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26 • Northwest www.ritzfamilypublishing.com ANGUS TOUR OFFERED TO SCOTLAND JULY 27-AUGUST 14 The American Angus Association is pleased to offer a custom planned, professionally managed tour to Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland, July 27 to August 14, 2004. A highlight of the program is the Angus Heartland Celebration at Creiff, in Central Scotland, which coincides with the 125th Anniversary of the Aberdeen Angus Society in the United Kingdom. We’re very pleased to work with Terry Steele and Anchors Away Cruises and Tours to offer this first-class trip to visit the home of the Angus breed, says John Crouch, executive vice president of the American Angus Association. This op- Farm Bureau Insurance of Idaho Meeting All Your Farm & Ranch Insurance Needs Since 1947, Farm Bureau Insurance of Idaho has been proudly serving Idahoans. With an agency force of over 130 agents with 45 offices across the State of Idaho, Farm Bureau is the largest writer of Farm and Ranch insurance business in the state, serving over 33% of the market. Farm Bureau Insurance of Idaho provides the most comprehensive farm and ranch insurance in the state, covering both commercial and private farms. Their package policies for both urban and rural portunity to see Angus cattle and explore the sights and sounds of Scotland and other countries is a unique opportunity for our membership. Not only will the group visit leading Angus herds in Central Scotland, but they will also attend a cattle sale, visit Scotbeef Ltd’s meat plant, a civic reception at Perth’s Royal George Hotel, which is where the inaugural meeting of the society was held in 1879, and witness a rededication of the gravestone of breed founder Hugh Watson of Keillor, and much more. The tour package includes: 17 nights hotel accommodations with private facilities residents are the most convenient available. You can select from a wide variety of insurance products including homeowners and automobile, farm and ranch, commercial, non-commercial, crop hail, and flood insurance, and workman’s compensation, as well as life insurance and annuity products. The company has consistently maintained an A.M. Best rating of A+ (superior) since 1980. Farm Bureau Insurance of Idaho is an affiliate of the Idaho Farm Bureau, and provides services and products only to Farm Bureau members within the State of Angus Heartland Celebration registration and activities Private motor coach transportation 39 meals Luggage handling Celebration hosted by Aberdeen Angus cattle society Services of escorts and guides for all included services Space on the tour is limited. For more information or to download a registration form, a complete itinerary and costs, go to www.anchorsawaycruises. com/angusscotland, or call Terry Steele at Anchors Away Cruises and Tours at 1-800-527-8666, ext. 203. Idaho. Farm Bureau also provides investment opportunities and financing through Farm Bureau Finance Company. The Idaho Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers with state and county Farm Bureau member organizations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Idaho Farm Bureau’s web site provides information about the company and its products. Please browse their site at www.idahofb. org and contact them for your insurance needs. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE coverages includes • Farm and Ranch • Crop Hail Insurance • Livestock Coverage • Workers’ Compensation We have 45 offices across the State. Call the number below to locate the office and agent nearest you. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE OF IDAHO Home Office Pocatello, Idaho 208-232-7914 Web Site: www.idfbins.com
West 27 Alpacas Offer Farm Income Diversity Many farmers and ranchers are currently looking at ways to augment or replace revenue lost due to the recent BSE (mad cow) disease reports. Alpaca ranching is one of those options being considered by many. Alpacas are native to South America where they were established as domestic livestock long before the Inca Empire. Large herds of alpacas provided exquisite fiber for the garments of the Inca aristocracy. Until recently, alpacas were found only in South America. Today there are now about 30,000 alpacas in the United States. Alpacas are small (average adult weight is 120 – 150 pounds), with large expressive eyes. They are very curious, highly intelligent and easy to train. There are two types of alpacas: huacayas (wah-kay’-uhs), with fluffy, teddy bear looking fleeces and suris (sir’-ees), with silky, elegantly draping fleeces. They come in a remarkable range of colors: white, beige, tan, brown, mahogany, black, silver and all shades in between. Alpacas are hardy and thrive throughout the U.S. in most climates. They do well on grass pastures supplemented with grass hay and a small daily feeding of inexpensive regionally compounded pellets. Because their digestive system is very efficient (three stomachs), alpacas require less pasture area per animal than do most grazing breeds. Inoculations and worming for alpacas are similar to those of other pasture animals. Their padded feet have two toes each with small toenails requiring trimming several times per year, depending on the terrain. Alpacas usually create a herd dung pile, making pasture clean-up easier. Their manure is mild and can be used immediately. Alpacas need access to shade in the summer and only a small three-sided shed for harsh winter weather. Perimeter fencing should be designed to keep out predators. Alpacas rarely rub or chew on fences or buildings. Their padded feet are easy on pastures. Alpaca females are usually ready for their first breeding by 15 to 18 months of age and males at 2 to 2 ½ years. Gestation is about 11 months with single babies delivered. Twins are very rare. A baby alpaca is called a “cria” (kree’-uh). Crias usually weigh 15 to 20 pounds at birth. Re-breeding is done about three weeks after delivery. The females are induced ovulators, meaning they ovulate in response to breeding rather than having a breeding season or going into “heat.” Breeders can control what time of year they want to have their crias born. Alpacas need annual shearing to keep them healthy and comfortable. Alpaca fiber is as soft as cashmere and much stronger than wool. Some have called it the “titanium” of fibers. As an investment animal, alpacas are excellent. With a long yearly gestation period, single births, a strong national breed association and a closed registry (no more importation) the alpaca industry has maintained its strong prices for breeding stock. Breeders often sell bred females for $10,000 to $20,000. Several breeding males have sold at auction for as much as $265,000 although a good quality herdsire can be purchased for about $5,000 - $30,000. So, what do you do with an alpaca? People raise alpacas for a variety of reasons. The tax benefits are great. Farmrelated expenses can be written off and property use requirements satisfied. Retirees can augment their income with a small breeding stock herd. Families are more comfortable raising small gentle animals with their children. Hobbyists enjoy showing and winning ribbons. Executives find the sweet, loving temperament of alpacas to be stress reducing. Fiber artists can create a profitable cottage industry. Potential for good income from larger-scale operations is likely. The Willamette Alpaca Breeders Association is hosting an alpaca show on Saturday & Sunday March 27 and 28 at the Linn Co. Fair & Expo Center just off I-5 in Albany, Oregon. About 300 alpacas from all over the Northwest will be exhibited to the public in one location. Their owners will be present to answer questions about raising alpacas and being involved in this exciting relatively new industry. Free educational seminars will be presented on Saturday and Sunday. Expert alpaca veterinarians Dr. Pat Long and Dr. Steven Hull and CPA Gary Kronmiller will discuss basic alpaca care, running an alpaca business and tax issues. All are welcome to attend. Throughout the weekend hand-spinners will be demonstrating alpaca fiber spinning techniques. Fleeces and finished products such as sweaters, hats, gloves, blankets, etc. will be available for purchase from individual ranches and vendors. A judged fleece show will be held on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Fleeces are judged on annual yield (weight), lock structure, handle (softness), fineness, uniformity, and preparation of the fleece. A judged halter show will be held on both Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.m. Alpacas will enter the ring in various classes divided by gender, age and color. They will be judged on conformation and fleece quality and awarded ribbons. The Willamette Alpaca Breeders Association is made up of about 20 ranches in the mid-Willamette Valley. WABA members meet monthly to share alpaca raising information and plan events. March 27 & 28, 2004 Linn Co. Fair & Expo Center, Albany, Oregon AOBA Certified Halter Show • Lorraine Guyn, judging AOBA Certified Fleece Show • Shannon McConnell, judging Featured Speakers: Stephen Hull, Farm Management & Dr. Pat Long, Herd Health Management Many seminars for new & experienced breeders! Fun Family BBQ! Venders Galore! For Registration Forms contact Wendy Greenwald at SylvanSkies@aol.com or 503-394-4266 www.alpacas-waba.org Sponsored by Willamette Alpaca Breeders Association
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