The outstanding quality of alpacas exhibited at the BAS National Show, as well as the many regional shows throughout the year, is testament to the hard work by breeders throughout the year to produce top quality UK alpacas which are the best in Europe.
In her feature BAS judge Mary-Jo Smith, from Bozedown Alpacas, outlines how breeders have improved the quality of Suri alpacas since they were first imported from Peru. Selective breeding has produced animals with the characteristic long, wavy locks and high lustre fleece seen in these eye catching alpacas.
Gary Sanders from Popham Alpacas shares his breeding expertise with a feature on breeding spotted Appaloosa alpacas and BAS qualified judge Roger Clarke from Amberly Alpacas offers an insight into judging. As well as breeding and showing there are many other reasons why keeping alpacas is so rewarding and the stories in this issue of the BAS Yearbook show that owning these fascinating animals can be potentially life changing.
