Suri Alpaca Herd Improvement Project - the great ah-hah! by Linda Kondris

The Suri Network’s Suri Herd Improvement Program, SHIP, is receiving rave reviews across the country. This innovative, hands-on educational program is designed to offer Suri breeders the skills and knowledge necessary to truly understand desired Suri qualities and to measure each of their own animals against the Suri Breed Standard.

Classifiers Mary Lou Clingan and Cheryl Gehly meet to review SHIP Procedures.

Highly trained, experienced classifiers guide breeders in understanding conformation and fleece characteristics at the farm, in a very interactive manner. The classifier scores each animal on eight conformation traits and eight fleece traits, from a high score of five to a low of one. While the breeder will receive individual scores for each animal, the strength of the program lies in the interaction and dialog between the classifier and the breeder as each Suri is examined.

Classifiers meet annually to calibrate their scoring to ensure accuracy.

The conformation areas scored include

• Type

• Movement and tracking

• Front legs

• Hind legs

• Head

• Strength of frame

• Tail

• Genitalia

Classification is hands-on with full owner participation.

The fleece characteristics scored include

• Luster

• Fineness

• Uniformity of micron

• Density

• Lock structure

• Handle

• Uniformity of color within blanket

• Fleece phenotype

To date, over 75 farms and over 3,000 Suris have been classified at farms from Oregon to Maryland, and from Montana to Oklahoma. Participants are unanimous in their positive comments.

Testimonials:

“We thought we had knowledge about conformation and fleece; however, we found out through the classification that we just had ‘some’. We learned so much...” M. Z., Ohio

“It was an invaluable experience and truly enlightening...we will never look at an alpaca the same way again.” B.M., Oregon

Classification is hands-on with full owner participation.

Through participating in a SHIP classification, breeders gain lifelong skills to apply as they work to improve their herd’s quality. As they review the scores on their Suris, and make breeding decisions, they are able to reflect on their discussions with the classifier and apply the new knowledge and insight they have gained.

Testimonials:

“Our biggest impression was the style in which the information was given. It wasn’t intimidating and it wasn’t overwhelming.” E.V., Washington

“We just finished our SHIP classifcation today! Three days of AWESOME! What a terrific experience...hands on assessment of each and every animal looking at clearly defined characteristics. Each characteristic discussed and scored for each alpaca, with great dialog and opportunity for questions throughout!” P.H., Missouri

Demonstrating correct bite mechanics.

Plan now to schedule your SHIP herd classification. You will find further information and application instructions at SuriSHIP.org. When your farm data is integrated into the SHIP data base, you will be able to compare your herd to others as well as locate Suris that have qualities to enhance your herd.

The Suri Herd Improvement Program, SHIP, is the Suri Network’s flagship initiative for improving the quality of the national Suri herd, one herd at a time.

About the Author:

Linda Kondris

Linda Kondris began raising Suris at Pines Edge Suri Alpacas in Colorado in 1998. She has actively supported the Suri Network as president and board member, and recently co-chaired the Suri Breed Standard Committee. Linda is a recipient of the Suri Network’s Jim Barker Award and has been recognized as a Futurity Breeder of the Year. She currently serves as the SHIP Program Director and is a long standing member of the AOA Show Rules Committee.