ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
Autumn 2014 £7.00 where sold
FLEECE DENSITY GENERATING A FAIR ASSESSMENT
Alpaca Colour Genetics MENDEL MEETS MOLECULAR
Boats, Bikes ... and Alpacas
A BREEDER'S ACTION-PACKED LIFE
Direct From Peru
A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF CASA CHAPI
ALPACAS OR NOTHING
IT'S GOT TO BE – A CLASSIC CONVERSION STORY
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CONTENTS
Classical Publishing Ltd © 2014
WELCOME
The only independent magazine reporting on the international alpaca industry. Distributed by subscription worldwide and through country stores across the UK, Alpaca World Magazine reaches the largest readership in its market.
Issue 51 Autumn 2014 ISSN 1477–7088 Editor: Rachel Hebditch Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB Telephone: 01884 243579 Mobile: 07540 748803 Email: rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk
WELCOME TO THE AUTUMN EDITION OF ALPACA WORLD AND AS THE WINTER
Advertising: Heidi Hardy Telephone 01598 752799 Email: heidi@ alpacaworldmagazine.com
fineness, uniformity of micron, density and brightness in your fleeces, Dr Stephen Mulholland's
Copy deadline for the next issue: 12th December 2014
EDITION WILL NOT APPEAR UNTIL JANUARY, HAPPY CHRISTMAS. There is plenty of work for you in this edition with Cheryl Gehly's helpful guide to assessing article on calculating fleece density correctly and Dr Kylie Munyard's piece on colour genetics. A few days spent poring over pedigrees and looking at your animals with this new information may
Design and Production: TRG Design 68 Rivermead Road Exeter EX2 4RL Telephone: 01392 279371 Email: info@trgdesign.com www.trgdesign.com
help to predict the colour of the 2015 cria.
Printed in England by: Advent Colour 19 East Portway Ind. Est., Andover SP10 3LU
Show has changed its dates to March 7 & 8.
The material contained in Alpaca World Magazine is compiled by the publishers for information purposes only. Although the material included has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, no guarantees are given as to its accuracy or completeness. Readers are reminded that expert advice should always be sought in individual cases. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of the material contained in this issue the publisher does not accept responsibility for any loss arising out of such changes or inaccuracies nor for any other loss suffered as a result of information contained in this issue. Notice to Advertisers: It is a condition of acceptance of advertisement orders that the publishers, Classical Publishing Ltd, do not guarantee the insertion of a particular advertisement on a specific date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers; further the company does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy in the printing or non appearance of any advertisement, or if we decide to edit or delete any objectionable wording, or reject any advertisement. Although every advertisement is carefully checked, occasionally mistakes do occur. We therefore ask advertisers to assist us by checking their advertisements carefully and to advise us by the deadline given should an error occur. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than one incorrect insertion and that no republication or discount will be granted in the case of typographic or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement.
The British Alpaca Futurity and the Plush Show 2015 have moved their venue up the road to the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. The dates remain the same March 27 & 28, while the BAS National
CONTENTS Alpaca World Magazine Autumn 2014 NEWS 4 Australian Alpacas Into China 5 British Alpaca Futurity 2015 6 Alpaca Classic 8 North Devon Show 8 Honiton Show 8 Romsey Show 10 Australian National Show 12 Magical Farms Retirement 12 ACOA Premium Bale Project 12 Heart Of England Spring Fiesta 12 BAS National Show FEATURES 14 How Dense Are You? A fair assessment of fleece density
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Who Do You Think They Are? Ken Freivokh Alpaca Colour Genetics: Mendel Meets Molecular Alpacas Or Nothing: CS Alpacas Matter Of Facts: RIRDC Fact Sheets ’Tis The Season... Christmas Gift Ideas Casa Chapi: A Bird's Eye View Solar Rollers: Harnessing The Sun’s Rays To Iron Out The Creases
REGULAR ITEMS 58 Letter From France 73 Breeders directory
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Cover photo: Suris, Peru
www.alpacaworldmagazine.com ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 3
NEWS
If you have news of events or developments within the alpaca industry which you would like to share with others please send it to: The Editor, Alpaca World Magazine, Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8NB, United Kingdom Email: info@alpacaworldmagazine.com
PRECIOUS AUSTRALIAN ALPACA CARGO JETS INTO CHINA
Australian Alpaca industry completes world's largest known export of alpaca breeding stock into China IN A TRADE OF HUGE significance in the international alpaca world, a cargo of 525 breeding males and pregnant females landed in the Shanxi Province this week after a ten and a half hour flight from Melbourne airport on a chartered Singapore Airlines 747 Freighter Aircraft. The shipment, the largest to ever leave Australia, will form a breeding herd at Shanxi University where China is establishing an alpaca industry largely founded on the Australian bloodlines so widely sought around the world to improve the quality of many herds. President of the Australian Alpaca Association, Michelle Malt, says Australia’s ability to put together such a large and successful export is an achievement with global impact. “China is the largest textile producer in the world and they are establishing this new fibre venture at a time when demand for luxurious alpaca fleece and alpaca product has never been higher,” Ms Malt said. “There is enormous potential for more trade.” “Australia’s foundation contribution to the Chinese development herd is a huge boost to our industry and testament to the two decades we have been breeding an elite Australian alpaca with fibre traits at the top end of the world industry. “Our breeding programmes have created such a depth of quality in our national herd that we are perfectly placed to continue to meet all future demands for premium alpaca genetics in China and other markets.” In a project managed by the specialist Wildflower Alpaca Exports, the China herd was selected over many months from
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Loading in Melbourne
studs across Australia and Ms Malt says it represents some of the finest breeding work of Australian stud owners in recent years. The alpacas travelled to China in more than 20 specially designed double-tiered livestock crates on an exclusively chartered 747-400 freighter with Wildflower exporter and alpaca breeder Steve Ridout and another alpaca expert at their side, in live freight arrangements reminiscent of those used with elite thoroughbred racehorses.
“The welcome in China was quite overwhelming,” Mr Ridout said. “Our plane was met by a crowd of hundreds including media, dignitaries and Chinese officials.” “There was so much excitement on the arrival of what we believe is their largest ever alpaca import because China currently has so few alpaca and the people are completely captivated by them. “The entire export herd is now well-settled in purpose built quarantine facilities and we were able to stay with them during the very successful settling period,” Mr. Ridout said. The China export follows this year’s opening of trade with Turkey which chose to start
its national herd with Australian bloodlines, and new trade opportunities with Korea following the recently announced protocols for alpaca export. With this growth in the export market, Ms Malt says there has never been a better time to be involved in Australian Alpaca. “These markets are exciting immediate business opportunities for Australian studs, and extend the traditional export markets we have long established with Europe, the UK and New Zealand for our premium bloodlines.”
The purpose built quarantine facility
Some of the crates loaded into the chartered Singapore Airlines 747 Freighter
NEWS
BEST OF BRITISH: BIGGER, BETTER, BACK. NEW VENUE AND NEW DIMENSION TO THE BRITISH ALPACA FUTURITY, MARCH 2015
THE BRITISH ALPACA FUTURITY 2015 has lined up top international judges Peter Kennedy (Australia) and Wade Gease (USA) for this prestigious show on Friday March 27 and Saturday March 28. The show will be held in the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, that has an hotel just across the corridor from the main hall, a casino attached and first class rail, air and motorway links to the rest of the UK and Europe. The Plush Show, an innovative textile show, will be the latest new venture for the Futurity with 70-plus stands, workshops featuring the brightest young designers and makers and hosted by the designer Belinda Harris-Reid and theatre director Rachel Vowles (pictured right). Designer/makers, hand dyers, people working in the world of fibre, textile artists and companies selling exquisite hand-made objects and designs will be exhibiting at the
Show, applauding the British making and designing industry. Knitters are invited to take part in the Sit-nKnit-a-Bit campaign running up to the show by making something using our special scarlet Plush needles and crochet hooks to raise money for Target Ovarian Cancer. These are on sale on the Plush website. The Futurity is hosted by a group of British breeders to showcase British alpaca breeding to the rest of the world. Sponsorship opportunities, application forms for trade stands and booking forms for nominated males are on the websites www.p-lush.co.uk and www. britishalpacafuturity.com. All sponsors, companies taking stands and nominated males will be showcased on the websites from the payment date. www.p-lush.co.uk www.britishalpacafuturity.com
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 5
NEWS
AUCTION SUCCESS AT THE CLASSIC
Alpaca Classic 2014
THE ALPACA CLASSIC 2014 realised over 100,000 guineas at its auction of alpacas from The Alpaca Stud and Bozedown Alpacas. The top price of 18,000 guineas was paid for Bozedown Avatar, a 2012 born white female who was Champion White Female at the BAS National Show and Alpaca Showtime this year.
Brett Kaysen (USA), the senior AOBA fleece judge Cheryl Gehly(USA) and Chas Brooke (UK) gave a series of lectures during the two day event on September 6 & 7 at Bozedown Alpacas near Reading. The emphasis in Cheryl Gehly's seminars and hands on workshops was on generational gain and how Brett Kaysen auctioneer
Cheryl Gehly
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to achieve it. Delegates were asked to assess fleeces on their fineness, uniformity of micron, density and brightness and work out how to make the next generation better. This instruction sheet (opposite) was there to help and we are very pleased to reprint it in Alpaca World magazine as it is an invaluable aid. Looking at a fleece
Nick Harrington Smith, Mary Jo Smith and Brett Kaysen decided to take on the ice bucket challenge for charity at the Alpaca Classic. Of course as it was on a farm, no ordinary bucket would do. Instead a giant bucket on a tractor was filled with water and as you can see they were thoroughly drenched.
NEWS
FINENESS 16 Barely visible
18
20
Individual fibres becoming hard to see
Can easily see individual fibres, look quite small
23 Can draw with a very sharp point & light touch of an HB pencil
25 Can pick up individual fibres
UNIFORMITY OF MICRON Excellent
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Poor
Extremely even in micron Secondaries & primaries very close in diameter, very uniform distribution of fibres across blanket from shoulder to rump and from midside to belly
Quite uniform throughout Primary fibres still evident, but closer in size to secondaries, slight variation in fibre size throughout blanket, may vary a bit toward extremities
Average variation Primaries are distinct and visible. some variation in size of secondary fibres, several primaries may exist in individual staples & locks, greater uniformity may be seen shouldermidside-rump, falls off lower in blanket
Increased number of primary fibres increased size of primaries, increased variation in range of fibre diameter of secondaries, increased variation in fibre diameter across blanket
Very large and coarse primary fibres, large number of primary fibres present in all areas of blanket, secondaries vary in size throughout lock or staple midside, great variation to extremities of blanket
Fleece feels very soft & silky
Fleece feels soft
Fleece begins to feel prickly
Fleece feels prickly
Fleece feels harsh & prickly
DENSITY Excellent
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Poor
Very fine fibres throughout highly aligned staple or lock, firmness felt in very small sub-groups of locks or staples, very organized from skin to tip with excellent amplitude or twist
Finer fibres Good alignment & organization of fibres 3/4 of the way from tip to akin in suri locks, good amplitude seen in huacaya staples, good firmness felt in smaller fibre groups
Average fineness More open fleece. organization evident 1/2 way in lock, staple group shows structure with some amplitude, some firmness felt in broader, more open staple and lock groups
Fineness decreases Fleece shows some evidence of organization, little firmness to the touch, suri may feel warm
Coarser fibres present in very open, Iofty locks or staples, the only organization evident is at the tip
Below Average
Poor
BRIGHTNESS Excellent
Above Average
Sheen present Seems to glow from within fibres, glows evident with very little light present
Shine present Looks very bright in natural light
Average Can see some shine, especially when staples or locks are curved over finger in natural light
Some light reflection seen
Very dull, flat, chalky. Little or no brightness
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 7
NEWS
WESTERN DOUBLE BILL
North Devon Show and Honiton Show
THE WESTCOUNTRY'S TWO SHORT fleece shows are the North Devon and Honiton Shows that are back to back in the first week of August. Mrs Shirley Bettinson judged North Devon awarding Show Champion Huacaya to Popham Havengore and the reserve to Classical MileEnd Sarabande. The Show Champion Suri was Popham
Suri Canon, the Show Champion Huacaya Fleece was won by Pippin Oberon and the Show Champion Suri fleece went to Langaton Tabitha 12th. Mrs Val Fullerlove was the judge at Honiton where the Show Champion Huacaya was Cedar House Shirley Temple of Manor Farm and the Reserve Champion Classical MileEnd Capella. A Suri Show Champion was not awarded.
Honiton Show: Huacaya champion and reserve
Felicia Sanders with the North Devon Show Champion Popham Havengore
ROMSEY SHOW 2014
THE RECENTLY HELD ROMSEY SHOW was very well supported with 90 entries and exhibitors travelling from as far as Hertfordshire, Suffolk, East Sussex, Somerset and Essex, as well as Hampshire and neighbouring Counties. Judged by Jay Holland our Huacaya Supreme was awarded to Intermediate Fawn Male Snowshill Romulus II owner by Mr Roger Mount and Mrs Mary Mount and the Suri Supreme was awarded to the Intermediate Light Male Hilly Ridge Balius Blue owned by Mrs Joanne Bridge.
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Rachel Hebditch with the Reserve CME Sarabande
Judge Val Fullerlove giving her oral reasoning on awarding the Show Champion and Reserve.
There’s Alpacas . . . and then there’s Delphi’s Elphi
Delphi had the pleasure of showing the very best of Grey alpacas in the United States during 2014; including the Grey Futurity Male Champion, and the Grey Futurity Female Reserve Champion (at just 9 months of age).
KRV Peruvian
True Eye Candy (Ike)
Elphi
Avatar
Ike’s AFD this fleece 13.9
“Ike”
Avatar has sired 5 National Banner winners; his offspring have been awarded over 50 Championships in all. He and his crias are noted for superb uniformity and lasting fineness.
Avatar
True Eye Candy’s 8 mo. AFD: 13.9 20 month AFD: 16.9 Awarded a banner every time he walked in the ring as a yearling. He settled his first confirmed pregnancies at under 22 months. Please visit DelphiAlpacas.com for more information on Ike.
These Alpacas or their genetics are available to you. Please inquire. Watch for them at upcoming sales!
Delphi Alpacas ~ Since 1993 ~ Linda Bat & Rus Hinman ~ Coaldale, CO USA ~ DelphiAlpacas.com ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 9
NEWS
HIGH QUALITY AT AUSSIE AUCTION
Australian National Show and Sale The top priced stud male Leopard Appaloosa Grand Flowerdale GP Toros ET sold for AUD$66,000 to the joint buyers, pictured here, Peter Kennedy of Neo Alpacas and Shirley Grant from NZSummerhill Alpacas with the seller Jeff Farman of Flowerdale Alpacas
THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL SHOW AND SALE was held in Bendigo September 18-21, 2014, and is the Australian Alpaca Association’s premier annual industry trade event. It attracts top domestic and international breeders and the auction of stud males and females, and judging of the country’s finest quality animals benchmarks the achievements of a young rural industry creating its future. The compelling quality of elite livestock at the Australian Alpaca National Show & Sale drove sales of
the country’s highest quality alpaca to important new customers, with the top-priced alpaca selling for $66,000. AAA President Michelle Malt said Australia shared its excellent alpaca genetics with selective international buyers who were drawn by the consistency of quality in Australian breeding stock producing fleece with impressive lustre, density and fineness. “Our animals travel this year to diverse homes both around Australia and overseas as global
breeders work together on commercial alpaca,” Ms Malt said. “It is inspiring to know that Australia’s contribution to the development of the breed is so highly valued by our colleagues around the world. Across the four days we also acknowledged the arrival of a major new player in the Australian industry, and a further advance in an exciting industry development collaboration.” In the auction’s top result, the Victorian specialist Neo Alpacas teamed up with New Zealand’s NZ
Left: Steve Chiodo and Steve Klingsporn of Australia's Merrijig Alpacas celebrate their AUD$55,000 purchase of Ambersun Pure Exception with Chris and Adrienne Williams of Ambersun Alpacas Right: Andrew Munn of Alpha Centauri Alpacas celebrates the sale for export of Alpha Centauri Kommissar to breeders from the Netherlands, Dries Luitjen of Quality Line Alpacas and Woulter Coenradie of the Alpaca Garden Stud
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Summerhill Alpacas to purchase an impressive leopard appaloosa at auction for $66,000 as part of a unique breeder collaboration. Grand Flowerdale GP Toros ET, sold by Jeff Farman of Flowerdale Alpacas in Victoria, will be shared across the Tasman as the two breeders work together on the genetics of the increasingly popular appaloosa alpaca. South Australia’s Adult Female Ambersun Pure Exception claimed Australian Supreme Champion, and hours later she auctioned for $55,000, the day’s highest price for an alpaca female. Pure Exception has sold to a large, newly established stud in the Victorian High Country. Steve Klingsporn from Merrijig Alpacas sees the purchase as a strategic addition to the stud’s burgeoning herd already some 1200 alpaca, only 11 months into this significant new operation. Specialist Victorian Suri breeder Surilana lodged an impressive performance scooping the pool with nine top awards before Surilana Mind Blowing claimed Australian Champion Supreme Suri. The stud also achieved a strong auction price for its young dam Surilana Seraphim who sold with a cria at foot at $22,000. And off the auction floor trade was also lively. In one deal, NSW Alpha Centauri stud shook hands with breeders from Europe in a deal which sees Alpha Centauri Kommissar set for export to the Netherlands. The buyers said they came to Australia because they planned to source world’s best alpaca genetics.
Contact Roger Mount
on 01386 853 841 or 07711044106 Email: snowshillalpacas@btinternet.com Web: www.snowshillalpacas.com
Snowshill Alpacas,
Snowshill Hill Barn, Temple Guiting, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5XX
Snowshill Beethoven
Snowshill Ciscero
sire: Virococha Prophecy of Anzac dam: Merungle Audrey of Anzac
sire: Eringa Park Lionheart of Cambridge dam: Silverstream Escudo of Anzac
Snowshill Nicodemus
Snowshill Oberon (Suri)
sire: Snowshill Samuel dam: Snowshill Amelia
Snowshill Peregrin
sire: Wessex Cosmos dam: Hermione of Willaston
Snowshill Raphael (Suri)
sire: Andean Legacy of I-Spy dam: Snowshill Letitia
sire: Snowshill Raphael dam: Bozedown Dividend
Blackmore Vale Shaston Prince
sire: Coricancha Fernando of Wessex dam: Patience
Snowshill Shadow Dancer
sire: ARU Cambridge Ice Cool Lad dam: Cambridge Chocolate Button
Wellground Imber
sire: Moonstone Ridgway of Bozedown dam: Eve of Atlantic
Snowshill Orlando
sire: Virococha Prophecy of Anzac dam: Snowshill Perdita
Snowshill Ramises
sire: EP Cambridge Navigator of Accoyo dam: Snowshill Alexandra
Snowshill Vivaldi
sire: Blackmore Vale Shaston Prince dam: Snowshill Abbigail
Above is a selection of our Stud Males available for services in 2014. Fees range from ÂŁ350 to ÂŁ650. Significant discounts apply for multiple matings. Progeny can be viewed. We also have a number of alpacas for sale from pet to show quality. Please phone/email for details. ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 11
NEWS
“THANKS FOR A MAGICAL TIME!” Farm and herd sale in Ohio MAGICAL FARMS, the biggest alpaca farm in the USA, is retiring. Jerry and Libby Forstner are selling the entire herd and their Ohio farm, to spend more time in Florida. Libby Forstner is a past president of both the Alpaca Registry and the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association. They write: “We have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the American Alpaca Industry's Marketing and Registry efforts from the early days of AOBA and ARI, through such significant events as Registry Closure, the building of both entities into strong and internationally respected Breed Organizations, all the way through the recent Merger into the streamlined Alpaca Owners Association. “We have enjoyed the evolution of the Show system, from some of the early shows which took place under a single tent in a breeder's
pasture, to the vibrant, highly competitive, and incredibly well-run shows of today that showcase huge numbers of animals and fleeces from all across the country... What a fantastic progression! “We have seen the fiber market advance from the early days with hand-shears unsure of how best to "just get the fiber off" and then wondering what to do with it, to a highly sophisticated and scientifically verified shearing process with a fiber market that includes a broad range of opportunities from the cottage market, to the burgeoning minimills, to the co-operative models, to selling highly regarded American Fiber directly into the International Market. “Lastly, and most importantly, we have enjoyed the people in this industry, the alpacas, and the day-to-day operations of
We feel blessed to have had alpacas as a part of our lives, and can only hope that in their own way they have felt the same about us our Ohio home. Magical's herd quality, density, conformation, and even color range has advanced dramatically in the 21 years we have cared for and bred these treasured animals; while at the same time their gentle curiosity, calming nature, and intelligent inquisitive glances out of those oversized eyes have not changed one bit. We feel blessed to have had alpacas as a part of our lives, and can only hope that in their own way they have felt the same about us. “Participating in all of
these on-Farm and Industry moments through the day to day stewardship of the Farm and the Magical herd, regular participation in the shows, as well as the many hours of Board Membership, Committee Participation, and Volunteerism have instilled in us a deep admiration and appreciation of the alpaca, this industry, and the creativity and passions of the people who care for these animals. We would like to say Thank You, it has been an incredible 21 years!”
ACOA Premium Bale Project THE ALPACA COALITION OF AMERICA has established a Premium Bale Project to show the American textile industry that alpaca breeders are producing low micron, low standard deviation fleeces that could be used in the finest textile and knitwear applications. ACOA is to sponsor the collection of two bales of elite white huacaya to sell by auction to the highest bidders in the textile industry. The two bales are: PREMIUM PLUS - a bale under 18 micron average fibre diameter, with an aggregate standard deviation of under 4.0, a comfort factor of not less than 98% and a maximum staple length variation of one inch around an average of 3.5 inches. Vegetable matter contamination will be at a very low level (on a scale of 1-5, at 2 or less) and each fleece will be tested for tensile strength. No juvenile fleeces will be accepted. PREMIUM - a bale under 20 micron average fibre diameter with an aggregate standard deviation of less than 4.0, a comfort factor of not less than 98% and a maximum
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staple length variation the same as the Premium Plus bale. Vegetable matter contamination will be at a very low level (on a scale of 1-5, at 2 or less) and each fleece will be tested for tensile strength. No juvenile fleeces will be accepted. Growers will be invited to submit three samples from each fleece they would like to contribute, shoulder, mid-side and rump. The samples will be tested with the OFDA 2000 for a testing fee of five dollars per fleece. Meanwhile a press release, dated September 5, from the Australian Alpaca Fleece Ltd states that the first container of Australian alpaca fibre has arrived in the UK and that the feedback from the customer is really good and that they are satisfied with both quality and value. They also state that they have European customers looking for container quantities of clean fleece, including lower quality lines. The prices paid to the growers for white fleeces in which 75% of the fleece is under 22 micron is the equivalent of £3.26 and for colour £1.92.
ALL CHANGE FOR THE HEART OF ENGLAND THE HEART OF ENGLAND SPRING ALPACA FIESTA is moving - new dates and new location. The new location will be Bury Farm Equestrian Centre, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire and the new date is 11th and 12th April 2015. This fantastic show will continue to be one of the most popular on
the circuit and will again have two full days of competition with over 200 alpacas. There will be more classes than previous shows, new trophies and awards, stud promotion and more. All details will be on the group website www.heartofenglandalpacagroup.co.uk
NEW DATE FOR NATIONAL SHOW THE BRITISH ALPACA SOCIETY National Show held at the International Centre, Telford, in Shropshire has changed its dates to March 7 & 8, 2015.
It’s only natural to want the best....
BAS National Show 2014 awarded Bozedown Alpacas 3 Suri Champions + Reserve Champion 5 Huacaya Champions + Reserve Champion + Best British bred Huacaya
1989
2014
25 years Breeding Champions www.bozedown-alpacas.co.uk
Congratulations to Velvet Hall Alpacas for winning Champion Grey Female at the BAS National with Bozedown Nunavut
please contact MaryJo for sales and stud services 0771 875 0303 0118 984 3827
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 13
HOW DENSE ARE YOU?
Dr Stephen Mulholland trained as a laboratory scientist and holds a PhD is Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. In 2003 he moved to New Zealand, bought a small farm and started raising alpacas. In 2005 Stephen began, with the assistance of the AANZ and the NZLA to run health surveys of the llama and alpaca populations of New Zealand and to date has collected 15,000 animal years data on their morbidity, mortality and management. He led the team that produced the final draft of the Code of Welfare: Llamas and Alpacas that was launched in April 2013 whilst in June 2013 founded a camelid health and welfare charitable trust with other interested alpaca and llama owners: www.camelidhealth.org
HOW DENSE ARE YOU? GENERATING A FAIR ASSESSMENT OF ALPACA FLEECE DENSITY
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HOW DENSE ARE YOU?
lpacas have the capacity to produce truly wonderful fleece - soft, lustrous, and in a panoply of colours. To maximise the profitability of alpacas, people are naturally pursuing breeding goals to maximise the output of fleece. In this pursuit the trait called 'density' is seen as a worthy objective. But what is density, how do we measure it, and how do we fool ourselves? And perhaps most importantly, how can we make better informed decisions when it comes to breeding programmes seeking to increase density? The scientific definition of density, in regard to alpaca fibre, is a measure of how many hairs grow per unit of skin, usually measured in follicles per square millimetre. This can be measured directly by taking a skin biopsy and studying it under a microscope to count the number of hair follicles. This also gives a measure of the number of primary fibres compared to secondary fibres. There are a couple of practical problems with this direct biopsy measurement. Most obviously this is not something that you can do on your own, unless you happen to be a veterinarian with access to a good histology setup. So there is a cost to such sampling. A single biopsy also gives you one 'data point', it is a measure from a single area on the blanket region of the fleece. When you are looking at large numbers of animals for sale (or for use as a stud), it is quite difficult (expensive) to get that many samples collected and analysed and some owners may not want skin punches taken from their animals by a possible tyre kicker. The single point in time measure of density is also problematic on young, growing animals that have not yet come into their adult fleece, which could be higher or lower density than their cria fleece.
A GOOD GROPE One of the common techniques I see people applying is what I term 'a good grope'. While examining the fleece to look for colour, staple, crimp, they will at some point give it a good squeeze to see 'how dense it is'. I do this myself. But just what are we measuring when we give the fleece a squeeze? Density? Nope. What we are measuring is the resistance to mechanical compression. Now the resistance to mechanical compression has a relationship, correlation, to fleece density, but it is driven by many variables, is more complex than you might first think, and is very susceptible to incorrect assessment of fleece density. Yes, more fleece is harder to compress than less fleece, but that is only one aspect that affects your perception. 1. Thick fibres are stiffer than thin fibres. An everyday example is tree limbs. The little branches bend out of your way when you apply pressure, but the same amount of wood in a thick branch would resist that pressure. Make a bit of wood a bit thicker makes it much stiffer. What this means is that a bunch of 25 micron fibres will be much better at resisting the compressive load than 15 micron fibres. 2. Bundled staples let fibre support one another. Like coiled bed springs, an 'organised' fleece where the fibres are bundled together will be much stiffer and thus resist your grasp. 3. Longer fibres bend more easily. The tactile response to hair varies with length. Short hairs can feel stiff, think of rubbing the head of a freshly crew cut friend, while the same hair a few centimetres long feels completely different. The same applies to alpaca.
How can we make better informed decisions when it comes to breeding programmes seeking to increase density? ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 15
HOW DENSE ARE YOU? 4. You can end up confusing the amount of hair mass per unit area from the number of hair follicles. If all else was equal, and it's generally not, as the points above show, one 30 micron fibre has as much hair mass as four 15 micron fibres. 5. Environmental factors can change the feel of a fleece, from humidity to the nature of the soil that the animal dust bathes in. It is possible to account for all these factors and make a good estimate of density. You would need to estimate the micron, look at the fleece structure and examine the staple lengths. Then you juggle all these variables together in your head and make the final calculation. It takes time and lots of practice. Of course, there is a difference between thinking you know how to estimate by feel and actually being able to do so. Just because you've had lots of practice, it doesn't mean you are doing it right.
BLIND TEST The way to measure your effectiveness is a 'blind' test. This doesn't mean you work with your eyes closed. Rather, you are presented with a group of animals with known density measurements, either through skin samples or by using the maths I'll get into shortly. But the key here is that you don't know how dense they are. You study each animal and make your results known. Then the true values are revealed, and you see how close, or not, your predictions were. Training in this process can be helpful - but
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only if the person training you knows what they are doing. A wrong method can be dutifully passed on from teacher to student just as readily as a correct method. Of course, when you are assessing the density of animals for use (studs) or purchase, getting out to get a feel for the fleece may not be possible. Maybe they were just shorn. Maybe they are thousands of kilometres away and you can't justify the cost just to look at one or two animals. Or maybe you are surfing the web and have assembled a list of 200 animals across dozens of different farms you're interested in, you'd never have the time to go see them all.
NORMALISATION I'm going to show you a technique called 'normalisation', this is how you can convert numbers so that when you compare two different alpacas you are, in a sense, comparing apples with apples. It does not provide a definitive answer as to the exact fleece density of an animal, rather it allows a large pool of animals to be compared to one another to determine which are better and which are worse. The first and most important factor to correct for is the mean micron. It takes four times as many 15 micron fibres to make a kilogram of fleece as it does 30 micron fibres. So if animal A had one kilo of 15 micron fleece and animal B had one kilo of 30 micron fleece, then animal A would have four times the fleece density.
Of course, there is a difference between thinking you know how to estimate by feel and actually being able to do so
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HOW DENSE ARE YOU?
Once you account for staple length you'll be surprised just who is the densest
The maths behind the calculation is quite simple. I'm just taking the cross sectional area of a round fibre -π r2. The table below lets you compare the relative weights of different finenesses. 1 kg of
Is equal to this many kg of fleece of a different micron µ 14 µ
16µ
18µ
20µ
22µ
24µ
26µ
30µ
35µ
14µ
1.0kg
1.15kg
1.65kg
2.05kg
2.47kg
2.94kg
3.45kg
4.6kg
6.24kg
16µ
0.76kg
1.0kg
1.27kg
1.56kg
1.89kg
2.25kg
2.64kg
3.52kg
4.78kg
18µ
0.6kg
0.79kg
1.0kg
1.23kg
1.49kg
1.78kg
2.08kg
2.78kg
3.78kg
20µ
0.49kg
0.64kg
0.81kg
1.0kg
1.21kg
1.44kg
1.69kg
2.25kg
3.06kg
22µ
0.40kg
0.53kg
0.67kg
0.82kg
1.0kg
1.19kg
1.40kg
1.86kg
2.53kg
24µ
0.34kg
0.44kg
o.56kg
0.69kg
0.84kg
1.0kg
1.17kg
1.56kg
2.13kg
26µ
0.28kg
0.38kg
0.48kg
0.59kg
0.72kg
0.85kg
1.0kg
1.56kg
1.81kg
30µ
0.22kg
0.28kg
0.36kg
0.44kg
0.54kg
0.64kg
0.75kg
1.0kg
1.36kg
35µ
0.16kg
0.21kg
0.26kg
0.33kg
0.40kg
0.47kg
0.55kg
0.73kg
1.0kg
Example: After years of use, it is time to replace your stud 'Super Duper'. You want a boy who is a bit finer, but has at least the same density. Super Duper clips 2.5 kg of 22 µ blanket fleece. So all else being equal, we'll get to staple length and body size later, how much blanket fleece would you need on a finer animal to be the same density. For a 14 µ stud you'd need a fleece weight of at least 2.5kg* 0.40=1.00kg For a 16 µ stud you'd need a fleece weight of at least 2.5kg* 0.53=1.33kg For a 18 µ stud you'd need a fleece weight of at least 2.5kg* 0.67=1.68kg For a 20 µ stud you'd need a fleece weight of at least 2.5kg* 0.82=2.05kg So if you find a 16µstud, he only needs a 1.33kg blanket fleece to equal the density of 22µ Super Duper. 18 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
STAPLE LENGTH Next we need to consider staple length. Obviously a longer fleece weighs more. This is great for increasing total fleece yield, but can confuse matters when considering density. Simple example, if you had two animals, A and B, with the same micron, and the same fleece weight, but A had a 12cm staple and B had a 6cm staple, then B has twice the follicle density. Don't necessarily discount the density of low fleece weight animals. Their density may be fine, they may just need to be bred to animals that will improve staple length. Staple length consideration is especially important when considering first fleeces, which can be 15cm or more, to the fleece of an older animal that is only cutting 6cm a year. Once you account for staple length you'll be surprised just who is the densest.
BODY SIZE This of course leads to body size. When you've just shorn a 2 month old, 20kg, cria how can you fairly compare its density to a fully adult stud male? Micron and staple length play a major role, but you can correct for body size by measuring back length, from the bottom of the neck to the top of the tail. This defines the area that is clipped as the blanket. I know it is a linear approximation for what is a changing two dimensional shape which is the region we call the blanket but it will produce at least a ball park figure. Adult animals generally have similar back lengths, so this correction factor can often be ignored. If you have an especially long backed animal, it is probably worth measuring. It is also worthwhile to calculate the density of each animal each year as it changes over time.
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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 19
HOW DENSE ARE YOU? PLACODES A cria is not born with all its adult hair follicles, they physically couldn't fit. Instead the skin of a cria has thousands and thousands of 'placodes'; these are biochemical markers which say 'a hair can grow here'. That doesn't mean a hair will grow there, it is simply a limit on the maximum potential fibre density. A cria that is sick, injured, or underfed may never reach its full genetic potential and not every placode will turn into a hair follicle. Likewise older animals can suffer from declining density. We all know what it is like when you get older and your hair starts getting a bit thin. But if you measure the density, correcting for micron and staple, you can then spot those animals that maintain good density in later life, a useful and probably heritable trait you can use to add value. Finally a quick warning about breeding for any trait. Any trait, bred to an extreme, can be detrimental. It is possible that super high fleece density could lead to other health problems. Balance your goal of breeding for improved density with the overall health and welfare of your alpacas. More doesn't always mean better. We would like to thank the Australian Alpaca Association for allowing us to reprint the text of Dr Mulholland's address at their 2014 Alpaca Excellence Conference.
Any trait, bred to an extreme, can be detrimental
20 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
UsE oUr gENETics To aDD ValUE To yoUr hErD Joint owners of Dovecote Jaquinto of TAS 2011 Futurity Champion Huacaya HerdSire LMFI & TNT PeruvIaN NTherough Sire MFI Peruvian Jeremiah Standing at Stud
DoveCoTe JaquINTo grand Sire Pperuvian vengador Standing at Stud
CMe XerXeS Sire CMe Tulaco Centurion Standing at Stud
PoINT BLaNk Sire MFI Peruvian Jericho Standing at Stud
LMFI PeruvIaN BeST BeT Sire MFI Peruvian Jericho Standing at Stud
Benefit from our 18 years’ experience and buy with confidence from a range of world class bloodlines Classical MileEnd Alpacas is a bio-secure farm with wildlife fencing on the entire farm perimeter and a strict policy for the management of risk from infectious and contagious diseases. Buy with confidence from a company that takes the health of its alpacas
1
Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB Telephone: 01884 243579 Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2009 Email: rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk
and bio-security very seriously. We can offer packages of high quality alpacas and stud services at affordable prices with full after sales support and training. Please get in touch if you would like to visit our farm.
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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 21
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WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE?
WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE?
Maltese Falcon – 88m (286ft) sailing yacht – largest privately owned in the world, with styling and design by Ken Freivokh Design
22 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE?
With a lovely girl showing alpaca products during the visit to Peru in 2011
One of many photos with border terrier puppies – all that changes is my age!
Oops – early days with Liz Windsor – only 40 years ago!
S Ken Freivokh of Artwork Alpacas gives a snapshot of a life led to the full...
hock, horror! Shortly after moving into the 400 year old farmhouse which we had spent three years renovating, we found out that the fields flanking the access had been put on the market with the presumption of equestrian use…. A field adjoining our previous house had also been offered for equestrian use and eventually became somewhat of an eyesore. Once bitten, twice shy, we had to protect our lovely Grade II building. Once the deed was done, Liz turned to ask – ‘what now?’ Clearly, it made sense to put the fields to good use, but my thoughts regarding grazing animals were that I would rather not have to milk them, ride them or eat them. Suddenly, the answer became obvious. I had lived 15 years in Peru, and had always admired the alpacas which seemed to be everywhere during my frequent visits to the mountains. Why not re-create a bit of that magic - those unusual looks, mysterious eyes, those beguiling creatures?
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 23
WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE?
Twenty one days and four storms later, I arrived at Liverpool – somehow, English did not sound the same as in LA
Yours truly at 6 months
24 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
ROUGH PASSAGE
ON WIND AND WAVE
I did not, in fact, come into the world in Peru, but rather Los Angeles, California, from a French father and a Chilean mother….. Confusing indeed. Seven years, however, was all my mum could take away from her family, which by then had settled in Lima, Peru, so the whole family was pointed back south. My engineering and artistic leanings ensured that I graduated with a BSc (Engineering) and a Master in Architecture, and my grades seemed to be good enough to be awarded a Duke of Edinburgh Scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London. Delighted, I only found out later that whilst the trip was also included, it was on board a Pacific Steam Navigation Co. cargo ship. Twenty one days and four storms later, I arrived at Liverpool – somehow, English did not sound the same as in LA. I always thought I would return, but amazing job offers in London proved too tempting. Perhaps the most interesting was working as project architect for the new zoo planned for Kuwait - intended to be the largest zoo in the world, I spent months learning about the care of animals with the dedicated zoological team at London zoo - an experience I will never forget…. So much so that, on one particular birthday, I was gifted the sponsorship of one of London Zoo’s dung beetles – the event included a trip to visit him in London, but I was never sure that I did see my particular beetle. Trouble in the Middle East put paid to the new Kuwait Zoo but, by that time, I had developed a passion for sailing. Technically (or should I say legally) I was supposed to be hard at work designing a new extension to the British Museum, but I must confess that quite a bit of my office time was spent designing a sailing boat. This had not passed unnoticed by my immediate boss, and I was eventually summoned to his office. Prepared for the worst, it was with some relief that I heard: 'given the time you have spent designing that boat, perhaps we should order two'. Other customers must have thought the same, as the shipyard asked me to design the rest of their range, and a fourth phase of my life had started.
Long days at the office were followed by dashing to Chichester Harbour and later Hamble to meet my crew for the all too frequent cross channel races. At the most active, I was a keen participant on most Royal Ocean Racing Club offshore races, including the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race, when the return ticket from the Labadie Bank heading for the Fastnet Rock was by helicopter. Designing yachts became the be-all and end-all for several years, and the projects kept getting bigger and bigger. Even the larger Sunseekers did not seem to offer the creative scope my design team yearned for, but the opportunities did arrive with fantastic projects such as the Maltese Falcon – the world’s largest privately owned sailing super-yacht. Yachts currently in build or on the drawing board include a 150m and 141m sailing schooners, 145 and 107m motor-yachts. As the work got more intense and the clients less understanding, the sailing suffered, and there was no way that I could keep running a fully crewed offshore racing yacht. The transition was made to classic day racing yachts such as the International Dragon, and I enjoyed many years of hands-on racing as a helmsman on such lovely boats. Whilst less time consuming than the bigger yachts, they still demanded time set aside to participate in the main regattas at Cannes, St Tropez, Palma, Douarnenez, Scotland and Ireland. It is certainly amusing when totally unexpectedly, different facets of one’s life cross over, and characters I met in the heat of racing suddenly appear at an alpaca show – hello Neil Payne. In due course, designing boats led to building them, and I set up a company next door to our design studio building tenders for the world’s top super-yachts. (See www.pascoeinternational.com) The range spans from a 5.5m SOLAS rescue tender to the latest 10m luxury limousine tender. Along the way, it was also a surprise to come across another alpaca breeder- Graham Jelly – who started a similar leisure boat building yard.
WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE? I eventually gave up the pipe!
Previous property (1990/2007) – great landscape, lovely 400 year old studio, fantastic 24,000 gallon koi pond, but too small for alpacas! One of my first sailing yachts
One of 5 International Dragons which I campaigned for about 7 years
Racing on Mariette – 107’ classic racing yacht
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 25
WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE? Hummer H1 with 3 of my border terriers
Photo I took of hammerhead sharks in Galapagos Iguana at Galapagos – they lived on the roof of the property we visited
One of the custom Harley Davidsons – started life as a Road King
FULL TIME HOBBIES
After many trips to Africa and regular diving trips the newly born interest in alpacas lent a new interest to our travels 26 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
Eventually, even the day sailboat racing had to give way. Fortunately, some of the yacht owners were more approachable than others, and I made good friends with the owner of the Maltese Falcon, which meant racing and scuba diving from his various racing and cruising yachts. That left some week-end time for side hobbies, such as radio controlled helicopter and glider flying, and some fun with cars, including the original Hummer H1, which has to be the most impractical vehicle ever on British roads. Almost as impractical was a collection of heavily customised Harley Davidson motorcycles, which I designed and convinced the incomparable Battistini team in Bournemouth to build. For a few years, bikes took over, and I even shipped them to the US to take part in events such as Daytona Bike Week. We made great friends, and they are still good friends to this day. Whilst passionate about sailing, mad hobbies and my design work, animals always played a very important part in my life. I was always fascinated by them, and quite apart from many dogs and cats, as well as a lovely koi collection, my holidays were always geared to scuba diving and visiting animals in the wild. From photographing large hammerhead sharks and manta rays at Cocos Islands and the Galapagos to being totally amazed by nodding iguanas, I found animal life totally compelling, and fortunately Liz shared the same passion. It was only after many trips to Africa and regular diving trips that the newly born interest in alpacas lent a new interest to our travels. We also found time to visit Peru. It was meant
to be the re-instated Fiesta of 2011 which, very much to our advantage, got cancelled. We decided to attend regardless, and met some amazing breeders and visited the main experimental farms from Inca and Mitchell groups, as well as some of the top ranches, such as Rural Alianza. A real eye opener, and lovely to see the animals in their native habitat. Certainly a learning experience, even though I would not trust myself to shear my own alpacas, especially when I witnessed the result of trying under supervision during the visit to Malkini ranch.
EYE OPENER With the core of my immediate family settled in Vancouver, it seemed just a hop to visit the Snowmass ranch in Idaho, and it proved to be a fascinating experience. Totally set on a clearly focused breeding programme, Snowmass has without question become the foremost alpaca breeder in US, and arguably the world. At the time of our visit, they had decided to stop showing themselves, as their customers were all the top American alpaca ranches, so Snowmass progeny was winning at every show. Temptation proved irresistible, and with the help of top International judge Nick HarringtonSmith and in partnership with Pure Alpacas, Meon Valley Alpacas and Merryfield Alpacas we imported nine impressive herdsires, which are firmly at the core of our breeding programme at Artwork Alpacas. With the availability of such amazing studs, and the guidance of Nick Harrington-Smith and Karen Oglesby we have been able to make good
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 27
WHO DO YOU THINK THEY ARE? Some of the alpacas short listed for the Fiesta competition at Malkini ranch
Rural Alianza – Amazing people, amazing alpacas – great ranch visited in 2011
Don and Julie Skinner showing us their animals at their amazing farm in Idaho
breeding choices, and we are now on the fourth generation using Snowmass genetics, which most definitely is paying off. It is always hard to make such breeding decisions guided strongly by fleece considerations when a designer’s instinct inevitably focuses on conformation, but alpaca breeding is clearly a steep and never ending learning curve.
CORE VALUES Strangely enough, alpaca breeding has proved to be not only about the alpacas, but amazing people as well. We have made good friends – some, like Ron and Linda Mackintosh seem to have been living in a parallel universe, breeding koi with a similar approach, and now building up an elite herd of black alpacas with a very focused
improvement programme. Which belatedly brings me to where we are now. Whilst still busy with both the design and the boat building work, alpacas seem to have the ability to draw attention and provide a feeling of peace and simple living. Topping the grass this week-end whilst looking at the antics of such amazing creatures transported me miles away from the yacht brokers seeking backhanders, the lawyers with their penalty clauses, the owners laundering ill-gotten cash – for a brief moment, it brought me closer to where I started, when I enjoyed my first sailing boats – perhaps even further back, when I would stop at a Peruvian rally stage to share the incredible landscape with some very strange and wonderful animals.
Trying my hand at shearing at Malkini ranch – under close supervision!
Just some of the fields at our current farmhouse
The team – Fran, Gary, Liz and myself – a poo picking pause…
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One of the alpaca shelters at Mills Farm House – architect designed...
ADVERTORIAL: THE ALPACA COLLECTION
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The Collection is now well established and has been seen on the catwalks of Paris, Dusseldorf, Tokyo and London. Over 100 shops throughout the UK now stock its distinctive ladies and menswear collection. As for accessories – well they are truly something else! shouldn’t you be wearing Alpaca? Visit www.thealpacacollection.co.uk or visit our studio and warehouse in person. Elta House, Birmingham Road, Stratford upon Avon CV37 0AQ. 01789 209229 info@thealpacacollection.co.uk
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 29
COLOUR GENETICS
ALPACA COLOUR GENETICS: Mendel Meets Molecular
By Dr Kylie Munyard, Senior Lecturer/Researcher in Molecular Biology at the School of Biomedical Sciences at Curtin University. Her main areas of research are alpaca genetics, quail conservation genetics and diabetes.
30 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
COLOUR GENETICS
O
ver the past seven years the team at the Alpaca Molecular Research group at Curtin University has been researching the inheritance patterns and molecular causes of colour in alpacas. Using a combination of Mendelian genetics principles, molecular genetic techniques, objective chemical analysis of the fibre and observation of skin and nail colour we have been able to arrive at a model that, we think, describes most of the colour variation in alpacas. The current nomenclature for alpaca colours contributes to the confusion. One person's fawn is another's light brown and one person's mid brown is another's red brown. We therefore propose a new set of names for base colour varieties that reflects the genetic basis of the colour. Alpaca colour genetics can be broken down into two parts, base colour and pattern. There are only two genes that control the base colour of the animal, MC1R and agouti. However, there are several genes that control the many patterns that are possible, e.g. classic grey, roan, greying, tuxedo, piebald, appaloosa, vicuna, dilution. Any base colour can co-exist with any pattern, more than one pattern, or none of the patterns.
BASE COLOUR The base colour in alpacas ranges from white to black, through fawn and brown, with or without black on the extremities. The base colour arises because the genes MC1R and agouti work together in the pigment producing cells to tell the cells what colour pigment to produce. Mammals can only produce two types of pigment, yellow and black, and all the variety of colour is produced by differing amounts and locations of these two pigments. Agouti variants are probably responsible for most colours in alpacas. Our data suggests that agouti has four variants in alpacas, each of which leads to a different colour outcome. The difficulty in assigning an accurate colour classification, (that is, determining which agouti variant is present) is that there is a range of colour intensity for each variant. The most dominant agouti variant "A" produces white through to fawn fibre. The next most dominant variant "Ab" which we propose to call 'bay' is characterised by a tan/brown body with black on the extremities (the same as bay in horses). Next in the hierarchy is "at", which we propose to call 'black & tan'. This one produces a
One person's fawn is another's light brown and one person's mid brown is another's red brown
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 31
COLOUR GENETICS
Because each individual has two copies of its genome, each gene can have up to two variants in a single animal
A line up of colours!
32 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
black body with tan on the undersides, similar to a Doberman dog, and could be considered to be the reverse of bay. Finally, the most recessive agouti variant is "a". An alpaca with only "a" present will be black, and should more correctly, from a scientific point of view, be called recessive black. All animals with an Agouti base colour have black skin regardless of the colour of their fibre. Because each individual has two copies of its genome, each gene can have up to two variants in a single animal. Therefore, these four variants can occur in ten different combinations, leading to the huge range of different shades of base colour. The use of the term 'brown' to describe any alpaca colour is very misleading. From a scientific/genetic point of view, 'brown' describes a colour that is caused by a defect in black pigment, which makes the black pigment look brown. Our research has shown that the majority of alpacas described as brown are actually different shades of yellow. In fact we have not found ANY true brown alpacas, but we haven't tested them all, so we are being cautious in saying 'most'. The darker 'brown' alpacas are actually yellow with differing amounts of black mixed in. We have shown that: • White and fawn alpacas have only small amounts of yellow pigment, and negligible amounts of black pigment; • Brown, dark brown and black brown alpacas have mixed yellow and black pigment in different proportions, and • Black alpacas have about the same amount of yellow pigment as fawns, but have much more black pigment, so that the black pigment masks the presence of the yellow pigment. MC1R is a relatively simple gene, it either allows (via the dominant wild-type variant "E") or prevents (via the recessive variant "e") the
production of black pigment. So, agouti sets the base colour, then MC1R variants determine if the black part of the agouti colour will be allowed to occur or not. With white (AA) and fawn (AA b), the fibre contains only negligible traces of black, so the only visible effect of the preventative MC1R variant is on the skin, this is how you get a pink skinned white alpaca. Preventative MC1R variants have a greater effect on bay (A bA b), black-bay (A ba or A bat), black & tan (atat orAta) and black (aa) alpacas. Bay coloured alpacas become chestnut (A bA b ee), just like in horses. Black-bay (A ba ee or A b at ee) could be anything from chestnut to fawn in colour. Black, when accompanied by preventative MC1R variants (aa ee),becomes chestnut through to white, depending on how much yellow pigment was hidden by the black pigment. All of these dark base outcomes are determined by how much of the yellow pigment is present, the more yellow pigment, the darker the fibre colour. These darker 'ee' alpacas have dark skin, but it will only be as dark as the fibre, and will not be black. Nature has added a twist to this story. Some animals with pink skin (genetically) will develop black pigment as they age, in response to sun exposure. So, it can be hard to tell if an older animal has: a) skin the same colour as its fibre, b) pink skin, or c) black skin. If we add the two MCIR variants, which can occur in three different combinations, to the ten agouti variant combinations, we get 30 different colour outcomes possible from just these two genes. That is more than enough to explain all of the normal base colours in alpacas. Our research has identified the DNA signatures of the two different MC1R variants, and two of the four agouti variants.
COLOUR GENETICS PATTERNS All of the patterns in alpacas are caused by genes creating a variation to the base colour. All of the pattern genes have a wild-type variant that does nothing, plus one or more variants that cause the pattern. Each alpaca will have two copies of every pattern gene, this could be two wild-type (do nothing) variants, or one of each of wild-type and pattern-causing, or two pattern-causing copies. The patterns classic grey, roan, greying, appaloosa, vicuna, tuxedo, piebald, blue-eyed white and dilution will be discussed here.
Greys
CLASSIC GREY (M) Silver grey and rose grey are the result of a single pattern variant acting on different base colours. In our lab we call this pattern classic grey and the gene symbol is 'M' (named after the pattern 'merle' that it resembles) until the gene identity is confirmed. Classic grey is used as a term as opposed to simply 'grey' to differentiate it from the well known greying characteristic found in many other species and possibly in alpacas too. Silver grey (aa E- Mm) is a classic grey variant on a black base colour. Rose grey is a classic grey variant on any other base colour. This explains the huge variety of different rose greys that are seen. The typical signs of a classic grey are that the neck and legs are paler than the body, the body is a diluted version of the base colour, and that the overall depth of colour of the animal often increases with age. They also commonly have a pale face, and a non-diluted bonnet of colour on the head. When you examine the fibre under a microscope they are not a mixture of black and white fibres, instead the fibres are diluted to different degrees from white to the fully intense base colour. Some classic greys have spots or patches of
undiluted fibre in random places. The classic grey variant is easy to see on a dark background, but can be very hard to see on a pale background, and impossible to see on a white. Genetically one copy of the classic grey variant is required to be present to cause the classic grey pattern (Mm). In genetic terms it is an incomplete dominant. Pedigree analysis by Elizabeth Paul has shown that the presence of two copies of classic grey (MM) is lethal at the embryo stage of development. Hence, you don't get any 'true breeding' classic greys. Our analysis of pedigrees, combined with work done by Dr Belinda Appleton suggest that there may be at least three different classic grey variants, each of which produces a different version of the pattern.
All of the patterns in alpacas are caused by genes creating a variation to the base colour
ROAN (Rn) Roan is in many ways the reverse of the classic grey pattern. Roan animals have a diluted body with undiluted neck and legs. Microscopic examination of the fibre shows that the roan pattern is caused by a mixture of fully pigmented and white fibres. In contrast to classic grey, a roan will get paler with age, and the body may end up almost completely white. Roan animals are
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 33
COLOUR GENETICS
Top: Appaloosa. Above and right: Tuxedo/Piebald
Roan is not the same as progressive greying, although it can be hard to tell these two patterns apart
rarely born with the pattern showing, that is, a black roan will be born black, and will develop the typical dilution effect over time. The roan pattern can occur on top of any base colour. Similar to classic grey, the roan pattern is most easily seen on a dark background, and in our experience, white and fawn roans may not even be recognised as such. Roan is not the same as progressive greying, although it can be hard to tell these two patterns apart. Roan is also an incomplete dominant. Only one roan variant is needed to cause the pattern (Rnrn). However, preliminary data suggests that when two roan variants are present the pattern progresses more quickly, and is not lethal (in some species homozygous roan is embryonic lethal). Breeders wishing to get 'whiter than white' fibre could introduce the roan pattern into the herd to remove any traces of pigment from the fibre.
GREYING (G) Age related greying occurs in most species, and is caused by the premature death of stem cells in hair follicles. It is not clear whether this kind of grey occurs in alpacas as a distinct separate pattern, or if the milder forms of greying are a third variant of the roan pattern. The physical attributes are similar to roan, except for the differentiation of effect between the body and the legs. The inheritance pattern is unknown.
APPALOOSA (Lp) Appaloosa is not, as most people think, a pale background with coloured spots. It is a dark 34 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
background (what is perceived as the spots) with pale spots (what is perceived as the background). Appaloosa can also occur on top of any base colour, and you can clearly see the bay base colour distribution of black and yellow pigment in some appaloosas. The pattern of inheritance has not been proven, but it is probably dominant or incomplete dominant. That is, one copy of the appaloosa variant is enough to cause the pattern (LpLp), and two copies will cause the same pattern (LpLp).Similar to all other patterns, appaloosa can't be seen on a white alpaca.
VICUNA Vicuna is an intriguing pattern. This is the pattern where a fawn alpaca has white undersides with white extending on to the body behind the front legs. We have not completed a thorough analysis of this colour, and are hoping to do so as soon as possible. Two hypotheses to explain this pattern are currently under consideration. The first is that vicuna is a separate pattern in its own right, and the second is that it is simply a manifestation of the black & tan agouti base colour with nonpermissive MC1R variants.
TUXEDO/PIEBALD Animals with white patches are tuxedo or piebald. This is the only pattern that is localised to specific regions of the body. In effect the presence of a tuxedo or piebald variant leads to white spots of varying number, size and shape. It is not definitively known if tuxedo and piebald
www.homesteadfarmsupplies.co.uk
www.homesteadfarmsupplies.co.uk or 01295 713188
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 35
COLOUR GENETICS
In horses you see the very striking palomino and silver dilutions. Each of these dog and horse dilutions is caused by a variant of a single gene
are caused by different genes, or by different variants of the same gene. It is also assumed that these two are distinct patterns. However, the evidence suggests that the tuxedo pattern is restricted to the head, neck and legs, while the piebald pattern occurs on the body as well, and tends to cross the dorsal mid line. Both tuxedo and piebald are dominant, that is, only one copy of the pattern variant needs to be present to cause the white pattern. Therefore, in any mating where one parent is white and the other is a solid colour and the cria is tuxedo or piebald, it is probably the white parent that has contributed the white spotting pattern. However, even a tiny amount of white on a solid animal is an indication that it is actually tuxedo or piebald.
BLUE-EYED WHITE Blue-eyed white (BEW) is the most controversial of all alpaca patterns. The evidence indicates that classic grey is strongly implicated in this pattern. If a BEW is mated to a solid dark colour, the most common outcomes are classic grey or tuxedo, which suggests that the BEW is a combination of two pattern variants that leaches all the colour from the animal.
DILUTION
Whites and fawns
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The final pattern being discussed is not really a pattern at all, but it does affect the base colour of the animal, so it fits into this section. Our research has shown that animals with the exact same gene variants present at A and E can be different colours. For example, fawn versus dark fawn. Therefore, there must be other genes acting to dilute out the colour in a uniform way. These genes are known to occur in other species, "D" in dogs causes black to appear steel grey, and brown
(real genetic brown) to appear milk chocolate coloured and red to appear champagne. In horses you see the very striking palomino and silver dilutions. Each of these dog and horse dilutions is caused by a variant of a single gene. We are currently analysing gigabases (i.e. billions of bases) of alpaca RNA sequence to try to find a gene or genes that have a similar effect in alpacas.
SUMMARY The colour of an alpaca is controlled by its genes. If you evaluate colour in an objective way, you can usually work out which genes, and which variant of those genes, are creating the colour you see. If you also include information about an animal's parents and offspring, the success in predicting colour will increase markedly. DNA tests for these genes can be used to determine the genetic potential (in terms of colour) of an animal, and therefore allow a breeder to plan matings to produce, or not produce, a particular colour. We suggest that the names used to describe alpaca colours should reflect the genetics of these colours, so that there is more effective communication and more precise records, leading to higher predictability in breeding outcomes. This research was funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation of Australia and is presented in full in the 2011 RIRDC Report 'Inheritance of White Colour in Alpacas - Identifying the genes involved' by Kylie Munyard. In addition two PhD students, Natasha Feeley and Rhys Cransberg, significantly contributed to this work as part of their PhD studies. This short version of the study was presented at the 2014 Australian Alpaca Association Alpaca Excellence Conference.
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 37
CS ALPACAS
ALPACAS Until 2006 Julia Corrigan-Stuart of CS Alpacas was like most of the general public that you meet at the County and Craft shows who say “Are they Llamas? Do they spit?” Then curiosity got the better of her…
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CS ALPACAS
OR NOTHING!
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CS ALPACAS
Females My original Fawn Girl
When I turned up, I felt like running away, as the quality of the animals in front of me was absolutely amazing
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I
had no inkling that I would ever have a herd of 60 alpacas when we decided to convert some derelict barns in the village of Ford, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in 2005. We bought the barns, along with 18 acres of land and I spent two years converting them into our present home. It was whilst driving to and from the site, project managing, that I noticed some strange long-necked sheep, or so I thought at the time, on a bend in the road on my route. One day my curiosity finally got the better of me and I stopped to take a closer look and realised, showing my ignorance, that they were Llamas! I went home and told my husband Jamie about them and pointed them out the next time we passed. My curiosity was aroused and I started researching them on the web, only to find out that they were actually alpacas, not llamas and that they would not spit at you for the sake of it. To cut a long story short, once the barns were completed in 2007, the next phase was what would we do with the land? All around us were either traditional farms, with cows and sheep, or equestrian properties. I suggested alpacas to Jamie and I think he thought I was mad. I told him they were apparently great lawn mowers and easy to keep, but surprisingly that did not convince him and he told me I had to go and find out more about them. Hence, I found a local lady, who bred alpacas, namely Livanti Alpacas and booked an introductory course with the owner, Liz Barlow. The experience was amazing and extremely informative, being surrounded by so many fantastic alpacas, all different colours and sizes. Needless to say, I was seduced. I went home and said that it was alpacas or nothing. Jamie decided he had to check it out, so we arranged another visit and ended up buying 3 pregnant female huacayas there and then. These girls are still doing me proud to this day, producing cria that are doing extremely well on the show circuit and in the fleece shows - so thanks to Liz for helping me choose the right ones to start with.
Life with the alpacas went along brilliantly; I thought I had the most beautiful animals anyone could ever desire. I’d had some cria born and they were the bees-knees in my eyes, but me being me, likes to know everything I can about anything I am involved in, so decided to do the BAS Introductory course that was being held at Bozedown Alpacas in Whitchurch-on-Thames. Boy did I get a reality shock – not only that I had never seen so many alpacas in one place, but that we were supposed to say what faults they had, as well as to delve into their fleece, as that was of utmost importance, but also the prices some of them would cost to buy. This experience was amazing and it made me realise that I needed to get serious about my breeding goals if I wanted to take my herd to the next level, to be able to compete seriously with the best in the industry, but not to have to pay huge amounts of money in the process – it was all in the genes.
AMAZING During 2012, Liz, who was by now my mentor and an extremely good friend, persuaded me to enter my first halter show – only the biggest show around, The British Alpaca Futurity. I entered what I thought were my three best animals and when I turned up, felt like running away, as the quality of the animals in front of me was absolutely amazing. However, I decided that I might as well bite the bullet and participate as I was there, so nervously went in the ring, not knowing what to do. Luckily, Gary Naish was the ring steward and led me through the whole process – thanks for that Gary, you gave me the confidence I needed to continue showing and actually to really enjoy the experience. Anyway, I was really chuffed by the end of the weekend as all of my animals had been awarded rosettes, with my fawn female,a home bred girl from one of my original three alpacas, getting a 2nd place in her class and was then in the line-up for the champion fawns – I was obviously on the right track. Thus began the show ring and
Appledene Alpacas Genuine Reduction Sale (due to ill health)
Saturday 21st March 2015 at Little Underlyn, Marden, Kent TN12 9BG Further details: 01622 831119 Refreshments available
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 41
CS ALPACAS
Breakfast time!
fleece show successes, where I met so many likeminded people and have made a lot of good friends – you don’t see people sometimes from one year to the next, but it feels like it was only yesterday – it is wonderful and my alpacas are doing me proud every time. I also take the opportunity to handle other herds’ alpacas in the ring when they are short staffed and, recently, have managed to get my husband into the ring as well. At the end of 2012, it was decided that the BAS National Show was to be held at Bury Farm, near Leighton Buzzard ,my neck of the woods, so I decided to offer my services as I was a local. You can imagine the shock/horror when I saw the allocation of tasks sheet with my name beside National Fleece Show. I didn’t know anything about fleeces, let alone how to organise and run one. Panic set in, until again Liz said “You can do it” It’s amazing how much confidence she had in me back then. Determined not to fail, I found out everything I needed to do and then waited for the fleeces to arrive. I must admit I think I pushed the postman, local courier services and, not forgetting Jamie and my boys John and Jack, to the edge, with hundreds of boxes and bags being delivered, but I think they have since forgiven me. After sorting through, checking the colours, weighing the fleeces and making sure they were all in the right classes, I set them out in our newly built agricultural barn, ready for judging. The morning of the fleece show arrived; with it the helpers and the judge. I was petrified. I gave everyone their duties and the day began – I think they thought I was a Sergeant Major. At the end of a very long day, with judging completed and the champions chosen, all I felt was utter relief. And to cap it all, the judge, Nick HarringtonSmith paid me the greatest compliment I had ever received: he said it was the best organised fleece show he had judged in a long time – he was probably only being kind, but I took it at face value and was extremely chuffed. The only thing left was to get all the fleeces up to Bury Farm for display at the Halter Show. I thought I had finished, but then remembered I had been asked to train two of my alpacas to 42 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
do an agility race against camels and ponies at the Gala Dinner. Do I have mug written on my forehead or something? Anyway, I attempted to train two alpacas post haste, how to jump jumps and go round poles etc and got two young handlers to work with them and to take them around the course at the dinner. The evening arrived and everything appeared to be going well, the entertainment was fantastic. There was an interval so I decided to check that my handlers were all ready to do the race but found that they were suffering from an acute case of stage fright – they wanted me to go in with them. Note, I was wearing a little black dress, had had a few drinks and was not prepared for this at all. On went the white coat and luckily, as the weather was awful, I had brought some flat boots with me. To cut a long story short, I ended up running twice up and down the massive arena behind my alpacas to make sure that they did the course, much to the amusement of the audience. The only way I lived this down was the fact that we actually won the race.
OBSESSED Back on the farm, life went on with births going well and good genetics coming through from my breeding decisions. I also attended the BAS Advanced Course, as well as helping out when handlers were needed for other courses, always craving more knowledge about these wonderful animals – needless to say I was becoming obsessed. However my husband felt that my hobby was getting a bit out of hand as we now had about 40 alpacas, so it was time to try and make some money to keep him sweet. I decided to have a website created, thus CS Alpacas became a business rather than a hobby, offering high quality alpacas with very good genetics for sale, alongside alpaca experiences and walks, agistment services and turning my hand to knitting with alpaca yarn that I had had processed by the East Anglia Mill, to make gloves etc to sell to the public. I got a trade stand at the Bucks County Show and rocked up with six yearlings and my goods. To my delight, I found that people loved what they saw and were, more importantly, extremely interested
Interview with radio at Bucks show
South Devon Pool Mill Alpacas for sale including pregnant females, stud males and crias in a variety of coloured fleeces. Ideal pets for small holdings or livestock guardians. Microchipped & members of the British Alpaca Society. For more information or viewings via appointment, please contact Matt on matt.edwards@twofour.co.uk or 07816 095995.
Offered by Claire E Whitehead BVM&S MS DACVIM MRCVS
The 1st Exclusively Camelid Vet Service in the UK
Reproduction Services
Diagnostic Services
Education
• Breeding Soundness Evaluations • Infertility Workups (male and female) • Embryo Transfer
• Faecal testing using the Modified Stoll’s test, the optimum test for camelids (prices from £16/sample) • Cria IgG testing • Same day bloodwork on clinical consultations
• Courses for owners/breeders, vets and vet students • Neonatal clinics, health and reproduction courses, workshops • Courses designed to suit requirements - just ask!
Consultation • On medical, reproductive and herd health issues affecting alpacas and llamas • 11 years experience at referral level • Herd health planning service • Farm visits possible • Advice packages available
Based in Oxfordshire
For further information, pricing or advice, contact Claire on +44 (0)7769 271506 or email claire@ukalpacavet.com
www.ukalpacavet.com ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 43
CS ALPACAS National Fleece Show
in everything alpaca related. They booked up walks and experiences for the future and also purchased alpaca products. Since then, I have been to many craft fayres and have also gained a stand at the Herts County Show. All of the above: the courses, shows and fayres, has given me the confidence to pass on the correct information about alpacas, knowing that it is the quality of the alpaca that is important, its fibre and whether it is fit for purpose, not for it to be seen as just a cute teddy bear or eco-friendly lawn mower. In September 2013, I attended the Classic Auction event held at Bozedown Alpacas, run by Mary-Jo Smith and Nick Harrington-Smith of the Alpaca Stud. This was the most amazing weekend, seeing the best of the best, attending fantastic seminars and then being able to bid at the auction to acquire some of their amazing genetics to put into my herd. I had made a decision earlier in the year that I would like to expand into suris. I was extremely fortunate and came away with two pregnant suris, one with cria at foot and a lovely white female huacaya. Into 2014 and I was asked to host the National Fleece Show yet again. This time I was not worried, as I had learned so much about fleece from the last show and all the other courses I had attended about alpacas, as well as having as much hands on experience as I could get. So, with my merry band of helpers, who I could not do without, we all had a great time and the show was again a success. I have also taken over the Heart of England Alpaca Group Autumn Fleece show and hope that it will be just as successful as the previous shows.
JUDGING What with all the above, birthing and mating seasons, walks and joining the BAS welfare committee, time flew by. Life was good, but I still felt I had more to learn about alpacas to make my herd an even greater success, so decided to attend the BAS Judges Stage One course, primarily to become more knowledgeable about alpacas, rather than to become a judge. I am extremely happy, though slightly surprised, to say that I passed. I am now booked on the Judges Stage Two course in October… Recently I attended the 2014 Classic Auction event for my second time and was just as successful, purchasing a pregnant huacaya with cria at foot and a pregnant suri. 44 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
Work never ends on the farm, what with obtaining more land to house the alpacas, fencing, continual upkeep of paddocks and most importantly, making sure my alpacas are happy, healthy and halter trained. I am constantly assessing them to decide on the correct matings for each individual alpaca for the following year. I also have to factor in the public to this busy schedule. Imparting the correct information to potential buyers or those who want to learn more by the experience days, or just to walk an alpaca, is of utmost Girls enjoying the hedgerow
It is the quality of the alpaca that is important, its fibre and whether it is fit for purpose, not for it to be seen as just a cute teddy bear or ecofriendly lawn mower importance. This means that when my alpacas move to their new homes, their new owners have the knowledge and confidence required, to look after them properly, knowing I always provide aftercare if needed. It’s amazing to realise how far I have come in such a relatively short space of time, from not knowing the difference between llamas and alpacas, to realising the importance of genetics in creating a very successful alpaca business. I still have more to learn, this industry evolves all the time and I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings.
Major Sponsor for Alpaca Events since 1998 16 years experience arranging specialised insurance for alpacas and llamas
UK Alpaca Ltd
Supporting British Alpaca Breeders
2014 Fleece Collection
UK Alpaca will buy ALL your huacaya fleece including leg and short neck. All grades of fibre have value and we are pleased to say that all your fleeces are used to make a variety of yarns in Britain with the lower grades going into cushions and bedding. Keep British fleeces in the UK. Support us in developing a reputation for supplying the best high quality British alpaca yarns into the wholesale and retail markets. Prices paid for the 2014 clip will be as follows. Contact us for your copy of our shearing guidelines including tips to maximise returns from your clip. Grade
Colour
Skirted Price/kg excl VAT
Unskirted Price/kg excl VAT
Baby
White
£12
£10
Baby
Coloured
£8
£6
Fine
White
£8
£6
Fine
Coloured
£5
£3
Skirtings, short neck, coarse and shearing waste
All
£0.40
Please do not consign your yearling necks to ‘waste’. They should be bagged separately and if the neck staple is more than three inches long will go into the top grades. UK Alpaca specialises in British alpaca yarns with full provenance and aims to support alpaca breeders by maintaining our reputation for high quality product. If you sell us your fleece you are entitled to buy back stock yarns at wholesale prices with no minimum order.
For more information contact Chas Brooke or Rachel Hebditch on 01884 243579 or rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk UK Alpaca Ltd, Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8NB
www.ukalpaca.com ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 45
RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH
The Australian alpaca industry is blessed with serious money backing research into new opportunities for their industry. The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation has produced three new fact sheets that sum up the work done that we are reproducing in this issue. The first fact sheet looks at the quantitative genetic analysis of micron blow out in alpacas, crucial knowledge for farms breeding alpacas for their fibre. The second is about a new breakthrough in the long road to artificial insemination that if it becomes commercial would give alpaca breeders a better chance of accessing the top genetics in the world. Thirdly there is more research on using therapeutic antibodies from alpacas which could be a new market opportunity.
MATTER OF
FACTS
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RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH
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RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH
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Alpaca Feeds Mole Valley Feed Solutions produce two high quality Alpaca compound feeds in 3mm pellet form. Both diets have shown continuing success and now contain high levels of selenium.
The Alpaca Winter Pellets are formulated for balancing winter forage situations and are available from October to April.
Our high quality Alpaca feeds contain:
The Alpaca Grazer Pellets
Alpaca Winter Pellets
The Alpaca Grazer Pellets are available for the main grazing season.
• Cereals for high energy. • Sugar beet for quality fibre and palatability. • Fully mineralised to balance forages. • High levels of vitamins and trace elements for health and fertility. Packed in 25kg plastic bags, these feeds are available for delivery direct to the farm in minimum 1 tonne lots or for collection from branch by prior arrangement.
For further information or to place an order call the feedline on 01278 444829
Search or Advertise Alpacas for Sale Alpaca Stud Services Alpaca Breeders Alpaca Auctions Web Development Services for Alpaca Breeders
www.AlpacaSeller.co.uk
United States: www.alpacaseller.com Canada: www.alpacaseller.ca Australia: www.alpacaseller.com.au New Zealand: www.alpacaseller.co.nz South Africa: www.alpacaseller.co.za Germany: www.alpacaseller.de Austria: www.alpacaseller.at Switzerland: www.alpacaseller.ch Republic of Ireland: www.alpacaseller.com The Netherlands: www.alpacaseller.nl Belgium: www.alpacaseller.be
Online Alpaca Advertising at Affordable Prices ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 49
RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH
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RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH
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RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH
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RURAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Okay, so Christmas might not exactly be upon us just yet, but have you really got all your gift ideas already...? Over the next few pages we feature a selection of products to grace any Christmas stocking this year.
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Alpaca books & digital discs from Classical MileEnd Alpacas Now available from our online shop at www.alpaca-uk.co.uk or by mail order The Complete Alpaca Book 2nd Edition Eric Hoffman The most complete and comprehensive study of the alpaca. £120 + £8.50 p&p
Calamity’s Bear Elaine Reeman Illustrated by Wendy Holloway Charming children’s book with lovely illustrations. £8 + £2.50 p&p
The Alpaca Colour Key; Rickets: The Silent Killer; Handbook of Alpaca Health Elizabeth Paul of Erehwon Alpacas Australia This trio of books are a welcome addition to the library and cover some fascinating and essential areas of animal health and inheritance not easily found elsewhere. Over 90 pages in each, plenty of supportive colour pictures and biology degrees not needed! £22 ea or £60 for all three +£1.50 p&p ea or +£4 p&p for all three
L Prow ice er
Antenatal Birthing and Cria Care Dr E McMillan and C Jinks A practical guide for the new alpaca owner written by an experienced alpaca owner and their vet. £20 + £1.50 p&p
NE W
Definitive Guide to Alpaca Fibre Cameron Holt Cameron has over 50 years experience in the natural fibre trade. The book combines scientific subjects such as alpaca fibre histology and modern testing techniques with information on skirting and classing protocols for alpaca fleece production in 195 pages including many illustrative pictures. Highly recommended. £95 + £6 p&p Neonatal Care for Camelids David E Anderson, Toni A Cotton, Claire E Whitehead Highly recommended book from three well respected veterinarians. Covers male and female reproduction, birthing, neonatal care and weaning. A practical ring bound manual based on clinical experiences with over 50,000 alpacas and llamas. A must for all breeders and veterinarians. £85 + £3.50 p&p
Cheques payable to Classical MileEnd Alpacas. Credit/Debit card payments accepted.
The Art & Science of Alpaca Judging AOBA with Anderson, Gehly, Safley & VandenBosch Five years in the making this book will become the bible for developing breeding strategies and explaining what goes on in the show judging ring. Essential reading for both new and experienced owners. Highly recommended. Now £55 plus £6 p&p UK or £10 p&p Europe Orgling CD Alpaca World Magazine Fifty minutes of pure testosterone orgling courtesy of Classical Ikon. Ideal for those young males needing encouragement. £7 + £1.50 p&p Introduction to Alpacas DVD Rachel Hebditch of Classical Mile End Alpacas A 14 minute insight into these lovely animals for those thinking of owning alpacas. £10 + £1.75 p&p
Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB Telephone 01884 243579 or Fax 01884 243514 Email enquiries@alpaca-uk.co.uk
Th e
Show 2015 p-LUSH, the British Fibre and Design Festival, is part of the British Alpaca Futurity 2015, at the Ricoh Arena Coventry on the weekend of March 27 & 28.
Join Belinda harris Reid and Rachel Vowles in our Sit-n-Knita-Bit campaign in aid of Target ovarian Cancer by buying our specially commissioned knitting needles or crochet hook for yourself or a friend. A great Christmas present for knitters and crochet makers, the needles are beechwood, coloured red, with a mother of pearl top, an alloy ring and PLUSH written on them. Dress up, get knitting and post your picture on facebook.com/plushshow or ravelry.com/groups/p-lush or pinterest.com/plushshow
Visit www.p-lush.co.uk to buy the needles at £5 + p&p a pair and the crochet hook £3 + p&p.
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 55
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
UK Alpaca Ltd Luxury alpaca yarns made from the fleeces of alpacas farmed in Britain Surprise the knitter in your life with a very special Christmas present of UK Alpaca’s beautifully soft yarns in 4ply, double knit and aran in an exciting range of dyed and natural colours. Visit our website to see the range and our many patterns designed by Sasha Kagan, Chrissy Smith, Monica Russel and Ruth Morris exclusively for UK Alpaca.
www.ukalpaca.com If you are looking for that special alpaca themed stocking filler this year, then look no further. Mary Roach has a selection of items all with alpacas on, from pencils and pens (50p or £1) through notebooks and torches, to special hand crafted fleece cushions. These come in a variety of colours and are on a special introductory price of £8. Or you could go for a bargain pack comprising a cotton bag, torch, notebook, pen and pencil for £10. Or a torch, notebook and pen for £5.
Contact Mary on 01299 896827. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday best days to ring.
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CHRISTMAS GIFTS Over the last 15 years John Arbon Textiles have developed a range of functionally versatile and sumptuously comfortable Alpaca Socks – all designed and knitted in the UK.
Traditional British-made luxury Alpaca socks & yarns from the heart of North Devon Special Offer -10% off all socks quote: AW14 – offer ends 20th Jan 15
They offer a luxury Alpaca sock style to suit every lady & gentleman on any occasion … from cosy Bed to thermal Terry Loop, comfy Walking to colourful Stripy, everyday Dress to knee-length Country. John Arbon Textiles is a small family business run by John Arbon and his wife Juliet, with a shop in Exmoor and their own Mill in Devon (one of only a handful of worsted fibre processing and spinning plants still operating in the UK) where they make hand-knit yarns and specialist yarns used in the knitting of their socks. So if you fancy a treat for your feet simply ask for a free catalogue or visit the website and use the 10% Alpaca World special offer (see advert code for details).
JOHN ARBON TEXTILES
John Arbon Textiles, PO Box 8, Lynton, N Devon EX35 6WY
tel: 01598 752490 • www.jarbon.com
PO Box 8, Lynton, N Devon EX35 6WY Tel: 01598 752490 E-mail: juliet@jarbon.com Website: www.jarbon.com
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www.alpacaworldmagazine.com ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 57
LETTER FROM FRANCE
LETTER from
FRANCE
House-bound for the past week waiting for my last cria of the season, I have been mulling over the rather embarrassing question put to me by the Alpaca World editor …”anything exciting happening in France?” Hmmmm!! I think she was referring to the alpaca scene so I started thinking about what has been happening over here in the alpaca world and the short answer is... not a lot! For Gillian Evieux...
It's oh so quiet 58 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
LETTER FROM FRANCE
AT
Easter we had the seventh Alpaga Developpement Spring Show. The venue was a large, airy, well-lit covered market-place right in the centre of Bourges. The show had been held there two years ago and it was much appreciated by all the participants, however, since then it has been ‘done up’ and is now sporting a very smooth and shiny floor… As the participants arrived and started settling their animals into their enclosures, there was a general panic. The animals were slipping and sliding all over the place, back legs doing the splits, some animals just dropped to the floor and refused to try to stand and others slithered everywhere, trying to get a grip on the surface. Breeders made a rush for their various transports and brought out any flooring that was movable to put down in the pens and one breeder, who was planning to sleep in her truck overnight even sacrificed her bed quilt! That was exciting… but not the sort of excitement we are looking for. Other years we have seen quite a large number of competitors from other European countries at this show, but a new rule banning animals that have been “off-farm” in the three weeks prior to the show eliminated many breeders from Holland, Belgium and Germany who all had held their shows in the same period of time. It also restricted any French breeders who may have wanted to go to a show in any of these neighbouring countries, as well as going to their own show. The rule was obviously made to protect our animals from any contagious diseases spreading across the frontiers, but it does seriously curtail any chances of meeting breeders from other countries and sharing our alpaca passion with them. Maybe the people responsible should get together and work out their dates so as not to step on each others toes. What is noticeable at recent shows is the much larger number of coloured animals, with an ever increasing quality overall. Black is becoming the latest passion and we are seeing more and more people specialising in this colour. Supreme Champion Huacaya at this Show was awarded to a stunning brown junior male, Bigboy du Leman, owned by the Leman Stud.
UPS AND DOWNS So, the quality of the animals is going up rapidly... But the prices are falling, just as rapidly. I know that this is happening all over the world, but it seems to me that in other countries the market is dividing into two parts. The high-range quality animals bred for their superior fleeces and the low-range animals bred for their ‘cuddle factor’. Unfortunately, here in France it seems that although some established breeders are still working on developing the quality of their herds, the majority of the buyers just want the cuddly sort and are not willing to invest in quality animals. This is very much driven by the ‘E-Bay syndrome’ where people have the impression that they can buy animals for the same price as bread buns (buy two... get one free) and many breeders are falling into the trap of dropping their prices simply to ‘clinch’ a deal and in doing so are
dramatically suffocating the market and killing the perception of the alpaca as a luxury animal providing a luxury product. As I said… not a lot; I have just got back from a weekend in England where I had the privilege of participating in the Alpaca Classic and that was very exciting. For the 15 hours on the road coming home, my friend and I discussed how it would be possible to do something similar here in France and we just don’t see how it could work. Any sort of conference would have to be translated and that is very off-putting for the speaker, as any judge who has been over here would tell you. And then, of course, the people would have to travel across the country to get there, and not many are willing to do that – even for our rare annual shows. This year, the French Association has instigated workshops on understanding fibre – taking the information to the members in their various areas. All they have to do is ask us and arrange for a ‘get together’ of a group of interested owners/breeders in their area. Two groups have taken us up on this.
WELCOME ADDITIONS On a personal level, there has been some excitement. Two years ago I branched out and added a small group of suris to my herd and have had the satisfaction of presenting my little ones at the Spring show and taking out the Supreme Suri Champion and Reserve Supreme Suri Champion. Three new little beauties have joined the herd this year; I don’t know why, but those little suri cria go straight to the heart – they are simply captivating! In May I had a long-awaited trip to Calais to meet a truck bringing over a new Australian male. It’s been a long trek from searching for THE one, making the deal and then waiting through quarantine and then the final 48 hours, flight from New Zealand, customs at Heathrow, problems with the truck (go back to the start), getting the boat across the Channel and finally, he’s here... He stepped out of that truck as fresh as a daisy and hopped up into my van, after a little cuddle, and settled down for another nine hours drive. What is amazing is that there were 97 alpacas on that shipment, two trucks; only my boy was for France and the rest were all heading to Holland, Belgium and Germany. This might explain why most of the excitement is elsewhere and in France... not a lot!
ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 59
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CASA CHAPI
Casa Chapi: A
62 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
CASA CHAPI
Bird's Eye View By David Tracey
uechua Benefit started in 1996 when Don Julio Barreda, a famous Peruvian alpaca breeder asked if his fellow alpaca breeders from the United States could do anything to help the children of his village. From this simple request funds were provided to give dental care to many of these children from impoverished backgrounds. Over the years the scope of Quechua Benefit’s operations have steadily grown. Today Quechua Benefit delivers medical, optical and dental missions to more than 40 small communities, most with populations of less than 10,000. In addition, they support three orphanages/ boarding schools and two programs that feed approximately 1,000 people per day. These operations are mostly focused in and around the Colca Canyon in Peru. Although parts of this area have grown impressively in recent years due to the increased tourist trade there remain many isolated and impoverished communities who have not benefitted from the greater incomes and opportunities. In these communities people often live in terrible poverty amongst difficult weather conditions. Alcohol and domestic abuse issues are rife. Infant and child mortality rates are high and those children who make it out of their early years ok often leave school early. Realising that they needed to have a more
permanent presence in the Colca Canyon to make the greatest impact on peoples', and particularly children's lives, Quechua Benefit began constructing a boarding house and school for local children in need. Work on this facility finished in 2011 and earlier this year Casa Chapi, as it was named, officially became a state-recognised school. It now has 40 children between the ages of six and twelve on site, a mix of boys and girls, and a total staff of fifteen. The children eat, sleep and learn on site. Their days are well structured between teaching them the state curriculum and giving them time to practise more creative impulses and to indulge in more fun activities. It is a wonderful facility where the children learn responsibility, receive a quality education and hopefully improve their prospects for the future. Since I began my time here I have been involved in a number of projects all aimed at improving the quality of the children’s life at Casa Chapi whilst also improving the functioning of the NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) as a whole. The latter of these objectives has involved updating the organisation’s internal policies to bring them in line with best practise. While this is extremely important work, for it ultimately dictates how the entire setup will run going into the future, I would be lying if I said it has been the most satisfying or inspiring work I have done here. ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 63
CASA CHAPI
BACK TO SCHOOL Day to day my time has largely been filled with teaching English and Physical Education to the kids. This is a lot of fun as it gives me time to enjoy the children’s company and get to know them better as people. It is a beautiful experience to build real relationships with such intelligent and charming kids. Like most Peruvians, young and old, the children were somewhat shy and unsure around me at first. Over time though I have gotten to know them personally; I have learnt what they love and where their talent lies, I have learnt of their often tragic backstories, I have sometimes gotten frustrated if they don’t behave but mostly I have marvelled at their endless energy and abundant spirit. Because of this connection with the children the two most inspiring projects I have been lucky to have been part of have been the creation of a sports program and a fortnightly English camp. These projects have been the most immediately beneficial to the children in the time that I have been here. As it seems with every male on this continent the boys at Casa Chapi adore football, or soccer for any readers from the States. When I arrived all they had to play with were two footballs and a rocky, dusty pitch with two small goals hammered into the ground at either end. There was no team, the boys had never played against another school and the closest that most of them had ever gotten to a training session were the chaotic kickarounds they would have every day at lunch time. From my first week here we set up training sessions three times a week, four when we have time. Although the response from the boys was overwhelmingly enthusiastic at the prospect of having a real football team, it took them some time to properly adapt to the rigours of the training session as many of these boys had never been exposed to the idea of standard training practises, warm ups, drills etc. All they wanted to do was play another tumultuous game like they were used to. Slowly but surely they came around to these ideas until we reached the point where I could leave the older kids with the responsibility of marshalling the younger ones through 64 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
many of the simpler drills. Eventually it came time for them to play the first match, against a set of children organised by the local parish priest, Father Marcos. Their first match was a total success, a 3-0 victory against boys who were older than them. Unfortunately their second match went the other way,losing 0-3 to a better organised side. Still all the boys played with heart and a surprising degree of organisation, not a bad performance after just 10 weeks as a team. Now all their thoughts have turned to November when they will take part in a tournament of local teams. To say they can’t wait for the next challenge is an understatement.
ON THE VOLLEY Of course our sports program did not only extend to the boy’s football team but in the same time as we have been training the boys we have set up a volleyball team for the girls also. To be honest, when I arrived there wasn’t a great deal of interest in volleyball from the majority of the girls, though this is not all that surprising when you consider that we didn’t even have a volleyball net. Still once we organised a squad and began practising their enthusiasm slowly built and built. Early training sessions were a bit messy seeing as I have never played volleyball before in my life. Probably realising this from my comical efforts to try and rally with the girls some of the female staff thankfully stepped in and matters immediately began to improve. Once we got a net set up in the school yard the group of girls truly became a team. Now no one was late for practise, a new feeling of seriousness developed and the training sessions were more focused than ever. This could be seen during their first game playing against a team of girls who were significantly older than them. Our girls played a brave game eventually losing by the respectable margin of 25-18, a score that is quite impressive when you consider they were playing a team of girls who had been playing for years while they had still not been playing the sport for even three months. The most important aspect ultimately with this sports program has not been whether or not
All the boys played with heart and a surprising degree of organisation, not a bad performance after just 10 weeks as a team
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CASA CHAPI the children’s teams win or lose. Instead it has been the great feeling of fun the children clearly derive from football and volleyball and the social and teamwork skills they learn at every training session and at every match. Through sports they learn new responsibilities and have begun to develop a greater pride in themselves, their teammates and their school.
LOVE TO LEARN As the school’s English teacher for the past two months I have been consistently surprised by the children’s desire to learn this second language. The vast majority of the kids genuinely love to learn and can’t wait for English class. I never expected to have children running up to me begging to know when their next English class is, even though they know full well when it will be, same time every week. Their enthusiasm is a far cry from how I remember my French lessons in school; bored, tired and dreary. I believe that says a lot about the expectations of people such as myself who come from first world countries and who have gone through better quality education systems. Education to us is seen as a right, we expect it and maybe that’s part of the reason kids hate it; it’s something they HAVE to do, an obligation. Here the situation is quite different. I can’t speak for children in the cities, for all I know the attention span of students in Lima may be just as short as those generally found in Europe or the States. But out here in the countryside that is not the case. Here education is not quite at the stage where it is simply expected as a fact of life. Parents want their kids to be in school, and the kids for the most part want to learn. School here is an opportunity more so than a chore. From early on it was clear that it would be ideal to institute a long term English programme for the children. So in conjunction with Extreme, a reputable English institute in Arequipa, Casa Chapi recently began a fortnightly English camp for the children and staff here. Every second Saturday five teachers are sent out from
Extreme to teach the kids and lead activities with them along with conducting a special class for Casa Chapi’s Peruvian staff also. The children’s response to this camp has been fantastic, as we expected. Not only is this another chance to learn more English but the group of teachers, the majority of whom are from North America, are another set of people with whom the children can play and have fun. They are another set of positive
role models. Luckily the teachers themselves love the experience too. In their day job they have to put up with lethargic students who are forced to attend private classes by their parents. Here they have a class of energetic young pupils who can barely stay in their seats they are so excited by the prospect of learning. Of course this can sometimes lead to problems controlling the class but for the most part it’s a positive. Both of these projects, the sports program and the English Camp, have started on a hugely positive note. The children love them and there is potential for these two programs to benefit the children a lot going into the future. For me personally it has been an absolute pleasure to watch these projects come to fruition and to see the positive response they have already garnered from the children. Casa Chapi is an exciting organisation to be a part of right now. It is still very much in its youthful stages and there is a tremendous amount of work that must be done to make it everything I’m sure it can be. Still, every day this NGO is improving, gathering steam, instituting new ideas and bettering old programs. To see that process take place is perhaps the most inspiring thing of all. The future for Casa Chapi, and most importantly the future of its children, is bright.
David Tracey – Volunteer Born and raised in Ireland David attended Catholic University School for his secondary school education and in May of 2013 graduated from University College Dublin with an Honours BA in English and Music. From a young age David travelled throughout Europe and since his teens has travelled in large parts of North and South America, South East Asia, Australia and East Africa. He has also volunteered with a number of different organisations often working with young kids. Aside from volunteering with Quechua Benefit and Casa Chapi David currently works as a freelance writer for various websites and companies. In the coming years he will return to education to become a counsellor.
66 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
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ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 67
HARNESSING THE SUN’S RAYS TO IRON OUT THE CREASES By Francis Rainsford
68 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
SOLAR ROLLERS Roof-mounted Tecsup prototype cylindrical collecting dish for the sun’s rays together with its automatic tracking device
Roberto Lopez, independent textile consultant for the solar energy pressing project
BACKGROUND The fact that Arequipa has between seven and ten hours of sunshine for 365 days of the year was the basic tenet and inspiration for a project to use solar energy in at least one of the manufacturing processes in the city’s alpaca knitting industry, namely final garment pressing. In 2013, local textile consultant, Roberto Lopez, approached the Technical Engineering Institute, Tecsup, and alpaca knitting company, Textiles Allpaka S.R.L., with a proposition to design and build a device to harness the sun’s rays in this regard and the three parties agreed to work together. Next, Lopez submitted a proposal for funding the project to Peru’s Ministry of Production’s Fondos para la Innovacion, Ciencia y Tecnologia (FINCyT) and received a favourable reply. The team duly went to work developing the system and the prototype was installed and onstream in June of this year.
TECSUP Tecsup is a private educational organization founded by Luis Hochschild in Lima in 1984 with the aim of teaching engineering skills to school leavers and apprentices from industry. Equipped with state-of the-art machinery, a curriculum is based on programmes established in the German educational system, its Arequipa locale was set-up in 1993. Aside from its courses for students, the organization carries out research and development projects for industry and was instrumental in designing and constructing the cylindrical collecting dish for the sun’s rays at the heart of this particular solar energy project. Once the final design for the concave dish was agreed, the first practical challenge was to determine what metal could be used that was capable of withstanding long hours of intense temperatures from the sun. After various trials, a “blend” of stainless steel and aluminium was found to be the best performer.
Next, a device to track the sun’s movement during the hours of the day needed to be engineered and this was eventually achieved with a timer programmed with the astrological movement pattern for the sun for any particular time of year. This device is linked to a motor that gyrates the dish accordingly so that it always collects the rays at their most intense focus. In fact, this principle of concentrating the sun’s rays together in a small area actually increases the amount of energy that can be produced. The solar energy provided by the dish is used to heat water in a boiler where the subsequent steam produced is channelled, under pressure, through a network of pipes and traps to the individual pressing irons.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND QUALITY BENEFITS Arequipa, in line with many other industrial cities worldwide, suffers from poor quality air caused, in the main, by emissions from its vehicular traffic and its factories. Its dry, desert conditions exacerbate this pollution which, in turn, adversely affects the respiratory health of its inhabitants. Traditional methods of generating energy employed in the city generally involve the use of standard boilers fuelled by oil or diesel which result in toxic contaminants being released into the atmosphere.
Employing solar energy is a giant stride in reducing this type of pollution and improving the quality of people’s lives ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE | Autumn 2014 | 69
SOLAR ROLLERS
One of the many properties associated with alpaca fibre is its ability to maintain its appearance in garment form. The fibre’s overall low and non-prominent scale count and resultant relatively smooth exterior surface helps to minimise pilling and felting tendencies which enable it to keep its “brand new” look longer than garments made from other natural animal fibres, such as wool for example. This valuable selling point can easily be squandered by poor quality and production control in the final pressing process. The main causes being: 1. Poor efficiency of standard steam boilers which are often questionable with occurrences of “contaminated” steam staining textile garments during their final pressing, resulting in quality downgrades and loss of commercial income. 2. If using electric irons, the temperature often increases without control and where excessive heat deforms the alpaca fibres in the garment leaving shiny, unsightly patches on it. 3. Excessive temperatures that deform the fibres also affect the strength and recovery properties of the garment by exaggerating the fibre’s plasticity at the expense of its elasticity. 4. Pressing at too high a temperature can flatten the garment and diminish its voluminosity. Lopez explained, “Turning to the alternative of solar energy has had two immediate benefits. Firstly, the ‘cleaner’ quality of steam produced 70 | Autumn 2014 | ALPACA WORLD MAGAZINE
together with better control of the average temperature has improved the look and handle of finished garments - which, in this particular case, are destined for export markets where customer demands are much more stringent.” “Secondly, the cost of energy has dropped dramatically, even when taking into account the capital outlay of the Tecsup equipment and its steam distribution system which is currently being evaluated by Tecsup for offering to the marketplace on a commercial basis. A cursory calculation of the raw materials and technology employed in its construction indicates that commercial units can be reproduced at a reasonable cost to interested parties - at least locally.” Environmental benefits aside, the improvements in the final quality of garments achieved after pressing with this system has encouraged the International Alpaca Association to conduct its own investigation and tests as to how such advances might be incorporated into its own quality norms for alpaca fibre.
A MODEL FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THE ALPACA INDUSTRY WITH SOLAR ENERGY The abundance of sunlight in Arequipa is too good a natural resource to waste in a world where the long-term forecast for fossil fuels is one of ever-increasing prices leading to a higher cost for electricity. Environmental considerations are commanding more attention, too, as most
Operative using flat steam iron powered by solar energy. One of the system’s steam traps can be seen mounted on the wall on the left-hand side of the photo.
The abundance of sunlight in Arequipa is too good a natural resource to waste
SOLAR ROLLERS Finished alpaca garments after pressing with flat steam irons powered by solar energy.
analysts insist that future economic growth can only be achieved and sustained using green business strategies. Commenting on both prognoses, Lopez concludes, “Our solar energy project has been successful in enabling a medium-sized alpaca knitting company to improve its final garment quality and, at the same time, lower its energy costs. This has to be the way forward and, in this regard, I’m already looking to employ the same principles on a much bigger scale where solar energy can be used for the water heating needs of alpaca fibre scouring plants and dyehouses.” “I have been in discussions with Tecsup as to how, together, we can surmount the challenges posed and strike another positive chord for Arequipa’s alpaca fibre processing industry’s future.”
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DEVON
Alpacas de la Grange Mynas Gillian Howard-Evieux, La Grange Mynas, La Glacière, Saint Chamond, France, 42400. Tel: +33 (0) 4 77 22 85 69. Email: howard-evieux@orange.fr. Web: www.alpaga-alpaca.com. In the heart of France (30 mins Lyon). Prize-winning alpacas for sale. On-farm and fly-by matings possible with top-class AlpacaStud males – all colours. Initiation and full after-sales support. English/French spoken. B&Bs, holiday flats available for your visit.
Classical MileEnd Alpacas Rachel Hebditch & Chas Brooke, Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB. Tel: 01884 243579. Mob: 07970 415638. Email: rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk Website: www.alpaca-uk.co.uk Professional breeding farm with 18 years alpaca experience. Show winning herd sires with British, Australian and American genetics available for outside stud servicing. Wide selection of quality alpacas for sale as pets or breeding stock. We maintain rigorous management of on farm bio-security including full farm perimeter wildlife fencing. Excellent customer support and training with visitors welcome by appointment.
SPAIN Alpacaspain Jane Powell, La Dehesa, Gaucin 29480, Málaga, Spain. Tel: 00 34 951 168 007. Email: info@alpacaspain.com. Web: www.alpacaspain.com. In the south of Spain near the historic town of Ronda good quality alpacas for sale at sensible prices. Huacaya & suri - most colours. Good quality stud males. Visitors welcome. English & Spanish spoken.
UNITED KINGDOM BEDFORDSHIRE Rushmere Alpacas Jo Parker & Neil McAndrew, Little Cuppers, Rushmere, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 0DZ. Tel: 01515 237416. Fax: 01525 234068. Email: j.parker101@btinternet.com Website: www.rushmerealpacas.co.uk Quality herd on the Beds, Bucks and Herts border offering a superb service to new and experienced breeders. Pregnant/maiden females, stud and pet males. Free training and 24/7 support.
DORSET Alpha Alpacas Di Davies, Woodstock, Mapperton Lane, Melplash, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3UF. Tel: 01308 488661 or 07739 382483. Email: didavies@alpaca.fsnet.co.uk Web: www.alphaalpacas.com A small elite herd where fibre, biosecurity and support to our clients is paramount. Our herd, of all colours, have an outstanding show record. Sales, stud services and advice available. GLOUCESTERSHIRE Kensmyth Alpacas Helen Kendall Smith, Kensmyth Stud, Clay Meadow, Cirencester Road, Cirencester, Glocs. GL7 6HU. Tel: 01285 862020 / 07799 700587. Email: helen@kensmyth.com Web: www.kensmyth.com Family farm, central Cotswolds. A warm welcome, friendly advice. Free husbandry courses to clients new and existing. Elite bloodlines, fantastic fleeces, range of colours. Alpaca purchased here can be agisted.
Pure Alpacas Jay Holland, Torsend House, Main Road, Tirley, Glocs. GL19 4EU. Tel: 01452 780327 / 07789 257222. Email: jay@purealpacas.co.uk Web: www.purealpacas.co.uk A family-run herd of both huacaya and suri with a range for sale from pets and poultry guards to elite breeding stock, all backed by professional, unrivalled support and advice. Our herd sires, from renowned bloodlines, are all proven and available for outside services. We run a variety of courses which cater for all levels of experience. Snowshill Alpacas Roger Mount, Snowshill Hill Barn, Temple Guiting, Cheltenham, GL54 5XX. Tel: 01386 853841 / 07711 044106. Fax: 01386 854791. Email: roger.mount@btinternet.com Web: www.snowshillalpacas.com Breeders of prize winning Huacaya and Suri alpacas in Gloucestershire. We usually have alpacas for sale, from pet to show quality. Stud services available from a wide selection of proven sires. After sales support and advice. We also have fabrics for sale, all made from our own alpacas and spun, woven and finished in the UK. HAMPSHIRE Pennybridge Alpacas Joy & Peter, Pennybridge Farm, Greywell Road, Up Nately, Hook, Hants RG27 9PJ Tel: 01256 474978 / 07801 132757 Email: joy@pennybridgealpacas.co.uk Web: www.pennybridgealpacas.co.uk The Pennybridge Herd & Stud. Alpacas for sale. Most colours available, even the rare appaloosa. Quality starter herds, proven and potential stud males, stud services, pets and sheepguards. Free advice and after sales support provided. Watership Alpacas Keith Taylor, Greenacres, Thruxton Down, Andover, Hants SP11 8PR Tel: 01264 889206 Email: info@watershipalpacas.co.uk Web: www.watershipalpacas.co.uk Watership Alpacas invites you to visit and discover alpacas. We have all colours of BAS registered huacaya breeding females, young males, potential studs and pets for sale. Inexpensive stud services all with full support and guidance.
HERTFORDSHIRE Herts Alpacas Nigel and Katie Beckwith, Fairview Farm, Wyddial Road, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9BS. Tel: 01763 271301 / 07802 433155 Email: beckwith904@aol.com Web: www.hertsalpacas.co.uk Award winning British Alpaca Futurity breeder. Over 80 quality alpacas for sale in all colours from world famous bloodlines. All our pregnant females are mated to the finest recognised and proven championship winning males. Stud services available, friendly halter trained pets and unbeatable after sales care. NORFOLK AzSu Alpacas Nikki Lenk, The Low Farm, Letton, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 7TB. Tel: 01362 820097. Mob: 07798 522178 Fax: 01362 821333 Email: nikki.lenk@azsualpacas.com Web: www.azsualpacas.com Norfolk’s largest breeder offers potential and existing owners a friendly and complete service. High quality studs; breeding females and wethers for sale; practical training; caring agistment; fleece conversion; sound advice on all aspects of these magical animals. Burnt Fen Alpacas Ann Nickerson, Garden Cottage, Burnt Fen, Horning, Norfolk, NR12 8LA. Tel: 01692 630553. Email: alpacas@burntfen.plus.com Web: www.burntfen.co.uk We are long established alpaca breeders and have developed a fantastic friendly herd bred from excellent pedigree stock. We sell quality breeding females through to gorgeous pet animals with genuine after sales support and processing advice for your fleeces.
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BREEDERS DIRECTORY NORTH YORKSHIRE
SUSSEX WEST
WARWICKSHIRE
YORKSHIRE
Fowberry Alpacas Graham and Jenny MacHarg, Crambe Grange, Barton Le Willows, York YO60 7PQ. Tel 01653 619520. Email: info@fowberry-alpacas.com Web: www.fowberry-alpacas.com Supreme Championship winning herd, including the overall Championship winning Huacaya Sire of the biggest show in Europe (2012). We offer super-fine genetics; correct conformation and happy healthy alpacas; knowledgeable advice and after-sales assistance; regular introductory and advanced courses; on-line shop and as importantly, our support to achieve your alpaca goals.
The Alpaca Stud Nick Harrington Smith and John Potts, Bowford Farm, Goose Green, Thakeham, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 2LP. Tel. 01903 891425 or 07979 651742. Email:info@alpacastuduk.com Web: www.alpacastuduk.com Home to 2 Huacaya Champion Futurity Herdsires, 2 Suri Champion Futurity Herdsires and 2 Junior Herdsires, we have high quality females, Proven & Junior Herdsires, and pet males for sale, available in all colours. And unbeatable breeding genetics available for drive by and mobile mating.
Toft Alpacas Rob & Shirley Bettinson, Toft Manor, Toft Lane, Dunchurch, Warwickshire, CV22 6NR. Tel: 01788 810626. Fax: 01788 522347 Email: shirley@toft-alpacas.co.uk Web: www.toft-alpacas.co.uk Alpaca Stud Farm, est 1997. Pedigree stock for sale in all colours. Superior stud services. Stud males for sale or lease. Pets for sale. Introductory and advanced husbandry workshops. Fleece and fibre workshops. 24/7 advice and support. Holiday cottage on farm. Luxury alpaca products online and on-farm shop.
Beacon Alpacas Jacki Barlow, Suncliffe Beacon Farm, Husthwaite, Yorks YO61 4PD. Tel: 01347 868879 or 07716 917315. Email: beacon.alpacas@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.beaconalpacas.com Females; Herd sires with winning Australian, British, Canadian, Chilean, Peruvian Huacaya genetics; pets with personality; Alpaca walks all available to buy or hire with our committed training and after sales service.
SOMERSET Tai Wind Alpaca Stud Lynn Pepper, Staffords-Mead Stables, Lower Rudge, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QE. Tel: 07790 674334. Email: info@taiwindalpacas.co.uk Web: www.taiwindalpacas.co.uk Show quality black alpacas. Fast forward your genetics with our stud males. We have a selection of pregnant females and young stock for sale from our show herd. Import, export.
Book your space in the Alpaca World Breeders Directory now by telephoning Heidi Hardy on 01598 752799. An entry is priced at just £35 to cover FOUR issues.
Where quality fibre production is key and support to our clients is paramount
Small elite herd living on a bio secure farm. Top quality stud males. Quality confirmed by success in show ring of the males and their progeny. Check them out on the BAS registry.
Hanley Hall RA Polaris BASUK13689
Five times Supreme Champion 2010-2013
Peruvian Concepts Jack
Co-owned with Summerhaze Alpacas BASBASUK11450
Supreme Champion BAS National Show 2013
Jessamine Redlands BASUK16996
BAF 2012 Champion Grey Male
Pregnant females and young stock for sale at realistic prices. Advice, training and full after sales support for new owners. Talk to Di Davies: Tel 07739 382483 or 01308 488661 Email didavies@alpaca.fsnet.co.uk or visit www.alphaalpacas.com
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The p-LUSH Show Friday 27 + Saturday 28 March
Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Coventry CV6 6GE
BRITISH FIBRE & DESIGN FESTIVAL Designer/makers, hand-dyers, people working in the world of fibre, textile artists and companies selling exquisite hand-made objects and designs will be exhibiting at p-LUSH; applauding the British making and designing industry. We have been invited to add a luxury fibre experiential consumer show of excellence to run as part of the British Alpaca Futurity. Hosted by Belinda Harris-Reid and Rachel Vowles.
Sponsorship opportunities, trade stand applications and booking forms are available on the websites. Go to
www.britishalpacafuturity.com or www.p-lush.co.uk
20 1 5
The British Alpaca Futurity is the largest alpaca show in Europe, a celebration of all things alpaca and a showcase for British breeding. Halter classes judged by Peter Kennedy (Australia) and Wade Gease (USA) and an international fleece show. Join us in March 2015. The Ricoh Arena has a 6,000m2 exhibition hall, an on-site hotel, casino, nightclub, bars and restaurants and car parking for just ÂŁ1 a day. It is ideally situated close to motorways, train stations and Birmingham International Airport.
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