Yarn Summer 2010 - Victorian Central Region - Australian Alpaca ...

THE YARN 

VICTORIAN CENTRAL REGION MAGAZINE 

VOL. 12 NO. 3 

Summer 2010 

www.viccentral.alpaca.asn.au 

In utero 

development 

of a foetus 

Workshop 

Reports 

VCR Show 

Results 

What is a 

wether 

worth? 

Barber’s Pole Worm 

in Alpacas

2 THE YARN Summer 2010

DISCLAIMER 

While reasonable care is taken in the preparation 

of The Yarn, the Editor and Victorian Central Region 

of the Australian Alpaca Association Ltd do not 

guarantee or warrant the accuracy, reliability, completeness 

or currency of the information published 

or its usefulness in achieving any purpose and take 

no responsibility for the opinions expressed, information 

submitted or products advertised in this 

publication. Articles reflect the personal opinion 

of the Author and do not necessarily represent 

the opinions of the Editor, the VCR or the AAA. All 

submissions are subject to editing. 

VCR PRESIDENT 

Alan Breese 

225 Meaklim Rd, Mooroopna Nth Vic 3629 

Ph: 03 5829 0000 

Fax: 03 5829 0000 

email: apbreese@bigpond.com 

THE YARN EDITOR 

Julie Wilkinson 

PO Box 20 Strathbogie Vic 3666 

BH: 0407 889 669 

AH: 03 5790 5288 

Fax: 03 5790 5205 

email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 

AAA LTD NATIONAL OFFICE 

Australian Alpaca Association Ltd 

PO Box 1076 Mitcham North Vic 3132 

Ph: 03 9873 7700 

Fax: 03 9873 7711 

email: alpaca@alpaca.asn.au 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Australia: four issues (1 year) $25 

Overseas: rates on application 

COPYRIGHT 

The material published in this magazine is subject 

to copyright and may not be reproduced in part 

or whole without the written permission of the 

Author. 

CONTRIBUTIONS 

Editorial contributions are welcome and should 

be emailed to the Editor at jwilkinson@baarrooka. 

com.au. 

CONTENTS 

Front Cover Photograph supplied by Nambi Alpacas 

Page Content 

Summer 2010 THE YARN 3 

8 HEALTH AND HUSBANDRY: BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS 

14 VCR TRAINING: SHEARING AND CLASSING WORKSHOP 

21 NATIONAL SHOW & SALE - TAMWORTH 

22 INDUSTRY NEWS: WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A WETHER? 

26 VCR SHOWS: KYNETON FLEECE SHOW 

27 VCR SHOWS: SEYMOUR SHOW 

28 SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL 

29 VCR SHOWS: WANGARATTA SHOW 

30 INDUSTRY NEWS: CONTROLLING WEEDS - BLACKBERRY 

34 VCR SHOWS: BENDIGO SHOW 

35 HEALTH & HUSBANDRY: DEVELOPMENT OF A FOETUS 

37 

REGULARS 

FLEECE & FIBRE: WHO IS BUYING FLEECE? 

4 FROM THE PRESIDENT 

4 FROM THE EDITOR 

6 COMMITTEE NEWS 

12 BREEDER PROFILE 

13 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

16 SECOND CUTS 

18 STUD MALE SPOTLIGHT 

20 SALEYARD 

32 KIDZ KORNER 

To see this magazine on-line, in colour, visit the VCR website at 


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DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION 

All material for publication in the next edition of The Yarn 

must be submitted by 5 February 2011.

4 THE YARN Summer 2010 

From the President 

By the time you all read this I will have 

been to the Presidents’ meeting and 

look forward to giving you all a detailed 

report as to where we are as an alpaca 

industry in Australia. 

I feel we as a committee have to be 

more open and include all members in 

our region in our decision making. 

We need better education for our 

members especially our new members 

– covering mating, pregnancy, birth and 

cria care, as well as shearing and health 

and husbandry. 

Our show year is now finished with lots 

of winners. Many thanks to all members 

that have shown their animals – without 

you all entering we don’t have a show. 

Also a special thanks to all the 

convenors and their teams of helpers, 

we need you all to make our show year 

a success. 

Our first show for 2011 is Wodonga in 

March. 

Congratulations to our Alpaca of the 

Year winners - both huacaya and suri 

animals and fleeces. 

This year’s Christmas party is at 

Wyterrica Alpacas and I want to thank 

From the Editor 

It is the end of another hectic 

and successful show season. I know 

there are many breeders who do not 

participate in shows, for a variety of 

reasons. However, for some breeders 

showing is a great opportunity to 

socialise with like-minded people 

and catch up with close friends made 

through involvement in the alpaca 

industry. There are many of us who 

use the showing system to benchmark 

our animals against other breeders’, 

check out the progeny of males we 

are considering using and, of course, 

promote our breeding program to new 

and existing breeders. 

However, with the contracting 

economic environment we have 

experienced over the past few years, 

there seems to be more and more 

pressure on breeders to sell animals and 

it seems to be becoming more difficult to 

Wendy and Ross for making their place 

available on December 5th from 11.00 

a.m. Prices are: adults $25.00, children 

5-15 $15.00 and under 5 is free – please 

book by Friday 26th November 2010 with 

Cherie Matheson, RMB 11200 Tocumwal 

NSW 2714. 

In closing I wish all our members and 

alpaca friends a great Christmas and an 

even better New Year. 

Alan Breese 

VCR President 

Alan Breese 

President 

do so. For those breeders who farm alpacas 

full time and do not have the benefit of a 

‘real job’ paying the bills, it is a make or 

break situation. 

Because of these reasons, perhaps, there 

has been a concerning trend for some 

breeders seeming to be wanting to win at 

any cost. Grooming of alpacas seems to 

be on the increase, in contravention of the 

rules which state animals are to be judged 

in paddock condition, and ‘stretching’ 

the showing rules to ones advantage is 

becoming more common. An example: 

at the recent National in Tamworth, the 

inspection stewards noted that there were 

‘an awful lot of junior animals born between 

10-13 April 2010’, so that they were just old 

enough to be shown at the National. A 

coincidence? Or were the dates fudged? 

Not the end of the world, but outside the 

spirit of a fair and level competition. I 

also hear complaints about a number of 

progeny from the same parents (through 

ET) being entered in shows. Some breeders 

HAVE YOU CHECKED 

OUT OUR NEW VCR 

WEBSITE? 

The all new website is up and 

running thanks to Alfons Steiner. 

If you have any information 

suitable to upload or can fill in the 

gaps in the SHOW RESULTS please 

contact Alfons on: 

alfons@highfields.net.au 

Links to your website are available 

for an annual fee of $60. Banner ads 

are also available. Promote yourself 

to the VCR and visitors to the site 

from around Australia and the 

world. Contact Alfons to organise 

a link or ad on 03 5778 9674. 

think this is unfair. Do the showing rules 

need to be changed to allow only one 

cria from a mating to be entered in a 

show? Or is this a fair advantage of the 

investment in ET? 

Hmmm, all food for thought - what 

do you think? 

Merry Christmas to you all and I look 

forward to catching up in 2011. 

Regards, 

Julie

Letter to the Editor 

Show Convenors in this Region seem 

to be a dying breed – and I am not 

surprised!! 

I have now been involved in the 

Seymour Show since late in the 90’s and 

have been convenor for the last 9 years. 

Most exhibitors, it seems to me, 

either do not understand or do not 

care about the time and effort that goes 

into planning and running a show. It is 

great when all goes well but believe me 

there is a lot of hard work and hours of 

angst leading up to a show and even 

during, worrying that all will not go as 

one would want or something will have 

been missed or go wrong. And believe 

me if something goes wrong or if they 

are not happy with the arrangements 

on the day there are plenty to tell you 

about it. 

The catalogue is the biggest headache 

and takes around 3 full days to put 

together – this of course depends on the 

number of entries – it can take longer. 

This task is not helped by alpacas 

entered with the wrong IAR number, in 

wrong classes, whether age, colour or 

sex or type, and fleeces also entered in 

wrong classes, more often than not by 

the age of the fleece and not the animal. 

Then we have exhibitors who send the 

wrong money (too much or not enough 

and even not at all). Health certificates 

are not provided and in some cases 

copies of registration certificates are 

not sent. And in a lot of cases the selfaddressed 

envelope is not included. 

Some of our convenors have jobs as 

well as alpacas and just do not have the 

time to set up the catalogue. 

Once the catalogue is checked and 

rechecked and sent to the printers, 

then exhibit numbers, pen labels and 

exhibitor envelopes have to be printed 

and collated and then there is the pen 

layout and trying to make sure every 

exhibit has a pen allocated – a little 

difficult at Seymour where we only like 

to put small alpacas in the static pens – 

we don’t always succeed. 

Then there are all the other 

arrangements which I just won’t go into 

but take a lot of time. 

I would ask 3 things of the AAA 

Victorian Central Region Committee: 

Available online only at: 

www.creswickwool.com.au 


• That a pre-show season 

education day be run for those 

intending to exhibit in the next 

season – some of our high profile 

studs could do with a refresher 

course!! 

• That convenors be assisted by 

the AAA-VCR more – mainly 

in regards of the set-up of the 

catalogue. Surely somebody 

responsible can be paid to do this 

time-consuming job. It would 

take a lot of work away from the 

convenor as long as they were 

confident that the catalogue was 

correct. 

• That the AAA-VCR liaises with 

Agricultural Societies involved 

to assist the convenors in a more 

smooth setting up of the shows. 

I am sorry if this puts off any possible 

future convenors but I am only saying 

what it takes and how it is. Convenors 

need more help and support in the preshow 

planning period particularly. 

Ann Sales, Davidalla Farm and Seymour 

Show Convenor 

Woollen Mills 

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Committee News 

VCR Committee Amendments 

Please note the following changes to the contact details for VCR Committee Members. 

Exec Committee Email Phone Fax Mobile Stud 

President Alan Breese apbreese@bigpond.com 5829 0000 5829 0000 0407 282 575 Alpam 

Vice President Sam Hearn sam.hearn@bigpond.com 5859 2357 5859 2398 Chersam 

Treasurer Cherie Matheson cherie@rockvillealpacas.com 5883 9271 -‐ 0419 572 595 Rockville 

Secretary Jenn Errey erreyrj@optusnet.com.au 9457 5735 -‐ 0411 556 137 Errydge 

Minute Secretary Heather Burn heburn1958@gmail.com 5420 7881 -‐ 0425 781 641 Breenburn 

Marketing Rohan Dalgleish rohandalgleish@bigpond.com 5384 7446 5384 7209 0427 602 773 Tumi 

Non-‐Committee Portfolio Roles 

Yarn & Publications 

Editor 

Julie Wilkinson jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 5790 5288 5790 5205 0407 889 669 Baarrooka 

WebMaster Alfons Steiner alfons@highfields.net.au 5778 9674 -‐ 0417 539 725 Highfields 

Animal Health & 

Welfare 

Show Convenors 

Coordinator 

Events (Non-‐Show) 

Coordinator 

Tania Shepherd tooroot@bigpond.com 5886 6251 5386 6235 0427 044 731 

AW Alpacas 

Go Organic 

Wendy Hart alpacas@wyterrica.com.au 5872 2050 5872 2050 0408 403 602 Wyterrica 

Barbara Linley barbara.linley@bigpond.com.au 5596 4267 -‐ 0438 897 147 Ambleside 

Membership Services Pam Breese apbreese@bigpond.com 5829 0000 5829 0000 0407 282 575 Alpam 

Fleece Liaison Officer Rohan Dalgleish rohandalgleish@bigpond.com 5384 7446 5384 7209 0427 602 773 Tumi 

VCR Trailer Coordinator 

Show Convenors 

Sam Hearn sam.hearn@bigpond.com 5859 2357 5859 2398 Chersam 

Wodonga 

Wendy Hart & 

Jo Hofer 

alpacas@wyterrica.com.au 

hoferdsl@tpg.com.au 

5872 2050 

02 6026 3835 

5872 2050 

02 6026 3944 

0408 403 602 

0411 025 834 

Wyterrica 

Petlyn Park 

Ballarat Shane Carey Malakai@vic.chariot.net.au 5343 2336 5343 2336 0409 270 381 Malakai 

ASWS [vacant] 

Creswick John Edwards ebbenglade@bigpond.com 5345 6169 5345 6187 0408 991 552 Ebbenglade 

Colourbration 

Glenda Bartlett & 

Jill Smith 

surtierra@bigpond.com 

robiniaestate@bigpond.com 

5470 5757 

0409 643 776 

0427 262 466 

0409 643 776 

Surtierra 

Robinia Estate 

Kyneton Erika Kotsiakos 5423 7232 Yenaminut 

Seymour Ann Sales rodannsales@gmail.com 5433 3789 0423 842 513 Davidalla 

Wangaratta 

Shirley or Glenn 

Hurley 

shirley@karileydownsalpacas.com 57641348 0427 506 487 Kariley Downs 

Bendigo 

Meddwyn 

Coleman 

meddwyn@hotmail.com 5448 8032 03 5441 2812 0438 447 060 Lee Carrow 

VCR 2011 Ultimate Raffles 

Your chance to win an elite stud service donated by leading VCR studs 

Only 2 raffles – 1x Huacaya Stud Service & 1x Suri Stud Service 

Only 30 tickets for each raffle 

Tickets only $100 each on sale from May 2011 

Details of prize stud services now being finalised and will be advertised in the March edition of The Yarn

Committee News 

A brief summary of some of the issues 

discussed at our recent meeting is below 

and will be posted on our updated website. 

Finances 

Our bank balance has now been 

restored to a more comfortable position 

than experienced for the past 15 months. 

The VCR Raffles drawn at Colourbration 

2010 were a resounding success and the 

committee has resolved to run them 

again in the same format during 2011. 

Colourbration returned a comfortable 

margin of over $4000 to the region 

and Deborah Patti has confirmed the 

success of the show as a stand-alone 

event. She is to be congratulated for the 

on-going success of the event under her 

stewardship and confirming its viability 

and status in the national show calendar. 

Invoice payment processes are under 

review with a view to improve timeliness. 

2011 Events 

The 2011 events program is published 

elsewhere in this edition of The Yarn and 

on the website. It is a very full program 

and VCR members will note that there is 

a series of dates set aside for workshops 

throughout the year. The workshop 

program is currently being confirmed 

by Barbara Linley and members will be 

advised as soon as the first workshop 

details are finalised. 

Fees for all workshops are being set at 

$60/single, $100/couple with light lunch 

& refreshments provided. 

Seymour Farm Expo fees will be revised 

again to ensure that the event breaks 

even for the region. 

The Australian Sheep & Wool Show as 

an event is under review and its format 

may change for 2011. Discussions are 

being held with the ASBA over the event 

and members will be advised as soon as 

details are available. Regardless, we need 

a convenor to volunteer to take charge of 

the event once it is finalised. 

Colourbration, Wangaratta and 

Bendigo Shows all have new convenors 

in place for 2011. 

The Royal Melbourne Show alpaca 

event is under review by a combined 

team from VCR, VWR and VER together 

with the Royal Melbourne Ag Society. 

The facilities that can be provided at 

the Melbourne Showgrounds are selflimiting 

and some radical changes to 

the program are in the wind. They may 

not be implemented in time for the 2011 

event but should be in place for 2012 to 

enable the show to be restored to its 

premier position on the annual show 

calendar. 

AAA Annual President’s meeting 

Alan Breese attended the 6-monthly 

Regional Presidents and Council 

meetings in November. Some of the 

main points to be noted for members 

are as follows: 

• Strategic Plan development is going 

well; 

• review of the by-laws is underway 

with the auditors to address 

some of the anomalies that have 

surfaced in their construction since 

the implementation of the new 

corporate structure; 

• fees structure is being closely 

scrutinised with a view to 

implementing some substantive 

changes in the future; 

• direct debiting processes will be 

improved for payments to the AAA; 

• new colour charts are being 

developed; 

• a program for training for fleece 

classing and a shearing protocol 

for AAA endorsement are being 

investigated for implementation; 

and 

• NLIS is still being planned for 

implementation by July 2011. This 

will include electronic tagging 

systems. 

VCR Awards 

Counting for the huacaya and suri 

Alpacas and Fleeces of the Year awards 

are in hand under Audit Committee 

supervision. These awards will be 

presented at the annual Xmas lunch 

on Sunday 05th December. The award 

criteria will be reviewed for 2011. 

The Yarn 

The Yarn is being produced as a cost 

neutral publication thanks to Julie 

Wilkinson’s diligent work. Non-financial 


VCR COMMITTEE MEETING SUMMARY Jenn Errey, VCR Secretary 

advertisers have been removed from 

the publication. Members are being 

encouraged to actively participate in the 

advertising opportunities that it presents 

to the region. 

VCR website 

The new website has been very 

positively received by the membership as 

Alfons works to enhance its functionality 

and usability for members and the public. 

Only a small number of VCR members 

have taken up the opportunity to have 

their websites linked to the VCR website 

for an annual fee of $60. This uptake is 

being reviewed together with the format 

for the presentation of the links to see if 

this can be enhanced. 

Costs to link the Colourbration website 

with the VCR website remain prohibitive 

so it will continue unlinked at present. 

This matter is closely under review 

looking at future options. 

Fund raising 

The success of the 2010 VCR Raffles for 

Huacaya & Suri Stud Sire Services as a 

fund raising event was acknowledged 

and they will be run again in 2011 in a 

similar format. 

We are fortunate to have one of 

the nation’s major fleece buyers and 

supporters of the national alpaca industry 

located in our region and supporting 

many events. Sponsorship arrangements 

the region have with Creswick Woollen 

Mills are to be renegotiated to improve 

certainty of the arrangements for both 

parties. 

Committee, Portfolio and 

Convenor roles 

An updated list has been published 

elsewhere and on the website including 

the new show convenors for 2011. 

VCR Float 

The VCR float will be extensively 

repaired and reorganised over the 

summer period to redistribute its loading. 

This may negate the need to purchase a 

new float for the region.


Health and Husbandry 

The gastrointestinal parasite Haemonchus spp. is 

better known as the barber’s pole worm (BPW) because 

the adult female worm has a white tubular uterus that 

winds around the blood-filled tubular gut, giving the 

Figure 1. Adult female barber’s pole worms 

(photo: CSIRO Australia) 

BPW is usually associated with 

prolonged warm, moist conditions so is 

rarely seen in winter unless it is mild and 

is traditionally seen in wet summers. Bear 

in mind that BPW is widespread across 

farms, and waits for ideal conditions 

to rear its ugly head. Just because you 

have never had it diagnosed on your farm 

before, do not assume it does not exist on 

your farm. Alpacas are bought and sold 

and agisted all over the countryside and 

take their parasites with them too. 

Lifecycle 

Adult BPW are located in the third 

stomach compartment of the alpaca. 

They attach to the lining of the stomach 

and suck blood. Female BPW lay massive 

numbers of eggs every day (up to 

10,000), which pass out in the alpaca’s 

faeces (Figure 2). In mild-warm, moist 

conditions, the eggs hatch out in the 

faeces and live on bacteria in the faeces 

as they moult from the first larval stage, 

L1, to the second, L2. Larvae develop 

to the infective stage (L3) over 7 days 

under ideal conditions (but may take 

up to 5 weeks) and migrate out of the 

faecal pellets after heavy dew or rain. 

Infective larvae move up leaf blades in 

films of moisture in warm weather and 

BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS Jane Vaughan, Criagenesis 

are ingested during grazing. The larvae 

continue development as they pass 

through the first two compartments 

of the stomach, and arrive at C3 as an 

immature worm. They attach to the lining 

of C3, and suck blood. When they reach 

sexual maturity they mate and begin 

laying eggs. It takes 21-28 days from the 

time an alpaca eats infective larvae until 

those BPW begin laying eggs. 

Clinical signs 

Because BPW are such prolific egg 

layers, livestock can ingest massive 

numbers of larvae from the pasture and 

be found suddenly dead in the paddock. 

Other alpacas in the group will be illthrifty 

and exhibit sudden weight loss 

(what has your regular body condition 

scoring told you about the herd?) and 

severe anaemia (have a look at mucus 

membranes in mouth, vulva, and around 

the eyes for pale colour). Some alpacas 

have been described 

as having ‘bottle jaw’ 

where the skin under 

the jaw becomes 

oedematous and 

swollen because 

the animal is 

hypoproteinaemic 

(low blood proteins, 

so plasma oozes out of 

the blood vessels into 

the skin). Note that 

if drench resistance 

exists on your farm, 

you will see these 

clinical signs despite 

having drenched 

recently. 

To get an idea of 

how voracious these 

worms are, BPW suck 

approximately 0.05 

look of a barber’s pole (Figure 1). Yes, this parasite is a 

blood sucker of domestic livestock, causing anaemia and 

ill thrift and can kill alpacas (and sheep, cattle and goats) 

quickly and in high numbers. 

mL blood per day in sheep. So an animal 

carrying 2000 worms loses 100 mL blood 

per day. A 50 kg sheep has around 4 litres 

of blood so it will only take 10 days for the 

BPW to consume a litre of blood. A sheep 

this heavily infected would have a worm 

egg count of 10,000 eggs per gram. 

Diagnosis 

1. Dead alpacas. It is important to look 

for BPW in the correct place! Adult and 

larval forms of BPW are found in the 

third compartment of the stomach not 

the small intestine. Adult female worms 

are 20-30 mm long, quite fine and have 

the characteristic red and white stripes, 

males are about 15 mm long and larvae 

are smaller. They are all attached to the 

lining of C3 in large numbers (because 

they have killed the alpaca). 

2. Faeces. Fresh samples of faeces 

should be collected directly from the 

Figure 2. Lifecycle of barber’s pole worm is similar in alpacas, 

cattle, sheep and goats.


rectum of approximately 10 alpacas in 

each mob using a gloved finger. 10-15 

faecal pellets should be collected from 

each animal and placed into separate 

freezer bags. Air should be excluded 

from the bag and bags placed into 

the refrigerator and kept cool during 

shipment to the laboratory. Collect 

samples early in the week so they do not 

get lost in transit over the weekend. Do 

not freeze faeces. Alternatively, move 

alpacas to a communal dung pile and 

hold them there for 10-15 minutes then 

collect warm samples from the dung 

pile in a similar fashion. Most strongyle 

worms, such as Ostertagia spp. and 

Trichostrongylus spp. lay 10’s to 100’s of 

eggs per gram of faeces. BPW lay 1000’s 

to 10,000’s eggs per gram of faeces. 

BPW eggs look similar to other 

strongyle eggs found in alpacas 

(Figure 3). If egg counts are very high, 

it is a fair assumption BPW is involved. 

If counts are in their 100’s, then the 

only definitive method of diagnosis is 

to ask the laboratory to perform worm 

egg incubation, larval culture and 

identification. 

Sometimes alpacas will pick up massive 

numbers of larvae from the pasture and 

die before larval forms of BPW have had 

time to mature and begin egg laying in 

Figure 3. Strongyle eggs. 

C3. Worm egg counts may be zero or low, 

but diagnosis will be made at autopsy 

by the presence of larvae in C3. If worm 

egg counts are low, and larval BPW is 

suspected, it is possible to test faeces 

for occult blood in the faeces using tests 

such as Occultest ® or Hematest ® as 

larvae are ‘messy feeders’ and spill blood 

into the gut of the host. 

Treatment 

Been ‘saving that drench for an 

important event’? Been avoiding overuse 

of drenches to reduce the risk of causing 

drench resistance? I hope so. This is the 

time to use your effective drench! Do 

not delay once a diagnosis has been 

confirmed or you will lose more animals. 

There are many different drenches 

available to use against BPW. There 

are (a) narrow spectrum drenches that 

target BPW, (b) broad spectrum drenches 

that kill BPW and other worms in the 

gastrointestinal system, (c) short-acting 

drenches and (d) long-acting drenches. 

It is essential that you select a drench 

in consultation with your veterinarian 

that is effective and will perform the job 

you require. That is, the selected drench 

will kill the worms you are targeting and 

that the parasites are not resistant to the 

active ingredient from over-use of the 

drench. 


BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS CONT. 

Effective short-acting drenches 

basically eliminate the worm burden 

in the alpaca on the day of drenching. 

Animals continue to pick up more 

infective larva with every mouthful, but 

they do not start re-infecting the pasture 

with worm eggs for another 21-28 days 

(the period it takes for the ingested 

larvae to mature, mate and start laying 

eggs) so become reinfected quickly 

if you are unable to drench and move 

onto a ‘clean’ paddock. The definition 

of a clean paddock is one that has been 

rested completely for more than 3 

months or has had a crop/hay recently 

harvested. Most alpaca farms do not have 

‘clean’ paddocks once BPW infection is 

established – assume there is BPW in 

every mob on the property. 

With the advent of long-acting 

drenches in the ivermectin family 

(macrocyclic lactones, MLs) you are able 

to use injectable drench in this family 

that will kill the current burden of worms 

and keep killing ingested larvae for 

approximately 2-4 weeks, depending on 

the actual drench used. You are therefore 

able to protect the herd for 4-8 weeks 

(as it takes worms another 21-28 days to 

start laying eggs), which allows you to 

sort out paddocks, perform worm egg 

counts to monitor, and also, move into 

the cooler weather of autumn. Cooler 

environmental temperatures will kill 

larvae on the pasture. It is standard 

practice in camelids to administer 

drenches in the ivermectin family at 

1.5 times the cattle dose stated on the 

packet. I recommend injectable drenches 

over pour-on or oral drenches in alpacas 

to make sure they are receiving the active 

ingredient. 

Before you treat your animals, carefully 

read the directions for use of the selected 

drench. Shake the container so the 

drench is mixed evenly. Make sure you 

weigh some of the largest animals in the 

group and treat to the heaviest in the 

mob so that no animal is under-dosed. If 

the group has a wide range of weights, 

divide into lighter and heavier mobs so 

the smaller animals are not overdosed. 

Calculate the correct dose. Ensure



drenching equipment, delivered via both 

injectable and oral routes, is calibrated 

to deliver the correct dose (and check 

throughout the day). Ensure drench is not 

spilled during drenching. If you are using 

an oral drench, place the drench gun over 

the back of the tongue and allow time for 

the alpaca to swallow. If injecting, place 

the needle subcutaneously. Do not hold 

drenched animals off water for too long 

after treatment. 

Remember that no drugs are registered 

for use in alpacas and you should work 

in close consultation with your local 

veterinarian to obtain appropriate 

information about off-label use of 

drenches. 

Prevention 

Monitor worm burdens regularly in 

your herd by collecting fresh faeces and 

testing for worm egg output in the herd. 

Worm egg counts are given as a measure 

of numbers of parasite eggs per gram 

of faeces. The animals most at risk with 

gastrointestinal parasitism are the late 

pregnant females, lactating females with 

crias at foot, and recently weaned stock. 

Parasites in C3 are able to detect when 

livestock are about to give birth through 

hormonal changes in the pregnant 

female, and start producing many more 

eggs per gram than in non-pregnant 

BARBER’S POLE WORM IN ALPACAS CONT. 

females. The pasture then becomes 

heavily contaminated and newly born 

cria are then exposed to the worms on 

the pasture as they start grazing. Beware 

of BPW though as it may strike males and 

non-lactating females as well. 

There is only one routine drench that 

should be performed on any farm and 

that is to crias at the time of weaning. 

You should not routinely drench the herd 

‘twice a year’ or ‘at shearing’ just because 

someone told you to! Never wean crias 

onto a pasture that has had heavily 

pregnant and/or lactating females with 

crias at foot grazing on it in the last year 

(yes, year!) otherwise you will put them 

on a contaminated pasture at high risk of 

parasitism. Plan your weaning paddock 

a year in advance so that after they have 

been drenched, they can be placed onto 

a ‘clean’ paddock. 

You should also monitor for drench 

resistance (where a drench is no longer 

effective at killing more than 95 % of 

worms in the gastrointestinal tract) by 

collecting faeces from alpacas 10-12 days 

after drenching. There should be greater 

than 95 % reduction in worm egg count 

between pre- and post-drench worm 

egg counts if the drench is effective. You 

will need to perform a Worm Egg Count 

Congenital Deformities 

While not a pleasant topic, congenital deformities do occur in alpacas. 

There are a number of reasons for deformities at birth and they are not 

necessarily genetic faults. Causes can include heat stress, viruses or illness 

during gestation, drugs, poisonous plants, trauma to foetus and malnutrition. 

The decision whether to rebreed the dam and sire after they produce a cria 

with deformities should be made with consideration to the potential cause. 

If you have a deformed cria born, you can help the research being undertaken 

by Melbourne University on identifying the genes responsible for these faults 

by providing a blood and/or tissue sample to the researchers: 

Contact: 

Dr. Belinda Appleton 

Department of Genetics, 

The University of Melbourne 

Victoria, Australia, 3010 

Phone: 03 83445137 (or 83446240) 

b.appleton@unimelb.edu.au 

Reduction Test if drench resistance is 

suspected. 

It is possible to perform your own worm 

egg counts. You will need a microscope, 

egg counting chamber, graduated 

beakers, pipettes and saturated salt 

solution. Training courses are run 

intermittently by your local department 

of agriculture or local veterinarian. 

There is currently a test being 

developed in Australia, called the 

‘Haemonchus dipstick’, that will allow 

farmers to test faeces for blood on 

farm. The dipstick test will take about 

30 minutes and will change colour 

according to the amount of blood in the 

faeces. The more worms in C3, the more 

blood in the faeces and the higher the 

reading on the dipstick. 

Selection of animals with innate 

resistance to parasites (known as ‘host 

resistance’) has been undertaken in 

sheep for many years. It is possible to 

perform worm egg counts at weaning 

(and therefore before they have been 

drenched for worms) and select sires with 

the lowest worm egg counts at weaning. 

These animals will pass on the trait of 

having lower worm egg counts in their 

offspring.

SHEARING DAY FOR 

WEANLINGS AND BABIES 

What are you guys in for? 

Now look, I’m the oldest, so listen up an’ nothing will go wrong. 

If we make ourselves really, really small no-one will notice us. 

Submitted by Jill Smith, Robinia Estate 


www.camelotalpacas.com.au 

e: nicolas@camelotalpacas.com.au 

p: 03-5427 0165 

Camelot King Arthur - Solid 

White Male 

Sire: Windsong Valley Iceman 

(SW) 

Dam: Camelot Avalon (SW) 

[1st progeny of Camelot 

Tor, recently won Supreme 

Champion fleece Royal 

Melbourne Show 2010] 

DOB: 16.01.2009 

Fibre results 2009: 18.8u, 

4.0SD, 21.1%CV 

Reserve Champion Jnr Male - Ballarat 2009 

1st Jnr White Male - Colourbration 2009 

3rd Jnr White Male - Royal Melbourne Show 2009 

2nd 6-12mths white fleece class Royal Melbourne Show 

2010 

1st Werribee Alpaca Fest 2008 

3rd Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show 2008 

Windsong Valley 

Highland Chief - Solid 

Light Fawn Male 

Sire: Windsong Valley 

Kosiosko (SW) 

Dam: Windsong Valley 

Lotus Blossom (SW) 

[the ‘Blossom’ line is 

recognised as one of 

Windsong Valley’s best] 

DOB: 16.11.2007 

Fibre results 2009: 17.9u, 

3.8uSD, 21.4CV, 2.6kg 

Stud Males Available 

Dec 2010 

For a limited period at $800.00 on farm. 

Mobiles negotiable.


Breeder Profile 

Five minutes with... 

Family: Wife Lyndall, one Bearded Collie, one Afghan 

Hound and eight Long Haired Dachshunds. Plus twenty 

six alpacas. 

Describe yourself in three words: Quiet, considerate, 

laid back. 

Likes: Judging and showing dogs. Breeding animals. 

Travel. 

Dislikes: currently Capeweed. 

Best thing about your job: Being my own boss. 

Worst thing about your job: Doesn’t pay enough for 

my extravagant taste. 

Pet hate: Those who shouldn’t own animals. 

I couldn’t live without: A Pooper Scooper ! 

What are you reading: ‘Letters from Cicely’ based on 

the ‘Northern Exposure’ TV series and ‘Why men don’t 

listen and women can’t read maps’ by Allan and Barbara 

Pease. Compulsory reading for all men ! 

Favourite Restaurant: Spoilt for choice in Ballarat. 

Favourite TV Show: Two and a Half Men (and Junior 

Master-chef). 

Biggest fear: Spiders and heights. 

Favourite pastime: Attending shows. 

Secret talent: Great soup cook. 

Best conversation icebreaker: How did you go today ? 

Favourite saying: If you always do what you have 

always done, you will always get what you have always 

got. 

Favourite joke: Anything rude ! 

JIM BLACK 

BRIAMIST ALPACAS 

Most embarrassing moment: There have been quite 

a few. Putting petrol in my wife’s diesel car, etc. 

Victoria’s best kept secret: Maldon Icecream Shop. 

Best thing to do on a weekend: Attend dog and 

alpaca shows. 

Best holiday spot: Beachside hotel on Hawaii – great 

shopping and food. 

What others say about you: Should smile more. 

What makes you laugh: The company of our friends. 

Biggest waste of time: Waiting in a traffic jam or doing 

the dishes. 

Best thing to spend money on: Shoes and ties. 

Most memorable moment: Seeing ‘The Big Five’ on 

the first day at Kruger National Park. 

What is your favourite website: Dogzonline. 

Who would you most like to sit next to on a plane: 

My wife, Lyndall. 

The song you never want to hear again: The horse 

with no name. 

What would you never do again: Smoke. 

Who do you find inspiring: The youth of today – so 

confident and competent. 

Who would you most like to meet: The Dalai Lama. 

What do you want more of: Weekends. 

What would you be doing if you weren’t at dog and 

alpaca shows: Catching up on property chores (more 

likely having a long lunch with friends). 

Tell us something we don’t know about you: I 

attempt to play a didgeridoo.

VICTORIAN CENTRAL REGION 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 


Date Event What’s On Venue Contact 

DEC 

5 

OGM/XMAS/VCR 

COMMITTEE MEETING 

Join other members for 

a relaxing meal and a 

bit of fun. 

FEB 13 VCR MEETING Committee, Portfolio 

Holders and Show 

Convenors Meeting 

FEB 

18-20 

MAR 

5 OR 6 

SEYMOUR 

ALTERNATIVE FARMING 

EXPO 

Wyterrica Alpacas 

Cottons Rd 

COBRAM 

Promotional Display Seymour 

Showgrounds 

WENDY HART 

5872 2050 

0408 403 602 

TBA JENN ERREY 

9457 5735 

ROD & ANN SALES 

5433 3789 

VCR TRAINING DAY TBA TBA BARBARA LINLEY 

5596 4267 

0438 897 147 

MAR 19 WODONGA SHOW Alpaca Halter and 

Fleece Show 

Wodonga 

Showgrounds 

WENDY HART 

5872 2050 

APR 9 OGM VCR Members Meeting TBA (Bendigo area) JENN ERREY 

9457 5735 

MAY 29 

OR 30 

JULY 2 

OR 3 


5596 4267 

0438 897 147 


5596 4267 

0438 897 147 

THANK YOU! 

Thank you to all the people who supported this issue of 

‘The Yarn’. Now it is looking like a regional mag should. 

Please don’t make me have to whinge, nag and harangue 

each issue, like I did for the last two - it’s not a good look! 

Thanks - Ed. 

This VCR Events Calendar will be updated with further details and changes in 

each issue of The Yarn. Please refer to the VCR website for the latest version. 

P.S. The VER magazine had over $3000 of advertising in 

their last issue --whoops, am I nagging again?!


VCR TRAINING 

SHEARING 

AND CLASSING 

WORKSHOP 

Amid the coolish winds of Strathbogie, the 

alpaca fleece was flying. 

Thirty people attended the Alpaca Classing and 

Shearing Workshop on 18 and 19 September, held at 

Baarrooka. The workshop covered planning and set-up 

for shearing day, all about combs and cutters, shearing 

and rousabouting (or pre-classing), classing of fleeces 

for processing and measuring, recording and using the 

fleece data (fineness, consistency, length, weight, etc) to 

enhance breeding decisions. Participants were divided 

into groups of 4-5 and moved around four stations, each 

with its own instructor, to work on each of these aspects. 

The combs and cutters, shearing and rousing, 

fleece classing and measuring stations provided the 

participants with experiences which involved taking 

off their breeders hat and putting on a fleece hat. The 

workshop took people through the shearing, skirting, 

classing and measuring process – all was very hands 

on, which enabled both new and old breeders to think 

about how these processes might be applied for their 

own shearing and fleece sorting tasks. 

The participants enjoyed talking directly with the 

shearers, Graeme and Peter about the mechanics of the 

alpaca shearing process. And it was a unique experience 

to listen to experienced shearers about the importance 

of shearing blades and shearing techniques. 

The participants had hands-on experiences to skirt, 

class and measure both suri and huacaya fleeces 

and during the process many myths were dispelled, 

particularly about suri fleece. 

The social chat at lunchtime over delicious hot soup 

enabled breeders to swap stories and banter. 

The workshop presenters – Graeme Moore, Peter 

White, Julie Wilkinson, Robyn Betts and Jenny Hall also 

enjoyed the opportunity to talk with breeders about 

the most important aspect of both suri and huacaya 

alpacas - the fleece and how it can be valued through 

the shearing and classing process. 

Submitted by Robyn Betts, Jaegar

Chiquita Mikhail 

Huacaya stud male certification 21/03/2007 

IAR: A83790 DOB: 4/05/2005 Colour: Solid white 

Histogram: 3/11/2009 Mic 24.5 SD 4.5 CV 18.5 CF 89.9% 

Outstanding genetics 

Purrumbete Highlander (S) W 

Sire: Adelyn Highland Mist (S) W 

Purrumbete Flamingo (S) W 


PPPeruvian Legend (S) W Imported from USA 

Dam: Chiquita Chantilly (S) W 

Peruvian Anne’ Nouveaux (S) W Imported from USA 

• Elite stud male with outstanding animal and fleece show record including six supreme champions. 

• Excellent conformation and temperament; extremely dense and lustrous fleece. 

• Exceptional genetics of both parents; now siring outstanding cria. 

These genetics remain in Central Victoria with new owners Ann and Rod Sales of Davidalla Alpaca Stud 

(Heathcote) and Margaret and Ian Findley of Providence Valley Alpaca Stud (Yea). 

Matings: $700 +GST drive-by. Discount for multiple matings. Live cria guaranteed. 

Contact: Rod and Ann Sales 03 5433 3789 / 0418 131 619 

Margaret and Ian Findley 03 5797 2776 / 03 5797 2270


SECOND CUTS... alpaca news from around the world 

NZ Shaky Show 

O 

ganising a national show 

and sale is a big undertaking 

in itself, but bear a thought 

for our New Zealand counterparts who 

had to deal with an earthquake in the 

middle of their preparations for this 

year’s National at the beginning of October. 

The event, held in Christchurch 

in the south island, went ahead despite 

there being numerous road closures 

and damaged buildings in the areas 

surrounding the show venue. In typi- 

cal Kiwi fashion, the organisers merely 

posted new road directions to get exhibitors 

and visitors to the venue and 

continued to plan for their flagship 

show. In the words of co-convenor Kit 

Johnson: 

“The National Alpaca Expo 2010 

is going ahead despite the recent 

earthquake in Christchurch. The 

RDA building and the Canterbury 

Agricultural Park are undamaged. 

Earthquake damage has been 

mainly restricted to older buildings. 

Most roads and Christchurch 

International airport are open and 

U.S.A 

AUCTION OF EMBRYO TRANSFER FOETUS 

Sunset Hills Farm Alpacas has set the 

cat amongst the pigeons in the US by 

putting an embryo up for auction at a 

recent well-known annual auction. As 

the US alpaca industry does not allow 

registration of cria born using embryo 

transfer (ET) technology on the Alpaca 

Registry, breeders were up in arms about 

what this ‘marketing gimmick’ meant and 

whether it was time the discussion about 

ET was reopened. 

Claims made on the AlpacaNation 

forum included: 

• breeders are using ET already 

covertly and then picking the 

best ET progeny (of the preferred 

gender) to register on the ARI as a 

natural offspring; 

• ET progeny have fertility issues; 

• allowing ET will result in a 

population explosion and reduce 

the value of the American alpaca; 

• allowing ET will widen the gap 

between the rich/big farms and 

the small farms; 

• the US alpaca industry is already 

a decade behind NZ and Australia 

because they have focused on 

the ‘breeder market’ rather than a 

UK Alpaca Ugg boots? 

A UK-based designer who was 

born in Peru, Paloma Vivanco, 

has developed a gorgeous range 

of very fine alpaca knits in great 

modern designs. She is busy 

promoting the benefits of alpaca 

fibre for high fashion garments. 

The garments are handcrafted 

in Peru by ‘rural communities 

with years of expertise and 

integrity’ and are sold in high end 

boutiques in London. 

accommodation providers are operating as 

normal. 

We look forward to seeing you in the 

garden city. “ 

fleece industry and not allowing ET 

when those leading countries are 

using it will just have the US falling 

further behind. 

Ohio State 

University 

(OSU) has 

been involved 

in an Embryo 

Transfer 

program and 

has obtained 

the advice 

and expertise 

of our very 

own Dr Jane 

Vaughan. 

Paloma says she would like to look 

at producing coats next and has been 

asked about alpaca ugg boots. Watch 

this space! www.inacia.com

� 

� 

� 

� 



p: 03-‐5427 0165 

� 

� 



p: 03-5427 0165 


rose grey/roan stud stock clearance� 

rose grey/roan stud stock clearance 

ℵ�Camelot Nimue -‐ Rose Grey Female� 

Sire: Distinction Pale Sunset (RG/R) by Blue Grass Waterloo Sunset (RG/R) 

Dam: Camelot Lady of Shallot (RG/R) 

DOB: 7.01.2010 

Fleece results coming $1,700.00 

ℵ�Camelot Lady of Shallot -‐ Roan Female� 

Sire: Arcady Taboo (MBR/Roan) 

Dam: Camelot Lady of the Lake (RG/R) 

DOB: 16.01.2008 

$1,500.00 

18.1u, 4.2uSD, 23.1%CV (1st) 

23u, 4.7uSD, 20.2%CV (2nd) 

� 

ℵ�Camelot Fierdaze -‐ potential Rose Grey Stud Male� 

Sire: Arcady Taboo (MBR/Roan) 

Dam: Camelot Lady of the Lake (RG/R) 

DOB: 4.01.2009 

18.5u, 4.9uSD, 26.6%CV (1st) $1,800.00 

ℵ�Arcady Taboo -‐ Certified MBR/Roan Male� 

Sire: Arcady Voodoo (LG) 

Dam: Arcady Jaffa (LBR) 

DOB: 24.04.2005 

Eager and extremely fertile male with keenly sought 

grey genetics -‐ has produced MF, RG and LG to date 

Packages negotiable and all offers considered. Please call or email for further details.�


Stud Male Spotlight Parrindi Solomon 

Ballinfield Toscanini 

Solid White DOB: 11/4/2005 

Sire: Benleigh Sonata Ben (SW) 

Dam: Ballinfield Tiramisu (SW) 

Fleece: 17.8μ 4.0sd 22.3CV 99.4CF 

Toscanini has the Genetics of Shanbrooke 

and Benleigh (including Inti bloodlines). 

His fleece results makes him a winner in 

any breeding program. He is quiet and 

easy to handle. 

Stud Fee $450 

Discounts for Multiple Matings. Mobile matings by negotiation 

Als Place Alpacas, Heathcote Junction (Near Wallan) 

Contact: Jenny: 0413031711 Tom: 0413334888 

email: jennifergawne@yahoo.com.au 2/4 

Ballinfield Lemon Tree 

Dark Fawn DOB: 2/1/2006 

Sire: Benleigh Sonata Ben (SW) 

Dam: Ballinfield Marmalade (S LBR) 

Fleece: 22.3μ 5.8sd 26.1CV 89.9CF 

Lemon has a loveable nature, very 

gentle and easy to handle, with Benleigh 

Genetics (including Inti bloodlines). For 

breeders looking for colours. 

Stud Fee $320 

Discounts for Multiple Matings. Mobile matings by negotiation 

Als Place Alpacas, Heathcote Junction (Near Wallan) 

Contact: Jenny: 0413031711 Tom: 0413334888 

email: jennifergawne@yahoo.com.au 2/4 

Kariley Downs Valentino Man 

Mediun Fawn DOB: 14/02/2002 

Sire: Cedar House Jacomo (SW) 

Dam: Willows Ro Ice Girl (SW) 

Multiple ribbon winner at Sydney and 

Melbourne Royals and Nationals, producing 

quality progeny. This fine, upstanding male 

has good bone and continues to maintain a 

dense crimpy fleece which is highly evident 

even into his 9th fleece. 

8th fleece 24.5 μ 4.6sd 18.6CV 

Stud Fee $660 

Discounts for Multiple Matings and remates.Kariley Downs Alpacas, 

Benalla. 

Contact: Shirley or Glen Hurley: 5764 1348 

email: shirley@karileydownsalpacas.com 3/4 

MillDuck Mr. Higgins 

Solid Light Fawn DOB: 13.4.2004 

Sire: Fine Choice Peruvian Ultimo 

Dam: Millduck Forget Me Not (Auzengate 

& Royal Inca) 

5th fleece: Mean 21.7μ SD 5.3 CV 24.4 

Upstanding young male with impeccable 

pedigree. His fleece is fine, crimpy, lustrous 

and dense. Winner of numerous ribbons 

himself. Several of his cria are already 

successful in the showring individually and in Sire’s Progeny classes. 

Stud fee: $770 (incl. GST) driveby 

Mobile or multiple matings negotiable 

Highfields Alpacas – MERTON Victoria 

Alfons Steiner Ph: 03 5778 9674 

Email: alfons@highfields.net.au 

Web: www.highfields.net.au 2/4 

Solid Black DOB: 08/04/2006 

Sire: Samaria Valley Saladin 

Dam: Normandy Serena 

A stunning blue/black huacaya with an 

imposing presence, Parrindi Solomon 

has a great temperament and a fine, 

dense bundling fleece with amazing 

lustre. Solomon’s first cria are solid blue 

blacks with crimpy fleece and good conformation. 

Stud Fee: $770 

Mobile matings by arrangement . Live cria guarantee. 

Ruffy (Strathbogie Ranges – near Euroa) 

Contact: Glen or Terry George: Ph: (03) 5790 4318. 

Email: parrindi2@bigpond.com.au 4/4 

Parrindi Joseph 

Grey DOB: 08/05/2008 

Sire: Almora Nomad 

Dam: Pretty Sally 

With a uniformly dense and finely crimped fleece 

Parrindi Joseph is an eye-catching grey huacaya 

who has inherited his sire Almora Nomad and dam 

Parrindi Pretty Sally’s award winning qualities. 

2009 National judge’s comment when awarding 

Joseph a blue ribbon was “an amazing consistently 

fine fleece through all the colours”. Other awards: Intermediate Champion, 

Seymour and Reserve Intermediate Champion, Ballarat 2009. Best Grey 

Huacaya at Ballarat 2010. Joseph’s first cria are eagerly awaited. 


Mobile matings by arrangement . Live cria guarantee. 

Ruffy (Strathbogie Ranges – near Euroa) 

Contact: Glen or Terry George: Ph: (03) 5790 4318. 

Email: parrindi2@bigpond.com.au 2/4 

Narraburra Cin-Cin 

Solid Light Fawn DOB: 24/01/2003 

Sire: Combe Hill Bailey (SLF) 

Dam: Narraburra Lucky Sprite (DF) 

A multi-award winner from Junior through 

to Mature. Exceptional bloodlines including 

Drambuie, Inti and Brigantine. Extremely soft 

handling fleece even at 8yrs. 

Exceptional fleece stats: 

3rd fleece 19.9 μ 3.5sd 18.3CV 98.7CF 

8th fleece mid 22.2 μ 4.0sd 18.0CV 96.4CF 

(GIFT - 3 sites) pin 20.1 μ 3.8sd 18.8CV 98.9CF 

shoulder 22.0 μ 3.7sd 16.9CV 98.3CF 

Stud Fee $770 

Discounts for Multiple Matings and remates. Kariley Downs Alpacas, Benalla 

Contact: Shirley or Glen Hurley: 5764 1348 

email: shirley@karileydownsalpacas.com 3/4 

Ailahtan Kracka 

Solid Black: DOB: 09.03.2007 

Sire: Wyterrica Rory 

Dam: Grey Gum Keshia 

2nd fleece: Mic 22.2, SD 3.4, CV 15.3 

Proud, upstanding young male. His fleece 

is fine, crimpy, lustrous and dense. Winner 

of numerous ribbons including Best Black 

at Wodonga 2008. 

Kracka has some lovely cria on the ground. 

Stud fee: $550 (incl. GST) driveby 

Mobile or multiple matings negotiable 

Highfields Alpacas – MERTON Victoria 

Alfons Steiner Ph: 03 5778 9674 

Email: alfons@highfields.net.au 

Web: www.highfields.net.au 2/4 

To see these ads in colour, visit the VCR website a

Stud Male Spotlight 

Tahara Zabar ET 


Sire: Surilana Bartok 

Dam: Tahara Zahira 

Zabar’s dam is an Icalon daughter 

and was National Champion at both 

junior and senior level. Zabar has won 

numerous Championships and Supreme 

Championships as well as being VCR Suri 

Alpaca of the year in 2009. He is a very 

aristocratic looking boy who has excellent coverage, together with 

highly lustrous and well-defined locks. His 2009 stats are 18.7 3.6 

19.2 99.3. His first offspring will be due in 2011. 

Stud Fee $880 

Contact: Dianne Marshall Ph: (03) 5424 1828; Mob: 0427 175 408 

email: Chantlam.park@bigpond.com 2/4 

Yarrakee Tsunami 

Solid White DOB: 

Sire: Pucara Kahuna 

Dam: Pucara Spritely 

Fleece: (24m) 20.3μ SD 4.6 CV 22.4 CF 97.3 

Tsunami is an excellent example of the suri 

type. He displays a consistent lock structure 

with density, lustre and independence. He 

has had a very successful show career in 

both animal and fleece classes. Winner of 

2008 VCR Suri Fleece of the Year and runner-up VCR Suri of the Year 

in 2006 and 2008. 

Stud Fee $900 

Live cria guarantee. 

Contact: Aaron & Kylie van Santvoort 9740 5557, 0438 277 059 

email: aaronandkylie@megalink.com.au 4/4 

Stud Fee $550 

Blue Grass Star Warrior 

Solid Light Fawn DOB: 24/02/2003 

Sire: Jolimont Warrior 

Dam: Blue Grass Star of Tulungi 

Multi award winner, including Supreme 

(Castle Hill) 

Proven sire of quality offspring. 

Masculine, vigorous male of excellent 

breed type. 

Contact: Shane Carey (Malakai) 0409 270 381 

Jim & Lyndall Black (Briarmist) 0421 324 975 

Tambo Downs Andreas 


Sire: Pucara Halcyon 

Dam: Pucara Chicatita 

Andreas has great US-Peruvian genetics in 

his pedigree, including Amador, Helado and 

Benedicto. Andreas has amazing relocking, 

is dense and remaining fine as well. He 

has produced his first cria over average 

dams and they are fantastic. Andreas has 

produced white from white and colour from colour. He is a real 

improver for suri crosses. 

Stud Fee $500 (on farm/drive-by) 

Contact: Jennifer Hall, Tularosa 0408 533 654 

Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka 0407 889 669 1/4 

bsite at www.viccentral.alpaca.asn.au 

1/4 


Tahara Zip Code 


Sire: Chia Park Zip Drive 

Dam: Tahara Ruffina 

Zip Code is that rare commodity, a black 

suri male . He is a BC1 and has exceptional 

lustre. No matter how dusty the other boys 

in the paddock are, his lustre still shines 

through. He is a broad ribbon winner, and 

was particularly successful in fleece competitions. His second fleece 

has returned well. 

As his sire is homozygous it is hoped Zip Code will follow in his 

footsteps. His fleece stats are 23.9 5.4 22.5 89.8 

Stud Fee $880 

Contact: Dianne Marshall Ph: (03) 5424 1828; Mob: 0427 175 408 

email: Chantlam.park@bigpond.com 2/4 

Shanbrooke Fire Warrior 


Sire: Shanbrooke Accoyo Rasputin 

Dam: Shanbrooke Alianza Sumarc 

4th Fleece (2009): Mic. 22.1, SD 5.0, CV 22.5%, 

CF 93.2% 

This upstanding well conformed male is full of 

presence. He has excellent coverage and is true 

to type. He carries a dense fleece which is well 

aligned and uniform with the crimp running low into the chest area. He is 

sired by Accoyo Rasputin who has produced many champions and his Dam 

was a specially selected female from Peru. 

Stud Fee: $770 (inc. GST) 

Contact: Kingsview Alpacas Timothy Lakeman (03) 9714 8299 

Email: timothy@kingsviewalpacas.com.au 

www.kingsviewalpacas.com.au 2/4 

Pinjarra Starmoss 

Medium Grey DOB: 28/08/2005 

Sire: Somerset Stirling Moss 

Dam: Mantaro Stardust 

Starmoss is an even silver grey with a 

lovely temperament and soft, locking 

fleece. He has solid conformation and 

was not beaten in his class at shows. He 

now has 16 cria, all suri from suri cross 

and huacaya dams. His grey progeny 

have won at National 2009, Royal Canberra 2010 and Wodonga 

2010. 

Stud Fee $1320 

Contact: Jennifer Hall, Tularosa 0408 533 654 

email: tularosa@fastmail.com.au 1/4 

Ambleside Dream Catcher 


Sire: Surilana Bosisto 

Dam: Surilana Accoyo Dream 

A stunning full Accoyo male exhibiting 

excellent conformation, great density, 

amazing lustre and handle. His first fleece 

[shorn at 12 months] was extremely lustrous 

with a beautiful soft handle. In 2009 he was 

put over some of Ambleside’s top girls and 

the results are stunning. 2009 stats: 24.7micron, 5.1sd, 20.7cv 87.3cf. 

His current 2009/2010 GFW [12months] exceeded 5kgs. 

Stud Fee $1100 (mobile mating) 

Contact: Barbara Linley, Ambleside 03 5596 4267 

email: barbara.linley@bigpond.com.au 1/4


Stud Male Spotlight 

Malakai Illumini ET 

Solid Medium Fawn DOB: 05/11/2006 

Sire: Benleigh Bellisimo 

Dam: Blue Grass Leading Lady 

ADD SOME CLASS TO YOUR COLOUR! 

With both of his parents being Multiple 

Supreme Championship winners boasting 

elite genetics, it is not at all surprising that 

Illumini has been shown successfully right 

up to the National level. 

He is now passing on his perfect conformation and superbly fine, 

lustrous and well structured fleece to his progeny. 

Fleece 2009 (3rd): 18.6µ SD 4.60 CRV 36.40 deg/mm 

Stud Fee $990 

Contact: Dean & Jenny Ford, Vista del Sud 0413438043 or 03 5779 1225 

Email: alpacas@vistadelsud.com.au 1/4 

Wyterrica Rory 

Medium Brown Huacaya DOB: 8/5/2003 

Colourbration Supreme Brown 2004 & 

2005. Numerous Royal & National Show 1st 

placings. Double Highlander Pedigree 

Wyterrica Rory is a strong boned male 

displaying excellent structure, density 

and lustre. His trademark deep rich brown 

colouring & dark features have stamped 

their mark on brown genetics in Australia. 

Rory’s progeny are a true measurement of his success as a stud 

male, including the dominant Millduck Jarrah with 7 broad ribbons 

THE PROOF IS IN THE PROGENY! 




SALEYARD 

Advertise your SALE 

ANIMALS for only $25 

for 2 issues - WHAT A 

BARGAIN! 

SALEYARD NEW 

To see these ads in colour, visit 

the VCR website at 


Baarrooka Witchcraft 


Sire: Baarrooka Rainbow Warrior (SBLK) 

Dam: Anne’s Hill Myfanwy (SMF) 

Stunning maiden with great 

conformation, true-to-type suri 

fleece with good coverage and a 

great head. Impressive show record, 

including 1st at National and Champion and Reserve Champion 

ribbons. Mated to your choice of Baarrooka male. 

Price: $5,500 

Contact: Julie Wilkinson Mob: 0407 889 669 

email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 1/2 

Softfoot Ryjel 

Solid White Huacaya DOB: 10/09/2004 

Sire: Jolimont Gianmarco 

Dam: EP Cambridge Peruvian Christabelle 

Fleece 2009 (5th) - 21.9μ SD 3.9 CF 96.5% 

Curvature 38.4 

2010 Royal Melbourne Show Mature Male 

Champion. With such impressive genetics 

and fleece statistics it is no surprise that 

Ryjel has been a multi-champion in the 

ring and supreme champion in fleece. 

He is passing on his perfect conformation and excellent fleece 

structure with his progeny already winning 1st and broad ribbons, 

including Supreme Champion at Royal Hobart 2009. 

ADD THE WOW FACTOR! 

Stud Fee $990 



Baarrooka Dragon ET 

Solid Medium Fawn DOB: 28/08/2005 

Sire: Pinjarra Gold Rush 

Dam: Baarrooka Queen Wilhelmina 

Dragon and his brown ET brother, Hot 

Chocolate are spectacular examples of 

their parent’s genetics. Supersoft, lustrous 

and locky fleeces. Dragon has been 

highly awarded this year as a 3-year-old, 

including Reserve Champion Senior Male 

at the National, beating white males with impressive pedigrees for 

the honour. Introductory stud fee until first cria are born in March 

2011. On farm, drive-by or mobile matings available. 

Stud Fee $880 

Contact: Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka 0407 889 669 

Email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 1/4 

Baarrooka Gwendolyn 

Solid Dark Fawn DOB: 31/10/2007 

Sire: Cedar House Desert Prince (SDF) 

Dam: Baarrooka Cordela (SW) 

Gwendolyn is a magnificent dark 

fawn suri maiden with independent 

locks, great fibre length, lustre and 

colour. Will be a great producer. 

Comes mated to Supreme Champion Chersam D’Angelo (SDF) 

who is not available for outside matings. 

Price: $7,700 

Contact: Julie Wilkinson Mob: 0407 889 669 

email: jwilkinson@baarrooka.com.au 1/2

NATIONAL SHOW & SALE - TAMWORTH 

The National Show & Sale, the culmination of the 

showing year and a showcase of the best alpacas in 

Australia, was held in the northern NSW town of Tamworth. 

The equestrian centre used was an amazing venue - maybe 

not particularly suited to an alpaca show, but impressive 

none-the-less. The alpacas enjoyed their roomy, airy and 

private stalls, although the breeders and interested public 

found trying to peer in through the bars a little difficult. 

HUACAYA CLASSES 

Malakai 

Malakai Fashion N Fame ET Junior White Female 4th 

Sandjo Mystique Adult White Female 4th 

Ambleside Sapphire Mature White Female 1st 

MillDuck 

MillDuck Nikita Junior Fawn Female 5th 

MillDuck Nikki-Louise Junior Brown Female 1st 

MillDuck Nungi Junior Grey Female 1st 

MillDuck Nixon Junior Fawn Male 4th 

MillDuck Narvik Junior Brown Male 1st 

MillDuck Maddox Intermediate Brown Male 1st 

Intermediate Male Reserve Champion 

MillDuck Mandela Intermediate Black Male 1st 

MillDuck Manhattan Adult Fawn Male 1st 

Adult Male Champion 

MillDuck Jarrah Sires Progeny 2nd 

MillDuck Jitterbug Dams Progeny 3rd 

Wyterrica 

Wyterrica Scotchmist Junior Brown Female 2nd 

Flying Colours Pandora Junior Black Female 1st 

Wyterrica Cognac Intermediate Fawn Male 1st 

Wyterrica Cayenne Intermediate Brown Male 3rd 

Wyterrica Propaganda Mature Grey Male 1st 

Sires Progeny 3rd 

30-48m Grey/Roan Fleece 1st 

Grand 

Grand Flowerdale FP Propalady ET Junior Grey Female 4th 

Greenvale 

Greenvale Helena Intermediate Grey Female 2nd 

Greenvale Gianna ET Adult Grey Female 1st 

Greenvale Bonita Adult Grey Female 3rd 

Greenvale Medici Mature Grey Male 3rd 

Wimmera Skies 

Wimmera Skies Malena ET Adult Black Female 3rd 

Cherry Hill 

Cherry Hill Hurricane Adult Grey Male 1st 

Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka 

It was a pity that very few Queensland and northern NSW 

breeders entered animals since it was in their own backyard. 

Congratulations to the organising committee for a job 

well done, to the judges for considered judging focussing 

on fleece characteristics like fineness and handle and to the 

VCR members who made the long trip to Tamworth. 

The following breeders came home with a ribbon or two. 

Well done! 

Jigaru 

Jigaru Moonlight Serenade Senior White Female 2nd 

Manna-Gum Farm 

Manna-Gum Farm Just A Gigolo Mature Black Male 1st 

SURI CLASSES 


Surilana 

Surilana Queen Bee Junior White Female 1st 

Junior Female Reserve Champion 

Surilana Seraphim Junior Fawn Female 1st 

Junior Female Champion 

Surilana Leisurely Junior Fawn Female 2nd 

Surilana Maddomar Junior Fawn Female 3rd 

Surilana Missile Junior White Male 2nd 

Surilana Octane Junior Fawn Male 1st 

Junior Male Reserve Champion 

Surilana Mendelsshon Junior Fawn Male 2nd 

Surilana Madolo Junior Brown Male 1st 

Surilana Dreamtime Junior Brown Male 2nd 

Surilana Magnolia Intermediate Fawn Female 1st 

Intermediate Female Champion 

Surilana Floriade Intermediate Fawn Female 2nd 

Surilana Matrix Intermediate White Male 1st 

Intermediate Male Reserve Champion 

Surilana Pythagoras Intermediate Fawn Male 1st 

Intermediate Male Champion 

Surilana Janus Intermediate Fawn Male 2nd 

Surilana Mendoza Senior White Male 1st 

Senior Male Champion 

SUPREME CHAMPION 

Baarrooka 

Baarrooka Lumina Junior White Female 3rd 

Baarrooka Wild Card Junior Brown Male 3rd 

Baarrooka Witchcraft Intermediate Black Female 1st 

Baarrooka Dragon ET Senior Fawn Male 1st 

Senior Male Reserve Champion 

ILR Black Rose by Saber 6-18m Other Colours Fleece 2nd 

Baarrooka Black Beauty 18-30m Other Colours Fleece 

3rd 

Baarrooka KISS ET 30+m White Fleece 3rd 

Baarrooka Topnotch 30+m Fawn Fleece 2nd 

Reserve Champion Fleece 30+m 

ILR Gray Knight 30+m Other Colours 3rd 

continued on page 24


Industry News 

For quite a while now I have shuddered 

at the prices breeders are willing to sell 

their alpaca wethers for. I understand 

lower prices as pets but not as herd 

guards and this is why. 

The average wether will live for 15 

years and working on a pair of alpacas 

costing $500 each (I will ignore the GST 

component for ease of use) I will show 

real figures of what the value of the pair 

will be in real terms to the farmer. 

I believe I can quote these figures 

reliably because we have 2800 breeding 

ewes and have been using the alpaca 

wethers as herd guards for the past 7 

years. We have done experiments such 

as running the herd guards with our 

Corriedale ewes for their first lambing 

(130% lambs), no herd guards for their 

second lambing (98% lambs) and 

putting the herd guards back in for 

their third lambing (130% lambs). This 

mob was run over the same paddocks 

on the same property for the duration 

of these figures. 

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A WETHER? Joanne Ham, Rainbows End 

We only ever run them in pairs and 

often in threes with great results. Only 

when there is no ‘guarding’ to be done 

do the alpacas congregate over a fence. 

If there is work to be done then they 

are on the job. I often see one of a pair 

relaxing and eating whilst the other is 

‘on guard’. I believe they must run in at 

least pairs. 

I also need to dispel the belief the 

blue-eyed white (BEW) deaf boys don’t 

work. Pure poppy-cock!!! I run pairs of 

BEW boys to see if they have a different 

lambing percentage compared to their 

coloured hearing counterparts. THERE 

IS NO DIFFERENCE. Further, as proof, 

with the Corriedale experiment above 

the first group of guard boys were 

hearing and the second lot guarding 

the third lambing were not. 

What we have experienced with our 

1st cross ewes is about a 10% increase 

in lambing. Our Corriedale ewes have 

increased lambing by 30% and I have 

heard (we don’t have any) that Merino 

ewes have had increases of up to 60%. 

A mob of 200 crossbred sheep that 

lamb at 100% means 200 lambs. An 

increase in lambing of 10% means an 

extra 20 lambs. Lambs are averaging 

$120/head through the saleyards at the 

moment so that is $2400 for one year. 

Sheep breed for about 6 years so that is 

a saving of $14,400. 

A pair of alpaca guards on duty for 

12 years equates to a total saving 

of $28,800 given a 10% increase in 

lambing for a mob of 200 ewes every 

year. 

If you sell your wethers for $500 each it 

is a cost to the farmer of $1000 or it will 

cost them 3 cents per lamb saved over a 

12 year period. 

All the above figures are real and have 

been quoted on the conservative side.

HIGHCLERE ALPACAS – Females for Sale 

Highclere Poppy 

DOB: 12/02/2008 

Covering Sire: Blackgate Lodge Oberon 

Due date: 11/04/2011 

Very dense, crimpy fleece 

$1,800 

& cria (sold separately): 

Highclere Alice 

DOB: 11/04/10 

Beautiful, soft handling, fine, dense fleece 

$2,500 

Highclere Bridget 

DOB: 12/09/09 

Beautiful soft, fine, dense fleece. 

$2,500 

Highclere Meg 

DOB: 02/02/2008 

Covering Sire: Blackgate Lodge Oberon 

Due Date: 06/04/2011 

Extremely dense, well crimped fleece 

$1,800 

Two light fawn wethers: one 10mths & one 

20mths old = $250 each 

Maree & Robert Buck – Woodend – Ph: 0417 377 479 


Generous discount offered for multiple purchases 

All alpaca registered with the Australian Alpaca Association Ltd – except the wethers


VCR RESULTS OF NATIONAL SHOW FROM PAGE 21 cont... 

Tahara 

Tahara Alkumi Junior White Male 3rd 

Ambleside 

Ambleside Andean Silkwood Intermediate White Male 4th 

Bumble Hill Accoyo Aztec Senior White Male 2nd 

Chersam/Baarrooka 

Chersam D’Angelo 18-30m Fawn Fleece 2nd 

Ambleside/Kurrawa 

Jolimont Accoyo Miquel Sires Progeny 3rd 

FLOODS AND SNOW IN OCTOBER?? WHAT’S GOING ON?

345 Foxhow-Cundare Road 

Berrybank 3323 Victoria 

Australia 

T: + 61 3 5596 4267 

Barbara: 0438 897 147 

E: barbara.linley@bigpond.com.au 

Anne: 0408 994 795 

www.amblesidealpacas.com.au 

E: annebean@bigpond.net.au 

MN3 VA 2121 Q-Alpaca 06/0200 

VCR PROMOTION 

LANCEFIELD SHOW 

This photo was taken at the quaint little 

Lancefield Show. Three studs, Bywong, 

Davidalla and Davelee took part in an 

alpaca display which was overwhelmingly 

popular. Alpaca products and animals were 

all sold on the day. 

If any studs wish to participate next year, 

please contact Vicki Hilder on 5429 1803. 

Submitted by Vicki Hilder, Bywong. 


“Quietly Achieving” 

www.amblesidealpacas.com.au


VCR Shows 

Despite Ken Haines putting in a sterling effort to drum 

up numbers, only fifty-seven fleeces were entered in the 

Kyneton Fleece Show. Come on breeders, showing fleeces is 

so easy and IT IS WHAT OUR INDUSTRY IS ABOUT, REMEMBER! 

Right: Judge Pamela Baxter and Apprentice Judge 

Glenda Bartlett assess the fleeces at Kyneton 

Fleece Show. Photo: Vicki Hilder 

Top to Bottom: Champion Huacaya Fleece - 

Jigaru Moonlight Serenade; Reserve Champion 

Huacaya Fleece - Chiquita Valentino: Champion 

Suri Fleece - Baarrooka Quizmaster: Reserve 

Champion Suri Fleece - Tahara Amorina. 

KYNETON FLEECE SHOW Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka 

VCR members must get behind these events put on 

by a group of enthusiastic and tireless volunteers (and 

Ken has retired from the industry and there he is, still 

promoting it for us!). These are great opportunities 

to promote your breeding program, animals and the 

gorgeous fleece that our alpacas produce. 

Is this a VCR Record?...403 days!

VCR Shows 

The Seymour Show held by the AAA- 

VCR in conjunction with the Seymour 

Agricultural and Pastoral Society was 

held at Seymour’s King’s Park on Friday, 

October 1st and Saturday, October 2nd. 

This year, due to Victorian fleece 

judges not being available, we decided 

to judge the fleeces on the Friday – that 

way our animal judge, Natasha Clark, 

was able to come on the Friday, judge 

the fleeces and stay overnight before 

judging the alpacas on the Saturday. 

It took quite some effort, particularly 

by Ken Haines, to convince people it 

was a good idea to show fleeces at 

Seymour. He arranged for exhibitors 

at the Kyneton Daffodil Festival to also 

enter fleeces at Seymour and these 

fleeces I picked up and conveyed to 

Seymour. We also had a few exhibitors 

who delivered their fleeces to Seymour 

on the morning of the judging. We 

had 35 fleeces exhibited and Natasha 

was pleased with the standard. The 

only problem was that only 3 suri 

fleeces were entered which was a 

disappointment and I would ask the 

suri breeders to look again at entering 

at Seymour. 

The huacaya fleeces covered the full 

gambit of classes of age and colour 

and therefore most exhibits received 

a ribbon of some colour. There were 

some truly beautiful fleeces on show. 

The choosing of the Supreme proved 

quite difficult and Natasha advised that 

some fleeces needed more skirting and 

had it been done would have received 

more points and this made all the 

difference in placing. The Supreme 

Huacaya fleece was ‘Jigaru Moonlight 

Serenade’. The Supreme Suri fleece 

was ‘Baarrooka Omaha’. Although 35 

fleeces was a nice number it would be 

great to see more fleeces at the show 

but I thank those who entered this year. 

The alpaca judging was held on a 

beautiful spring day and I am happy 

to say went without a hitch. As usual 

the same people volunteered and 

in particular I would sincerely like to 

thank the inestimable Bev and Geoff 

Brennan (Bev was our MC and also our 

SEYMOUR SHOW Ann Sales, Davidalla 

Chief Fleece Steward and Geoff was 

our Steward Extraordinaire – something 

needed to be done and Geoff was there 

to do it). Kate, Margaret and Ian Findley 

jumped in and helped everywhere, 

Trish and Bill Crookshanks (Bill took 

over as Ring Steward this year and did 

a great job and Trish was in attendance 

on both Friday and Saturday), Kaz 

Gaisford and Heather Burns helped out 

in inspections and marshalling, Vicki 

Hilder who scribed, Alan Breese who 

ran one of the inspection teams, Pam 

Breese who took care of the tea and 

coffee and was our ribbon lady, Pam 

Baxter who actually volunteered to be 

our Chief Steward. Thank you one and 

all, your help made my job a whole lot 

easier. 

We had 165 alpacas entered across 

the full range of classes, of these 15 

were suri – come on suri breeders, 

its time you all did something about 

showing those beautiful alpacas 

you skite about and show them to 

everybody. 

The winners were: 

Huacayas 

Champion Junior Female 

Malakai Fashion N Fame ET Malakai 

Reserve Champion Junior Female 

Millduck Nikita MillDuck 

Champion Junior Male 

Malakai Logical Choice ET Malakai 

Reserve Champion Junior Male 

Highfields Prince Charming Highfields 

Champion Intermediate Female 

Malakai Celebrity ET Malakai 

Reserve Champion Intermediate Female 

Almora Avalanche Almora 


Champion Suri Fleece - Baarrooka Omaha Champion Huacaya Fleece - Jigaru Moonlight 

Serenade 

Champion Intermediate Male 

Yenaminut Ice Shine Yenaminut 

Reserve Champion Intermediate Male 

MillDuck Maddox MillDuck 

Champion Adult Female 

Jigaru Moonlight Serenade Jigaru 

Reserve Champion Adult Female 

Ambleside Sapphire Malakai 

Champion Adult Male 

Millduck Manhattan MillDuck 

Reserve Champion Adult Male 

Sierra Vista Santorini Malakai 

SUPREME CHAMPION – 

JIGARU MOONLIGHT SERENADE 

Suris 

Champion Junior Suri 

Baarrooka Vagabond Baarrooka 

Reserve Champion Junior Suri 

Baarrooka Explorers Quest Baarrooka 

Champion Intermediate Suri 

Baarooka Heza Sensation ET Baarrooka 

Reserve Champion Intermediate Suri 

Baarooka Witchcraft Baarrooka 

Champion Adult Suri 

Bedrock Concept Bedrock 

Reserve Champion Adult Suri 

none 

Champion Senior Suri 

Baarrooka Dragon ET Baarrooka 

Reserve Champion Senior Suri 

none 

SUPREME CHAMPION SURI – 

BAARROOKA VAGABOND 

We had 6 pairs of alpacas entered in 

the Sire’s Progeny with Almora Auzzie 

Frost being chosen the winner.


VCR Shows 

Six rosettes were awarded to the best 

colour in show and they were awarded 

to: 

Best White: 

Jigaru Moonlight Serenade 

Best Light Fawn: 

Jigaru 

Glen Park Daisy Glen Park 

Best Medium/Dark Fawn: 

Millduck Manhattan 

Best Brown: 

MillDuck 

Millduck Maddox 

Best Roan: 

MillDuck 

Highfields Penny Royal 

Best Grey: 

Highfields 

Lentara Summer Reign 

Best Black: 

Lentara 

Millduck Mandela MillDuck 

There were some very happy and 

successful well-known breeders but 

it appeared that several less-known 

breeders were also smiling at the end 

of the day. Personally, Rod and I have 

Being one who believes in ‘putting 

yourself in the other person’s shoes’ – I 

decided to take a ride in our alpaca trailer 

– even though I have two less feet! 

Now, to this day, Ada assures me she 

was not speeding (?) – it was down-right 

scary. 

I now know why alpacas sit down – it is 

so hard to keep your balance, especially 

as you whiz around corners. 

However it was the noise that was 

unbelievable. The tailgate wobbled, with 

the divider gates beating the loudest 

percussion in any orchestra. The shaking 

and rattling of the internal gates was 

amazing – metal against metal. 

No wonder the Alpaca Union had 

requested ear muffs! 

Whilst not completely eliminating 

the noise, the following has certainly 

improved the situation. 

Tailgate wobble reduced by: 

• gluing rubber strips onto the 

tailgate where the tailgate meets 

the frame of the trailer; and 

• when the tailgate is up put 

a large sponge (or rolled up 

SEYMOUR SHOW CONT.. 

Above: Supreme Suri - Baarrooka Vagabond and Supreme Huacaya 

- Jigaru Moonlight Serenade with Judge Natasha Clarke. 

not shown for 5 years and I found it 

quite good fun, though somewhat 

daunting, to step again into the ring. 

SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL Prue Wallduck, MillDuck 

towel) between the tailgate and 

rear gates to reduce rear gate 

movement. 

Internal gate rattle reduced by: 

• small poly-pipe used as a liner on 

the slip bolt which joins the two 

rear gates removing the metal 

against metal noise; 

• small poly-pipe (cut in half) placed 

over ‘arm bracket’ used to secure 

two gates; 

All in all a good show, many thanks 

to all who helped and participated. 

• reduced the size of the hole in the 

floor into which the spring loaded 

bolt slots – reducing the sideways 

movement of the gates; and 

• rubber ‘okky straps’ used 

on internal doors to reduce 

movement . 

I wonder what it would be like in your 

trailer? ‘Take a ride’ and h-EAR for 

yourself.

VCR Shows 

This year’s Wangaratta show was well supported, 

despite it being the week before the National Show in 

Tamworth. A total of 159 animals and 47 fleeces were 

entered. 

Huacayas 




Flying Colours Pandora Wyterrica 


Highfields Prince Charming Highfields 


Malakai Logical Choice ET Malakai 


Almora Avalanche Almora 




Yenaminut Ice Shine Yenaminut 


Malakai Regal Mist Malakai 


Malakai Fire N Ice Malakai 


Highfields Nicolette Highfields 


Acacia Caribbean Buckland Valley 


Lentara Summer Reign Lentara 

Champion Senior Female 


Reserve Champion Senior Female 

Traron Alicia Chersam 

Champion Senior Male 

Sierra Vista Santorini Malakai 

Reserve Champion Senior Male 

Windsong Valley Kichiru Ashbourne 

Champion Mature Female 

Ambersun Sapphire Malakai 

Reserve Champion Mature Female 

Chersam Sago Chersam 

Champion Mature Male 

none 

SUPREME CHAMPION – 

SIERRA VISTA SANTORINI 

WANGARATTA SHOW Peter Harris, Thoona 

Suris 


Ambleside Micholetta Ambleside 


Tahara Iridescence Tahara 


Tahara Alkumi Tahara 


Errydge Mallowman Errydge 


Ambleside Spice Girl Ambleside 


none 


none 


none 


Summerhill Silken Sontane Eldaraigne 


Chersam Eliseo Chersam 


Baarrooka Boy George Eldaraigne 


Thoona Desert Sun Eldaraigne 


TAHARA ALKUMI 


Peter Harris, supported by the Harris family put together 

another great show at the lovely pioneer-type pavillion at 

the Wangaratta Ag Show. This is a lovely typical country 

show and the alpaca display is always very popular. We have 

a new convenor taking over from Peter and his team for 2011. 

Glen and/or Shirley Hurley will convene this show next year. 

HUACAYA SIRES PROGENY - 

MILLDUCK MR HIGGINS 

CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE 

MALAKAI PERFECT PROMISE 

RESERVE CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE 

MALAKAI FIRE N ICE 

SURI SIRES PROGENY - 

JOLIMONT ACCOYO MIQUEL 

CHAMPION SURI FLEECE 

TAHARA ZABAR ET 

RESERVE CHAMPION SURI FLEECE 

JINGANA MOZART ET


Industry News CONTROLLING WEEDS 

Blackberry – Rubus fruticosus aggregate 

Q u i c k r e f e r e n c e g u i d e 

Prevention 

Keep uninfested areas clear of blackberry 

and remove isolated plants before they 

have a chance to seed. 

Herbicide control 

Consult a specialist for advice on 

registered herbicides in your state or 

territory (see the contacts table on p. 4). 

Apply herbicide to actively growing 

plants – look at the tips of the canes 

and spray when they are producing 

fresh new leaves. 

Physical control 

Slashing can help open up dense stands 

for follow-up control by other methods, 

and in summer can enhance the effect 

of blackberry leaf rust. 

Mechanical control is difficult and most 

of the root system must be removed for 

effective control – blackberry will regrow 

from any root fragments left in the soil. 

In dense infestations bulldozers may be 

used to remove plants but follow-up 

treatment is essential. 

Control options 

Control option 

Herbicide application 

Mechanical removal (incl. grazing) 

Burning 

Biological control (release rust) 

Jan 

✓ 

✓ 

✓ 

Biological control 

Biological control offers the greatest 

likelihood for success in large, inaccessible 

infestations. The existence of at least 14 

different groups or strains of blackberry 

in Australia makes biological control 

difficult as some groups are more 

susceptible to the blackberry leaf rust 

than others. 

Rust fungi have established well in some 

high rainfall areas but have failed to have 

an impact elsewhere. Additional rust 

strains are being tested in quarantine and 

are expected to be released in 2003–04. 

Blackberries are easily spread by birds, mammals 

and water. 

Photo: Kate Blood 

The blackberry rust is most effective during late summer and autumn in cool, moist environments 

such as Gippsland, Vic. 

Photo: El Bruzzese, DPI Vic 

Feb 

✓ 

✓ 

Mar 

✓ 

✓ 

✓ 

Apr 

✓ 

✓ 

✓ 

May 

✓ 

✓ 

Jun 

✓ 

✓ 

✓ Optimum times for blackberry control methods 

Jul 

✓ 

✓ 

Aug 

✓ 

✓ 

30 mm 

© 2003 Information which appears in this guide may be reproduced without written permission provided the source of the information is acknowledged. 

Printed in Australia on 100% recycled paper. 

ISBN 1-920932-02-X 

Disclaimer 

While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the CRC for Australian Weed Management and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment 

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. 

Sep 

✓ 

✓ 

✓ 

Oct 

✓ 

✓ 

✓ 

Nov 

✓ 

✓ 

✓ 

300 mm 

Dec 

✓ 

✓ 

✓

Industry News CONTROLLING WEEDS CONT. 

Blackberry – Rubus fruticosus aggregate 

Growth calendar 

New canes 

Flowering 

Fruiting 

New plants 

Germination 

Jan 

Blackberry has a two-year growth pattern. Young canes start growing in spring, 

flowering occurs from late November to late February and fruiting from late 

December to April. New (daughter) plants develop at the tips of first-year canes 

throughout autumn and winter. Most germination takes place during spring and 

early summer. 

How it spreads 

Feb 

Mar 

Apr 

May 

Jun 

Jul 

General growth pattern 

pastures and native ecosystems as well 


Blackberry plants produce clusters of white or 

pink flowers. 

Photo: Kate Blood 

What to do about it 

One berry may contain as many as 80 

as invade disturbed sites in urban areas. 

In badly affected 4 areas, dense infestations The major challenges in managing 

seeds which are easily spread by birds, often fill whole gullies and can extend blackberry are to prevent its spread, 

mammals (especially foxes) and water. for a width of tens of metres along both 

control and reduce existing infestations, 

Bushwalkers and other recreational users sides of streams. 

and rehabilitate treated areas to prevent 

Weed control contacts 

reinfestation. 

can also spread seeds, as can moving soil 

State / 

Department 

Phone The plant is restricted to Email temperate 

Website 

from one place to another. Blackberry 

In its long history as a noxious weed, 

Territory 

climates with an annual rainfall of at 

roots can be spread to clean areas 

blackberry has been managed by a 

ACT 

Environment ACT 

(02) 6207 least 9777 700 mm, EnvironmentACT@act.gov.au 

and can occur at any www.environment.act.gov.au 

by cultivation. 

range of control techniques, including 

NSW 

NSW Agriculture 

1800 

altitude 

680 244 

in Australia. 

weeds@agric.nsw.gov.au 

Blackberry plants 

burning, www.agric.nsw.gov.au 

slashing, grazing, grubbing, 

Blackberry will persist indefinitely in an grow above the snowline in Victoria at 

Qld Dept of Natural Resources and Mines (07) 3896 3111 enquiries@nrm.qld.gov.au chemical www.nrm.qld.gov.au 

spraying and biological control. 

area unless it is treated. Plants that die about 1950 m altitude. 

SA 

Dept of Water, Land and (08) 8303 9500 apc@saugov.sa.gov.au Blackberry www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au 

management programs must 

are replaced Biodiversity by seedlings Conservation or daughter 

be planned and sustained over a number 

plants produced by nearby individuals. Potential distribution 

Tas Dept of Primary Industries, Water and 1300 368 550 Weeds.Enquiries@dpiwe.tas.gov.a of years www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au 

to prevent the rapid return of 

Vic 

WA 

Plants may produce Environment up to 13,000 seeds 

Blackberry has probably reached the 

the infestation. 

per Dept square of Primary metre. Industries/Dept of 136 186 customer.service@dpi.vic.gov.au www.dpi.vic.gov.au 

climatic limits (in terms of temperature 

Sustainability and Environment 

Apply www.dse.vic.gov.au 

herbicides to healthy 

and rainfall) of its potential range in 

Where Dept it of grows Agriculture 

(08) 9368 3333 enquiries@agric.wa.gov.au plants www.agric.wa.gov.au 

Australia. However, individual species may 

Australia wide 

spread further within these climatic limits. In general, the best time to spray 

About Australian 8.8 million Pesticides ha of and Australia Veterinary is infested (02) 6272 5852 contact@apvma.gov.au 

www.apvma.gov.au 

Medicines Authority 

A few scattered infestations exist outside blackberry is during the flowering– 

with blackberry, which thrives in a wide 

of the projected range under ideal fruiting period, but the effective spraying 

range of habitats. It can dominate 

For up-to-date information on which herbicides are registered to control blackberry and the best application methods and dosages, 

conditions in Western Australia. season contact can start your state before or territory flowering and 

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 

extend long after fruiting, into autumn. 

for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, which hosts the PUBCRIS database. This database contains information on all herbicides that are 

registered for use on weeds in each Australian state and territory. 

It is easy to kill young blackberry seedlings 

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 

because rainfall running off the land into waterways can carry herbicides with it. Permits from state or territory Environment Protection Authorities 

may be required if herbicides are to be sprayed on riverbanks. 

blackberry thickets have a large number 

of root crowns of different ages, and 

Biological control with the and seeds, shorter canes and fewer 

the older and bigger ones are usually 

blackberry leaf rust 

new plants. 

hard to kill. 

If using herbicides taken up by the leaves, 

The program with the greatest likelihood This continuous attack on the leaves 

For the full brochure on controlling blackberries, visit http://www.weeds.gov.au/publications/guidelines/wons/pubs/r-fruticosus.pdf. 

avoid slashing in the season before 

of success in the foreseeable future weakens plants by depleting root 

application; it can reduce the effectiveness 

Berries change colour from green to red to Blackberry bushes often form thickets up to 

includes biological control, particularly reserves. Light can start penetrating the 

black as they ripen. 

several metres high. 

since only the new canes will be available 

on large, inaccessible Photo: Kate infestations Blood of thicket, which Photo: helps John revegetation Hosking by other 

to take up the herbicide. 

blackberry. The blackberry leaf rust plants, especially in autumn and winter. 

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 

Phragmidium violaceum, which attacks Competing plants can then grow through 

the leaves, is now present throughout the blackberry and in turn limit its growth 

Aug 

2 

Sep 

Oct 

Nov 

Dec 

25 mm 

Blackberry – Rubus fruticosus aggregate


Kidz Korner 

GiggleGuts 

Knock Knock 

Who’s there? 

Freep 

Freep Who? 

No thanks, I don’t want any. 

What do you call a very fast llama? 

A llamagini. 

HOW TO... 

Make a felt ball. 

Please send your jokes, photos 

and stories to Ally Alpaca. 

mail@baarrooka.com.au 

Ingredients: Undyed wool (or alpaca) rovings*, dyed or natural alpaca 

rovings, hot soapy water, stocking. 

1. Roll the plain wool or alpaca rovings into a ball (like you were 

rolling a ball of string). 

2. Cover the plain wool with a layer of coloured alpaca rovings 

(or carded fleece). 

3. Carefully put your ball in the toe of a stocking and tie a knot 

behind the ball to keep it tightly in the toe. 

4. Using hot soapy water, dip your ball in and squeeze the water 

through it gently and then more firmly once it begins to felt 

and start sticking together. 

Make Your Own Word Search http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/make-your-ow... 

U K Z F P F Q B G J M Y U F C S R J E D 

D I Q T J O L U F N M G H E A T W A V E 

V U D H H Y T R E R I F H S U B J P O M 

N J B I G L M D I B S T A E W S F N K O 

H N W M Z F R J F Z E I H G W A T E R T 

H R F H L X O S B W J R F G Y E B P D B 

Y U I A N O T L O F Q Q G N I R A E H S 

O B J S F B S G H Q M K E I M F W Y H Y 

G N I N I A R T R E T L A H M D E T J S 

N U Q R I I E C L K A H S O F Q N R O L 

I S X Y G N D G W N E W Y S P O V N I R 

K V I Y U U N B Y A I L F E I D T X M F 

A W C I H O U G T M Z P O T J I I H U B 

M T B Y U O H S M L G X A O C Q H U L C 

Y B M O U A T I X D R G N U P F Q C P W 

A N L O I R N X S U I S P R I N K L E R 

H K T R E G B H S R N G N I K A B N U S 

D Q S S A J A E R X D K O C G D P R S Q 

I A S Q E D T I O S M V Z R A V K N N G 

W Y M C E C Y U Z W L Z W R C R I A G T 

• BUSHFIRE • CRIA • DAM 

• FIREFIGHTING • HALTERTRAINING • HAYMAKING 

• HEATSTRESS • HEATWAVE • HOSE 

• HOT • IRRIGATION • POOL 

• SHADE • SHEARING • SPRINKLER 

• SUNBAKING • SUNBURN • SWEAT 

• SWIMMING • THUNDERSTORM • WATER 

5. Once the surface alpaca wool has stuck to the rest, squeeze out 

the excess water and start rubbing 

and pressing the ball in your hands; 

more firmly as the ball hardens up. 

Re-wet with hot soapy water as 

needed. 

6. When you see hairy fibres 

coming out of the stocking all over, 

it is time to remove your ball from 

the stocking. 

7. When you have taken the ball 

out of the stocking, it will look a bit 

fluffy. Smooth the surface by doing 

a bit more soapy rubbing. 

8. When you are happy with 

your ball, rinse in cold water. 

9. Form into a nice round ball 

and leave to dry (outside on the 

trampoline is a good place!). 

10. If you want to make a fun cat 

toy, put a bell in the centre of the 

wool before you wrap it. 

*Note for parents: I use a handful of raw 

sheep’s wool and form base balls by 

putting a whole heap of balls in the leg 

of pantyhose separated by twist ties and 

throwing them in with a load (or two) 

of washing . Then the kids can decorate 

the ball with alpaca fibre and it is a bit 

less work.

‘PACA SCAN’ 

Now available for all of your 

Alpaca Ultrasound requirements 

• Safe 

• Reliable 

• Cost-effective 

• Free travel within 55K radius of Mount Wallace 

• Copy of scanned image available for your records 

• Measurement of foetus/sac available 

• Latest technology 

Summer Spring 2010 THE YARN 33 17 

STOP PAYING EXPENSIVE VET FEES 

STATEWIDE SERVICE 

CONTACT: Pam Baxter, Gurra Park Alpacas 

Phone: 03 53608210 

Mobile: 041989 1969 

Email: pamelabaxter1@bigpond.com 

$30+gst per scan (plus travel where applicable) 

multiple discounts apply


VCR Shows 

The Region’s final show for the season was held at 

Bendigo on Sat 23 October and, as usual, was an enjoyable 

and well-attended event with 160 animals entered and 58 

fleeces. Nerida Aldred, fleece judge, awarded Supreme 

Huacayas 




Millduck Nikki-Louise MillDuck 


Millduck Narvik MillDuck 


Jigaru Paparazzi Jigaru 




Sunnyvale Brown Sugar Vista 


Millduck Maddox MillDuck 


Ballinfield Tobago Ballinfield 


Malakai Fire N Ice Malakai 


Aussie Latte Aussie 


Millduck Manhatten MillDuck 


Lentara Summer Reign Lentara 

Champion Senior Female 


Reserve Champion Senior Female 

Ambersun Sapphire Malakai 

BENDIGO SHOW Vicki Hilder, Bywong 


Windsong Valley Kichiru Ashbourne 


Malakai Leading Enterprise ET Malakai 

SUPREME CHAMPION HUACAYA – 

JIGARU MOONLIGHT SERENADE 

Suris 


Tahara Iridescence Tahara 


Baarrooka Lumina Baarrooka 


Tahara Alkumi Tahara 


Baarrooka Wild Card Baarrooka 


Ambleside Spice Girl Ambleside 


Baarrooka Witchcraft Baarrooka 


Ambleside Andean Silkwood Ambleside 


Baarrooka Heza Sensation Baarrooka 


none 


Chersam Eliseo Chersam 

Huacaya Fleece to Malakai Fire ’n Ice and Supreme Suri Fleece 

to Surious Portrait. Animal judge, Steve Ridout, is pictured 

with the winning Supreme Champions on the day - Tahara 

Iridescence and Jigaru Moonlight Serenade, with happy 

owners Di Marshall and Jillian Holmes. 


none 


TAHARA IRIDESCENCE 

HUACAYA SIRES PROGENY - 

YAAMBA CRUSADER 

CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE - 

GRACEVILLE DOWNS RAJA 

RESERVE CHAMPION HUACAYA FLEECE 

MALAKAI FIRE N ICE 

SURI SIRES PROGENY - 

KURRAWA TARIQ 

CHAMPION SURI FLEECE 

SURIOUS PORTRAIT 

RESERVE CHAMPION SURI FLEECE 

BAARROOKA KISS ET 

Below: At Bendigo Agricultural Show on 23 

October, animal judge Steve Ridout, was 

so impressed with young handler Mikhaila 

Rollinson, that he awarded her a special blue 

ribbon. Mikhaila is pictured with “Luc”.


Following on from this request, I 

too spent a lot of time googling and 

reviewing texts. No-one has written a 

definitive time-line of the development 

of an alpaca foetus, but the information 

I was able to obtain has enabled me to 

put together an article that should help 

determine the age of an aborted foetus 

(or one in vitro viewed with the aid of 

an ultrasound machine). 

Thank you to the breeders who 

provided photographs of aborted 

foetuses used in this article to illustrate 

foetus development. 

Abortion is relatively common in 

alpacas and for many years dried 

foetuses from alpacas and llamas have 

been used by the Peruvian people as 

good luck charms. They are a common 

sight in the marketplaces throughout 

South America. 

Foetal Development 

The fertilised ovum develops into 

a blastocyst within 5-6 days. The 

blastocyst comprises three parts, the 

central blastocoele, an outer layer of 

cells, the trophoblast which forms the 

placenta and the inner cell mass which 

forms the foetus (see Figure 1) (Tibary 

2003). 

Attachment between the 

trophoblast and the uterine wall, 

that is, implantation of the embryo, 

occurs around 25 days after breeding. 

Embryotic loss prior to implantation is 

very high (Tibary 2003). 

Pregnancies are almost always 

carried in the left uterine horn, so if the 

embryo originated from an ovulation 

in the right ovary, it would need to 

migrate to the left uterine horn for 

implantation. 

DEVELOPMENT OF A FOETUS Julie Wilkinson, Baarrooka 

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO A 

REQUEST FROM A VCR MEMBER WHO WROTE: 

“The other night our neighbour rang me to say their dog 

had brought what she thought was a cria foetus to their 

back door. After inspecting all pregnant girls and none 

showing any obvious signs, I was left trying to work out 

how old the foetus was to narrow down which girl had 

Morphogenesis (the shaping of the 

organism, i.e. the foetus has completed 

cellular differentiation of cells, tissues 

and organs) is completed by 60 days 

(Tibary 2003) and the sex of the foetus 

can be identified. The foetus grows 

very slowly for the first 6 months. The 

majority of the growth of the foetus is 

within the last trimester (65% weight 

gain in last trimester - Tribary 2003; 

85% weight gained after day 210 - 

Fowler & Bravo 1998). 

According to Tibary (2003) the 

following weights are achieved in the 

10 

9 

8 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

Trophoblast 

Blastocoele 

Inner cell mass 

Figure 1. A diagram of a blastocyst, showing 

the various parts that develop into the foetus 

and placenta. Photo: Jane Vaughan 

Figure 2. Alpaca fetal growth during gesta7on 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

Weight (kg) 

Adapted from Fowler & Bravo 1998. 


aborted. The foetus found was 11 inches long but had no 

fleece at all, so I started to search through past issues of 

Alpacas Australia, The Yarn and reference books to find 

out at what stage of gestation development does a alpaca 

foetus develop fleece -- couldn’t find anything at all not 

even when I googled. Very frustrating and interesting that 

I couldn’t find anything” 

last trimester (assuming an 11.5 month 

gestation and a birth weight of 8.9 kg): 

8 m 30% birth weight 3.5 kg 

9 m 51% bw 4.5 kg 

10 m 65% bw 5.8 kg 

11 m 98% bw 8.6 kg 

11.5 m 100% bw 8.9 kg 

In Fowler & Bravo’s paper (1998), the 

following weights are given in a graph 

(see Figure 2): 

5 m approx. 200 g 

6 m 500 g 

7 m 1.2 kg 

8 m 2.5 kg 

9 m 4.4 kg 

10 m 5.5 kg 

11 m 8.5 kg 

11.5 m 8.7 kg 

Hair appears on the lips, eyebrows 

and tail at 7 months gestation and 

the foetus is fully covered by fibre 

at 8 months (Tibary 2003). The 

epidermal membrane forms just before 

development of hair and is attached 

to the foetus at anus, lips, vulva, 

umbilicus, prepuce and the junction of 

skin and footpads and nails (Fowler & 

Bravo 1998). 

The gestational age of a foetus 

(either aborted or 

viewed by ultrasound) 

can be determined by 

two calculations. The 

first method (Parraguez 

et al 1997), used in early 

pregnancy, measures 

the gestational sac 

diameter (GSD) in 

cm and determines 

gestational age using 

the formula: 

GA = logGSD + 

1.2339/0.0585.



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; 

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 

foetus - hair growth is evident on body; Bottom Right - mummified aborted foetus - one of twins, the second of which was carried to term. 

Photographs supplied by (clockwise from top left): Birrong, Rockville, Carawa Downs. Camelot, Birrong and Baringhup. Thank you to those breeders. 

The second method (Haibel & 

Fung 1991) is more appropriate for 

aborted foetuses and in utero foetuses 

greater than 60 days and uses the 

measurement of the maximum head 

width or biparietal diameter (BPD) in 

mm using the formula: 

GA = 18.8 +3.79BPD. 

Using the BPD method, the head 

of the foetus is measured at the 

eye sockets and the gestation age 

calculated. Using a recently aborted 5 

month old foetus with head diameter 

of approximately 4.0 cm: 

GA = 18.8 + 3.79 x 40 

GA = 170 days (5.7 months). 

An even easier formula to remember 

is the Jane Vaughan one: 

GA = 4 x BPD + 20 [She obviously 

has trouble with decimals, but this is 

an easy one to remember out in the 

field or in the vet’s surgery]. 

DEVELOPMENT OF A FOETUS CONT. 

It must be remembered that the 

figures quoted above are averages 

and that there is a lot of variation in 

the size and growth rate of a foetus, 

due to environment, dam health and 

nutrition and genetics. There is also 

a wide range of natural variation in 

birth weight of a cria - anything from 

6 -11 kg is considered normal. Hence 

using weight only to determine the 

age of an aborted foetus is likely to be 

inaccurate. However, the combination 

of weight, developmental indicators 

(such as hair growth) and the use 

of the BPD formula are likely in 

combination to give a good idea of 

gestational age. 

P. Walter Bravo, in his book The 

Reproductive Process of South American 

Camelids (out of print) apparently has a 

very good series of photos of aborted 

foetuses at various ages. I was not able 

to access this book, but it would be 

worth keep an eye out for it. 

References 

Fowler, M.E. and P.W. Bravo (1998) 

Medicine and Surgery of South American 

Camelids (2nd ed) Iowa State University 

Press. 

Haibel, G.K and E.D. Fung (1991) 

Real-time ultrasonic biparietal 

diameter measurement for the 

prediction of gestational age in llamas. 

Theriogenology April 1991 35 (4): 683- 

687. 

Parraguez, V.H, S Cortez, F.J. Gazitua, 

G. Ferrando, V MacNiven, L.A. Raggi 

(1997) Early pregnancy diagnosis in 

alpaca (Lama pacos) and llama (lama 

glama) by ultrasound. Anim Reprod Sci. 

May 1997; 47 (1-2):113-21. 

Tibary, A. (2003) Reproduction and 

Neonatology in E. Hoffman (ed) The 

Complete Alpaca Book. Bonny Doon 

Press.

Fleece & Fibre 

WWhhoo iiss bbuuyyiinngg fflleeeeccee?? 

MMaajjoorr BBuuyyeerrss -- CCuurrrreenntt PPrriiccee GGuuiiddee aass aatt 2255 OOccttoobbeerr 22001100 

BBuuyyeerr NNaammee FFlleeeeccee TTyyppee PPrriiccee PPaaiidd 

!!FFTT 

!AAllppaaccaa UUllttrraaffiinnee BBaallee)) 

PPhh:: 0022 44883344 22113322 

MMoobb:: 00440099 555500 330055 

wwwwww..aaaafftt..ccoomm..aauu 

!llppaaccaa UUllttiimmaattee 

PPhh:: 0022 44883377 33339944 

wwwwww..aallppaaccaauullttiimmaattee..ccoomm..aauu 

wwwwww..aallppaaccaauullttiimmaattee..ccoomm..aauu 

!uussttrraalliiaann !llppaaccaa FFlleeeeccee 

LLttdd PPhh:: !33


Alpacas in History 

Sydney Morning Herald 4 December 1858 

THE ALPACAS. The flock of alpacas, llamas, 

vicunas and their hybrids which, on Sunday 

last, arrived per Salvadora, from South 

America, are now to be seen in the cricket 

enclosure of the outer Domain where, by 

permission, they remain for a few days to 

recruit their strength after the voyage. They 

have during the past two days attracted 

many hundreds to the Domain. 

Submitted by Vicki Hilder, Bywong Alpacas. 

ALPACA VETS SERVICING VCR 

NAME LOCATION CONTACT DETAILS 

Tiffany Ellis Strathbogie 5795 2811 

Andrew Hogan Seymour 5799 1400 

Peter Bartram Benalla 5762 6888 

Leigh Coghlan Kyneton 5422 1099 

Alison Lee Epsom 5430 4508 

Phil Stammers Tatura 5824 1755 

Please contact the Editor to add or remove names from this list. 

SHEARERS SERVICING VCR 

NAME LOCATION CONTACT DETAILS 

Shane Carey Ballarat 5334 6126 or 0409 270 381 

Tim Purcell Stawell 0418 320 655 

Graham Moore Strathbogie 5790 5292 or 0428 845 945 

Mike Snow Alexandra 0418 516 896 or 5772 2129 

John Tully Woodend 0407 564 007 

Please contact the Editor to add or remove names from this list.

Summer 2010 THE YARN 39

40 THE YARN Summer 2010

Yarn Summer 2010 - Victorian Central Region - Australian Alpaca ...

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