostop mefallinganyfurther.Thepanniersareremovedandit’s �metogethimbackonthetrail.IfyoupullandIpush, maybehewilljumpout.1,2,3anduphegoesandheisback onthetrail.Wemoveforwardtoaslightlywiderareawhere wecanreloadhim.
A�erreloadingWarrego,hewalkslikenothinghappened,but myheartiss�llracingandwearenowwellbehindschedule.
Thereareafewsmallwoodenbridgestocrossonthe LederdergTrackandSonnyisnothappyaboutcrossingthe firstone.Hespooks,slides,andpanicsun�lheisacrossit, andthenhese�les.Thenhethenproceedstonego�atethe restofbridgeswithnoproblems.Gofigure!
A�erwetakeahurriedlunchbreak,thetrailtakesusbackto theriverandthenoutviaasteepfiretrail.A�erreachingthe top,weheadbackdownagainonaverysteep,slipperytrail. Everyonemakestheirwaydownsafely.Maybeweshould havejuststucktotheroad,butthatwouldhavebeenboring.
Thetrailwindsalongabovetheroadandwefindmoretrees acrossourpath,butweareabletonego�atethemwithout toomuchtrouble.Atonepoint,Chilliputshisfootintoahole anddoesali�ledance,buthishandlermanagedtostaycalm throughoutthewholeevent.Fourandahalfhoursofllama handlingandsheistakingitallinherstride.
Asweapproachthecampground,smokecan beseenthroughthetrees.That’snotagood sign,asthecampgroundisnotverybig.
Wearriveatthecampgroundandstartto unloadthellamasbutitisdecidedthatthe remainingcampingareaisn’tbigenoughfor usandthellamas,soweloadbackupand headbackdownthetrailtowardaclearing thatwehadrecentlypassed.Nograssbutjust enoughroomforsixllamasandthreetents.
It’snowalmostdarkandwearese�ngup ourtentsonallsortsoflumps.Fortunately, theladieshavegoodma�resses!Theyfeed andwaterthellamas.Afewselfiesarealso takenwhilethefireislitanddinneris prepared.
Steph:A�erwalkingformostoftheday,we wereveryhappytorestaswese�ledintoour campsiteforthenight.Tellingstories, occasionallyven�ng,laughing,ea�ng, drinkingandwatchingthecampfirewereall cherishedac�vi�es(weevengotspoiledwith acheesepla�erandwine!).Thewebsite explainedthatfoodwouldbeprovided,but that’sanunderstatement;itwasallhome cookedandgourmetmealsandsnacks(that Markhimselfhadprepared)thatcompletely exceededourexpecta�ons!
Mark:Wesitaroundthefireea�ngdinner andsolvingalltheworld’sproblemsasit startstogetcool.Timeforbed.DrewandI arepresentedwiththreehotwaterbo�les thatneedfilling.Offtothecreekforwaterto boil.Atleastthegirlswillbewarm.
I’mwokenbyaloudgrumblingnoise.From 3amon,Igetupthree�mes.Atfirstlight,I canseethatSonnyisnotwell.He’s regurgita�ngfoodatagreatrate.The stomachpainissevereenoughforhimto breakfromhistether.
Thellamafirstaidkitislocatedandcharcoal tabletsgroundupandturnedintopaste. Sonnyisnothappyaboutthecharcoal.Heis s�llinpainandexpellinganythingle�inC1 twentyminuteslater.
Thegirlswakefromtheirslumbertoseeme wrestlingwithSonny,tryingtogivehimhis seconddoseofcharcoalandavitaminB injec�on.
“Tellingstories, occasionallyven�ng, laughing,ea�ng, drinkingand watchingthe campfirewereall cherishedac�vi�es”
TimeforPlanB,asSonnyisinnostatetowalkbackto Blackwood.Drewheadstothetopofahilltofindphone recep�onandmanagestocontactmypartnerMaddievia text.Itmustbe�meforcoffee.OrValium.Orboth.
Soon,MaddiearrivestotakeDrewbacktoBlackwoodto retrievetheuteandtrailer.WefinishupbreakfastandIhave allthetentsandgearpackedupbeforeDrewreturnswith thewheels.
Wehaltertheboysandorganizewhatwearegoingtotake andwhatwearen’t.WeleaveDrewandSonnytoorganize thepackingoftheuteandtrailerastherestofuswalkoff towardBlackwood.WeplantomeetDrewatBlackwoodPub about2.00pm.
Steph:Inthemorningwesetbackoffandwewereactually extremelydisappointedthatourjourneywiththellamas, Mark,andAndyhadcometoanend.
Mark:Wehavenowarrivedatthelargetreethathad blockedourpaththepreviousday.WeallheaduphillandI’m heardtosay“becarefulnottoslip.”Iamtheonlyonewho slipsandfalls.
LunchisatthesmallpicnicareaadjacenttoGardenofSt Earthanditisaveryhealthylunchoflollies,chocolate,and somefruit.We’vecoveredoversixmilesinrecord�me,with justoveronetogo.
WereachBlackwoodandlocatethetrailer.Sonnyismakingit cleartotheotherllamasthatthetrailerisnowhisturf.Heis obviouslyfeelingbe�er.Weunloadthegearandeveryone saystheirgoodbyes.Photosaretakenandthellamasare loadedintowhatisnowSonny’strailer.Thespi�ngbegins. Timetoheadhome.
Steph:Ifyouarelookingforacompletelyuniqueexperience withfriendsorfamily,thenIhighlyrecommendHangingRock LlamaTreks.
Mark:Overall,itwasafunweekendandnobodywasle� hungryandnoonewasinjured.Ithinkthat’swhatyoucalla successfultrip.
(reprintedwithpermissionfromtheSpring2020issueofPack AnimalMagazine)
IfyouareonavisittoTasmania(oralocallookingfor somethingspecialtodo)whynotpayavisittoToffeemont Alpacas.Toffeemontislocated15minutesfromtheHobart Interna�onalairportand10minutesfromhistoricRichmond village.WearelocatedatthegatewaytoTassiesEastCoast, withitspris�newhitebeaches,cleanblueendlesscoastlines, seasidetowns,amazinglocalproduceandoneofAustralia’s greatestroadtrips
Reminiscingonthepast15yearswithouralpacas,werealise theyhavetakenusonanamazingjourneybothpersonally andprofessionally.Growingovertheyears,learning, teachingus,teachingothers,suppor�ngandmovingintoa viablesustainablealpacabusiness.Weexpandedour businessapproximately6yearsagoandwenowsupport otheralpacaownerswithshearingandhusbandryservices. TodayToffeemonthasapprox.240customersandweshear over1000alpacasacrossthestateannually.Welovemee�ng andworkingwithouralpacaclientsandtheirowners. Lookingoutacrossourpaddocksabsorbingthecalmquiet atmospherealpacascreateweareblessedandthankfulfor whatourherdprovidesforus.
In2019,a�erobtainingthenecessaryaccredita�onasa QualityAgritourismoperatorwestartedofferingalpacafarm tours,pacapicnics,theraphyvisitsandnursinghometours. Ourmainfocusforthealpacafarmtourswastomakesureit wasauthen�c.Makingalpacafarmliferealforourvisitorsto understandandimmersethemselvesin.
Duringthe1.5hrtourwestrivetoeducateandletourvisitors learnsomethingnewastheyareintroducedtoourherds.We understandit’simportantforpeopletotouch,feeland engagealltheirsenses,fromstrokinganalpacaneckwhile feedingtolearningabouttheirfibre,divingtheirhandsinto saddlefleeces,tosquishingluxuryyarnsfromourclipand paddocktogarments,mostlycreatedbyme,foryou,from ouronfarmshop.Itreallymakesourdaywhenwemakea differenceinyours.
Movingintothenextgrowingphasein2023,wewillfocuson ouronfarmexperienceswhichincludeourstandardalpaca farmtours,exclusiveprivatePacaPicnics,toonfarmevents, winterwarmerhotchoctours,beachtreks,andworkshops overtheoffseason.
We’verecentlyreleasedourqualityalpacasaddlefleecesfor farmgatesaleswhichresultedinover1/3ofourannualclip beingsold,Ican’twaittoseesomeendproductscreated!
Toffeemontalsosupportsearlylearningcentres,schools,and voca�onaleduca�onalstudentswithprac�cal,educa�onal hands-onlearningvisitstobroadenexposureforalpacasas anecofriendlysustainablelivestockalterna�ve.
Formoreinforma�onvisit:toffeemontalpacas.com
Thereisplentytoseeanddoandsomegreat accommoda�onop�ons.YoucouldtryTheRichmondArms Hotelwww.richmondarms.com.auwithitscolonialstyle accommoda�onandbistrostylerestaurantormaybe RichmondBarracks-Relaxandenjoythespacious,sun-filled gardensthatsurroundthesebeau�fulco�ages.Thecolonial officerswhooriginallylivedonthepropertycertainlydidnot enjoythecomfortsthatawaityourarrival.Seemoreat www.richmondbarracks.comau
OtherthanyourvisittoToffeemontAlpacasyoucould perhapspayavisittoWobblyBootVineyard,aswellas visi�ngthevineyardbyappointmentyoucanbookaBYO picnicfoodvisitorbooktheirpizzaovenforDIYpizzas!They arealsodogfriendly.Formoreinforma�onwww.wobblybootvineyard.com.au
Doyouenjoyvisi�nggardens?TheTasmanianBushland Gardenisaspecialreserveanddisplaygardenfeaturingthe na�vefloraofSETasmaniaandislocatedbesidetheTasman Highway4kmsouthofBuckland-h�ps://sites.google.com/ site/tasbushlandgarden/Formoretoseeanddointhe Richmondareavisith�ps://www.richmondvillage.com.au/
FormanyyearsIhaverunacraftstall makingsmallitemsexclusivelyfrom alpacayarn.Thefollowingnotesreflect myownexperiencesandopinions whichmaybeofuseorinteresttoother knittersandfibreworkers.
Rawalpacafibreisfirstwashedanddriedbymills,which usuallyprocessfibreonlytoconeorskeinlevel,asballingis morecostly.Skeinsfromaminimillareapproximately200m inlengthand100gminweight.Asthefibrehasnolanolin,a watersolublecondi�onerisappliedtoassistitspassage throughthemillingmachinery.Thecondi�oneritselfisa clearpaleyellow,butthefibrecanpickupalotofdustonthe waythroughthemachinery.Millspunyarncanfeelquite hardand/ors�cky,asthemilldoesnotwashthecondi�oner out.Thecondi�onerwillwashoutwiththefirstwash,and theyarnwillpuffup.Puffingupalsohelpstoexposesmall piecesofvegetablema�er,whichcanbemoreeasily removedwhilewindingandballingup.Ifusingtheskeinsonly forweaving,itisbe�ernottowashthemfirst,asawoven
pieceshouldalwaysbewasheda�erfinishing,andthe puffingupeffectwillhelptofillinthespaces.Conesare designedforusewithkni�ngmachines,andtheitemcould bewashedlater,butasIdon’twashkni�editemsbeforesale Iprefertowashallmyskeinsfirst.Notethatafirstwash whetherofskeinoritemresultsinanaverage5%weightloss combinedofcondi�oneranddirt.
Bulkskeinwashingisasummer�mejobneedingafew consecu�vedaysofwarmwindyweatherformaximum drying.Workingwithskeinsisallaboutkeepingcontrolofthe yarn.Skeinscome�ghtlytwistedfromthemill,�edatone end.Imakeitaruletoneverun�easkeinunlessorun�litis posi�onedonaframeworkreadyforwinding.
Whenuntwis�nganewskeinIcheckthatthethreadsatthe mill�earenotcrossedover,then�etheotherendloosely (toallowwashinganddryingproperly)withapieceof differentcolouredwasteyarn.More�escanbeaddedif required.Iusenetbagstosupporttheskeins,warmtovery warmwaterandafewdropsofshampooperwash.
SeePic1.SkeinWash.Notallskeinshaveasmuchdustin themasthisbatch,whichneededtworinses.SeePic2.Wash WaterSamples:LtoRWwashwater,R11strinsewater,R2 2ndrinsewater.A�erthefinalrinseIplacethebagsinthe washingmachine,balancethedrumbyeasingtheskeins aroundthesidesandspintheexcesswaterout.(Theycan alsobespunoutinbetweenrinsing.)
Neverhangskeinsoralpacaitemsupdrippingwet,theyarn willstretchandwillnevergoback.Whentheskeinsarespun out,theywillbecrumpledandneedtobestraightenedby holdingeachskeinatthemill�eandwhippingittorealign thestrandsbeforetheydryout.SeePic3(previouspage)
Skeinsdrying.Notethenetbagsundertheskeins,sothatthe linedoesnotleaveafurrowinthedriedskein.Iusuallyturn theskeinsoveratleastonceonthefirstdayandputthem outagainontheseconddaytoensurebestdrying.ThenI lightlyretwistthemandstoreinplas�cbagsun�lreadyfor winding.
Windingcanbedoneusingaswi�,whichisarota�ng umbrellalikedevice,oranoldwarpingloomwithpegs.Itis be�eriftheskeinisheldtautforwindingbutifnothingelse thebackofachairwitharmswilldo.Avoidchairswith,for example,bamboomeshorbrocadebacks,asalpacafibrewill beeasilycaughtandfluffup.
Beforeuntying,checkandreposi�onanycrossedover strands.Onceun�ed,findtheyarnendwhichrunsfreely fromthetopoftheskein.A�erwindingintoroundballsby hand,Ithenrewindtheyarnwithawoolwindertogiveaflat bo�omedballwhichcanbestartedfromthecentre.
SeePic4.Ballingsetup.Thisisamaxiwindercapableof windingonafull100gmskein.WhenwindingIs�llrunthe yarnbetweenmyle�handfingerstocheckforknots,tangles orspinningbreaks.Spinningbreaksaresmallsec�onsofthe yarnthathavebeenfeltedtogetherbythespinnerto recommencespinningwhentheindividualstrandshave broken.
Theywillnotcomeapartinkni�ng,butIprefertocutthem outandstartanotherball.Notethatalpacamakesan extremelystrongspunyarn.Tryingtodragalpacayarn directlyfromatangledskeinorballthroughaplas�cwool winderwillmostlikelycausedamageorevenbreakthewool winder.Notealsotheplas�ctubtokeeptheroundball contained,whichisalsoagoodideatoholdballsforcra� work.Pullingalpacayarnfromroundballsrollingaroundthe floorwherethecatcanplaywithitdoesnotimproveit.
Kni�ngisanotherveryoldhandcra�,althoughprobablynot asoldasweaving.Thedifferencebetweenkni�ngand weavingisthatweavingisdoneonsomesortofrigid frameworksuchasaloomorbasketframeworkandrequires theinterac�onbetweenthewarporbasethreadandthe we�orcrossthread,whilekni�ngrequiresonlyone con�nuousthreadmadeintoloops.
Furthermoreafinishedpieceofwovenfabricisfirmandflat withli�lestretch,whichmakesitidealforstructured garments,whileakni�edpiececanstretchinanydirec�on andthushastheadvantageofbeingabletoclingand conformtothebodyshape.
SeePic7.Tricolourslips�tch.Usingslips�tchovergarter s�tchintwoorthreecoloursgivesaninteres�ngtweed pa�ernandafirmerstructurewithoutknots.Thenatural coloursofalpacaarealsoidealforstripesorFairIslepa�erns. SeePic8.FairIslepa�ernrightside.Itisveryimportantto useneedlesoneoreventwosizeslargerthanusualforFair Islepa�ernstokeepfrompullingtheyarntoo�ghtly, especiallyiflikeme,youweavethecoloursinbehind.SeePic 9.FairIslepa�ernreverseside. 7. 8.
Imakehatsandmi�ensformystallusingmostlycommercial 8plyyarn,cas�ngonwithsteelsize10(3.25mm)andusing plas�csize8(4.5mm)forglovesormi�ensinstockings�tch, orsize7(4.75mm)forhatsindifferents�tches.(Iuse7sto increasemyproduc�onrateformystall.)
SeePic10.HatSelec�on.Whenchangingoverfrom10to7 forahat,Iknitthefirstrowa�ermyribwithasize8needle inwhatevers�tchI’musing,andthenswitchtosize7forthe firstreturnrow,toeasetheyarnacrossthebiggerdifference inneedlesize.
Toknitegchunkyhandspun,Iusecommercial10plyyarnfor therib,cas�ngonwithsize9(4mm)oreven8(4.5mm), adjus�ngthes�tchnumberaccordingly.
AsamemberoftheAAAyou’llhaveaccessto:
• specificmember-onlyresources
• abroadsupportnetworkofmorethan 1,200members,whoshareyourpassionforalpacas
• expertswhounderstandtheindustryandarededicatedtoexploringopportunitiesand helpingyousucceed
• thetoolsandresourcesyouneedtodevelop yourherdtoitsgreatestpotentialandenjoythemanybenefitsofthese uniqueanimals.
Witharangeofmembershipcategoriestosuityourinterestsandstageintheindustry,jointodayandenjoyallthat membershipoftheAAAhastooffer.Visit www.ealpaca.com.au/join
Stayconnected
Buildinga successful and sustainable alpacaindustry inAustralia www.alpaca.asn.au
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E: info@alpaca.asn.au
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Stayup-to-datewiththelatestinformationon our websiteandsocialmediaat: www.alpaca.asn.au @AustralianAlpacaAssociation
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Newresearchonthepoten�alofthealpacaindustryis reportedin‘Alpaca:Acompactbusinesscase’releasedin December2022.Thisresearchworkwasfundedbythe AustralianGovernmentthroughtheAgrifuturesAustralia EmergingIndustriesprogram.
IndependentconsultantsGHDPty.Ltd.workedwiththe AustralianAlpacaAssocia�onandalpacaindustry stakeholderstounderstandthecurrenteconomicvalueof theindustry,assessfuturemarketopportuni�es,andiden�fy barrierstogrowth.
Fleece
GHDes�matedthe2022farmgatevalueoftheAustralian alpacafleeceindustryatAUD$13.5millionperannum.There hasbeenconsistentgrowthinthebulkfleeceexporttrade deliveringmul�pleshippingcontainerloadsworldwide.China iss�llthebiggestimporterofalpacafleece,butmarketsalso existinNewZealand,theEuropeanUnion,andtheUSA.
Alpacasareanideallivestockforsmallandlarge-scalefarms. Thereportnotesthatmanysmalleroperatorsdonothave theeconomiesofscaleenjoyedbybroadacreopera�ons. Coopera�onwillbekeytogrowthby:
•Increasingtheannualfleeceyieldperheadbyimproving breeding,feeding,andshearingprac�ces
•Ge�ngallshornfleecetoprocessingfacili�esina�mely manner,and
•Reducinginputcoststhroughcoopera�vestrategiesand technologyuse
Australianalpacabreedingbloodstockisexportedtoimprove gene�cqualityanddiversityofbreedingherdsinother countries.Alpacasforexportmustbelistedonana�onal breedregister.eAlpaca,developedbytheAAA,isanefficient andvaluabletoolforverifyingprovenanceandmakesiteasy forinterna�onalbuyerstoaccessreliablepedigree informa�on.
Asar�ficialinsemina�onandfrozenembryotechnologyfor alpacasisyettobedeveloped,growingtheglobalherd heavilydependsuponthehealthyandsafeexportof premiumbloodstockusingairandroadtransport.
AustralianalpacasarecurrentlyexportedtoAsiaandthe MiddleEast.GHDes�matedthe2022farmgatevalueofthis tradeatAUD$500,000perannum.
GHDnotedthataccesstoEuropeanandUnitedKingdom marketsiskeytofutureindustrygrowth.Ites�matesthe farmgatevalueofthistradeatAUD$15.5millionperannum forAustralianbreeders.
Readthefullreporth�ps://agrifutures.com.au/product/ alpaca-a-compact-business-case/
The2023showingseasonhascommencedwithvery successfulshowsalreadybeingheldintheAustralianCapital Territory,NewSouthWalesandVictoria.Itisgreattosee breedersexhibi�ngthebestoftheirbreedingandsharing�ps toimprovealpacawellbeingandbreeding.
The2023Na�onalShowwillbeheldinBendigo,Victoriafrom 18thto20thAugust2023.Keepaneyeonyourmember updatesformoreinforma�on.
NewShowRulesareinplacefor2023:
Inrecogni�onofthedelayedshearingseasonlastyear,the SJChaveassistedtheAAAinimplemen�ngamendedfleece lengthsforshortfleeceshowsin2023.SeeRule56inthe 2023ShowingRulesManualontheAAAwebsite.
Theshowuniformamendmentshavealsobeenupdatedfor thiscomingshowseason.Approveda�reisdetailedinRule 50:HandlerA�re.
TheAAAonlineshophasthenewblackpoloshirtsnow availableforsale.
In2023,manyalpacaproducersthroughouttheworldwillbe impactedbysevereweathereventsduetoourchanging climate.Itisdisrup�ngbreedingpa�erns,increasingriskof parasitesanddiseases,andaffec�ngfeedavailabilityand price.HereinAustralia,manyregionshaveexperienced widespreadflooding,andseverestormeventswithlightningsparkedbushfiresareoccurringastheLaNinaweather pa�ernlingerson.
Asaresult,theAAABoardisworkingharderthaneverto buildasuccessfulandsustainablealpacaindustryinAustralia. In2023wearefocusedonexpandingmarketaccessfor trade,inves�nginresearchandindustrydevelopment,and suppor�ngtheresilienceofalpacafarmersthrougheduca�on andskillsdevelopment.
Biosecurityalsoremainsatthetopofouragenda.TheAAA hasdevelopedtheAlpacaCheQAprogramtosupportgood biosecurityforalpacabreeders.
TheNa�onalLivestockIden�fica�onSystem(NLIS)isbeing expandedtoincludealpacasandsheep.Pleasejoinoneof ourmanyinforma�onsharingac�vi�esin2023tolearnmore andprepareyourfarmtojoinNLIS.
Keepuptodateoneventsandac�vi�esattheAAA Newsroomh�ps://alpaca.asn.au/newsroom/
Keepsafe.Keepwell.Enjoyeverythingalpaca!
Bre�Fallon,AAAPresident
OnJanuarythe14thand15th,theNSWAlpacaYouthGroup ranourannualyouthcamp.Celebra�ngthebeginningofa fantas�cyearwithpar�cipantsa�endingfromalloverNSW andevenonefromWesternAustralia.Ouraimwastofurther developtheskillsandknowledgeofallexperiencelevels.
Thisyearwewelcomedalargepropor�onofnewyouth memberstoourcamp.Tocaterforthis,weprovidedan introduc�ontoalpaca’s,includingbothSuriandHuacaya. andwereluckyenoughtohavebothSuriandHuacaya animalsandfleece.
Thecommi�eethisyeardecidedtofocusonacomparison betweendesirabletraitsforshowingandcommercial purposes.Encompassingthiswesplitour�meforboth animalandfleeceworktofocusondesirabletraits.To incorporatethecommercialaspect,ouryouthwaseducated onthecorrectlabellingmethodforabale(somethingthat wouldbetestedlaterduringtheherdsmanchallengeonthe Sunday).
OnSaturdaya�ernoonwerantwoworkshopssimultaneously andthenswapped.Oneoftheworkshopswasafel�ng displayandallpar�cipantshadago,andattheendthey madecolourfulfeltandawesomedryerballs.Theother workshopincludedaneduca�onaldisplayontheprocessof castra�nganalpaca.DrHopeTros�ancarriedoutthe procedures,andeveryoneaskedlotsofques�ons.Thiswasa greatopportunitytolearnwhyandhowanalpacais castrated.
TheSundaymorningcoveredskillsnecessarytocompetein thevariousaspectsofshows.Weprovidedyoungjudgesand paraderprac�ceinordertoencourageyouthtopar�cipatein upcomingshowsandevents.A�erlunchweputallofthe skillslearnedovertheweekendintoourannualyoung farmerschallenge,whichconsistedofarangeoftasks includinglabellingabale,openingasurifleece,comple�nga paradercourseandmore!
Forthemoreexperiencedindividualswhochosetostaythe extranight,Monday16thconsistedofanin-depthyoung judge’sworkshop.WithguidancefromanAustralianAlpaca Associa�onhalterjudge,weaimedtoimprovethe par�cipantsskillsofjudgingandpublicspeaking,building confidenceineveryaspectofthecompe��on.
Overall,thecampwasagreatweekend,fulloffunwiththe developmentoffriendshipsandskillsthatwilllastalife�me. Itwasfantas�ctoseesomanyofouryouthmembers par�cipa�ngineveryac�vityandwelookforwardtoour campin2024.SpecialthankstoDrIanDavisonandJanie Forrestforhos�ngusontheirpropertyandallthe�meand efforttheyputintotheweekend.Alsoourthankstoallthe breedersandmemberswhoassistedandtoDr.Hope Tros�anforgivingupher�metotalktous.
Ouryouthgroupwillbea�endingarangeofalpacashows overthecourseof2023.Ifyouwouldlikemoreinforma�on pleaseemailalpacayouth@gmail.com
