SUMMER EDITION
READ ‘n’ BREED SUMMER EDITION
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL MAGAZINE ISSUE NO: 73
INSIDE THIS EDITION Snake Bites & Vitamin C
Your Greatest Asset - Pasture
Feeding pregnant females
Royal Adelaide Show
Strathalbyn Show
Clare Show
Crafters Corner
Plus much more………………………….
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Pre-Christmas Sale All females are either pregnant with live cria guaranteed or come with mating's and fertility guaranteed. Some real bargains available. Certified males and Potential stud males – many with show records. Males and females individually or packaged to suit your requirements. Range of quality and prices, all with 2013 shearing statistics available. Contact us to see what we have to suit you.
Also Offering: An extensive range of multi-award winning huacaya males available for outside service – many colours to choose from. Herd management solutions including long and short term agistment and birthing care. Transport available. Handling young stock including show preparation. Vet castration days – take advantage of cheaper pricing. Embryo transfer preparation.
Trendy Alpaca On-Line shop: Alpaca gear including hay mangers, fleece skirting tables, halters, rugs, coats, veterinary supplies etc. We also have our own “trendy alpaca” yarn in four natural colours.
Come and see what is on offer at Yaringa Alpacas.
Phone: Susan on 0418 846 271 or Email: susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au
www.yaringaalpacas.com.au
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CONTENTS FEATURES Vitamin C and Snake Bites
PAGE 11
By Pat Coleby Your Greatest Asset - Pasture
16
Royal Adelaide Show Summary
24-25
Strathalbyn Show Summary
26-27
Front Cover: Supplied by Haylilla Alpacas
SA PRESIDENT
Clare Show Summary
28
Feeding the pregnant alpaca
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REGULAR ITEMS
PAGE
From the President
4
Committee Directory
6
Marketing Report
7
Calendar of Events
9
Treasurer’s Report
10
Show Convenors Directory
14
Stud Sire Directory
19-21
Showing Extract - Breed Standard/
23
A Members Story
29
Crafter’s Corner
32
Merchandise List
34
From the editor
38
Photo Corner
39
INSERTS Kids Corner
Greg Scarlett Pages Flat, South Australia Ph.: 0408 969 044 Email: greg@haddadpharmacygroup.com.au
READ ‘n’ BREED EDITOR Sue Philpots-Green Rockleigh, South Australia, 5254 Ph: 0401 800 404 Email: readnbreed@outlook.com
AAA NATIONAL OFFICE Australian Alpaca Association Ltd. PO Box 1076 Mitcham North Vic 3132 Ph.: 03 9873 7700 Fax: 03 9873 7711 Email: alpaca@alpaca.asn.au CONTRIBUTIONS Member contributions are encouraged and should be emailed to the Editor at readnbreed@outlook.com COPYRIGHT The material published within this magazine is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission from the Author DISCLAIMER The Editor and the SA Region Committee take no responsibility for the opinions expressed, information submitted or products advertised herein. Whilst every effort is made to ascertain accuracy, liability is neither expressed nor implied. All submissions are subject to editing. The Editor reserves the right to decline any article or advertisement.
Website: www:aaasa.com.au
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT JUST A WORD OR TWO……... President’s Ramblings .. .. .. Well, the silly season approaches at speed! This is the final edition of Read & Breed for 2013; where did 2013 go? It seems to have passed us by in a blur of all those things that distract us and enrich our lives all at once. Indeed, John Lennon’s quip; “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”, seems apt when we are juggling our alpaca enterprises with the rest of our busy lives, but, would we have it any other way?! Since our last regional offering, our show season for 2013 has passed into history. Congratulations to all involved in these events: exhibitors, stewards, helpers, marshals, judges and conveners – a superlative effort to showcase our industry to the broader community. The National Show and Sale for 2013 was held in picturesque Bendigo, Victoria in new and frankly enormous “shed” (it’s considered a shed, like an aircraft carrier is a boat!).This year’s event was a great success as our industry’s premium show and elite animal auction. South Australian breeders featured prominently in the show’s championship line up as well as the auction listing. Interestingly, for the first time in many years all lots sold in the auction. The trendsetter for this auction was the first lot, and the supreme champion huacaya for 2013; EP Cambridge Streetwise, courtesy of Cathy and Matthew Lloyd. This superb male huacaya set the tone for the proceedings when he sold for $120,000 to Milpaca alpacas from NSW. Spanning this time, it was pleasing to see our industry receiving some terrific coverage in the media at all levels. Congratulations to Sue & Trevor Drogemueller of Adaminca alpacas for being on page 1 of the Saturday Adelaide Advertiser on the final day of the Royal Adelaide Show. An excellent follow up column on page 23 capped off a great article. Elsewhere, we saw stories about the Fleurieu Prime alpaca meat products venture in print in the state-wide “Stock Journal” and nationally on ABC TV on the “Landline” programme. Other major stories covered the success enjoyed by Cathy & Matthew Lloyd of EP Cambridge in our National Show and Sale with EP Cambridge Streetwise, and local media follow up regarding the alpaca industry in more general terms. With the close of the showing season (even before that for some), the shearing season is upon us! It is timely that AAA National Council took place in Melbourne on the 25th to 27th October. Among the many items discussed, the pivotal role of good shearing practices to ensure proper returns for your valuable
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT fleeces was emphasised. The need to maintain the value of fleeces we harvest must be central to our approach to shearing. Too often, fleeces are devalued by contamination that good shearing and shed practices can minimise. There have also been early reports of lice infestations being detected at shearing. All members need to be aware of the need to be vigilant in this respect. Should you suspect, or indeed be aware of, a lice outbreak in your herd, please contact your local veterinarian for appropriate advice on treatment. Remember, of all the products on the market for treatment of lice infestation, none are approved for use in alpacas. Hence the use of these items is considered “off label” for alpaca. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone affected by lice could notify me of the issue and how it is being / has been dealt with in order to assimilate a range of effective treatment options. I assure you that any information passed on to me will be treated in the strictest confidence. No information identifying individual studs or animals will be made available without your written consent. I must take this opportunity to encourage all our readers (members and non-members of the AAA alike) to seriously consider attending the 2014 National Alpaca Conference in Adelaide from 9th to 11th May 2014. This is our first national conference in several years and an extremely hard working committee has been working on a superlative program for all participants in our industry, for large and small, established breeders and “newbies” alike! So please, mark this conference in your diaries as one of the “must do” events for 2014. Before signing off for the year, I must reserve a special thank you to all of my fellow committee members of the Regional Committee. Their efforts in making this region work so well for all its members, while ensuring full credit is given to everyone’s hard work, makes it a pleasure to be involved with them! Once again, very special thanks must go to Sue Philpots-Green, our long suffering editor who produces this fabulous regional tome. In closing, please permit me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Looking forward to seeing you all at our End of Year celebration at Hahndorf, on Saturday 30th November.
“Ideas by themselves cannot produce change of being; your effort must go in the right direction, and one must correspond with the other.”
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COMMITTEE DIRECTORY PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
SECRETARY/READ n BREED EDITOR
TREASURER
Greg Scarlett Fleur de Lys Alpacas Peter PhilpotsGreen Aislinn Park Alpacas Sue Philpots-Green Aislinn Park Alpacas
0408 969 044
greg@haddadpharmacygroup.com.au
0448 894 699
aislinnpark@hotmail.com
0401 800 404
aislinnpark@hotmail.com
0419 597 998
ruthgoober@gmail.com
0418 224 886
shandara@westnet.com.au
0438 143 903
b_schmaal@hotmail.com
0439 899 973
somadale@bigpond.com
0407 568 501
info@yackaridge.com
Ruth Goodfellow Haylilla Alpacas
REGIONAL MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
Nick de Bruyn Shandara Alpacas Ben Schmaal Whyte Park Alpacas
COMMITTEE MEMBER
POSITION VACANT X 3
OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FLEECE LIAISON
DERRICK HALL
OFFICER
Somadale Alpacas
WEBSITE
JOLYON PORTER Yacka Ridge Alpacas
MERCHANDISE
SUSAN HAESE Yaringa Alpacas
INDUSTRY LIAISON OFFICER / ANIMAL HEALTH &
LEE SADLER Fleur de lys Alpacas
EDUCATION
ADRIENNE CLARKE
TRAINING OFFICER
Ambersun Alpacas
JCMCT
0418 846 271
ANGLEA & DAVID CHENEY Andache Alpacas
0414 585 955
lee.sadler@bigpond.com
0417 826 762
chris@ambersun.alpacas.com
0439 882 249
angela@andache.com.au
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MARKETING Read & Breed Marketing News : November 2013
Congratulations. Congratulations to our president Greg Scarlett on his appointment to the national board of our Association. It is a very positive commitment for our region to once again have a SA representative on the board.
Australian Alpaca Week 2014 Yes the name has changed to allow for a more consistent approach to Association events and due to the Australian Alpaca Conference in May, so has the timing. Activities around the country will be from 29th March to the 6th April 2014. More details to come.
National Show & Sale Great to see the number of SA breeders attending the recent show in Bendigo in Oct and together with our friends from WA, we brought home more than our fair share of broad ribbons. The Sale also included animals from EP Cambridge, Yaringa, Alpacas Chaparral, Softfoot and Ambersun meaning that SA provided 6 of the 10 animals auctioned on the day. Just to be selected for the auction is big achievement and it was great to see that all animals sold.
Publicity Our national office has engaged local company Green Green Grass to coordinate its publicity and communications role nationally, however they have already made their presence felt locally with positive publicity being received on the Royal Show, EP Cambridge’s National Sale result, a 2 page spread in the Courier etc. If you receive a call from Karen or Tracy from Green Green Grass, we ask you help them to promote our industry.
Australian Alpaca Conference 2014 Early bird registrations have opened on the national website, www.alpaca.asn.au so get in early to take advantage of the reduced fees. Trade stand bookings are also filling so please contact Nick De Bruyn on 0418 224 886 to ensure your booking. For those of you on Facebook, please “like” the Australian Alpaca Conference 2014 page to keep up to date on conference news.
Christmas Dinner Hope you have let Sue Philpot-Green know you will be attending our Christmas Dinner in Hahndorf on Nov 30th. More details elsewhere in this magazine. Cheers……Nick De Bruyn
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WORLD FLEECE SHOW Three South Australian studs sent fleeces to the World Fleece Show in New Zealand. Yaringa Alpacas entered eight fleeces and were awarded five first places, one second place and two third places. Yaringa fleeces were also awarded reserve champion intermediate female fleece (Yaringa Classic Czarina ET) and champion adult female fleece (Classic Countess Zara ET). These fleeces were both black, which created quite a bit of interest. Czarina was also awarded Champion Black Fleece. Yaringa’s fancy suri male TASC Godfather was awarded reserve champion male fancy suri fleece. Softfoot Alpacas sent two fleeces earning creditable first place and third places in their classes. Arcady Alpacas was awarded Champion male Huacaya Fancy Fleece and Premier Fancy Huacaya Fleece for Appaloosa Faux Pas. Ambersun bred appaloosa male Dukkah, excelled being awarded the finest huacaya fleece in the show at 14.6 micron for his new owners NZ Summerhill Alpacas.
WELCOME The SA Regional Committee would like to welcome the following members to the SA Region
Don Pike Maureen Boyton Deanne Jones Peter Page Simon Fitzgerald
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AUSTRALIAN ALPACA ASSOCIATION SA REGION
Calendar of Events DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
CONTACT
Mount Pleasant
Kerry & Jolyon Porter
2014 15th March 2014
Mount Pleasant
29thMarch to 6th April 2014
National Alpaca Week
9th to 11th May 2014
AAA National Conference
Adelaide Convention Centre
Susan Haese
TBA
Colour Classic
Strathalbyn Harness Club
James Wheeler
TBA
Royal Adelaide Show
Adelaide
Lea Richens
9th to 13th October
Nationals
Bendigo
TBA
19th October
Clare Show
Clare
Tracey Earl & Derrick Hall
Workshops & Seminars to be advised
2015 TBA
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant
Kerry & Jolyon Porter
TBA
National Alpaca Week
TBA
Colour Classic
Strathalbyn Harness Club
James Wheeler
TBA
Royal Adelaide Show
Adelaide
Lea Richens
The SA Region’s Calendar of Events will be updated with each edition of Read n Breed
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TREASURER’S REPORT Treasurers Report The AAA SA region MYOB data is reconciled to the latest bank statement of October 31st 2013. At this date the investment account had a balance of $ 17,668.59 and the general cheque account had a balance of $ 10,663.93. Income into the general cheque account so far this financial year has totalled $ 18,603.03. Most of this income is received from the member capitation rebate ($4,383.78), merchandise (including fleece bags, show coat logos, name badges), and alpaca show income from the Colour Classic, Strathalbyn and Clare shows. Expenses from the general cheque account this financial year have totalled $ 16,439.94. Alpaca shows generated the majority of these expenses, in particular the Colour Classic requiring an additional two year advance payment for the venue hire. Other expenses have included newsletter office supplies / postage, merchandise purchases and Junior Judging workshop materials. We have recorded a net profit in the cheque account of $ 2,163.09. In summary the region is currently in a sound financial position. Our continued appreciation is given to Konica Minolta through Julianne Buckley, for their enormous generosity in printing the SA region magazine at no cost. Thanks also to Janette Law from the AAA head office facilitating direct EFT bank transfers for payment of approved accounts. I would once again encourage all supplier invoices and AAA SA region reimbursement forms to be presented with EFT bank transfer details to enable faster payment than the alternative method of counter signing cheques. And a final gentle reminder! Could members please remember to always include the invoice reference number when sending direct transfer payments to the SA region account. Thank you Ruth Goodfellow
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I found this article on the SA Regions website which I felt could be quite relevant for us all as summer approaches and snakes become more active
Vitamin C Treatment for SNAKE BITES Pat Coleby Early in 1930, an American, Dr Klenner, (extensive article on Vitamin C by Dr. Klenner here) did much research on the use of Vitamin C on humans. In turn a Californian Vet, Dr Wendell Bellfield, carried on the good work with impressive results on all sorts of dog ailments that are generally considered incurable or fatal. Today, in USA, there are now a significant number if Vets practicing alternative Medicine such as this. After studying the literature, I decided that I really had nothing to lose trying Vitamin C on my own farm animals. The first one was a pony, almost moribund, whose blood was later diagnosed as having the largest amount of Tiger Snake venom the Vet had ever seen in an animal. Within 24 hours of being unable to move, and also having considerable difficulty in breathing due to pneumonia, the pony was grazing happily in its owner’s garden, apparently quite healthy. I only had one 30ml bottle of Vitamin C, half of what I would have liked, so I put half of the bottle into each side of the neck by intramuscularinjection.
After that we treated sundry dogs, two cats and several goats including a stud buck. All recovered. A very valuable Alpaca which was being watched by its owner from her kitchen window went down to the dam to examine something. The owners, horrified, watched a large snake rise up and strike it on the nose - the worst place - and thanked her lucky stars the Vitamin C was in the fridge - not still on the shopping list. Rushing out with only 15 mls in the syringe - she injected the Alpaca before any symptoms arose. The snake had looked like a brown or a tiger, the result - happy ending.
The great advantage of Vitamin C is that anaphylaxis does not occur and the variety of snake does not matter. Vitamin C is cheap, easy to store and taking it on a hunting trip is no problem. All you need is a 20 ml syringe, some largish needles - say No 18 - and the bottle of Vitamin C. It can all be carried in a small wallet on ones belt. In between times it should be kept in the fridge. Although the stuff can be carried in summer without deteriorating, I suggest to hunters that they get a fresh supply each spring just to be on the safe side. After much reading of printouts of Bellfield's and other literature, many supplied by Dr Glen Dettman, a retired pathologist who lives near Melbourne, I have tried Vitamin C in many situations - a dog in a tick coma, spider bites, dogs with Parvo, Tetanus following a terrible injury from a car, and in cases of shock - all with unfailing success.
Vitamin C can be used as crushed tablets or powder straight into the mouth in cases of sickness. From my own experience, rubbing the powder into a Redback spider bite took the pain (which is incredible) out within seconds. I followed it up with 10 grams by mouth. The spread of the poison in my arm stopped and I was able to resume work within a few minutes.
The first goat I treated with Vitamin C was given a teaspoon of ascorbic acid powder (about 5 grams) every half hour for two hours, like the Alpaca, he was bitten right on the nose as I later found out. He recovered perfectly well. That was in the days before the injectable supplies were available. 50 ml bottles of Vitamin C can be obtained from some Chemists, most fodder or pet stores. Make sure the brand is 2 mls per gram and not 4 otherwise you need twice as much at twice the cost. I mentioned the size of the needles as 18 or thereabouts because the stuff can be slightly glutinous and speed is generally all important on the occasions when it is needed. Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become really great. …………...Mark Twain
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showing Show Convenors/Contact directory Regional Event
MOUNT PLEASANT
CONVENOR/contact
CONTACT NO:
EMAIL ADDRESS
KERRY & JOLYON PORTER YACKA RIDGE ALPACAS
0407 568 501
info@yackaridge.com
0403 972 609
alpacas@kobler.com.au
0415 250 588
wendy.jones@allianza.com.au
JAMES WHEELER KOBLER ALPACAS
COLOUR CLASSIC
WENDY JONES LAKE PLAINS
ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW
STRATHALBYN SHOW
Lea Richens
JACINTA HARTILL RIVERPORT ALPACAS
TRACEY EARL
CLARE SHOW
08 88422344
RIVERTON ALPACAS DERRICK HALL SOMADALE ALPACAS
0419 170 266
hello@riverport-alpacas.com
0417801 151
rivertonalpacas1@bigpond.com
8389 3269
Somadale@bigpond.com
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Position 1: MT Pleasant Show Convenor/s Looking for enthusiastic, members who are looking for a rewarding challenge in convening the Mount Pleasant show. If interested please contact either the Regional Committee or Kerry & Jolyon Porter at yackaridge@bigpond.com
Position 2: Clare Show Convenor/s We are also looking for enthusiastic members who are willing to take over the convening of the Clare Show. If interested please contact either the Regional Committee or Derrick Hall at somadale@bigpond.com or Tracey Earl at rivertonalpacas1@bigpond.com. “By changing nothing, nothing changes” Tony Robbins
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NEW ITEMS IN THE AAA ONLINE SHOP
New items on the online shop include:
A ‘promotional pack’ which is a small kit of promotional material for use for marketing purposes. The actual material is supplied to members free of charge, only postage and handling are charged. The kit comprises 8 copies of Australian Alpaca An Introduction to Alpacas, 20 children's colouring-in brochures, 40 "I love alpacas" stickers, 4 postcards for requesting an Information Kit
Australian Alpaca An Introduction to Alpacas – the annual publication, supplied to members free of charge, only postage and handling are charged.
Colouring-in sheets – again these are free of charge, only p&h are charged.
Australian Alpaca Association pens – costing $7.50 for a pack of five.
I love alpacas stickers – available with suri or huacaya pictures, and AAA logo stickers = $20 for a roll of 500
We will also soon be adding the logo feather banners to the shop.
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“You should always be aware that your head creates your world”
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ANIMAL HEALTH & HUSBANDRY The following article comes from the AAASA regions website - resource
YOUR GREATEST ASSET - PASTURE -
By Heather Dunn, Braeside Alpacas and Farmstay.
There have been calls for more research into alpaca nutrition and I agree. The information has been mixed and confusing. One fact that we should not overlook is that alpacas eat grass. In this article I will build on this fact and give some ideas on how to maximise what you have in order to minimise what you need to purchase.
Grab a cuppa and head out to the front veranda and have a good look at your pasture. Assume it is late winter; the daffodils are starting to open and the ground warming up. What do you see? Do you see rank stands of dead grass with a tinge of green new growth in between? This is next to useless dead dry standing grass, with very low digestibility and very low palatability. Most stock will avoid it unless they are starved. At the other end of the scale, do you see a smooth bowling green with the odd bare patch (other than dust baths)? Digestibility here might be higher (depending on frost), but it’s in very short supply.
In both extremes supplementary feeding has been the routine over winter. So how do you strike a happy medium between these two extremes? The technique is stocking densities. In order to maximise pasture growth and digestibility to your stock you need to match the number of stock per paddock with the growth rate of the pasture. To enhance this you need to know what you are growing, its life cycle and characteristics and observe how your alpacas graze. Have you noticed that alpacas are very good at patch grazing and seem to favour shorter grass? Sheep are similar but if you increase the stocking density for a short period of time less palatable grasses will also be grazed.
There are basically two grazing systems: set stocking and rotational or cell grazing. On smaller landholdings, set stocking is often the standard method of grazing. Set stocking is putting the same animals in the same paddock, all the time. It encourages the proliferation of less desirable (and usually unpalatable) grasses and weeds as the more desirable plants are grazed out. Worms can be a problem on these paddocks particularly if small and the latrines start to “merge”.
Rotational grazing has smaller paddocks with higher stocking densities and the animals are moved through the paddocks, allowing a long rest time interspersed with short periods of intensive (and even) grazing. This system has many advantages both in terms of animal health and diversity of pasture species. However I have found it difficult to achieve on a small property as we have less flexibility to adjust the system when the weather is unseasonable i.e.: droughts and flooding rains. For the larger landholder flexibility can be achieved by using all or some of the principles of rotational grazing. There are many publications about this system and help can be sourced from the Department of Agriculture and independent consultants (often expensive).
From our experience we have used a combination of the two, in partnership with being prepared to adjust stocking densities as the season demands, and supplementing when pasture growth doesn’t match our overall stocking rate. During winter we rotate wethers (sheep and alpacas together) through three paddocks of 6 acres. The density varies between 15-25 animals on each paddock. We lamb in winter so when they start to drop we take one paddock out for them. This year our wethers are fat despite pasture getting down to 600kg Dry Matter Green/Ha in the paddock. Alpacas are efficient! Spring approaches and the annual grasses start to stir. We then wean the lambs, put them in a prepared paddock, and box up the ewes, wethers and wether alpacas and start to move them around. Now the stocking density on a 6 acre paddock will be as high as 50. Last year we couldn’t keep up with the grass and we carried a lot of Dry Matter into summer.
October sees shearing of everything on the place before the annual grasses shed their seeds (and the dreaded blowflies chase the sheep). Weaned lambs stay in the best and shortest paddock, usually with the female alpacas, and the bulk of the other stock is still in the three -paddock rotation until well into autumn. If the season is tight, then we decide on a hand feeding strategy to prevent our pasture being flogged. Entire males (sheep and alpaca) are rotated around the smaller holding paddocks of which we have five.
Our farm is on Acid Granite Soils and the pastures are unimproved native perennial and annual grasses and largely benign weeds.
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We do have Patterson’s Curse (the legacy of ungraded oats sown by a previous owner), and that presents challenges to control with wether sheep and winter herbicide. We only plan to pasture improve one paddock which is largely annual grasses, as we find our natives are a treasure to be nurtured. I use our system as an example. Our paddocks are not your paddocks, and our system is not perfect. It is dynamic and not set in concrete. We adjust the overall stocking rate on our farm by either breeding up or divesting ourselves of sheep. As the alpacas slowly multiply there will be less flexibility. I encourage all alpaca breeders, both experienced graziers and new chums to seek a system that minimises supplementation and maximises production and health of your animals and farm.
Here are a few suggestions: ·
Use what you have. Under-utilised pasture results in rank stands of unpalatable grass that dominates pasture and shades regrowth. It can also cause disease problems particularly in coastal regions.
·
Encourage bio-diversity both in your grasses and your trees and under storey.
·
Avoid or learn to manage challenging and aggressive pastures such as kikuyu that compete with everything - good and bad.
·
Learn to assess livestock response and pasture growth, so as to become confident in adjusting stock densities. Prograze is a fantastic hands-on approach to this science/art that gives you plenty of tools to use.
·
Learn about your soils, there is plenty of help from the Department of Agriculture and local agronomists.
·
Listen to your neighbours. They can sometimes have generations of local knowledge that will give you a stocking rate starting point and valuable clues to your districts climate and environment.
I hope this article encourages discussion and debate and maybe a field day or two to help us use our most valuable resource; our pasture. Below is a list of publications that might give you a starting point on what could turn into an enlightening journey. Prograze Manual NSW Agriculture Agfact – Grasses - Native and naturalised. Order Nr. P2.5.32. Very useful in identifying both native and introduced pasture. Agnote - Soil Acidity in Agriculture 5/113. An overview of the huge problem of Acidic soils.
Managing High Rainfall Native Pastures on a whole farm basis by Peter Simpson and Col Langford. Available from NSW Agriculture and a definitive and concise book on matching land use with land capacity.
Grassland Flora by David Eddy, Dav Mallinson, Rainer Rehwinkel, Sarah Sharp. A field guide of flora for the Southern Tablelands (NSW & ACT). This is a very clear and informative guide - a must for every glove box.
Natural Goat and Alpaca Care by Pat Colby A holistic approach to alpaca care that compliments a holistic approach to grazing. Soil Test and Landscape Interpretation for sustainable pasture management - Workshop notes Acid Soil Action.
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CRICKLEWOOD ALPACAS COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL We are selling our property, so must regretfully sell our herd of alpacas built up over 13 years of careful breeding. 27 females, various ages, some pregnant, due to drop in the next few months, some with cria at foot. Blood lines include EP Cambridge Spartacus, Jolimont Commissario, and Jollimont Warrior. 2 CERTIFIED STUD MALES with Shandbrook Kosaka and Softfoot Corroboree bloodlines 3 unregistered young males. All animals registered with the Australian Alpaca Association and I excellent condition. Will sell as a complete herd or as small packages. Contact Meralyn Nagel at cricklewoodalpacas@gmail.com or phone 08 8388 8328 or 0400173085 for a price list.
CONGRATULATIONS 6 to under 11
11 to under 15
Luke Scarlett
20 points
Akaysha Lu Morgan
13 points
Kaleb Bower
5 points
Ed Westwell
20 points
Shannon Baker
15 points
Alexander Scarlett
10 points
Somadale Junior Handler Trophy will be run again in 2014 over the 4 country shows, so come on juniors we would love you to join in.
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SURI’S
Read ‘n’ Breed
HUACAYA’S “Azzura Black Spirit”
IAR 175995
D.O.B.: 3/12/2010 Solid White
D.O.B.: 20/01/2011 Solid Black
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Mic: 21.3 SD: 4.2 CV: 19.8 CF: 97.1 SF:20.5
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Mic: 22.6 SD: 5.3 CV:23.4 CF: 93.8 SF:2.5
Archie is an elite suri male with exceptional lustre. With his lovely nature and impressive pedigree, he has much to offer any suri herd. He is certainly a stand-out. Grand Champion Suri (2011 Strathalbyn Show) from an extensive and quality field.
Spirit is a blue-black, true-to-type suri male. He exhibits a lustrous, well-structured fleece and has a lovely nature. Supreme all Colours Suri at the 2012 Colour Classic.
Service fee $770 (inc gst)
Service fee $770 (inc gst)
Email: Adrian@ashmani.com.au
Email: Adrian@ashmani.com.au
Web: www.ashmani.com.au
Web: www.ashmani.com.au
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“Schutara Park
Apollo”
IAR 120281
D.O.B.: 12/11/2005 Solid White Latest Fleece Stats 2012 7th Fleece Mic: 23.7 SD: 4.2 CF: 93.8
Apollo is a fine upstanding macho. He has enjoyed success in both the ring and fleece shows. He has excellent conformation and great temperament . His fleece is very bright and stylish with good crimp definition. These traits have been passed to his progeny. Service Fee: $380.00 Contact:Robyn Schutte, Schutara Park Alpacas Ph: 83982180 1/4
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“Greenvale Rocco ET”
“Alpacaspecialist
PACE AVAILABLE
IAR 134708
S
“Ashmani Archimedes”
Email: schutara@gmail.com 3/4
“Lyneden Dakota”
“Yaringa Sir Winston”
IAR 128355
IAR 125366
Spartacus”
IAR 137851
IAR 146908
D.O.B.: 07/03/09 Solid Roan Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (4th Fleece) Mic: 22.5 SD: 4.3 CV:19.1 CF: 94.8 SF: 21.6
Spartacus has had an illustrious show career, winning best of colour at numerous outings and Champion Roan Fleece at the 2011 National. With a high amplitude, high frequency crimp, we look forward to his influence on grey and roan genetics. Service Fee: $660 inc. Agistment (conditions apply) www.softfoot.com.au 4/4
D.O.B.: 24/04/08 Medium Grey (Silver) Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (5th Fleece) Mic: 22.8 SD: 4.3 CV:18.9 CF: 95.8 SF: 21.8
D.O.B.: 23/12/07 Solid Black
SOLID WHITE
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (5th Fleece) Mic: 22.7 SD: 4.4CV:19.2 CF: 94.3 SF: 21.8
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 5th Fleece
Rocco is an amazing even silver grey, with very few brown fibres evident. He has a boxy frame sporting a crimpy, soft and long fleece. His cria to date have been outstandingly fine and even in colour.
Dakota has outstanding conformation, a trait that he is consistently passing on to his progeny. He grows an amazingly long and silky blue black fleece that remains fine and has very little guard hair. His first cria for us have SDs in the low 3s, a great sign of a quality male.
Service Fee: $660 inc. Agistment (conditions apply) www.softfoot.com.au
Service Fee: $440 inc. Agistment (conditions apply, minimum 2 mating's www.softfoot.com.au 4/4
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Mic: 21.5 SD: 4.1 CF: 95.8 CV: 45.0
This male has impeccable breeding and a phenotype to match. He is highly decorated at both local and interstate shows, including winning reserve champion Intermediate Male at Royal Melbourne 2009 and supreme White Fleece at the 2009 and 2011 SA Colour Classic shows. He is fine, dense and lustrous, displaying excellent crimp and bundling. Yaringa Alpacas—Susan Haese Mobile: 0418 846 271 E: susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au Web: yaringaalpacas.com.au 4/4
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“Kinedana Bosque”
IAR 117461 Latest Fleece Stats 21/2/12 Mic: 16.9 SD: 3.4mic CF:100% CVD: 20.4% SF: 16.3 0.4%
“Alpacaspeacialist
Sharman”
Legend”
IAR 154051
IAR 117735
D.O.B.: 26/04/09 Solid White
D.O.B.: 30/01/08 Solid Medium Fawn
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (4th Fleece) Mic: 19.7 SD: 3.9 CV:19.6
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 5th Fleece
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 4th Fleece
Mic: 20.8 SD: 4.5 CF: 95.8 CV: 47.9
Mic: 17.2 SD: 3.5 CF: 99.8 CV: 45.9
If you want Ultrafine/Fine fleeced Adults, this Boy is for you! Kinedana Bosque’s fleece stats are unheard of in Australia and are truly unique for his 6 yrs of age. AAFl Gift Report & fleece photo’s available for your perusal.
Sharman has had an outstanding 2012 show year, taking out numerous supreme fleeces including at Colourbration. His first cria are looking very impressive. With outstanding amplitude, length and staple definition on a very healthy frame, he has a lot to offer.
Stud Fee: $850 + GST
Service Fee: $770 inc. Agist-
Kinedana Alpaca Stud 4/4 Ph: 08 8524 9093
“Yaringa Czar”
“Alpacaspecialist
ment (conditions apply)
www.softfoot.com.au
4/4
IAR 147651
D.O.B.: 26/04/09 Solid Light Fawn
This Warrior son has impeccable genetics that are reflected in his phenotype. As he has a crimp structure that exhibits high amplitude and frequency, outstanding density and lustre. His dam is possibly our most elite donor in our embryo transfer program. In 2011 Legend’s fleece was awarded Supreme at both the SA Colour Classic and the Victorian Colourbration
Czar is a compact male with exquisite high amplitude and high frequency crimp in his fleece. His dense fleece exhibits excellent brightness and lustre. The fleece he presents with, is consistent over his frame and in the last few years he has racked up an excellent show record at the best shows in one of the most competitive classes.
Yaringa Alpacas—Susan Haese Mobile: 0418 846 271
Yaringa Alpacas—Susan Haese Mobile: 0418 846 271
E: susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au 4/4
“Shanbrooke Accoyo
“Softfoot Maudib ET”
“Softfoot Chaconne”
IAR 136751
IAR 156021
IAR 168126
D.O.B.: 30/07/08 Solid Medium Fawn
D.O.B.: 27/09/09 Solid White
D.O.B.: 24/03/10 Solid Light Fawn
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (5th Fleece) Mic: 22.3 SD: 3.7 CV:16.6 CF: 96.4 SF: 21.7
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (4th Fleece) Mic: 21.3 SD: 4.4 CV:20.8 CF: 96.3 SF: 20.7
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (3rd Fleece) Mic: 21.0 SD: 3.8 CV:18.3 CF: 98.2 SF: 20.0
Chaconne is supreme champion, culminating many of the best genetics into the one male. His density is difficult to match, and is coupled with fineness, brightness and style that extend from bonnet to tail.
Royal Challenge was by far the standout male when we visited Shanbrooke in 2012, and we have since purchased him to introduce new genetics to our herd. He has outstanding density, coverage and evenness across his body, and very little variation between the primary and secondary fibres
E: susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au Web: yaringaalpacas.com.au 4/4
“Whyte Park Timothy”
Royal Challenge ET”
IAR 132307
Maudib has had an exceptional first drop of cria in 2012, with champions and National blue ribbon winners amongst them. He is producing long, lustrous fleeces with very little guard hair, nearly always in the colour of the mother. Service Fee $770 inc. Agistment (conditions apply) www.softfoot.com.au 4/4
Service Fee: $660 inc. Agistment (conditions apply) www.softfoot.com.au
Service Fee: Strictly Limited to selected clients www.softfoot.com.au
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D.O.B.: 31/08/10 Solid White Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (3rd Fleece) Mic: 15.6 SD: 3.1 CV:19.6 CF: 100 SF: 15.0
Timothy has an amazingly fine fleece into maturity, with very little variation between primary and secondary fibres. He has outstanding evenness across his body, is well grown and is very conformationally correct. With density and style that extends to his extremities, he is a real commercial option. Timothy will commence stud duties in Autumn 2013 Service Fee: $770 inc. Agistment (conditions apply) www.softfoot.com.au
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SUMMER EDITION
“Coonawarra Gladiator”
“Wyterrica Propaganda”
“Yaringa Prophecy”
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“Alpacaspecialist Crackerjack”
2012
IAR 108947
IAR 73015
IAR 147690
D.O.B.: 13/12/03 Solid Black
D.O.B.: 12/04/06 RoseGrey
D.O.B.: 27/1/10 Light Grey
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 9th Fleece Mic: 20.6 SD: 4.6 CF: 95.4
IAR 174962
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 3rd Fleece
Down from the Julius/Dorchester line, this male hardly needs an introduction. A multiple champion himself, including Supreme Black at the huge Victorian Colourbration show, his progeny are consistently performing both in the show ring and in quality assessment, with many championships themselves. He passes on his fine, dense fleece, as well as crimp, lustre and good frame. Year after year he produces the finest alpaca in our herd and is a must have to add his qualities to your herd. Yaringa Alpacas—Susan Haese Mobile: 0418 846 271 E: susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au Web: yaringaalpacas.com.au
Mic: 21.7 SD: 4.6 CF: 95.1 CV: 42.4
Prophecy boasts excellent genetics and upon inspection, he does not disappoint. He has extreme density coupled with a highly crimped, lustrous fleece and excellent coverage. His fleece is even over his well proportioned frame. For those wanting an elite male, Prophecy should be on your short list, particularly those liking the grey alpacas. Yaringa Alpacas—Susan Haese Mobile: 0418 846 271 E: susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au Web: yaringaalpacas.com.au
STATS ARE NOT AVAILABLE
D.O.B.: 21/02/11 Solid Black
Propaganda is probably the most well known grey alpaca in the world, producing outstanding quality coloured alpacas. His progeny consistently win broad ribbons at major shows, and he has numerous working sons making their mark both domestically and abroad.
Latest Fleece Stats 2012 Midside (2nd Fleece) Mic: 18.4 SD: 4.4 CV:23.8
Service Fee: $1100 inc. Agistment (conditions apply) www.softfoot.com.au
Service Fee: $770 inc.
Agistment (conditions apply) 4/4
4/4
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Crackerjack has an outstanding soft, lustrous and dense black fleece, 3 traits so hard to achieve in a blue black alpaca. His show achievements include Champion Black Royal Adelaide 2012. Very true to type, Crackerjack will commence work in Autumn 2013. www.softfoot.com.au
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SHOWING SHOWING EXTRACT
Breed Standard - Huacaya Fleece Introduction A guide for both breeders and Judges that will evolve with time. Huacayas are distinguishable from suris in that they carry sheep like fleece, which stands at right angles to the body. The fleece should exhibit a strong wave or crimp across each fibre and have strong staple definition. The alpaca should be well covered with a rounded appearance. Coverage should extend down the legs and up to a bonnet on the head with a clean muzzle and ears. The most important characteristics of huacaya fleece are:Density - this is perhaps the most important as it determines the commerciality of the fleece ie. the quantity of saleable fleece to be sold. It also prevents dirt and moisture penetration. Fineness & Handle - fineness sets the value of a fleece per unit weight. The finer the fleece the more per kilo it will make. Soft handle goes with fineness. The softer the handle the finer the micron. Character - is closely related to density, as strong crimp definition and staple formation is necessary to achieve heavy fleece weights. Lack of Medullation - fleece should not contain broad microned straight medullated fibres, especially throughout the main blanket. The aim being to eliminate it completely. Lustre - this is the amount of light reflected from the fibre, which enhances its appearance when processed into a garment. Other determining factors are:Uniformity of micron - processors require fleece with minimum variation in fibre diameter. This also helps to eliminate fleece tenderness (fleece breakage). Uniformity of colour - an even colour is preferred by processors, but allowances need to be made for greys and fawns which can have colour variation. Uniformity of length - the fleece should be of the same length for 12 months growth. The ultimate aim is to have the neck fibre match the main blanket in length, thus increasing the weight of the prime fleece. Colour Alpaca fleece comes in varying shades of colour from white to black. In between there are shades of fawn, brown, and grey as well as rose grey. Animals may be solid in colour or be any combination of the above. FAULTS Open fleece with no density Chalkiness Harsh handle Short staple length Medullated fibre Lack of overall coverage Tenderness
“Peace of mind comes from not wantingto change others, but by simply acceptingthem asthey are. True acceptance is always without demands and expectations.” Gerald G Jampolsky
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Royal Adelaide Show 2013 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL
SUPREME CHAMPION HUACAYA
CAMBRIDGE STREETWISE
GRAND CHAMPION SURI GRAND CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE
MOST SUCCESSFUL NEW
PRADOS SANDOR
SOFTFOOT SELENA
CHAMPION SURI
ADAMINCA
FLEECE
AMADORE
CARILISE LODGE
EXHIBITOR MOST SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR HANDLER MOST SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR JUDGE
SHANNON BAKER
NATALIE NEWMAN
For full comprehensive results, please go to the association website
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2013 Royal Adelaide Show Report Once again, the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA Inc. enjoyed record entries in its competitive sections with more than 31,000 in total. Record alpaca fleece entries at 126 made for a splendid display in their glass fronted cabinets along the eastern wall of the Pavilion and spilling into the adjacent Expo Pavilion. Alpaca entries at 200+ ensured keen competition and included a strong contingent of talented Juniors who did themselves proud.
High entry numbers did present some challenges – but challenges which were welcome. The original two judging days became three with Junior Handlers, Junior Judge, Production Classes and two shearing demonstrations providing a full program on the Sunday. Special thanks to our popular and well respected Judge, Peter Kennedy, for his expertise and flexibility in working with the late changes, and for extending his stay to oversee our Junior Judge Section.
This year the Society invited six University of Adelaide final year veterinary students, under the supervision of three experienced veterinarians, to undertake pre show inspections in a number of livestock areas, including alpacas – a practice likely to be expanded next year and beyond. Understandably some exhibitors felt somewhat ‘ambushed’ but at the end of the day, SA’s Royal, which doubles as the South Australian Alpaca Breed and Fleece Championships, is committed to raising the bar in regard to inspections as it pursues breed excellence, and maintains the credibility and prestige which accompanies a Royal Adelaide Show ribbon or award.
Every successful Show depends upon the hard work and support of the many people working behind the scenes. Thanks firstly, to all exhibitors for your valued participation and support - and congratulations to all ribbon and award winners.
Thanks too, to all stewards and marshals, with special thanks to Vaughan Wilson for running the Fleece competition and, together with his fleece stewards, for presenting such a brilliant display.
To all Sponsors, to the shearing team whose demonstrations again attracted large public audiences, to those exhibitors who remained, with their alpacas, at the Show for its nine day duration, to all the Urrbrae students who assisted with cleaning, exercising, pen set up and departure, to everyone who helped in any way – a huge thank you.
2013 saw an Alpaca feature in the Show Magazine, a front page feature in the Advertiser, an interview on ABC Country Hour, a future segment on Channel 10’s Totally Wild, a special invite to the Royal Melbourne Show for the Jut Jura Shearing Team, and alpaca and fleece competitions which, from both exhibitors’ and the public’s perspectives, ran smoothly – a year to remember. Next year is the 175th anniversary of the Royal Adelaide Show and promises to be an exciting year for all involved. May I invite your participation in 2014.
Lea Richens Councillor, Royal Adelaide Show
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STRATHALBYN SHOW 2013 STRATHALBYN SHOW REPORT 2013 The 143rd annual Strathalbyn Show 2013 was a great success. The weather was fine, making it an excellent day for both the public and exhibitors to enjoy the competition. Due to wind damage to our animal penning marquee before the show, the Alpaca section had only one small marquee this year leaving the animal pens uncovered. The open air experience was great for animals, exhibitors and the public. It allowed freedom of movement around the pens. Plenty of room to stop, chat and look at the animals while preparing the animal in the pen or make new contacts with new breeders and pet/guardian buyers. The remaining marquee became very social with a relaxed atmosphere for everyone to mingle, watch the show ring and escape the sun. Attendance was only slightly down from last year, with many exhibitors holding back some top animals for the National Show in Bendigo later the same week. Nevertheless, the Alpaca section was still very competitive with 28 exhibitors, 141 animals and 55 fleeces. There were 26 Suri and 115 Huacaya animals on show in all their beautiful natural colours. Thank you to Celia Smith and Wendy Jones for their informative commentary. Judge Bill Robbins and apprentice judge Andrew Munn had a hard days work in the sun but kept the exhibitors and audience informed with their commentary on the animals that won ribbons in each class. All the volunteers should be commended this year, without their help the show could not run. Special thank you to Rob Hartill for the new computer show system. I would like to thank Jan Bentley for her continued support and advice as well as representing the Alpaca section on the Strathalbyn show society as well as Jen Duggin (Fleece Steward) and her team (Robyn Shultz, Bernadette Duncker and Jacinta Hartill) for taking care of the Fleece section. Due to the extended deadline this year there were more fleece entries, contributing to a great show. The display was better this year with more room in the small marquee to appreciate and view the fleeces. Thankyou, Michael and Julie Conroy and your family for your extra help in the morning to get the show started on time, plus Michael's help at pen setup on Saturday with John and Jan, Jen and John, Jacinta and Rob. Denise Moysey helped out as a gate
Continued Overleaf
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STRATHALBYN SHOW 2013 CONTINUED
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SURI N O I P CHAM S
DO PRA S
OR AND
YS
N
DULT A N MPIO ACAYA A H C U LE H A M YS FE EL FLE
D
OVER 11
Cheers
Jacinta Hartill
Strathalbyn Convenor Alpaca section
T SOFTFOO
APHRODIT
E GM
SOF
YEARS
WILLIA
MS
VER
WA RA
DE NE
ERO ID
For a full show result report please go to the regions
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PION E CHAM EDIAT M R E YA INT UACA H E L FEMA T
CHAM PION ADUL T SURI
AST
TFO O
ONA G
O TFO SOF
CHAMPIO N ADULT MALE HU ACAYA FLEUR
ROYA L
CHAMPION FLEECE
R CHAMPION SENIO
SURI
SURI
ADAMINCA
MERIDIAN
AMADORE
OBINNA
DE LY
S
ACCL A
IM
OR UNI J N A PIO CAY M A A U CH LE H A T FEM OO F SO
website
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R TIRA
Fleur De Lys was the most successful exhibitor on the day, so congratulations to Greg and Lee.
A TIN N A IAM
IOR CHAMPION SEN YA FEMALE HUACA
CHAM PION F LEECE HUAC AYA
Most of all without you to all the exhibitors, we wouldn’t have a show so a big thank you to everyone for supporting the Strathalbyn show and volunteering your time.
D UR
CHAM PION JUNI MAL OR E HU ACAY A SO FTF OO BE T LAN GLO ET
JAKIN
steward and educating exhibitors and the public on a wide range of Alpaca topics. Thank you to a new breeder Dee-Anne Farrow for joining the teams of volunteers as second scribe for the day. Also a big thank you to Derrick Hall for ring stewarding and helping with the AAA trailer and equipment.
DE L
MER IDIA
1ST PLACE ED WESTHALL
CHAM PION INTER MEDIA TE MALE HUAC AYA FL EU R
6 < 11 YEARS
INTERM EDIATE HANDLE R
JUNIOR HANDLER
TF
CH A T
INA S A
B
CHAM PION SENIO R MALE HUAC AYA SW AN
VAL
ANA CH
LEY
EE VA
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CLARE 2013 Clare Show 2013 Clare put on a warm day for the show, also plenty of flies. We had the privilege of Chris Williams being our fleece & animal judge. This would be his first show in SA. We had good numbers of 110 alpacas & 47 fleeces, the most fleeces ever judged at Clare. An interesting exercise was the offer to bring back into the ring at the end of the show the animals which won Best of Colour, for other exhibitors to look at the fleeces & to see why these animals had been chosen. Congratulations to all the exhibitors who took home ribbons. Thank you to all the stewards on Friday (fleece judging) & on the Saturday. We trust you all had an enjoyable day. Thank you for being patient on entry to the marquee with the lice inspections. This should probably become mandatory at shows as it is something which cannot be ignored.
Convenors – Tracey Earl & Derrick Hall
Photo Supplied by Haylilla Alpacas
Please Note: When this magazine went to print the show results for Clare were unavailable.
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MEMBERS STORIES/EMAILS A dry skin problem and a homemade remedy that worked!
I have a black huacaya who’s Mum was initially not so keen to feed him so he got off to a slow start. Whether this contributed to a later skin condition he developed is not known but at his first shearing we noticed white flakes throughout his fleece and to our horror the shearer suggested he might have mange. We waited a short while to see what would happen as a new fleece grew and whilst the condition lessened there was still some issue. If you asked me what it looked like I would compare it to lice eggs on human hair but there were no lice or mites crawling around on the animal. By this time we’d had some wet weather and he started losing his fleece from the knee joint down on all legs. I spoke with several more experienced breeders who suggested various cures but all acknowledged this as a difficult problem to resolve. I started using Potty’s White but the skin became dry and lumpy. The animal didn’t seem distressed, but I was! I’d taken a sample of the fleece to our vet who disregarded lice or mites but did extensive testing for fungal and bacterial infections. Following on from the vet’s suspicions I started my own daily routine to treat his dry legs. I washed his legs with Melamine dog wash and sprayed the skin with an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial spray. I then applied a varied combination of human thrush cream, sorbelene and a dry skin heel balm called NS8 that I find wonderful on my own feet in summer. I also continued intermittent applications of Potty’s White. Now, I’m not qualified to give medical advice, nor was my home remedy prescribed by a vet (although, I did check with the vet that what I was using was safe and not going to harm him) It didn’t take long though and the skin appeared less dry and cracked and the fleece started to grow back. In the meantime, and after a month of testing, nothing had developed so the vet concluded he simply had dry skin and the flaking was probably similar to human dandruff. For probably the next couple of months, every day I would halter the animal to a rail and treat his legs. Needless to say some early bottle feeding and lots of handling had contributed to a placid nature and he was extremely cooperative. Maybe he understood I was trying to help or maybe the ointments soothed his skin. He is now about 18 months old and has a lovely thick fleece, including all over his legs. I don’t know which of the applications solved our problem but I suspect the wash, spray and thrush cream kept infections at bay, the heel balm and sorbelene re-moisturized his skin and the Potty’s White sealed everything in and offered some protection from dampness and further drying out. I wish I’d taken photos but whatever worked, I now have a very tame and tolerant alpaca. What I would recommend is to be on the lookout for ‘balding’ areas and act on them quickly.
Julianne Buckely Buckley Estate Alpacas
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ANIMAL HEALTH & HUSBANDRY Feeding the pregnant alpaca This Article is reproduced from the The Alpaca Registry Journal, Vol V No 1 Spring 2000.
The most desirable outcome from a pregnancy is to have a healthy, vigorous cria, no health complications with the dam, and successful rebreeding within 30 days. Nothing can be more frustrating for an owner after the long wait than to have something go wrong with their newborn cria, especially if the pregnancy was difficult to conceive. Even more disheartening is learning that something could have been done to prevent the problem during pregnancy. Research with cattle and sheep has shown that nutrition in pregnancy influences colostrum quality and quantity, milk yield and composition, neonate viability, and future fertility of the dam. These data reveal the critical nutritional issues that need to be addressed during pregnancy. The critical issues are: energy and protein balance relative to requirements and appropriate supplementation of minerals and fat-soluble vitamins. From a management standpoint, issues such as level of intake, forage quality, body condition monitoring, and environmental stressors must be considered. For an industry that is dependent upon sound reproduction, we have little data to guide us in the proper nutrition of our pregnant animals. Data specifically addressing pregnancy nutrition of alpacas and llamas are scarce at best. Because there is sufficient functional similarity of anatomy and physiology between camelids and other ruminants, extrapolation of basic concepts of pregnancy nutrition from other species can be applied to the alpaca and llama and will be the focus of this discussion.
Understanding Pregnancy Requirements Nutrient requirements for the pregnant, non-lactating alpaca are only slightly higher than maintenance. The pregnant alpaca requires a defined amount of energy, protein (amino acids), minerals, and vitamins to maintain normal body functions as well as support fetal development. Fetal growth in all animals is exponential with more than 60% of total growth occurring in the final 2-to-3 months of gestation (1). As a result of this growth pattern, there is a substantial increase in nutrient requirements for the animal in late pregnancy as compared to the needs required for maintenance or early pregnancy. Following birthing, initiation of milk production results in a tremendous nutrient drain on the dam. When one compares daily requirements for glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and calcium for either a lactating or late pregnant cow, lactational requirements are 2.7, 2.0, 4.5 and 6.8 times greater than those needed for pregnancy, respectively(1). These differences represent changes in nutrient requirements over a period of only a few days and highlight the tremendous metabolic alterations necessary to adequately support lactation. If these metabolic changes are not effectively enacted, metabolic disease (i.e., fatty liver) and infertility problems may result. Maternal feed intake is depressed in all animals for a significant period of time following birthing. This results in inadequate nutrient intake to support milk production and rapid mobilization of nutrient reserves. If reserves have been depleted during late pregnancy, milk production will be limited, thus compromising survivability of the cria. Under most management schemes, we attempt to breed alpacas within 30 days of birthing to establish next year's cria. Reproductive cycles and conception rates are highly sensitive to nutrient status. Depletion of energy reserves results in suppressed reproductive function.
Energy Energy quantitatively is the most important nutrient and is derived from the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and
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protein. The fetus requires energy, primarily in the form of glucose and amino acids, to support growth. These nutrients are delivered via the maternal bloodstream to the uterus. The placenta, which encloses the fetus, is a physical barrier separating the fetus from maternal circulation. The primary functions of the placenta are nutrient uptake for metabolism and excretion of metabolic wastes. As a result of the number of cellular layers in the camelid placenta, similar to other ruminant animals, fatty acids and other lipid-based molecules do not cross the placenta (1, 2). Preventing fat from crossing the placenta allows the dam to shift her metabolism to utilizing fat as an energy substrate rather than glucose. This allows more glucose to be available to support the foetus. During periods when the dam does not consume sufficient feed to meet nutrient needs, she will draw from her fat reserves to make up the energy difference. This is why the pregnant animal needs to have, at a minimum, moderate body condition throughout pregnancy; it is an energy reserve to draw upon. Unfortunately, the fetus has little flexibility in terms of available alternative metabolic fuels. There is no fat reserve in the fetus. Fetal glucose concentrations decline as a result of declining maternal concentrations during periods of nutritional deficiency. Growth of fetal sheep, as determined by crown-to-rump length measurements during pregnancy, was deterred or completely stopped during periods of induced maternal hypoglycemia during late pregnancy(3). Since fat, which is elevated in the dam during energy deficiency, cannot cross the placenta, the fetus must utilize amino acids for energy. In contrast to glucose, fetal amino acid uptake is essentially unaffected by maternal nutrient status. A study using pregnant sheep showed amino acid oxidation to increase from 32% to 60% of total fetal oxygen consumption for diets either maintaining or restricting maternal nutrient intake throughout gestation, respectively(4). These data clearly demonstrate that amino acids are essential fetal energy substrates, especially during periods of maternal under-nutrition, which places an additional protein utilization burden on the dam.
Protein (Amino Acids) Dietary amino acids are used by the pregnant alpaca to build body proteins. Only during periods of energy deficiency will amino acids be used by the dam for generating glucose or be used as an energy substrate. In contrast, amino acids are an important energy substrate in the fetus irrespective of nutritional status. In addition to their use as a fetal energy substrate, amino acids are necessary to support fetal growth. Maternal protein deficiency in late gestation seemingly has a greater impact on birth weight than does energy deficiency(5). Maternal protein mobilization can maintain fairly normal fetal growth patterns during short periods of under-nutrition. Twin pregnant ewes fed an 8% crude protein diet had an 18% reduction in fetal weight compared to 12% and 15% crude protein diets(6). Foetal weights were not different between the 12% and 15% crude protein diets(6). These data suggest some capacity for the placenta to sustain amino acid delivery to the fetus, but it is not unlimited. There is no reserve storage of protein in the body. Where does this protein come from? Ewes receiving either 8% or 12% crude protein diets lost maternal skeletal protein, whereas ewes on the 15% crude protein diet gained carcass protein mass. Mobilization of maternal skeletal protein ("labile protein") can explain why birth weight is not dramatically affected within reasonable variation in maternal nutritional status, at the expense of maternal protein mass. Severe or prolonged maternal protein under-nutrition can not only result in fetal growth retardation, but can also negatively impact newborn viability through decreased thermo genic capacity and reduced production of quality colostrum. Calves born to cows on restricted protein pregnancy diets had less ability to generate heat to keep warm compared to calves born to protein-adequate cows(7). Prepartum losses in maternal nutrient reserves or body protein may have severe detrimental impacts on maternal health, lactation, and reproductive performance following parturition since these nutrient pools are critical to support early lactational nutrient losses.
This article was taken from the AAASA website - resources
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CRAFTER’S CORNER FIBRES OF MARQUEZ
The cottage industry is becoming more popular and a great way to promote the Alpaca industry is to demonstrate that there is more to Alpaca than the cute, cuddly looks!
Marquez Alpacas have been exploring different ways of processing Suri and Huacaya Alpaca fleece and are now providing a range of rainbow-dyed suri alpaca fleece and rainbow dyed suri alpaca yarns for use in the cottage industry.
“Our aim is to concentrate on the quality of the fleece, striving to produce dense, fine alpaca for spinning, felting, knitting and other cottage industry crafts.” Whilst Marquez produce Suri and Huacaya Alpaca fleece in a range of natural colours (black, brown, grey, fawn and white), we have also been processing our fleece utilising various dyes. Marquez now offer a range of bright, coloured, rainbow dyed Suri and Huacaya fleece ready to spin, felt, weave etc. Part of our marketing strategy is also to offer a range of bright coloured rainbow dyed Suri and Huacaya wool in small quantities ready to knit into a scarf, or medium quantities to make bigger garments. Any colour can be achieved and the use of Fibres of Marquez can only be left up to your imagination!
Jen & John Duggin Marquez Alpacas
Would you like to be part of crafters corner. Why not share with the members what you are up to with your fibre . All stories/articles are gratefully appreciated and needed.
Please help
me bring you the stories that you would like to read.
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Fleur de Lys Alpacas Fleur de Lys Nirvana— 1st Place at the Nationals With resounding comments: “finer, softer, longer, denser, true to type, upstanding, and well grown”, we are offering our blue ribbon winning intermediate male for sale. Placed above the Supreme Champion from Royal Melbourne Show, Nirvana is from our very best family and is the first time these genetics have been made available. 2012 Fleece statistics: 14.1µ
Av Mic: 14.3µ
SD: 3.2µ
SF:
Please phone to arrange a visit ...
Phone: 08 8556 1377 Mobile: 0414 585 955 E-mail: lee.sadler@bigpond.com
WANTED!!!!! AAA HEAD OFFICE IS LOOKING FOR A SA MEMBER TO NOMINATE TO BE THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO ASSIST IN PLANNING OF EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AAA IN 2015. ANY MEMBERS INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT GREG SCARLETT NO LATER THAN THE 25TH OF NOVEMBER, 2013.
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AAASA MERCHANDISE Item
Price
Fleece bags with holes
$0.55
Fleece bags with holes (bulk price—200 bags)
$100.00
Fleece bags without holes
$0.55
Fleece bags without holes (bulk price—200 bags)
$100.00
Webbing Halters—small or medium with plastic buckles.
$20.00
Discounted and discontinued. Webbing Halters—small, medium or large with metal buckles.
$30.00
Leads to match halters
$7.00
Show Coat Logo
$20.00
“Managing Alpacas in Australia” - an introductory guide for Alpaca Farmers, Breeders and Pet Owners under Australian Conditions “ABC for Alpaca Owners—Antenatal, Birthing and Cria Care” by Mc Millian/Jinks
$3.00 $35.00
“Alpaca Alphabet” - contains abbreviations, acronyms, colour chart, fleece grades,
$9.00
glossary of alphabet terms. NEW “Alpaca Agskills” - a primary industry publication
$30.00
Please note:
(1)
GST does not apply to goods or services provided by the AAASA Region.
(2)
Postage is additional to the prices quoted above.
(3)
Payment needs to be made prior to items being posted, or at the of collection. The region will accept payment by EFT to the account listed on the invoice, cheque or cash (please have correct change). Please supply a copy of your payment receipt if paying by EFT.
(4)
Members are invited to collect merchandise at shows, however, it would be appreciated if orders could be placed at least seven days prior to the show.
The region is still able to order items from the AAA on behalf of members, such as conference proceedings magazines and herd books. Due to postage costs, it may be cheaper for members to order these items direct from the AAA. Merchandise is available from:
Susan Haese—Yaringa Alpacas PO Box 661, Goolwa SA 5214 Email: susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au Phone: 0418 846 271
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MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM YOUR REGIONAL COMMITTEE
SA REGION CHRISTMAS DINNER WHEN:
SATURDAY 30TH OF NOVEMBER, 2013
WHERE: HAHNDORF OLD MILL TIME: 7.00 PM COST: $23.00 PER PERSON FOR A SMORGASBOARD RSVP to Sue Philpots-Green via email aislinnpark@hotmail.com
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Shearing & Medical Contacts AUSTRALIAN
ALPACA VETERINARIANS
Prof Peter Cockcroft
Adelaide SA
08 8313 7883
Dr Andrew Brown
Birdwood SA
08 8568 5220
Dr Denise Noonan
Bridgewater SA
08 8303 4107
Dr Greg Rodda
Meadows SA
08 8338 3455
Dr Andrew Loose
Hahndorf SA
08 8388 1200
Dr Amanda Carr
Roseworthy SA
08 8313 1999
Dr Neil Lawson
Victor Harbour SA
0414 855 923
Clare Valley SA
08 88422 822
Dr Louise Lehmann
The above Veterinarian's list was sourced from the AAA website
SHEARER’S DIRECTORY NAME
LOCATION
Greg Ruckert
Mt Barker
CONTACT DETAILS 0402 318 183
EMAIL ADDRESS greg@alpacamanagement. com
Brian & Kay
Rosedale
088 524 9093
kinedana@internode.on.net
Spalding
0429 099 438
troughlollies@gmail.com
Gursansky Trevor & Nicole
(Will travel SA, August to April)
Edmunds David Websdale
Drum-
0458 145 425
mond
(Will travel SA, Prebookings are
Victoria Kob Schmaal Mobile alpaca Shearing & Husbandry Services
essential)
0437 290 0310 Or 0438 143 903
If you know of a shearer who would like their details placed in the directory please email the information to aislinnpark@hotmail.com. Please include their email address and location .
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ADVERTISING ADVERTISING RATES Please Note: As the magazine is printed in full colour, black and white advertising costs are not available
SA REGION COLOUR
SINGLE EDITION
4 EDITION
NON MEMBERS
Inside Front Cover
$126.00
$455.00
$154.00 per edition
Outside Back Cover
$154.00
$560.00
n/a
Inside Back Cover
$126.00
$455.00
$154.00 per edition
Full Page
$126.00
$455.00
$154.00 per edition
1/2 Page
$70.00
$252.00
$77.00 per edition
n/a
$35.00
n/a
$30.00
$100.00
Stud Sire Directory Kids Page Banner
Web Page Advertising Banner
$30.00 per 6 months
Website Link from Classified Listing
$55.00 per 12 months $55.00 per 12 months
Free
*****ALL ADVERTISING MUST BY PAID FOR WITHIN ONE WEEK FROM DEADLINE DATE OF THE READ N BREED*****
Please supply all artwork as print ready Publisher to the correct size and all text documents in MS Word. All Photo’s and images are to be saved in high resolution (300dpi) as jpg files. Full Colour Ad’s should be supplied with bleeds in CMYK
210 x 297mm with 5mm bleed on all sides FULL PAGE
188 x 130mm 1/2 PAGE
90 x 130mm 1/4 PAGE
55mm x 4 lines CLASSIFIEDS
Bookings for the Stud Sire Directory must be paid in full prior to closing date of first placement edition
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From THE Editor Thankyou to Julianne Buckley & Konica Minolta Business Solutions for their help in Printing this magazine, it is greatly appreciated.
JUST A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR…… Once again, I have delivered another edition of the magazine. I would like to thank those who have helped with supplying articles and photo’s etc but would still encourage you all to help with the content of the magazine. All contributions are gratefully accepted and needed. As I reflect back on 2013, I find that there are a few regrets and sadness's, but also some rewarding moments all of which have brought me to where I stand today, and for that I am grateful.. We too have been very busy through out this year, with a fire on our property earlier this year and I wonder how I have been able to find the time to be secretary as well as editor of the magazine as well as all the other things that we have been involved with. Life is busy! For 2014, I am hoping that Peter is finished with building our home. (a solid stone home from the stone on our property). I am also hoping that his hips hold out until he is able to get the replacements that he needs. Fingers crossed. I would like to wish you and your family all the Health, Wealth and Happiness for 2014. cheers SUE
The Deadline for the Autumn edition of Read n Breed is Friday February the 7th,2014 Good things come to those who believe, Better things come to those who are patient and the best things come to those who don’t give up. Anonymous
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All members are invited to submit photographs for the use on the front cover and throughout the magazine as well as photo corner. Please send
“Smile”
them to:
I wanted to share this photo with everyone. This was a surprise to us as it was just sitting by the road near where we live. If you look closely it looks like there is a baby in the pouch
My baby……….
Photo by ABOVE ARE SOME THESupplied PHOTOS OF THE ONES I HAVE TAKEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SUE
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