Pages 12-24 - World of Alpacas

20 worldofalpacas
worldofalpacas 21
MICRON MAN
Farewell our dear old friends
by Adrienne Clarke – Ambersun Alpacas
December 2015 sadly saw the passing of two of Australia’s highest profile and
most influential stud sires, Fine Choice Peruvian Ultimo and Jolimont Cassius.
Ultimo died peacefully at 21 years of age and Cassius was 16 years of age.
Fine Choice Peruvian Ultimo
Peruvian Ultimo was selected
and imported from Peru by Diane
and Ron Condon in 2001. Soon
after his arrival in Australia he
was purchased by Fine Choice
Alpacas, a syndicate of alpaca
breeders that were delighted by
their acquisition. Members of the
syndicate included Chris Williams
and Adrienne Clarke of Ambersun
Alpacas, and Mark Short and Dee
Finlay of Chaparral Alpacas, all
based in South Australia.
Ultimo was to join a stable
of males including Peruvian
Auzengate, which regularly
travelled across Australia as the key players in a highly successful
mobile mating service. Many alpaca breeders in South Australia
and the eastern states took the opportunity to access such elite
genetics.
Ultimo became a flagship for Fine Choice Alpacas, with a string
of 10 Supreme Championships as a mature male over seven
years between 2002 and 2009. He won the coveted title at such
prestigious shows as the Royal Melbourne Show (in 2002), the
Royal Adelaide Show (in 2002 and 2003), Sheepvention (2003 and
2004) and the Australian Sheep and Wool Show (in 2005). He was
also awarded Champion Mature Male at the National Show in 2002.
Peruvian Ultimo appealed to the judges because he carried an
extremely bright and lustrous fleece with well developed character
that held an impressively low micron well into maturity. In one
of his final fleeces (at 18 years of age), Ultimo tested at
a remarkable 21.4 micron with a standard deviation of
3.8 % and a coefficient of variation of 17.9%. These
fleece statistics served to confirm that Ultimo was
such an outstanding example of the Huacaya breed
Ultimo repeatedly passed on to his cria his
aristocratic presence, his very attractive true-to-type
head and his remarkable low micron. At birth, his
cria were usually easy to pick because of an almost
luminescent bright fleece.
Ultimo remained fertile for his entire life, still servicing
females at 20 years of age. He was always a gentleman,
22 worldofalpacas
gracious to and respectful of his hembras, reflecting his mild
mannered nature. With maturity he became more arthritic, and
while he had no problem encouraging his hembras to cush beneath
him to be serviced, he sometimes appreciated some assistance to
stand after he was finished. The last of his cria are being born in
2016, with every delivery eagerly awaited.
Jolimont Cassius
Cassius was one of the most
highly acclaimed sons of the
renowned Jolimont Sculptor.
He was bred in Australia by
Pat Viceconte of Jolimont
Alpacas, later owned by
Narelle and Peter Tulip and
Janet Eycamp in NSW for
some years, and then made
his way to join Ambersun
Alpacas in South Australia in
his later life.
His outstanding show history
earned him the 2000 NSW
Point Score Championship. In all, Cassius won 10 Supreme
titles in fleece or halter shows, as well as a multitude of other
championships. Like Ultimo, many of his show successes were
achieved as a mature male. He was exceptional for retaining fleece
character and fineness into his later life.
His fleece statistics confirmed this observation. In one of his final
shearings, Cassius’ fleece tested at 22.3 micron with a standard
deviation of 4.0 and coefficient of variation of 17.9 %.
Cassius was fine, consistent and full of character
throughout his life.
Both Fine Choice Peruvian Ultimo and Jolimont
Cassius will be long remembered for their significant
contribution to the quality of alpacas in Australia,
particularly their capacity to maintain fleece
fineness throughout the life of their most fortunate
descendants.
Live on forever in our cria.
Sadly also, was the passing of our gorgeous old dog
and loyal companion Indy in January 2016.
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worldofalpacas 23
f
s
w
h
s
la
ne
Another coup
for international
Alpaca Exports
Australia’s first
shipment of alpaca to
Incheon, South Korea!
by Steve Ridout
International Alpaca Exports with DAFF
established the protocol between the two
countries in early 2015 opening up yet another
market for all Australian Alpaca breeders to
venture into.
T
he first group of six alpaca, three breeding pairs have just jetted off to
Incheon South Korea on February 15 becoming a part of a small breeding
program to establish Alpaca as an alternative livestock enterprise. The initial
group will be kept and cared for in a South Korean Farm Zoo with experienced
Camelid staff. They will undergo a 15 day post arrival quarantine at the Zoo’s
facility prior to being introduced to the camelid section that already houses
guanaco, llama and camels.
The three breeding pairs have come from six different breeders across Victoria and
NSW, ensuring enough genetic diversity is available for breeding in the coming
years. The interest generated by the news of the import has created further
enquiries over the past couple of months.
BANKSIA PARK
KOK NASEEB
SURPRISE WITH HIS GIRLS
HUMMINGHILLS
OLIVER T WIST
HUMMINGHILLS/JURUSTALLE ALPACAS
> Quality Genetics > Alpaca Sales
> Stud Ser vices > Fleece Carding
> Shearing > Craft Barn
HUMMINGHILLS OLIVER T WIST
Standing at stud - Our 10 times Supreme boy
at 7 years old
First fleece 16.9, 3.7sd, 22.0cv
Sixth fleece 21.7, 5.0sd, 23.0cv
BANKSIA PARK KOK NASEEB (ET)
First fleece 15.1, 3.2sd, 21.2cv
Ninth fleece 22.0, 4.3sd, 19.6cv
• Ar ts and Craf ts Galler y
• Spinning, Weaving and Felting
• Local Ar tists, Paintings and Photography
• Woodwork
• Home of our vintage carding machine
• Beautiful alpaca carded fibre and yarn
• Garments for sale in the gif t shop
• Old wares and collectables
• Tea and coffee for a gold coin donation
Whilst the knowledge of Alpaca farming or breeding is limited in South Korea we
feel that the support IAE provides both pre and post arrival the Alpaca expansion
programs across South Korea can become a successful and viable enterprise.
South Korea is well known for its electronics and automotive industries however
the South Korean manufactured textile products is worth approximately $4.95
billion, including wovens, fabric
manufacturing, dyeing and processing with sewn apparel worth $19.22 billion.
An opportunity for all Australian breeders and manufacturers of Alpaca products
is strengthened by live imports increasing the awareness of such a magnificent
natural fibre.
24 worldofalpacas
HUMMINGHILLS ALPACAS
Dennis 0407 456 107
Suzanne 0439 685 969
Email alpaca@humminghillsalpacas.com.au
Web www.humminghillsalpacas.com.au
JURUSTALLE ALPACAS
Leley & Stephanie Drake
Phone 02 6332 4947
Email jurustalle@yahoo.ie
Web www.jurustallealpacas.com
ARTISANS OF THE GLEN
119 Taylor Street, Glen Innes, NSW 2370
Suzanne 0439 685 969
Email info@artisansoftheglen.com.au
worldofalpacas 25
Web www.artisansoftheglen.com.au
These environmental conditions are peculiar to northern latitudes
like Glenhope Alpacas. Whilst seemingly a disadvantage to an
alpaca seedstock business, it can be turned into an advantage.
These circumstances allow us to utilise the forces of natural
selection and artificial selection in the alpaca breeding program to
improve rapidly fleece quality and quantity. It may prove to be a
good location to breed alpacas that are permanently free of fibre
medullation and permanently fine and uniform in fibre diameter.
Jupiter is an interesting prospect for this genetic change. Its
secondary fibres have a low mean diameter of 21.2 microns. The
medullary cavities are narrow. It would appear that Jupiter is well
down the track in developing the genetic capacity to breed progeny
free of fibre medullation and finer fleeces whilst producing high
fleece weights. We will progeny test Jupiter on alpaca farms in
southern Australia this year.
Genetic improvement
of the alpaca
By Dr. Jim Watts, SRS® Alpacas International
I help people to breed alpacas that grow high density and length
of wool fibres. Selecting for these two traits concurrently delivers
high fleece weight, low fibre diameter, and high fibre quality.
I
n the World of Alpacas January 2015 issue, I used the example of
Suncloud Alpacas, an SRS® Huacaya stud at Merredin, Western
Australia (Peter and Carolyn Richards), to illustrate how we have
applied considerable selection pressure for high fibre density and
length in choosing the herdsires at Suncloud each year.
From the start of the breeding program in 2006 when the density
and length measurements of the herdsires were about 42 follicles
per square millimetre and 0.35 millimetres per day respectively,
in 2013 the selection standards had increased to 72 and 0.56
respectively.
These rising standards for fibre density and length have been
applied to herdsire selection in all SRS® alpaca herds.
Year of joining Sire Primary fibre diameter (um) CONTACT US
The breeding technology I have brought to the alpaca industry,
and Merino and Angora goat industries, of Australia, is available
to livestock breeders who wish to use it and who are willing to
implement an appropriate breeding program.
FURTHER EVIDENCE
Another good example is Glenhope Huacaya Alpacas at Armidale,
in the New England region New South Wales (David and Bronwyn
Mitchell) – see Table. Note how the density and length of the
herdsires have increased and both primary fibre diameter and
secondary fibre diameter have decreased since the SRS® breeding
program started in 2005.
It is important also to say that improvements in density must be
accompanied by improvements in fibre length. If density races
ahead of length, the skin will thicken, and primary fibres will broaden
in diameter, and guard hair (coarse primary fibres with large
medullary cavities) will reappear in the fleece.
Secondary fibre Density Length diameter (um) follcles per mm2) (mm/day) Skin thickness
(mm)
2005
Wenonim 42.9
25.9
38.0
0.29
2.91
A31657
2007
Delta31.722.9 47.40.372.44
ARI 70884
2009
Chester
29.323.3 57.20.331.72
IAR 109374
2013
Gibraltar
32.9
25.3
67.6
0.43
2.98
IAR 17719
Griffin
31.1
24.1
55.8
0.39
2.04
IAR 17717
2014
Hugo
31.7
24.1
68.4
0.42
2.53
IAR 186775
2015
Jupiter
29.6
21.2
66.8
0.48
2.71
IAR
The leading sire at Glenhope Alpacas for this year’s autumn matings
is the young alpaca, Glenhope Jupiter (Figure 1). Jupiter’s density
is 67 follicles per square millimetre and its fibre length is 0.48 mm
per day. His third fleece weighed 5.7 kilograms for 12 months, had
a mean fibre diameter of 22.3 microns, and was 120 mm long. The
fleece length is advancing at a similar rate to the density increase.
PHOTOPERIOD AND NUTRITION
It is important to be aware that fibre diameter and fibre medullation
increase as daylength increases
(photoperiodic effect) and as
nutrition improves.
Glenhope Alpacas is located in a
northern latitude of Australia where
the spring and summer months
bring prolonged daylight exposure
to the alpacas at the same time as
rainfall and nutrition peak. When
alpacas are transferred from the
New England region to southern
latitudes of intermediate or winter
rainfall incidence, the fleeces
grow finer and fibre medullation is
less likely to occur. Typically, the
fleeces become 3 to 4 microns
finer.
For more information contact:
Jim Watts
e: srs@hinet.net.au m: 0409 364 864
David Mitchell
e: glenhope@activ8.net.au tel: 02 6772 1940
Peter Richards
e: suncloud@agn.net.au m: 0488 414 020
Figure 1. Glenhope Jupiter
is a well grown male with a
high density and length fleece
consisting of closely packed
and deeply crimped, thin
staples.
Table 1. Follicle and fibre traits of Glenhope alpaca herdsires used over 10 years of applying the SRS® breeding program.
26 worldofalpacas
worldofalpacas 27
below l-r: Students at the farm 2015 and Conference 2016.
Alpacas and Denmark
Agricultural College
by Judy and Greg Smith
Futura Alpaca Stud
On the south coast of Western Australia is
the picturesque town of Denmark which
is home to one of WA’s Agricultural High
Schools.
28 worldofalpacas
S
tudents from years l0 to 12 have the opportunity to expand
their academic studies together with practical farm related
activities. Both in house boarders and day students are
catered for.
Animal husbandry is an important part of the curriculum where the
students learn predominantly sheep and cattle skills.
Futura Alpaca Stud was relocated from the outskirts of Perth in
2005 to expand our stud and enjoy full time alpaca farming in
‘retirement’. Our choice of location was the Albany/Denmark area.
Our frst interaction with the Denmark Agricultural College came
a few years after we had settled into our new farm when they
approached us for a couple of wethers to act as fox guards to their
sheep flock.
This was to be the start of an interesting and rewarding relationship
between ourselves and the college as about seven years ago one
of the progressive teachers Mrs Trevelyn Smith enquired about
incorporating alpacas into their curriculum to widen the interest and
knowledge of their students.
At this point the Australian Alpaca Association was also instigating
an alpaca curriculum for high schools, which was adopted by the
teacher to work with her year 10 students. The then Australian
Alpaca Association National President Jenny McAuliffe was
an enthusiastic supporter of this and encouraged the alpaca
progamme. Because of our previous involvement with the college
we were asked for our input and if we wished to become involved
with the students.
This resulted with the introduction of the Junior Judging competition
at the Albany Show becoming an annual event. During each
August, September and October the students are transported to
our farm which is only 20km from the college. They arrive with their
teachers, afternoon tea and lots of enthusiasm.
We then go through some intense theory as to what constitutes
a show quality alpaca. Then, while in the alpaca shed, we use an
alpaca for the students to look at and feel the fleece. This, to a large
majority of the students, is the first time they have actually laid a
hand on a real live alpaca. We then move out into one of our holding
yards where we have up to four alpacas for the students to put their
theory into practice and judge these animals in the right order.
It never ceases to amaze us that every class of students to come
out to our farm really apply themselves and there are always some
stand-out students.
The teachers then ultimately select up to six students who show
an aptitude, skill and enthusiasm to represent the college at the
Albany Show in November. These junior judges (who can be either
young women or men) are attired in the college uniforms and pit
themselves against each other in placing the four alpacas in the
correct order of quality This is one of the highlights of the alpaca
show attracting both breeders and the general public.
The attending AAA show judges are always happy to get involved
with this activity and work with the students to get the best out of
them. The winning student is the one whose oral reasoning justifies
the correct order of selection of animals.
As well as our involvement with the students we have recently been
asked to speak on the alpaca industry as an alternative farming
venture at the Agricultural College’s biannual conference which was
held at the Denmark college during the summer holidays. Teachers,
administrators and staff from agricultural colleges from all over
Australia and New Zealand attended making up an audience of up
to 100 delegates.
This opportunity to promote alpacas was well received with many
questions being asked. Our ultimate aim was to encourage other
agricultural colleges to become involved and introduce alpacas into
their curriculums and hopefully include alpacas as livestock on their
college farms.
We would encourage fellow breeders to approach their local
educational institutions as not only is this an excellent promotion for
the alpaca it places our industry on the radar of our future farmers.
worldofalpacas 29
Australia assists in the
Chinese Alpaca Associations’
Third Seminar
by Steve Ridout
The third Chinese Alpaca Association Seminar was recently held in
Taiyuan China with representatives from Australia as guest speakers.
S
peakers covered the topics of Breed Standards, Alpaca
Products, Alpaca Health and Nutrition, Alpaca Management
and Business Success. Kerry Dwyer represented the AAA
and presented the benefits of an Association through marketing
and strategies (an industry perspective). An Australian Veterinarian
with vast experience in Alpaca gave the Health and Nutrition
presentation providing valuable information to current and new
prospective importers
30 worldofalpacas
A variety of delegates attended the Seminar from across many
provinces in China, prospective Importers, University Graduates ,
Chinese Vets and previous importers attended the seminar keen to
engage the speakers and gain valuable knowledge on an emerging
industry. Australian fleeces and products were on display which
created an enormous amount of interest.
The current industry in China is at its infancy, stock numbers are
low and the Chinese Association has been newly formed. Interest
worldofalpacas 31
from within the delegates was strong,
not only in the products that can be
created by using Alpaca fibre but
interest from Universities / Vets from a
knowledge base was pleasing to see.
The future of the Alpaca Exports is
bright, the Australian ability to supply
both alpacas and knowledge to
assist in the growth of the Chinese
market will enhance an already
strong relationship. Opportunities
for all Australian Alpaca breeders
to venture into this market is now
presently available. Not only being
able to supply China with Alpacas
but providing support in education,
husbandry and the sharing of
knowledge is very important in
fostering such relationships.
To date Australia has exported 1541
Alpacas over three charter aircraft
with more orders expected in 2016.
Presentations were made to the three
importers as a gesture of gratitude
and memento of a very special phase
in the Chinese and Australian Alpaca
Industries.
A follow up visit to a Quarantine
Facility in the Shenyang Province
provided on farm support, nutritional
advise and hands on teaching in the
provision of all husbandry matters
concluded the trip to China by
International Alpaca Exports. In 2016
further educational trips are planned
to ensure the growth of the industry
and health / welfare of the exported
alpacas is at the forefront of all
importers.
MARQUEZ KRISTIAN
is a highly awarded black Huacaya male
winning Champion Black at many shows.
Greatest achievement: 2015 Victorian
Colourbration Champion Black Huacaya
MARQUEZ KRISTINA
has achieved Grand Champion Huacaya at
a number of SA shows in an Elite line up of
Champions.
Greatest achievement: 2015 National Show
& Sale first in a class of 13 females
Marquez Alpacas
“the home of champions”
MARQUEZ JERONIMO
is a stunning Black Suri Male. Jeronimo
won the hearts of his new owners and he
now resides in New Zealand.
Jeronimo won many Championships in
South Australia and Victoria.
32 worldofalpacas
MARQUEZ KATALINA
has had outstanding show results in
2014/2015 winning many Intermediate
Championships
Greatest Achievement: 2015 National
Show & Sale – first place
Grand Champion Suri at Mount Pleasant SA
SURILANA PROTEA
is an Elite Fawn Suri female, winning many
Championships in her first fleece
and thereafter.
Greatest Achievements: winning a
Championship at almost every halter show
and Fleece show
marquezalpacas2@bigpond.com
0412 677 805 worldofalpacas
33
Karen Caldwell judging at the AAA
2015 National Show & Sale.
by Karen Caldwell – Wyona Alpaca Stud
To begin this article I would
like to say a few words
that are always in my head
at every show I have the
privilege of judging.
A
A
Few
Thoughts
from an Australian Judge
34 worldofalpacas
ll the AAA judges I know have probably got the PERFECT
alpaca emblazoned on their frontal lobe! We have the AAA
Alpaca Breed standard (huacaya and suri) as our deities of
worship. These are our guides.
All judges are individuals, carrying with them professional, expert,
up-to-date training in our industry.
So when we have alpacas paraded before us in every class at a
show, it is this that we call upon to compare against what is being
presented to us for judging. We do this with the best of our ability,
having been trained by the best Alpaca Judging Training Scheme in
the world (and I’ve experienced a few, believe me!).
To me personally, being an Australian Alpaca judge is a huge
honour. I feel so privileged to have been given this amazing
opportunity to assist our industry improve and grow, both within our
country and internationally. As importantly, give assistance, direction
and positivity to the breeders that bring their alpacas to the shows
were I am officiating.
So what would be my most asked questions:• What style of fleece are you looking for?
• What is more important, Fineness or Density?
• How important is conformation when it is meant to be a fleece
industry?
I will attempt to answer all three questions together, as for me they
are all intrinsically connected.
worldofalpacas 35
Within a class at every show, we are presented with a variety of
every possible permeatation in the form of an alpaca! It is our job,
our duty and our passion, to differentiate between these alpacas,
placing them in decreasing order of adherence to the breed
standard in our opinion on that day.
Of the alpacas we choose to be brought forward, we aim to reward
these particular alpacas and their owners with knowledgeable
and constructive critiques. We strive to set examples for all our
Australians breeders to notice and appreciate alpacas which display
an advanced development and improvement in all characteristics in
our breed standard.
Judges all have slightly differing ‘takes’ regarding what we all prefer,
this is often evident in our own breeding programmes. Please
do not make the mistake of thinking that judges do not/can not
appreciate and reward differing styles of fleece, micron or frames at
a show. We can and we do!
This brings me to two words, (that for me personally) describes
what I strive for in my own judging and breeding programme ...
UNIFORMITY and CONSISTENCY.
SUP SURI EX at Robertson
Show 2006.
36 worldofalpacas
So returning to the above three questions ... what style of fleece do
I like, what’s more important density or fineness, how important is
conformation in a fibre producing animal?
My answer will always be this,
I appreciate and breed all styles of fleece as our industry is not at an
advanced developmental stage where we can select and buy from
a penning of 50 stud males all within a two micron range, every
other trait about them being equal! So with that in mind ...
Of all the characteristics we judge for, I admire all fleece styles
whether they are high or low frequency, high or low amplitude, or
lower frequency with deep curvature. I love them all BUT only if
they have UNIFORMITY and CONSISTENCY. These characteristics
are fineness of micron, colour, crimp/lock character, density,
handle, staple/lock length, and brightness/lustre. I want to see and
experience UNIFORMITY and CONSISTENCY of all these traits
across the body, down into the extremities and hopefully up in to
the neck in the Australian alpacas in our show rings! Why, because
that’s when we truly start down the road to commercial reality of our
industry!
It is the desire to aim for UNIFORMITY and CONSISTENCY in
every one of these traits that will increase our clean fleece weights,
lower our higher microns, lengthen our staples and lower the
micron of our primary fibres and decrease their presence within the
overall fleece. These are all steps in taking our fibre industry into a
sustainable commercial phase of our development.
One of my goals as a judge is to identify and reward alpacas that
are displaying great uniformity within all aspects of their fleece and
frame. For me this is how the commercial reality of our breeding
programmes can be identified and utilized for our industry’s benefit
There is a place in our industry for differing styles and microns with
low percentages of Primary Fibres also so known as guard hair.
We need to have UNIFORMITY and CONSISTENCY of whatever
style and type you prefer to breed. This will then manifest itself into
clean heavy weights and quality of commercial fibre on strong and
correct frames.
I have been outspoken regarding correct conformation and its
importance in our industry. Endeavouring to ‘get the frame right
first, then concentrate on the fleece’ it is a phrase I have always
used and strongly believe in. This is because it takes a longer time
to eliminate a poor/bad conformational trait from your herd as
opposed to reducing your average micron across the fleece and/or
increasing your follicular density. The high heritability percentage of
micron and/or follicular density means they can have a substantial
and marked effect on your breeding herd in one generation.
Correcting poor/bad conformation takes a lot longer. So by getting
your frame correct first, you will have strong, well balanced and
correct frame on which to start producing the type, style and
density of fleece you want to breed.
So as judges, again we refer back to our Breed Standard. An
alpaca with a productive UNIFORM and CONSISTENT fleece will
be judged superior if we find it on an alpaca with correct proportion
and balance to their frame.
This is why conformation is so important in the show ring!
The bad behaviour of alpacas in the show ring is also of major
concern to all judges. We are not recompensed for our time or
expertise. So when we meet with an injury inflicted by unruly, badly
trained (if at all) alpacas in the show ring, we start to object. There
is an old saying, ‘walk a mile in my shoes’. Please contemplate the
want a
logo?
top: Karen Caldwell at Bathurst Royal 2011.
above: KC judging at the AAA 2015 National Show & Sale.
effect your badly behaved alpaca could have on other people, be
they judges, stewards or the inspection team.
Personally and professionally I know of no other exhibiting animal
species that permits their shown stock to KICK, SPIT, LIE DOWN,
ROLL AROUND or REAR UP whilst being inspected by the judge.
Why then is it allowed and tolerated in the Australian Alpaca Show
Ring? I find it disrespectful to all our hard working judges to expect
them to put up with poorly behaved alpacas in their show rings!
Badly behaving alpacas take a lot longer time to judge!
So next time you come across me standing somewhere in the
middle of a show ring, you will know that what I want to see and
have the privilege of judging is a well-structured UNIFORM and
CONSISTENT fleece on a sound and correct frame ... standing
quietly for inspection by the judge!
High resolution logo you can use
on business cards, advertising,
t-shirts ... anywhere! $200
contact Wendy :
mondayschild67@gmail.com
worldofalpacas 37
An alpaca Journey
a wonderful life
by Robert Johnson
During 2008 the world suffered the Global Financial Crisis. At that time I was
visiting my son and his now wife in southern France where they were living
and running their graphic design business. On returning home I found that
my business in financial risk management consulting, like many others, had
suffered from this financial market’s downturn. Whereas the GFC emphasised
the need for risk management, the majority of institutions were opting to carry
out their risk management projects in-house due to the shortage of funding for
consultants. As I was approaching retirement this change resulted in my closely
evaluating my future.
T
his led to me and my wife to attend a retirement symposium towards the end of
2009. Before entering the main hall we saw a pen with two or three alpacas. This
interested us and after discussing them briefly we quickly visited the other exhibits
before retur ning to the alpaca exhibit. A lot was explained to us about alpacas, where
they came from, their attributes and requirements for establishing an alpaca business.
We added to this information by attending a weekend seminar at Flowerdale where we
lear nt more about these beautiful animals and had the chance to handle them. This was
instrumental in our decision to embark on an exciting jour ney to establish our own alpaca
stud. I had previously graduated in engineering with a Major in Mathematics followed by
a Master in Finance, so a change to a less lmathematical pursuit was a major change for
me.
In 2010 we commenced this exciting jour ney after purchasing a property in Tallarook and
a small number of foundation animals from Flowerdale on which to base our future herd.
Unfortunately a few months later I began suffering from a severe toothache. This was
later diagnosed as jaw cancer. This put a severe disruption to our new venture including
selling our Tallarook property and leasing a farm in the Strathbogie Ranges. We gradually
pushed ahead however and have now grown to a herd of around 60 alpacas.
Although we have not exhibited a great deal in the past and hence are relatively unknown
to many alpaca owners and breeders, our herd comprises many animals with ancestry
that can be traced back to the foundation animals of the Australian herd. Overall we have
an excellent herd including stud sires and you should consider Tallarook Alpacas when
choosing additional animals or studs for your females.
Please give Tallarook Alpacas a call to view prospective animals for your future
purchases or matings.
38 worldofalpacas
worldofalpacas 39
BREEDERS CHOICE
Alpaca Auction 2016
COMING IN 2016: Fourth Breeders Choice Alpaca Auction - date to be announced
ON OFFER: 60 Lots - All from successful industry participants
Unique Opportunity
Access at One Location Bloodlines from Diverse Genetics for your Breeding Programs
40 worldofalpacas
Contact: 02 4934 1799
l
bth.has@hunterlink.net.au
HUNTER ALPACA STUD
Our Future is Secured – Secure your Stud’s Future
www.hunteralpaca.com.au
l
Peter & Narelle Tulip
l
0412 486 520
worldofalpacas 41
BUSINESS PLANNING
AS TIME WENT ON
• I put in place measures to assist in
disaster preparedness-from minor to
major:
for SUCCESS, FAILURE
and RECOVERY ...
You have to expect it all!
I have owned and operated a commercial alpaca stud for
the past nine years. I have 10 staff that work with me in
the paddock and office; we manage over 250 head; and
travel over 50,000kms a year showing / marketing our
breeding program outcomes. We are involved in selling
fibre commercially from the tailings to top quality; products
through an online shop; and livestock for breeding/stud
services / pets / guards. More than half of the animals on
the farm are agisted where I manage the breeding / sales
/ stud services /showing of them on behalf of owners. So
there are a large number of people that rely on me for their
income in one way or another through this enterprise.
MY BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
I
by Kelli Pfeiffer
42 worldofalpacas
have been an owner/manager of a number of businesses over the
past 30 years and I have found to be successful in business you
need to address four key things:
• Know your product: research, set goals, education yourself on
what it is you are going to produce for the open market. Accept failures
and learn from them – don’t repeat them thinking it will get better, find a
new way forward to success.
• Engage the right people to assist you: professionals (finance,
insurance, legal, accountancy, veterinary) / staff / mentors / suppliers.
Work with colleagues that share similar ideals / passions / ethics. You
will gain a good reputation if you always do the right thing by those that
help you. Make sure you thank them and publicise their contribution
to your success – don’t be scared that you will loose business if you
tell others how good your colleagues are, or if others engage the same
professionals as you. If you are good at knowing your product, you will
be successful at producing things that others want
anyway. There is enough business to go around
for all. I have found that the business world has a
way of paying back when you do the right thing
in this regard. And above all always, always be
honest – I have never met a successful liar yet,
they always end up with a bad reputation and are
broke!
• Marketing: Start this from the day you start
your business. In the livestock industry it is as
simple as showing your animals – show how
clever you are with your purchases at first, then
with what you breed and as you develop you can
then have open farm days; advertising in industry
magazines; attend events and displays; etc.
• Business Planning: To strive for success and longevity in your
business, something that will help to focus your operation through
the good and bad times; with or without you on site; and to recover
when things go wrong – you need a set of rules and plans that
you operate under in all situations. Part of that is being prepared
for what happens when things go wrong … and they will! In the
livestock industry this can include such things as disease, disaster,
devastation and having a plan in place for handling these situation is
what will make your recovery somewhat easier!
IN THE BEGINNING
• I did my homework, liaised with my accountant, lawyer and tax
office about the set up of the business
• I researched the industry and made my breeding goals
• I purchased the livestock and had them transported to me
• This business was my first venture into the livestock industry,
however my husband had a long history of working with sheep/
cattle/horses so he helped me with the design of the property
and guidance with the physical management of the livestock
when they arrived. Of course this venture started very much as
an owner / operator, then I employed my kids to work for me part
time, and my husband assisted where necessary until I got things
established
• From the beginning I started marketing by showing my animals,
at first those I bought, then those I bred as my
knowledge grew – so did my success, now people
wanted to buy my livestock and stud services
• I became a member of an industry body – which
then had me attending meetings / events / training
to learn more
• Soon came the first employee, then two, then
several to help in the paddock and office as the
business grew
• However, at every stage of growth I was writing
procedures and planning for the future – good and
bad, so that I could ride through the storms without
too much discomfort. This would turn out to be the
most important thing I did!
> Individual Animal Management
Files: the law dictates that we must
record all products administered to
livestock, including date/product, batch
number and expiry date/dose and details,
ie routine shots, vet approval information,
etc. All animals on our farm have an
individual file that records this information
as well as ownership details, paddock
location, pregnancy status and details of
same (sire/LMD, due date), halter training
status, fleece stats, etc. This helps us and the vet to manage the
health of the animal and keeps our owners informed of what is
happening.
> Cria Management Plan: the day of birth, how to manage the
cria/dam, what is normal and not and how to deal with it all, what to
record and how to manage the cria/dam through the first week, two
months, til weaning at six months.
> Animal Management Plan: observation at feeding times to
make sure all animals come up to eat and look normal; throughout
the day to ensure behaviour is herd like and normal; when being
moved that ears/eyes/gate/hierarchy are normal. When in doubt
how to health check, along with symptoms of illnesses and how to
treat following diagnosis. You see the staff on our farm are not just
employed to feed and do general chores, they have to do that too
– but their primary role is to attend to the health and welfare of the
animals. They must constantly observe the livestock for changes
in behaviour whilst undertaking their general work – even subtle
changes, so that is reported at the time to those they are working
with, up the line to me and to the owner along with a strategy for
monitoring and conveyed to all those coming on line thereafter to
continue the monitoring/management of the situation. This allows
us to catch things before they become a big problem to address.
> Feed Regime: a document that lists the measurements of the
products to be fed to the animals each day in a chaff mix, including
oats/Lucerne/bran/lupins/vitamins/minerals.
worldofalpacas 43
> Herd Husbandry Schedule: a document which
lists all the treatments that will be administered to the
herd on an annual basis along with when/why/product
/dosage rate, ie drenches / routine shots (Selenium,
Vitamin D, Phosphorous, Vitamin B1, Vaccine,
Multivitamins) / pre and post birth treatments for dam
and cria / shearing / toenail trimming, etc.
> Herd Health Services: a document that contains
all the products that we may need to administer and
under what circumstances.
> Pregnancy Management Plan: document that
manages the breeding of an alpaca from remating
post birth, to maidens and those visiting farm for
mating which includes mating dates / spitoffs /
ultrasounds, administration of hormones if needed to
bring the alpaca into receptive state / hold pregnancy,
etc.
> Quarantine Management: a plan that covers
animals going to / from show; new animals to farm;
animals visiting for mating. This includes health checks
/ bodyscore / photographing the animal (face, side
profile, bodyscore) / drenching / bringing routine shots up to date /
monitoring for 4-8 weeks / introduction to herd or return to owner.
> Biosecurity Management Plan: A systematic set of herd
management practices in order to prevent infectious diseases
from being carried onto our farm and/or spread into a permanent
or temporary herd population. Along with that a box of products
that allows the humans working with livestock suspected of having
disease to be safe whilst working with them and includes such
things as goggles, face masks, disposable safety suits, foot baths,
disinfectant, bags and tape to begin with.
> Fire Management Plan: the timing for making a decision to
move animals to safe ground; where to move them to and why;
how to leave them (with food and water) and flood the ground to
make them safe from fire reaching to them.
> Flood Management Plan: where to move them to when the
wet season starts; and how to do that. Remembering that all such
movements will take a couple of hours to achieve when moving
livestock in stressful weather situation, plus getting food/water/
shelter sorted out for them at these new locations in a safe and
timely manner.
> Emergency Kits: for animals and humans. Although we have all
products needed to manage the health of animals on our farm in a
storeroom, what if the storeroom doesn’t exist after a disaster? We
have a travel kit with all treatments and first aid products that we
may need to use – to be taken with the animal manager to shows/
bunker, then you have it to go out and attend to the animals on the
spot if needed. Of course we have a human one too for use under
the same circumstances.
> Vet Approval: All these documents are updated annually,
reviewed / approved by our vet, and provided to staff and agistees.
• Of course several of these documents are used daily and regularly.
However, did I ever think that all these plans would have to be
enacted? No … but they did! And our recovery from all these
situation has been made all the easier by having them in place
for the staff and others such as vets who have needed to help us
from time to time recover from difficult situations.
44 worldofalpacas
THE PAST
• So what have we had to be prepared for and recover from:
> Floods: We live in an area that is subject to flood every year.
Half of our property is on high ground and half on low. So we
can manage the animals to high ground every year through flood
situations okay. However, when a very severe flood takes out half of
the fencing on your property, not once but twice … you need to be
in a financial position to be able to replace it and also hard feed your
livestock for a period of time at a higher ration due to the property
being overgrazed whilst you wait for floor waters to reside, fencing
to be replaced and grass to grow back! Also your animals health
can be affected by constant rain conditions – weakened fleece /
immune system from stress / potentially ground minerals washed
away such as selenium / copper, etc that need to be supplemented
through injections or feed to replenish them, along with a dose of
Vitamin D and Phosphorous.
> Fires: We have had three major fires, one where the humans
were evacuated – two where we had to move livestock to paddocks
with low grass; flood the ground so fire won’t travel along it; leaving
feed and water and hoping they will get through it okay. They all
did, but they were covered in ash on our return and of course a
bit stressed! They needed electrolytes in their water and some
Phosphorous and Vitamin B1 to aid their recovery.
> Cyclone: 2015 saw our first cyclone hit the area directly in over
30 years – and was a disaster and a half to deal with! We lost
livestock during the event crushed under flying debris; livestock
post the event from weakened immune systems and injuries; lost
50% of the fences on the farm; lost 80% of the trees on the farm;
along with damage to buildings! This was a major recovery – and
11 months on, we are still coming back from it physically, but the
animals are doing fine now. Again they were treated with antibiotics
/ vitamin / mineral supplementation as advised by vet to recover
from the stress and injuries.
> Parasites – Ticks: We had never suffered from tick in the first
five years of breeding, then we suffered 10 losses to tick over two
years! It was a time the vet advised many were suffering from this
that don’t normally – so the vet now advises when tick activity
ramps up with other livestock and we drench as a precaution!
> Disease: Cheesy Gland: We had to go through two years of
recovery from this, a natural bacteria in the ground, which we did
not know alpacas could get and is totally controllable by a vaccine!
We lost 10 animals to it, and had ill thrift from it for over a year and
now they are vaccinated with the correct product – protected from
it and completely over it!
> Disease – Melioidosis: Another natural bacteria that lives
around the roots of trees quite deep in the ground to protect them
from fungus, when brought to the surface through flood waters
and uprooted trees can affect all livestock with ill thrift through to
death. We lost one animal to this post the cyclone. The lab tests
determine that the bacteria was water borne and not soil borne and
so brought into our dam water system – so we changed our water
supply from dam to rain and well water pumped to holding tanks,
tested, treated if necessary and fed to the animals,
so that they cannot contract this through flood
water again. However, if we had known what
caused the illness in the animal – it could also
have been treated with antibiotics successfully we
have since learnt!
> Deficiency – Selenium: This also occurred
post the cyclone. We lost 10 animals quickly
after the cyclone who presented weak on feet,
went blind and were dead within 15 hours of first
symptoms. Lab testing found mineral deficiency
– Selenium. Although our vets determined we
were giving the uppermost amount of selenium
supplement through feed and quarterly injections,
we had selenium deficiency across 80% of the
herd, even new animals to herd from outside of
the area, around Queensland and interstate! We
started injecting animals with selenium monthly
to boost them, then blood tested only to find that
the product we were using was not strong enough
for alpacas. Now using a new long acting product
recommended by a leading Australian Alpaca Vet
who is currently doing a study into the deaths of
alpacas to selenium deficiency – nation wide! So it seems this is
an industry issue, only exacerbated on our farm by the stress of the
cyclone. We will be blood testing the animals again in a few weeks
– and will know if the product we are now using, which is suppose
to last a year, has elevated them sufficiently and further blood tests
will tell us how long it last in their system. However, the blood
testing is costs $25k every time, costs borne by the owners – so
very expensive exercise to have to go through! Watch this space
for a national study report coming soon through veterinary science
and more from our farm who are contributing information to it.
THE FUTURE
Well it is onward and upward for us.
We continued to show our animals last year, even post the cyclone
– we received more ribbons than ever – which was a shock,
thinking our show team wasn’t up to the standard they were before
the cyclone!
I truly believe that we have risen through the difficulties, because
we are surrounded by very well trained staff / knowledgeable
colleagues, mentors and professionals that have helped us get
through it all, overcoming problems, and finding a way to deal with
all difficulties we have been presented with. However, without
our business principles/plans – it would be a jigsaw missing some
pieces that would never show the picture we have in front of us
now.
Because we are open and honest with our clients / colleagues /
professionals – no one has at any stage abandoned us in times
of difficulty and as a result we are able to continue to grow from
strength to strength.
For more information about owning/breeding alpacas;
their health/husbandry needs; along with animal/
services and products for sale, see our website at:
www.ppalpacas.com.au
worldofalpacas 45