Yarn Summer 2010 - Victorian Central Region - Australian Alpaca ...
Yarn Summer 2010 - Victorian Central Region - Australian Alpaca ...
Yarn Summer 2010 - Victorian Central Region - Australian Alpaca ...
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THE YARN<br />
VICTORIAN CENTRAL REGION MAGAZINE<br />
VOL. 12 NO. 3<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
www.viccentral.alpaca.asn.au<br />
In utero<br />
development<br />
of a foetus<br />
Workshop<br />
Reports<br />
VCR Show<br />
Results<br />
What is a<br />
wether<br />
worth?<br />
Barber’s Pole Worm<br />
in <strong>Alpaca</strong>s
2 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong>
DISCLAIMER<br />
While reasonable care is taken in the preparation<br />
of The <strong>Yarn</strong>, the Editor and <strong>Victorian</strong> <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Region</strong><br />
of the <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Alpaca</strong> Association Ltd do not<br />
guarantee or warrant the accuracy, reliability, completeness<br />
or currency of the information published<br />
or its usefulness in achieving any purpose and take<br />
no responsibility for the opinions expressed, information<br />
submitted or products advertised in this<br />
publication. Articles reflect the personal opinion<br />
of the Author and do not necessarily represent<br />
the opinions of the Editor, the VCR or the AAA. All<br />
submissions are subject to editing.<br />
VCR PRESIDENT<br />
Alan Breese<br />
225 Meaklim Rd, Mooroopna Nth Vic 3629<br />
Ph: 03 5829 0000<br />
Fax: 03 5829 0000<br />
email: apbreese@bigpond.com<br />
THE YARN EDITOR<br />
Julie Wilkinson<br />
PO Box 20 Strathbogie Vic 3666<br />
BH: 0407 889 669<br />
AH: 03 5790 5288<br />
Fax: 03 5790 5205<br />
email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au<br />
AAA LTD NATIONAL OFFICE<br />
<strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Alpaca</strong> Association Ltd<br />
PO Box 1076 Mitcham North Vic 3132<br />
Ph: 03 9873 7700<br />
Fax: 03 9873 7711<br />
email: alpaca@alpaca.asn.au<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS<br />
Australia: four issues (1 year) $25<br />
Overseas: rates on application<br />
COPYRIGHT<br />
The material published in this magazine is subject<br />
to copyright and may not be reproduced in part<br />
or whole without the written permission of the<br />
Author.<br />
CONTRIBUTIONS<br />
Editorial contributions are welcome and should<br />
be emailed to the Editor at jwilkinson@baarrooka.<br />
com.au.<br />
CONTENTS<br />
Front Cover Photograph supplied by Nambi <strong>Alpaca</strong>s<br />
Page Content<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 3<br />
8 HEALTH AND HUSBANDRY: BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS<br />
14 VCR TRAINING: SHEARING AND CLASSING WORKSHOP<br />
21 NATIONAL SHOW & SALE - TAMWORTH<br />
22 INDUSTRY NEWS: WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A WETHER?<br />
26 VCR SHOWS: KYNETON FLEECE SHOW<br />
27 VCR SHOWS: SEYMOUR SHOW<br />
28 SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL<br />
29 VCR SHOWS: WANGARATTA SHOW<br />
30 INDUSTRY NEWS: CONTROLLING WEEDS - BLACKBERRY<br />
34 VCR SHOWS: BENDIGO SHOW<br />
35 HEALTH & HUSBANDRY: DEVELOPMENT OF A FOETUS<br />
37<br />
REGULARS<br />
FLEECE & FIBRE: WHO IS BUYING FLEECE?<br />
4 FROM THE PRESIDENT<br />
4 FROM THE EDITOR<br />
6 COMMITTEE NEWS<br />
12 BREEDER PROFILE<br />
13 CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
16 SECOND CUTS<br />
18 STUD MALE SPOTLIGHT<br />
20 SALEYARD<br />
32 KIDZ KORNER<br />
To see this magazine on-line, in colour, visit the VCR website at<br />
www.viccentral.alpaca.asn.au<br />
ADVERTISING RATES (VCR Members)*<br />
Black & White Single Issue 4 Issues<br />
Full Page 90 320<br />
Half Page 50 180<br />
Quarter Page 35 120<br />
Business Card 15 50<br />
Stud Male Spotlight - 35<br />
Sale Yard - 25 (2 issues)<br />
Colour<br />
Back Cover 220 800<br />
Inside Cover 180 650<br />
Half Page inside 100 360<br />
* Non-VCR advertisers please contact Editor for rates.<br />
DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION<br />
All material for publication in the next edition of The <strong>Yarn</strong><br />
must be submitted by 5 February 2011.
4 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
From the President<br />
By the time you all read this I will have<br />
been to the Presidents’ meeting and<br />
look forward to giving you all a detailed<br />
report as to where we are as an alpaca<br />
industry in Australia.<br />
I feel we as a committee have to be<br />
more open and include all members in<br />
our region in our decision making.<br />
We need better education for our<br />
members especially our new members<br />
– covering mating, pregnancy, birth and<br />
cria care, as well as shearing and health<br />
and husbandry.<br />
Our show year is now finished with lots<br />
of winners. Many thanks to all members<br />
that have shown their animals – without<br />
you all entering we don’t have a show.<br />
Also a special thanks to all the<br />
convenors and their teams of helpers,<br />
we need you all to make our show year<br />
a success.<br />
Our first show for 2011 is Wodonga in<br />
March.<br />
Congratulations to our <strong>Alpaca</strong> of the<br />
Year winners - both huacaya and suri<br />
animals and fleeces.<br />
This year’s Christmas party is at<br />
Wyterrica <strong>Alpaca</strong>s and I want to thank<br />
From the Editor<br />
It is the end of another hectic<br />
and successful show season. I know<br />
there are many breeders who do not<br />
participate in shows, for a variety of<br />
reasons. However, for some breeders<br />
showing is a great opportunity to<br />
socialise with like-minded people<br />
and catch up with close friends made<br />
through involvement in the alpaca<br />
industry. There are many of us who<br />
use the showing system to benchmark<br />
our animals against other breeders’,<br />
check out the progeny of males we<br />
are considering using and, of course,<br />
promote our breeding program to new<br />
and existing breeders.<br />
However, with the contracting<br />
economic environment we have<br />
experienced over the past few years,<br />
there seems to be more and more<br />
pressure on breeders to sell animals and<br />
it seems to be becoming more difficult to<br />
Wendy and Ross for making their place<br />
available on December 5th from 11.00<br />
a.m. Prices are: adults $25.00, children<br />
5-15 $15.00 and under 5 is free – please<br />
book by Friday 26th November <strong>2010</strong> with<br />
Cherie Matheson, RMB 11200 Tocumwal<br />
NSW 2714.<br />
In closing I wish all our members and<br />
alpaca friends a great Christmas and an<br />
even better New Year.<br />
Alan Breese<br />
VCR President<br />
Alan Breese<br />
President<br />
do so. For those breeders who farm alpacas<br />
full time and do not have the benefit of a<br />
‘real job’ paying the bills, it is a make or<br />
break situation.<br />
Because of these reasons, perhaps, there<br />
has been a concerning trend for some<br />
breeders seeming to be wanting to win at<br />
any cost. Grooming of alpacas seems to<br />
be on the increase, in contravention of the<br />
rules which state animals are to be judged<br />
in paddock condition, and ‘stretching’<br />
the showing rules to ones advantage is<br />
becoming more common. An example:<br />
at the recent National in Tamworth, the<br />
inspection stewards noted that there were<br />
‘an awful lot of junior animals born between<br />
10-13 April <strong>2010</strong>’, so that they were just old<br />
enough to be shown at the National. A<br />
coincidence? Or were the dates fudged?<br />
Not the end of the world, but outside the<br />
spirit of a fair and level competition. I<br />
also hear complaints about a number of<br />
progeny from the same parents (through<br />
ET) being entered in shows. Some breeders<br />
HAVE YOU CHECKED<br />
OUT OUR NEW VCR<br />
WEBSITE?<br />
The all new website is up and<br />
running thanks to Alfons Steiner.<br />
If you have any information<br />
suitable to upload or can fill in the<br />
gaps in the SHOW RESULTS please<br />
contact Alfons on:<br />
alfons@highfields.net.au<br />
Links to your website are available<br />
for an annual fee of $60. Banner ads<br />
are also available. Promote yourself<br />
to the VCR and visitors to the site<br />
from around Australia and the<br />
world. Contact Alfons to organise<br />
a link or ad on 03 5778 9674.<br />
think this is unfair. Do the showing rules<br />
need to be changed to allow only one<br />
cria from a mating to be entered in a<br />
show? Or is this a fair advantage of the<br />
investment in ET?<br />
Hmmm, all food for thought - what<br />
do you think?<br />
Merry Christmas to you all and I look<br />
forward to catching up in 2011.<br />
Regards,<br />
Julie
Letter to the Editor<br />
Show Convenors in this <strong>Region</strong> seem<br />
to be a dying breed – and I am not<br />
surprised!!<br />
I have now been involved in the<br />
Seymour Show since late in the 90’s and<br />
have been convenor for the last 9 years.<br />
Most exhibitors, it seems to me,<br />
either do not understand or do not<br />
care about the time and effort that goes<br />
into planning and running a show. It is<br />
great when all goes well but believe me<br />
there is a lot of hard work and hours of<br />
angst leading up to a show and even<br />
during, worrying that all will not go as<br />
one would want or something will have<br />
been missed or go wrong. And believe<br />
me if something goes wrong or if they<br />
are not happy with the arrangements<br />
on the day there are plenty to tell you<br />
about it.<br />
The catalogue is the biggest headache<br />
and takes around 3 full days to put<br />
together – this of course depends on the<br />
number of entries – it can take longer.<br />
This task is not helped by alpacas<br />
entered with the wrong IAR number, in<br />
wrong classes, whether age, colour or<br />
sex or type, and fleeces also entered in<br />
wrong classes, more often than not by<br />
the age of the fleece and not the animal.<br />
Then we have exhibitors who send the<br />
wrong money (too much or not enough<br />
and even not at all). Health certificates<br />
are not provided and in some cases<br />
copies of registration certificates are<br />
not sent. And in a lot of cases the selfaddressed<br />
envelope is not included.<br />
Some of our convenors have jobs as<br />
well as alpacas and just do not have the<br />
time to set up the catalogue.<br />
Once the catalogue is checked and<br />
rechecked and sent to the printers,<br />
then exhibit numbers, pen labels and<br />
exhibitor envelopes have to be printed<br />
and collated and then there is the pen<br />
layout and trying to make sure every<br />
exhibit has a pen allocated – a little<br />
difficult at Seymour where we only like<br />
to put small alpacas in the static pens –<br />
we don’t always succeed.<br />
Then there are all the other<br />
arrangements which I just won’t go into<br />
but take a lot of time.<br />
I would ask 3 things of the AAA<br />
<strong>Victorian</strong> <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Region</strong> Committee:<br />
Available online only at:<br />
www.creswickwool.com.au<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 5<br />
• That a pre-show season<br />
education day be run for those<br />
intending to exhibit in the next<br />
season – some of our high profile<br />
studs could do with a refresher<br />
course!!<br />
• That convenors be assisted by<br />
the AAA-VCR more – mainly<br />
in regards of the set-up of the<br />
catalogue. Surely somebody<br />
responsible can be paid to do this<br />
time-consuming job. It would<br />
take a lot of work away from the<br />
convenor as long as they were<br />
confident that the catalogue was<br />
correct.<br />
• That the AAA-VCR liaises with<br />
Agricultural Societies involved<br />
to assist the convenors in a more<br />
smooth setting up of the shows.<br />
I am sorry if this puts off any possible<br />
future convenors but I am only saying<br />
what it takes and how it is. Convenors<br />
need more help and support in the preshow<br />
planning period particularly.<br />
Ann Sales, Davidalla Farm and Seymour<br />
Show Convenor<br />
Woollen Mills<br />
Save an additional<br />
10% OFF<br />
all all products online<br />
Enter ‘<strong>Yarn</strong>’ at checkout in the<br />
Voucher Number section to<br />
receive this discount.<br />
Offer valid until 31/12/10
6 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Committee News<br />
VCR Committee Amendments<br />
Please note the following changes to the contact details for VCR Committee Members.<br />
Exec Committee Email Phone Fax Mobile Stud<br />
President Alan Breese apbreese@bigpond.com 5829 0000 5829 0000 0407 282 575 Alpam<br />
Vice President Sam Hearn sam.hearn@bigpond.com 5859 2357 5859 2398 Chersam<br />
Treasurer Cherie Matheson cherie@rockvillealpacas.com 5883 9271 -‐ 0419 572 595 Rockville<br />
Secretary Jenn Errey erreyrj@optusnet.com.au 9457 5735 -‐ 0411 556 137 Errydge<br />
Minute Secretary Heather Burn heburn1958@gmail.com 5420 7881 -‐ 0425 781 641 Breenburn<br />
Marketing Rohan Dalgleish rohandalgleish@bigpond.com 5384 7446 5384 7209 0427 602 773 Tumi<br />
Non-‐Committee Portfolio Roles<br />
<strong>Yarn</strong> & Publications<br />
Editor<br />
Julie Wilkinson jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 5790 5288 5790 5205 0407 889 669 Baarrooka<br />
WebMaster Alfons Steiner alfons@highfields.net.au 5778 9674 -‐ 0417 539 725 Highfields<br />
Animal Health &<br />
Welfare<br />
Show Convenors<br />
Coordinator<br />
Events (Non-‐Show)<br />
Coordinator<br />
Tania Shepherd tooroot@bigpond.com 5886 6251 5386 6235 0427 044 731<br />
AW <strong>Alpaca</strong>s<br />
Go Organic<br />
Wendy Hart alpacas@wyterrica.com.au 5872 2050 5872 2050 0408 403 602 Wyterrica<br />
Barbara Linley barbara.linley@bigpond.com.au 5596 4267 -‐ 0438 897 147 Ambleside<br />
Membership Services Pam Breese apbreese@bigpond.com 5829 0000 5829 0000 0407 282 575 Alpam<br />
Fleece Liaison Officer Rohan Dalgleish rohandalgleish@bigpond.com 5384 7446 5384 7209 0427 602 773 Tumi<br />
VCR Trailer Coordinator<br />
Show Convenors<br />
Sam Hearn sam.hearn@bigpond.com 5859 2357 5859 2398 Chersam<br />
Wodonga<br />
Wendy Hart &<br />
Jo Hofer<br />
alpacas@wyterrica.com.au<br />
hoferdsl@tpg.com.au<br />
5872 2050<br />
02 6026 3835<br />
5872 2050<br />
02 6026 3944<br />
0408 403 602<br />
0411 025 834<br />
Wyterrica<br />
Petlyn Park<br />
Ballarat Shane Carey Malakai@vic.chariot.net.au 5343 2336 5343 2336 0409 270 381 Malakai<br />
ASWS [vacant]<br />
Creswick John Edwards ebbenglade@bigpond.com 5345 6169 5345 6187 0408 991 552 Ebbenglade<br />
Colourbration<br />
Glenda Bartlett &<br />
Jill Smith<br />
surtierra@bigpond.com<br />
robiniaestate@bigpond.com<br />
5470 5757<br />
0409 643 776<br />
0427 262 466<br />
0409 643 776<br />
Surtierra<br />
Robinia Estate<br />
Kyneton Erika Kotsiakos 5423 7232 Yenaminut<br />
Seymour Ann Sales rodannsales@gmail.com 5433 3789 0423 842 513 Davidalla<br />
Wangaratta<br />
Shirley or Glenn<br />
Hurley<br />
shirley@karileydownsalpacas.com 57641348 0427 506 487 Kariley Downs<br />
Bendigo<br />
Meddwyn<br />
Coleman<br />
meddwyn@hotmail.com 5448 8032 03 5441 2812 0438 447 060 Lee Carrow<br />
VCR 2011 Ultimate Raffles<br />
Your chance to win an elite stud service donated by leading VCR studs<br />
Only 2 raffles – 1x Huacaya Stud Service & 1x Suri Stud Service<br />
Only 30 tickets for each raffle<br />
Tickets only $100 each on sale from May 2011<br />
Details of prize stud services now being finalised and will be advertised in the March edition of The <strong>Yarn</strong>
Committee News<br />
A brief summary of some of the issues<br />
discussed at our recent meeting is below<br />
and will be posted on our updated website.<br />
Finances<br />
Our bank balance has now been<br />
restored to a more comfortable position<br />
than experienced for the past 15 months.<br />
The VCR Raffles drawn at Colourbration<br />
<strong>2010</strong> were a resounding success and the<br />
committee has resolved to run them<br />
again in the same format during 2011.<br />
Colourbration returned a comfortable<br />
margin of over $4000 to the region<br />
and Deborah Patti has confirmed the<br />
success of the show as a stand-alone<br />
event. She is to be congratulated for the<br />
on-going success of the event under her<br />
stewardship and confirming its viability<br />
and status in the national show calendar.<br />
Invoice payment processes are under<br />
review with a view to improve timeliness.<br />
2011 Events<br />
The 2011 events program is published<br />
elsewhere in this edition of The <strong>Yarn</strong> and<br />
on the website. It is a very full program<br />
and VCR members will note that there is<br />
a series of dates set aside for workshops<br />
throughout the year. The workshop<br />
program is currently being confirmed<br />
by Barbara Linley and members will be<br />
advised as soon as the first workshop<br />
details are finalised.<br />
Fees for all workshops are being set at<br />
$60/single, $100/couple with light lunch<br />
& refreshments provided.<br />
Seymour Farm Expo fees will be revised<br />
again to ensure that the event breaks<br />
even for the region.<br />
The <strong>Australian</strong> Sheep & Wool Show as<br />
an event is under review and its format<br />
may change for 2011. Discussions are<br />
being held with the ASBA over the event<br />
and members will be advised as soon as<br />
details are available. Regardless, we need<br />
a convenor to volunteer to take charge of<br />
the event once it is finalised.<br />
Colourbration, Wangaratta and<br />
Bendigo Shows all have new convenors<br />
in place for 2011.<br />
The Royal Melbourne Show alpaca<br />
event is under review by a combined<br />
team from VCR, VWR and VER together<br />
with the Royal Melbourne Ag Society.<br />
The facilities that can be provided at<br />
the Melbourne Showgrounds are selflimiting<br />
and some radical changes to<br />
the program are in the wind. They may<br />
not be implemented in time for the 2011<br />
event but should be in place for 2012 to<br />
enable the show to be restored to its<br />
premier position on the annual show<br />
calendar.<br />
AAA Annual President’s meeting<br />
Alan Breese attended the 6-monthly<br />
<strong>Region</strong>al Presidents and Council<br />
meetings in November. Some of the<br />
main points to be noted for members<br />
are as follows:<br />
• Strategic Plan development is going<br />
well;<br />
• review of the by-laws is underway<br />
with the auditors to address<br />
some of the anomalies that have<br />
surfaced in their construction since<br />
the implementation of the new<br />
corporate structure;<br />
• fees structure is being closely<br />
scrutinised with a view to<br />
implementing some substantive<br />
changes in the future;<br />
• direct debiting processes will be<br />
improved for payments to the AAA;<br />
• new colour charts are being<br />
developed;<br />
• a program for training for fleece<br />
classing and a shearing protocol<br />
for AAA endorsement are being<br />
investigated for implementation;<br />
and<br />
• NLIS is still being planned for<br />
implementation by July 2011. This<br />
will include electronic tagging<br />
systems.<br />
VCR Awards<br />
Counting for the huacaya and suri<br />
<strong>Alpaca</strong>s and Fleeces of the Year awards<br />
are in hand under Audit Committee<br />
supervision. These awards will be<br />
presented at the annual Xmas lunch<br />
on Sunday 05th December. The award<br />
criteria will be reviewed for 2011.<br />
The <strong>Yarn</strong><br />
The <strong>Yarn</strong> is being produced as a cost<br />
neutral publication thanks to Julie<br />
Wilkinson’s diligent work. Non-financial<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 7<br />
VCR COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY Jenn Errey, VCR Secretary<br />
advertisers have been removed from<br />
the publication. Members are being<br />
encouraged to actively participate in the<br />
advertising opportunities that it presents<br />
to the region.<br />
VCR website<br />
The new website has been very<br />
positively received by the membership as<br />
Alfons works to enhance its functionality<br />
and usability for members and the public.<br />
Only a small number of VCR members<br />
have taken up the opportunity to have<br />
their websites linked to the VCR website<br />
for an annual fee of $60. This uptake is<br />
being reviewed together with the format<br />
for the presentation of the links to see if<br />
this can be enhanced.<br />
Costs to link the Colourbration website<br />
with the VCR website remain prohibitive<br />
so it will continue unlinked at present.<br />
This matter is closely under review<br />
looking at future options.<br />
Fund raising<br />
The success of the <strong>2010</strong> VCR Raffles for<br />
Huacaya & Suri Stud Sire Services as a<br />
fund raising event was acknowledged<br />
and they will be run again in 2011 in a<br />
similar format.<br />
We are fortunate to have one of<br />
the nation’s major fleece buyers and<br />
supporters of the national alpaca industry<br />
located in our region and supporting<br />
many events. Sponsorship arrangements<br />
the region have with Creswick Woollen<br />
Mills are to be renegotiated to improve<br />
certainty of the arrangements for both<br />
parties.<br />
Committee, Portfolio and<br />
Convenor roles<br />
An updated list has been published<br />
elsewhere and on the website including<br />
the new show convenors for 2011.<br />
VCR Float<br />
The VCR float will be extensively<br />
repaired and reorganised over the<br />
summer period to redistribute its loading.<br />
This may negate the need to purchase a<br />
new float for the region.
8 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Health and Husbandry<br />
The gastrointestinal parasite Haemonchus spp. is<br />
better known as the barber’s pole worm (BPW) because<br />
the adult female worm has a white tubular uterus that<br />
winds around the blood-filled tubular gut, giving the<br />
Figure 1. Adult female barber’s pole worms<br />
(photo: CSIRO Australia)<br />
BPW is usually associated with<br />
prolonged warm, moist conditions so is<br />
rarely seen in winter unless it is mild and<br />
is traditionally seen in wet summers. Bear<br />
in mind that BPW is widespread across<br />
farms, and waits for ideal conditions<br />
to rear its ugly head. Just because you<br />
have never had it diagnosed on your farm<br />
before, do not assume it does not exist on<br />
your farm. <strong>Alpaca</strong>s are bought and sold<br />
and agisted all over the countryside and<br />
take their parasites with them too.<br />
Lifecycle<br />
Adult BPW are located in the third<br />
stomach compartment of the alpaca.<br />
They attach to the lining of the stomach<br />
and suck blood. Female BPW lay massive<br />
numbers of eggs every day (up to<br />
10,000), which pass out in the alpaca’s<br />
faeces (Figure 2). In mild-warm, moist<br />
conditions, the eggs hatch out in the<br />
faeces and live on bacteria in the faeces<br />
as they moult from the first larval stage,<br />
L1, to the second, L2. Larvae develop<br />
to the infective stage (L3) over 7 days<br />
under ideal conditions (but may take<br />
up to 5 weeks) and migrate out of the<br />
faecal pellets after heavy dew or rain.<br />
Infective larvae move up leaf blades in<br />
films of moisture in warm weather and<br />
BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS Jane Vaughan, Criagenesis<br />
are ingested during grazing. The larvae<br />
continue development as they pass<br />
through the first two compartments<br />
of the stomach, and arrive at C3 as an<br />
immature worm. They attach to the lining<br />
of C3, and suck blood. When they reach<br />
sexual maturity they mate and begin<br />
laying eggs. It takes 21-28 days from the<br />
time an alpaca eats infective larvae until<br />
those BPW begin laying eggs.<br />
Clinical signs<br />
Because BPW are such prolific egg<br />
layers, livestock can ingest massive<br />
numbers of larvae from the pasture and<br />
be found suddenly dead in the paddock.<br />
Other alpacas in the group will be illthrifty<br />
and exhibit sudden weight loss<br />
(what has your regular body condition<br />
scoring told you about the herd?) and<br />
severe anaemia (have a look at mucus<br />
membranes in mouth, vulva, and around<br />
the eyes for pale colour). Some alpacas<br />
have been described<br />
as having ‘bottle jaw’<br />
where the skin under<br />
the jaw becomes<br />
oedematous and<br />
swollen because<br />
the animal is<br />
hypoproteinaemic<br />
(low blood proteins,<br />
so plasma oozes out of<br />
the blood vessels into<br />
the skin). Note that<br />
if drench resistance<br />
exists on your farm,<br />
you will see these<br />
clinical signs despite<br />
having drenched<br />
recently.<br />
To get an idea of<br />
how voracious these<br />
worms are, BPW suck<br />
approximately 0.05<br />
look of a barber’s pole (Figure 1). Yes, this parasite is a<br />
blood sucker of domestic livestock, causing anaemia and<br />
ill thrift and can kill alpacas (and sheep, cattle and goats)<br />
quickly and in high numbers.<br />
mL blood per day in sheep. So an animal<br />
carrying 2000 worms loses 100 mL blood<br />
per day. A 50 kg sheep has around 4 litres<br />
of blood so it will only take 10 days for the<br />
BPW to consume a litre of blood. A sheep<br />
this heavily infected would have a worm<br />
egg count of 10,000 eggs per gram.<br />
Diagnosis<br />
1. Dead alpacas. It is important to look<br />
for BPW in the correct place! Adult and<br />
larval forms of BPW are found in the<br />
third compartment of the stomach not<br />
the small intestine. Adult female worms<br />
are 20-30 mm long, quite fine and have<br />
the characteristic red and white stripes,<br />
males are about 15 mm long and larvae<br />
are smaller. They are all attached to the<br />
lining of C3 in large numbers (because<br />
they have killed the alpaca).<br />
2. Faeces. Fresh samples of faeces<br />
should be collected directly from the<br />
Figure 2. Lifecycle of barber’s pole worm is similar in alpacas,<br />
cattle, sheep and goats.
Health and Husbandry<br />
rectum of approximately 10 alpacas in<br />
each mob using a gloved finger. 10-15<br />
faecal pellets should be collected from<br />
each animal and placed into separate<br />
freezer bags. Air should be excluded<br />
from the bag and bags placed into<br />
the refrigerator and kept cool during<br />
shipment to the laboratory. Collect<br />
samples early in the week so they do not<br />
get lost in transit over the weekend. Do<br />
not freeze faeces. Alternatively, move<br />
alpacas to a communal dung pile and<br />
hold them there for 10-15 minutes then<br />
collect warm samples from the dung<br />
pile in a similar fashion. Most strongyle<br />
worms, such as Ostertagia spp. and<br />
Trichostrongylus spp. lay 10’s to 100’s of<br />
eggs per gram of faeces. BPW lay 1000’s<br />
to 10,000’s eggs per gram of faeces.<br />
BPW eggs look similar to other<br />
strongyle eggs found in alpacas<br />
(Figure 3). If egg counts are very high,<br />
it is a fair assumption BPW is involved.<br />
If counts are in their 100’s, then the<br />
only definitive method of diagnosis is<br />
to ask the laboratory to perform worm<br />
egg incubation, larval culture and<br />
identification.<br />
Sometimes alpacas will pick up massive<br />
numbers of larvae from the pasture and<br />
die before larval forms of BPW have had<br />
time to mature and begin egg laying in<br />
Figure 3. Strongyle eggs.<br />
C3. Worm egg counts may be zero or low,<br />
but diagnosis will be made at autopsy<br />
by the presence of larvae in C3. If worm<br />
egg counts are low, and larval BPW is<br />
suspected, it is possible to test faeces<br />
for occult blood in the faeces using tests<br />
such as Occultest ® or Hematest ® as<br />
larvae are ‘messy feeders’ and spill blood<br />
into the gut of the host.<br />
Treatment<br />
Been ‘saving that drench for an<br />
important event’? Been avoiding overuse<br />
of drenches to reduce the risk of causing<br />
drench resistance? I hope so. This is the<br />
time to use your effective drench! Do<br />
not delay once a diagnosis has been<br />
confirmed or you will lose more animals.<br />
There are many different drenches<br />
available to use against BPW. There<br />
are (a) narrow spectrum drenches that<br />
target BPW, (b) broad spectrum drenches<br />
that kill BPW and other worms in the<br />
gastrointestinal system, (c) short-acting<br />
drenches and (d) long-acting drenches.<br />
It is essential that you select a drench<br />
in consultation with your veterinarian<br />
that is effective and will perform the job<br />
you require. That is, the selected drench<br />
will kill the worms you are targeting and<br />
that the parasites are not resistant to the<br />
active ingredient from over-use of the<br />
drench.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 9<br />
BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS CONT.<br />
Effective short-acting drenches<br />
basically eliminate the worm burden<br />
in the alpaca on the day of drenching.<br />
Animals continue to pick up more<br />
infective larva with every mouthful, but<br />
they do not start re-infecting the pasture<br />
with worm eggs for another 21-28 days<br />
(the period it takes for the ingested<br />
larvae to mature, mate and start laying<br />
eggs) so become reinfected quickly<br />
if you are unable to drench and move<br />
onto a ‘clean’ paddock. The definition<br />
of a clean paddock is one that has been<br />
rested completely for more than 3<br />
months or has had a crop/hay recently<br />
harvested. Most alpaca farms do not have<br />
‘clean’ paddocks once BPW infection is<br />
established – assume there is BPW in<br />
every mob on the property.<br />
With the advent of long-acting<br />
drenches in the ivermectin family<br />
(macrocyclic lactones, MLs) you are able<br />
to use injectable drench in this family<br />
that will kill the current burden of worms<br />
and keep killing ingested larvae for<br />
approximately 2-4 weeks, depending on<br />
the actual drench used. You are therefore<br />
able to protect the herd for 4-8 weeks<br />
(as it takes worms another 21-28 days to<br />
start laying eggs), which allows you to<br />
sort out paddocks, perform worm egg<br />
counts to monitor, and also, move into<br />
the cooler weather of autumn. Cooler<br />
environmental temperatures will kill<br />
larvae on the pasture. It is standard<br />
practice in camelids to administer<br />
drenches in the ivermectin family at<br />
1.5 times the cattle dose stated on the<br />
packet. I recommend injectable drenches<br />
over pour-on or oral drenches in alpacas<br />
to make sure they are receiving the active<br />
ingredient.<br />
Before you treat your animals, carefully<br />
read the directions for use of the selected<br />
drench. Shake the container so the<br />
drench is mixed evenly. Make sure you<br />
weigh some of the largest animals in the<br />
group and treat to the heaviest in the<br />
mob so that no animal is under-dosed. If<br />
the group has a wide range of weights,<br />
divide into lighter and heavier mobs so<br />
the smaller animals are not overdosed.<br />
Calculate the correct dose. Ensure
10 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Health and Husbandry<br />
drenching equipment, delivered via both<br />
injectable and oral routes, is calibrated<br />
to deliver the correct dose (and check<br />
throughout the day). Ensure drench is not<br />
spilled during drenching. If you are using<br />
an oral drench, place the drench gun over<br />
the back of the tongue and allow time for<br />
the alpaca to swallow. If injecting, place<br />
the needle subcutaneously. Do not hold<br />
drenched animals off water for too long<br />
after treatment.<br />
Remember that no drugs are registered<br />
for use in alpacas and you should work<br />
in close consultation with your local<br />
veterinarian to obtain appropriate<br />
information about off-label use of<br />
drenches.<br />
Prevention<br />
Monitor worm burdens regularly in<br />
your herd by collecting fresh faeces and<br />
testing for worm egg output in the herd.<br />
Worm egg counts are given as a measure<br />
of numbers of parasite eggs per gram<br />
of faeces. The animals most at risk with<br />
gastrointestinal parasitism are the late<br />
pregnant females, lactating females with<br />
crias at foot, and recently weaned stock.<br />
Parasites in C3 are able to detect when<br />
livestock are about to give birth through<br />
hormonal changes in the pregnant<br />
female, and start producing many more<br />
eggs per gram than in non-pregnant<br />
BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS CONT.<br />
females. The pasture then becomes<br />
heavily contaminated and newly born<br />
cria are then exposed to the worms on<br />
the pasture as they start grazing. Beware<br />
of BPW though as it may strike males and<br />
non-lactating females as well.<br />
There is only one routine drench that<br />
should be performed on any farm and<br />
that is to crias at the time of weaning.<br />
You should not routinely drench the herd<br />
‘twice a year’ or ‘at shearing’ just because<br />
someone told you to! Never wean crias<br />
onto a pasture that has had heavily<br />
pregnant and/or lactating females with<br />
crias at foot grazing on it in the last year<br />
(yes, year!) otherwise you will put them<br />
on a contaminated pasture at high risk of<br />
parasitism. Plan your weaning paddock<br />
a year in advance so that after they have<br />
been drenched, they can be placed onto<br />
a ‘clean’ paddock.<br />
You should also monitor for drench<br />
resistance (where a drench is no longer<br />
effective at killing more than 95 % of<br />
worms in the gastrointestinal tract) by<br />
collecting faeces from alpacas 10-12 days<br />
after drenching. There should be greater<br />
than 95 % reduction in worm egg count<br />
between pre- and post-drench worm<br />
egg counts if the drench is effective. You<br />
will need to perform a Worm Egg Count<br />
Congenital Deformities<br />
While not a pleasant topic, congenital deformities do occur in alpacas.<br />
There are a number of reasons for deformities at birth and they are not<br />
necessarily genetic faults. Causes can include heat stress, viruses or illness<br />
during gestation, drugs, poisonous plants, trauma to foetus and malnutrition.<br />
The decision whether to rebreed the dam and sire after they produce a cria<br />
with deformities should be made with consideration to the potential cause.<br />
If you have a deformed cria born, you can help the research being undertaken<br />
by Melbourne University on identifying the genes responsible for these faults<br />
by providing a blood and/or tissue sample to the researchers:<br />
Contact:<br />
Dr. Belinda Appleton<br />
Department of Genetics,<br />
The University of Melbourne<br />
Victoria, Australia, 3010<br />
Phone: 03 83445137 (or 83446240)<br />
b.appleton@unimelb.edu.au<br />
Reduction Test if drench resistance is<br />
suspected.<br />
It is possible to perform your own worm<br />
egg counts. You will need a microscope,<br />
egg counting chamber, graduated<br />
beakers, pipettes and saturated salt<br />
solution. Training courses are run<br />
intermittently by your local department<br />
of agriculture or local veterinarian.<br />
There is currently a test being<br />
developed in Australia, called the<br />
‘Haemonchus dipstick’, that will allow<br />
farmers to test faeces for blood on<br />
farm. The dipstick test will take about<br />
30 minutes and will change colour<br />
according to the amount of blood in the<br />
faeces. The more worms in C3, the more<br />
blood in the faeces and the higher the<br />
reading on the dipstick.<br />
Selection of animals with innate<br />
resistance to parasites (known as ‘host<br />
resistance’) has been undertaken in<br />
sheep for many years. It is possible to<br />
perform worm egg counts at weaning<br />
(and therefore before they have been<br />
drenched for worms) and select sires with<br />
the lowest worm egg counts at weaning.<br />
These animals will pass on the trait of<br />
having lower worm egg counts in their<br />
offspring.
SHEARING DAY FOR<br />
WEANLINGS AND BABIES<br />
What are you guys in for?<br />
Now look, I’m the oldest, so listen up an’ nothing will go wrong.<br />
If we make ourselves really, really small no-one will notice us.<br />
Submitted by Jill Smith, Robinia Estate<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 11<br />
www.camelotalpacas.com.au<br />
e: nicolas@camelotalpacas.com.au<br />
p: 03-5427 0165<br />
Camelot King Arthur - Solid<br />
White Male<br />
Sire: Windsong Valley Iceman<br />
(SW)<br />
Dam: Camelot Avalon (SW)<br />
[1st progeny of Camelot<br />
Tor, recently won Supreme<br />
Champion fleece Royal<br />
Melbourne Show <strong>2010</strong>]<br />
DOB: 16.01.2009<br />
Fibre results 2009: 18.8u,<br />
4.0SD, 21.1%CV<br />
Reserve Champion Jnr Male - Ballarat 2009<br />
1st Jnr White Male - Colourbration 2009<br />
3rd Jnr White Male - Royal Melbourne Show 2009<br />
2nd 6-12mths white fleece class Royal Melbourne Show<br />
<strong>2010</strong><br />
1st Werribee <strong>Alpaca</strong> Fest 2008<br />
3rd Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show 2008<br />
Windsong Valley<br />
Highland Chief - Solid<br />
Light Fawn Male<br />
Sire: Windsong Valley<br />
Kosiosko (SW)<br />
Dam: Windsong Valley<br />
Lotus Blossom (SW)<br />
[the ‘Blossom’ line is<br />
recognised as one of<br />
Windsong Valley’s best]<br />
DOB: 16.11.2007<br />
Fibre results 2009: 17.9u,<br />
3.8uSD, 21.4CV, 2.6kg<br />
Stud Males Available<br />
Dec <strong>2010</strong><br />
For a limited period at $800.00 on farm.<br />
Mobiles negotiable.
12 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Breeder Profile<br />
Five minutes with...<br />
Family: Wife Lyndall, one Bearded Collie, one Afghan<br />
Hound and eight Long Haired Dachshunds. Plus twenty<br />
six alpacas.<br />
Describe yourself in three words: Quiet, considerate,<br />
laid back.<br />
Likes: Judging and showing dogs. Breeding animals.<br />
Travel.<br />
Dislikes: currently Capeweed.<br />
Best thing about your job: Being my own boss.<br />
Worst thing about your job: Doesn’t pay enough for<br />
my extravagant taste.<br />
Pet hate: Those who shouldn’t own animals.<br />
I couldn’t live without: A Pooper Scooper !<br />
What are you reading: ‘Letters from Cicely’ based on<br />
the ‘Northern Exposure’ TV series and ‘Why men don’t<br />
listen and women can’t read maps’ by Allan and Barbara<br />
Pease. Compulsory reading for all men !<br />
Favourite Restaurant: Spoilt for choice in Ballarat.<br />
Favourite TV Show: Two and a Half Men (and Junior<br />
Master-chef).<br />
Biggest fear: Spiders and heights.<br />
Favourite pastime: Attending shows.<br />
Secret talent: Great soup cook.<br />
Best conversation icebreaker: How did you go today ?<br />
Favourite saying: If you always do what you have<br />
always done, you will always get what you have always<br />
got.<br />
Favourite joke: Anything rude !<br />
JIM BLACK<br />
BRIAMIST ALPACAS<br />
Most embarrassing moment: There have been quite<br />
a few. Putting petrol in my wife’s diesel car, etc.<br />
Victoria’s best kept secret: Maldon Icecream Shop.<br />
Best thing to do on a weekend: Attend dog and<br />
alpaca shows.<br />
Best holiday spot: Beachside hotel on Hawaii – great<br />
shopping and food.<br />
What others say about you: Should smile more.<br />
What makes you laugh: The company of our friends.<br />
Biggest waste of time: Waiting in a traffic jam or doing<br />
the dishes.<br />
Best thing to spend money on: Shoes and ties.<br />
Most memorable moment: Seeing ‘The Big Five’ on<br />
the first day at Kruger National Park.<br />
What is your favourite website: Dogzonline.<br />
Who would you most like to sit next to on a plane:<br />
My wife, Lyndall.<br />
The song you never want to hear again: The horse<br />
with no name.<br />
What would you never do again: Smoke.<br />
Who do you find inspiring: The youth of today – so<br />
confident and competent.<br />
Who would you most like to meet: The Dalai Lama.<br />
What do you want more of: Weekends.<br />
What would you be doing if you weren’t at dog and<br />
alpaca shows: Catching up on property chores (more<br />
likely having a long lunch with friends).<br />
Tell us something we don’t know about you: I<br />
attempt to play a didgeridoo.
VICTORIAN CENTRAL REGION<br />
CALENDAR OF EVENTS<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 13<br />
Date Event What’s On Venue Contact<br />
DEC<br />
5<br />
OGM/XMAS/VCR<br />
COMMITTEE MEETING<br />
Join other members for<br />
a relaxing meal and a<br />
bit of fun.<br />
FEB 13 VCR MEETING Committee, Portfolio<br />
Holders and Show<br />
Convenors Meeting<br />
FEB<br />
18-20<br />
MAR<br />
5 OR 6<br />
SEYMOUR<br />
ALTERNATIVE FARMING<br />
EXPO<br />
Wyterrica <strong>Alpaca</strong>s<br />
Cottons Rd<br />
COBRAM<br />
Promotional Display Seymour<br />
Showgrounds<br />
WENDY HART<br />
5872 2050<br />
0408 403 602<br />
TBA JENN ERREY<br />
9457 5735<br />
ROD & ANN SALES<br />
5433 3789<br />
VCR TRAINING DAY TBA TBA BARBARA LINLEY<br />
5596 4267<br />
0438 897 147<br />
MAR 19 WODONGA SHOW <strong>Alpaca</strong> Halter and<br />
Fleece Show<br />
Wodonga<br />
Showgrounds<br />
WENDY HART<br />
5872 2050<br />
APR 9 OGM VCR Members Meeting TBA (Bendigo area) JENN ERREY<br />
9457 5735<br />
MAY 29<br />
OR 30<br />
JULY 2<br />
OR 3<br />
VCR TRAINING DAY TBA TBA BARBARA LINLEY<br />
5596 4267<br />
0438 897 147<br />
VCR TRAINING DAY TBA TBA BARBARA LINLEY<br />
5596 4267<br />
0438 897 147<br />
THANK YOU!<br />
Thank you to all the people who supported this issue of<br />
‘The <strong>Yarn</strong>’. Now it is looking like a regional mag should.<br />
Please don’t make me have to whinge, nag and harangue<br />
each issue, like I did for the last two - it’s not a good look!<br />
Thanks - Ed.<br />
This VCR Events Calendar will be updated with further details and changes in<br />
each issue of The <strong>Yarn</strong>. Please refer to the VCR website for the latest version.<br />
P.S. The VER magazine had over $3000 of advertising in<br />
their last issue --whoops, am I nagging again?!
14 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
VCR TRAINING<br />
SHEARING<br />
AND CLASSING<br />
WORKSHOP<br />
Amid the coolish winds of Strathbogie, the<br />
alpaca fleece was flying.<br />
Thirty people attended the <strong>Alpaca</strong> Classing and<br />
Shearing Workshop on 18 and 19 September, held at<br />
Baarrooka. The workshop covered planning and set-up<br />
for shearing day, all about combs and cutters, shearing<br />
and rousabouting (or pre-classing), classing of fleeces<br />
for processing and measuring, recording and using the<br />
fleece data (fineness, consistency, length, weight, etc) to<br />
enhance breeding decisions. Participants were divided<br />
into groups of 4-5 and moved around four stations, each<br />
with its own instructor, to work on each of these aspects.<br />
The combs and cutters, shearing and rousing,<br />
fleece classing and measuring stations provided the<br />
participants with experiences which involved taking<br />
off their breeders hat and putting on a fleece hat. The<br />
workshop took people through the shearing, skirting,<br />
classing and measuring process – all was very hands<br />
on, which enabled both new and old breeders to think<br />
about how these processes might be applied for their<br />
own shearing and fleece sorting tasks.<br />
The participants enjoyed talking directly with the<br />
shearers, Graeme and Peter about the mechanics of the<br />
alpaca shearing process. And it was a unique experience<br />
to listen to experienced shearers about the importance<br />
of shearing blades and shearing techniques.<br />
The participants had hands-on experiences to skirt,<br />
class and measure both suri and huacaya fleeces<br />
and during the process many myths were dispelled,<br />
particularly about suri fleece.<br />
The social chat at lunchtime over delicious hot soup<br />
enabled breeders to swap stories and banter.<br />
The workshop presenters – Graeme Moore, Peter<br />
White, Julie Wilkinson, Robyn Betts and Jenny Hall also<br />
enjoyed the opportunity to talk with breeders about<br />
the most important aspect of both suri and huacaya<br />
alpacas - the fleece and how it can be valued through<br />
the shearing and classing process.<br />
Submitted by Robyn Betts, Jaegar
Chiquita Mikhail<br />
Huacaya stud male certification 21/03/2007<br />
IAR: A83790 DOB: 4/05/2005 Colour: Solid white<br />
Histogram: 3/11/2009 Mic 24.5 SD 4.5 CV 18.5 CF 89.9%<br />
Outstanding genetics<br />
Purrumbete Highlander (S) W<br />
Sire: Adelyn Highland Mist (S) W<br />
Purrumbete Flamingo (S) W<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 15<br />
PPPeruvian Legend (S) W Imported from USA<br />
Dam: Chiquita Chantilly (S) W<br />
Peruvian Anne’ Nouveaux (S) W Imported from USA<br />
• Elite stud male with outstanding animal and fleece show record including six supreme champions.<br />
• Excellent conformation and temperament; extremely dense and lustrous fleece.<br />
• Exceptional genetics of both parents; now siring outstanding cria.<br />
These genetics remain in <strong>Central</strong> Victoria with new owners Ann and Rod Sales of Davidalla <strong>Alpaca</strong> Stud<br />
(Heathcote) and Margaret and Ian Findley of Providence Valley <strong>Alpaca</strong> Stud (Yea).<br />
Matings: $700 +GST drive-by. Discount for multiple matings. Live cria guaranteed.<br />
Contact: Rod and Ann Sales 03 5433 3789 / 0418 131 619<br />
Margaret and Ian Findley 03 5797 2776 / 03 5797 2270
16 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
SECOND CUTS... alpaca news from around the world<br />
NZ Shaky Show<br />
O<br />
ganising a national show<br />
and sale is a big undertaking<br />
in itself, but bear a thought<br />
for our New Zealand counterparts who<br />
had to deal with an earthquake in the<br />
middle of their preparations for this<br />
year’s National at the beginning of October.<br />
The event, held in Christchurch<br />
in the south island, went ahead despite<br />
there being numerous road closures<br />
and damaged buildings in the areas<br />
surrounding the show venue. In typi-<br />
cal Kiwi fashion, the organisers merely<br />
posted new road directions to get exhibitors<br />
and visitors to the venue and<br />
continued to plan for their flagship<br />
show. In the words of co-convenor Kit<br />
Johnson:<br />
“The National <strong>Alpaca</strong> Expo <strong>2010</strong><br />
is going ahead despite the recent<br />
earthquake in Christchurch. The<br />
RDA building and the Canterbury<br />
Agricultural Park are undamaged.<br />
Earthquake damage has been<br />
mainly restricted to older buildings.<br />
Most roads and Christchurch<br />
International airport are open and<br />
U.S.A<br />
AUCTION OF EMBRYO TRANSFER FOETUS<br />
Sunset Hills Farm <strong>Alpaca</strong>s has set the<br />
cat amongst the pigeons in the US by<br />
putting an embryo up for auction at a<br />
recent well-known annual auction. As<br />
the US alpaca industry does not allow<br />
registration of cria born using embryo<br />
transfer (ET) technology on the <strong>Alpaca</strong><br />
Registry, breeders were up in arms about<br />
what this ‘marketing gimmick’ meant and<br />
whether it was time the discussion about<br />
ET was reopened.<br />
Claims made on the <strong>Alpaca</strong>Nation<br />
forum included:<br />
• breeders are using ET already<br />
covertly and then picking the<br />
best ET progeny (of the preferred<br />
gender) to register on the ARI as a<br />
natural offspring;<br />
• ET progeny have fertility issues;<br />
• allowing ET will result in a<br />
population explosion and reduce<br />
the value of the American alpaca;<br />
• allowing ET will widen the gap<br />
between the rich/big farms and<br />
the small farms;<br />
• the US alpaca industry is already<br />
a decade behind NZ and Australia<br />
because they have focused on<br />
the ‘breeder market’ rather than a<br />
UK <strong>Alpaca</strong> Ugg boots?<br />
A UK-based designer who was<br />
born in Peru, Paloma Vivanco,<br />
has developed a gorgeous range<br />
of very fine alpaca knits in great<br />
modern designs. She is busy<br />
promoting the benefits of alpaca<br />
fibre for high fashion garments.<br />
The garments are handcrafted<br />
in Peru by ‘rural communities<br />
with years of expertise and<br />
integrity’ and are sold in high end<br />
boutiques in London.<br />
accommodation providers are operating as<br />
normal.<br />
We look forward to seeing you in the<br />
garden city. “<br />
fleece industry and not allowing ET<br />
when those leading countries are<br />
using it will just have the US falling<br />
further behind.<br />
Ohio State<br />
University<br />
(OSU) has<br />
been involved<br />
in an Embryo<br />
Transfer<br />
program and<br />
has obtained<br />
the advice<br />
and expertise<br />
of our very<br />
own Dr Jane<br />
Vaughan.<br />
Paloma says she would like to look<br />
at producing coats next and has been<br />
asked about alpaca ugg boots. Watch<br />
this space! www.inacia.com
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www.camelotalpacas.com.au<br />
e: nicolas@camelotalpacas.com.au<br />
p: 03-‐5427 0165<br />
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�<br />
www.camelotalpacas.com.au<br />
e: nicolas@camelotalpacas.com.au<br />
p: 03-5427 0165<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 17<br />
rose grey/roan stud stock clearance�<br />
rose grey/roan stud stock clearance<br />
ℵ�Camelot Nimue -‐ Rose Grey Female�<br />
Sire: Distinction Pale Sunset (RG/R) by Blue Grass Waterloo Sunset (RG/R)<br />
Dam: Camelot Lady of Shallot (RG/R)<br />
DOB: 7.01.<strong>2010</strong><br />
Fleece results coming $1,700.00<br />
ℵ�Camelot Lady of Shallot -‐ Roan Female�<br />
Sire: Arcady Taboo (MBR/Roan)<br />
Dam: Camelot Lady of the Lake (RG/R)<br />
DOB: 16.01.2008<br />
$1,500.00<br />
18.1u, 4.2uSD, 23.1%CV (1st)<br />
23u, 4.7uSD, 20.2%CV (2nd)<br />
�<br />
ℵ�Camelot Fierdaze -‐ potential Rose Grey Stud Male�<br />
Sire: Arcady Taboo (MBR/Roan)<br />
Dam: Camelot Lady of the Lake (RG/R)<br />
DOB: 4.01.2009<br />
18.5u, 4.9uSD, 26.6%CV (1st) $1,800.00<br />
ℵ�Arcady Taboo -‐ Certified MBR/Roan Male�<br />
Sire: Arcady Voodoo (LG)<br />
Dam: Arcady Jaffa (LBR)<br />
DOB: 24.04.2005<br />
Eager and extremely fertile male with keenly sought<br />
grey genetics -‐ has produced MF, RG and LG to date<br />
Packages negotiable and all offers considered. Please call or email for further details.�
18 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Stud Male Spotlight Parrindi Solomon<br />
Ballinfield Toscanini<br />
Solid White DOB: 11/4/2005<br />
Sire: Benleigh Sonata Ben (SW)<br />
Dam: Ballinfield Tiramisu (SW)<br />
Fleece: 17.8μ 4.0sd 22.3CV 99.4CF<br />
Toscanini has the Genetics of Shanbrooke<br />
and Benleigh (including Inti bloodlines).<br />
His fleece results makes him a winner in<br />
any breeding program. He is quiet and<br />
easy to handle.<br />
Stud Fee $450<br />
Discounts for Multiple Matings. Mobile matings by negotiation<br />
Als Place <strong>Alpaca</strong>s, Heathcote Junction (Near Wallan)<br />
Contact: Jenny: 0413031711 Tom: 0413334888<br />
email: jennifergawne@yahoo.com.au 2/4<br />
Ballinfield Lemon Tree<br />
Dark Fawn DOB: 2/1/2006<br />
Sire: Benleigh Sonata Ben (SW)<br />
Dam: Ballinfield Marmalade (S LBR)<br />
Fleece: 22.3μ 5.8sd 26.1CV 89.9CF<br />
Lemon has a loveable nature, very<br />
gentle and easy to handle, with Benleigh<br />
Genetics (including Inti bloodlines). For<br />
breeders looking for colours.<br />
Stud Fee $320<br />
Discounts for Multiple Matings. Mobile matings by negotiation<br />
Als Place <strong>Alpaca</strong>s, Heathcote Junction (Near Wallan)<br />
Contact: Jenny: 0413031711 Tom: 0413334888<br />
email: jennifergawne@yahoo.com.au 2/4<br />
Kariley Downs Valentino Man<br />
Mediun Fawn DOB: 14/02/2002<br />
Sire: Cedar House Jacomo (SW)<br />
Dam: Willows Ro Ice Girl (SW)<br />
Multiple ribbon winner at Sydney and<br />
Melbourne Royals and Nationals, producing<br />
quality progeny. This fine, upstanding male<br />
has good bone and continues to maintain a<br />
dense crimpy fleece which is highly evident<br />
even into his 9th fleece.<br />
8th fleece 24.5 μ 4.6sd 18.6CV<br />
Stud Fee $660<br />
Discounts for Multiple Matings and remates.Kariley Downs <strong>Alpaca</strong>s,<br />
Benalla.<br />
Contact: Shirley or Glen Hurley: 5764 1348<br />
email: shirley@karileydownsalpacas.com 3/4<br />
MillDuck Mr. Higgins<br />
Solid Light Fawn DOB: 13.4.2004<br />
Sire: Fine Choice Peruvian Ultimo<br />
Dam: Millduck Forget Me Not (Auzengate<br />
& Royal Inca)<br />
5th fleece: Mean 21.7μ SD 5.3 CV 24.4<br />
Upstanding young male with impeccable<br />
pedigree. His fleece is fine, crimpy, lustrous<br />
and dense. Winner of numerous ribbons<br />
himself. Several of his cria are already<br />
successful in the showring individually and in Sire’s Progeny classes.<br />
Stud fee: $770 (incl. GST) driveby<br />
Mobile or multiple matings negotiable<br />
Highfields <strong>Alpaca</strong>s – MERTON Victoria<br />
Alfons Steiner Ph: 03 5778 9674<br />
Email: alfons@highfields.net.au<br />
Web: www.highfields.net.au 2/4<br />
Solid Black DOB: 08/04/2006<br />
Sire: Samaria Valley Saladin<br />
Dam: Normandy Serena<br />
A stunning blue/black huacaya with an<br />
imposing presence, Parrindi Solomon<br />
has a great temperament and a fine,<br />
dense bundling fleece with amazing<br />
lustre. Solomon’s first cria are solid blue<br />
blacks with crimpy fleece and good conformation.<br />
Stud Fee: $770<br />
Mobile matings by arrangement . Live cria guarantee.<br />
Ruffy (Strathbogie Ranges – near Euroa)<br />
Contact: Glen or Terry George: Ph: (03) 5790 4318.<br />
Email: parrindi2@bigpond.com.au 4/4<br />
Parrindi Joseph<br />
Grey DOB: 08/05/2008<br />
Sire: Almora Nomad<br />
Dam: Pretty Sally<br />
With a uniformly dense and finely crimped fleece<br />
Parrindi Joseph is an eye-catching grey huacaya<br />
who has inherited his sire Almora Nomad and dam<br />
Parrindi Pretty Sally’s award winning qualities.<br />
2009 National judge’s comment when awarding<br />
Joseph a blue ribbon was “an amazing consistently<br />
fine fleece through all the colours”. Other awards: Intermediate Champion,<br />
Seymour and Reserve Intermediate Champion, Ballarat 2009. Best Grey<br />
Huacaya at Ballarat <strong>2010</strong>. Joseph’s first cria are eagerly awaited.<br />
Stud Fee: $880<br />
Mobile matings by arrangement . Live cria guarantee.<br />
Ruffy (Strathbogie Ranges – near Euroa)<br />
Contact: Glen or Terry George: Ph: (03) 5790 4318.<br />
Email: parrindi2@bigpond.com.au 2/4<br />
Narraburra Cin-Cin<br />
Solid Light Fawn DOB: 24/01/2003<br />
Sire: Combe Hill Bailey (SLF)<br />
Dam: Narraburra Lucky Sprite (DF)<br />
A multi-award winner from Junior through<br />
to Mature. Exceptional bloodlines including<br />
Drambuie, Inti and Brigantine. Extremely soft<br />
handling fleece even at 8yrs.<br />
Exceptional fleece stats:<br />
3rd fleece 19.9 μ 3.5sd 18.3CV 98.7CF<br />
8th fleece mid 22.2 μ 4.0sd 18.0CV 96.4CF<br />
(GIFT - 3 sites) pin 20.1 μ 3.8sd 18.8CV 98.9CF<br />
shoulder 22.0 μ 3.7sd 16.9CV 98.3CF<br />
Stud Fee $770<br />
Discounts for Multiple Matings and remates. Kariley Downs <strong>Alpaca</strong>s, Benalla<br />
Contact: Shirley or Glen Hurley: 5764 1348<br />
email: shirley@karileydownsalpacas.com 3/4<br />
Ailahtan Kracka<br />
Solid Black: DOB: 09.03.2007<br />
Sire: Wyterrica Rory<br />
Dam: Grey Gum Keshia<br />
2nd fleece: Mic 22.2, SD 3.4, CV 15.3<br />
Proud, upstanding young male. His fleece<br />
is fine, crimpy, lustrous and dense. Winner<br />
of numerous ribbons including Best Black<br />
at Wodonga 2008.<br />
Kracka has some lovely cria on the ground.<br />
Stud fee: $550 (incl. GST) driveby<br />
Mobile or multiple matings negotiable<br />
Highfields <strong>Alpaca</strong>s – MERTON Victoria<br />
Alfons Steiner Ph: 03 5778 9674<br />
Email: alfons@highfields.net.au<br />
Web: www.highfields.net.au 2/4<br />
To see these ads in colour, visit the VCR website a
Stud Male Spotlight<br />
Tahara Zabar ET<br />
Solid White DOB: 31/10/2007<br />
Sire: Surilana Bartok<br />
Dam: Tahara Zahira<br />
Zabar’s dam is an Icalon daughter<br />
and was National Champion at both<br />
junior and senior level. Zabar has won<br />
numerous Championships and Supreme<br />
Championships as well as being VCR Suri<br />
<strong>Alpaca</strong> of the year in 2009. He is a very<br />
aristocratic looking boy who has excellent coverage, together with<br />
highly lustrous and well-defined locks. His 2009 stats are 18.7 3.6<br />
19.2 99.3. His first offspring will be due in 2011.<br />
Stud Fee $880<br />
Contact: Dianne Marshall Ph: (03) 5424 1828; Mob: 0427 175 408<br />
email: Chantlam.park@bigpond.com 2/4<br />
Yarrakee Tsunami<br />
Solid White DOB:<br />
Sire: Pucara Kahuna<br />
Dam: Pucara Spritely<br />
Fleece: (24m) 20.3μ SD 4.6 CV 22.4 CF 97.3<br />
Tsunami is an excellent example of the suri<br />
type. He displays a consistent lock structure<br />
with density, lustre and independence. He<br />
has had a very successful show career in<br />
both animal and fleece classes. Winner of<br />
2008 VCR Suri Fleece of the Year and runner-up VCR Suri of the Year<br />
in 2006 and 2008.<br />
Stud Fee $900<br />
Live cria guarantee.<br />
Contact: Aaron & Kylie van Santvoort 9740 5557, 0438 277 059<br />
email: aaronandkylie@megalink.com.au 4/4<br />
Stud Fee $550<br />
Blue Grass Star Warrior<br />
Solid Light Fawn DOB: 24/02/2003<br />
Sire: Jolimont Warrior<br />
Dam: Blue Grass Star of Tulungi<br />
Multi award winner, including Supreme<br />
(Castle Hill)<br />
Proven sire of quality offspring.<br />
Masculine, vigorous male of excellent<br />
breed type.<br />
Contact: Shane Carey (Malakai) 0409 270 381<br />
Jim & Lyndall Black (Briarmist) 0421 324 975<br />
Tambo Downs Andreas<br />
Solid White DOB: 09/03/2003<br />
Sire: Pucara Halcyon<br />
Dam: Pucara Chicatita<br />
Andreas has great US-Peruvian genetics in<br />
his pedigree, including Amador, Helado and<br />
Benedicto. Andreas has amazing relocking,<br />
is dense and remaining fine as well. He<br />
has produced his first cria over average<br />
dams and they are fantastic. Andreas has<br />
produced white from white and colour from colour. He is a real<br />
improver for suri crosses.<br />
Stud Fee $500 (on farm/drive-by)<br />
Contact: Jennifer Hall, Tularosa 0408 533 654<br />
Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka 0407 889 669 1/4<br />
bsite at www.viccentral.alpaca.asn.au<br />
1/4<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 19<br />
Tahara Zip Code<br />
Solid Black DOB: 25/5/2007<br />
Sire: Chia Park Zip Drive<br />
Dam: Tahara Ruffina<br />
Zip Code is that rare commodity, a black<br />
suri male . He is a BC1 and has exceptional<br />
lustre. No matter how dusty the other boys<br />
in the paddock are, his lustre still shines<br />
through. He is a broad ribbon winner, and<br />
was particularly successful in fleece competitions. His second fleece<br />
has returned well.<br />
As his sire is homozygous it is hoped Zip Code will follow in his<br />
footsteps. His fleece stats are 23.9 5.4 22.5 89.8<br />
Stud Fee $880<br />
Contact: Dianne Marshall Ph: (03) 5424 1828; Mob: 0427 175 408<br />
email: Chantlam.park@bigpond.com 2/4<br />
Shanbrooke Fire Warrior<br />
Solid White DOB: 29/09/2006<br />
Sire: Shanbrooke Accoyo Rasputin<br />
Dam: Shanbrooke Alianza Sumarc<br />
4th Fleece (2009): Mic. 22.1, SD 5.0, CV 22.5%,<br />
CF 93.2%<br />
This upstanding well conformed male is full of<br />
presence. He has excellent coverage and is true<br />
to type. He carries a dense fleece which is well<br />
aligned and uniform with the crimp running low into the chest area. He is<br />
sired by Accoyo Rasputin who has produced many champions and his Dam<br />
was a specially selected female from Peru.<br />
Stud Fee: $770 (inc. GST)<br />
Contact: Kingsview <strong>Alpaca</strong>s Timothy Lakeman (03) 9714 8299<br />
Email: timothy@kingsviewalpacas.com.au<br />
www.kingsviewalpacas.com.au 2/4<br />
Pinjarra Starmoss<br />
Medium Grey DOB: 28/08/2005<br />
Sire: Somerset Stirling Moss<br />
Dam: Mantaro Stardust<br />
Starmoss is an even silver grey with a<br />
lovely temperament and soft, locking<br />
fleece. He has solid conformation and<br />
was not beaten in his class at shows. He<br />
now has 16 cria, all suri from suri cross<br />
and huacaya dams. His grey progeny<br />
have won at National 2009, Royal Canberra <strong>2010</strong> and Wodonga<br />
<strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Stud Fee $1320<br />
Contact: Jennifer Hall, Tularosa 0408 533 654<br />
email: tularosa@fastmail.com.au 1/4<br />
Ambleside Dream Catcher<br />
Solid White DOB: 20/05/2006<br />
Sire: Surilana Bosisto<br />
Dam: Surilana Accoyo Dream<br />
A stunning full Accoyo male exhibiting<br />
excellent conformation, great density,<br />
amazing lustre and handle. His first fleece<br />
[shorn at 12 months] was extremely lustrous<br />
with a beautiful soft handle. In 2009 he was<br />
put over some of Ambleside’s top girls and<br />
the results are stunning. 2009 stats: 24.7micron, 5.1sd, 20.7cv 87.3cf.<br />
His current 2009/<strong>2010</strong> GFW [12months] exceeded 5kgs.<br />
Stud Fee $1100 (mobile mating)<br />
Contact: Barbara Linley, Ambleside 03 5596 4267<br />
email: barbara.linley@bigpond.com.au 1/4
20 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Stud Male Spotlight<br />
Malakai Illumini ET<br />
Solid Medium Fawn DOB: 05/11/2006<br />
Sire: Benleigh Bellisimo<br />
Dam: Blue Grass Leading Lady<br />
ADD SOME CLASS TO YOUR COLOUR!<br />
With both of his parents being Multiple<br />
Supreme Championship winners boasting<br />
elite genetics, it is not at all surprising that<br />
Illumini has been shown successfully right<br />
up to the National level.<br />
He is now passing on his perfect conformation and superbly fine,<br />
lustrous and well structured fleece to his progeny.<br />
Fleece 2009 (3rd): 18.6µ SD 4.60 CRV 36.40 deg/mm<br />
Stud Fee $990<br />
Contact: Dean & Jenny Ford, Vista del Sud 0413438043 or 03 5779 1225<br />
Email: alpacas@vistadelsud.com.au 1/4<br />
Wyterrica Rory<br />
Medium Brown Huacaya DOB: 8/5/2003<br />
Colourbration Supreme Brown 2004 &<br />
2005. Numerous Royal & National Show 1st<br />
placings. Double Highlander Pedigree<br />
Wyterrica Rory is a strong boned male<br />
displaying excellent structure, density<br />
and lustre. His trademark deep rich brown<br />
colouring & dark features have stamped<br />
their mark on brown genetics in Australia.<br />
Rory’s progeny are a true measurement of his success as a stud<br />
male, including the dominant Millduck Jarrah with 7 broad ribbons<br />
THE PROOF IS IN THE PROGENY!<br />
Stud Fee: $990<br />
Contact: Dean & Jenny Ford, Vista del Sud 0413438043 or 03 5779 1225<br />
Email: alpacas@vistadelsud.com.au 1/4<br />
SALEYARD<br />
Advertise your SALE<br />
ANIMALS for only $25<br />
for 2 issues - WHAT A<br />
BARGAIN!<br />
SALEYARD NEW<br />
To see these ads in colour, visit<br />
the VCR website at<br />
www.viccentral.alpaca.asn.au<br />
Baarrooka Witchcraft<br />
Solid Black DOB: 04/05/2009<br />
Sire: Baarrooka Rainbow Warrior (SBLK)<br />
Dam: Anne’s Hill Myfanwy (SMF)<br />
Stunning maiden with great<br />
conformation, true-to-type suri<br />
fleece with good coverage and a<br />
great head. Impressive show record,<br />
including 1st at National and Champion and Reserve Champion<br />
ribbons. Mated to your choice of Baarrooka male.<br />
Price: $5,500<br />
Contact: Julie Wilkinson Mob: 0407 889 669<br />
email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 1/2<br />
Softfoot Ryjel<br />
Solid White Huacaya DOB: 10/09/2004<br />
Sire: Jolimont Gianmarco<br />
Dam: EP Cambridge Peruvian Christabelle<br />
Fleece 2009 (5th) - 21.9μ SD 3.9 CF 96.5%<br />
Curvature 38.4<br />
<strong>2010</strong> Royal Melbourne Show Mature Male<br />
Champion. With such impressive genetics<br />
and fleece statistics it is no surprise that<br />
Ryjel has been a multi-champion in the<br />
ring and supreme champion in fleece.<br />
He is passing on his perfect conformation and excellent fleece<br />
structure with his progeny already winning 1st and broad ribbons,<br />
including Supreme Champion at Royal Hobart 2009.<br />
ADD THE WOW FACTOR!<br />
Stud Fee $990<br />
Contact: Dean & Jenny Ford, Vista del Sud 0413438043 or 03 5779 1225<br />
Email: alpacas@vistadelsud.com.au 1/4<br />
Baarrooka Dragon ET<br />
Solid Medium Fawn DOB: 28/08/2005<br />
Sire: Pinjarra Gold Rush<br />
Dam: Baarrooka Queen Wilhelmina<br />
Dragon and his brown ET brother, Hot<br />
Chocolate are spectacular examples of<br />
their parent’s genetics. Supersoft, lustrous<br />
and locky fleeces. Dragon has been<br />
highly awarded this year as a 3-year-old,<br />
including Reserve Champion Senior Male<br />
at the National, beating white males with impressive pedigrees for<br />
the honour. Introductory stud fee until first cria are born in March<br />
2011. On farm, drive-by or mobile matings available.<br />
Stud Fee $880<br />
Contact: Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka 0407 889 669<br />
Email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 1/4<br />
Baarrooka Gwendolyn<br />
Solid Dark Fawn DOB: 31/10/2007<br />
Sire: Cedar House Desert Prince (SDF)<br />
Dam: Baarrooka Cordela (SW)<br />
Gwendolyn is a magnificent dark<br />
fawn suri maiden with independent<br />
locks, great fibre length, lustre and<br />
colour. Will be a great producer.<br />
Comes mated to Supreme Champion Chersam D’Angelo (SDF)<br />
who is not available for outside matings.<br />
Price: $7,700<br />
Contact: Julie Wilkinson Mob: 0407 889 669<br />
email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 1/2
NATIONAL SHOW & SALE - TAMWORTH<br />
The National Show & Sale, the culmination of the<br />
showing year and a showcase of the best alpacas in<br />
Australia, was held in the northern NSW town of Tamworth.<br />
The equestrian centre used was an amazing venue - maybe<br />
not particularly suited to an alpaca show, but impressive<br />
none-the-less. The alpacas enjoyed their roomy, airy and<br />
private stalls, although the breeders and interested public<br />
found trying to peer in through the bars a little difficult.<br />
HUACAYA CLASSES<br />
Malakai<br />
Malakai Fashion N Fame ET Junior White Female 4th<br />
Sandjo Mystique Adult White Female 4th<br />
Ambleside Sapphire Mature White Female 1st<br />
MillDuck<br />
MillDuck Nikita Junior Fawn Female 5th<br />
MillDuck Nikki-Louise Junior Brown Female 1st<br />
MillDuck Nungi Junior Grey Female 1st<br />
MillDuck Nixon Junior Fawn Male 4th<br />
MillDuck Narvik Junior Brown Male 1st<br />
MillDuck Maddox Intermediate Brown Male 1st<br />
Intermediate Male Reserve Champion<br />
MillDuck Mandela Intermediate Black Male 1st<br />
MillDuck Manhattan Adult Fawn Male 1st<br />
Adult Male Champion<br />
MillDuck Jarrah Sires Progeny 2nd<br />
MillDuck Jitterbug Dams Progeny 3rd<br />
Wyterrica<br />
Wyterrica Scotchmist Junior Brown Female 2nd<br />
Flying Colours Pandora Junior Black Female 1st<br />
Wyterrica Cognac Intermediate Fawn Male 1st<br />
Wyterrica Cayenne Intermediate Brown Male 3rd<br />
Wyterrica Propaganda Mature Grey Male 1st<br />
Sires Progeny 3rd<br />
30-48m Grey/Roan Fleece 1st<br />
Grand<br />
Grand Flowerdale FP Propalady ET Junior Grey Female 4th<br />
Greenvale<br />
Greenvale Helena Intermediate Grey Female 2nd<br />
Greenvale Gianna ET Adult Grey Female 1st<br />
Greenvale Bonita Adult Grey Female 3rd<br />
Greenvale Medici Mature Grey Male 3rd<br />
Wimmera Skies<br />
Wimmera Skies Malena ET Adult Black Female 3rd<br />
Cherry Hill<br />
Cherry Hill Hurricane Adult Grey Male 1st<br />
Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka<br />
It was a pity that very few Queensland and northern NSW<br />
breeders entered animals since it was in their own backyard.<br />
Congratulations to the organising committee for a job<br />
well done, to the judges for considered judging focussing<br />
on fleece characteristics like fineness and handle and to the<br />
VCR members who made the long trip to Tamworth.<br />
The following breeders came home with a ribbon or two.<br />
Well done!<br />
Jigaru<br />
Jigaru Moonlight Serenade Senior White Female 2nd<br />
Manna-Gum Farm<br />
Manna-Gum Farm Just A Gigolo Mature Black Male 1st<br />
SURI CLASSES<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 21<br />
Surilana<br />
Surilana Queen Bee Junior White Female 1st<br />
Junior Female Reserve Champion<br />
Surilana Seraphim Junior Fawn Female 1st<br />
Junior Female Champion<br />
Surilana Leisurely Junior Fawn Female 2nd<br />
Surilana Maddomar Junior Fawn Female 3rd<br />
Surilana Missile Junior White Male 2nd<br />
Surilana Octane Junior Fawn Male 1st<br />
Junior Male Reserve Champion<br />
Surilana Mendelsshon Junior Fawn Male 2nd<br />
Surilana Madolo Junior Brown Male 1st<br />
Surilana Dreamtime Junior Brown Male 2nd<br />
Surilana Magnolia Intermediate Fawn Female 1st<br />
Intermediate Female Champion<br />
Surilana Floriade Intermediate Fawn Female 2nd<br />
Surilana Matrix Intermediate White Male 1st<br />
Intermediate Male Reserve Champion<br />
Surilana Pythagoras Intermediate Fawn Male 1st<br />
Intermediate Male Champion<br />
Surilana Janus Intermediate Fawn Male 2nd<br />
Surilana Mendoza Senior White Male 1st<br />
Senior Male Champion<br />
SUPREME CHAMPION<br />
Baarrooka<br />
Baarrooka Lumina Junior White Female 3rd<br />
Baarrooka Wild Card Junior Brown Male 3rd<br />
Baarrooka Witchcraft Intermediate Black Female 1st<br />
Baarrooka Dragon ET Senior Fawn Male 1st<br />
Senior Male Reserve Champion<br />
ILR Black Rose by Saber 6-18m Other Colours Fleece 2nd<br />
Baarrooka Black Beauty 18-30m Other Colours Fleece<br />
3rd<br />
Baarrooka KISS ET 30+m White Fleece 3rd<br />
Baarrooka Topnotch 30+m Fawn Fleece 2nd<br />
Reserve Champion Fleece 30+m<br />
ILR Gray Knight 30+m Other Colours 3rd<br />
continued on page 24
22 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Industry News<br />
For quite a while now I have shuddered<br />
at the prices breeders are willing to sell<br />
their alpaca wethers for. I understand<br />
lower prices as pets but not as herd<br />
guards and this is why.<br />
The average wether will live for 15<br />
years and working on a pair of alpacas<br />
costing $500 each (I will ignore the GST<br />
component for ease of use) I will show<br />
real figures of what the value of the pair<br />
will be in real terms to the farmer.<br />
I believe I can quote these figures<br />
reliably because we have 2800 breeding<br />
ewes and have been using the alpaca<br />
wethers as herd guards for the past 7<br />
years. We have done experiments such<br />
as running the herd guards with our<br />
Corriedale ewes for their first lambing<br />
(130% lambs), no herd guards for their<br />
second lambing (98% lambs) and<br />
putting the herd guards back in for<br />
their third lambing (130% lambs). This<br />
mob was run over the same paddocks<br />
on the same property for the duration<br />
of these figures.<br />
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A WETHER? Joanne Ham, Rainbows End<br />
We only ever run them in pairs and<br />
often in threes with great results. Only<br />
when there is no ‘guarding’ to be done<br />
do the alpacas congregate over a fence.<br />
If there is work to be done then they<br />
are on the job. I often see one of a pair<br />
relaxing and eating whilst the other is<br />
‘on guard’. I believe they must run in at<br />
least pairs.<br />
I also need to dispel the belief the<br />
blue-eyed white (BEW) deaf boys don’t<br />
work. Pure poppy-cock!!! I run pairs of<br />
BEW boys to see if they have a different<br />
lambing percentage compared to their<br />
coloured hearing counterparts. THERE<br />
IS NO DIFFERENCE. Further, as proof,<br />
with the Corriedale experiment above<br />
the first group of guard boys were<br />
hearing and the second lot guarding<br />
the third lambing were not.<br />
What we have experienced with our<br />
1st cross ewes is about a 10% increase<br />
in lambing. Our Corriedale ewes have<br />
increased lambing by 30% and I have<br />
heard (we don’t have any) that Merino<br />
ewes have had increases of up to 60%.<br />
A mob of 200 crossbred sheep that<br />
lamb at 100% means 200 lambs. An<br />
increase in lambing of 10% means an<br />
extra 20 lambs. Lambs are averaging<br />
$120/head through the saleyards at the<br />
moment so that is $2400 for one year.<br />
Sheep breed for about 6 years so that is<br />
a saving of $14,400.<br />
A pair of alpaca guards on duty for<br />
12 years equates to a total saving<br />
of $28,800 given a 10% increase in<br />
lambing for a mob of 200 ewes every<br />
year.<br />
If you sell your wethers for $500 each it<br />
is a cost to the farmer of $1000 or it will<br />
cost them 3 cents per lamb saved over a<br />
12 year period.<br />
All the above figures are real and have<br />
been quoted on the conservative side.
HIGHCLERE ALPACAS – Females for Sale<br />
Highclere Poppy<br />
DOB: 12/02/2008<br />
Covering Sire: Blackgate Lodge Oberon<br />
Due date: 11/04/2011<br />
Very dense, crimpy fleece<br />
$1,800<br />
& cria (sold separately):<br />
Highclere Alice<br />
DOB: 11/04/10<br />
Beautiful, soft handling, fine, dense fleece<br />
$2,500<br />
Highclere Bridget<br />
DOB: 12/09/09<br />
Beautiful soft, fine, dense fleece.<br />
$2,500<br />
Highclere Meg<br />
DOB: 02/02/2008<br />
Covering Sire: Blackgate Lodge Oberon<br />
Due Date: 06/04/2011<br />
Extremely dense, well crimped fleece<br />
$1,800<br />
Two light fawn wethers: one 10mths & one<br />
20mths old = $250 each<br />
Maree & Robert Buck – Woodend – Ph: 0417 377 479<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 23<br />
Generous discount offered for multiple purchases<br />
All alpaca registered with the <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Alpaca</strong> Association Ltd – except the wethers
24 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
VCR RESULTS OF NATIONAL SHOW FROM PAGE 21 cont...<br />
Tahara<br />
Tahara Alkumi Junior White Male 3rd<br />
Ambleside<br />
Ambleside Andean Silkwood Intermediate White Male 4th<br />
Bumble Hill Accoyo Aztec Senior White Male 2nd<br />
Chersam/Baarrooka<br />
Chersam D’Angelo 18-30m Fawn Fleece 2nd<br />
Ambleside/Kurrawa<br />
Jolimont Accoyo Miquel Sires Progeny 3rd<br />
FLOODS AND SNOW IN OCTOBER?? WHAT’S GOING ON?
345 Foxhow-Cundare Road<br />
Berrybank 3323 Victoria<br />
Australia<br />
T: + 61 3 5596 4267<br />
Barbara: 0438 897 147<br />
E: barbara.linley@bigpond.com.au<br />
Anne: 0408 994 795<br />
www.amblesidealpacas.com.au<br />
E: annebean@bigpond.net.au<br />
MN3 VA 2121 Q-<strong>Alpaca</strong> 06/0200<br />
VCR PROMOTION<br />
LANCEFIELD SHOW<br />
This photo was taken at the quaint little<br />
Lancefield Show. Three studs, Bywong,<br />
Davidalla and Davelee took part in an<br />
alpaca display which was overwhelmingly<br />
popular. <strong>Alpaca</strong> products and animals were<br />
all sold on the day.<br />
If any studs wish to participate next year,<br />
please contact Vicki Hilder on 5429 1803.<br />
Submitted by Vicki Hilder, Bywong.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 25<br />
“Quietly Achieving”<br />
www.amblesidealpacas.com.au
26 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
VCR Shows<br />
Despite Ken Haines putting in a sterling effort to drum<br />
up numbers, only fifty-seven fleeces were entered in the<br />
Kyneton Fleece Show. Come on breeders, showing fleeces is<br />
so easy and IT IS WHAT OUR INDUSTRY IS ABOUT, REMEMBER!<br />
Right: Judge Pamela Baxter and Apprentice Judge<br />
Glenda Bartlett assess the fleeces at Kyneton<br />
Fleece Show. Photo: Vicki Hilder<br />
Top to Bottom: Champion Huacaya Fleece -<br />
Jigaru Moonlight Serenade; Reserve Champion<br />
Huacaya Fleece - Chiquita Valentino: Champion<br />
Suri Fleece - Baarrooka Quizmaster: Reserve<br />
Champion Suri Fleece - Tahara Amorina.<br />
KYNETON FLEECE SHOW Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka<br />
VCR members must get behind these events put on<br />
by a group of enthusiastic and tireless volunteers (and<br />
Ken has retired from the industry and there he is, still<br />
promoting it for us!). These are great opportunities<br />
to promote your breeding program, animals and the<br />
gorgeous fleece that our alpacas produce.<br />
Is this a VCR Record?...403 days!
VCR Shows<br />
The Seymour Show held by the AAA-<br />
VCR in conjunction with the Seymour<br />
Agricultural and Pastoral Society was<br />
held at Seymour’s King’s Park on Friday,<br />
October 1st and Saturday, October 2nd.<br />
This year, due to <strong>Victorian</strong> fleece<br />
judges not being available, we decided<br />
to judge the fleeces on the Friday – that<br />
way our animal judge, Natasha Clark,<br />
was able to come on the Friday, judge<br />
the fleeces and stay overnight before<br />
judging the alpacas on the Saturday.<br />
It took quite some effort, particularly<br />
by Ken Haines, to convince people it<br />
was a good idea to show fleeces at<br />
Seymour. He arranged for exhibitors<br />
at the Kyneton Daffodil Festival to also<br />
enter fleeces at Seymour and these<br />
fleeces I picked up and conveyed to<br />
Seymour. We also had a few exhibitors<br />
who delivered their fleeces to Seymour<br />
on the morning of the judging. We<br />
had 35 fleeces exhibited and Natasha<br />
was pleased with the standard. The<br />
only problem was that only 3 suri<br />
fleeces were entered which was a<br />
disappointment and I would ask the<br />
suri breeders to look again at entering<br />
at Seymour.<br />
The huacaya fleeces covered the full<br />
gambit of classes of age and colour<br />
and therefore most exhibits received<br />
a ribbon of some colour. There were<br />
some truly beautiful fleeces on show.<br />
The choosing of the Supreme proved<br />
quite difficult and Natasha advised that<br />
some fleeces needed more skirting and<br />
had it been done would have received<br />
more points and this made all the<br />
difference in placing. The Supreme<br />
Huacaya fleece was ‘Jigaru Moonlight<br />
Serenade’. The Supreme Suri fleece<br />
was ‘Baarrooka Omaha’. Although 35<br />
fleeces was a nice number it would be<br />
great to see more fleeces at the show<br />
but I thank those who entered this year.<br />
The alpaca judging was held on a<br />
beautiful spring day and I am happy<br />
to say went without a hitch. As usual<br />
the same people volunteered and<br />
in particular I would sincerely like to<br />
thank the inestimable Bev and Geoff<br />
Brennan (Bev was our MC and also our<br />
SEYMOUR SHOW Ann Sales, Davidalla<br />
Chief Fleece Steward and Geoff was<br />
our Steward Extraordinaire – something<br />
needed to be done and Geoff was there<br />
to do it). Kate, Margaret and Ian Findley<br />
jumped in and helped everywhere,<br />
Trish and Bill Crookshanks (Bill took<br />
over as Ring Steward this year and did<br />
a great job and Trish was in attendance<br />
on both Friday and Saturday), Kaz<br />
Gaisford and Heather Burns helped out<br />
in inspections and marshalling, Vicki<br />
Hilder who scribed, Alan Breese who<br />
ran one of the inspection teams, Pam<br />
Breese who took care of the tea and<br />
coffee and was our ribbon lady, Pam<br />
Baxter who actually volunteered to be<br />
our Chief Steward. Thank you one and<br />
all, your help made my job a whole lot<br />
easier.<br />
We had 165 alpacas entered across<br />
the full range of classes, of these 15<br />
were suri – come on suri breeders,<br />
its time you all did something about<br />
showing those beautiful alpacas<br />
you skite about and show them to<br />
everybody.<br />
The winners were:<br />
Huacayas<br />
Champion Junior Female<br />
Malakai Fashion N Fame ET Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Female<br />
Millduck Nikita MillDuck<br />
Champion Junior Male<br />
Malakai Logical Choice ET Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Male<br />
Highfields Prince Charming Highfields<br />
Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Malakai Celebrity ET Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Almora Avalanche Almora<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 27<br />
Champion Suri Fleece - Baarrooka Omaha Champion Huacaya Fleece - Jigaru Moonlight<br />
Serenade<br />
Champion Intermediate Male<br />
Yenaminut Ice Shine Yenaminut<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Male<br />
MillDuck Maddox MillDuck<br />
Champion Adult Female<br />
Jigaru Moonlight Serenade Jigaru<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Female<br />
Ambleside Sapphire Malakai<br />
Champion Adult Male<br />
Millduck Manhattan MillDuck<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Male<br />
Sierra Vista Santorini Malakai<br />
SUPREME CHAMPION –<br />
JIGARU MOONLIGHT SERENADE<br />
Suris<br />
Champion Junior Suri<br />
Baarrooka Vagabond Baarrooka<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Suri<br />
Baarrooka Explorers Quest Baarrooka<br />
Champion Intermediate Suri<br />
Baarooka Heza Sensation ET Baarrooka<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Suri<br />
Baarooka Witchcraft Baarrooka<br />
Champion Adult Suri<br />
Bedrock Concept Bedrock<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Suri<br />
none<br />
Champion Senior Suri<br />
Baarrooka Dragon ET Baarrooka<br />
Reserve Champion Senior Suri<br />
none<br />
SUPREME CHAMPION SURI –<br />
BAARROOKA VAGABOND<br />
We had 6 pairs of alpacas entered in<br />
the Sire’s Progeny with Almora Auzzie<br />
Frost being chosen the winner.
28 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
VCR Shows<br />
Six rosettes were awarded to the best<br />
colour in show and they were awarded<br />
to:<br />
Best White:<br />
Jigaru Moonlight Serenade<br />
Best Light Fawn:<br />
Jigaru<br />
Glen Park Daisy Glen Park<br />
Best Medium/Dark Fawn:<br />
Millduck Manhattan<br />
Best Brown:<br />
MillDuck<br />
Millduck Maddox<br />
Best Roan:<br />
MillDuck<br />
Highfields Penny Royal<br />
Best Grey:<br />
Highfields<br />
Lentara <strong>Summer</strong> Reign<br />
Best Black:<br />
Lentara<br />
Millduck Mandela MillDuck<br />
There were some very happy and<br />
successful well-known breeders but<br />
it appeared that several less-known<br />
breeders were also smiling at the end<br />
of the day. Personally, Rod and I have<br />
Being one who believes in ‘putting<br />
yourself in the other person’s shoes’ – I<br />
decided to take a ride in our alpaca trailer<br />
– even though I have two less feet!<br />
Now, to this day, Ada assures me she<br />
was not speeding (?) – it was down-right<br />
scary.<br />
I now know why alpacas sit down – it is<br />
so hard to keep your balance, especially<br />
as you whiz around corners.<br />
However it was the noise that was<br />
unbelievable. The tailgate wobbled, with<br />
the divider gates beating the loudest<br />
percussion in any orchestra. The shaking<br />
and rattling of the internal gates was<br />
amazing – metal against metal.<br />
No wonder the <strong>Alpaca</strong> Union had<br />
requested ear muffs!<br />
Whilst not completely eliminating<br />
the noise, the following has certainly<br />
improved the situation.<br />
Tailgate wobble reduced by:<br />
• gluing rubber strips onto the<br />
tailgate where the tailgate meets<br />
the frame of the trailer; and<br />
• when the tailgate is up put<br />
a large sponge (or rolled up<br />
SEYMOUR SHOW CONT..<br />
Above: Supreme Suri - Baarrooka Vagabond and Supreme Huacaya<br />
- Jigaru Moonlight Serenade with Judge Natasha Clarke.<br />
not shown for 5 years and I found it<br />
quite good fun, though somewhat<br />
daunting, to step again into the ring.<br />
SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL Prue Wallduck, MillDuck<br />
towel) between the tailgate and<br />
rear gates to reduce rear gate<br />
movement.<br />
Internal gate rattle reduced by:<br />
• small poly-pipe used as a liner on<br />
the slip bolt which joins the two<br />
rear gates removing the metal<br />
against metal noise;<br />
• small poly-pipe (cut in half) placed<br />
over ‘arm bracket’ used to secure<br />
two gates;<br />
All in all a good show, many thanks<br />
to all who helped and participated.<br />
• reduced the size of the hole in the<br />
floor into which the spring loaded<br />
bolt slots – reducing the sideways<br />
movement of the gates; and<br />
• rubber ‘okky straps’ used<br />
on internal doors to reduce<br />
movement .<br />
I wonder what it would be like in your<br />
trailer? ‘Take a ride’ and h-EAR for<br />
yourself.
VCR Shows<br />
This year’s Wangaratta show was well supported,<br />
despite it being the week before the National Show in<br />
Tamworth. A total of 159 animals and 47 fleeces were<br />
entered.<br />
Huacayas<br />
Champion Junior Female<br />
Malakai Fashion N Fame ET Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Female<br />
Flying Colours Pandora Wyterrica<br />
Champion Junior Male<br />
Highfields Prince Charming Highfields<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Male<br />
Malakai Logical Choice ET Malakai<br />
Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Almora Avalanche Almora<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Malakai Celebrity ET Malakai<br />
Champion Intermediate Male<br />
Yenaminut Ice Shine Yenaminut<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Male<br />
Malakai Regal Mist Malakai<br />
Champion Adult Female<br />
Malakai Fire N Ice Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Female<br />
Highfields Nicolette Highfields<br />
Champion Adult Male<br />
Acacia Caribbean Buckland Valley<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Male<br />
Lentara <strong>Summer</strong> Reign Lentara<br />
Champion Senior Female<br />
Jigaru Moonlight Serenade Jigaru<br />
Reserve Champion Senior Female<br />
Traron Alicia Chersam<br />
Champion Senior Male<br />
Sierra Vista Santorini Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Senior Male<br />
Windsong Valley Kichiru Ashbourne<br />
Champion Mature Female<br />
Ambersun Sapphire Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Mature Female<br />
Chersam Sago Chersam<br />
Champion Mature Male<br />
none<br />
SUPREME CHAMPION –<br />
SIERRA VISTA SANTORINI<br />
WANGARATTA SHOW Peter Harris, Thoona<br />
Suris<br />
Champion Junior Female<br />
Ambleside Micholetta Ambleside<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Female<br />
Tahara Iridescence Tahara<br />
Champion Junior Male<br />
Tahara Alkumi Tahara<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Male<br />
Errydge Mallowman Errydge<br />
Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Ambleside Spice Girl Ambleside<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Female<br />
none<br />
Champion Intermediate Male<br />
none<br />
Champion Adult Female<br />
none<br />
Champion Adult Male<br />
<strong>Summer</strong>hill Silken Sontane Eldaraigne<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Male<br />
Chersam Eliseo Chersam<br />
Champion Senior Male<br />
Baarrooka Boy George Eldaraigne<br />
Reserve Champion Senior Male<br />
Thoona Desert Sun Eldaraigne<br />
SUPREME CHAMPION SURI –<br />
TAHARA ALKUMI<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 29<br />
Peter Harris, supported by the Harris family put together<br />
another great show at the lovely pioneer-type pavillion at<br />
the Wangaratta Ag Show. This is a lovely typical country<br />
show and the alpaca display is always very popular. We have<br />
a new convenor taking over from Peter and his team for 2011.<br />
Glen and/or Shirley Hurley will convene this show next year.<br />
HUACAYA SIRES PROGENY -<br />
MILLDUCK MR HIGGINS<br />
CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE<br />
MALAKAI PERFECT PROMISE<br />
RESERVE CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE<br />
MALAKAI FIRE N ICE<br />
SURI SIRES PROGENY -<br />
JOLIMONT ACCOYO MIQUEL<br />
CHAMPION SURI FLEECE<br />
TAHARA ZABAR ET<br />
RESERVE CHAMPION SURI FLEECE<br />
JINGANA MOZART ET
30 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Industry News CONTROLLING WEEDS<br />
Blackberry – Rubus fruticosus aggregate<br />
Q u i c k r e f e r e n c e g u i d e<br />
Prevention<br />
Keep uninfested areas clear of blackberry<br />
and remove isolated plants before they<br />
have a chance to seed.<br />
Herbicide control<br />
Consult a specialist for advice on<br />
registered herbicides in your state or<br />
territory (see the contacts table on p. 4).<br />
Apply herbicide to actively growing<br />
plants – look at the tips of the canes<br />
and spray when they are producing<br />
fresh new leaves.<br />
Physical control<br />
Slashing can help open up dense stands<br />
for follow-up control by other methods,<br />
and in summer can enhance the effect<br />
of blackberry leaf rust.<br />
Mechanical control is difficult and most<br />
of the root system must be removed for<br />
effective control – blackberry will regrow<br />
from any root fragments left in the soil.<br />
In dense infestations bulldozers may be<br />
used to remove plants but follow-up<br />
treatment is essential.<br />
Control options<br />
Control option<br />
Herbicide application<br />
Mechanical removal (incl. grazing)<br />
Burning<br />
Biological control (release rust)<br />
Jan<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
Biological control<br />
Biological control offers the greatest<br />
likelihood for success in large, inaccessible<br />
infestations. The existence of at least 14<br />
different groups or strains of blackberry<br />
in Australia makes biological control<br />
difficult as some groups are more<br />
susceptible to the blackberry leaf rust<br />
than others.<br />
Rust fungi have established well in some<br />
high rainfall areas but have failed to have<br />
an impact elsewhere. Additional rust<br />
strains are being tested in quarantine and<br />
are expected to be released in 2003–04.<br />
Blackberries are easily spread by birds, mammals<br />
and water.<br />
Photo: Kate Blood<br />
The blackberry rust is most effective during late summer and autumn in cool, moist environments<br />
such as Gippsland, Vic.<br />
Photo: El Bruzzese, DPI Vic<br />
Feb<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
Mar<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
Apr<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
May<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
Jun<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓ Optimum times for blackberry control methods<br />
Jul<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
Aug<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
30 mm<br />
© 2003 Information which appears in this guide may be reproduced without written permission provided the source of the information is acknowledged.<br />
Printed in Australia on 100% recycled paper.<br />
ISBN 1-920932-02-X<br />
Disclaimer<br />
While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the CRC for <strong>Australian</strong> Weed Management and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment<br />
and Heritage take no responsibility for its contents, nor for any loss, damage or consequence for any person or body relying on the information, or any error or omission in this publication.<br />
Sep<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
Oct<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
Nov<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
300 mm<br />
Dec<br />
✓<br />
✓<br />
✓
Industry News CONTROLLING WEEDS CONT.<br />
Blackberry – Rubus fruticosus aggregate<br />
Growth calendar<br />
New canes<br />
Flowering<br />
Fruiting<br />
New plants<br />
Germination<br />
Jan<br />
Blackberry has a two-year growth pattern. Young canes start growing in spring,<br />
flowering occurs from late November to late February and fruiting from late<br />
December to April. New (daughter) plants develop at the tips of first-year canes<br />
throughout autumn and winter. Most germination takes place during spring and<br />
early summer.<br />
How it spreads<br />
Feb<br />
Mar<br />
Apr<br />
May<br />
Jun<br />
Jul<br />
General growth pattern<br />
pastures and native ecosystems as well<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 31<br />
Blackberry plants produce clusters of white or<br />
pink flowers.<br />
Photo: Kate Blood<br />
What to do about it<br />
One berry may contain as many as 80<br />
as invade disturbed sites in urban areas.<br />
In badly affected 4 areas, dense infestations The major challenges in managing<br />
seeds which are easily spread by birds, often fill whole gullies and can extend blackberry are to prevent its spread,<br />
mammals (especially foxes) and water. for a width of tens of metres along both<br />
control and reduce existing infestations,<br />
Bushwalkers and other recreational users sides of streams.<br />
and rehabilitate treated areas to prevent<br />
Weed control contacts<br />
reinfestation.<br />
can also spread seeds, as can moving soil<br />
State /<br />
Department<br />
Phone The plant is restricted to Email temperate<br />
Website<br />
from one place to another. Blackberry<br />
In its long history as a noxious weed,<br />
Territory<br />
climates with an annual rainfall of at<br />
roots can be spread to clean areas<br />
blackberry has been managed by a<br />
ACT<br />
Environment ACT<br />
(02) 6207 least 9777 700 mm, EnvironmentACT@act.gov.au<br />
and can occur at any www.environment.act.gov.au<br />
by cultivation.<br />
range of control techniques, including<br />
NSW<br />
NSW Agriculture<br />
1800<br />
altitude<br />
680 244<br />
in Australia.<br />
weeds@agric.nsw.gov.au<br />
Blackberry plants<br />
burning, www.agric.nsw.gov.au<br />
slashing, grazing, grubbing,<br />
Blackberry will persist indefinitely in an grow above the snowline in Victoria at<br />
Qld Dept of Natural Resources and Mines (07) 3896 3111 enquiries@nrm.qld.gov.au chemical www.nrm.qld.gov.au<br />
spraying and biological control.<br />
area unless it is treated. Plants that die about 1950 m altitude.<br />
SA<br />
Dept of Water, Land and (08) 8303 9500 apc@saugov.sa.gov.au Blackberry www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au<br />
management programs must<br />
are replaced Biodiversity by seedlings Conservation or daughter<br />
be planned and sustained over a number<br />
plants produced by nearby individuals. Potential distribution<br />
Tas Dept of Primary Industries, Water and 1300 368 550 Weeds.Enquiries@dpiwe.tas.gov.a of years www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au<br />
to prevent the rapid return of<br />
Vic<br />
WA<br />
Plants may produce Environment up to 13,000 seeds<br />
Blackberry has probably reached the<br />
the infestation.<br />
per Dept square of Primary metre. Industries/Dept of 136 186 customer.service@dpi.vic.gov.au www.dpi.vic.gov.au<br />
climatic limits (in terms of temperature<br />
Sustainability and Environment<br />
Apply www.dse.vic.gov.au<br />
herbicides to healthy<br />
and rainfall) of its potential range in<br />
Where Dept it of grows Agriculture<br />
(08) 9368 3333 enquiries@agric.wa.gov.au plants www.agric.wa.gov.au<br />
Australia. However, individual species may<br />
Australia wide<br />
spread further within these climatic limits. In general, the best time to spray<br />
About <strong>Australian</strong> 8.8 million Pesticides ha of and Australia Veterinary is infested (02) 6272 5852 contact@apvma.gov.au<br />
www.apvma.gov.au<br />
Medicines Authority<br />
A few scattered infestations exist outside blackberry is during the flowering–<br />
with blackberry, which thrives in a wide<br />
of the projected range under ideal fruiting period, but the effective spraying<br />
range of habitats. It can dominate<br />
For up-to-date information on which herbicides are registered to control blackberry and the best application methods and dosages,<br />
conditions in Western Australia. season contact can start your state before or territory flowering and<br />
weed management agency or local council. This information varies from state to state and from time to time. Contact details are listed above, including contacts<br />
extend long after fruiting, into autumn.<br />
for the <strong>Australian</strong> Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, which hosts the PUBCRIS database. This database contains information on all herbicides that are<br />
registered for use on weeds in each <strong>Australian</strong> state and territory.<br />
It is easy to kill young blackberry seedlings<br />
When using herbicides always 60 read mm the label and follow instructions carefully. Particular care should be taken when using with herbicide. herbicides However, near waterways well established<br />
because rainfall running off the land into waterways can carry herbicides with it. Permits from state or territory Environment Protection Authorities<br />
may be required if herbicides are to be sprayed on riverbanks.<br />
blackberry thickets have a large number<br />
of root crowns of different ages, and<br />
Biological control with the and seeds, shorter canes and fewer<br />
the older and bigger ones are usually<br />
blackberry leaf rust<br />
new plants.<br />
hard to kill.<br />
If using herbicides taken up by the leaves,<br />
The program with the greatest likelihood This continuous attack on the leaves<br />
For the full brochure on controlling blackberries, visit http://www.weeds.gov.au/publications/guidelines/wons/pubs/r-fruticosus.pdf.<br />
avoid slashing in the season before<br />
of success in the foreseeable future weakens plants by depleting root<br />
application; it can reduce the effectiveness<br />
Berries change colour from green to red to Blackberry bushes often form thickets up to<br />
includes biological control, particularly reserves. Light can start penetrating the<br />
black as they ripen.<br />
several metres high.<br />
since only the new canes will be available<br />
on large, inaccessible Photo: Kate infestations Blood of thicket, which Photo: helps John revegetation Hosking by other<br />
to take up the herbicide.<br />
blackberry. The blackberry leaf rust plants, especially in autumn and winter.<br />
W e e d M a n a g e m e n t G u i d e • B l a c k b e r r y – R u b u s f r u t i c o s u s a g g r e g a t e<br />
Phragmidium violaceum, which attacks Competing plants can then grow through<br />
the leaves, is now present throughout the blackberry and in turn limit its growth<br />
Aug<br />
2<br />
Sep<br />
Oct<br />
Nov<br />
Dec<br />
25 mm<br />
Blackberry – Rubus fruticosus aggregate
32 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Kidz Korner<br />
GiggleGuts<br />
Knock Knock<br />
Who’s there?<br />
Freep<br />
Freep Who?<br />
No thanks, I don’t want any.<br />
What do you call a very fast llama?<br />
A llamagini.<br />
HOW TO...<br />
Make a felt ball.<br />
Please send your jokes, photos<br />
and stories to Ally <strong>Alpaca</strong>.<br />
mail@baarrooka.com.au<br />
Ingredients: Undyed wool (or alpaca) rovings*, dyed or natural alpaca<br />
rovings, hot soapy water, stocking.<br />
1. Roll the plain wool or alpaca rovings into a ball (like you were<br />
rolling a ball of string).<br />
2. Cover the plain wool with a layer of coloured alpaca rovings<br />
(or carded fleece).<br />
3. Carefully put your ball in the toe of a stocking and tie a knot<br />
behind the ball to keep it tightly in the toe.<br />
4. Using hot soapy water, dip your ball in and squeeze the water<br />
through it gently and then more firmly once it begins to felt<br />
and start sticking together.<br />
Make Your Own Word Search http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-ow...<br />
U K Z F P F Q B G J M Y U F C S R J E D<br />
D I Q T J O L U F N M G H E A T W A V E<br />
V U D H H Y T R E R I F H S U B J P O M<br />
N J B I G L M D I B S T A E W S F N K O<br />
H N W M Z F R J F Z E I H G W A T E R T<br />
H R F H L X O S B W J R F G Y E B P D B<br />
Y U I A N O T L O F Q Q G N I R A E H S<br />
O B J S F B S G H Q M K E I M F W Y H Y<br />
G N I N I A R T R E T L A H M D E T J S<br />
N U Q R I I E C L K A H S O F Q N R O L<br />
I S X Y G N D G W N E W Y S P O V N I R<br />
K V I Y U U N B Y A I L F E I D T X M F<br />
A W C I H O U G T M Z P O T J I I H U B<br />
M T B Y U O H S M L G X A O C Q H U L C<br />
Y B M O U A T I X D R G N U P F Q C P W<br />
A N L O I R N X S U I S P R I N K L E R<br />
H K T R E G B H S R N G N I K A B N U S<br />
D Q S S A J A E R X D K O C G D P R S Q<br />
I A S Q E D T I O S M V Z R A V K N N G<br />
W Y M C E C Y U Z W L Z W R C R I A G T<br />
• BUSHFIRE • CRIA • DAM<br />
• FIREFIGHTING • HALTERTRAINING • HAYMAKING<br />
• HEATSTRESS • HEATWAVE • HOSE<br />
• HOT • IRRIGATION • POOL<br />
• SHADE • SHEARING • SPRINKLER<br />
• SUNBAKING • SUNBURN • SWEAT<br />
• SWIMMING • THUNDERSTORM • WATER<br />
5. Once the surface alpaca wool has stuck to the rest, squeeze out<br />
the excess water and start rubbing<br />
and pressing the ball in your hands;<br />
more firmly as the ball hardens up.<br />
Re-wet with hot soapy water as<br />
needed.<br />
6. When you see hairy fibres<br />
coming out of the stocking all over,<br />
it is time to remove your ball from<br />
the stocking.<br />
7. When you have taken the ball<br />
out of the stocking, it will look a bit<br />
fluffy. Smooth the surface by doing<br />
a bit more soapy rubbing.<br />
8. When you are happy with<br />
your ball, rinse in cold water.<br />
9. Form into a nice round ball<br />
and leave to dry (outside on the<br />
trampoline is a good place!).<br />
10. If you want to make a fun cat<br />
toy, put a bell in the centre of the<br />
wool before you wrap it.<br />
*Note for parents: I use a handful of raw<br />
sheep’s wool and form base balls by<br />
putting a whole heap of balls in the leg<br />
of pantyhose separated by twist ties and<br />
throwing them in with a load (or two)<br />
of washing . Then the kids can decorate<br />
the ball with alpaca fibre and it is a bit<br />
less work.
‘PACA SCAN’<br />
Now available for all of your<br />
<strong>Alpaca</strong> Ultrasound requirements<br />
• Safe<br />
• Reliable<br />
• Cost-effective<br />
• Free travel within 55K radius of Mount Wallace<br />
• Copy of scanned image available for your records<br />
• Measurement of foetus/sac available<br />
• Latest technology<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> Spring <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 33 17<br />
STOP PAYING EXPENSIVE VET FEES<br />
STATEWIDE SERVICE<br />
CONTACT: Pam Baxter, Gurra Park <strong>Alpaca</strong>s<br />
Phone: 03 53608210<br />
Mobile: 041989 1969<br />
Email: pamelabaxter1@bigpond.com<br />
$30+gst per scan (plus travel where applicable)<br />
multiple discounts apply
34 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
VCR Shows<br />
The <strong>Region</strong>’s final show for the season was held at<br />
Bendigo on Sat 23 October and, as usual, was an enjoyable<br />
and well-attended event with 160 animals entered and 58<br />
fleeces. Nerida Aldred, fleece judge, awarded Supreme<br />
Huacayas<br />
Champion Junior Female<br />
Malakai Fashion N Fame ET Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Female<br />
Millduck Nikki-Louise MillDuck<br />
Champion Junior Male<br />
Millduck Narvik MillDuck<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Male<br />
Jigaru Paparazzi Jigaru<br />
Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Malakai Celebrity ET Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Sunnyvale Brown Sugar Vista<br />
Champion Intermediate Male<br />
Millduck Maddox MillDuck<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Male<br />
Ballinfield Tobago Ballinfield<br />
Champion Adult Female<br />
Malakai Fire N Ice Malakai<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Female<br />
Aussie Latte Aussie<br />
Champion Adult Male<br />
Millduck Manhatten MillDuck<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Male<br />
Lentara <strong>Summer</strong> Reign Lentara<br />
Champion Senior Female<br />
Jigaru Moonlight Serenade Jigaru<br />
Reserve Champion Senior Female<br />
Ambersun Sapphire Malakai<br />
BENDIGO SHOW Vicki Hilder, Bywong<br />
Champion Senior Male<br />
Windsong Valley Kichiru Ashbourne<br />
Reserve Champion Senior Male<br />
Malakai Leading Enterprise ET Malakai<br />
SUPREME CHAMPION HUACAYA –<br />
JIGARU MOONLIGHT SERENADE<br />
Suris<br />
Champion Junior Female<br />
Tahara Iridescence Tahara<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Female<br />
Baarrooka Lumina Baarrooka<br />
Champion Junior Male<br />
Tahara Alkumi Tahara<br />
Reserve Champion Junior Male<br />
Baarrooka Wild Card Baarrooka<br />
Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Ambleside Spice Girl Ambleside<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Female<br />
Baarrooka Witchcraft Baarrooka<br />
Champion Intermediate Male<br />
Ambleside Andean Silkwood Ambleside<br />
Reserve Champion Intermediate Male<br />
Baarrooka Heza Sensation Baarrooka<br />
Champion Adult Female<br />
none<br />
Champion Adult Male<br />
Chersam Eliseo Chersam<br />
Huacaya Fleece to Malakai Fire ’n Ice and Supreme Suri Fleece<br />
to Surious Portrait. Animal judge, Steve Ridout, is pictured<br />
with the winning Supreme Champions on the day - Tahara<br />
Iridescence and Jigaru Moonlight Serenade, with happy<br />
owners Di Marshall and Jillian Holmes.<br />
Reserve Champion Adult Male<br />
none<br />
SUPREME CHAMPION SURI –<br />
TAHARA IRIDESCENCE<br />
HUACAYA SIRES PROGENY -<br />
YAAMBA CRUSADER<br />
CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE -<br />
GRACEVILLE DOWNS RAJA<br />
RESERVE CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE<br />
MALAKAI FIRE N ICE<br />
SURI SIRES PROGENY -<br />
KURRAWA TARIQ<br />
CHAMPION SURI FLEECE<br />
SURIOUS PORTRAIT<br />
RESERVE CHAMPION SURI FLEECE<br />
BAARROOKA KISS ET<br />
Below: At Bendigo Agricultural Show on 23<br />
October, animal judge Steve Ridout, was<br />
so impressed with young handler Mikhaila<br />
Rollinson, that he awarded her a special blue<br />
ribbon. Mikhaila is pictured with “Luc”.
Health and Husbandry<br />
Following on from this request, I<br />
too spent a lot of time googling and<br />
reviewing texts. No-one has written a<br />
definitive time-line of the development<br />
of an alpaca foetus, but the information<br />
I was able to obtain has enabled me to<br />
put together an article that should help<br />
determine the age of an aborted foetus<br />
(or one in vitro viewed with the aid of<br />
an ultrasound machine).<br />
Thank you to the breeders who<br />
provided photographs of aborted<br />
foetuses used in this article to illustrate<br />
foetus development.<br />
Abortion is relatively common in<br />
alpacas and for many years dried<br />
foetuses from alpacas and llamas have<br />
been used by the Peruvian people as<br />
good luck charms. They are a common<br />
sight in the marketplaces throughout<br />
South America.<br />
Foetal Development<br />
The fertilised ovum develops into<br />
a blastocyst within 5-6 days. The<br />
blastocyst comprises three parts, the<br />
central blastocoele, an outer layer of<br />
cells, the trophoblast which forms the<br />
placenta and the inner cell mass which<br />
forms the foetus (see Figure 1) (Tibary<br />
2003).<br />
Attachment between the<br />
trophoblast and the uterine wall,<br />
that is, implantation of the embryo,<br />
occurs around 25 days after breeding.<br />
Embryotic loss prior to implantation is<br />
very high (Tibary 2003).<br />
Pregnancies are almost always<br />
carried in the left uterine horn, so if the<br />
embryo originated from an ovulation<br />
in the right ovary, it would need to<br />
migrate to the left uterine horn for<br />
implantation.<br />
DEVELOPMENT OF A FOETUS Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka<br />
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO A<br />
REQUEST FROM A VCR MEMBER WHO WROTE:<br />
“The other night our neighbour rang me to say their dog<br />
had brought what she thought was a cria foetus to their<br />
back door. After inspecting all pregnant girls and none<br />
showing any obvious signs, I was left trying to work out<br />
how old the foetus was to narrow down which girl had<br />
Morphogenesis (the shaping of the<br />
organism, i.e. the foetus has completed<br />
cellular differentiation of cells, tissues<br />
and organs) is completed by 60 days<br />
(Tibary 2003) and the sex of the foetus<br />
can be identified. The foetus grows<br />
very slowly for the first 6 months. The<br />
majority of the growth of the foetus is<br />
within the last trimester (65% weight<br />
gain in last trimester - Tribary 2003;<br />
85% weight gained after day 210 -<br />
Fowler & Bravo 1998).<br />
According to Tibary (2003) the<br />
following weights are achieved in the<br />
10<br />
9<br />
8<br />
7<br />
6<br />
5<br />
4<br />
3<br />
2<br />
1<br />
0<br />
Trophoblast<br />
Blastocoele<br />
Inner cell mass<br />
Figure 1. A diagram of a blastocyst, showing<br />
the various parts that develop into the foetus<br />
and placenta. Photo: Jane Vaughan<br />
Figure 2. <strong>Alpaca</strong> fetal growth during gesta7on<br />
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12<br />
Weight (kg)<br />
Adapted from Fowler & Bravo 1998.<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 35<br />
aborted. The foetus found was 11 inches long but had no<br />
fleece at all, so I started to search through past issues of<br />
<strong>Alpaca</strong>s Australia, The <strong>Yarn</strong> and reference books to find<br />
out at what stage of gestation development does a alpaca<br />
foetus develop fleece -- couldn’t find anything at all not<br />
even when I googled. Very frustrating and interesting that<br />
I couldn’t find anything”<br />
last trimester (assuming an 11.5 month<br />
gestation and a birth weight of 8.9 kg):<br />
8 m 30% birth weight 3.5 kg<br />
9 m 51% bw 4.5 kg<br />
10 m 65% bw 5.8 kg<br />
11 m 98% bw 8.6 kg<br />
11.5 m 100% bw 8.9 kg<br />
In Fowler & Bravo’s paper (1998), the<br />
following weights are given in a graph<br />
(see Figure 2):<br />
5 m approx. 200 g<br />
6 m 500 g<br />
7 m 1.2 kg<br />
8 m 2.5 kg<br />
9 m 4.4 kg<br />
10 m 5.5 kg<br />
11 m 8.5 kg<br />
11.5 m 8.7 kg<br />
Hair appears on the lips, eyebrows<br />
and tail at 7 months gestation and<br />
the foetus is fully covered by fibre<br />
at 8 months (Tibary 2003). The<br />
epidermal membrane forms just before<br />
development of hair and is attached<br />
to the foetus at anus, lips, vulva,<br />
umbilicus, prepuce and the junction of<br />
skin and footpads and nails (Fowler &<br />
Bravo 1998).<br />
The gestational age of a foetus<br />
(either aborted or<br />
viewed by ultrasound)<br />
can be determined by<br />
two calculations. The<br />
first method (Parraguez<br />
et al 1997), used in early<br />
pregnancy, measures<br />
the gestational sac<br />
diameter (GSD) in<br />
cm and determines<br />
gestational age using<br />
the formula:<br />
GA = logGSD +<br />
1.2339/0.0585.
36 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Health and Husbandry<br />
Above: Aborted foetuses at various ages; Top Left - early term abortion, 93 days; Top Centre - early-mid term abortion; Top Right - 6 month old foetus;<br />
Bottom Left - breeder suggested 9 month old foetus, but hair only on eyebrows and lips indicates around 7 months; Bottom Centre - 8.5 month old<br />
foetus - hair growth is evident on body; Bottom Right - mummified aborted foetus - one of twins, the second of which was carried to term.<br />
Photographs supplied by (clockwise from top left): Birrong, Rockville, Carawa Downs. Camelot, Birrong and Baringhup. Thank you to those breeders.<br />
The second method (Haibel &<br />
Fung 1991) is more appropriate for<br />
aborted foetuses and in utero foetuses<br />
greater than 60 days and uses the<br />
measurement of the maximum head<br />
width or biparietal diameter (BPD) in<br />
mm using the formula:<br />
GA = 18.8 +3.79BPD.<br />
Using the BPD method, the head<br />
of the foetus is measured at the<br />
eye sockets and the gestation age<br />
calculated. Using a recently aborted 5<br />
month old foetus with head diameter<br />
of approximately 4.0 cm:<br />
GA = 18.8 + 3.79 x 40<br />
GA = 170 days (5.7 months).<br />
An even easier formula to remember<br />
is the Jane Vaughan one:<br />
GA = 4 x BPD + 20 [She obviously<br />
has trouble with decimals, but this is<br />
an easy one to remember out in the<br />
field or in the vet’s surgery].<br />
DEVELOPMENT OF A FOETUS CONT.<br />
It must be remembered that the<br />
figures quoted above are averages<br />
and that there is a lot of variation in<br />
the size and growth rate of a foetus,<br />
due to environment, dam health and<br />
nutrition and genetics. There is also<br />
a wide range of natural variation in<br />
birth weight of a cria - anything from<br />
6 -11 kg is considered normal. Hence<br />
using weight only to determine the<br />
age of an aborted foetus is likely to be<br />
inaccurate. However, the combination<br />
of weight, developmental indicators<br />
(such as hair growth) and the use<br />
of the BPD formula are likely in<br />
combination to give a good idea of<br />
gestational age.<br />
P. Walter Bravo, in his book The<br />
Reproductive Process of South American<br />
Camelids (out of print) apparently has a<br />
very good series of photos of aborted<br />
foetuses at various ages. I was not able<br />
to access this book, but it would be<br />
worth keep an eye out for it.<br />
References<br />
Fowler, M.E. and P.W. Bravo (1998)<br />
Medicine and Surgery of South American<br />
Camelids (2nd ed) Iowa State University<br />
Press.<br />
Haibel, G.K and E.D. Fung (1991)<br />
Real-time ultrasonic biparietal<br />
diameter measurement for the<br />
prediction of gestational age in llamas.<br />
Theriogenology April 1991 35 (4): 683-<br />
687.<br />
Parraguez, V.H, S Cortez, F.J. Gazitua,<br />
G. Ferrando, V MacNiven, L.A. Raggi<br />
(1997) Early pregnancy diagnosis in<br />
alpaca (Lama pacos) and llama (lama<br />
glama) by ultrasound. Anim Reprod Sci.<br />
May 1997; 47 (1-2):113-21.<br />
Tibary, A. (2003) Reproduction and<br />
Neonatology in E. Hoffman (ed) The<br />
Complete <strong>Alpaca</strong> Book. Bonny Doon<br />
Press.
Fleece & Fibre<br />
WWhhoo iiss bbuuyyiinngg fflleeeeccee??<br />
MMaajjoorr BBuuyyeerrss -- CCuurrrreenntt PPrriiccee GGuuiiddee aass aatt 2255 OOccttoobbeerr 22001100<br />
BBuuyyeerr NNaammee FFlleeeeccee TTyyppee PPrriiccee PPaaiidd<br />
!!FFTT<br />
!AAllppaaccaa UUllttrraaffiinnee BBaallee))<br />
PPhh:: 0022 44883344 22113322<br />
MMoobb:: 00440099 555500 330055<br />
wwwwww..aaaafftt..ccoomm..aauu<br />
!llppaaccaa UUllttiimmaattee<br />
PPhh:: 0022 44883377 33339944<br />
wwwwww..aallppaaccaauullttiimmaattee..ccoomm..aauu<br />
wwwwww..aallppaaccaauullttiimmaattee..ccoomm..aauu<br />
!uussttrraalliiaann !llppaaccaa FFlleeeeccee<br />
LLttdd PPhh:: !33
38 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
<strong>Alpaca</strong>s in History<br />
Sydney Morning Herald 4 December 1858<br />
THE ALPACAS. The flock of alpacas, llamas,<br />
vicunas and their hybrids which, on Sunday<br />
last, arrived per Salvadora, from South<br />
America, are now to be seen in the cricket<br />
enclosure of the outer Domain where, by<br />
permission, they remain for a few days to<br />
recruit their strength after the voyage. They<br />
have during the past two days attracted<br />
many hundreds to the Domain.<br />
Submitted by Vicki Hilder, Bywong <strong>Alpaca</strong>s.<br />
ALPACA VETS SERVICING VCR<br />
NAME LOCATION CONTACT DETAILS<br />
Tiffany Ellis Strathbogie 5795 2811<br />
Andrew Hogan Seymour 5799 1400<br />
Peter Bartram Benalla 5762 6888<br />
Leigh Coghlan Kyneton 5422 1099<br />
Alison Lee Epsom 5430 4508<br />
Phil Stammers Tatura 5824 1755<br />
Please contact the Editor to add or remove names from this list.<br />
SHEARERS SERVICING VCR<br />
NAME LOCATION CONTACT DETAILS<br />
Shane Carey Ballarat 5334 6126 or 0409 270 381<br />
Tim Purcell Stawell 0418 320 655<br />
Graham Moore Strathbogie 5790 5292 or 0428 845 945<br />
Mike Snow Alexandra 0418 516 896 or 5772 2129<br />
John Tully Woodend 0407 564 007<br />
Please contact the Editor to add or remove names from this list.
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong> THE YARN 39
40 THE YARN <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2010</strong>