Read and Breed February 2011

THE MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2011 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGION OF THE AUSTRALIAN ALPACA ASSOCIATION LTD

ISSUE 65

Read and Breed Page 2

Page 3 FEBRUARY 2011

Inside this issue: A word or two from the Editors,

Hi there!

We hope that 2011 sees all our members happy and healthy!

There are some exciting events coming up on the SA

Region’s calendar—thanks to all those members who are

making their stud properties available as venues. It would

be very difficult to hold such events without this kindness,

as costs of hiring venues would make it almost impossible.

The events are to benefit all the members of our region, so

please support them. To make these events happen, there is

an amazing amount of work involved for the organisers

which involves hours and hours of time and quite often

their own resources. There is always room for another pair

of hands to help out, so please if you should have even a

little time to spare you would be very welcome.

The Mount Pleasant show in March is no exception,

without the volunteer stewards, inspectors and recorders

on the day, the show could not happen so please contact

the convenors if you can help. A huge thank you must go

to Kerry and Jolyon for convening the show for the past 15

years—a wonderful achievement and your retirement is

well deserved.

We have three articles submitted for this issue from

interstate, we thank Joanne Ham from Victoria and the WA

Premium Alpaca Group. We would love to hear from any

SA members who may feel inclined to put pen to paper (or

nowadays; fingers to the keyboard) to share their

experiences with us all.

Should anyone out there have any suggestions for new

segments in Read and Breed please let us know— this is

your magazine and we want to publish what you want to

see and read. Thanks in anticipation!.

That’s all for now,

See you all at the Mt Pleasant show,

Your editors,

Rhonda and Sharon.

All members are invited to submit photographs for use on the cover

and in the newsletter

Cover Photo:-

“Mates from the Mallee’’

Carina and Missy

Kindly supplied by

Rockery Alpacas

President’s Report 4

SA Region Calendar 5

Somadale Trophy 6

Royal Adelaide Report 7

Industry Article—Wethers 11

Birthing Problems 13

Region Working Bee 19

Where Have all the Multi Alpacas Gone?

20

JCMCT Awards 21

WA Premium Alpaca Group 22

SA Region Premium Fleece

Workshop

24

Advertising Rates 25

Regional Committee 26

Merchandise 27

OUR PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Page 4 Read and Breed

I can‘t believe how quickly this month has speed by. No sooner was it New Year than the month of

January has passed. Let me update you on what has happened over the last few months.

The president and council meeting saw some interesting changes proposed and introduced. For

membership fees from this year there will be the option to pay quarterly. For new members who have

joined since July 2010 they will be able to transfer animals into their herd for a $5 +GST until

June2011.

A High School education package is now available in draft form and has been sent out to an SA

school for review and feedback. If your children‘s high school would be interested in taking part let

me know and I will send you the package.

South Australia was given the go ahead for the 2012 National Show and Sale. So start to plan your

breeding for next year so we can have a larger show than 2009. The Royal Adelaide Show has

received permission for level 1 AAA judges to participate again at the show. We can look forward this

happening in September.

Some of the presidents were keen to see cluster groups set up in their regions to work to help their

members receive the highest value possible for their fleece. Something we plan to do in SA, but I will

return to this a little further down the page. Also a need was expressed for fleece classing standards.

Something we as a region we will continue to work toward.

The committee has been busy planning for the current year. It kicks off on February 20th with a

birthing day at Ambersun Alpacas, many thanks to Chris and Adrienne for letting us use their farm.

Our hope is that this will provide an opportunity for you to learn how to overcome common birthing

problems and to share your own experience in this area with others. As with our education day we

have invited a vet to come along. We are always looking for properties to hold education days and

events so if you think that your property would be suitable please let us know, we would love to be

able to use it.

April will see the start of fleece workshops those attending this workshop will then be able to go on to

the May weekend for classing and baling fleece. Our hope is that after this first classing and baling

day we will be able to run subsequent days open to all members. The classing and baling days have

proved very popular in WA and they now have their second group booked for the beginning of April.

These are hard working days requiring plenty of preparation of your fleece prior to your arrival at the

venue. Our hope is that as a region we will be able to have some members that are able to take on

the classing of the fleeces and help pass on the knowledge that is required for further fleece days.

National Alpaca Week will be running countrywide throughout May. We have chosen to remain with

the first week in May. Keep an eye on the website for information regarding Meet the Alpacas at

Oakbank.

With show season just around the corner, it was brought to my attention by a few members that

there was some rumours about our show sizes becoming too big. After discussion the view of the

current committee is that there should be no limit on the number of animals at a show unless the

convenor of the show states otherwise. It has been good to see the increase in member numbers

showing their animals over the past year.

Sue and Trevor Drogemuller will be assisting with this year‘s Mount Pleasant Show with the

view to taking over the show from Jolyon and Kerry Porter. I am sure they will have Jolyon

and Kerry‘s support and advice for the next couple of years for the smooth running of the

show that we have all become used to at Mount Pleasant.

......continued on page 6


CALENDAR 20th February 2011 Birthing Day 1pm—5pm at Ambersun Alpacas, Mt Compass

(Information on page 12)

19th March 2011 Mt Pleasant show

9th—10th April 2011 Premium Fleece Workshop—see page 24

30th April 2011 Meet the Alpacas - Oakbank Area School—see page 11

14th—15th May 2011 Fleece Collection Days - see page 24

August 2011 Colour Classic Murray Bridge

2 - 3 September 2011 Royal Adelaide Show - animal and fleece judging

3 October 2011 Strathalbyn show

October 2011 Clare Show

SA REGION WEBSITE

SA Region has their own website which is free to members to use. It can be found at www.aaasa.com.au

To access the members section, you will need a username and password.

For this you will need to contact Sharon Warland at [email protected]

When requesting your password, please send me your herd code (eg: Waradene is JSW).

The members section will have a lot of information not normally available to the public.

You can also put in classifieds to sell alpacas, fleece and services.

GLENOVIS ALPACA STUD

INTRODUCING BLACKGATE LODGE SIR OLIVER- Solid White Male

SHOW RESULTS

MT. PLEASANT SHOW 2009 – CHAMPION FLEECE

2010

STRATHALBYN SHOW – 1st SENIOR WHITE MALE

STRATHALBYN SHOW – RESERVE CHAMPION SENIOR MALE

! PLACED AT EVERY SHOW ENTERED !

SIRE: CAMELOT TOR

DAM: BLACKGATE LODGE LADY OPHELIA

GRAND SIRE: JOLIMONT WARRIOR

DOB : 2/2/2008 Certified 11/6/2009

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY MATING OFFER

$550.00

FIRST TEN CLIENTS TO GET SECOND MATING FREE, (DRIVE BY ONLY – mobile matings by negotiation)

OLIVER HAS A FINE, DENSE, HIGHLY ALIGNED, LOW MEDULATED AND HIGH FREQUENCY CRIMPED FLEECE. WITH

TOR, WARRIOR, AUZENGATE AND SCULPTOR IN HIS BACKGROUND, HE WILL IMPROVE ANY HERDS’ GENETICS.

HE IS READY TO WORK AND HIS FIRST CRIA ARE DUE IN AUTUMN 2011.

IN 2010 OLIVER CUT 6.0kg OF FLEECE

ALSO SELLING, SELECT PREGNANT FEMALES, WETHERS & PETS AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES

CONTACT: FRED AND BERNADETTE DUNCKER

PHONE: 08) 8370 7257

MOBILE: 0409 074 855 EMAIL: [email protected]

PROPERTY: LOT 13, TORRENS VALE RD. YANKALILLA SA 5203 Q-Alpaca 09/353

http://www.aaasa.com.au

mailto:[email protected]


Somadale Perpetual Junior Handler Trophy.

Starting with the Mount Pleasant Show there will be a new trophy

awarded for Junior Handlers. It will work by accumulating points by

participating in junior handling at Mount Pleasant, Colour Classic,

Strathalbyn and Clare. It is not necessary to take part in junior handling at all shows but

the more shows you participate in the higher number of points you will get.

The points will be awarded as 10 points for 1st place, 5 points for 2nd place and 3 points for

3rd place. You will notice very little change over the junior handling section, there will still

be the showring section where you show your handling skills and general alpaca knowledge.

The points you receive from the show will be recorded and added up at the

last show of the year (Clare) and the trophy will be awarded to the junior

handler with the highest score.

S.A REGION NEWS Somadale Junior Handler Trophy

NEW TROPHY

FOR S.A.

This year we see the introduction of the Somadale Perpetual Junior Handler Trophy. It will

be good to see the junior handlers have something to work for through the show calendar.

The trophy will be awarded at the end of the season at Clare Show. The results for the junior

handlers will be put up on the website with the rest of the show results (permission will be

obtained from parents). This way we will be able to have a permanent record of our junior

handler winners.

I read an article recently about the cost saving to farmers when they run wethers with their

sheep or goat herds. I asked Rhonda and Sharon to include it as I noticed the price of

wethers to non-alpaca people seems to be on the drop again. I can understand the need to

move on animals but I do wonder if, at the end of the day, we are short changing ourselves.

Have a read and see what you think.

Your President

Sarah Wheeler

PRESIDENT‘S REPORT continued.......

A SOLID MEDIUM FAWN, MATILDA IS A DAUGHTER OF LOMAVISTA DON

CARLOS—SHE IS A SOUND, WELL GROWN GIRL WITH SOFT HANDLING

FLEECE. HER FIRST FLEECE TESTED AT 18.24 micron, 4.39 sd. For

further details contact RHONDA

Phone 85322553 or email [email protected]

MANY THANKS TO WARADENE, ROCKERY, GWANDALAN AND NEW

HOLLAND ALPACAS FOR YOUR HELP DURING THE LOMAVISTA

RELOCATION

SHOW NEWS –ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW REPORT


Planning for this year’s Royal Adelaide Show is progressing smoothly. The 2011 Alpaca Prize Schedule

has been completed, stewards and officials have been nominated, sponsorship is well in hand. A big

thank you to all those who have committed their time and $$ to date. (Sarah Wheeler is still very happy

to hear from anyone willing to donate a trophy – phone 8388 3051.)

In December’s Newsletter I advised the addition of Fleece Reserve Champion Trophies. Because a

Grand Champion Huacaya Fleece is already recognised (and there cannot be a Reserve Grand Cham-

pion) Reserve Champion for fleeces would mean the addition of 5 trophies – one behind each of the col-

our champions. After reconsideration by SA Region and RAS it was agreed that the request for Fleece

Reserves by withdrawn. Therefore Fleece awards will be the same as 2010.

The status quo also remains for alpaca classes offered and for health regulations. Further information

will be included in the next Newsletter. For those exhibitors intending to faecal culture test, please note

that individual tests take a minimum of

8 weeks, pooled 12 weeks, and extra time needs to be allowed for recording and documentation.

The Alpaca Schedule containing important information and dates, together with rules and regulations

affecting the Alpaca Section, will be available shortly. It is only available from the Show Society. A copy

will be posted to all 2010 exhibitors. Other potential exhibitors should contact the Royal Agricultural &

Horticultural Society of SA Inc, PO Box 108 GOODWOOD 5034, telephone 08 8210 5211 or a copy may

be downloaded www.adelaideshowground.com.au. It is important that the Schedule be studied carefully

as the conditions outlined in the Schedule form part of the agreement made by an exhibitor upon signing

the entry form. .......continued on page 9

http://www.adelaideshowground.com.au/



2011 Royal Adelaide Show 2 to 10 September

Entries Close 5.00 pm Friday 15 July

Delivery of Fleeces 4.00 pm Friday 19 August

(to the Showground or to Chief Steward,

Vaughan Wilson – phone 8391 0633)

Alpaca Arrival 12 noon to 2.00 pm Thursday 1 September

Inspection 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm Thursday 1 September

Departure 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm Monday 5 September

Judging Alpacas from 9.30 am Friday23 September

Followed by Junior Handler Classes

Suris will be judged first

Production Section 9.00 am Sat 3 Sept

(Wether and Composite Classes)

Fleeces 10.00 am Saturday 3 September

Important Dates! Please record these in your diary NOW.

Late entries will not be accepted - last year 3 exhibitors missed out.

On behalf of the Society, the Diverse Farming Committee invites your participation in this year’s Royal

Adelaide Show and looks forward to the biggest and best Alpaca Show to date.

Lea Richens – Councillor Diverse Farming Committee

PO Box 9906 CLARE SA 5453 PHONE/FAX 08 8842 2344

Royal Adelaide Show Report ..............continued

CONGRATULATIONS ALEX !

On Australia Day 2011

Alex Harrington-Smith received her Australian Citizenship (with 100% pass in the citizenship test). Alex is a past editor of Read and Breed and well known throughout the world for her work with EPCambridge Alpacas.

Well done Ozzie Alex

Australia is indeed the lucky country


What to look for in a Suri …..continued Julie Wilkinson

S.A. REGION EVENTS

REQUEST FOR STEWARDS – MT PLEASANT SHOW 2011

The first show of the year is almost upon us and, again , I‘m on the hunt for volunteers as stewards of

all persuasions for this show. It would be a great way of contributing to the Region‘s activities and,

for newer members, a terrific way of seeing some of the workings of a show in a friendly atmosphere.

Fleece Judging will be on Friday 18th March from approx. 9.30am to 4.30pm, with lunch provided, at

Birdwood – 3 stewards needed. Saturday 19th from 8.30am for the duration of judging, with

numerous positions available. I can arrange a ticket into the grounds for those not already paid up or

entering show animals. Also on Friday a set-up group of 2 or 3 people would be a great help for

Jolyon at the showgrounds.

Please contact myself or Jolyon on 8568 5254 or [email protected] with any offers of assistance,

even if for only a half day. I look forward to your contact in the near future. Your generous offers of

time and manpower will be most appreciated by us, and the Region.

We are also very happy to advise that Trevor and Sue Drogemuller of Adaminca Alpacas have agreed

to become trainee Convenors of the show. Please give them your utmost support and appreciation

over the course of the show and ‗no tidal waves‘ as they don their L‘s for the first time and give Jolyon

and I a hand at putting on a great show for you all!!!

Thanking you in anticipation

Kerry and Jolyon Porter

Convenors

BIRTHING DAY

Sunday February 20th at 1pm-5pm

Ambersun Alpacas.

Come along, learn, contribute and take part in the practical demonstrations.

Children can play whilst the adults learn.

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

We will be using stillborn cria as part of this education program.

Stay for a BBQ afterwards $ donations appreciated.

Bring your own drinks for the BBQ.

To book your place contact

Sarah Wheeler

0434 982 760 or [email protected]



For quite a while now I have shuddered at the prices breeders are willing to sell their

alpaca wethers for. I understand lower prices as pets but not as herd guards and this is

why.

The average wether will live for 15 years and working on a pair of alpacas costing $500

each (I will ignore the GST component for ease of use) I will show real figures of what the

value of the pair will be in real terms to the farmer.

I believe I can quote these figures reliably because we have 2800 breeding ewes and have

been using the alpaca wethers as herd guards for the past 7 years. We have done

experiments such as running the herd guards with our Corriedale ewes for their first

lambing (130% lambs), no herd guards for their second lambing (98% lambs) and putting

the herd guards back in for their third lambing (130%lambs). This mob was run over the

same paddocks on the same property for the duration of these figures.

We only ever run them in pairs and often in threes with great results. Only when there

is no ―guarding‖ to be done do the alpacas congregate over a fence. If there is work to be

done then they are on the job. I often see one pair relaxing and eating whilst the other is

―on guard‖. I believe they much run in at least pairs.

I also need to dispel the belief the BEW deaf boys don‘t work. Pure Poppy-cock!!! I run

pairs of BEW boys to see if they have a different lambing percentage compared to their

coloured hearing counterparts. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. Further, as proof, with

the Corriedale experiment above the first group of guard boys were hearing and the

second lot guarding the third lambing were not.

What we have experienced with our 1st X ewe is about a 10% increase in lambing. Our

Corriedale ewes have increased lambing by 30% and I have heard (we don‘t have any)

that Merino ewes have had increases of up to 60%.

A mob of 200 X bred sheep that lamb at 100% means 200 lambs. An increase in lambing

of 10% means and extra 20 lambs. Lambs are averaging $120/head through the

saleyards at the moment so that is $2400 for one year. Sheep breed for about 6 years so

that is a saving of $14,400

A pair of alpacas guard on duty for 12 years equates to a total saving of $28,800 given a

10% increase in lambing for a mob of 200 ewes every year.

If you sell your wethers for $500 each it is a cost to the farmer of $1000 or it will cost

them 3 cents per lamb saved over a 12 year period.

All the above figures are real and have been quoted on the conservative side.

INDUSTRY ARTICLE—WETHERS by Joanne Ham, Rainbows End Alpacas

This article is being reproduced with the kind

permission of the author, Joanne Ham


AUCTION THROW

Following the success of the 2010 SA Region Auction Throw made by SA members from SA alpaca.

We would like to turn this into a yearly auction item. Our thanks go out to all those that participated

in last year‘s throw and we would very much like to ask for members to participate this year.

If you would like to contribute to this year‘s throw please contact:

Jo O‘Connor

Tel 08 8564 1384

Email [email protected]

MEET THE ALPACAS

30th April 2011

Oakbank Area School

If you would like to take part this year please contact:

Glenn Russell

Tel 08 8538 72 53


FUTURE SA REGION EVENTS—YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED!


With the autumn birthing season of 2011 fast approaching, and the S.A. Region Birthing

Education day on the 20th February, we felt the re-print of the following article could well be

timely. This valuable article is a re-print from our own

‗SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGION NEWSLETTER , Issue 48, November 2005.‘

For those who have read it before, it will serve as a refresher, to the newer members it will

serve as a very valuable information tool when that difficult birth does occur.

The editor‘s note at the end of the article is from Jill Milner, the editor of the newsletter in

November 2005

Sharon and Rhonda

HEALTH AND EDUCATION by the late Dr R.T. Dixon B.V.Sc.







LYNEDEN ALPACAS

AUCTION -------- AUCTION APRIL 2011

DATE AND LOCATION TO BE ADVISED

ALL STOCK MUST GO

SHOW PEN WORKING BEE REPORT 22 January 2011

A hot 22nd January saw the first working day at Somadale Alpacas building the new show pen panels

for the region.

Anyone who has helped to put up or take down a show knows

that our current panels are heavy, awkward and past their

best. The region has long recognised the need to replace

them, but the cost has always been prohibitive (quotes have

come in at anything up to $150 per large panel). At a

committee meeting towards the end of last year it was

decided that we‘d follow the example of one of the NSW

regions and look at going DIY.

Derrick, our resident tame engineer, came up with a

prototype using lightweight, galvanised steel and mesh and

plans were made for the first day of fabrication.

We arrived at Somadale at 10am (or at

least, we were meant to, most of us were late) to find some

work already done by Derrick and Alan Chadwick. Derrick

gave us our jobs for the day – Bending, cutting, grinding and

painting while Derrick ran the welding side. A big note of

thanks goes to Rosalie, Jo, Cynthia and Jen who made sure

we were very well fed, even if we did feel the need for a siesta

after the huge lunch.

The new panels will start to appear at this year‘s shows and

will gradually replace the old ones (which will be offered for

sale to members at a later date – watch for an announcement

here).

There is still a lot of work to be done and we need more volunteers – the more we get,

the more working days we can run. You don‘t need to have any special skills, just a willingness to roll

up your sleeves and get on with it. If you are able to give a day or two,

please contact Derrick Hall on 8389 3269 or at [email protected].

Derrick in disguise??

James, at work!??


In the search for ‗true perfection‘ we have forgotten the slight ‗imperfections‘ that can give us so

much more pleasure. Remember your first visit to an alpaca stud. What animal was the one that

you were most taken by? For all of us in the industry, and I would be surprised if anyone was

exempt from this, it was the fancy or differently marked alpaca. ―Oh, that one‘s nice‖, we all said.

But where have they gone???

They are not gone. We are still breeding them and

they are still giving us a lot of pleasure. Yet, it is sad

to say that it has been a long time since I saw a fancy

class at a show well represented - But why? Look at

the alpaca left. Wouldn‘t its fleece, spun naturally,

knit up to be something that would be totally unique?

Isn‘t it the uniqueness of the alpaca that attracts

everyone to the breed? Of course the answers are

YES!!! So where are all the fancy alpacas when it

comes to the show ring? What is the cost to breeders

if a reasonably significant portion of the Australian

alpaca herd is not regarded as highly others? I do

believe that in the future, how far away I am not

sure, that there will be niche markets available for

these animals, similar to other domesticated

commercial breeds and that these markets will

provide yet another source of income for the alpaca

breeder.

I will always be a small breeder with aims to only ever run about 25 breeding females. I will never

have a commercial flock nor aim my breeding goals for the commercial industry. It is for the show

ring that I aim all my breeding and it can get a bit discouraging sometimes as I do not feel as

supported as the other breeders of solid colour. It is not that I wish to have a paddock full of fancy

alpacas; I just want a fair go in the show ring and some good competition to be judged along side. I

would love to see the fancy classes back at the Royal and National Shows as we are now breeding

fancy alpacas with exquisite fleeces.

So I ask all breeders to consider their fancy when filling out the entry form. In many cases there is

a broad ribbon up for grabs and sometimes a trophy – items of our showing regime that are getting

more and more difficult to acquire! So hopefully this article will encourage a few more of these

stunning creatures back into the show ring and give the unknowing public a FULL view of what the

alpaca world can deliver.

This article is re-produced with the kind permission of the author,

Joanne Ham of Rainbows End Alpacas

SHOWING ARTICLE by Joanne Ham, Rainbows End Alpacas


JODIE CHRISTIAN MEMORIAL CHALLENGE TROPHY AWARDS

As the new show season begins this March with the Mt. Pleasant Show it also heralds

the start of the points tally for the Jodie Christian Memorial Challenge Trophy.

This perpetual trophy is awarded each year to the stud with the highest score

accumulated from the points awarded to their two best fleeces exhibited at any

SA Region AAA fleece show per calendar year. These include Mt. Pleasant Show, Colour

Classic, Royal Adelaide Show, Strathalbyn Show, and Clare Show. The breeder does need to be

resident in SA and a member of the SA Region. The fleece is only eligible if from an animal bred by

that breeder.

With points accrued from each show you enter your tally grows. The breeder at the end of the show

season with the highest total will win this prestigious fleece award. With the final scores often close a

second and third place are also acknowledged and prize money awarded.

1st Prize = $300.00 2nd Prize = $150.00 3rd Prize = $50.00

The trophy and prize money are presented each year at the Mt. Pleasant Show when many of the

regional breeders get together again after the Christmas and New Year break. We can then recognize

and congratulate those who have consistently bred and shown good fleeces throughout the previous

year.

Last year, the JCMCT for 2009

was awarded to our previous year‘s winner

Sandy and Gary Retallick from Softfoot Alpaca Stud with 742.5 points

In a close second place we had

Adrienne Clarke and Chris Williams from Ambersun Alpacas with 738.5 points

Followed in third place by

Sharon and John Warland from Waradene Alpacas with 731 points.

Our congratulations to all the prize winners on what they have achieved with their alpaca fleeces.

The presentation of the JCMCT for 2010 will be made at the Mt. Pleasant Show on March 19th.

The trophy was first awarded in 1997 and has been held by a number of different studs over the

ensuing years. Two of those studs have held the trophy for two years in a row. Our current holder of

the JCMCT, Softfoot Alpaca Stud, claimed the trophy for 2008 and 2009. Can they now become the

first stud to retain the trophy for three consecutive years and claim the award for 2010? The final

points tally is always close so we look forward with anticipation to the presentation in March.

Be there to congratulate all our winners.

Be there to show your fleeces and be part of this year‘s competition as we start the tally for the 2011

Jodie Christian Memorial Challenge Trophy.

My thanks to all the Fleece Convenors for all their hard work in assembling the fleeces for judging

and display throughout the year.

Celia Smith

Collator

SHOWING ARTICLE by Celia Smith


WA’s First Premium Alpaca Fibre Group Export

A network of Western Australian alpaca breeders, The WA Premium Alpaca Group, are set to carve

a niche into the world‘s luxury fibre market following shipment of their first consignment of

‗Premium Alpaca‘ bales.

Five bales of premium alpaca fibre were tested by

Australian Alpaca Fibre Testing (AAFT) and classed in

conjunction with Alpaca Ultimate and the Alpaca

Ultrafine Bale Scheme in Corrigin last week. The top

price paid was $70/kg with a total weight of 511kg

averaging $20/kg. According to the buyers, this first

consignment from WA matches the best quality fleeces

they have seen produced in Australia.

The alpaca fibre was produced by three WA alpaca studs who between them have won six supreme

championship awards in 2010 for their animals and fleece. The stud principals are Lisa & Paul

Robb from Amphora Park in Coolup, Judy & Murray Stannard from Encantador in Armadale and

Anne & Darryl Sherman from Rivergum Rise in Corrigin. The stud principals have taken the

initiative to work together to market their premium alpaca fibre realising a significant financial

return for the genetic development they have put into their alpaca herds in recent years.

The top line of white fibre was successful in meeting all criteria to be included in

the Alpaca Ultrafine Bale Scheme and will be consigned to Michell & Co in Peru.

Michells have more than 75 years experience in processing premium alpaca fibre

for the world textile market. For fleeces to qualify for the Ultrafine Bale

Scheme, they needed to grid test below 19 microns, have staple length between

70mm and 110mm, have less than 1% of fibres over 30 microns, have high

tensile strength and be pure white. Fibre consigned through the Ultrafine Bale

Scheme is destined for the luxury apparel market, with previous consignments

being sold under fashion labels in America and Europe as well as Australia.

White fibre grid tested at higher than 19 micron was classed

into lines for Alpaca Ultimate who continues to be on the

cutting edge of innovation for the use of alpaca fibre and are

currently buying white and fawn huacaya up to 28 micron on

a grid test. Fibre length must be 80-120mm. Alpaca Ultimate

is focussed on making fleece production in alpacas the

mainstay of the industry and have projects that utilise not

only the ultrafine, but also white and light and medium fawn

fine fibre to produce an exquisite new line of fabric for high

quality garments. Top quality knitting yarns are also being

produced with fine knitwear in the planning stages.


Paul Vallely, owner and manager of AAFT travelled from Goulbourn in NSW to Corrigin with

AAFT‘s portable fibre measurement equipment. The equipment, known as OFDA2000, was used to

grid test a record number of fleeces in one and a half days. Mr Vallely said that AAFT normally

tested and classed about 200 fleeces per day. On this occasion, however, they were able to complete

about 400 fleeces in one day owing to the very high standard of skirting previously carried out by

the breeders during shearing. The high standard of skirting also meant that contamination from

coarse fibres was dramatically reduced, thereby maximising the clips‘ income potential. Mr Vallely

also stated that Western Australian breeders might be interested to know that the OFDA

technology used by AAFT, which is one of the most popular fibre measurement systems used

throughout the world, was developed in Western Australia.

Shearing & Husbandry Services, operated in WA by Mr Lyndon Hill and Rashell Strawbridge have

worked with alpaca shearer Mr Kevin Gellatly and professional fibre handler Amanda Davis to

maximise premium alpaca fleece values through expert shearing and skirting. Alpacas are shorn

with the fibre handler skirting lower quality fibre away from the premium fibre during shearing on

the floor. The premium quality saddle is then expertly thrown onto a fleece table where any second

cuts drop away and final skirting is performed to leave a premium fleece ready for grid testing,

grading and despatch to the market. Lyndon Hill has been shearing alpacas for over 3 years at

Rivergum Rise Alpaca Stud and is now available with fibre handler Rashell to provide

comprehensive shearing and husbandry services for alpaca, sheep and goats throughout southern

WA. Contact Lyndon on 0427 947 371.

Merilyn Mathews from Big Hill in NSW, a Director of Alpaca Ultimate, worked with the Stud

principals in the shearing shed to class fibre into 12 lines separate lines of premium alpaca. Merilyn

found the organisation and fleece preparation to be outstanding and enjoyed classing such high

quality fleeces. She also appreciated the warm hospitality extended by all involved with the

venture. For information about Alpaca Ultimate the website is www.alpacaultimate.com.au .

This project is an example of two independent fleece buyers working together to assist the alpaca

industry to market their fleece. We all look forward to further cooperative ventures in the future.

For further information about The WA Premium Alpaca

Group, contact Darryl Sherman on 90629027 or email

[email protected].

This article is being reproduced with the kind

permission of ‗The WA Premium Alpaca Group‘

INDUSTRY NEWS continued .... The WA Premium Alpaca Group

http://www.alpacaultimate.com.au/



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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL COMMITTEE


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Website: www.aaasa.com.au

President Sarah Wheeler

[email protected]

8388 3051

0434 982760

Vice-President Jennifer Duggin

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8556 0131

Secretary Jennifer Duggin

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8556 0131

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Read and Breed February 2011

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