Alpaca Christmas 2020

Alpaca British Alpaca Society bi-monthly magazine

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

www.bas-uk.com

KELSEYmedia

FEBRUARY 20202020£2.95 CHRISTMAS £5.99

KELSEYmedia

ISSUE 83 | CHRISTMAS 2020

£

Alpaca www.bas-uk.com THE BRITISH ALPACA SOCIETY c/o Grassroots Systems Ltd, PO Box 251, Exeter EX2 8WX. Tel (within UK): 0845 3312468 Tel (Overseas): +44(0)1392 437788 Fax: +44(0)1392 437788 Email: info@bas-uk.com BAS CHIEF EXECUTIVE Dr Duncan Pullar Tel: 07496 578781 Email: ceo@bas-uk.com EDITORIAL Editor: Liz Mason alpaca.ed@kelsey.co.uk Studio Manager: Jo Legg jo.legg@kelsey.co.uk ADVERTISEMENT SALES Wendy King 01233 555735 wendy@tandemmedia.co.uk

CONTENTS

10 Friendly fibre

A natural dyer has set herself a daunting challenge – to source all her clothes for a year from local farmers and artisans in Northern California.

12 Prize crossword 14 Practical management: headcollar training 16 Tomorrow’s heirlooms

MANAGEMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE: Steve Wright CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Phil Weeden MANAGING DIRECTOR: Kevin McCormick PUBLISHER: Jamie McGrorty RETAIL DIRECTOR: Steve Brown RENEWALS AND PROJECTS MANAGER: Andy Cotton SENIOR SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGER: Nick McIntosh SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING DIRECTOR: Gill Lambert SUBSCRIPTION MARKETING MANAGER: Kate Chamberlain PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Georgina Harris PRINT PRODUCTION CONTROLLER: Kelly Orriss

32 Walking business snowballs 34 Exclusively Pinnacle 20 Alpaca knits from British companies

An exciting range of beautiful alpaca knits in autumn winter collections.

DISTRIBUTION

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

PRINTING Precision Colour Print Kelsey Media 2020 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers. Note to contributors: articles submitted for consideration by the editor must be the original work of the author and not previously published. Where photographs are included, which are not the property of the contributor, permission to reproduce them must have been obtained from the owner of the copyright. The editor cannot guarantee a personal response to all letters and emails received. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Publisher. Kelsey Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for products and services offered by third parties.

After creating and producing some textiles and knitwear for the film “Murder on The Orient Express” Anila Preston explains she had a light bulb moment that pushed the business in a new direction.

Designer and hand weaver Araminta Campbell believes we need to cherish handmade alpaca pieces.

ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION Tandem Media Ltd Ad Production Manager: Andy Welch Alpaca@tandemmedia.co.uk 01233 220245 KELSEY MEDIA The Granary, Downs Court Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL 01959 541444

30 A British design studio

22 Ethical gifts from happy alpacas

Alpaca farming allows owners to make sustainable and ethical Christmas gifts from happy animals.

26 Unique jewellery

Jewellery designer Marta Kwaśniewicz collaborates with owners across the world to turn precious yarn into unique pieces.

Hilary and Tony Monkcom tell us how they brought a long held dream to reality with the launch of a range of ‘high end’ woven scarves made from fleeces from the Pinnacle herd.

36 Christmas cheer at Yew Tree 38 Alpaca Reiki has calming effect

How a complementary treatment may help to calm feisty, male alpacas.

40 Winter health check 42 Show reports 44 BAS regional spotlight The Eastern Alpaca Group

46 Letter from Finland

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

28 ‘Our Back Garden’ www.kelsey.co.uk

Creating unique products and experiences inspired by our everyday lives.

Cover photo: Cadbury Alpacas

Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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FROM THE EDITOR

W

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

elcome to our first Christmas Special. In this issue we feature fabulous British made alpaca products, including cosy knits and woven scarves, that will certainly make Christmas special.

Thank you to all our contributors and a special thank you to BAS CEO Duncan Pullar for taking the time to compile our Christmas Prize Crossword and to Cotswold Alpacas who kindly agreed to donate a pair of socks to the winner.

Christmas is the perfect time to showcase wonderful alpaca items created by skilled artisans, including knitters and crafters.

There can be nothing more comforting in these dark, and difficult winter days than to snuggle into a soft alpaca jumper, wrap up in a special scarf or pull on a favourite pair of alpaca socks.

British alpaca fibre has so much potential and there is no better time to promote its unique qualities and support UK producers. Our features highlight a few of the many owners creating lovely items from British alpaca. They also show how, with skillful handling at every stage, raw alpaca fleece can be turned into highly desirable pieces of › Liz Mason clothing and homeware that make perfect present

ideas for Christmas.

“Buy once, buy alpaca” Like cashmere, British alpaca products are “high end” luxury items and there is little point hiding the price tag needed to make the process worthwhile.

After all British alpaca is a product that is nurtured and cherished at every stage from farm through to final item and it cannot compete with cheap, mass manufactured fashion.

But with a “buy less, buy well” ethos fast gaining ground among buyers “high end” alpaca items can benefit.

British designers tell us that as alpaca is a sustainable, natural fibre it offers their customers “guilt free fashion” that does not harm animals, people or the planet HRH The Prince of Wales a lifelong advocate for nature and the environment, told readers in a recent interview for Vogue that his mantra is “buy once, buy well”. Maybe this Christmas we could adopt something similar and “buy once, buy alpaca” to support our British alpaca community as well as doing our bit to help protect the environment.

CEO NOTES...

Duncan Pullar

F

irst of all, Happy Christmas to all BAS members and alpaca enthusiasts. I hope you have a good winter. For alpaca owners the daily routine of animal care must continue regardless of Christmas and New Year holidays, and for many there is something comforting about the daily winter husbandry tasks. Let us hope the weather does not make life too difficult.

Our recent annual general meeting (AGM) demonstrated to me just how the membership of BAS is growing. There were 2050 BAS members eligible to vote on the resolutions presented. At the time of writing we don’t know who will have succeeded in being elected to the BAS board but whoever is successful I am sure they will be keen to support the membership in their enjoyment of alpacas.

The BAS has adopted as its strapline “passionate about all things alpaca” which I think fairly summarises the approach of many BAS members. The BAS

board understand that their role is to help all members make the most of their alpaca interest.

The three identified areas of responsibility are: • Welfare – to make it easy for owners to understand alpacas and what they need to thrive, • Lifestyle – to help members with common interests share their knowledge, experience and ideas, • Opportunity – to support the continuous improvement of the national herd and help maximise its potential.

It looks like we will have a few more months, at least, of meeting via Zoom.

The regional alpaca groups have done a great job of organising seminars delivered by Zoom with some excellent speakers and attendance. Let us keep this going because I think everyone has benefited from the knowledge shared and the chance to chat about alpacas.

Become a BAS member www.bas-uk.com

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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CHRISTMAS TURKEYS GUARDED A Berkshire turkey farmer has seen “a dramatic reduction” in fox attacks after alpaca guards were brought onto his Cookham farm.

Tom Copas, managing director at Copas Traditional, Turkeys says he brought in the alpacas after foxes killed more than 350 valuable young birds in their first week outside. Since their arrival seven years ago there has been a big reduction in fox attacks.

“We tend to get castrated old boys as they have the best guard quality. They are not in the prime of their life but they have a good home with us,” Tom said.

The turkeys, which are brought onto the farm as day old poults, are reared in polytunnels to about five-six weeks old. The young Bronze birds are then released to range in paddocks when they about the size of a small pheasant.

“We have an electric fence all around the paddocks but every year foxes, and other predators try different tricks to get at the turkeys – sometimes they go

under it, sometimes over it and sometimes they go straight through it.

“The birds have to go outside and we were scratching our heads to come up with something. We made sure the fences were running sweet and we increased the power.

“We put in the most powerful energiser we could but still the foxes were laughing at us – we were failing to get on top of them.”

A farmworker told Tom that alpacas have a guard quality or “a native ability to ward off wild foxes, dogs and wolves”.

“We thought we haven’t got anything to lose, except for more turkeys, so we’ll give it a go,” Tom said.

After a search lasting several days Tom found “a lovely lady in Wiltshire” who wanted a good home for her two elderly brown boys.

Turkey v alpaca

Tom collected the pair from Wiltshire and brought them back to the farm. “It was a hot summer day and we kept stopping to give them water. The truck broke down on the way and we had to change trucks but eventually we got them here and dropped the tail gate down.

“The turkeys didn’t know what to make of it. They had never seen a cattle trailer arriving in their paddock before. Then the alpacas came storming out, obviously quite relieved to get out, to find all these turkeys in the paddock.

“It was like a standoff. But the alpacas quickly settled in. “ After their first few nights the pair started camping at night in the top corner of the paddocks close to a nearby fox den “After they arrived we noticed a dramatic reduction in the number of fox attacks and we had only one or two more the rest of that year.”

More alpacas have since arrived on the farm and although they will not stop all attacks they are an effective deterrent. “They are not bullet proof. They are not the complete solution but they are another tier in the defence.”

Letter from VetPartners

Re: VetPartners position on skin punch biopsies of camelids for the purpose of follicular analysis.

Dear Editor, Practices within the VetPartners group have received several requests to undertake skin biopsies from healthy alpacas for the purpose of follicular density analysis overseas. This procedure usually involves infiltration of local anaesthetic, and surgical removal of a section of tissue at one or more sites on the body (with a scalpel or a specialised biopsy tool), followed often (but not always) by surgical closure with sutures or staples.

We understand that this procedure may already have been performed on some alpaca units in the UK. As part of our responsibilities as veterinary surgeons, we must ensure that surgical procedures, considered mutilations, undertaken on animals under our care, are permitted under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006.

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

A mutilation is defined as, “a procedure which interferes with sensitive tissue or bone structure of an animal.” A skin biopsy, regardless of its size, is recognised as such. Animal welfare legislation in the UK prohibits mutilations on animals “otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment.”

In response to the pressure placed on veterinary surgeons to perform these biopsies, we have consulted the Animal Welfare Act, and sought advice from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on this issue specifically.

We have received a clear response and wish to unequivocally state that this mutilation is not permissible under UK law. Any persons undertaking this type of procedure for the purpose of follicle density analysis is doing so in direct contravention of animal welfare law.

We are writing to notify the British Alpaca Society of our standpoint, and to remind all involved in

Email your letters to the editor: alpaca.ed@kelsey.co.uk the veterinary care and husbandry of alpacas, that asking a veterinary surgeon to undertake these biopsies is asking them to break the law. We hope that this letter makes our position on this issue clear, however if you have any further queries, please direct them to: enquiries@vetpartners.co.uk for the attention of the Camelid Special Interest Group.

Ashley Marshall BVetMed MRCVS; Dr Ami Sawran BVSc PhD MRCVS; Laura Gibson BSc BVetMed MRCVS; Dr Olivia Franks MA VetMB MRCVS on behalf of VetPartners UK

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We sell pure Alpaca balls of wool in various colours.

We also have a variety of hand knitted pure Alpaca wool garments for sale.

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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Appeal to save Dougal

NEWS

A

A

n alpaca owner in Littleborough has launched a fundraising appeal to help save Dougal, her young alpaca.

Joanne Schembri, from Calderbrook Alpacas, in Greater Manchester, launched the “gofundme. com” appeal in September when Dougal, was 16 months old. The appeal site says: “We have had our local vet out numerous times over the last few months and they have been unable to fully diagnose him and therefore provide the correct treatment. (Our vets are amazing by the way!

It's just alpacas are so unusual that there is little known about them in the veterinary world).”

Despite the visits Dougal took a turn for the worst and repeatedly fell over until he became unable to stand or walk. Joanne rang the emergency vet and he survived through the night.

“It was a very close call of him being put to sleep,

Two alpacas stolen

but I wanted to see if there was anyone out there who could diagnose him as I couldn't give up on him.”

After a remote video examination a specialist camelid vet found he is showing signs of having a vertebral abscess/discospondylitis. “This means he has been prescribed several ultra strong antibiotic injections twice a day for six weeks – one of which is over £100 per bottle (he needs four bottles!).”

Dougal has since had a CT scan at Donaldsons Vets in Huddersfied and Joanne is continuing her appeal for funding.

www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-dougal-the-alpaca

Leicestershire alpaca owner is appealing for information to help recover her two stolen alpacas.

The two alpacas were stolen overnight from the farm near Melton Mowbray. The alpacas are both BAS registered and microchipped.

Oakleaf Bryony is a dark brown female Suri and Oakleaf Oil is a mid brown castrated male Huacaya.

Police have been informed and information has been shared on Facebook groups. If you have any information contact Diane Dawson (via Facebook) or BAS CEO Duncan Pullar (ceo@bas-uk.com)

Liver fluke survey

L

iverpool University vets are looking for alpaca owners to complete a short survey. The aim is to help the vets better understand awareness and control practices for parasitic infections in alpacas, particularly liver fluke.

The survey is open to any UK farm or smallholding with alpacas and should take less than 15 minutes. A link to the survey has been sent out with the BAS weekly news. For details email Prof Jane Hodgkinson (jhodgkin@liverpool.ac.uk).

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

T

CAMELID INSURANCE

he old adage is “never work with children and animals”, but this is not possible for Camelid owners who have seen a surge in popularity recently. Camelid trekking is now a more common activity for family groups – combining walks in the country with the companionship of an alpaca or llama.

These new developments have meant camelid owners now have new risks to consider. While historically kept and bred for fibre, the new interest from the public means that businesses need more robust protection and advice. NFU Mutual already work with several camelid businesses and have developed a strong understanding of their insurance requirements.

At NFU Mutual New Forest, Isle of Wight and Bournemouth, they have

worked closely with BAS members to devise a Code of Practice for trekking businesses. BAS members who conform to the Code of Practice benefit from a special discount which is only available via the NFU Mutual’s New Forest, Isle of Wight and Bournemouth Agency.

Along with trekking, many businesses have diversified further – with shops, cafes or other attractions. These can all be included in the insurance programme and we are on hand to discuss cover requirements as well as ensuring you are aware of your statutory requirements.

J W Heather, L Y Blomfield, K Crouch & S J Davidson is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982).

If you would like to know more, please contact one of the team on 01983 522290 or 01590 624744

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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FRIENDLY FIBRE

Appalled at the cost of fast fashion to people and the planet, weaver and natural dyer Rebecca Burgess set herself a daunting challenge – to source all her clothes for a year from local farmers and artisans in Northern California, writes Alpaca editor Liz Mason.

Photos ©Paige Green

T

he thinking behind Rebecca’s wardrobe challenge is explained in her inspirational book “Fibershed – Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists and Makers for a New Textile Economy” written with author and conservationist Courtney White.

Easy to read and beautifully illustrated with photographs by Paige Green the book sets out Rebecca’s “vision of change that focuses on transforming fiber and dye systems from the soil up”. She explains that her vision embraces everyone involved in the process of creating textiles and clothes from famers, designers, crafters and manufacturers through to the people who buy clothes.

Rebecca called the local region containing the people and materials she needed to make her wardrobe, a “fibershed”. “Similar to a local watershed or a foodshed, a fibershed is focused on the source of the raw material, the transparency with which it is converted into clothing, and the connectivity among all parts, from soil to skin and back to soil,” she says.

Her initiative, started as a personal journey, has inspired an international movement made up of more than fifty “fibershed” communities, including two in the UK. Each aims to create a network of farms, designers and skilled makers working collaboratively to produce planet and people friendly textiles from natural materials.

Rebecca’s own “fibreshed”, an area she defines as within a 150 mile radius of her front door, includes alpaca farms. Several pieces for her wardrobe challenge were produced from fibre from Renaissance Ridge Farm. Set in the Sierra foothills, just within the fibershed boundary the farm is known for its “beautifully coloured and fine fiber alpaca herd”.

Undyed yarns from Renaissance Ridge, were employed by a local designer to create an alpaca sweater. Fibre from Blackberry, another from the Renaissance

10 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

Ridge alpaca herd produced a felted raincoat – an essential item for winter. The colour and strength of Blackberry’s fibre was “an excellent source material for the warm and water repellent” coat made by an Oakland based designer working with a local felter.

The finished “fibershed” wardrobe, made without harming people or the planet, sits in contrast to many items in our own wardrobes made from mass produced textiles. Rebecca’s book outlines the enormous cost of this industrial manufacturing system, taking into account its impact on climate change, and she highlights the “alarming narratives” associated with synthetic fibres.

Polyester, an oil-based fibre is used in 60% of our garments – more than double the amount used in 2000 and accounts for three times the carbon dioxide emissions of cotton. Rayon, a cellulose based fibre, which has recently doubled in use, also comes under question as “using tree pulp for clothing is a land and fossil fuel intensive process that puts our precious forests at risk”.

Fibershed also examines the impact of synthetic dyes, many derived from fossil carbon sources, and raises questions over their effect on human health. If we are serious about caring for the planet, and valuing our health, it is hard to ignore her vision for a new textile economy based on natural fibres, including alpaca.

Fibreshed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists and makers For a New Textile Economy, written by Rebecca Burgess with Courtney White, published by Chelsea Green Publishing (www.chelseagreen.com)

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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CHRISTMAS PRIZE CROSSWORD T 1

hank you to BAS CEO Duncan Pullar for putting together our festive prize crossword.

Email the nine letter word from the highlighted squares to ceo@bas-uk.com before 10 January for a chance to win a pair of alpaca socks kindly donated by Cotswold Alpacas (all correct entries received by the above date will be put into a draw for the prize). Thank you to Bridget at Cotswold for agreeing to donate our first prize.

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ACROSS 1 Suri fleece trait (6) 6 You need them to lick (7) 8 Alpaca vocalisation (7) 9 Mouse catcher (3) 10 Llama ear shape (6) 11 Not on top (10) 12 Spanish for male (5) 13 Rodent pest (3) 14 Most numerous alpaca breed (6) 18 What stars do (7) 20 Cleaning up a fleece (8) 21 Opposite of bottom (3) 23 Place for putting poo (4,4) 26 Shadow (5) 27 Output from shearing (6) 28 Friend (3) 29 Tool for piercing (3) 30 Duck’s insulation (4) 31 Desist (4) 32 Fore gut fermenter (8) 33 Cria do it – lambs too (6) 35 Bird of prey (5)

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Solid, liquid, ___ (3) Wild relative of the llama (7) Baronet from Saltaire (5,4) Least numerous alpaca breed (4) South American mountains (5) Collective for alpacas and llamas (7) Picture in a picture (5) Four sides polygons (10) Arranged in order (using letters) (14) 12 months (4) Spring flowers (9) Check of accounts (5)

DOWN 1 Noisy person (9) 2 Decoration for a champion (6) 3 Scraped (7) 4 Not rough (6) 5 Wild relative of alpaca (6) 6 Level (4) 7 Long necked African animal (7) 8 Cross between alpaca and llama (7) 9 Pines for decoration (9,5) 15 Waves in a hair (5)

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Studier of moths and butterflies (13) Hoofed herbivore (8) Leg joint (4) Outer layer (4) Fibre that has a hollow core (10) First man (4) Spotty patten (9) Paving material (10) Goes well in a crumble – with custard! (7) Food in a trap (4) Exercise room (3) How traits are inherited (11) Young alpaca (4) Might be guilty (9) Number of natural alpaca fibre colours (6,3) Group of animals (4) Micronutrient to stop rickets (7,1) Horse feeding system (7) Country? Nut? (6) Period before Christmas (6) Hearing organs (4) Protein filaments (4) Part of a plant (4)

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Let us inspire you with the complete alpaca experience.

Celebrating 20 years of alpaca breeding.

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PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT: HEADCOLLAR TRAINING

Hopefully for many owners cria weaning is successfully underway, or even completed for early season cria. In the second of a series of articles offering practical management tips, Kate Brookes from Mullacott Alpacas takes a look at headcollar training.

J

ust after I sent my last article on cria weaning for the Winter issue I saw one from another farm, giving different advice – there are as many ways to do these things, as there are colours of alpacas.

Please remember my way is just one way, but it has worked for me.

Five to six months old is also the perfect age to start to get your cria walking on a headcollar and make sure they are calm enough to be able to lift their feet for trimming and other husbandry tasks. There is a good article on the BAS website with more detail that you may want to read about fitting the headcollar (see www.bas-uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/head_collar_fit.pdf).

What equipment should I buy?

In order to train your cria you will need a headcollar. Headcollars come in different sizes and you will need extra small (XS) or cria size for a six month old cria. You need ones that have an adjustable noseband and adjustable crown piece (the strap that goes round behind the head). It is not possible to use pony or sheep headcollars safely. You will need to choose what sort of fastening you want for the head strap. They come with clips, buckles that do up through holes, or thread through buckles that are infinitely adjustable. All have merits. If you have just one alpaca always wearing the same headcollar, you may find the clip together ones easiest as you can adjust the headcollar once and just clip it up when you use it.

You will need to adjust it occasionally as the cria and fibre grows. Buckles are common on larger size headcollars, and some cria ones come with them (including those from Homestead Farm supplies).

I found I needed to add extra holes to make sure mine fitted smaller cria - a hot nail poked through the synthetic strapping is quick and easy. The ones with slide through buckles adjust to fit all cria heads so I now buy those as my first

14 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

choice. Mary Roach is one supplier and there are several others. You will also need some sort of lead to clip to the headcollar; these do not need to be alpaca specific.

How do I fit the headcollar?

1. Sort out the headcollar before you try to put it on to make sure it is the right way up and the right way round.

2. Bring the headcollar towards the alpaca from in front or underneath. They probably will not like you touching their eye area, covering their nose or coming in from behind the ears.

3. Make sure the noseband is in the correct position and do not let it slip as you do up the headcollar 4. The nose strap should be adjusted to allow two fingers to go inside it. The crown piece needs to be high around the back of the head (up towards the ears) and should be tightened to allow only one finger underneath. Beware with fleecy cria that it is tight enough. If the crown piece is loose the headcollar can slip down the nose and cause the alpaca to panic as it feels it can’t breathe.

5. When removing the headcollar, always make sure the alpaca stays calm after the headcollar is off. You don’t want it to learn to try to rush off as soon as you start to undo the headcollar.

6. It is not advisable to leave a headcollar on when the alpaca is not supervised.

How do I get my alpacas used to a headcollar?

Alpacas learn quickly; the most important thing is to make their early experiences with a headcollar pleasant. Build on the handling you have already started (see Winter issue) by just showing them the headcollar.

Do up the crown piece to make a larger loop and encourage them to accept it being placed on their nose (as near the eyes as possible) and immediately remove. Once they are comfortable I start to fit the headcollar and leave them in the creep feeder pen to continue to eat wearing a head collar, then remove it. I watch them all the time to make sure they are safe and not panicking.

Next, I add a lead and walk them back to mum just outside the pen, then I start to walk them a little further and away from their mum – always in small steps. It is better to reinforce what they can do, than have them fighting against wearing the headcollar because you are trying to move forwards too quickly.

How do I get them to walk in a headcollar without a tug of war?

I try to follow Marty McGee Bennett’s Camelid Dynamics methods as alpacas respond well and gain trust in the handlers. (Marty has written a book and there are UK accredited trainers. Marty also comes to the UK to run courses occasionally).

When you get into a tug of war with an alpaca the alpaca will dig all four feet in and you will probably not be able to shift them. You may be able to get a cria moving by sheer weight advantage, but it is much better to get them to walk because they understand what they should do.

To do this pull just enough to make them step forward as they need to adjust their balance. Immediately let the lead go loose so they rebalance then repeat – short pull to make them step forward and let the lead go loose. Soon they learn to step forward repeatedly and be led by you.

You can also walk a cria side by side with an alpaca trained to lead or create a passageway with hurdles so the alpaca stays going forwards. It will always be easier to get the cria to walk towards something it wants to reach (including other alpacas, or mum) than away from the herd.

What can go wrong?

Alpacas are semi-obligate nasal breathers, this means they must be able to breathe through their nose (although they can breathe a little through the mouth). The bone in the nose is short, sometimes in a cria only extending about an inch in front of the eyes. The headcollar must sit on the bone, or the alpaca will

Crown piece

Upper noseband

Cheek ring

Noseband ring Lower noseband

Throatlatch

› A bit of alpaca anatomy:

• Alpacas need to breathe through their noses • Alpacas have a very short nose-bone • A poorly fitting headcollar will cause them to panic

© BAS 2018 Practical Alpaca Owners and Breeders Training

feel it is being suffocated and panic. This is one reason why younger cria may not be ready to headcollar train, as the bone is too short to support the headcollar.

When an alpaca lies down, or drama queen style throws itself to the ground, go to the end of the lead to give it space and allow time for it to look around.

It should then get up to walk towards other alpacas – or get away from you. It would then be good to go back a few steps to make sure this behaviour is not repeated. Older animals can be trained, but keep progressing in very small steps as you build trust with them.

And finally… have some fun

My final advice is to have fun with your training. Why not set up a small agility course to let the cria develop their skills further? I try to get them to jump, starting with a fence rail on the ground, then an upside down food trough, walk on different surfaces, go through gates, duck under a line (I’m planning on hanging washing on it this year), weave through poles, walk up a ramp into a trailer, pass something noisy, stop for some hand feeding.

The only limit is your imagination, but actually all this will make your alpacas calmer and more confident when out walking on the headcollar!

›

Walking over obstacles with Mullacott Snowden

Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

15

TOMORROW’S HEIRLOOMS

Designer and hand weaver Araminta Campbell believes we need to cherish handmade alpaca pieces as heirlooms of tomorrow as she explains in this exclusive interview for Alpaca magazine.

How did you start out as a weaver/designer and can you remember the first time you worked with alpaca fibre?

I’m self taught in weaving and only began learning in the final few weeks of my fine art textiles degree at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2011.

Growing up in the countryside I always had a passion for textiles, nature, and the outdoors – it’s where the inspiration for my designs still comes from.

Soon after graduating I started by selling handwoven artworks to collectors – some of my early pieces can be seen in my Edinburgh studio today.

Alpaca fibre came into the frame when I began designing and weaving a scarf as a gift for my mother. She is allergic to wool so I decided to research alternatives which is when I was introduced to alpaca. I was impressed by how beautifully soft it is and how it’s completely hypo-allergenic!

Is it important to train or qualify or do you just need to have a passion for your craft?

I think both have their place and one will not flourish without the other.

Passion is crucially important as it motivates and inspires; it is at the core of what continually motivates me and provides the connection between weaving and design. However, weaving is an incredibly skilled craft requiring years of training to become an accomplished craftsman. Whilst not necessarily taking the guise of formal training such as a degree, without dedicated learning I don’t believe you will become truly skilled.

› Araminta Campbell offers a bespoke tweed and tartan service 16 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

What influences your designs and makes each one unique and what has inspired your most recent designs?

The Scottish landscape has always been my chief inspiration – probably because that is where I am happiest! A walk or drive through the wilds of the highlands or an afternoon at home in Royal Deeside is always inspiring, and I am constantly seeing ideas for a new design or combination of colours.

I have recently moved to West Lothian and am enjoying exploring the countryside with my husband, toddler, and dogs so my inspiration is currently Continued on the next page >> being drawn from here.

VELVET HALL

ALPACAS

Edward Ebbern: 07792 068990

Velvet Hall, Innerleithen, Scotland, EH44 6RD Tel: 01896 870201 – Mobile: 07769 268 775 info@velvethall-alpacas.co.uk www.velvethall-alpacas.co.uk

Edward Ebbern: 07792 068990

edward@wyvernalpacas.com

edward@wyvernalpacas.com

www.wyvernalpacas.com www.wyvernalpacas.com

Unique 100% alpaca tweed suits

Breeding Champion Grey Alpacas Champion Grey Stud Services Alpaca Sales & Starter Herds BAS Affiliated Training Courses Agistment

FROM THE HEART OF DORSET

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AFFILIATED TRAINER

TEL: 07792068990

British Alpaca Society

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a c a p l A a c a p l A onth ly a Socie ty bi-m Britis h Alpac

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

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

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

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

Pre-arranged visits are very welcome.

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

18 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

› Signature feather scarves << Why did you choose to use only British alpaca fibre for your scarves, blanket wraps, cushions and throws?

The natural world is my greatest inspiration and I believe we need to look after it. I want future generations to be able to enjoy the places I love and, as a result, think we need to pay attention to the way we use resources and reduce waste.

By using only British alpaca we reduce our carbon footprint and have a greater transparency in the supply chain. Working with small British alpaca breeders we know that everyone involved in producing our alpaca yarns has been well looked after and respected.

Furthermore, by building these relationships with British breeders we are able to secure the highest quality fleece below 20 microns – to source this from elsewhere in the world could not be done. In addition there is much less processing involved in using alpaca fleece – we use the natural colours so don’t require harmful bleaches or dyes and, as they produce a dry fleece, it requires much less scouring and washing than a greasy fibre like wool.

How do you choose your alpaca fibre suppliers and can you use fibre of any quality or colour?

We use fleeces of all natural colours but sadly we are finding it increasingly difficult to source enough quality white fleece which is always the largest volume we need to source. When sourcing colours for our Signature collection of one of a kind pieces we spin individual fleeces and aim to know the name of each alpaca which is why we prefer to work directly with the breeders when sourcing.

› Signature Pinecone scarf

› Handweaving

What can the UK alpaca community do to encourage more designers to use and value British alpaca fibre?

I think the community needs to be proud of alpaca as a sustainable, premium product. Most luxury fibres such as silk and cashmere are sourced from outside the UK but with alpaca we are able to select premium fleeces that are home grown. Supporting British producers and farmers who can personally guarantee quality should be celebrated and I believe the community should highlight the fibre's sustainability within the luxury market.

Do you think there needs to be a shift in our attitude to clothes and textiles given the environmental impact of throw away fast fashion culture?

Should we be looking to buy better and wear longer and place more value on our clothes and home furnishings?

A resounding yes; I feel there needs to be a revelation on how items are made.

Textiles were once an incredibly valuable form of art with extensive lengths of time spent on creating them, however, since the industrial revolution we seem to have forgotten this – we don’t seem to understand the work and skill involved in making them. Textiles should be re-evaluated and seen as heirlooms of tomorrow, akin to jewellery, as opposed to the throw away pieces they are currently viewed.

My ethos is very much to have a small select wardrobe of cherished pieces.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years’ time – do you still plan to be working and designing with alpaca?

I see us continuing to be an elite luxury brand, recognised internationally for creating unique pieces here in Scotland that are enjoyed around the globe. I see us as remaining a close-knit team producing Scottish textiles, remaining personal, connected to our craft and the quality if our products. British alpaca will always be our hero product and we will continue to work with this.

› Handweaving at the loom

› TOAST

› Brora

› Brora

› TOAST

ALPACA KNITS FROM BRITISH COMPANIES

British companies are featuring an exciting range of beautiful alpaca knits in their autumn winter collections, writes Alpaca editor Liz Mason.

› Brora 20 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

› Celtic and Co

› Brora

Scotfield www.ScotfieldAlpaca.co.uk

Family run Berkshire farm breeding high quality Suri and Huacaya alpacas › TOAST

B

Alpacas sold, with full after-sales support and husbandry training

› Brora

rora, Celtic and Co and TOAST have all included alpaca in their winter collections. Designers say alpaca is a natural choice for soft, cosy, and sustainable knitwear that is perfect to wear while working from home. Alpaca also meets the companies’ high ethical standards as buyers increasingly expect “guilt free fashion”.

Cornish company Celtic and Co, who specialise in ethical fashion, introduced pure alpaca to their range in 2019. A spokesperson told Alpaca: “We added 100% alpaca wool to our range, because it's incredibly soft and beautiful to wear against your skin, has superior breathability and insulation through the microscopic air pockets in the alpaca fibres.

“It is naturally windproof, flame resistant, low static and resists acquired odours. We also like that it is a renewable material – shorn from the animal without injury or harm to the alpaca.

“We are very careful in the selection of our suppliers and make sure that they comply to certain official standards. It's a sustainable, biodegradable material, which fits perfectly to our circular fashion ethos and makes it a great addition!”

At Brora, a label well known for high quality Scottish cashmere, alpaca is proving popular with headquarters’ staff and customers. Brora founder and creative director Victoria Stapleton said: “Once we discovered alpaca there was no going back and it seems that our customers feel the same!

“It knits up beautifully especially in relaxed styles where the yarn has a lofty feel, so we tend to design with that in mind; drop shoulder knits, easy styling, those everyday cosy pieces that everybody loves especially with more people working from home.”

Brora is not a fast fashion company; it produces high quality pieces which will last and at the same time meet the company’s ethical standards. Victoria said: “We are always keen to pursue ethical ways to create our collections with the least possible waste and the alpaca yarn is a natural, biodegradable and sustainable choice. The Brora customer expects us to do the research and provide them with guilt-free fashion choices.”

TOAST is a label founded in a Welsh farmhouse that “aspires to a slower, more thoughtful way of life”, according to its website. It adds that it is keenly aware of its impact on people and the planet and sources quality fabrics and natural fibres that are biodegradable.

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

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

Office 01344 486969 Lisa Hipkin 07770 455534 alpaca@scotfieldalpaca.co.uk

› Celtic and Co

Scotlands Farm, Warfield, Berkshire RG42 6AJ Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

21

ETHICAL GIFTS FROM HAPPY ALPACAS

Alpaca farming allows owners to make sustainable and ethical Christmas gifts from happy animals, says Charlotte Brockwell from Cadbury Alpacas.

22 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

A

s Christmas approaches Charlotte would usually be looking forward to “fantastic sales” of alpaca knitwear and other products at busy markets, writes Liz Mason, Alpaca editor. But 2020 is not a normal year, instead like many owners Charlotte is turning to social media, virtual markets as well as net working with other small businesses in the local community to promote her range of alpaca products as Covid-19 restrictions force markets to close.

Charlotte is also investing in her Alpaca Emporium website as a showcase for the product range including handmade knitwear produced from fibre from her own Cadbury herd. Cadbury Alpacas has no connection to the well known chocolate company. Instead the herd takes its name from its location at the foot of the Iron Age hill fort Cadbury Camp in North Somerset named after the Anglo Saxon word ‘Cada’s byrig’ meaning little town.

The herd, made up of more than 20 mainly Suri alpacas, has grown in number from the original three in 2011. Charlotte says: “We had some land and young children and we wanted to find something ethical and sustainable so we looked at alpaca farming.

“It was unusual at the time, although it has become a bit more popular now.

It was something a bit different and I wanted a product without sending any animals off for slaughter. Alpacas are one type of animal that you can farm and make a product from them being alive and happy, and I love that ethical farming side of things that goes with owning alpacas.

“We wanted to start breeding but for the first couple of years we only had male cria so our breeding programme didn’t take off as we had hoped. That really pushed me into thinking about the fibre. We had some yarn spun and started selling at local village markets and local ladies agreed to knit for us.

Charlotte adds that she was lucky to meet several ‘yarnaholics’. “They loved yarns, were interested and wanted to work with the fibre to make unique products.”

Shoppers look for alpaca

Happy Alpacas in North Somerset, producing quality alpaca fibre products and gifts

• Alpaca experiences • Alpaca adoptions • Quality suri and huacaya alpacas for sale.

For unique ethical alpaca gifts such as alpaca socks, knit-wear, baby-wear, bedding, toys, soaps and much more visit:

www.alpacaemporium.co.uk

Find @cadburyalpacas on Facebook and Instagram For discount codes and offers follow www.instagram.com/alpaca.emporium Email: cadburyalpacas@yahoo.co.uk

Charlotte, who also works part time as a nurse, started to process her fleece into yarn two years after starting her alpaca journey. Ideas for her product range developed through talking to potential customers at markets. “You don’t just do markets to sell, you do markets for research and to find out what people are interested in buying. You see what they are picking up and looking at and what prices work.

“In the beginning markets were essential. They also helped to get our name out there, for instance when you have a stall at a busy market in the middle of Bristol you can tell people about the farm and the alpacas and let them know they can come and visit.

“When we started selling at the markets five years ago, no one really knew what alpacas were. The more informed people thought they were llamas and everybody else thought the products were just lambswool and questioned the prices. Although it was nice to chat about alpacas all day you might also end up standing in the cold and not selling much.

“But that has now completely changed. People are looking for alpaca products and they are coming to find me at markets. It is a completely different sales environment.”

The fibre is processed at East Anglia Alpaca Mill and the Suri fleece needs careful processing to achieve a good quality yarn. But the extra care and attention is worthwhile because when processed well Suri yarn is beautifully soft and shiny.

“When you put two of the same knitted items together, one made from Huacaya and one from Suri, people will usually choose the one made from Suri because it is silkier and has a lovely shine to it.

“But you have to make sure you make the right kind of products with it.

Recently East Anglia Alpaca Mill made a heavyweight Suri double knit which was a lot softer. When you make a double knit with Suri in the normal way it can be a lot thinner than a double knit made with Huacaya which means the yarn doesn’t lend itself to some products like hats, although it is perfect for lacy items such as shawls. But with this new way of processing Suri the yarn is soft and shiny and lends itself to a larger variety of products.”

Continued on the next page >>

Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

23

› Charlotte Brockwell with Onyx

24 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

Charlotte’s own handmade knitwear range is made up of small items made << by local crafters, and best sellers include hand-warmers, hats, headbands, shawls, baby booties and hand knitted bed-socks. She also sells a range of other products including alpaca socks, bedding from Penrose, bird nesters, felted insoles and knitted toys.

Another popular item is alpaca shaped hand soaps and shampoo bars, handmade in Europe from keratin extracted from her alpaca fleece by an artisan soap maker.

Furry toys imported from Peru also appeal to customers and attract people to the market stall. Charlotte explains that alpacas are not killed for their fur as they produce valuable fibre every year. But Peru has a higher natural alpaca mortality rate as traditional farmers on the high plateaus in the Andes do not have the same access to veterinary care, field shelters and cria coats as UK owners. Buying fur products supports these small indigenous farmers, particularly in harsh winters when many animals can be lost due to severe cold.

Animal welfare is hugely important to Charlotte and in summer people can visit the farm for alpaca experiences. “We don’t call them treks as alpacas are not trekking animals. They are here to chill, graze, and grow fibre for us all year.

We do a short walk with them but the experience is mostly about learning about alpacas, meeting them up close and getting to understand them.”

To deal with the challenges presented by Covid-19, when the farm was closed, she developed new ways of engaging with customers such as offering alpaca adoptions, online markets and Zoom online conference calls for business meetings and birthday parties. During her first online market in April Charlotte was unable to post any products as she had two births to attend to. But social media updates on the newborn cria from the field did lead to an upswing in sales via her website and alpaca adoptions.

In future Charlotte hopes to develop the experiences by adding creative outdoor workshops. But for now she says she is lucky to have a business and to work with animals with such wonderful character and fabulous fibre.

Luxurious alpaca clothing, soft toys, home accessories, bedding, yarns, crafts & gifts

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

25

UNIQUE JEWELLERY

Jewellery designer Marta KwaĹ&#x203A;niewicz collaborates with owners across the world to turn precious yarn into unique pieces of jewellery as she tells Alpaca magazine.

26 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

How did you start your business?

Alpacappella Jewellery was born in Britain. I saw these fluffy, lovely and funny looking animals for the first time at one of the local country shows and I fell in love with them at once. I decided to be a volunteer on a reputable farm close to Norwich with almost 50 alpacas and learn how their life cycle changes and how they thrive – knowledge gained on the farm is invaluable to me.

I have always been a creative person with good manual skills. When I realised that I couldn’t be an alpaca breeder I decided to work with their amazing fleece.

It turned out that the combination of my ideas, skills, techniques and alpaca fibre is unique. I can even risk saying I’m a pioneer in this field and there isn’t anything like it anywhere else.

How would you describe your jewellery?

In this day of mass production and throw away culture, Alpacappella Jewellery offers high quality, bespoke contemporary jewellery produced in tens rather than thousands. My entire portfolio is made from pure alpaca fibre without adding any mixtures. It's sourced from welfare friendly farms (mainly British and American) which care for the health, safety and comfort of the animals. As a base, I use hypoallergenic and durable surgical stainless steel or sterling silver.

I collaborate with alpaca breeders from various countries including the UK, US, Ireland, The Netherlands, Canada, Australia, turning their precious yarn into the unique pieces of jewellery. It’s an innovative way to present the end result of their hard work. Elegant and intriguing items made from the yarn of alpacas that were seen moments earlier roaming around in the paddock, are always desirable and eagerly bought by farm visitors.

I also work on individual commissions, either a single bespoke personal item or multi items as desired. I am not a spinner so an alpaca owner who would like jewellery made from their own fibre would need to supply me with yarn – even leftovers are enough!

What’s so special about alpaca fibre?

Alpaca fibre is one of the most luxurious fibres in the world and it is very often compared to cashmere. It’s non-irritating, hypoallergenic (has virtually no lanolin and doesn’t trigger allergic reactions in wearers) it is exceptionally soft and has less electrostatic effect. Furthermore, it’s lightweight, flame-resistant, water-repellent and durable. Do you need more? In ancient times, alpaca fibre was known as ‘the fibre of the gods’ and was used to make clothing and blankets for royalty.

How do you make your jewellery?

My main passion and favourite technique is Japanese braiding called Kumihimo (Japanese for gathered threads). It's a time consuming method but the results that can be achieved with it are stunning. I also use techniques such as thread wrapping, crocheting, wire wrapping, tatting or needle felting. I love challenging myself so there are still many new opportunities to discover.

An attractive mug of Alpacas Bone china mugs from JHDesignpoint.

Supplied with or without decorative band of South American indigenous motifs.

Wholesale or retail.

No minimum order

Enquiries: enquiries@jhdesignpoint.net Website: www.jhdesignpoint.net Tel: 01413 394927 Mobile: 07808 933552 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

27

FROM OUR BACK GARDEN

At â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our Back Gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; we want to be the best caretakers of our environment creating unique products and experiences inspired by our everyday lives, writes Laura Barker.

S

tarting with a few fields we have worked hard, as a family to run a successful rare breed and alpaca farm located in West Sussex at the edge of the South Downs National Park.

This year we decided to expand by diversifying the farm and our ranges. Heading into the winter we said goodbye, until March, to our popular alpaca

walking experiences and alfresco alpaca dining experiences. Kicking off the winter season we had planned to host a series of winter craft classes as well as some festive supper clubs in our small polytunnel.

We have an incredible community of creatives that we collaborate with to bring our customers unique workshops on the farm where they can get

up close to our growing herd of alpacas. Our winter plans included several workshops from needle felting using our shorter alpaca fibre, screen print and dye workshops featuring an alpaca design and our third year of wreath making courses with all the elements sourced from our farm.

Sadly, we will have cancelled our felting and screen printing workshops and we are waiting to see if our wreath making courses can go ahead in December.

Earlier this year we were able to work within the Covid-19 restrictions and provide intimate and exclusive experiences and we believe this is exactly what the customer of the moment is craving. We hope to keep growing in future with this ethos in mind.

Seasonal focus on wool

In winter our alpaca wool products become the focus of our business. Alpaca wool has become a key player in the luxury wool market, where intensive cashmere rearing in fragile mountain habitats is increasingly recognised, as bad for the environment.

Consequently, alpaca has risen in popularity amongst retailers and their customers.

It is so exciting to see this beautiful wool recognised by the industry. We work hard to produce beautiful products that are perfect for keeping out the cold in the winter while having a luxurious and stylish appearance.

Our initial launch began with our alpaca wool hats offered in a range of undyed colours. We partnered with Two Rivers Mill, based in Dorset, to make a worsted yarn which creates an incredibly lightweight and soft finish. After a few trials of hand knitting our product we decided to bring on board EYA Designs Ltd to machine knit our bulk styles and ensure consistency in fit and quality across our products.

We are so proud to have our end to end process all based here in the UK, and our partners are an integral part of the success of our business.

Over the past couple of years we have expanded our range to include scarves, handwarmers and alpaca wool earrings which are handmade on the farm. Our stylish home grown alpaca wool knitted

28 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

range and accessories are all available online at ourbg.co.uk and make fabulous Christmas presents.

Beautiful meadows

Named when the Barker family took it on in 2010 Mill Meadows Farm is a small, but beautiful piece of farmland water meadows in Westbourne on land between and across the River Ems. The water meadows are integrally linked to the River Ems. The rich and continuous history of the area is evident on a map from 1640 where you can see The Great Meadow labelled and it is still known by that name today.

The River Ems is a typical but fascinating chalk stream which flows for only a short distance of seven miles or so from its sources at the foot of the South Downs into Chichester harbour. The river still holds good populations of brown trout and water

voles and kingfishers live in the meadows’ water channels. Sadly, like many of only 200 chalk streams on the planet, the River Ems is suffering badly from over abstraction to provide water for a growing population living in a changing climate. During the winter many snipe, woodcock and other birds use the wetland areas which are a precious habitat.

As a family we have worked to restore 11 hectares of land to viable agricultural practices that are environmentally complementary to both the management of the land and the River Ems. A pedigree herd of rare breed Sussex Red cattle and a flock of Hampshire Down sheep graze the meadows.

Along with our popular herd of alpacas the farm is now well known to members of the local community and surrounding region who walk and visit the area.

Management of the meadows helps to ensure the long term conservation and integrity of the Ems

valley and its river linking the South Downs and Chichester Harbour – both areas of outstanding beauty, environmental importance and national heritage.

Future plans

Taking the farm to the next stage, that of sustainable economic viability, we have started to develop an intensive but environmentally sustainable project on a small part of the farm.

Combining table fish, herb and vegetable growth in a system of recirculated water our aquaponics project will provide healthy food produce to local markets and consumers. Added to this our passion for alpacas means we are growing our herd, and our public interface with them, and we are looking forward to an incredibly busy but unbelievably exciting future at ‘Our Back Garden’ .

two rivers mill Alpaca Wool Products & Farm Experiences.

Our Back Garden has truly transformed our family.

Starting with a few fields, we have worked hard to run a successful rare breed farm called Mill Meadows Farm.

Located in West Sussex at the edge of the South Downs National Park, the farm is a huge part of what makes our everyday lives so fulfilling.

We are committed to being the best caretakers of our environment. Providing unique product and memorable experiences inspired by our everyday life.

This is the home of the Alpaca experience offering alpaca walking and gorgeous alpaca wool products.

For more information about our alpaca herd and how to get involved with what we are doing on the farm please head over to our website.

We are a small-scale family run mill specialising in worsted processing of alpaca fibre with production capacity for 10kg to 100+kg orders.

Our services include top-making and yarn spinning at competitive prices with efficient turn-around.

Our high quality yarns in pure or blended alpaca are ideal for hand or machine knitting and weaving.

We can also create unique yarns in colours and weights designed for your individual projects.

BOOK WITH US NOW! Mill Meadows Farm, Mill Lane, Westbourne. ourbg.co.uk / millmeadowsfarm@gmail.com

www.tworiversmill.com Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

29

A BRITISH DESIGN STUDIO After creating and producing some textiles and knitwear for the film “Murder on The Orient Express” Anila Preston, British Alpaca Fashion Company, explains she had a light bulb moment that pushed the business in a new direction. ›

Tanaya, knitwear programmer and technician

› Sami, knitwear linking technician

› Inuta and Sami engrossed in pattern cutting

30 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

›

Exclusive ikat knitted Ekoalpaka jackets for boutique Shibumi

I

t has taken us 11 years to perfect the process of making high quality knitwear from British alpaca fibre on commercial machines.

Our journey started at a weekend residential course at Toft Alpacas with Cameron Holt in 2009. While enjoying the warm hospitality offered by Rob and Shirley Bettinson we learned about fibre characteristics and the importance of breeding goals. We set our breeding goal to create alpaca fibre for the commercial market to match merino that dominates the world wool market.

In the early years we thought the starting point was textiles. We set out to make the best cloth that British Alpaca could achieve. We made every type of cloth possible for suits, coats, jackets, shirts, dresses, upholstery and exhibited at textile shows. We even sold our suiting cloth to Savile Row tailors.

The light bulb moment was when we were commissioned to create and produce some textiles and knitwear for the 20th Century Fox movie “Murder on the Orient Express”. It became evident to us that our products were far superior to Peruvian alpaca products. Our yarns are versatile, stronger and finer than the Peruvian equivalent. Making alpaca products in the UK by avoiding those unnecessary air miles and supporting British industry had to be the way forward.

We decided that hand knitting artisan pieces was not the way forward.

Consistency and uniformity were important. We invested in state of the art industrial knitwear machinery and established a fully functional design studio on our farm.

We now have a design team including knit technicians, pattern makers, couture tailors and support technicians. The design and technical team prepare mood boards, technical specifications, patterns, toiles, software programs, simulated designs, sample packs and work with clients to achieve the desired look and feel.

We take commissions from small to medium size quantities for alpaca breeders and shops and provide a stock service for Christmas gifts.

Art has become science. Alpaca yarns have to meet the technical standards of industry. We use a variety of mills for spinning. The criteria is not the ultimate crimp or lustre but tensile strength twist consistency and handle. All our knitwear is capable of being machine washed.

So here we are now 11 years later ready to light the way forward for all British Alpaca fibre which creates the perfect sustainable zero waste product for all time.

›

›

Ekoalpaka knitted jacket and rib knit baselayer

HRH Princess Anne being introduced to the Ekoalpaka yarn jumpers at the John Smedley Store in Tokyo

›

Inuta, fashion designer and pattern maker

›

London based coat designer Hannah Fiedler showcases the brand Ekoalpaka at Harrods

›

Unisex knitted jacquard Ekoalpaka outerwear

›

Ekoalpaka unisex fine rib (230g)

›

Knitted tailored Ekoalpaka jackets made it to Mayfair

Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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WALKING BUSINESS SNOWBALLS Peta and Bruce Ives, Dunreyth Alpacas are believed to the first owners to introduce alpaca walks to the UK. Since then the business has snowballed, writes Alpaca editor, Liz Mason.

P

eta and Bruce took a big risk when they made the life changing decision to give up their jobs as nurses to focus full time on alpacas. Since then the couple have seen walking take off to become a popular outdoor activity and a successful business for many other owners across the country.

In the early days, shortly after the couple began their alpaca walks in 2006, several owners came to their farm in West Sussex for advice before launching similar businesses. Fourteen years later the couple are looking forward to passing a thriving business to their daughter Amy who shares Peta’s love for crafting beautiful alpaca products.

“We got our first alpacas fifteen years ago and the whole purpose of buying them was to sell their fleece to the fashion industry to make money,” says Peta.

32 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

“We were going to breed and build our numbers up but you inevitably get boys and one day my husband said to me ‘why don’t we do walking with alpacas?’”

Peta was attracted to alpacas because they do not have to be slaughtered to earn an income. “I couldn’t set a date for taking my animals to slaughter,” she says. “I just saw an article on alpacas and I said that’s what we need. We bought two pregnant females from a breeder in North Devon and it has all snowballed from there.”

The idea to take people walking with the alpacas came to Bruce after the couple saw a television programme featuring llama walks. Initially sceptical, and finding it hard to believe people would want to walk alpacas, Peta agreed to give the idea a try. They started walking with friends and then began taking other people after work and at weekends. Peta says: “Many big alpaca breeders said at

the time ‘it’s never going to work nobody wants to walk alpacas’ but years down the line we’re all doing it.”

The walks, on their farm in the South Downs with stunning views across idyllic countryside, quickly proved popular and the business grew to become the couple’s biggest income earner. Its success has allowed them to give up nursing and devote all their time to alpacas.

Peta and Bruce are also understood to be the first alpaca owners in the country to take alpacas to nursing homes. They have attended weddings, visited hospitals and been invited to take alpacas to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“It’s been lifechanging,” Peta says. “When we first started we sold our house and moved onto our land and my husband kept saying to me ‘what if this doesn’t work out?’ I said you can spend your lifetime saying what if? But if you don’t try something you are never going to know.

“I had been a nurse all my life but I got into the managerial side. I never wanted to sit at a desk all day, I wanted to be on the ward with the patients. As the alpaca business grew it was a question of either employing somebody to do the work I loved or give up work at the hospital. I thought about it for all of two seconds and handed my notice in.”

Fully booked

Weddings and visits have been cancelled this year due to Covid-19 restrictions but, when they can, walks take place every day except Monday and Tuesday.

“Summer holidays, Easter and Christmas are always fully booked long before they start and walks are already booked for Christmas Eve and Boxing Day,” Peta says.

After their walk visitors can look into the farm’s shop and buy alpaca handknits made from fibre from the Dunreyth herd, including jumpers, hats, scarves and beautiful baby booties. Items are also on sale through the Dunreyth website.

Peta is a skilled knitter, who last year won ‘Best in Show’ at the South West Alpaca Group (SWAG) Craft Fair for an alpaca jumper made to her own pattern featuring an eye -catching alpaca design. Items for the shop are also made by local knitters, some in their eighties who are more than happy to continue their hobby.

Knitting remains an enjoyable hobby for Peta. She knitted for her children when they were small but decided to stop after they showed little appreciation for the beautiful handknits. “When we got the alpacas I thought it was just a great opportunity to dust off my knitting needles and I made hats, scarves and jumpers and it has grown from there.”

Daughter Amy is continuing the crafting tradition after teaching herself to crochet from a children’s book. Amy now has her own crochet range including toys, jumpers and cardigans on sale in the shop and following a life changing decision is set to take on a much bigger job at Dunreyth.

Peta and Bruce have decided take a step back and hand over the business to Amy who is leaving her job as a dental nurse to work full time at Dunreyth. But Peta has no plans to ease back into an armchair retirement – instead she plans to continue to enjoy life and, after playing such a life changing role, alpacas will no doubt continue to feature in some way.

Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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EXCLUSIVELY PINNACLE

Hilary and Tony Monkcom tell us how they brought a long held dream to reality with the launch of a range of ‘high end’ woven scarves made from fleeces from the Pinnacle herd.

A

t Pinnacle we have long wanted to show case what can be produced from top quality alpaca fleece. With a breeding programme firmly focussed on producing animals with uniform, dense, soft handling, fine fibre on strong frames, sustaining this right across the blanket and beyond, we have been thrilled with the beautiful fleeces our alpacas produce year on year. Of course, our focus as breeders has been on the pedigree, the fleece and the welfare of our animals and as we run through the busy annual cycle of breeding alpacas and training others, there has been little time for anything else! Over the years we have seen lots of imported products brought into the UK, but we wanted to produce a ‘high end’ product to do justice to our wonderful UK bred animals.

Alpaca fibre was revered by the Inca’s in Peru as the fibre of the gods and viewed as a Royal Fibre, being exclusively used by the Incan Kings. Today thankfully, it is not just Royalty who can benefit from this wonderfully soft, luxurious fibre. However, not all alpaca fleece is of the quality that would have been acceptable to the Incan kings. Alpacas may all look cute and fluffy, but it is the breeding that determines the quality of the fleece that will ultimately be produced by the animals. With ever more diversification being seen with

34 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

alpacas, there is a danger for the UK breeding programme to go awry on this point and it is imperative for us as breeders to hold our nerve and continue to insist on the highest quality.

The pedigree of our animals and the decisions we take, or do not take, are what ensures the ability to produce commercially processable fleece without a prickle factor. It is not often that you see the elite breeders turning their own fleeces into end products, so this was a challenge to us that we could not resist. Not being knitters or weavers ourselves, we knew we needed to call in the professionals and after much discussion, we decided on a woven product.

The brief given was to showcase the natural colours of alpaca, the wonderful properties of weaving and to produce an exclusive, exquisite, luxury product for our customers to treasure.

Bringing the dream to reality has been a fascinating process. Our fleeces were sent to East Anglia Alpaca Mill for processing into yarn. Mill owners Chris and Emma patiently advised and answered our questions and we looked on with admiration as our fleeces were taken through the various stages of processing until the cones of exquisite yarn were produced. From washing, tumbling, carding through to spinning and waxing, we were given regular updates with photographs of each stage of the process of our Pinnacle yarn! As we did not have

any grey fleeces to process, we decided to blend some white and black to create the ghost grey and mid grey we wanted to incorporate into the range of colours.

Our initial desire had been to create a very fine, beautifully draping scarf from singles, but after consultation with Bristol Weaving Mill who we had selected as our weavers, we opted for 2 ply yarn for the warp and singles for the weft. We soon discovered that the complexities of weaving meant that our wide selection of colours presented quite a challenge to prevent yarn wastage! We were keen to work with our weavers at every stage of the development process and thoroughly enjoyed visiting the mill. Cad designs were produced and with Juliet’s careful guidance we opted for a beautiful ombre faded design for our range of scarves. The scarf design has a graduated fade of our colours from light to dark and back out to light and the reverse of this from dark into light and back out to dark. The mathematical calculations for the design allowing for the most efficient use of all our beautiful, undyed, natural fleece colours. At every stage, the feed-back on our scarves has been so positive.

At the sampling stage, we encountered a problem and although Bristol had initially been reluctant to weave both warp and weft in singles, our fibre proved to be happier when woven as either singles, or 2 ply, but not mixed! This meant more yarn was needed as the designs had been calculated for the 2 ply and single mix, so it was back to East Anglia for a rapid additional production run to supply Bristol with more of our Pinnacle singles yarn.

At the start of 2020 we were delighted to see the fruits of our breeding and the harvest from our beloved animals finally on the loom and it was mesmerising to watch the scarves coming to life before our eyes.

Having been woven, the scarves were sent to the ‘finishers’ for the removal of the wax coating that had been necessary for such fine weaving. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 crisis hit all the production schedules. Creating something this unique and special was without doubt, worth the wait and we hope you will agree.

To personally know each animal that has contributed to our ‘Exclusively Pinnacle’ scarves is an absolute joy. We took the breeding decisions that brought these enchanting animals into this world and have nurtured their every need and watched as they have grown. We are so delighted with this unique range of scarves that our animals have produced for you to enjoy which include fibre from some of our superb Champion stud males, females and pet males, because right across the herd, Pinnacle Alpacas are giving us the commercially processable Ultra Fine fleeces that high fashion requires.

CHRISTMAS CHEER AT YEW TREE Yew Tree Alpacas owner, Penny Wylie, is hoping for a festive Christmas this year with Frosty Christmas (alpaca) walks, mulled wine, mince pies and home made cakes to finish, writes Alpaca editor Liz Mason.

Y

ew Tree Alpacas is a small rural alpaca business based in Hertfordshire. There are three core aspects to the business: alpaca activities, alpaca products and a breeding herd with sales of mainly female alpacas to new breeders. Yew Tree also run a BAS affiliated training course for new/prospective alpaca owners. Each makes an important contribution to the business but it is the alpaca walks that have driven the business forward and allowed Penny to grow what was a hobby into a full time job and successful business.

Penny had no plans to run an alpaca business when she started with four alpacas in 2009. “I have a market research background, and ran a small market research company based in Letchworth. Since 2018 after the walks took off the alpacas have become more than a full time job” “We were planning to do hobby breeding, but it started to become something slightly different when I decided to make use of our fleece and started to have our fibre spun into yarn.”

Penny began by selling a very limited range of hand knitted accessories, including beanie hats and scarves at small farmers’ markets in the Winter. She introduced alpaca adventures in 2015, followed by alpaca walks two years later. With alpaca activities in January and then April through to September, the Christmas season has become the main focus for alpaca product sales mainly at larger Christmas Fairs and now also online.

“One of the reasons we stop the walks in September, earlier than many alpaca farms, is because in a normal year we are at Christmas Fairs for two - five days a week all through November (unfortunately all are cancelled this year). In the first week of December we have a Christmas Shop here at the farm and an Early Bird shop in late October where we offer 10% off alpaca products” Penny explains.

“We also have four Frosty Christmas walks just before Christmas with mince

36 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

pies, mulled wine, savoury food and homemade cakes.”

All four of the Frosty Christmas walks were fully booked by the end of October and the last walk on Saturday 19 December was booked even before going online for bookings on the Yew Tree website. Places on six walks in January also started to fill in October with many summer walkers returning in winter to see their favourite alpacas in a ‘furry’ state rather than the sheared ‘skinny’ look. We also offer mulled wine, warm mince pies and chipolata sausages at the end of the Frosty walks for a more festive feel and our Christmas shop is also open for some retail therapy” Penny says.

“This year we opened when the lockdown rules relaxed from 4 July. Being an open air activity with food and refreshments outside we were able to fully implement Covid-19 measures and keep visitors safe. Everything went very smoothly.

All Yew Tree’s walks are on footpaths and tracks outside and last around 40-45 minutes. The minimum age for walks is 10 years. They also organise some alpaca Treks, taking around one and half hours with a break for refreshments en-route and lunch afterwards, but the core business is the walks. Morning walkers are offered refreshments only, but in summer a cream tea, including home made scones and cake, a delicious treat after an afternoon walk is very popular with visitors. Penny makes the cakes herself and can cater for group visits, including WI summer outings, birthday parties, hen parties and corporate away days. These can include either lunch, cream tea or full afternoon tea depending on what the customer prefers.

“We’ve never had a problem selling the activities. The business has grown organically. However we are not an open farm; everything is pre-booked. The only time we are open to the public is for our Christmas shop, one week in December.”

“All activities are booked via our online shop on the website and we have a Facebook page but I am very fortunate that all our bookings come through

Anstey, Herts SG9 0DA

recommendations and internet searches without a big outlay on external advertising.”

Making use of fleece

As well as the walking and alpaca adventure business and alpaca sales, Penny also makes use of the fibre produced from the herd. Until recently the herd was around 50 alpacas producing over 150kgs of fleece a year. “We typically use all the fleece in the business; fleece under 25 microns goes into yarn and anything 25 microns and over is washed and used for cushions, pillows and bird nesting products.”

Penny buys coloured yarns to complement her own natural colours from UK Alpaca, a Devon based company. “I’ve found that you need to have a range of colours particularly when selling accessories. If we could only offer our own natural colours I think it would limit our sales,” she says.

Customers have different preferences and requirements. “There are some who like to know the provenance of the products, the natural aspect and knowing the herd they come from is important to them. Other customers like the range of dyed colours we offer especially when buying beanies and gloves. They value British and particularly locally made but are not so concerned about the alpaca herd aspect and the natural yarns we offer from their fleece.”

Beanie hats, scarves and gloves are made by a team of local knitters in Buntingford and in a normal year Penny sells these, and other products at the bigger Christmas markets, including Ely Cathedral, lasting typically two-three days. These have a high footfall and offer a good opportunity for sales. But Covid-19 has stopped business as usual. However, with the Frosty Walks fully booked, an Early Bird shop already done and dusted and a special Christmas Shop planned for December (after the end of lockdown two) Penny is hopeful that despite Covid-19 she can still offer some Christmas cheer.

• Alpaca walks and adventures • Bespoke group visits for 8+ • Range of alpaca products including hand-knitted

accessories, Yew Tree yarns, pillows and alpaca socks

• New owner breeding packages • BAS affiliated training courses for new and prospective owners

www.yewtreealpacas.co.uk

Email: info@yewtreealpacas.co.uk Telephone: 01763 848257

Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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ALPACA REIKI HAS CALMING EFFECT Alpaca owner Katie Franks and Equine Reiki Master Peter Gospel describe how this complementary treatment may help to calm feisty, male alpacas.

â&#x20AC;º Costa, Luigi and Julio before shearing

38 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

I

have just finished watching Equine Reiki Master, Peter Gospel, exercising his skills for a couple of hours on two of my alpacas, Luigi and Julio, writes Katie Franks, Thorn Alpacas.

Peter and his wife Jane were staying in our holiday cottage and on arrival Peter mentioned his great love for animals and asked could I introduce him to my alpacas? Later that week he said he practised equine reiki and would love to see if he could help my black boy Luigi.

I had used Luigi as a successful stud, but he suddenly decided after shearing that he didn`t care for his male companions and had to be separated into the adjacent field. He was happy to be king of his own paddock. However, he couldn`t stay forever on his own. In slight desperation I decided to have him castrated (I wasn`t going to breed from him anymore although he had produced first class crias) but he was still antagonistic to Julio even a couple of months later.

Peter and I went up to Luigi`s field where we stood at the open gate. Luigi came down to inspect Peter, went past him to take some feed from his bowl where I was standing and then came back to stand a foot away from him.

Peter held his hands up curved towards Luigi who stood still. His ears went up and then down as if he was listening but no words were spoken. This lasted for about 20 minutes until Peter lowered his hands saying his palms were burning but the backs of his hands were very cold. He said he could feel a communication between Luigi and himself and I could sense something was going on as I stood some distance away.

Julio meanwhile was curious to know what was happening so ambled down towards Peter and then calmly stood a couple of feet away while Peter held his hands up again towards Julio. He turned from front to side to rear with his ears going up and back for about ten minutes and then wandered off as Peter lowered

his hands. He too had absorbed the communication from Peter. There was a definite calmness with the males even though there was a strong wind blowing and it was not the sunniest of days, in fact grey and damp.

It was a fascinating interaction and lovely to see the males not wary of a man they had never met and how close and still they were with Peter - no lure of food either.

The two males are now living and eating quite happily together again.

I have had Reiki treatment myself some years ago so understand the process but had never experienced it being given to animals before let alone to alpacas. It was a first all round for Peter, the alpacas and me.

What is Reiki?

The account written by Katie about my recent Reiki treatment with her alpacas, brought to light what Reiki is all about, writes Peter Gospel.

It is a wonderful way to treat animal without causing it stress. I believe in giving a treatment without placing my hands on the animal except when needing to turn it around. This is particularly relevant when treating horses. Reiki is a non-invasive complementary treatment, using energy around the animal, which goes to where it is needed. The treatment takes time and all animals are different in how they take Reiki.

The practitioner can tell when an animal is at ease and calm within the treatment. I often use music to aid the sense of calm. A feeling of trust, a sought of bonding, is created between the practitioner and the animal. I feel that this trust plays a big part in enabling the animal to accept the treatment. I am sure this type of approach with treatments could be extremely beneficial for any owner whose alpacas are causing concern.

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Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

39

WINTER HEALTH CHECK

Ashley Marshall from Westpoint Farm Vets York offers some guidance to help owners keep alpacas in good condition over winter.

â&#x20AC;ş

Ensuring your alpacas have shelter helps prevent skin issues. ŠSandhills Alpaca Pods

W

inter can be a difficult time for all livestock keepers what with the colder weather and shorter days. Now more than ever it is important to make sure that things are in place to keep your alpacas warm and dry, as well as reduce the risk of them succumbing to any common winter ailments. Field shelters and housing should be checked for any unwanted draughts or leaks.

Regular body condition scoring over the winter months is important across the whole herd but especially in more vulnerable alpacas such a geriatrics or pregnant females who are having to meet their baseline metabolic demands as well as the burden of growing a cria.

ALPACA

PODS

40 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

Any alpaca which is losing weight should be checked over thoroughly, including a good look at their teeth. It may be necessary to get your vet to check the back teeth as these can be quite difficult to examine properly. Older animals are prone to overgrowth and spurs which can be very painful but can be rectified fairly easily.

When no issues are found on examination feeding should be reviewed. Animals which are struggling may need supplementary or extra feed to increase their calorie intake. This is especially pertinent in pregnant females who need to maintain good condition without becoming too fat or thin through their pregnancy to avoid metabolic issues around unpacking (birthing). Older alpacas often do better with a jacket on as this can reduce their metabolic demand as less energy is being put in to keeping warm.

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

Please visit our website for more details.

Being an Alpaca breeder the welfare of our animals is paramount so the pods are designed and manufactured by ourselves taking this into account.

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

UK Design Numbers 6031339, 6031340, 6031342

www.tockwithalpacas.com

07791 881556

sandhillsalpacas@aol.com Sandhills Alpacas, Sandhills Farm Cottage, Ness Lane, Tockwith YO26 7QL

KW Animal Services_Alpaca_JB.pdf

1

23/09/2020

12:39

About the author

Ashley graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2013 and went straight into large animal practice in Oxfordshire. After a year, she relocated to York to pursue a purely farm career, focusing on beef cattle and camelids.

She splits her camelid time between commercial herds and small holder work, enjoying both individual and herd based medicine. She is keen to promote a positive relationship between vets and alpaca owners.

Ashley spends her time with her husband Chris, visiting family and friends, and exploring the sights and sounds of Yorkshire. She has three cats despite being a dog person!

Westpoint Farm Vets York is a livestock only practice based out of Murton in York. The four vet team is well versed in alpaca medicine.

Are you looking for or in need of a little extra help with your animals and their routine husbandry tasks?

KW animal services offers that extra pair of hands. Jobs include: Shearing of alpacas | Vaccinations | Worming Halter training | Foot trimming | Microchipping I can also offer advice and help with a range of other issues such as matings, birthing, common husbandry problems and paddock management. Reasonable rates

Why not contact me to discuss your requirements Tel: 07748 613771 | Email: kwilde1@yahoo.com

Chilla Valley Alpacas is a family run business based in Devon where we have a small herd of breeding alpacas

Watch for early signs of rickets

One of the most common things we see over winter are alpacas with clinical rickets. As discussed in a previous article (see Winter issue), rickets can present with a variety of signs from poor growth to overt bone pain and recumbency. Early signs can be picked up through regular contact and assessment of your alpacas.

A vitamin D supplementation plan should be put in place in conjunction with your vet and implemented over the darker months.

Worm egg counts should still be undertaken while your alpacas are grazing as certain parasites thrive in wet weather, including Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke), Haemonchus contortus (barber pole) and coccidia, Eimeria macusaniensis (E.mac) in particular. It is important to use a reputable laboratory where specific camelid testing can be undertaken as not all methods can identify E.mac.

High strongyle counts can indicate Haemonchus, but additional specific counts can be undertaken by veterinary laboratories. FAMACHA© scoring is an important part of assessing anaemia associated with certain parasite burdens and is helpful in deciding when treatment is needed. This scoring method can also track recovery after treatment. A quick online search will bring up multiple sources where you can print a scorecard – make sure to keep them in the dark to prevent sun bleaching.

Shelter and dry standing needed

Skin issues come to the fore in wet weather with dermatophilosis (rain scald) and mud fever seen most. These conditions are similar in that they involve colonisation of compromised skin by opportunistic bacteria. Dermatophilosis is generally seen after periods of wet weather when alpacas have been standing outside. It can be quite mild and subtle but more severe cases often require antibiotic treatment. Mud fever is a consequence of standing in water or mud repeatedly, damaging the skin around the top of the foot. Alpacas with existing skin conditions are more prone. The risk can be reduced by having alpacas in good metabolic condition and making sure that they always have access to dry standing and shelter. Treatment for these issues varies from symptomatic to antibiotic and should be guided by your vet.

Although not always planned for, late born cria are not too uncommon and can create a lot of problems for the unprepared with risks of hypothermia and exposure greatly increased. If you know that a cria will be arriving over winter then it is important to have everything ready, including plenty of blankets, jackets, a warm shelter and some frozen colostrum or plasma. Spending some time planning for the next year to avoid these late born cria is definitely a worthwhile exercise.

Westpoint Farm Vets has practices nationwide providing specialist farm animal veterinary care. Contact details for practices in the North, East, South and South West can be found on the website: www.westpointfarmvets.co.uk

We are a small family run alpaca breeder based in Devon where we specialise in quality genetics over quantity. We produce selectively bred strong healthy animals with of our animals are BAS registered and microchipped. We have a small number of alpacas in a variety of colours for sale this year and would be pleased to receive your enquiries.

Also available is our range of yarns, knitting kits, duvets and socks.

www.chillavalleyalpacas.co.uk

Telephone no: 01409 221699 See our range of yarns, kits, and socks Potential stud males and pregnant females for sale All animals BAS registered and microchipped

01409 221699 sales@chillavalleyalpacas.co.uk www.chillavalleyalpacas.co.uk

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Tel: 07779 667798

www.wildwoodwormcounts.co.uk www.wildwoodanimalhealth.co.uk www.facebook.com/wildwoodwormcounts sarah@wildwoodanimalhealth.co.uk Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

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SHOWS

The Heart of England Alpaca Group (HoEAG) Fleece Show, Craft and Photography Competitions took place in early October under very different conditions to normal due to the Covid-19 pandemic, writes show organiser Julia Corrigan Stuart.

I

›

Judge Roger Clarke

T

nstead of inviting as many helpers, with the opportunity of learning more about fleece from the judges, we had to work with skeleton staff under tight Covid-19 safety precautions.

To keep the team all as safe as possible, temperatures were taken at the beginning of each day, alongside signing in and recording contact details for track and trace. Helpers were also provided with masks and visors and an abundance of hand sanitiser.

Social distancing measures were observed unless people were in the same social bubble.

This year we had some 180 fleeces entered of which 48 were Suri. Shirley Bettinson and Roger Clarke, our esteemed judges did a fantastic job, judging the Huacaya fleeces on Friday and the Suri fleeces on Saturday. Fibre test company Art Of Fibre kindly performed the mid-side micron sample testing the previous week.

The HoEAG Craft Competition, again kindly sponsored by Lulu Oliver of Softly Softly, was judged

by Shirley Bettinson on Saturday afternoon with the new addition of a Judge’s Challenge - this year’s challenge was to make a scarf.

An ‘Amazing Award,’ donated by Kerry Lord, author

and designer of the ‘Edward’s Menagerie’ crochet pattern series, was won Liz Berry of Fullwood Alpacas.

The category awards, donated by Softly Softly, went to Liz Berry for yarn, K Mathers for clothing, Sandra Muriel for jewellery and household and CS Alpacas for toys. The overall HoEAG Craft Competition winner was Sandra Muriel of Alpacas of Cornwall with an amazing woven alpaca blanket. Congratulations to all who entered and we look forward to doing it all again next year with a new Judge’s Challenge to be announced in 2021.

The Photography Competition, judged by Ingrid Weel of Ingrid Weel Media, was split into five categories: Portrait category: Graeme Hull of Lith Alpacas, Under 16’s category: Laura Taylor of Velthouse, Natural Behaviour category: Gary Sanders of Popham Alpacas with ‘Sunray’ Artistic/Abstract category: Myra John of Garth Mountain Alpacas with ‘Snow Scene’ Lockdown/Humour category: Julia Swarbrick of Oakvale Alpacas with ‘2020 is getting up down’.

The overall winner of the Photography Competition was Myra John of Garth Mountain Alpacas with ‘Snow Scene’ and the runner-up was ‘Sunray’.

Yorkshire Alpaca Group Fleece Show

he Yorkshire Alpaca Group’s (YAG’s) first fleece show was a “fantastic” event, according to the show’s organisers.

The YAG show, was held before the second lockdown at J and J Alpacas – The Alpaca Centre and Coffee Shop in Newark. Fleeces were judged by Liz Barlow. The show organisers thanked Liz, everyone who entered and sponsors for “a busy but lovely day judging some brilliant fleeces”.

Covid-19 restrictions meant numbers attending the event were strictly limited but Liz later gave valuable feedback on the results for entrants via Zoom.

RESULTS HUACAYA Champion Grey Huacaya: Reserve Champion Grey Huacaya: Champion Brown Huacaya: Reserve Champion Brown Huacaya: Champion Fawn Huacaya: Reserve Champion Fawn Huacaya: Champion Light Huacaya: Reserve Champion Light Huacaya:

Inca Grey Isabel Inca Grey Magellan Alpaca Farm Imara Beck Brow Just The Ticket Fowberry Emilio Amberly Enable Hilly Ridge The Gigolo Florens Butterbean

42 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

Champion White Huacaya: Reserve Champion White Huacaya:

Fangdale Dynamo Hilly Ridge Galactic Gary

SURI Champion Grey Suri: Champion Brown Suri: Champion Fawn Suri: Champion Light Suri: Reserve Champion Light Suri: Champion White Suri: Reserve Champion White Suri: Judge’s Choice Huacaya: Judge’s Choice Suri: Best of British Huacaya: Best of British Suri: Supreme Champion Huacaya: Reserve Supreme Champion Huacaya: Supreme Champion Suri: Reserve Supreme Champion Suri:

Faraway Purple Reign Wellow Day Dreamer Believer Wellow Destiny’s Child Winsaula Casey Mack C S Alpacas Diego Beck Brow Suri Surrender Popham Suri Wilma Ashwood Monty C S Alpacas Diego Hilly Ridge The Gigolo Winsaula Casey Mack Hilly Ridge The Gigolo Fangdale Dynamo Beck Brow Suri Surrender Winsaula Casey Mack

The annual open day to view the fleeces could not take place due to Covid-19 restrictions; instead we held a Zoom meeting for all exhibitors to announce the Fleece Show Champions and craft and photography winners.

HOEAG FLEECE SHOW RESULTS HUACAYA Supreme Champion Huacaya Fleece: Brillbury Alpacas with Brillbury Daffodil Dancer Reserve Supreme Champion Huacaya Fleece: Stoneleigh Firedragon of AWD, owned by Ashwood Alpacas Best British Huacaya: Brillbury Daffodil Dancer Judge’s Choice: Bozedown Cloak & Dagger SURI Supreme Suri Fleece: Bozedown Alpacas Reserve Supreme Suri Fleece: Bozedown Outlaw II, with Pure Coralie, owned by Pure Alpacas.

Best British Suri: Pure Coralie Judge’s Choice: CS Alpacas White Walker The HoEAG Special Awards were presented again this year and the results of these as well as the colour champion and class winners can be seen on the HoEAG website. Please see heartofenglandalpacagroup.co.uk.

All that’s left to say is a huge thank you to all the exhibitors, helpers and judges who continue to support our show – we are extremely grateful to you all. For now, take care and stay safe.

›

Supreme Champ Huacaya: Brillbury Daffodil Dancer

›

Supreme Champion Suri: Bozedown Outlaw II

›

Overall Photography Competition Winner

“Realising the Dream” Looking for Quality Genetics, choice of colour, well-trained alpacas?

Look no further...

• Alpacas for sale • Agistment services • Adopt an alpaca • Alpaca experiences • Alpaca walks • Hand knitted alpaca products

www.csalpacas.co.uk Julia Corrigan-Stuart

Yeat Wood Farm, Wootton Underwood, Bucks HP18 0RL Mobile: 07803 726464 Email: julia@csalpacas.co.uk Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

43

BAS REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT The Eastern Alpaca Group

T

Eastern Alpaca Group

CHAIR: Simon Ilett, Moat Alpacas SECRETARY: Viv Hamilton, Park Side Suri TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP: Shirley Isseyegh, Alpaca Evolution FIBRE: Emma Taylor, Alpacas of East Anglia SHOWS: Harley Laver, Churchfield Alpacas EVENTS: Sandra and Steve Justice, Rowen Barn Alpacas Kath Shearer, Ling’s Meadow, also recently joined the committee following the annual general meeting (AGM).

www.easternalpacagroupuk.org

@easternalpacagroup 44 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

he ethos of the Eastern Alpaca Group (EAG) is to provide education, competition and fun, writes chairman Simon Ilett, Moat Alpacas.

Despite the name EAG is not just for the eastern counties but is open to membership for everyone who owns or has an interest in alpacas wherever they may live.

We are a proactive group continually trying new ideas and recently have pushed the boundaries with technology culminating in broadcasting live while fleeces were judged at our recent fleece show. The show was a huge success with 164 entries making for a very strong competition (see Winter issue).

The group is very fortunate to have a proactive committee that meets on a regular basis to arrange events to further the knowledge of alpaca owners.

In the past we have run crafting courses, ring craft techniques for showing and actively encourage plasma drives.

Our birthing workshop, which took place in March just prior to lockdown was a sell out with all available spaces filled. Dr Ami Sawran, from Westpoint Farm Vets, Chelmsford gave step by step husbandry covering everything we need to know at this crucial time. She also ensured the 24 delegates were able to insert a stomach tube and deal with an incorrect cria presentation.

Zoom meeting

Ami also gave a presentation to 16 members who attended our AGM held via Zoom. The title of her talk was “top reasons for calling the vet in the winter months”.

The talk, given before AGM business, was recorded and we hope to make the recording available soon for those that missed it. Ami explained how to identify a sick alpaca. Alpacas don’t show illness until they are very sick and this means the owner’s instinct that there is something wrong, based on subtle signals, is often right and action needs to be taken as soon as possible.

Weight loss can be due to parasites or nutrition and it’s important to understand that cold, wet weather can drastically increase energy needs.

Alpacas are prone to digestive problems and providing high quality forage products, including grass pellets or bagged dried grass, sugar beet or

› Simon Ilett alfalfa is likely to be better than increasing hard feed.

They are also prone to cancers such as gastric lymphomas even at a young age and inflammatory bowel disease is probably under diagnosed.

Failure to provide sufficient Vitamin D can lead to rickets which is most likely to lead to subtle signs including painful joints and an alpaca shifting weight rather than the more dramatic bent limbs. Vitamin D also helps lactating females.

Ami concluded by discussing gastric intestinal upsets including colic and choke, pointing out that the severity of symptoms doesn’t predict what type of colic it is. There was then an opportunity for a question and answer session.

Official business followed and of note is that Kath Shearer has joined the committee to help the existing team. Kath will need very little introduction to members as she and husband Neel have been stalwart volunteers at our shows and have also hosted EAG events at their glamping site at Ling’s Meadow.

While Covid-19 restrictions continue the committee is planning further online training events for members with the advantage of not having to travel miles to attend! Details will be posted on our website and Facebook pages.

So, whether you are an established breeder or a new keeper please join us and find out for yourself what EAG has to offer!

A prize winning, working alpaca farm in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Chiltern Hills

Photo: Charlotte Bull

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

Mobile apps from AlpacaSeller for Android and iPhone Are you connected to the market place?

Tel 01730 823256 l chris@alpacaseller.com l www.alpacaller.com

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LETTER FROM FINLAND

Alpacas have brought Anu Vanhala and her family, as well as the many visitors to Tourulan Tilan, a great deal of happiness as she tell us in her letter from Finland.

Photos ŠIlona Pietiläinen

46 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

K

eeping alpacas was something that we hadn’t thought about because we didn’t know anything about them – I didn’t know they even existed. The first time I came across them was in a magazine. I thought they looked really nice and maybe we could use their fantastic wool. I searched online and found an alpaca farm about 40 kilometres from us and that’s where our alpaca story began.

Of course we bought a couple of alpacas after our visit, and a lovely lady let us borrow one of hers so we started with a little herd. Our first alpacas arrived in 2012. Now we have 27 in different colours and our investment in alpacas has brought us a great deal of happiness.

We have had many visitors on our farm and they too have been excited and happy to meet our alpacas. We gain a great deal from the happiness they give to other people and we cannot imagine a better lifestyle. Our girls, and of course my husband and I, absolutely adore the alpacas, especially the crias.

Olivia, our eldest daughter, loves to handle them and teach them to trust and respect her.

We live in the middle of Finland and like the UK we have four seasons, but our winters are much colder and there can be a lot of snow. Sometimes the winter temperature falls to as low as -35°C. We have radiation warmers on the barn ceiling and we use them when the temperature drops below -35°C or when one of the alpacas seems cold.

We give extra food through the winter and we give them warm water to drink. The barn floor is kept full of straw which keeps the alpacas warm. Our alpacas have free entry in and out of the barn. When it’s really cold the females like to be inside but the males are more often outside and play with each other.

In summer the average temperature is usually about 20°C but it can be colder or hotter. Last summer was really hot and the alpacas liked to stay in the barn where it was cooler.

Our aim is to breed good quality, healthy animals with excellent bloodlines.

When we import alpacas into Finland there is almost a one year quarantine period – it is quite a long time, but I think it’s worthwhile because we need new bloodlines.

Yarn sells out

Grey is absolutely one of my favourite colours, but we keep other colours to make sure we have a range of natural colours of fibre and yarn. We sell most of our yarn to people who understand and appreciate how great a product alpaca fibre is. In Finland we only have one mill, Ruukin Kehräämö , that processes fibre into yarn. Straight after shearing we send our fibre to the mill and we are able to sell all our yarn almost immediately.

We have also made beanie hats, socks and wrist warmers – with help from my mother. I like to sell good quality yarn and alpaca products. Spinners and handcraft makers will also buy any raw fibre we have.

We have a waiting list for the next shearing and our new yarns. This is a really good situation to be in as we don’t have anything waiting to be sold. I think our herd is too small because all the fibre we produce just disappears out of our hands. I think we may double our herd size but let’s see how long this takes to achieve.

Christmas traditions

At Christmas we usually feed our animals ’kerppu’ made from bundles of leaves and branches. Kerppu includes long birch and willow branches with their leaves which we cut in the summer when the leaves are totally green. We make the branches into bundles and let them dry and the alpacas and our chickens both love to eat kerppu.

We usually eat Christmas dinner with all our loved ones. Jari makes big wooden candles with logs from our forest and we burn them. The candles look absolutely lovely. We have a Chrismas sauna and use ’vasta’ which is just like kerppu but smaller. We beat each other on our backs with vasta because it is healthy – the smell is like summer. Of course Santa Claus visits and leaves us gifts and every year because the girls have been nice they have lot of gifts.

We wish you all a Happy Christmas and if you come to Finland you are welcome to visit us at Touralan Tila - Anu, Jari, Olivia and Safina Vanhala.

Alpacas for sale

A list ofBA S m em b ers w h o a re b reed ers a nd a d vertising th eir a lpa ca s for sa le

SOUTHERN ENGLAND

ALPACA EVOLUTION

Herts AlpAcAs

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

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

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

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

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

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

PENNYBRIDGE ALPACAS The PennyBridge Herd and Stud. One of the first alpaca farms set up in the South of England, still producing show winners from champion stock. Good quality starter herds, proven and potential stud males, stud services, fancy grazers and sheep guards available. Please phone to book a viewing with no obligation to purchase.

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

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

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

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

SCOTFIELD ALPACAS

SNOWSHILL ALPACAS

ADVERTISE HERE

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

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

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

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

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

TEL:

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

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

SOUTH EAST

LIGHTFOOT ALPACAS Lightfoot Alpacas are situated in Hawkhurst in the Weald of Kent. We have been breeding alpacas since 1997 and have over 450 Huacaya and Suri. Lightfoot is a closed herd, we believe that the bio security and health of our animals is paramount to their breeding and care. We always have the full range of colours and ages, mainly Huacaya with some Suris. Our animals are known for being friendly as we spend time with them and know them individually.

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

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

CENTRAL ENGLAND

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

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

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

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

WEST MIDLANDS

TOFT ALPACAS

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

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

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

48 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

TEL: 01233 555735 EMAIL: wendy@tandemmedia.co.uk SOUTH WEST

FAERIE TALE ALPACAS

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

For only £280 +VAT for the year which includes an online listing, you can advertise in the Alpacas for Sale classifieds.

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

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

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

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

NORTH WEST

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

TEL: 01254 419069 MARK: 07702 540270 AMANDA: 07882 456084 EMAIL: mark@potteryalpacas.com WEB: www.potteryalpacas.com

Fibre Processors and Retailers RETAILERS/WHOLESALERS IN BRITISH ALPACA PRODUCTS

ANIMAL HEALTH

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

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

PROCESSORS OF FIBRE – MINI MILLS AND OTHER

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

TEL: 01746 714130

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL: paulbrittain@mac.com

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

Medisave

The Professional Solution

25% OFF Terms and conditions apply

Discounted Prices on Microchips*

Terms and conditions apply

10% OFF

AGRI Shelter®

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

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

British Alpaca Society The fibre breed

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

www.bas-uk.com

5% OFF

ALL products Safe4disinfectant www.medisave.co.uk

www.ellipsefabrications.co.uk Terms and conditions apply

Wildwood Animal Health www.wildwoodanimalhealth.co.uk

Free bag of Camelibra NG2

Terms and conditions apply

Terms and conditions apply

(worth £28 & free delivery)

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

www.bas-uk.com Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

49

SEASONAL RAMBLINGS

Planning her day while under the duvet our diarist’s thoughts turn to the care of elderly alpacas.

She wants to make sure their welfare is a top priority in the cold, wet months ahead. › Warm and cosy in alpaca jackets ©Fowberry Alpacas

› Hawthorn trees laden with berries could mean we’re in for a long, hard winter

T

he days are getting shorter, wet and colder, the clocks have gone back and it’s getting harder to come out from under the duvet in the morning. It’s here I plan my day (well sort of) and this doesn’t take long as we are now in our second lockdown. So, this morning my thoughts turn to the need to sort out my box of rugs/coats for the older alpacas.

I’ve already washed them and sown up a few tears hoping they will last a few more years. I have one or two older alpacas that I like to make sure are dry and warm throughout the cold winter. You also never know if you will need a rug or two in the event of a younger alpaca taking sick.

Mary Roach has a great stock of washable alpaca coats/rugs as well as lead ropes, halters and other items for alpacas (sales@maryharness.co.uk).

The quality of the rugs are amazing. They are well padded, strong and very waterproof, but for something a little less expensive, and not so well fitted, you can also use dog coats from pet shops.

These do the same job but are not so robust.

Staying under the duvet my other thought for the day was to remind myself to take a walk around all the fences. I need to examine the sturdiness of the post and rails, check the wire for breakages and

50 Alpaca Christmas Special 2020

missing nails and look for any holes in the hedges which will need suring up. At the same time I can take in the autumn canvas of colours the trees and hedges are throwing out at us.

The beauty of our countryside in late autumn is amazing with all the berries on the trees and bushes. There are so many small red berries on the hawthorn and they look beautiful in the winter sun. And yes, I am going to repeat that old farmers’ saying: “Lots of berries on the trees means it’s going to be a harsh winter".

Welfare comes first

With this thought in mind some of us may have to make a difficult decision. We have a long, cold and wet winter ahead when an older alpaca may struggle to maintain a good quality of life and slowly but progressively decline in health. As owners we have to make a conscious, and often agonising, decision to end the animal’s life when the outlook is poor now and for the future. The welfare of the alpaca must always come first and it doesn’t seem right to take that animal through winter only to have it euthanised early next spring.

This means a decision must be made.

Being a coward I always call the vet in to help make the final decision – it’s easier for me to

talk it through with my vet. We assess the quality of life, and ask is he/she eating any hard feed?

Can the alpaca chew hay and grazing and still maintain a good amount of muscle and weight without looking gaunt? Failure to maintain body condition could mean there is an underlining health issue.

Does the alpaca have difficulty walking and moving? Can he/she lie down and get up? Any difficulty may be a sign of arthritis. The vet may be able to prescribe some painkillers to help with stiffness and pain in the joints but the condition will become more obvious in winter when the alpaca is less active and standing still more often.

Arthritis is a progressive disease and after a while may respond poorly to medication. The term euthanasia derives from the Greek word for a good death bringing relief from pain. Always plan ahead – we have a special bond with our treasured alpacas and we need to have a hug and say goodbye. Being prepared will make it much easier, and we all have to make these difficult decisions when we have animals.

And now I just want you to know I am still under the duvet… after all Boris did say stay at home. Does that mean I can stay under my duvet longer? Merry Christmas.

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PINNACLE

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

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

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