Winter - Classical MileEnd Alpacas

Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2007 / 08 

£4.80 where sold 

Inside this Issue 

Will DNA testing 

determine the 

appearance of your 

alpacas ? 

Claire Whitehead's 

guide to keeping your 

alpacas fit throughout 

the winter months 

Nanobodies: could 

alpacas provide a 

treatment for some 

human ailments ? 

Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2007 / 08


Welcome to Alpaca World Magazine 

Classical Publishing Ltd 

© 2008 

Issue 22 Winter 2007 / 08 

ISSN 1477–7088 

Editor: Rachel Hebditch 

Vulscombe Farm, 

Pennymoor, Tiverton, 

Devon, EX16 8NB. 

Telephone 01884 243579 

Mobile 07816 912212. 

Email: rachel@ 

alpacaworldmagazine.com 

Advertising: Heidi Hardy 

Telephone 01598 752799 

Copy deadline for the 

next issue: 7 March 2008 

Design & Production: 

Bright Friday Media 

2 Turnpike Cottages, 

Leonard Moor Cross, 

Uffculme, Devon, 

EX15 3EX. 

Telephone: 01884 840741. 

Email: production@ 

bright-friday.co.uk 

Print: Buxton Press Ltd, 

Derbyshire, England 

The material contained in 

Alpaca World Magazine is 

compiled by the publishers 

for information purposes 

only. Although the material 

included has been obtained 

from sources believed to be 

reliable, no guarantees are 

given as to its accuracy or 

completeness. Readers are 

reminded that expert advice 

should always be sought in 

individual cases. 

Whilst every care has been 

taken in the compilation of 

the material contained in 

this issue the publisher does 

not accept responsibility for 

any loss arising out of such 

changes or inaccuracies nor 

for any other loss suffered 

as a result of information 

contained in this issue. 

Notice to Advertisers: 

It is a condition of 

acceptance of advertisement 

orders that the publishers, 

Classical Publishing Ltd, do 

not guarantee the insertion 

of a particular advertisement 

on a specific date, or at all, 

although every effort will 

be made to meet the wishes 

of advertisers; further the 

company does not accept 

liability for any loss or 

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printing or non appearance 

of any advertisement, or if 

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any objectionable wording, 

or reject any advertisement. 

Although every 

advertisement is carefully 

checked, occasionally 

mistakes do occur. We 

therefore ask advertisers to 

assist us by checking their 

advertisements carefully 

and to advise us by the 

deadline given should an 

error occur. We regret 

that we cannot accept 

responsibility for more than 

one incorrect insertion and 

that no republication or 

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the case of typographic or 

minor changes which do 

not affect the value of the 

advertisement. 

The only independent magazine reporting on the international alpaca industry. Distributed by subscription worldwide and 

through country stores across the UK, Alpaca World Magazine reaches the largest readership in its market. 

Down here in the South West of England we have all decamped to Noah's Ark and are 

contemplating a trip to a land where the roads and ditches are not raging torrents and the 

alpacas are fluffballs rather than soggy looking things with felted fleeces. 

The weather apart, let's hope that 2008 is a good year for all alpaca breeders and that the doom 

and gloom – housing market, lack of credit, bluetongue – lifts sooner rather than later. There is 

the Futurity on February 16 and 17 at Newbury Racecourse to look forward to, the British Alpaca 

Society Spring Show and Sale at the 

Bristol Sales Centre at the end of March, 

and of course if you are feeling flush 

the World Alpaca Conference 2008 in 

Sydney, Australia. 

Meanwhile back at home there is plenty 

of advice in this issue from veterinarian 

Claire Whitehead on how to keep your 

herd healthy during the winter and the 

importance of body scoring as well as 

news from Europe from our contributors 

Nigel Cobb in Spain, Hilary Shenton in 

Italy and Andy Spillane in France. 

Inside Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2007 / 08 

NEWS 

04 British Alpaca Futurity 2008 

06 Winter Slows Bluetongue 

06 BAS Registry Audit 

06 Standardising Health Issues 

06 A Show for the Dutch and Belgians 

06 Mange Project 

06 Show Notice 

06 French Show and Sale 

08 East German Show 

08 Wills and Alpacas 

08 SWAG Spring Show and Sale 

10 Alpaca on the Menu 

SPECIAL FEATURES 

12 Genomic Era 

32 From Dromedary to Drugs 

44 Winter Worries ? 

FEATURES 

27 Distant Echoes 

54 Potato 

58 Changing Lives 

HEALTH AND Welfare 

18 It Always Happens on a Bank Holiday 

22 The Watchdogs 

Foreign Correspondence 

36 Her Outback 

50 Moving On 

64 Italian Job 

68 Letter from France 

OVERVIEW 

38 Why Alpacas ? 

ADVERTISING Features 

35 BCF Technology 

Cover: Gaia Dakalo 

www.alpacaworldmagazine.com

News BAF 2008 

The British Alpaca Futurity 2008 

If you have news of events 

or developments within the 

alpaca industry which you 

would like to share with 

others please send it to: 

The Editor 

Alpaca World Magazine 

Vulscombe Farm 

Pennymoor 

Tiverton 

Devon EX16 8NB 

United Kingdom 

Email: info@ 

alpacaworldmagazine.com 

Alpacas at the winning post … the British 

Alpaca Futurity 2008 expects to build on 

the success achieved by last year's event. 

The British Alpaca Futurity 2008 will take place 

at Newbury Racecourse on February 16th and 

17th. This will be the premier two day Spring 

Show for alpaca enthusiasts in the UK and 

Europe despite the Bluetongue virus controls 

still in place. 

At the moment breeders inside the 

surveillance zone will be able to 

show their alpacas at the Futurity 

and it seems there is a possibility 

that animals from outside the zone 

may be able to take part in the 

show classes. DEFRA and a core 

group of industry stakeholders are 

considering a ‘seasonally vector free 

period’ between January and early 

March that will permit movement. 

This corresponds directly to a period 

of low midge activity when midges 

are either dying off, inactive and/or 

unable to transmit the virus. 

The best of British alpaca breeding 

will be on display in the show classes 

judged by Mike Safley (USA) and 

Paul Cullen (UK). There will 

be authoritative seminars from 

the British veterinarian Claire 

Whitehead, lecturer in Camelid 

Medicine and Reproduction at the 

Royal Veterinary College and British 

Camelids chairman and experienced 

alpaca breeder Nick Weber who will 

talk about practical nutrition. The 

American judge and author Mike 

Safley will discuss Alpaca Type on 

the Sunday morning. 

There are fantastic prizes to be 

won in the raffle and an opportunity 

to see the best of British alpaca 

fashions on the catwalk. This will 

consist of new garments designed 

by students at the Leeds College of 

Fashion and Design and a range of 

commercially available garments 

from existing producers. 

There will be a champagne 

reception and celebration dinner 

followed by an elite auction of nine 

alpacas. The online auction of stud 

services provided by an excellent 

range of alpaca males from across the 

country continues to raise money for 

the event - there are no reserves. 

For those of you still slightly 

bemused as to what a Futurity 

actually is, John Potts explains. 

What is a Futurity? 

Forgive me if you know all about 

them or have seen them in the USA 

or Canada. They follow a slightly 

different format but all have the same 

purpose-to add some razzamatazz 

to the format of the usual county 

agricultural shows, to wave the alpaca 

flag with lots and lots of attendant 

publicity, to sell alpacas at very good 

prices and to have a good time. 

Let me explain in outline the 

format of The British Futurity: It 

is designed to be a showpiece for 

all British alpaca breeders, large 

or small. The show classes, with 

substantial prize money on offer, are 

open to any alpaca offspring, over 

six months of age on February 16, 

2008, of all 'nominated' Herd Sires. 

Nominating a Herd Sire requires 

the owner (or any other person with 

the owner’s permission) to pay a 

nomination fee. This nomination 

then makes all of that male’s 

offspring eligible for the event. 

A Herd sire must be domiciled in 

Europe and registered with the BAS 

to be eligible for entry. The owner 

of the herd sire receives ten percent 

of the winnings of his progeny and 

the Futurity Championship will 

be awarded to the nominated sire 

whose progeny have won the most 

money during the show. There will 

be a Futurity Champion Huacaya, 

a Futurity Champion Suri, a 

Small Breeder award and a Junior 

Herdsire award. 

The owner of each qualifying 

offspring pays an entry fee for each 

alpaca entered. Entries will compete 

in classes run under BAS rules and 

the top three or five, depending 

on the number of animals in the 

class, will win cash awards starting 

at £100 for first. The top two in 

each class will move on to the 

Championship classes. There will 

be colour championships only. Cash 

prizes will be awarded to the first two 

places in each of the Championship 

classes. 

Entries for the auction have now 

closed but there will also be three 

‘wild card’ slots where animals that 

have been shown at the Futurity 

can go into the auction. The 

alpacas will be paraded during the 

auction and will be available for 

inspection on the first floor during 

the day. The Futurity sponsors - The 

Alpaca Stud, Bozedown Alpacas, 

EP Cambridge UK, Alpacas of 

Wessex, Classical MileEnd Alpacas 

and Langaton Alpacas - have also 

purchased an animal that will be 

auctioned for charity. 

The British Alpaca Futurity is a 

non-profit making event. All entry 

money will be returned in prizes 

after costs are met. In the event that 

there is a surplus from sponsorship 

money/stands/promoters it will be 

put towards next year’s event. 

Will another show be an 

unnecessary burden on our season 

and breeders generally? I don’t 

"For more information on any aspect of the 

Futurity please contact John Potts on 01903 

891425 or go to www.BritishAlpacaFuturity.com 

where you can also reserve your tickets and 

obtain entry forms." 

believe so. The Futurity will kick 

off the 2008 show season and help 

to give the industry a much needed 

boost after a difficult 2007. 

Is it a show mainly for the bigger 

breeders? Absolutely not! It is an 

occasion where all breeders, however 

small, can participate. There is no 

limit on numbers. The facility can be 

adjusted to take almost any number 

of alpacas. We hope breeders will 

attend who only have one alpaca to 

show-or even none at all, to be able to 

see the showing, listen to our speakers 

and experience the excitement of the 

auction. It is an occasion for everyone 

to have a good time 

The originating sponsors are The 

Alpaca Stud, Alpacas of Wessex, 

Bozedown Alpacas, EP Cambridge 

UK, Classical MileEnd Alpacas and 

Langaton Alpacas. 

4 Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2007 / 08

www.alpaca-uk.co.uk 

CME Tulaco Centurion and TAS Dovecote Jaquinto 

Service and Quality in Depth 

Whether you are new to alpacas or an existing breeder, 

we have a depth of choice, service and ten years 

experience to help you. 

With some of the best Australian, American and British 

bloodlines in our herd, we can offer a package of quality 

alpacas, stud services and one of the best after sales 

support in the industry. 

More information can be found on our website or 

please get in touch if you would like to arrange to visit 

our stud farm. 

Based in Mid Devon, we’re just twenty minutes from the 

M5 junction 27 

Discover Alpacas with Rachel and Chas 

A friendly introduction to alpacas and their husbandry. 

This event is usually run every month, see our website 

for details or telephone to reserve a place. 

BRITISH 

ALPACA 

FUTURITY 

2008 

Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB. Telephone: 01884 243579. Email: rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk 


5

News Winter Slows Bluetongue / Registry Audit / Standardising Health Issues / Dutch and Belgian Show / Mange Project / Show Notice / French Show and Sale 

Winter Slows Bluetongue 

BAS Registry Audit for DEFRA 

Bluetongue cases have slowed with 

the onset of winter and there is some 

hope that animals will be permitted 

to move out of the restricted 

zones to live during a ‘seasonally 

vector free period’. This would be 

between January and March as this 

corresponds directly to a period of 

low midge activity when midges 

are either dying off, inactive and/or 

unable to transmit virus. 

Bluetongue is a viral disease of 

ruminants spread by a biting midge 

that is thought to have reached the 

UK from Europe in August 2007. 

DEFRA issued a tender to supply 

between 10 and 20 million doses 

of Bluetongue BTV-8 vaccine in 

November 2007 and it is hoped 

that vaccine will be available by 

the summer. In the government’s 

Disease Control Policy Statement 

they say: ‘In keeping with the 

principles set out in the Bluetongue 

Control Strategy, which was 

developed in partnership with the 

farming industry, livestock keepers 

will be offered the opportunity to 

purchase vaccine from the bank. 

We are developing a detailed plan 

with representatives of the farming 

industry, Bluetongue scientific 

experts and others as to how a 

vaccination programme would work.’ 

There have also been discussions 

as to whether expanding the 

Surveillance Zone to the whole 

of England so that more animal 

movements would be permitted 

inside that zone would be of 

economic benefit. The assumption is 

that movement restrictions would be 

in place for a full twelve months. 

Mange Project 

Mange mites in alpaca, llama and 

goat populations in the UK are the 

subject of a new research project at 

the University of Bristol Veterinary, 

Parasitology & Ecology Research 

Group. Breeders are asked to fill in 

a questionnaire that will allow the 

researchers to study the prevalence 

of mites and the possible crosstransmission 

between sheep and nonovine 

species. Follow up farm visits are 

expected to collect mite samples for 

DNA analysis. Jacqueline Lusat, Dr 

Eric Morgan and Professor Richard 

Wall will examine existing methods of 

control and then try and find new and 

more effective control techniques. 

The bluetongue virus appeared 

in Germany, Benelux and France 

in 2006 and has inexorably spread 

with large areas of France now being 

in a restricted zone. However the 

five alpacas reported to have died of 

bluetongue in Belgium turned out, 

on post mortem, to be free of the 

disease. 

In December, the Veterinary 

Record carried a report on the death 

of an alpaca from bluetongue in 

central Germany from veterinarians 

M. Henrich M. Reinacher and H.P. 

Hamann. Three months before 

its death the alpaca gave birth to 

a healthy cria. Four weeks before 

it died, the alpaca showed signs 

of colic with recumbancy and 

tympanic abdomen. The animal was 

degassed via nasogastric intubation 

and recovered quickly but the 

cause of the clinical signs remained 

undetected. Immediately before the 

infection both mother and cria were 

in excellent body condition and both 

showed no sign of an underlying 

disease. 

Acute clinical signs started 

with ‘hiccup-like’ breathing and 

a stertorous sound discernable by 

auscultation. One hour later the 

animal was inappetant, recumbent 

and lethargic. Seven hours later the 

animal was observed coughing and 

mildly disorientated. Fourteen hours 

after the first observation of signs, 

the animal died. 

Sequences of bluetongue virus 

were found in tissue samples of the 

blood, lymph nodes and spleen. The 

rest of the herd, including the cria, 

remain healthy. 

Show Notice 

Breeders from Holland, Belgium, 

France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, 

and of course Germany are expected 

at the International Alpaca Show 

2008 organised by the Alpaca 

Association e.V. at Ulm in Germany 

on March 16. The organisers hope 

to have around 150 alpacas at the 

show which will be judged by the 

UK’s Val Fullerlove. There will also 

be a market with at least twenty 

five different trade stands selling 

products associated with the alpaca 

business. 

For more information contact 

Jochen Kramer info@alpacaland.de 

A national herd audit has been accurate and up to date. This 

put in train by the British Alpaca follows the outbreaks of Foot and 

Society Registry in order to Mouth and Bluetongue when 

ensure that the records of all the the registry had to work closely 

alpacas registered in the UK are with DEFRA to locate and test 

alpacas in the affected areas. It 

is understood that DEFRA do 

not want to impose legislation 

to administer the movement 

or registration of alpacas but 

instead prefer the BAS to provide 

the essential interface between 

owners and governments. 

A Show for Dutch and Belgians 

On Sunday March 16th 2008 a animals. This also gives the smaller 

small group of alpaca breeders will alpaca owners who own only wethers 

organise the first ever alpaca show a chance to bring their animals to a 

in the Netherlands this year in the show. 

town of Hapert, about 15 km from Besides judging the alpacas there 

Eindhoven. Mr Dominic Lane will will be a lot of tradestands where 

judge the animals and fleeces and various businesses will promote their 

on Saturday evening he will hold company and products. There is also 

a workshop for Dutch and Belgian animation for the younger visitors 

alpaca breeders. A unique event in like pony rides and a petting zoo. For 

this show will be the wether-class more information visit our website at 

where the audience will judge the www.alpacashow.eu 

Standardising Health Issues 

Spanish alpaca breeders Nigel 

• Agreeing similar movement 

and Ginny Cobb have found the requirements across the EU for farm 

different health protocols for alpacas to farm or farm to show 

across Europe frustrating to say the • Research into camelid diseases, 

least. They have come up with this in particular, TB, BT, FMD and 

proposal for an EU Camelid Health brucellosis and development of 

Committee. 

preventative measures 

This committee should be appointed • What Bio-security measures should 

with the objective of getting better be taken at the farm 

standardised health arrangements for • Testing of camelids for disease 

camelids across the EU 

prevention - what is required and 

To achieve this it will need the how often. 

associations across the EU to 

• Possible notification of reasons for 

work together through an effective deaths of alpacas 

health committee, appointed by the We feel that all camelid owners 

associations and working closely across the EU should ask their 

with each country’s Department of associations to work together to 

Agriculture 

achieve this. 

The sort of issues that this health www.andaluciaalpacas.com 

committee could investigate might 

include: 

French Show and Sale 

International judge Dominic Lane will be judging at the French Alpaca Show 

held at Vierzon in the centre of France on March 29 that will be followed by a 

sale of stud animals the following day March 30. 

For more information contact Marie-Genevieve Lion at Lionpitou@aol.com 


Newbury 

Racecourse 

Berkshire 

16 th and 17 th 

February 

BRITISH 

ALPACA 

FUTURITY 

2008 

This is the premier two day spring show 

for alpaca enthusiasts in the UK and 

Europe. Come and see the best of British 

alpaca breeding in the show classes 

judged by Mike Safley (USA) and Paul 

Cullen (UK). 

Listen to authoritative seminars from 

British veterinarian Claire Whitehead, 

lecturer in Camelid Medicine and 

Reproduction at the Royal Veterinary 

College, Nick Weber on Practical Nutrition 

and Mike Safley, international judge and 

author, will discuss Alpaca Type. 

There are fantastic prizes to be won in 

the Prize Draw and an opportunity to see 

the best of British alpaca fashions on the 

catwalk. You can party the night away at 

our champagne reception and celebration 

dinner followed by an elite auction of 

nine alpacas. 

The excitement has started with our 

online auction of stud services provided 

by an excellent range of top alpaca males 

from across the country – there are no 

reserves. 

Join us at the 2008 British Alpaca Futurity 

and support your industry 


News East German Show / Wills and Alpacas / SWAG Spring Show and Sale 

East German Alpaca Show 

By Dominic Lane Australian Alpaca 

Association Judge 

It is always a pleasure and a privilege 

to be invited to judge an alpaca show, 

even more so when it is an inaugural 

event such as the East German 

Alpaca Show which was held in 

a pretty village called Burgstadt 

near Leipzig on the 6th and 7th of 

October. The distance is certainly 

covered quickly via the German 

autobahn which, I must say, is the 

perfect place to own a sports car. 

The evening before the show 

we were invited as the guests of 

honour to a lovely restaurant within 

the Hotel complex. Now this was 

some dinner function. We were 

treated to an amazing variety of 

local produce featuring plenty of 

meat, bread and potatoes which 

were staples of the East German 

diet in harder times. The evening 

was full of surprises including a fire 

juggler followed by an alpaca fashion 

parade. The garments were of very 

high quality and were paraded by 

professional models and next came 

what appeared to be alpaca lingerie, 

it was hard to tell considering the 

size of the pieces, and was not for the 

faint hearted but great fun and very 

entertaining. 

The venue was a well presented, 

spacious shed that had more than 

enough room to house over 150 

alpacas along with a number of 

displays and trade stands. I was very 

interested to see the quality that was 

being bred in East Germany and I 

was not disappointed. The quality 

was generally very high although 

there was not the depth that I am 

used to judging in the show rings in 

Australia, New Zealand or the UK. 

The handlers presented their 

alpacas professionally and in clean 

paddock condition. For some this 

would have been their first show 

but you wouldn’t have known it. 

Everyone seemed to take it very 

seriously but as always, I made it 

clear before the show started that 

the main thing was that they enjoyed 

themselves and to remember that it 

was also meant to be a fun day. In 

one of the classes one of the alpacas 

was led into the show ring by a young 

fellow who did very well to control 

his alpaca when it played up which 

was fantastic to see. I made sure 

that my comments reflected this as 

he was also fortunate enough to win 

his class. We mustn’t forget that our 

children are the next generation and 

it was great to see an exhibitor so 

young gaining the courage to show 

his alpaca. 

You may wonder how my oral 

reasoning was deciphered by 

the spectators as in the east of 

Germany, English has only been 

taught in schools since 1989 and 

therefore not many of the locals 

of Burgstadt were fluent. I was 

fortunate to have a couple of very 

competent interpreters who repeated 

my comments to the crowd. The 

Champion Female and Male Suri 

were both wonderful examples of 

the suri breed and exhibited great 

lustre, fineness and density with 

outstanding architecture, coverage 

and sound conformation. It was 

unfortunate that I was not able 

to award a Supreme Champion 

Suri as the Champion Female and 

Male Suri both compete against 

the Champion Female and Male 

Huacaya for Best of Show. This is an 

interesting approach that I have been 

faced with before when I was invited 

to judge in Belgium and which I 

Grand Champion Suri Male - Zeus of Zauberland Alpakas 

Reserve Champion Suri Male - Admiral of Zauberland Alpakas 

Grand Champion Suri Female - Soleil of Zauberland Alpakas 

Reserve Champion Suri Female - Alina of Alpakahof Bochmann 

Grand Champion Haucaya Male - Maranon of Alpakas Von Silberberg 

Reserve Champion Huacaya Male - Mica of Alpaca of Density 

Grand Champion Huacaya Female - Curly Sue of Alpaca of Density 

Reserve Champion Female Huacaya - Melina of Alpaca of Density 

Best of Show - Maranon of Alpakas Von Silberberg (shown above) 

believe isn’t really giving each breed This seemed to be a very popular 

the opportunity to be awarded the decision with the local breeders and I 

Supreme award in their own section. wish the owners of the Best of Show 

However, as a judge, we have to all the best in the future. 

respect and judge to the show rules The crowd was always attentive 

of the country we are judging in. and were genuinely interested in 

As usual there was an alpaca that the judgingl. This was evident with 

stood out from the rest in being over 4,000 people attending the 

the complete package combining show which was a great success and 

fleece and conformation. I awarded a reflection of how popular alpacas 

the Best of Show to a German bred are becoming in Eastern Germany. 

alpaca being the Grand Champion This is a very exciting time for the 

Male Huacaya. He was very 

European Alpaca Industry and it 

upstanding and displayed the best was a pleasure to see how eager the 

uniformity of micron and character breeders and general public were 

throughout the fleece with excellent to gain as much knowledge as they 

conformation and presence. 

could during the weekend. 

Your Will Could Benefit Alpacas 

SWAG Spring Show and Sale 

Nigel Cobb writes - Charitable 

donations are a vital lifeblood of 

any charity. We continually give to 

charities during our lifetime, but we 

could, and many do, a little bit more. 

The Daily Telegraph reported in 

October that a staggering £1.6 billion 

is bequeathed to charities in people’s 

wills. Alpaca owners should consider 

the Camelid Trust, our charity, to 

which 10% of your subscription to 

your breed society goes. But it needs 

to have more funds in order to finance 

research and help the welfare of our 

lovely animals. If you want to make 

a difference, then leave something in 

your will to help this research in the 

future. Adding a clause to your will is 

easy and bear in mind that any gift 

given to a charity in your will is free of 

inheritance tax, so the bonus for the 

charity is quite large. You will need 

its actual name and Charity number 

- British Camelids Ltd - Charity 

Registration Number 802688. Get 

your solicitor to amend your will 

or I would be happy to do this for 

members, as a regulated will writer 

(and alpaca owner) - see my web site 

- www.dragonflywills.com 

The South West Alpaca Group’s 

Spring Show and Sale returns to 

its original venue at the Bristol 

Sales Centre on the 29th and 30th 

of March. The show classes for 

huacayas and suris will be run 

under BAS rules and judged by 

Nick Harrington Smith on the 

Saturday. On the Sunday, the Sale 

Day, approximately sixty alpacas 

will be offered for private sale. 

It is expected that there will be 

a number of trade stands taken 

by breeders and those marketing 

alpaca products. Under the current 

Bluetongue restrictions only 

animals from outside of the control 

surveillance zone will be able to 

take part in this two day event. For 

more details visit www.swagsale. 

co.uk or contact the organisers: 

Show: Di Davies 07739 382483 

didavies@alpacafsnet.co.uk 

Sale: Karen Oglesby 01489 878663 

info@mvalpacas.co.uk 


ng and 

l 

Birthing & Cria Care a guide 

for the new alpaca owner. 

Send a cheque for £16 plus 

£1 p & p (UK mainland) to 

help their gate receipts. In short they have a but certainly the big shows are outgrowing the 

MileEnd financial Farm incentive Ltd, and are thus not always facilities currently used. However the shows 

being magnanimous to the alpaca exhibitors. that do 'stand alone' will have to be aware of 

If we have stand-alone shows there are two budget. It may well be that the entry costs 

immediate benefits to the alpaca industry. need to increase but this can be in part offset 

The first being that any visitors would be by sponsorship and entry fees for the public. It 

specifically interested in alpacas and the may well be that this is more acceptable if we 

second is that monies earned stay within the don't have to spend endless days in attendance 

Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8NB 

purse of the show organisers. 

for no good purpose. There are many areas 

Telephone 01884 243579 Fax 01884 243514 

that can generate income for show organisers 

Will our alpacas have enough fleece to although in the short term, whilst confidence 

show in the winter? 

builds, the breed society would need to 


become involved in backing individual shows. 

This is nothing new as it has been doing so for 

the Royal Show for a number of years. 

If they are old enough to show then they will 

have enough fleece. With the intermediates and 

older you will be able to shear early enough in 

the year and the fleece will be at its best. 

Who will organise the shows? 

The current show organisers would find the 

task less onerous given that it would happen 

at a time of year when they perhaps have less 

pressure on their time from their own alpaca 

enterprise. Also they would not be dancing to 

the tune of the host show organisers. It may 

well be that more people would be willing to 

help because of the timing. 

If we move away from the Agricultural 

shows who will underwrite the cost? 

Certainly this area will cause most concern. 

Not all shows will need to change their timing 

32 Alpaca World Magazine Summer 2007 

www.hanleyhallalpacas.co.uk 

To advertise in 


telephone Heidi Hardy 

on 01598 752799 

What about keeping animals in show 

condition? 

The current timings pose as many problems. 

Although the biggest challenge would be 

winter weather and mud, we have all seen 

our alpacas in dry weather bathe in the water 

tanks or roll in the dust bowl shortly after a 

shower. Indeed as I write I am looking at some 

very dirty alpacas destined for a show in 24 

hours. I am sure they will be fine on the day! 

Where are the shows going to be held? 

There are tremendous indoor facilities 

available at various show grounds that would 

accommodate the majority of shows. I was 

offered an equestrian facility this year that 

752490. Email: alpaca@jarbon.com. Website: www.jarbon.com 

could have accommodated an alpaca show of 

200 plus, and at a cost of less than one-third 

the cost of a marquee that would only cover a 

show ring. One racecourse has offered their 

parade ring and seating for no charge. 

"What started as a germ of 

an idea seems to have taken 

hold with at least some of this 

year's show participants." 

The above are but a few of the issues and I 

am sure many of you will have other concerns. 

However, I think it useful to consider the pros 

and cons of the concept. 

What started as a germ of an idea seems 

to have taken hold with at least some of 

this year's show participants. Whatever 

individuals may believe, things cannot 

change without discussion and consensus. 

If you have comments on this subject I am 

sure the editor would welcome constructive 

contributions. Above all else we do need to 

ensure the welfare of our alpacas. A change of 

show season is doing no more than mirroring 

the practises of countries whose alpaca 

industries evolved before ours. We now have 

the alpacas to rival the best elsewhere, it is 

time we recognised this and acted accordingly 

to protect their well being. 

Alpaca Alpaca World World Magazine Magazine Winter Summer 2007 2007 / 08 69

News Alpaca on the Menu 

Alpaca on the Menu 

www.laviande.com.au 

Australian alpaca meat will be on the 

menu at Adelaide’s Hilton Hotel for 

the first time early this year. Simon 

Bryant, executive chef, has created 

several dishes for the meat they call 

Viande. 'It is one of those freak meats 

that is high in protein, low in fat and 

sodium. I know alpacas are cute but 

it’s time to get real about the future of 

farming in this country' 

The man driving the Australian 

alpaca industry’s move into the 

meat market is Steve Ridout who set 

up the LaViande company. He has 

been working with the Australian 

government’s Rural Industries 

Research and Development 

Corporation and Ausmeat to create 

a carcase and cuts specification for 

alpaca meat. 

Dr Ian Davison, chairman of the 

Australian Alpaca Association, writes 

in the LaViande brochure: 

‘Increasingly the focus is on 

accelerating genetic improvement, 

aiming for improved fertility, higher 

fleece weights, finer fleece, and robust 

animals with higher carcase weights. 

Whilst the market has focused on 

stud sales during the establishment 

phase of the industry, there is 

increasing emphasis on production 

traits as the industry moves towards 

commerciality. Ultimately, as in their 

native home of Peru, alpacas will be 

bred for fleece, meat and skins, and 

Australia seeks to position itself as 

an international market leader in all 

production traits. 

The alpaca is highly suited to the 

Australian climate and environment, 

arguably much more so than the 

sheep. It is a very efficient browser 

and grazer, estimated to be 30% 

more efficient than sheep in feed 

conversion, and does well on native 

grasses and unimproved pasture. 

Like its cousin, the camel, it can 

tolerate drier climates better than 

most livestock, and its soft padded 

foot produces minimal compression 

and compaction on Australia’s fragile 

soils.' 

Australia now has a national herd 

of nearly 100,000 alpacas with over 

1200 registered studs and 1500 

registered breeders and the industry 

is 20 years old. 

Steve Ridout explained that up until 

now the alpaca business had been 

fleece driven but growers were looking 

for new income streams. He writes: 

‘It has been a lot of hard work in the 

early stages learning the food industry 

ropes, pitfalls, marketing techniques 

and many other issues to get to a 

"The meat is said to be like a very tender veal 

with no game taste at all and a buttery texture. 

It is a versatile meat to cook with and is best 

eaten rare but lends itself to a variety of dishes 

including sashimi." 

launch stage. We recognised that the 

industry really required a business to 

start up to ensure that the lower end 

of the market was supported which in 

turn benefits all growers alike. This 

timing coupled with the drought here 

in Australia, lower prices for lesser 

stock and high feed costs forced the 

industry to really take a look at where 

they were headed. The industry is 

maturing and has now got to a stage 

where we are no longer a cottage 

industry and have to move forward 

into a commercial industry where 

meat needs to be an option. LaViande 

is not for everyone, there are those 

who ventured into alpacas as a hobby 

or lifestyle farming. This concept is 

fine for those who choose to do it, 

however as the numbers and quality 

have grown across Australia the meat 

industry will make this a viable, long 

lasting enterprise’. 

In July last year LaViande held a 

successful Chefs Round Table event 

at the Meat and Wine Company in 

Darling Harbour, Sydney, where 

chefs and wholesalers tasted the 

products that the Hilton chef Simon 

Bryant had been working on for 

the previous eighteen months. 

They signed an exclusive wholesale 

agreement with Game Farm who 

market a range of exotic meats in 

Sydney and Queensland. 

The meat is said to be like a very 

tender veal with no game taste at all 

and a buttery texture. It is a versatile 

meat to cook with and is best eaten 

rare but lends itself to a variety of 

dishes including sashimi. 

The alpacas that are slaughtered 

are up to 18 months old and at the 

moment growers can expect to be 

paid 100AUD$ a head although it is 

hope that this will rise once demand 

increases and other markets open up. 

Steve Ridout has been travelling 

around Australia giving a presentation 

to interested breeders about 

LaViande. These talks have attracted 

a wide variety of people with very little 

negative feedback. 

He says:'This is a high quality 

product with health benefits and 

environmental pluses. It commands 

a higher price and is designed to be 

sold through restaurants and gourmet 

outlets.' 



11

The alpaca enters the 

GENOMIC ERA 

Warren Johnson and Polina Perelman describe the 

development of a Radiation-Hybrid Map 

In many livestock industries, an increasing array 

of DNA tests are being offered to enhance 

health and determine the physical appearance 

of their animals. Will alpacas be next ? 

Our appreciation and understanding of 

the impact of genetics on human health, 

appearance and behaviour has increased 

rapidly over the last decade, with several 

disciplines coalescing around the new field 

of genomics. The results of these advances 

are filtering into our lives in innumerable 

ways, some of which are obvious but others of 

which are less evident. Perhaps one of the least 

appreciated aspects of this genomic evolution 

is the rate at which the associated technologies 

and sciences are being applied to other 

species, and how this focus on non human 

subjects is, in turn, increasing the overall 

pace of discovery in the field. This synergy 

is especially apparent for members of the 

exclusive genomics club, consisting of species 

for which there is a detailed genomic map. 

The alpaca, as one of the most recent 

entries into this genomics club, is already 

beginning to benefit from the added exposure 

and biomedical and scientific attention that 

membership accrues. And although it is 

uncertain exactly what the genomics era 

portends for the extended alpaca community, 

the experiences of other groups - such as those 

centered on species like dogs, cats, horses, and 

cows - provide some context. 

However, it is first useful to have a sense 

of what is a genetic map, how is it made, 

and what is its utility? The most detailed 

genomic maps are physical maps. These 

serve both to orient genomic information 

along chromosomes, much as a road map, 

but equally as important, it serves as a way of 

linking landmarks and knowledge obtained 

from other species and their physical maps. 

These maps also have the desirable feature 

of being built to scale, not only providing the 

likely order of features along a chromosome, 

but also a good estimate of the relative 

distance between items of interest, such as 

regions coding for genes or specific mutations 

associated with different traits. Until recently, 

the only available physical maps were 

chromosomal or cytogenetic maps, often 

highlighted with different banding patterns 

with a light microscope (Figure 1) or with 

fluorescently labelled probes (Figure 2). Of 

DEFINITIONS 

GENOME An organism's complete genetic make up, its complete 

nucleotide sequence of DNA, which provides the instructions that 

are used to make an entire organism, and guide its growth and 

development. 

GENOMICS The study of the relationships between genetic features 

and biological function in organisms. Genomics is a broad discipline 

that has arisen as a new science that studies the whole genome 

by integrating traditional genetic disciplines such as molecular, 

population, and quantitative genetics with new technologies in 

molecular biology, DNA analysis, bioinformatics, and automated 

robotic systems. 

GENETIC MARKERS An observable variation that results from an 

alteration or mutation at a single genetic locus. Markers may be used 

as landmarks on a genomic map if it is passed from parent to offspring 

following standard rules of inheritance. Markers can be linked with 

genes that code for traits of interest or be located within non-coding 

regions in unique regions of a chromosome. 


FIG. 1 C-banding pattern of alpaca chromosomes. 

The alpaca karyotype consists of 74 chromosomes, one of 

the highest numbers in mammals. The alpaca karyotype 

also has unusually large heterochromatic regions, 

represented here as dark bands. All camelid species have 

an almost identical set of chromosomes with the same 

diploid number but with differences in their distribution 

of heterochromatin (consisting largely of repetitive DNA 

sequences). 

Figure 1 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

much broader utility, however, and as such, a 

general prerequisite for entry into the genomic 

era, are radiation hybrid maps and sequence 

maps. 

At the Laboratory of Genomic Diversity 

at the National Cancer Institute, we recently 

completed a "first-generation" radiation hybrid 

map of the alpaca (Figure 4). The donor 

cell line was established from a white male 

huacaya named Limerick (Figure 3). This 

resource provides a way to localise almost 

any genetic marker, as well as other genomic 

fragments, to a defined map position, and can 

be essential to the rapid identification of genes 

or mutations that are involved in specific 

inherited diseases or physical traits (Figure 4). 

As useful as a radiation hybrid map can be, 

even more informative are maps consisting 

of large amounts of direct sequencing of the 

genome, often referred to as whole genome 

sequences (WGS). These have been made 

possible by new technologies that have rapidly 

increased the speed and reduced the costs 

of sequencing every base pair of a chosen 

genome. These WGS not only more directly 

identify the genetic markers, but also quite 

precisely measure the distance between these 

markers in base pairs. 

Although the initial focus of sequencing 

efforts was the human genome, the number of 

mammals for which there are whole genome 

sequences is growing at an increasing pace. 

These species are chosen for a variety of 

reasons, but generally selection has been based 

on their economic importance (e.g. cow, pig, 

horse, domestic dog), their use and potential 

as a bio-medical research model (e.g. mouse, 

rat, zebra fish, domestic cat), or for how their 

sequence will increase our understanding of 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 32 33 34 35 

36 X Y 

Figure 2 

■ HSA 14 

■ HSA 15 

FIG. 2 Localization of two fluorescent painting probes 

of human chromosomes 14 (green) and 15 (red) onto 

alpaca metaphase chromosomes. The grouping of human 

chromosomes 14 and 15 is an ancestral association that 

is observed in most mammalian karyotypes and depicts 

how sections of the alpaca genome have similar patterns 

(homology) with other mammals, including humans. 


13

Special Feature Genomic Era 

Figure 3 Figure 4 

Alpaca Cell Irradiated Alpaca Cell Hamster Cell 

1 X-rays 

2 Cell Fusion 

3 Radiation Hybrid Panel 

4 PCR Analysis 5 Statistical Analysis 6 Radiation Hybrid Map 

FIG. 3 Limerick, a male huacaya white alpaca from the 

Oregon State University research herd, was the donor for 

the alpaca radiation hybrid map in Fig. 4.. 

human genome organization and function 

(e.g. baboon, macaque). 

Last year, in large part because of the 

genomic resources that were already being 

developed for the alpaca, including the 

radiation hybrid map, and with the support of 

researchers from the Laboratory of Genomic 

Diversity, the momentous decision was made 

by the National Human Genome Research 

Institute to nominate the alpaca for whole 

genome sequencing. Sequencing of the alpaca 

at the Genome Sequencing Center at the 

Washington University School of Medicine in 

St. Louis (http://genome.wustl.edu/genome_ 

group.cgi?GROUP=8) is expected to be 

complete sometime around the end of 2007. 

The implications of the selection of the 

alpaca cannot be overestimated. Once the 

sequence is assembled, integrated with 

the radiation hybrid map, and linked with 

other whole genome maps, it will be a 

tremendous catalyst for researchers from near 

and far afield. It will allow for the efficient 

identification of genes and mutations of 

functional importance to alpaca breeders and 

researchers. The availability of comparative 

genomic information in closely related species 

(pig, horse, cow, dog, cat, human, mouse 

etc.) and a fuller description of patterns of 

similarity (homology) between the alpaca and 

other related mammals will also dramatically 

increase the utility of the alpaca map and will 

facilitate the transfer of discoveries from one 

species to another. There is already growing 

interest in the scientific community in the 

use of the alpaca as an animal model. By 

some estimates, of over eighty congenital 

defects identified in camelids, a third have 

similar inherited conditions in humans. This 

promises to lead to the further commitment 

of resources for alpaca research and to the 

broadening of the number of researchers 

embarking on camelid research projects 

worldwide. It also bears emphasis that the vast 

majority of what is learned about the alpaca 

genome will be directly applicable to the 

llama, the two new world wild camelids, the 

FIG. 4 Construction of a Radiation Hybrid Map is 

based on the assumption that the closer the genes are on 

the chromosome, the more likely they are to be in the same 

fragment. 

1. Radiation randomly breaks chromosomes into small 

fragments. Close genes will stay in one fragment with 

higher probability than genes that are far apart on the 

chromosome. Irradiated alpaca cells will not survive by 

themselves, that is why they are fused with non-irradiated 

hamster cells. 

2. Fragments of alpaca chromosomes can survive inside 

of hamster cells. Some chromosome fragments will be 

retained by one hamster cell and some by another cell. 

This will create diversity among clones. 

Figure 5 

linkage group 52 assigned to 

alpaca chromosome 9 

alpaca 

chromosome 9 

FIG. 5 Genes with similar vectors are combined 

in linkage groups. Linkage groups are assigned to 

a particular chromosome based on the comparative 

sequence analysis and the chromosome painting data. For 

example, gene BDNF is a brain-derived neurotrophic 

factor that is essential for the survival of neurons in 

the brain. The link between changes in this gene and 

behavioral and neurodegenerative syndromes (like 

memory impairment, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and 

hypoventilation syndrome) was shown both in human 

and mouse. Maker lgnuc457 was designed from a Lama 

sequence of the BDNF gene. This gene is known to be 

on chromosome 11 in humans and on chromosome D1 

3. Radiation hybrid panel consist of 92 different hybrid 

clones and control DNA. 

4. PCR analysis will show if the hybrid clone retained the 

particular gene. Bright band on the agarose gel shows the 

presence of the gene in the clone. Presence of the signal for 

a particular clone is scored as 1, absence as 0. 

5. The vector is created for each gene and it contains 

information about presence or absence of the gene in all 

92 clones. 

6. Statistical difference between vectors is an indication 

of the distance between genes on the chromosome. Genes 

A and B have similar distribution of positive signals, so 

they are situated on the chromosome closely. The vector of 

marker C is quite different. It had a big distance between 

genes A and B. 

human 

chromosome 11 

cat 

chromosome D1 

part of BDNF sequence from llama 

(highlighted areas were used as 

primers to amplify the part of the 

gene on the panel) 

in cats. Chromosome painting data show that alpaca 

chromosome 9 and human chromosome 11 have very 

similar DNA content. So we can safely assign whole 

linkage groups with BDNF to alpaca chromosome 9. This 

may be checked by direct localization of this gene on the 

alpaca chromosomes. The radiation hybrid map of alpaca 

allows one to determine not only the chromosome, but also 

precise location of the gene on this chromosome. 

By screening the DNA of their animals for desirable and 

undesirable traits that might appear in their offspring, 

breeders will be able to make more informed decisions 

about which animals to mate. 


Special Feature Genomic Era 

guanaco and vicuña, and most likely, to the 

old-world Bactrian and dromedary camels, as 

well. 

So what are the implications for alpacas and 

other camelids? Breeders of many animals, 

including horses and dogs, are already 

pioneering the use of genetic research to exert 

more control over the gene pool, using an 

increasing array of DNA tests being offered by 

companies to enhance health and determine 

the physical appearance of their animals. 

Candidate genes, or genes controlling the 

expression of many of the traits of interest to 

alpaca and llama owners, have already been 

identified in other species. Once tested in 

camelids, genetic tests will quickly become 

available. Eventually more complex traits, 

such as those associated with behaviour, 

will also be linked with genetic variation. 

By screening the DNA of their animals for 

desirable and undesirable traits that might 

appear in their offspring, breeders will be 

able to make more informed decisions about 

which animals to mate. This management 

will greatly enhance the economic value of 

these populations and will improve animal 

health and husbandry. As has been amply 

demonstrated with other domestic species, 

genetic management is an important step in 

herd improvement. 

The alpaca is one of the most recent 

entries into the genomics club, due largely 

to the inspiration and financial support of 

members of the camelid community, through 

the Alpaca Research Foundation and Morris 

Animal Foundation. The speed with which 

genomic techniques are translated into herd 

improvements and more active management 

will depend greatly on the continued interest 

and support of this community, both in terms 

of financial support, but also as measured 

by open access to information and biological 

samples from their animals. 

Acknowledgements 

This project received critical assistance from Leslie 

Wachter, Mike Benjamin, John Page, Bob Stephens, 

Beena Neelam, Jack Chen, Joan Pontius, Alex Peters, 

Mark Peters, Christina Walker, Alejandro Schaffer, 

Richa Agarwala, Bill Murphy, Victor David, Guo Pei, 

Nicole Crumpler, Mary Thompson, Roscoe Stanyon, 

Gary Stone, Sandra Burkett, and Stephen O'Brien. The 

majority of this work was funded by the Alpaca Research 

Foundation through a grant from Morris Animal 

Foundation. 

About the Authors 

© 2007 Alpacas Magazine; all rights reserved. Reprinted by permission. 

Dr Johnson earned his PhD in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University in 

1992 after receiving an MS in Wildlife Ecology from Utah State University in 

1984 and a BA in Biology from Oberlin College in 1983. For his PhD research, 

he worked with Dr. William Franklin studying pumas, guanacos, and other 

wildlife in southern Chile. He has been with the Laboratory of Genomic 

Diversity at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland since 1992. Dr. 

Johnson specializes in comparative genomics, molecular ecology, population 

genetics, conservation genetics, and evolutionary biology. 

Dr Polina L. Perelman earned her PhD in Genetics from the Institute of 

Cytology and Genetics in Novosibirsk, Russia in 2002 after receiving her 

MS from Novosibirsk State University. She has been a Visiting Fellow at the 

Laboratory of Genomic Diversity in Frederick, Maryland since 2004. She is 

the recipient of the academician M.A. Lavrentiev award to young scientists 

from the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science for outstanding 

postgraduate students. Dr. Perelman specializes in cytogenetics, genome 

evolution, and phylogenomics. Drs. Johnson and Perelman can be contacted 

in care of Alpacas Magazine. 


15

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1st Int. White Male 

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16 Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2007 / 08 Alpaca World Magazine Summer 2007 49

g e t t h e g e n e t i c s . . . 

w w w . a l p a k a l a n d . c h 

Sire: Sandjo High Esteem 

Grandsire: Purrumbete Highlander 

Granddam: Benstart Anastasia 

Great Grandsire: Jolimont Stefano 

Great Granddam: Jolimont Violet 

Dam: Atkins Ashleigh 

Grandsire: ILR Peruvian Drambuie 

Granddam: Coonawarra Anna 

Sire: Blue Grass Leroy Brown 

Grandsire: Purrumbete El Dorado 

Granddam:Purrumbete Clarity 

Great Grandsire: Purrumbete Highlander 

Great Granddam: Purrumbete Bambi 

Dam: Wyona Octapussy 

Grandsire: Inca Paddington 

Great Grandsire: Inca Black Magic 

Great Granddam: Inca Treacle 

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17

It always happens on a Bank Holiday ! 

August Bank holiday is supposed to be 

a time for relaxation; but not if you have 

Alpacas. 

During morning feed time and herd 

inspection I came across Max with a reddish/ 

pink bulge on his right hind foot. On a quick 

inspection I suspected an abscess so went off 

for some warm water to bathe it. 

With the help of husband Tom we rounded 

Max up for a closer look. 

It turned out not to be an abscess but a nasty 

cut across his pad – the reddish bulge being 

fatty tissue. I ran off to phone the vet. As it was 

Bank holiday Monday I had to get in touch 

with the emergency vet who turned out to be a 

South African and had no idea where we lived, 

not being from this area, but after a lengthy 

conversation I managed to direct him to us. 

Max, a four year old entire male, did not 

seem unduly worried at this point – he was 

putting weight on the foot and walking OK so 

we separated him from his field companion 

and put him in a corral next door. The vet 

arrived an hour later and we set off to inspect 

Max's foot. 

The vet's verdict – it would have to be 

stitched as it would never heal on its own due 

to the foot flexing all the time, but not today as 

we needed to clean it up and keep it that way. 

His first job was to detach the fatty bulge; 

however the vet had come without any suture 

to tie and cut off the bulging fatty pad, so Tom 

was sent off to raid his fishing rod for some 

line. That done the cut was given a good clean 

out, heavily bandaged and Max was given a 

painkiller and Pen/Strep antibiotic. The vet 

left with instructions to give the foot a daily 

clean and bandage. He would be back on the 

Wednesday to check on its progress as he did 

not want to stitch it up yet as a foot infection 

could be a strong possibility. 

Wednesday arrived – the vet came and 

inspected but said we still needed more time 

before stitching so we had to carry on with a few 

more days cleaning and bandaging and a date 

was set for the following Monday for stitching. 

We were keeping our fingers crossed as Monday 

arrived. Was this the day for stitching? Terrible 

thoughts had been going through my mind over 

the last few days – what if his foot had become 

infected and would not heal? 

The vet arrived with a nurse and I can only 

describe the scene as something out of the film 

M.A.S.H as a field hospital was set up in the 

pen. Luckily, re-enforcements had arrived to 

help in the form of one of our sons, Ben. 

As many of you will know, entire males 

hate having their feet and legs touched so 

we needed all the help we could get. I was in 

charge of the head end, Ben had the middle 

area and Tom was at the rear end holding on 

Just when you think you have an opportunity to relax your alpacas 

are guaranteed to have a surprise in store. Kath & Tom Wordsworth's 

plans get disrupted by an emergency at Newland Alpacas. 

Max's wounded foot, above, with the repair and healed 

pad shown right. 

" … it would have to be stitched 

as it would never heal on its 

own due to the foot flexing all 

the time, but not today as we 

needed to clean it up and keep 

it that way". 

to the affected leg and foot for the vet. We 

had Max against a metal gate in full view of 

all the other Alpacas to help in comforting 

him. I tried all methods of keeping him calm, 

rubbing his head and ears and generally 

talking nicely to him – on the whole it seemed 

to work, so the vet set to. 

Firstly a local anaesthetic was put into the 

foot, then another clean out. The local soon 

took effect and stitching began. Thankfully I 

was at the front end and didn't see anything 

but Tom told me all the gory details. In 

between jobs the veterinary nurse took some 

photos. The foot was double stitched (internal 

and external) and then re-bandaged. The 

vet and nurse departed leaving the healing 

process to take its course. We had to keep the 

foot as dry as possible and re-bandage daily. 

We were fortunate with the weather and we 

had very little rain over the next few weeks so 

the bandages remained dry. 

On the 20th September we became a little 

anxious about Max's foot as the area on the 

side of his foot where the fatty bulge had been 

severed did not seem to be healing well and 

looked a little unhealthy. We rang the vet and 

she thought it wise if we gave him another 

course of Pen/Strep. 

The vet came out on the 25th September to 

attend a difficult alpaca birth so after she had 

finished that emergency we asked her to take a 

look at Max's foot. She was happy how things 

were going but we had to carry on with the 

daily bandaging. As you can imagine this was 

one daily task nobody looked forward to – least 

of all Max. We got it down to a fine art, taking 

about five minutes. First we had to remove 

the old bandage without his foot touching 

the floor, then a non-adhesive dressing was 

placed over the stitched foot followed by 

some Soffban bandage then finishing off with 

coloured Vetrap bandage secured around the 

leg with tape. He looked like he had a clubfoot 

but didn't seem to mind. 

This routine carried on for the next few 

weeks and on the 18th October we decided the 

foot had healed well enough and decided to 

stop bandaging. The pad was as good as new. 

We still have no idea how the foot was cut 

– had he been fighting or had he caught it 

on the fence wire? What we do know is that 

we will now keep a supply of bandaging in 

the emergency chest and we have some idea 

of how to treat before we call the vet out. It 

has been a learning curve – another piece of 

knowledge to help in the keeping of alpacas. 


Bowford Farm, Goose Green 

Thakeham, West Sussex 

RH20 2LP UK 

Telephone +44 (0)1903 891425 

Email info@alpacastuduk.com 

To assess an alpaca stud male 

properly you have to inspect 

its progeny. 

We believe our 2007 huacaya and suri crias surpass any we have 

seen before. Please come and see what our studs have to offer your 

breeding programme. 

Call us today on 01903 891425, mobile on 07979 651742 or 

email nick@alpacastuduk.com 

www.alpacastuduk.com 


19

Bozedown Orbital 

Champion Fawn Male British Alpaca Futurity 2006 

Sire : Galaxy Of Bozedown 

( Futurity Champion Male Hucaya) 

Limited stud services available 2007 

Contact us for details. 

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Small herd of huacaya 

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*Co-owned by The Alpaca Stud UK and Spring Farm Alpacas 

MF 

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ma 


Banksia Park Alpacas 

Jenny and Dr George Jackson 

Telephone: +61 8 95252536 

Email: banksiaparkalpacas@bigpond.com 

www.banksiaparkalpacas.com.au 

Ellen Vale Alpacas 

Ron and Kay Raynor 

Telephone: +61 8 92960442 

Email: raynor@advproj.com.au 

www.ellenvalealpacas.com.au 

Eversprings Suri Stud 

Gwyn and John Bell 

Telephone: +61 8 9572 1322 

Email: eversprings2002@yahoo.com.au 

www.eversprings.com.au 

Faversham Alpacas 

Sue and Jim Wiltshire 

Telephone: +61 8 9250 4044 

Email: favpaca@iprimus.com.au 

www.favershamalpacas.com.au 

Hillside Gardens Alpaca Farm 

Jim and Jenny McAuliffe 

Telephone: +61 8 95740012 

email: hillsidegardens@bigpond.com.au 

www.hillsidegardens.com.au 

Jenanda Alpacas 

Dave Coburn and Jenny Pearce 

Telephone: +61 8 9306 4450 

Email: jenanda@iinet.net.au 

Negrita Alpacas 

Antonia Bagshawe 

Telephone: +61 8 95260050 

Email: abagshawe@bbsat.com.au 

Wesuri Alpacas 

Lorraine James & David Wesley 

Telephone: +61 8 95746857 

Email: wesuri@iprimus.com.au 

www.wesuri.com.au 


21

The Watchdogs 

Maremmanos at Tierra Helada Alpakas 

Dominic Müller's twenty-four hour, all-year-round alpaca security service … 

We have been asked many times, "Are you sure that the dogs will 

not hurt your alpacas? Are you not worried about your cria?". To 

get straight to the point – no, we were not worried at all! We had our 

first acquaintance with Maremmanos at Mountain Meadows Ranch 

in Canada. For many years now Hans and Karin Buhrmann have 

their alpacas successfully guarded by their Maremmanos and breeders 

such as Bluestone Alpacas on Vancouver Island are also keeping and 

breeding these dogs. 

As we live in a rural area and now and again rumours about the 

lynx or the racoon dog are spread we decided to have our alpacas 

protected by Maremmanos too. And once we decide something we 

do it without delay. We quickly gathered information on the internet 

and found a breeder in Oldenburg, northern Germany, almost next 

to our former hometown who told us about a breeder in France. The 

Reber-Lyoth family lives in Puylaurens, Laval, with their children and 

680 sheep, Border Collies and Maremmanos. We told them about our 

intention to have Maremmanos for our alpacas and Monsieur Reber 

promised to choose the appropriate whelp from the next litter as the 

initial imprinting during the first 8 weeks builds the basis for their later 

behaviour. Our two whelps were chosen out of a litter of nine. From the 

beginning they experienced family life, but also life and its perils within 

a sheep flock, birth of the lambs, the protecting females and so on. 

They had been perfectly prepared. 

In December 2006 our two dogs, Babar and Buffalo, joined us at 

the age of 8 weeks. Even though it was difficult for us they had to stay 

in the stable with the alpacas to get used to their new companions 

and environment. We built a little enclosure to allow them to retreat 

whenever they wanted to. During the first weeks they also had a kennel 

on the meadow which was not necessary anymore after four to five 

weeks. By then they already felt very much at home. Of course they had 

to learn a lot and fooled around but the experienced alpaca females left 

no doubts about where they set the limits. Very quickly they learned 

from which female they should keep aloof, which one does not mind 

them scampering underneath her belly and which females should be 

approached from the rear side. They humbly lower their heads now 

when pacing the stables signalling "I will not bother you" and if once 

in a while one of them dares to jauntily nose at the alpacas they accept 

the immediately following kick. They very easily mingled with the 

adolescent alpacas. Soon they had found out that can play and jump 

around with them as long as the mothers allow it. Soon they preferred 

the soft and cosy hay racks to the rubber mats as sleeping berths. And 

it did not take long before they began to signal all strangers along the 

fence "Do not enter" and "The alpacas belong to us" but whoever now 

comes in with us is immediately accepted. After five months the first 

alpaca cria was born. Of course we were anxious to see how they would 

behave. But there was no reason to worry as our dogs watch over the 

females and the first thing a newborn sees is a white Maremmano. 

Thus all our crias are used to our dogs. 

All-in-all we are happy to have the dogs out there with the alpacas 

but one has to mention that the upbringing of this breed is different 

to other breeds. We do not know any other breed so bull-headed and 

stubborn and at the same time so devoted. Invest a lot of patience, 

no force and a lot of love and you will have a loyal protector for your 

animals. 


Maremmano-Abruzzi dog 

or Cane da Pastore 

Maremmano Abruzzi 

"In December 2006 our two dogs, 

Babar and Buffalo, joined us at the age 

of 8 weeks. Even though it was difficult 

for us they had to stay in the stable 

with the alpacas to get used to their 

new companions and environment. We 

built a little enclosure to allow them to 

retreat whenever they wanted to". 

The herding dog, still bred by shepherds today, is 

named after two breeds and originates from Italy. He 

is not a sheepdog as he is often categorised; he is a 

'Cane da Pastore', a 'dog of the herder' which is not 

droving the herd but wandering with it and keeping 

watch. 

The breed specification (FCI-Nr. 201) is very detailed 

and comprehensive and describes this herding dog as 

big with a strong bone structure and at the same time 

as majestic and elegant. His sturdy appearance goes 

along with qualities such as being tough, brave and 

intelligent. His character is said to be of good nature. 

His coat is long, opulent and pure white. Any variation 

is ineligible. Nose, claws and muzzle are pigmented 

with black. 

In size the male is 65–73 cm high, weighing up to 

45–50kg. The female 60-68 cm high, weighing up to 

40 kg. 

Maremmas are very intelligent dogs and have 

been living within the European culture for centuries 

without loosing their natural characteristics. 

They are clever and always out for their own 

advantage like a cat. They are assertive like a wolf and 

as obstinate as a donkey. A Maremmano is an allrounder. 

She can (when female) be the most beautiful 

(and most dominant) mother of all bambini. He can 

(when male) be the most entertaining (but also most 

self-loving) Papagalli. And he has one big advantage 

compared to other white giants: he is easier to handle. 

But 'A Maremmano without strict upbringing is like a 

Ferrari without brakes' is said in Italy and the Italians 

certainly should know. 


23

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Unless you can move sideways and keep 

your alpaca from running past you the space 

is too wide- a space such as a barn aisle way or 

pasture lane way no more than15 feet wide by 

30-40 feet long is ideal. In order to be useful, 

your leading space must be directly adjacent 

to the area that you use for halter training. 

Once your alpaca has gone on a few walks, 

has negotiated a few easy obstacles and is 

responding to a signal to stop consistently you 

are ready to teach your alpaca to tie. 

The first several tying lessons should happen 

inside an enclosed area. Panic reactions are 

much less likely in an enclosed space and 

if they do occur they are usually much less 

violent. Using a 11-15 foot long smooth flat 

lead line attach your lead rope to the halter 

and run it around a smooth pole using one 

wrap and hold the end of the line in your hand. 

Make sure that the line can slide freely around 

or cane to tap the rear legs of the alpaca when 

he pulls back to help him understand that he 

should come forward. Once your alpaca learns 

to come forward and accept the restriction of 

being tied you can tie him to the rail using a 

quick release knot (see sidebar??). Make sure 

to stay alert and be ready to pull on the release 

end of the lead rope if your alpaca really begins 

to lay back on the rope. 

In my opinion it is not a good idea to tie an 

alpaca without being close at hand. There are 

also times when alpacas should not be tied. 

Never tie an alpaca in a trailer unless you 

can continually monitor the animal. 

Avoid tying your alpaca when you introduce 

new things. It is much better to work in a 

catch pen when teaching your alpaca to accept 

new and potentially scary equipment. 

When you do use a chute always use one 

with a back gate or barrier. Tie the alpaca with 

into your tying system is a good safety measure 

if you must leave your alpaca alone even for a 

short period of time. I would much rather cope 

with a loose alpaca than one that is injured. 

The fight response is a powerful instinctive 

response. Take the ability to run away from 

an alpaca and he moves to the fight response 

or freeze response sometimes moving rapidly 

between the two. Animals that are in the 

midst of a panic response have a very hard 

time processing information just as we 

humans have a hard time learning when 

we are frightened. Tying an alpaca without 

teaching him to accept the process first is not 

an efficient way to educate him and can be 

dangerous. Work with your alpacas in a way 

that honours their nature and capitalises on 

their considerable intelligence and you will be 

rewarded with an alpaca that truly enjoys his 

association with humans. 


Mary Roach, Kingswood Hollow, Stanford Road, 

Great Witley, Worcestershire, WR6 6JG. 

Telephone 01299 896827 Fax 01299 896 051 

Email mary.roach@btinternet.com 

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25


Distant Echoes 

European links with 

Peru have not always 

been as amicable as 

those we enjoy today. 

In the time of King 

Philip III of Spain 

Felipe Guanam Poma 

produced a unique 

work that documented 

the supression of 

a national culture 

by foreign invaders 

– one which echoes 

still, today, nearly five 

hundred years after 

publication. 

"It is our country because God has given it to us" 

Those are the words of Guanam Poma, an indigenous Peruvian, 

to King Philip 111 of Spain in his 'Illustrated Chronicle from 

Colonial Peru' written in 1615, that outlines the injustices of colonial 

rule and argues that the Spanish were merely foreign settlers. 

This extraordinary document is one of the great treasures of the 

cultural history of the Andean peoples in Peru and has been kept in 

the Royal Library of Denmark for two centuries. It is over a thousand 

pages long with three hundred and ninety eight full page drawings and 

is included in UNESCO's 'Memory of the World' list. 

The Royal Library, aware that scholars had virtually no access to 

this fragile manuscript, decided in 2001 to put together an internet 

version that can be found at www.kb.dk/permalink/2006/poma/info/es/ 

frontpage.htm 

Guanam Poma sets out the facts about the forced labour imposed 

on the native population especially in the mines and the loss of life and 

confiscation of property produced by the witch hunts in the seventeenth 

century. Behind these accounts is the assumption that the Spaniards 


27

Left: The author Guanam Poma, 

accompanied by his son Don Francisco 

de Ayala, begins his journey to Lima 

to present his account to the king's 

representative. 

Right: The administrator of the Royal 

Mines punishes the native Lords with 

great cruelty. 

did all this without justification in violation of every precept of 

justice and of their own laws. 

This historian, teller of epic tales and preacher pleads for 

justice for the Andean peoples and turns it into a threat of divine 

punishment when he writes: I don't see that you give anything back 

either in life, or at the time of death. It seems to me, Christian, 

that all of you are condemning yourselves to hell...Even though you 

were to abandon yourselves into the desert and become religious 

hermits, as long as you do not make restitution and pay what you 

owe, you will be condemned to the inferno'. 

Felipe Guanam Poma de Ayala was from a noble family who 

lived in the central southern province of Lucanas located in the 

modern department of Ayacucho. He was a native Quechua 

and Aymara speaker and probably learned Spanish as a child. 

Above left: Six devouring beats feared 

by the poor Indians of Peru. This visual 

allegory assigns animal identities to 

various colonial functionaries. The tiger 

is the vagabond Spaniard often a soldier; 

the fox the parish priest; the cat the clerk, 

the royal administrator the serpent. 

Left: How the corregidores and the priests 

of this kingdom abuse the Indians 

Right: The Indian parents defend their 

daughter from the lascivious Spaniard. 


Feature Distant Echoes 

Left: Chief accountant and treasurer, 

Tawantin Suyu khipuq kuraka, authority 

in charge of the knotted strings, or khipu, 

of the kingdom. 

Right: The execution of Tupac Amaru 

Inka by order of the viceroy Toledo, as 

distraught Andean nobles lament the 

killing of their innocent Lord. 

A handful of sixteenth century documents reveal that Guanam 

Poma served as a Quechua translator for Spanish priests in the 

campaign to 'extirpate idolatry' in the Peruvian countryside. He 

appears as plaintiff in a number of lawsuits in which he attempted 

to recover land and political title in the Chupas valley that he 

believed to be his by family right. These law suits eventually 

proved disastrous as in 1600 he was stripped of all his property and 

forced into exile from the towns he once ruled as a noble. 

His great work is the longest sustained critique of Spanish 

rule produced by an indigenous subject. It is the only surviving 

text that has actual illustrations of pre-conquest Inca life and 

contains the frequent use of Quechua words and phrases in a work 

primarily written in Spanish. It is also remarkable for his brilliant 

welding together of writing and fine line drawings. 

"His great work is the 

longest sustained critique of 

Spanish rule produced by an 

indigenous subject. It is the 

only surviving text that has 

actual illustrations of preconquest 

Inca life and contains 

the frequent use of Quechua 

words and phrases in a work 

primarily written in Spanish." 

Left: The Royal Council of these realms 

- the Lords of Chinchaysuyu, Antisuyu, 

Cuntisuyu and Collasuyu. 

Right: The Inca sing the song of the 

llamas in an April ritual 

'They sing the Puca Llama to the tone 

of the llama. The Inca pronounces thus: 

With a very slow measure, for half an 

hour he says "y y y" to the tone of the 

llama. The Inca begins like the llama; he 

says and goes on saying "yn". He takes 

this tone and beginning there sings many 

of his songs. The queens and princesses 

respond; they sing very sweetly with a 

high voice' 


29

Farming • Smallholder • Equestrian • Pet • Gardening 

Everything 

you need 

for rural living 

Call: 08708 352352 for your nearest country store 

or buy on-line @: www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk 

Abergavenny 

Bearley 

Bishops Castle 

Bour ton 

Bridgend 

Bridgnor th 

Bridg water 

Bromsg rove 

Bromyard 

Carmar then 

Chepstow 

Chipping Nor ton 

Cirencester 

Crewkerne 

Evesham 

Gloucester 

Hereford 

Ledbury 

Leominster 

Ludlow 

Malvern 

Market Dray ton 

Melksham 

Melton Mowbray 

Newpor t 

Nuneaton 

Presteigne 

Raglan 

Stockton 

Swindon 

Thornbury 

Treding ton 

Twy ford 

Upton 

Wardle 

Wenvoe 

Whitchurch 

Witney 

Wrexham 

AlpAcAs 

for all reasons! 

Breeding 

fleece 

Pleasure 

Companion animals 

flock Guards 

our quality herd of UK 

bred alpacas can satisfy all 

of these possibilities. 

lakeham alpacas can provide: 

 

 

 

 

a wide choice 

advice on alpaca economics 

start up plans 

sales support and 

supported sales 

Visitors are welcome 

to lakeham farm, by 

appointment please. 

easy access – near exeter 

racecourse. 

Contact: 

elisabeth and Mike Brookes 

Telephone: 01647 252215 

email: brookes@ 

lakeham.demon.co.uk 

www.lakeham-alpacas.co.uk 

30 56 Alpaca World Magazine Winter Summer 2007 2007 / 08


31

From 

Dromedary 

to Drugs 

Could a unique type of antibody found 

in the blood of camelids hold the key to 

unlocking cures for many dibillitating 

human diseases ? 

Henry Nichols reports on the success of 

current research 

Discovery 

In the late 1980s, Belgian immunologist 

Raymond Hamers, then at the Free 

University of Brussels (VUB), found 

himself confronted by a couple of bold 

undergraduates. The practicals for their 

course were just too predictable, they 

complained. Could he find them an 

original research question to answer? 

Hamers remembered half a litre 

of camel serum sitting in a freezer. 

Although he had it stashed away for 

some ongoing research into sleeping 

sickness, he reckoned he could spare a 

bit for his students to play around with. 

"Why don't we see if we can purify camel 

antibodies?" he asked. 

The results were so unexpected the 

students were flummoxed. For a time, so 

too was Hamers. The diffusion pattern 

of antibodies isolated from the serum 

suggested that in addition to the type of 

antibody found in all other vertebrates, 

the camel also produced a smaller and 

entirely novel variety. 

They went on to demonstrate this 

immunological phenomenon is not just 

limited to the dromedary. Other camelids 

– the Bactrian camel, llama, alpaca, 

guanaco and vicuña – also have the same 

resilient slimline antibodies. 

In the scorching heat in the heart of downtown Dubai, a herd of dromedary 

camels is chewing the cud. These majestic beasts, owned by Sheikh 

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, are living it up in retirement at the city's 

Central Veterinary Research Laboratory. But their lives are far from over. In fact, 

these animals could be behind something of a medical revolution. 

A chance discovery in the late 1980s revealed that camelids have an extraordinary 

immune system unlike that of any other mammal: in addition to normal antibodies, 

their blood also contains a miniature variety. Belgian immunologists are working 

with the Sheikh's dromedarys to isolate and use these small antibodies as the basis 

for 'nanobodies' – tiny proteins about one tenth the size of conventional antibodies 

but capable of the same defensive skills. 

Nanobodies are so exciting because they can get to parts of the body conventional 

antibodies cannot reach. They are less prone to destruction by enzymes and it's 

possible they could even be taken in tablet form rather than by injection. Since they 

are far simpler than larger antibodies, they are much easier to manufacture and 

hence cheaper. The results of the first nanobody-based therapy to enter clinical 

results are expected soon. 

Antibodies are a key component of the vertebrate immune system, chunky Y- 

shaped proteins let loose in the bloodstream or tethered to immune cells. They 

are designed to bind to a specific target on a foreign object and bring about its 

destruction. In the mid-1970s, scientists worked out how to manufacture these 

cunning little proteins in the laboratory. The ability of these so-called 'monoclonal 

antibodies' to bind to a target of choice gave them a serious advantage over 

conventional drugs, which are not particularly specific and can have all sorts of 

side-effects. 

But 30 years on, there are only around 20 therapeutic antibodies on the market, 

largely because making them is a lengthy and expensive procedure. This has fuelled 

a demand for molecules with antibody-like properties that perform as well but are 

structurally simpler. Camels and their relatives might offer the solution. 

The arms of a conventional antibody are made from two complimentary peptide 


chains – one 'heavy' and one 'light'. Like all other mammals, camelids 

produce these double-chained antibodies, but they also make a simpler, 

slender variety that lacks light chains altogether. 

It's a complete mystery why camelids should have evolved these two 

types of antibody, says Serge Muyldermans, an immunologist at the 

Free University of Brussels (VUB). That hasn't stopped him and other 

scientists from exploring the therapeutic promise of tiny antibody-like 

proteins modelled on the variable portion of the camelid antibody that 

binds to its target. Animal experiments strongly suggest that these tidy 

little proteins, or nanobodies as Muyldermans coined them, are just 

as effective at seeking out and sticking to their target as are full-sized 

antibodies. 

With their straight-forward structure and small size, nanobodies 

have a long list of things going for them. Since each one is just a single 

string of around 120 amino acids, it's possible to get bacteria or yeast 

to churn them out rather than resorting to the rigmarole of monoclonal 

antibody production. This makes the artificial synthesis of these 

proteins relatively cheap, opening up a whole range of applications that 

would be unthinkable for normal antibodies. 

cancers of epithelial origin, such as those of the colon, rectum, lung, 

breast and ovaries. 

They identified the nanobody that bound most effectively to its 

target and engineered bacteria to produce it in association with the 

enzyme lactamase. The idea was that the nanobody would give the 

enzyme a piggy-back straight on to the surface of the cancer cells, 

where it would convert a harmless prodrug into a potent cell-destroying 

chemical. 'It was incredibly effective in animal models of these cancers,' 

says Muyldermans. 

Nanobodies are also being engineered into bivalent and bispecific 

molecules. In 2002, a biopharmaceutical company – Ablynx – began 

to develop products based on these miniature camelid antibodies. The 

most advanced of these is a bivalent drug known as ALX-0081. This 

is designed to bind to von Willebrand Factor (vWF), a component 

of the blood involved in clotting, and in so doing reduce dangerous 

coagulation in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease. 

The journey towards ALX-0081 began by injecting llamas with 

human vWF, triggering them to churn out antibodies against it. The 

animals produced hundreds of different antibodies, each binding to 

"The signs are that ALX-0081 is going to breeze through its Phase I trials, which 

began in March 2007. Early results coming in from a group of healthy volunteers 

suggest it produces the desired effect without causing any serious side-effects, 

says Moses. Ablynx is expected to reveal the results of the trial any day now. 

In the meantime, scientists at the company are working on some 100 other 

nanobody-based drugs in the pipeline, including one that could treat rheumatoid 

arthritis and another designed to control Alzheimer's disease." 

Nanobodies seem to be particularly tough. 'You can use them in 

very harsh conditions where normal antibodies fold, collapse or get 

digested,' says Muyldermans. So whilst conventional antibodies get 

picked off by stomach enzymes, nanobodies are better at surviving a 

journey through the gut. This raises the prospect of nanobody pills 

for treating intestinal disorders such colon cancers and inflammatory 

bowel disease. 

Nanobodies are also small enough to find their way into the active sites 

of enzymes, the deep clefts on surface of membranes or into the middle 

of tumours. They might even penetrate the blood-brain barrier well 

enough to contemplate designing drugs to fend off Alzheimer's disease. 

In addition, nanobodies can easily be linked to other things 

without the combined structure getting too large. Most obviously, 

they can be tagged to 'effector molecules', such as a toxin, an enzyme 

or a radioactive substance. It's also possible to engineer an effective 

'bivalent' molecule, a single protein comprised of two identical 

nanobodies strung together like a couple of beads. Alternatively, 

two different nanobodies can be combined, resulting in a 'bispecific' 

particle capable, for example, of effecting the introduction between an 

antigen and an immune cell from the patient. This ability to combine 

nanobodies is what makes them really exciting, says Sir Gregory 

Winter, Acting Director of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology 

in Cambridge. 

Finally, they are unlike most other antibodies that are en route to 

or already in the clinic. This, says Winter, is something that can get 

the marketing and sales teams of pharmaceutical companies excited. 

'Whether or not they are better than conventional antibodies, they are 

likely to have a different therapeutic profile,' he says. 

It's early days for the nanobody, but there are promising signs. In 

2004, Muyldermans and his colleagues experimented with a nanobody 

tagged to an effector molecule to see if could help in the fight against 

cancer. They began by immunising Sheikh Mohammed's dromedary 

camels at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai against 

an antigen that's almost exclusively expressed on the surface of cells in 

vWF in a slightly different way. The Ablynx scientists extracted these, 

identified the nanobody sequences and tweaked a few amino acids 

to make them more like human proteins. They set about working 

out which of these humanised llama nanobodies grasps vWF most 

effectively and then strung two of them together to make ALX-0081. 

'This enhances the way in which the molecule binds to its target and so 

potentially improves the therapeutic effect,' says Edwin Moses, CEO 

and Chairman of Ablynx. 

The signs are that ALX-0081 is going to breeze through its Phase 

I trials, which began in March 2007. Early results coming in from 

a group of healthy volunteers suggest it produces the desired effect 

without causing any serious side-effects, says Moses. Ablynx is 

expected to reveal the results of the trial any day now. In the meantime, 

scientists at the company are working on some 100 other nanobodybased 

drugs in the pipeline, including one that could treat rheumatoid 

arthritis and another designed to control Alzheimer's disease. 

But nanobodies may end up doing far more than inspiring a new 

generation of pharmaceuticals. It is already possible to engineer these 

miniature proteins into a developing organism, inhibiting specific 

proteins and thereby revealing the role they play in laying down the 

nervous system. Since nanobodies are far simpler structures than 

full-blown conventional antibodies, they could also be engineered 

into plants. This might lead to a world with crops endowed with basic 

immunity against a specific pest or even vegetables that when eaten 

combat infections of the human gut. 

Nanobodies raised against a surface, for example a crystal lattice, 

could even be used to bring different enzymes into a carefully 

coordinated sequence. 'This would be like creating a miniature 

chemistry laboratory capable of performing a series of incredibly 

efficient reactions,' says Raymond Hamers, the immunologist who 

unveiled the unusual nature of camelid antibodies in the early 1990s. 

'The applications are endless,' he says. 


33


Advertsing Feature BCF Technology 

Planning to improve your breeding 

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Reproductive ultrasonography in 

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The ultrasonic examination of the Alpaca's 

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method for pregnancy confirmation – a major 

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Trans-abdominal ultrasound examination 

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Our most popular pregnancy system for 

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Clinical training and sales support, both 

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important. When you purchase a system we 

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pregnancy with a high level of accuracy. 

If you plan to improve your breeding 

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to scan for pregnancy with a 

high level of accuracy." 


35

Alex Harrington Smith updates her diary about life 

and the alpaca business in Australia 

I normally like to sit down with a glass of 

wine and write my diary, it helps the art of 

reflection I find. Unfortunately there are a 

few days of very high temperatures coming 

through so for this poor Pom alcohol is off the 

menu. It has been sometime since I last wrote 

this diary (Rachel's patience is astounding 

– she loves me really) and so for once it is hard 

to know where to begin. 

The birthing season has been in full swing 

for at least a month now so plenty of checking 

of these girls is the order of the day. There 

are about 100 girls out there at present and all 

these should birth by the middle of December 

at the latest; plenty more to fill their shoes 

though. Even after nine years the magnitude 

of the breeding programmes in a large stud 

can blow your mind. Fortunately Matthew 

and Cathy are now back so the highs and 

lows are shared out a little. It was a pleasure 

introducing them to the new drop the day 

after they returned. We have some stunning 

cria gracing the paddocks that will move 

us to a whole new level of breeding. The 

completeness of Commisario blending with 

the ageless charm of the old master Ruffo, 

the artistry of Stravinsky, or the finesse of 

Spartacus over Caesar blood, the discovery of 

how new lines gel with the old. All of it weird 

and wonderful, almost incomprehensible in 

the way it comes to fruition. For breeders 

there is nothing quite this exciting. 

The farm at Oakbank is a hive of activity as 

the drought calls for some major harvesting 

of hay. There is a lot to cut and bale whilst 

constantly battling the weather – temperatures 

are getting high and the hay has been getting 

too dry to bale. Add to that the heavy dews 

you see in the Adelaide hills, particularly 

Oakbank, it can also get too wet. It seems 

to be a balancing act with short windows of 

opportunity available to get the job done. 

Undoubtedly it will all come together 

and if it is anything like the clover hay my 

girls received courtesy of one of the other 

properties it will be beautiful quality. 

Irrigation has also started – you often hear 

the sound of the irrigators creaking as they 

spin round. I find it quite relaxing watching 

these majestic jets of water slowly working 

there way across the paddocks, especially at 

the end of the day when they first get going. 

At least some of the paddocks will stay green 

during the heat of the summer – it is quite odd 

seeing these patches of green on the landscape 

where everything else can be so arid and 

brown. They are like small oasis in the desert. 

I often feel sorry for the girls on pasture 

which is not irrigated as they watch the girls 

next door partaking in some lush irrigation 

grazing. In this instance I guess the grass 

really is greener … 

Meanwhile the alpacas are eagerly waiting 

for shearing. They are often seen in rather 

languid poses under the shade of a gum tree 

or positioned under the irrigators in the early 

evening cooling off. The best part of shearing 

this year will be my well timed absence – no 

need for luxury holidays, just the knowledge I 

won't be in that shearing shed for a second is 

enough. Almost like finding your own slice of 

utopia. Now to convince everyone that Cathy 

is surplus to requirements (not easy!) and 

I'll even have a serious 

shopping partner. This 

may be pushing it a little. 

The other big 

adventure was of course 

the AAA National 

Show and Sale. I am 

sure there is no need for 

too much gossip about 

events irrelevant to showing as the UK blogs 

I read suggest all this has been more than 

covered by the rumour mills. The show had 

a great atmosphere not tainted by politics 

or sore losers. In this respect perhaps the 

best show I have been to in Australia. Plenty 

of Brits turned up which was good – since 

leaving the UK I don't think I have ever felt 

more at home at a show. EP Cambridge had 

a successful show – plenty of calls between 

Melbourne AUS and Baydon UK, resulting 

in an exaggerated mobile phone bill and 

some stern words from Sally. Sally who is 

the administration and accounts supremeo, 

came to the show with me and was a constant 

source of support and amusement – if only one 

could put videos in print I would show you 

the lesson I had in dancing to Neil Diamond's 

crunchy granola Suite. To give you some ideas 

please recall being 13 or 14 and watching 

your parents dance in public. Thankfully 

the transit van was in motion at the time and 

no one could possibly have seen it, if they 

did I hope the therapist they find is not too 

expensive. Luckily for us Philip (O'Conor) 

also turned up. Now if you ever want an 

evening of sophisticated entertainment in 

Melbourne look no further than Philip. I 

believe EPC UK is not his only job, he also 

works for the TAB (a betting agency here 

in Oz) and is in charge of keeping patron 

numbers up. We went to the TAB at the end 

of the road both nights and then I discover 

his one night in an Adelaide motel was in 

suspiciously close proximity to, you guessed 

it, a TAB. Something fishy going on there. 

My victory on the Pokies was the highlight of 

the evening. Philip gave some amazing fund 

to start with (at least 50 cents if not a whole 

dollar!) and I was up nine bucks by the end. 

Sally has since raised some concern over a 

possible gambling addiction. 

What else? Another successful embryo 

transfer flush took place last week which is 

always good. Great fun as ever with Jane 

Vaughan's ever increasing repertoire of 

amusing anecdotes, not to mention nutrition 

and reproduction 101. It really is a fascinating 

exercise but with its highs and lows it is not 

for the faint hearted. In addition to all this 

there is the burgeoning alpaca meat industry 

here in Australia, you should check out www. 

laviande.com.au. I took some time to get my 

head around the whole thing but I am now 

there. Having sampled the fare at the National 

Show it is with some trepidation that I admit 

how excellent it is. It has a very pleasant and 

subtle taste, incredibly tender and all in all 

pretty damn good. There are many factors in 

Australia which meant that the time had come 

and Steve Ridout has recognised this. He is 

very knowledgeable and enthusiastic along 

with being completely committed to seeing it 

done right and in a manner that ensures it is in 

no way damaging to the larger industry. 


Hanley Hall alpacas 

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near Malvern, Worcestershire 

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student Vibe Sondergaard 

using UK Alpaca Ltd 

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Also gelded males for fibre or pets. 

Telephone: 07624 462 973 

We are always happy to give free 

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with on-going support whenever 

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Call Val or visit our website for 

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Telephone: 01684 310214 

Email: valpacas@aol.com 

www.hanleyhallalpacas.co.uk 

752490. Email: alpaca@jarbon.com. Website: www.jarbon.com 

UK Alpaca Ltd’s yarns 

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Novello Alpaca Farm South Africa 

PO Box 106, Montagu 6720, South Africa Tel: +27 21 614 2674 

Here on our farm, using traditional 

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felting, Alpaca fibre is made into top 

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Sell us your fleece and help to create a great 

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or ring Rachel Hebditch on 01884 243579 

We also offer B&B accommodation 

www.novello-alpacas.com 

UK Alpaca Ltd, Vulscombe Farm, Pennymoor, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8NB 

www.ukalpaca.com 



37

Lifestyle, Investment or Business ? 

Why Alpacas ? 

There are a myriad of reasons for people to become involved with 

alpacas. Are you currently considering entering the alpaca industry? 

Are you an alpaca breeder evaluating your position within the 

industry? What initially attracted you to alpacas? Some people 

are simply fascinated and attracted to alpacas because they are 

so unique. Others turn to alpacas as the environmentally friendly 

livestock. Some are drawn to alpacas by the possible financial gains. 

Owning alpacas meets the needs and desires of a vast range of people 

in a wide variety of circumstances. Although the reasons people 

become involved in alpacas may be quite diverse Steve Marshall 

believes there are three main foundation categories namely lifestyle, 

investment and business. 


Alpacas for lifestyle 

Perhaps the most common reason people 

become involved with alpacas is because they 

are such enchanting animals. The idyllic 

situation of a small herd of alpacas gently 

grazing hillsides providing a picturesque 

view from the front verandah is attractive. 

It could be just a few wethers to mow the 

paddock and showing a beautiful range of 

natural colours. Or possibly a small herd of 

breeding females and the excitement of a new 

born cria every few months. The endearing 

and intelligent nature of alpacas draws some 

people while others are attracted to the 

luxurious fine fleece. Alpacas are possibly 

the most environmentally friendly livestock, 

with soft padded feet and don't need mulesing 

or crutching. Not susceptible to foot rot and 

flystrike alpacas are a common choice for 

busy people seeking relatively maintenance 

free livestock. Gentle on fences, the ability to 

be halter trained and even kept as pets, it is 

understandable why alpacas are so popular. 

However, to purchase alpacas simply as 

an investment, put them in a paddock to 

breed and expect a financial return is a huge 

risk. This approach is ultimately likely to 

lead to disillusioned alpaca breeders that 

have failed to achieve their goal. Who is 

responsible for tracking market trends? Who 

is making wise management and marketing 

decisions? Keeping in touch with industry 

directions and making good decisions about 

management is vital for success and requires 

some effort. On the other hand one could 

successfully invest in alpacas if they were 

managed by an experienced alpaca breeder 

with good management techniques and a 

sound business plan. Alpacas may be owned 

outright or in a syndicate and agisted with 

a reputable breeder. In this situation the 

investor may choose to relinquish control 

over livestock management decisions and 

is charged for the services of the expert 

alpaca breeder. For an owner of just a few 

alpacas this approach may be more cost 

effective, taking advantage of the expertise, 

marketing and reputation of an established, 

experienced breeder. 

"There are a growing number of people involved 

in alpacas running highly successful and 

profitable businesses. There is now a world wide 

community of successful alpaca businesses 

trading not only within their own country but also 

internationally." 

Alpacas for Investment 

Possibly the poorest reason to become 

involved in alpacas is as an investment. Stocks 

and shares, gold, antiques and fine artwork 

may be reasonable investments as they 

involve no maintenance and little business 

expertise. It is quite common for someone 

to invest in an object of value and perhaps 

rarity and expect that one day it will be worth 

more than the initial cost. An investment 

shouldn't require constant attention or work 

to increase its value. Although, real estate, 

gold or shares, may provide good financial 

returns some investors are attracted to 

alpacas because they want to be part of an 

exciting, growing industry. There is also 

the enjoyment of touching and seeing your 

investment (the alpacas) grow and breed. 

Alpacas for business 

There are a growing number of people 

involved in alpacas running highly successful 

and profitable businesses. There is now a 

world wide community of successful alpaca 

businesses trading not only within their own 

country but also internationally. A business 

differs from a simple investment in that it 

requires a plan and constant attention to be 

successful. However, satisfaction that comes 

from a successful alpaca business is both 

financially and personally rewarding. The 

key ingredients to owning and operating a 

successful business are common across a wide 

range of businesses. To own and run an alpaca 

business requires; 

■ Research market opportunities and 

sustainability – Alpacas have been run in 

Australia since 1988 and although their 

value, in general has declined slowly over a 

long period the industry is well established 

and sustainable. In fact the lower average 

price has made it possible for more people 

to become involved in the industry which 

is growing. Although the average price per 

alpaca is considerably less than in 1988, 

individual elite alpacas are commanding 

record prices. 

■ Research stock quality – Depending on 

the goals and objectives of the business 

the type, number and quality of initial 

alpacas purchased may be quite different in 

various business situations. Embryo transfer 

technology has enabled owners of very low 

quality females to access and purchase top 

quality genetics in the form of embryos. 

Initial stock quality and quantity to some 

extent determines a breeder's role in the 

industry. 

■ Development of a business plan with 

projected costs and income – There are 

numerous courses and opportunities 

available to learn about business 

management. If the intent is to make 

money, the farm must be run in a business 

fashion with management of a budget that is 

realistic and achievable. 

■ Development of a breeding plan – 

Understand your market and construct 

a plan to breed alpacas that are sought 

after. Knowing how to recognize and 

breed top quality alpacas is critical to gain 

recognition and therefore reputation within 

the industry. Market trend may change over 

time. However, a good breeding plan should 

be flexible to a certain degree, but also 

adaptable and stable enough to cope with 

changes without starting at the beginning 

with each new idea. 

■ Development of a marketing strategy or 

plan – Perhaps identify a niche market that 

suits your position. Maybe a particular 

colour or type of alpaca that assists 

you in standing out from the crowd. 

Often marketing includes attending and 

competing in shows. It certainly involves 

some sort of advertising to your target 

market. The development of a marketing 

plan goes hand in hand with a business 

plan. There is no financial gain to be made 

breeding the world's best alpacas if no one 

knows about them. 

■ The desire to succeed – There is no 

doubt about the fact that to be successful 

in business requires some risks, a lot of 

effort and plenty of hard work. There are 

often hiccups and obstacles along the way 

that require research, perseverance and 

determination to work through and achieve 

success. 


39



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43

… not likely, says 

the Royal Veterinary 

College's Claire 

Whitehead. Follow her 

practical guidance and 

healthy livestock in the 

spring are assured. 

© Claire E Whitehead bvm&s ms Dipacvim 

mrcvs 

Winter is the time that things can 

go horribly wrong if you have not 

prepared adequately and holes exist in your 

management plans. Clearly, certain groups of 

alpacas are going to be at greater risk under 

winter conditions. These include neonates 

if you have females giving birth during the 

winter and young crias, geriatric alpacas, 

alpacas having inadequate fleece or poor body 

condition, and sick alpacas. Neonates are 

more at risk in cold conditions even once they 

are dry because they have a larger surface area 

compared to their body size from which they 

can lose heat. Geriatric animals may have 

dental issues resulting in loss of condition, 

and may not grow back their fleece as quickly 

as younger animals following shearing 

leaving them more susceptible to the effects 

of cold weather. All groups may have varying 

degrees of immune compromise or immune 

incompetence leaving them more susceptible 

to disease, especially if they are put under 

further stress due to cold. Additionally, if 

alpacas are confined in barn accommodation 

during cold spells, closer proximity to each 

other increases the risk of disease transmission 

– for example, respiratory viruses, 

gastrointestinal parasites and coccidia. Barn 

accommodation should be well-ventilated to 

reduce respiratory problems. 

It takes more energy to maintain body 

condition and organ function in the cold 

and this is why nutritional management 

is especially important during the winter. 

In winter, grazing quality is not as good as 

it may be at other times of year such that 

more supplementary feeding is likely to be 

necessary, especially for lactating dams, late 

gestation females and growing youngsters. 

Alpacas will tend to lose body condition 

during winter if feed quality deteriorates. This 

can cause all sorts of problems for females due 

to give birth in the Spring since this coincides 

with the period that they actually need to be 

on an increasing plane of nutrition due to 

rapid growth of the unborn cria. Most alpacas 

will be out grazing throughout the winter, 

but they may still need hay provision if the 

quantity of grazing is insufficient. You will 

also need hay if animals are brought inside. 

Whether you make your own or buy in hay, 

it is worth having it analysed for quality so 

that you know what it is likely to provide in 

terms of energy and protein. Don't take the 

supplier's word for it, especially if you are 

buying in large quantities. 

If you are feeding supplements, make sure 

that this is feed specifically marketed for 

camelids as this will have the right balance 

of minerals. Camelid feed is also usually 

supplemented with vitamin D. Other species 

non-specific feed-stuffs may also be used, 

such as alfalfa or sugar beet. The latter is an 

excellent source of carbohydrate and doesn't 

induce ulcers unlike corn. It is especially 

good for feeding to underweight animals 

to help them put on weight. The volume of 

supplementary feeding will vary depending 

on gender, age, stage of gestation, body 

condition, quality of grazing etc. But you can 

start off using a measured amount per head 

as recommended by the feed manufacturer or 

other breeders and monitor the effectiveness 

of that amount by monitoring body condition. 

If your alpacas lose condition, then you will 

need to feed more, and if they gain condition 

then reduce the volume. With any changes 

in feed volume though, make these changes 


slowly in order to allow the fore-stomachs 

to adapt. Small changes in feed volume are 

likely to be okay though. When feeding 

supplements, always make sure that you have 

sufficient trough space for all alpacas in order 

to reduce the effective of competition – ideally 

3ft per head. Pay attention to any dominant or 

recessive feeders and make provision for any 

alpacas seen not to be receiving enough. 

Monitoring body condition is a key 

management tool in alpaca farming and one 

that I cannot emphasise enough. I recommend 

body condition scoring adult alpacas rountinely 

once monthly but you can do it more frequently 

with animals that you are worried about and 

when monitoring the effectiveness of dietary 

changes. Routine condition scoring allows 

you to spot problem animals but also to group 

animals and make the best use of feed. For 

example, you don't want to overfeed nonpregnant 

maidens that will become fat on the 

same ration as a late gestation or lactating 

dam. This is not only a waste of feed but can 

be detrimental to the health of the animal. It 

is important to keep records of your findings 

so that you can easily check back and notice 

any changes. Some herd management software 

packages will allow you to show this data 

graphically making trends in condition loss or 

gain easy to spot. It is also important that the 

same person is responsible for scoring at each 

time point because different people will score 

slightly differently – this is not a problem per se, 

but it will make it harder to establish whether 

a change in condition is real or just individual 

variation between testers! 

The main area to palpate for body condition 

score (BCS) is over the back where you are 

feeling the muscle and fat that surrounds and 

supports the spine, but you will also need to 

feel over the ribcage. Suris will body condition 

score differently from Huacayas as they tend 

to store more fat around their backbones 

for insulation because of their different coat 

types. Also, older animals will feel different 

from younger animals and you can often get a 

better idea of their body condition by feeling 

the ribs. Finally, males have more muscle 

around the spine, so feel the rib cover to get a 

proper idea of their condition too. I prefer to 

use a scale of 1-10, with 1/10 being a very thin 

animal with a knife-edge spine and prominent 

ribs (you can fit your fingers between them 

easily) and 10/10 being obese (flat to bulging 

back, can't feel the spine or ribs). An ideal 

body condition score for a female at any stage 

of gestation or lactation is 5.5-6 out of 10: 

at this BCS, the muscle cover either side of 

the spine feels slightly rounded and you can 

feel the ribs, but you cannot fit your fingers 

between them. Fatter animals will start to 

store fat on their chests and in the perineal 

area (under the tail) as well as starting to 

"Monitoring 

body 

condition 

is a key 

management 

tool in alpaca 

farming and 

one that 

I cannot 

emphasise 

enough." 

Many thanks for the 

use of photographs of 

alpacas in the snow 

to Jenny MacHarg, 

Fowberry Alpacas, 

Northumberland. UK. 

deposit fat at the tops of their thighs. This fat 

deposition begins at BCS 7.5 upwards. 

Other than monitoring BCS to assess 

the effectiveness of diet in maintaining 

good condition, there are other preparatory 

measures that can be done in order to 

maintain optimal health of your alpacas 

during the winter. A couple of factors that 

will have a big influence on an alpaca's ability 

to maintain condition during winter are the 

presence of any gastrointestinal (GI) parasites 

and dental problems. GI parasites essentially 

'steal' the food that your alpacas consume 

and can also cause anaemia. Ensuring that 

your alpacas are free from parasites before 

the winter comes helps to give them the best 

chance during the colder months. Then 

retest in the Spring to see if they have picked 

anything up during the winter. This can 

be done by evaluating faecal samples and 

worming appropriately based on test results. 

Worming blindly, without knowledge of the 

parasites present in your alpacas may at best 

be inappropriate, and at worst ineffective as 

drug selection may be wrong for the parasites 

present. Faecals must be fresh and taken from 

individual animals and not from a communal 

pooping area. This is important because it 

allows you to identify particular animals with 

problems and may show up patterns if you 

have a herd parasite problem. Try to collect 

a good size sample – a minimum of 8-10 

pellets. Put it in a clean pot or ziplock bag and 

clearly label with the animal's identification 

and the date. Labs do not like to receive 

samples in inside-out gloves! Give to your 

vet as soon as possible after collection to 

prevent deterioration of the sample (or have 

the vet collect the samples). If there is any 

delay, refrigerate the samples. I recommend 

collecting samples from 10% or 10 animals in 

your herd, whichever is the greater number. 

If you have fewer than 10 animals, then test 

them all. If you need to choose between 

animals, select those that may be a little on 

the skinny side and from a variety of ages, but 

younger animals between 6 and 18 months 

of age are useful as they act as herd sentinels 

– they usually have not developed much 

immunity to parasites and can have higher 

levels of infestation. 

Dental problems also will have a greater 

negative impact on animals during cold 

weather as any reduction in appetite due to 

oral pain or dental malocclusion will result 

in more loss in body condition. Carefully 

check your alpacas for evidence of tooth root 

abscesses and these will be evident by hard 

swellings along the mandibles, or sometimes 

purulent material may appear on the face 

if the abscess ruptures. Compare with the 

opposite mandible or other animals if you're 

not sure whether what you are feeling is 

normal. Also pay attention to any alpacas 

that do not have good dental conformation, 

especially those with overshot lower incisors. 

If these are overgrown, they can sometimes 

trap the jaw preventing side-to-side jaw 

movement that is necessary for chewing 

forages. Incisors can be trimmed by your 

vet using a dremel tool with a cutting disc. 

Sedation will probably be required. 

During winter, if your alpacas are kept on 

pasture, the ground is likely to be soft. This 

will result in overgrown toenails in many 

animals. If severe this can alter weight-bearing 

and potentially cause injury and lameness, 


45

Health and Welfare Winter Worries ? 

so watch out for this and trim toenails 

accordingly. 

Finally, if we get some really freezing 

weather this winter, make sure that you 

remember to check the water tanks and break 

any ice, or ensure that automatic waterers are 

functioning properly. And minimise any areas 

of standing water that may freeze and create 

ice-rinks. Be prepared to cordon them off 

with hurdles if drainage isn't possible in order 

to prevent injury of both alpacas and their 

human carers! 

Now that we've dealt with the more routine 

preventative measures, I would like to make 

a few comments regarding specific groups 

of animals that may need special attention 

during winter. There may be additional 

preparations recommended that will help you 

to deal with any problems that may arise in 

each of these groups. 

Geriatric alpacas 

As previously mentioned, geriatric alpacas 

are more susceptible to cold weather, as well 

as to changes in the weather. Ensure that you 

check faecals for GI parasites and the teeth, as 

described above, and make special provision 

to feed these animals extra if they are 

struggling to maintain their condition. Coats 

may be useful in colder or wet conditions. 

Crias 

During the winter, all growing alpacas are 

susceptible to rickets, or vitamin D deficiency 

(see article in the last issue of Alpaca World, 

Autumn 2007). Therefore all crias and 

juveniles should be given vitamin D during 

the winter months. This can be achieved using 

either injectable or oral vitamin D-containing 

products, both of which have to be sourced 

from outside the UK at the current time. 

Injectable vitamin D lasts about 6-8 weeks, 

and I recommend one injection in November 

and another one in February. If winter is 

prolonged, a further injection in April may be 

necessary. Oral products need to be dosed a 

little more frequently – every 6 weeks. 

In the winter, groups of crias and 

youngsters are more likely to develop 

diarrhoea due to confinement as this increases 

the risk of transmission of infectious agents. 

Coccidia are likely to be a common problem 

and GI parasites can also cause diarrhoea 

in older crias, but other infectious agents 

cause diarrhoea in alpacas, so diagnostics 

will help your vet treat the underlying cause 

appropriately and also help you avoid infection 

personally since many pathogens are zoonotic 

agents, meaning that they can infect humans 

also. Other potential pathogens include 

cryptosporidia, giardia, E coli, coronavirus, 

rotavirus and Salmonella. 

"In winter, hypothermia can 

set in quickly, so be prepared 

to have somewhere indoors 

where you can bring the new 

mum and her cria to keep 

warm." 

Pregnant females 

This group will require special monitoring 

during the winter months, especially if 

they are due to give birth. Neonates born 

in inclement weather are much more likely 

to have problems such as hypothermia and 

hypoglycaemia, but also failure to ingest 

sufficient colostrum as they may not readily 

nurse enough. This can result in failure of 

passive transfer of immunity (FPT) and 

subsequent septicaemia. You can test for FPT 

by using a camelid-specific immunoglobulin 

(IgG) test which takes about 24 hours. A 

blood sample can be drawn between 24 

hours of age and seven days, but preferably 

in the window between 24 and 48 hours. If 

the IgG is low, a plasma transfusion can be 

given intravenously in order to prevent your 

cria from becoming ill, and can also be used 

as part of the treatment for septicaemia if 

this occurs first. Your vet may be able to do 

this test, but if they do not have it at their 

practice, they can send serum samples to the 

Diagnostic Laboratory at the Royal Veterinary 

College. If your vet is not able to acquire 

camelid plasma, you could ask for referral to 

the Royal Veterinary College where we have a 

supply and also have a neonatal care facility. 

Always have a birthing kit ready in case 

a female experiences difficulty in labour, 

and a 'cria kit' in order to take care of the 

newborn cria. In winter, hypothermia can set 

in quickly, so be prepared to have somewhere 

indoors where you can bring the new mum 

and her cria to keep warm. Also have clean 

towels available to dry the cria off (alpacas will 

not lick their crias), as well as an assortment of 

hot water bottles, warming discs or heat lamps 

to help warm a hypothermic cria. A few clean 

cria jackets are also useful to have available. 

Keep some sort of sugary solution available 

too (such as honey or syrup) which can be a 

lifesaver in case of hypoglycaemia. Just smear 

a finger-full inside the mouth of the cria if it's 

flat out and unresponsive. The sugar will be 

rapidly absorbed and may help save the cria's 

life before you can get veterinary treatment. 

Finally, females due in the Spring will 

need to be on an increasing plane of nutrition 

during this period as the unborn foetus is 

growing rapidly in the last few months of 

gestation. Be especially careful to monitor 

BCS regularly in this group during the winter 

so that you can add to their ration if necessary. 

This group are at risk from 'pregnancy 

toxaemia' during this period if they do not 

ingest sufficient feed resulting in abortion and 

potentially also the death of the female. 

Sick animals 

This group will be especially susceptible in 

cold weather conditions as they will already be 

directing their resources towards fighting their 

illness. Therefore, always make sure that you 

have somewhere that you can house sick animals 

to give them shelter from wet and windy weather 

and keep them warm. At the very least, this 

should be a three-sided field shelter that can 

have a portion enclosed with hurdles while still 

allowing access to other alpacas. Coats can be 

useful for this group as well. 

Sick alpacas may not drink enough, 

especially if the water is icy cold. Therefore, 

be prepared to provide warm water which may 

improve the quantity ingested and keep them 

hydrated. 

Isolation of sick alpacas can help minimise 

the spread of infectious disease, such as those 

causing diarrhoea or respiratory disease. 

Finally, from the above it can be seen that 

there are many things that you can do to help 

protect your animals from disease and injury 

in the winter months. A few preparations can 

make all the difference and even help save you 

money in the long run! 


Canchones 

fine black alpaca 

Solid Black Suri & Huacaya 

Peter Kennedy & Robert Gane 

Phone: 61 3 5773 2468 

alpacas@canchones.com.au 

360 Swamp Creek Road 

Taggerty, Victoria, Australia 3714 

www.canchones.com.au 


47

THE ALPACA TRAINING CENTRE 

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The most comprehensive 

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48 66 Alpaca World Magazine Winter Summer 2007 2007 / 08 

62 Alpaca World Magazine Summer 2007


49

Moving on 

Nigel and Ginny Cobb bring us up to date with their 

activities in Spain 

The excitement is building here in 

Spain as we eagerly await the arrival of 

twenty-one alpacas from the UK, if the export 

restrictions for FMD and BTV are ever lifted! 

Arish and Sue Turle of Alham Valley 

Alpacas have kindly agreed to invest in our 

business over here, by providing nineteen 

animals, most of which are pregnant to some 

of the best studs available in the UK. Their 

generosity is overwhelming and their belief in 

what we are doing here is encouraging to say 

the least. We already have buyers for two of 

their breeding females and more interest all 

the time; long may it last. 

The consequence of this opportunity is that 

we will have to move house, as we need more 

land; by this time next year our herd will have 

grown from 19 to about 65. We have buyers 

for our finca who are willing to wait till we can 

re-locate, thank goodness. But we are having 

problems finding something suitable. The 

hunt is on-going and no doubt this will mean 

another large building project is on the cards. 

We are expecting some 30 births, spread 

throughout the year unfortunately, for all sorts 

of circumstances, too numerous to mention 

here, with no respite other than December 

2008. Alpaca hell! Plus the first births for 

a couple of our clients as well. Ginny has 

birthed a flock of 100 ewes with great success 

and of course alpacas for the last four years, 

not in this quantity though. Let's face it, there 

is no comparison between the potential value 

of an alpaca cria and a lamb. This will put a 

lot of additional strain on the situation as this 

is our livelihood and we strive to give them 

the very best care at all times. Wish us luck, 

please. 

It is the goat birthing season here now and 

we have already secured our supply of "liquid 

gold", in the form of goats' colostrum. Since 

being here we have found it invaluable, when 

necessary. Blood will be taken shortly from 

our boys and spun locally in Ronda. The 

plasma will join the colostrum in the freezer. 

Having everything necessary at hand before 

the event is a must – just in case. 

Alpacas de Andalucia had a remarkable 

day last month when a group of twenty single 

parents and their children came to visit. As 

luck would have it on the chosen day it rained 

cats and dogs, so we postponed the visit till 

later in the week. We had a great afternoon, 

introducing them to Max, Martin, Bonita, 

Lulu and the star of the show Zac and gave a 

little educational stuff as well. The children, 

aged between two and twelve behaved 

impeccably and the alpacas did their bit. Ella 

was too interested in her public to take much 

notice of where her feet were going and fell 

in the swimming pool, shallow-end, thank 

goodness, and broke a toe nail. All is well and 

she now has no more public engagements until 

her cria is born in the Spring. We received 

good local press coverage for the event and as 

all the visitors live in the UK, we are doing our 

bit for the home industry. Ian and Elaine Love 

proprietors of Hotel Molino del Puente (www. 

hotelmolinodelpuente.com), whose idea it was, 

are going to promote similar events for their 

guests in the future. Every bit of publicity 

creates awareness of what we are doing. 

In Estepona, on the Costa del Sol we 

attended the Over 50's exhibition. We were 

actually promoting Nigel's business of writing 

English and Spanish wills, but we gave over 

half the stand to our alpacas. To be honest 

we had not expected much in the way of real 

interest – lots of 'what are they?', but nothing 

serious. It could not have been further from 

the truth. In fact we now have four serious 

potential buyers, a spinner who thinks alpaca 

fleece is amazing and other people wanting to 

come and see the farm. It just shows you that 

publicity, where ever you can get it, may bring 

results. We are following up these leads and 

hope that it will create new owners in this part 

of the world. 

The current disease situation is causing us 

all concern and one wonders if the market 

will ever be the same. Certainly there will be 

more conditions on the movement of alpacas 

and with this in mind we are trying to get an 

initiative across Europe for a level playing 

field. In our minds we need to get the National 

associations working together to resolve the 

issues of disease control and prevention for 

camelids. There are too many differences 

across the various countries. This may seem 

unimportant to the UK owner, but as Nick 

Harrington-Smith pointed out in the last issue 

of Alpaca World the UK needs the rest of 


Europe as its market place. Doing nothing and 

adopting the UK mentality of 'rowing our own 

boat' could prevent such trade. Just look at the 

regulations last year regarding showing our 

animals in the French shows. Be warned! 

The issue for us all to consider is that we 

now have a certainty in that Blue Tongue 

is here to stay. The serotypes may change, 

but we know that alpacas are susceptible 

to the disease, though we do not yet have 

firm evidence to say that they die from it. 

Whether they should be vaccinated against 

this disease is not something we are qualified 

to comment on, but surely we must research 

any vaccine before we go into a programme for 

the European stock. We are sure that Claire 

Whitehead has this in hand, as she sits on 

the relevant DEFRA committee, on behalf of 

camelid owners. We suggest that funds should 

be made available from the Camelid Trust 

urgently to research this issue, in conjunction 

with DEFRA and a university. There are 

owners who would be prepared to donate 

some animals for this research. 

There is another issue that we should be 

taking more seriously. We have seen the 

consequence of poor bio-security with FMD 

spreading from a research establishment. 

That's not our fault, we hear you say. But 

many of us have little idea about bio-security 

at our own farms and if we are to be serious 

about our investment in these animals, then 

we need to lead the way and ensure we have 

proper controls and systems in place to 

combat and prevent disease in the future. We 

would suggest that the BAS works with the 

British Veterinary Camelid Society (BVCS) 

and creates a bio-security regime for all alpaca 

owners. Maybe we could also centralise our 

findings on animal diseases and deaths, so 

that we can build up a better picture to help 

protect them in the future. 

This is all rather depressing, we know, but 

the trouble is that we are all living with these 

issues now. It will be quite likely that Blue 

Tongue could affect the show programme 

and our marketing activities next year. We 

hope we are not being too gloomy in saying 

that this may well be the beginning of the 

end for the industry as we know it, unless we 

can collectively act together. But a simple 

request to the Camelid Trust bought me down 

to earth, when Nick Weber said that this 

issue had to be agreed not by two societies, 

as in the past, but now three. That is not 

what we thought when we merged the two 

organisations. Then there is the rest of Europe 

to get to agree to a programme. 

Put in a nutshell; think of the consequences 

for drive-by matings etc if blood tests and 

quarantine periods are introduced. What 

happens then? 

We suggest that the Societies across Europe 

appoint a pan-European committee to meet 

and discuss these issues. Let us all work 

together on issues that affect us all. 

We would welcome comments on our thoughts. Please do let us know 

what you feel. Email nigel.cobb@andaluciaalpacas.com 

www.alpacasdeandalucia.com 

Facing page: Lucy and 

Yolanda taking a well 

earned rest from walnut 

harvesting on the farm 

whilst our boys, especially 

Ross, take advantage of 

the hay. 

Above left: The Dragonfly 

Wills stand at the Over 

50's in Estepona where we 

were primarily promoting 

our wills business, but as 

a result of the alpaca signs 

got four new potential 

owners. 

Above right: Hannah 

gives halter training a go. 

Left: Ginny Cobb 

discussing the merits of 

alpacas with some children 

who came to stay near 

Ronda for a week and 

came to the farm for a 

visit - which they later 

described as the highlight 

of their week. 


51

Foreign Correspondence Seeing Red About Blue Tongue 

On a lighter note, we have thus been concentrating our 

marketing to people living in Andalucia and it is really 

good news that Mike and Linda Hall, newly arrived 

residents, have decided that alpaca breeding is a business 

they want to get involved with. They selected two of our 

breeding females and will take possession of them as you 

read this article. There are others also wanting to become 

breeders, so it is a really exciting time for the Spanish 

industry which is lagging well behind that of the rest of 

Europe. 

We showed some of our alpacas at the annual Ronda 

Feria which attracted over 40,000 visitors. We gave out 

over 1000 leaflets. Lots of interest from the Spanish and in 

time they will be buyers. Ella stole the show for the second 

year running, with her perambulation around the show 

ground in amongst the stands and the thousands of people. 

She does love her public. 

She was also on show at the Setenil Romeria, a local 

festival where the townsfolk take to the country, camping 

out for the week-end and in particular show off their lovely 

horses. We felt that Ella could compliment this and she did 

not disappoint. Our builder, Sebastian Lain had invited us 

to his 'pitch' and whilst we talked, ate and drank, Ella again 

wowed her public. 

It was wonderful to come back to the UK and attend 

the Bath & West show at the beginning of June. Funny to 

be there without any animals to show, but the standard of 

winners seemed to us to be higher than ever before. Our 

congratulations to everyone involved. 

Certainly we had less stress than the owners who were 

showing their animals, but it was good to see the show 

from the sidelines, so to speak. We brought our vet, Alonso 

Rodriguez over from Spain. It was his first visit to the UK 

and he was thrilled with what he saw. Martin Jose, trustee 

of the Camelid Trust, very kindly spent some time with 

him and it is really good that vets from different countries 

meet and discuss things. We are so reliant on them for 

Advertise QUIPUin 

their knowledge. Alonso would like to thank those who 

spent time with him and for the many invitations he 

received from breeders worldwide. 

Finally 

Alpaca 

the builders finished our house and we 

eventually moved in, with Fair our alpacas trade 

World 

in April. with Well, the Peru 

alpacas moved onto their pasture, though we did need one 

of the cria in the house for a few days. When the builders 

Alpaca Knitwear and Accessories 

finally move out and our swimming pool is finished we will 

then be able to concentrate Childrens’ on marketing Knitted the alpacas Jackets and 

developing a first class irrigation system to keep the fields 

Model Llamas/Alpacas 

Musical Instruments 

Many unusual ethnic gifts 

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green most of the year. Now that is a challenge! 

QUIPU 

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All good wishes for 2008 from 

Mary Bunney 

Telephone 01308 485207 

Email quipu@tiscali.co.uk 

52 60 

Alpaca 

Alpaca 

World 

World 

Magazine 

Magazine 

Winter 

Summer 

2007 

2007 

/ 08 


A Perf ect Gift 

ESGYRN 

Scarves, Shawls and Throws 

VICUÑA • GUANACO • ROYAL BABY ALPACA • BABY ALPACA 

WWW.GUANACOSALES.COM 


53

South America's other famous export makes its mark in 

2008. Rachel Hebditch celebrates the humble tuber that 

sustained the people of a simple society and 

perhaps enabled them to domesticate and 

develop the camelid species that so many 'first 

world' businesses profit from today. Read, eat 

and give thanks. 

This is the Year of the Frog, the 

National Year of Reading, the 

International Year of Planet Earth, European 

Year of Intercultural Dialogue and, wait for 

it, the United Nations International Year of 

the Potato. 

It is the potato we are concerned about, 

one of the world's great staple foods, which 

originated in South America where thousands 

of varieties are grown. 

Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates with 

the highest protein content in the family of 

root and tuber crops. The protein is of fairly 

high quality with an amino acid pattern well 

matched to human requirements. They are 

rich in vitamin C – a single medium sized 

potato contains about half the recommended 

daily intake – and they contain a fifth of the 

recommended daily value of potassium. 

The farmers in Peru's high Andes are 

among the poorest in the country with 

average incomes of under one US dollar a 

day. But they are sitting on something of a 

goldmine as the region is home to some three 

thousand varieties of indigenous potatoes. 

Some of the native strains look pretty strange 

as they are brightly coloured inside and out 

and come in all sorts of odd shapes. Many 

are disease resistant and were selected by the 

pre-Inca peoples for their good taste and high 

culinary qualities. 

The potato, Solanum tuberosum, is an 

herbaceous annual that grows up to 40 inches 

tall and produces a tuber – also called potato 

– so rich in starch that it ranks as the world's 

fourth most important food crop, after maize, 

wheat and rice. The potato belongs to the 

Solanaceae or 'nightshade' family of flowering 

plants, and shares the genus Solanum with 

at least 1000 other species, including tomato 

and eggplant. S. tuberosum is divided into two, 

only slightly different, subspecies: andigena 

which is adapted to short day conditions and 

is mainly grown in the Andes, and tuberosum, 

the potato now cultivated around the world 

which is believed to be descended from a small 

introduction to Europe of andigena potatoes 

that later adapted to longer day lengths. 

There are many organisations working to 

exploit the enormous diversity of species in 

South America. T'ikapapa, an initiative of the 

International Potato Center's Papa Andina 

Partnership Program, is one of the finalists 

in a global competition for development 

projects. T'ikapapa is a marketing concept 

that links small farmers in the Andean 

highlands to expanding urban markets 

utilising potato biodiversity to create new 

market opportunities. It has won two awards 

already and the local farmers working with 

researchers have produced two new varieties 

of potato – the Pallayponcho and Pukalliclla 

– named after the poncho and a square shawl. 

Farmers in these areas do not use chemical 

fertilisers or pesticides or prepare the soil in 

a commercial way but rather till the soil with 

the traditional chaquitaclla. They plant a large 

number of different varieties that are suited 

to the particular environment to decrease the 

chances of crop failure. 

The vast majority of the native species of 

potatoes are grown above 3800 meters but 

because of climate change many are now 

victims of late blight. The work done by the 

community farmers and potato researchers to 

breed superior potato clones with resistance to 

blight will be used in other parts of the world. 

The potato company, Greenvale, in the 

UK, has recently launched Mayan Gold, after 

working with the Scottish Crop Research 

Institute for fifteen years, to produce a 

variety that goes back to an original South 

American potato. This Institute holds the 

Commonwealth Potato Collection which has 


" … the region is home to some three thousand 

varieties of indigenous potatoes. Some of the 

native strains look pretty strange as they are 

brightly coloured inside and out and come 

in all sorts of odd shapes. Many are disease 

resistant and were selected by the pre-Inca 

peoples for their good taste and high culinary 

qualities." 

over 1000 samples of wild potato collected 

by the British Empire Potato Collecting 

Expedition in 1938. From Lima, the party 

journeyed 9000 miles through Peru, Bolivia, 

Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia, ending in 

Panama eight months later. 

One of the members of that team was the 

late Professor Jack Hawkes who played an 

important international role in the emerging 

discipline of plant genetic conservation. It was 

recognised that plant genetic resources and 

potentially important genes were rapidly being 

lost in many parts of the world. Today crop 

germplasm is kept in gene banks across the 

globe which contributes to the sustainability 

of the world's food supply. 

The potato was probably domesticated 

between seven and ten thousand years ago in 

the Lake Titicaca region and the varieties were 

particularly suited to the quechua or 'valley' 

zone at altitudes of 3100 to 3500 metres. A 

frost resistant species was also developed that 

grew in the puna at around 4300 metres. 

The Huari civilisation in the Ayacucho basin 

and the Tiahuanacu near Lake Titicaca, had 

sophisticated irrigation, terraced fields and 

raised field technology which resulted in yields 

estimated at ten tonnes per hectare. 

It was the 'people's food' and played a 

central part with time being measured by how 

long it took to cook a pot of potatoes and land 

measured by topo, the area a family needed to 

grow its potato supply. 

The Andean peoples stored potatoes in 

fresh and processed forms. Inca archaeological 

sites reveal extensive storage systems where 

temperature, moisture and diffused light were 

carefully managed to reduce spoilage. They 

also made chuno which was light, lasted for 

years and could be traded. The tubers were 

frozen at night, then warmed in the sun but 

shielded from direct rays, trampled to slough 

off the skins and soaked in cold running water 

for one to three weeks. Next the product was 

removed to the fields and sun dried for five to 

ten days. As the tubers dry they form a white 

crust, hence 'white chuno'. 

The first potatoes to reach Europe arrived 

in Spain around 1570, unfortunately Sir 

Francis Drake did not get there first. They 

were viewed with suspicion and were 

rumoured to cause wind and leprosy and 

incite sexual desire and were given names like 

'earth's testicles' and 'Eve's apple'. It wasn't 

until the eighteenth century that the potato as 

a food crop in Europe began to take off and 

Henry Hobhouse was among the historians 

who believed that the potato encouraged the 

rapid rise in population that brought about 

the Industrial Revolution. The famines, 

harsh winters and wars in Europe during that 

century hastened the popularity of potatoes 

as they grew well and could be stored in the 

ground where they were less likely to be stolen 

by hostile armies. 

'Late blight', phytophthora infestans, first 

appeared in the Low Countries in 1845 

spreading to England and then to Ireland 

where the poor farming population had no 

alternative foods to fall back on. The British 

government largely ignored the emergency 

and by the end of 1848 a million and a half 

Irish people had either died or emigrated. 

Even though the potato was seen as the 

cause of the Irish famine, it has in general 

prevented famine with its high yields, brought 

about increased population growth and is now 

grown world wide. It allows even the poorest 

farmers to produce more healthy food with 

little investment or hard labour. Even children 

can easily plant, harvest and cook potatoes. 

Paradoxically the potato as an anti famine 

food has today, in our obesity obsessed age, 

been transformed from a simple source of 

carbohydrate, protein and vitamins into a 

relatively expensive processed food carrying 

large amounts of fat known internationally as 

fries or if you are English – chips. 


55

• Pedigree females 

• Young pet males 

• World class studs 

• Friendly advice 

• Start-up packages 

• Ongoing support 

Tel: 01291 650655 

or visit us on-line 

to discover how 

Alpacas can change 

your lifestyle 

 

 

 

 

 


Hayne Alpacas have a selection of their Huacaya 

and Suri alpacas from prize winning bloodlines 

for sale and for stud services. 

We offer a package of after-sales and husbandry 

support second to none in the industry. If you are 

setting up a new alpaca breeding and fibre 

production enterprise you can be assured of 

receiving objective advice together with sound 

guidance on the establishment of your new herd. 

For more information about what Hayne Alpacas 

can do for you visit our website or telephone 

Paul and Teresa Cullen on 01769 520384. 

Quality assured. 

Hayne Alpacas, Hayne Barton, Burrington Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9JW 

Tel: 01769 520384. Fax: 01769 520469. Email: paul@hayne-alpacas.co.uk 

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Alpaca World Magazine Winter Summer 2007 2007 / 08 29 57

Peru's mountainous landscape is a 

breathtaking experience for thousands 

of visitors every year, but it has proved costly 

for isolated communities across the country. 

More than 50 per cent of the population 

in Peru survive on less than one dollar a day, 

surviving by growing and selling food. Alpacas 

are vital to their way of life as they are used for 

their milk, wool and for transporting goods to 

market. 

Recent cold weather has seen disaster strike 

as thousands of alpacas could not survive the 

freezing temperatures, having devastating effects 

on communities leaving them facing a crisis. 

Changing lives: Small is beautiful 

However, international development charity 

Practical Action has been working with 

Peruvian communities for a number of years 

and has come up with innovative new ways 

for people to look after their alpacas and avoid 

disaster before it strikes. 

Practical Action was introduced by radical 

economist, philosopher and author of Small 

is Beautiful, Dr E F Schumacher more than 

40 years ago. Schumacher strongly believed 

in using small scale, low cost and appropriate 

ideas to help people to help themselves. 

The UK-based charity has more than 40 

years' experience of working towards reducing 

poverty worldwide; its ethos is the right idea 

– however small – can change lives, create 

job and improve health and livelihoods. 

The tools to reduce poverty may be simple 

or sophisticated but to provide long-term, 

practical answers they must be firmly in the 

hands of local people. 

The problem 

Peru has seen temperatures plunge in recent 

years; during winters communities face the 

fraije – a new phenomenon of intense cold 

– never before seen in the country. The last 

time it hit, more than 50 children died, 

13,000 people suffered hypothermia and more 

than10,000 alpacas perished. 

Many communities rely on their alpacas for 

vital wool and milk, but harsh winters have led 

to thousands of their animals dying and crops 

failing. This led to lifelines for many Peruvian 

communities being severed, as their means 

of transporting goods and earning a living 

disappeared. 

The loss of the alpacas had a devastating 

effect on communities as the animals provide 

nutrient packed milk and cheese, while 

They have little enough to begin with so 

even small amounts of assistance can bring 

about enormous improvements in the lives 

of the indiginous alpaca breeders of Peru. 

Jane Eason, of the charity, Practical Action, 

reports on their recent successful initiatives 

designed to bring about change. 

their insulating fibre is used for clothes and 

bedding which provides an invaluable income. 

Alpaca manure is also essential as the manure 

provides fuel to help keep people warm and 

also as biofuel for cooking. 

The only way to transport the little 

goods they had was to trek for miles across 

mountainous terrain to the nearest market. 

It also became harder and harder to get vital 

medicines and food into villages, which meant 

prices soared making survival even more 

precarious. 

Sadly, isolated villages and rural 

communities are often forgotten about, 

receiving little or no government help making 

recovery more and more difficult. 

The solution 

Alpacas are part and parcel of Peru's 

traditional way of life and looked upon as an 

essential part of community life, therefore 

Practical Action's project work is designed to 

uphold these traditions, while improving ways 

alpacas are looked after and nurtured. 

A training scheme for farmers – known as 

Kamayoqs – is now up and running. Training on 

how to care for their animals, irrigation, general 

health, avoiding landslides and how to build 

shelters are just some of the issues covered. The 


Kamayoqs then have revision classes every six 

months to look at any new issues which may 

have arisen and also to share information within 

and between communities. To date, more than 

160 farmers have been trained. 

One of the most important aspects of this 

training is improving self confidence and trust 

within communities. Gregorio Flores Road 

told Practical Action, 'I have learnt so much 

more which I can share with my friends and 

neighbours. My income has risen and I can 

provide a much better standard of living for my 

family. I breed for wool and at the moment I 

am trying to classify them by colour and hair 

length so I can produce the best possible breed.' 

The Kamayoqs were also shown how 

to administer medicine and taught how to 

increase milk to increase the production of 

yoghurt and cheese. 

Shelters 

To protect the alpacas – particularly the young 

and weak – from the extremely cold weather, 

Practical Action has designed a simple shelter 

while understanding how to spot the signs. 

As a result of this, Practical Action held 

additional workshops to look at how farmers 

could improve their knowledge of basic 

immunisation skills; in addition the charity 

distributed the medicine needed to care for 

their livestock. 

Emilio Chalco Valladares, Alpaca Farmer 

said, "Previously when an animal was sick, 

taking it to the town might take a day at 

least. While we were away more animals 

might become sick – disease spreads quickly. 

Now we save much time because we have 

the knowledge ourselves and diseases don't 

spread. Animals don't die any more." 

The farmers who have been trained are now 

confident enough to share their knowledge 

to enable other community members to 

become Kamayoqs. This farmer-to-farmer 

training means knowledge of hydroponics 

– growing barley grains in small amounts of 

water – and basic veterinary skills is passed 

on. This is vital, as many farmers have little 

understanding of techniques to protect alpacas 

from disease. 

Practical action has recently being working 

with women from the communities to ensure 

they receive as much training as possible, 

enabling them to care for the animals and 

improve their skill set. 

As well as working in the field, Practical 

Action has also been working with an alpaca 

farm on its doorstep, based in Warwickshire 

to raise the profile of these important animals. 

Toft Alpacas, at Toft Manor in Dunchurch, 

has a herd of over 170 alpacas and is now 

supporting the charity by selling Practical 

Action cards and other gifts. 

Practical Action not only realises 

the importance of alpacas to Peruvian 

communities, but also the social impacts 

of working together. Sharing information 

and helping others to learn is vital if harsh 

winters are no longer to be feared by remote 

communities across the country. The charity 

has proved that sharing knowledge through 

programmes and workshops has a ripple 

effect; leading to more and more people 

becoming empowered through learning and 

practical help. 

made from local materials. The shelters can 

each house up to 50 alpacas which are not 

only protected from the harsh winds and cold, 

but also generate their own warmth through 

standing together. In the summer, the shelters 

are used for shearing the alpacas and sorting the 

wool. They are also used to protect pregnant 

alpacas, which often miscarry in the cold. 

Nutritious Food 

Once the cold weather hits the country, one 

of the effects is the land dries up and what 

little vegetation there is actually blows away. 

Practical Action has worked with communities 

to enable people to grow nutritious barley 

through hydroponics systems. 

Barley grains fetched from the valley floor 

– with the help of healthier alpacas – are 

grown in a trough of water the barley is 

milled, enriched with syrup and formed into 

blocks. Needing only sunlight and water, the 

whole process takes just two weeks. These 

high energy blocks keep the alpacas healthy 

and strong when no other food is available. 

Veterinary Skills 

Many farmers told Practical Action they 

needed more training in how to prevent 

their alpacas falling victim to disease, 

Practical Action in action 

Supporting communities all year round as well as vital project work to help support 

communities in Peru, Practical Action also sells 'Practical Presents' throughout the year. 

This initative includes alpaca gifts ranging from alpacas, veterinary kits, alpaca food and 

shelters. 

Rather than buying friends, family and loved ones gift for birthdays, next month's 

Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or Father's Day, which could end up in the back of the 

cupboard, Practical Action is encouraging people to take a look at its gift brochure. Practical 

Present's have a major impact on helping to improve the lives of some of the world's poor. 

All alpaca gifts come with a free alpaca finger puppet, made out of the animal's wool. 

As Justine Williams, Practical Action's Head of Public Fundraising, said, 'Novelty socks 

can't fight poverty but buying a Practical Presents can. It really is an ideal way to buy for 

friends and family while making a real difference to a poor community.' 

The brand new 'Practical Presents' catalogue and website www.practicalpresents.org is 

packed with innovative gifts which aim to benefit people in the developing world. Prices 

start from under £10. Gifts can also be purchased over the phone, 0845 108 3057. 

Other gifts include ducks for families in Bangladesh to provide eggs and a livelihood 

through breeding, goats in Africa to produce milk for HIV/AIDS orphans and fuel efficient 

stoves for Sudan refugees. 

As well as a special gift card to personalise the present, shoppers will also receive 

photographs and details of the Practical 

Presents gift idea they are interested in. 

For more information about Practical 

Action's invaluable work or to make a 

donation, please telephone 01926 634400. 

Alternatively visit: 

www.practicalaction.org 


59

www.hanleyhallal 

 

752490 

www.lama1.ch 

www.alpacas-of-switzerland.com 

Grösste Auswahl in Europa an Wooly-Lamas: 

70 Stuten und Hengste in absoluter Topqualität. 

Seit 1994 spezialisiert auf Zucht, Import 

und Export. 

Largest Selection in Europe of Wooly-Lamas: 

70 Females and Males of absolute Top Quality. 

Since 1994 specializing in Breeding, 

Importing and Exporting. 

Dr. med. vet. Uli Lippl Luginbühl + 

Arnold Luginbühl-Lippl 

CH-3703 Aeschi (Switzerland) 

0041 (0)33 654 09 13 

E-Mail: lippl.uli@bluewin.ch 

In unserem Angebot fi nden Sie 260 Huacaya- 

Alpakas in allen Farben und in jeadem Alter für 

Zucht, Show und Freizeit. Blutlinien aus Peru, 

Bolivien, Chile, USA in allen Preislagen. 

Eigene Top-Zuchtherde «Plantel of Switzerland». 

On our Ranch you will fi nd 260 Huacaya- 

Alpaca in all colors and different ages for 

Breeding and Show. Bloodlines from Peru, 

Bolivia, Chile, USA in all price ranges. 

Separate Top Breeding Herd «Plantel of 

Switzerland». 

32 Alpaca World Magazine Alpaca Summer World 2007 Magazine Summer 2007 

13 

 

 

 

 

 


AOA JOHN UB249 

★ Best Coloured Suri Champion 

Royal Bath & West Show 2007 

★ Reserve Champion Adult Male 

Royal Bath & West Show 2007 

★ Reserve Champion Black Male 

South of England Show 2007 

★ 75 offspring expected during 2008 

HERD of 550 third generation 

coloured Suri 

SELECTIVE breeding to create 

superior locks & secure colour 

PREDICTABLE production for 

ribbon winning offspring 

FEMALES starting at £2500 

Visitors welcome 

Owner: William E. Barnett DVM (0)7894293213 or USA 001 360 4380508 

Contact us at: webarnett@surialpacas.co.uk or aoa@premier1.net 

More House Cottage, Ditchling Rd, Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath West Sussex RH17 7RE 

www.surialpacas.co.uk 


61

genetic improvement, there can be no way 

forward without the help of science. 

For once, it's great to feel AGE'd. 

This article is © Dr Ian Davison, and cannot be reproduced in any format or media without the author’s prior 

permission. Correspondence to ian@illawarraalpacas.com 


6 



63

Crias and crisis in Salento ! 

Hilary welcomes the arrival of the first crias 

to be born in Puglia but struggles to bring her 

plans for the development of her property to a 

satisfactory conclusion … 

So here we are in the Salento region of 

Puglia, three months further on and so 

much has happened. 

The alpacas have settled in very well. They 

are in a large pen in our stonemason's garden, 

behind eight feet high stone walls so no chance 

of feral dogs getting in! We have found a local 

supplier of alfalfa pellets which they have 

taken to well and a new supplier of hay so all is 

now much improved on the food front. They 

have no grazing to speak of but the diet has 

suited them well. I keep the pen scrupulously 

clean to avoid any chance of intestinal worms 

and we have had no upset tummies or mites to 

deal with. 

Our first cria, a black female suri, was born 

to dark brown suri Atlantic Cosmos on July 

9th. Her sire I-Spy Legacy has certainly put 

his stamp on her. Her fleece has excellent 

independent locks and very high lustre as you 

will see from the photograph. Named Nicola 

del Salento she is, as far as we know, the first 

alpaca ever to be born in captivity south of 

Rome. She has hit the headlines and was 

featured in Italia! magazine. 

A month later she was followed by two 

more crias: Giuglia del Salento, a black female 

huacaya sired by our Zarza Rizardo and a fawn 

male Nando del Salento sired by Wessex Cosmos. 

Finally Emilia del Salento was born out of 

"We are delighted with the 

quality of all of these [ cria ] 

and only sorry we shall not be 

in the UK with them to show 

them all off on the show circuit 

in 2008." 

Nicola del Salento, premier alpaca cria of Puglia and star of Italia! magazine 

Emilia del Salento a pure white, very beautiful female huacaya 


Wessex Frederica by Westcroft Cloud. She is a 

pure white, very beautiful female huacaya and 

we are thrilled to have Cloud's bloodline here 

in Italy. 

We are delighted with the quality of all of 

these and only sorry we shall not be in the UK 

with them to show them all off on the show 

circuit in 2008. 

As at the end of November all are 

thriving well and totally unfazed by their 

surroundings. 

During this period I have been catching 

up with administration. All the land here in 

Puglia (and indeed in most areas of Italy) 

has a building index which dictates how 

many cubic metres of building can be built 

for each square metre of land. If you can 

obtain registration as a farmer with the local 

equivalent of the Chamber of Commerce – the 

Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato 

Agricultura di Lecce – then you qualify for a 

higher building index and so you can have a 

larger house, buildings for animals, porticos 

and garages etc. Every area of covered space 

counts as long as the building is permanent. 

One can therefore use wooden buildings for 

animals but as soon as a concrete or brick 

pillar is used and a roof appears it becomes 

permanent. 

It was very important for us to qualify for a 

high building index so that we could not only 

build our house but convert the ruin on our 

ground into a second house which we plan to 

sell to help finance the rest. A further smaller 

ruin was going to be used as an alpaca house 

initially but with plans to be converted to a 

guest house in future years. 

I was very concerned that I might get asked 

all sorts of things in Italian when I arrived at 

the Camera di Commercio and further that my 

Italian would not be 'up to it'. I therefore took 

with me Roberta, an Italian graduate who I 

met at the local internet office. She spoke good 

English and agreed to interpret for me. Thank 

heavens! It took three separate visits because no 

written instructions were provided informing 

us of the documentation they required and 

whilst the officials were perfectly nice people 

there always seemed to be another piece of 

paper needed before moving onto the next step. 

Amazingly the one thing I did not need to 

provide was any concrete proof that I bred 

alpacas. They were more concerned that I 

had proof of identity, proof of address and 

was registered for taxes than anything else. 

However on the third visit I decided to wear 

an alpaca sweater (very hot) and by the time 

the lady on the desk had finished discussing it 

we were friends and the paperwork veritably 

whizzed through. I then found out that it 

took a minimum of one week to register this 

application on the computer and that until 

that time they could not print off a certificate. 

'Did I want a certificate?' I was asked! Why 

ever was I there if not for that I thought. 'If 

you do please return with proof of paying five 

euros at the post office and we'll give you one' 

they said. Ho hum … Italian bureaucracy! 

Giuglia del Salento, a black female 

huacaya sired by our Zarza Rizardo 

" … we decided that 

whilst we would go 

ahead and apply for 

planning permission 

there was no way we 

would wait for what 

could be over two 

years in order to get 

our own roof over our 

heads." 

A similar but much more long winded 

exercise took place in order to get our Italian 

residency. Again we took an interpreter with 

us and once she realised the lady on the 

desk was a distant aunt things moved very 

quickly indeed. Another hurdle crossed and a 

necessary one because until that was achieved 

we could not (legally) own an Italian car. 

However on the house front all was not 

plain sailing. By September we had become 

very concerned that the final plans for 

the new house had not been completed by 

the geometra (a sort of architect/quantity 

surveyor who is responsible for applying for 

the planning permissions). Neither had we 

received a final budget. This was now some 

ten months from when we first agreed to build 

a house. A difficult and unsatisfactory series of 

meetings was held, with interpreters. 

We were told there were significant delays 

in the planning departments throughout 

Puglia particularly at this time because the 

authorities were tightening up on applications 

in order to achieve specific styles of property 

that were in keeping with the traditional style 

of Salento houses. Apparently many houses 

here have not been built according to the 

permission the owners have received. 

We also found out that the budget for the 

building we had pre-agreed prior to purchase 

of the land was exceeded by 50% in the plans. 

No amount of negotiating enabled us to 

change this. We even agreed to have a house 

two-thirds of the size but to no avail. 

To cut a tortuously long story short we 

decided that whilst we would go ahead and 

apply for planning permission there was no 

way we would wait for what could be over two 

years in order to get our own roof over our 

heads. So the search for a house with land 

commenced. 

We saw many properties but mostly we 

could find either the house with no land or the 

land with no house. Everywhere we went in 

Salento we met the same planning problems. 

Many houses did not have permission for 

every part of the house or they needed extra 

permission to achieve what we wanted. 

Having come this far we were not about to 

compromise too much. 

Eventually we decided to spread the net 

in our search and to look wider than Puglia 

but still within southern Italy. We therefore 

considered southern Campania and Basilicata 

having found out that planning permission 

was much more straightforward in these areas. 

At the time of writing this piece, end of 

November, I am pleased to report we have 

now found a house with land that we love 

in the mountains two hours drive south of 

Naples. This is just over the Campania border 

into Basilicata and is within 15 minutes of the 

main north-south motorway to Naples, Rome 

and Florence. Hence we shall be able to get 

to the rest of our herd in Umbria much more 

quickly and visitors will be able to access us 

more easily. 

We expect to complete the purchase in 

early January and to move over there with 

the alpacas as soon as possible to make a 

permanent home. As for our land here in 

Salento, we shall simply wait. It is increasing 

in value all the time and we are advised it will 

be a very attractive proposition for someone 

to buy if it is offered complete with the two 

planning permissions. Time will tell … 

For more news of our adventure see our 

website www.zarza-alpacas.co.uk where we 

have pages in both English and Italian. 


65


Zarza GG Xmas Ad 18/10/07 8:02 am Page 1 

Put some gorgeous girls 

in your stocking! 

An introductory course to Alpacas 

makes an ideal Christmas present 

Fun day course with lunch £60 per person 

or £95 per couple (+ VAT) - Booking Now! 

Contact Hilary Shenton for more 

information on 01568 780 651 

www.zarza-alpacas.co.uk 

A m e m b e r o f t h e Z a r z a A l l i a n c e 

Alpaca Alpaca World World Magazine Magazine Winter Spring 2007 2007 / 08 

67 51

Andrew Spillane shows how an expensive piece of kit that may seem like a bit of an extravagance can 

finally surprise you and show its true worth and how a multiplicity of voices speaking for French 

camelid breeders end up speaking as one to the benefit of all. 

After a miserable spring and a damp 

summer we have enjoyed a beautiful 

mild autumn. The enjoyment marred only by 

the continued unseasonable mildness as we 

enter winter watching the inexorable spread of 

the blue tongue virus. As of Tuesday this had 

reached more than sixty percent of France and 

is predicted, by the Ministry of Agriculture, 

to be 100% by some time in Spring. Work 

continues apace for a vaccine and it is hoped 

to be available in 2008. 

I have often found it strange how an item 

or project designed or bought for one purpose 

can provide a significant benefit in a totally 

unforeseen area. In the autumn of 2006 we 

purchased an ultrasound scanner. We had not 

been happy with our breeding programme 

depending on spit-offs. The scanner was for us 

a significant investment at around e2400 and 

we were unsure if the investment was entirely 

justified, but we believed that we needed to 

improve our ability to predict pregnancy. 

This autumn one of our alpacas gave 

birth to a female cria from one of our top 

studs. On the third morning we noticed the 

mother behaving strangely, obviously in great 

discomfort and rejecting the cria whenever she 

tried to suckle. The birth had been quick and 

easy and the entire placenta voided within the 

hour. On initial examination by ourselves we 

found an abundance of milk but the mother 

was in very serious pain with no obvious 

external signs of cause. 

Our next step was to call our vet and we 

caught him between clients. He arrived late 

morning and by now the mother was showing 

serious signs of distress and the infant was 

weakening rapidly, refusing any form of bottle 

feeding. The vets initial external examination 

confirmed our own findings, much pain, 

much milk but no obvious signs of obstruction 

or infection. His highly sophisticated and 

expensive scanner was in use by a partner at 

a farm over an hour away so we offered our 

hand held model. After a little searching he 

located the problem, a very large blood clot 

pressing on the wall of the uterus and causing 

immense pain. A suitable pain killer was 

administered followed by a clot de-coagullent. 

Within ten minutes the mother was feeding 

her cria and twenty minutes later moving 

freely. Without doubt our scanner proved a 

major factor in saving the life of a cria and 

probably the mother. Expense on scanner 

suddenly justified. 

In a strange way politics in the French 

Petite Camilides world have followed a similar 

path. As many of you are aware the French 

alpaca and llama world is very factionalised, 

with five associations and one Syndicat Eleveur 

Professionale. This latter, SNELA, was formed 

in Autumn 2005 with high hopes that it could 

give leadership and cohesion to the amateur 

societies. For a while nothing changed and 

attitudes became more entrenched, rivalries 

more intense. Sadly a familiar story in the 

alpaca world everywhere. 

In March 2007 the unforeseen and 

unpredicted enforcement by a local DSV 

of a ten year old directive was to change all 

this. Alpacas and llamas have always been 

considered ruminants in France, but health 

legislation concerning sheep and cattle has 

not been enforced on them. A Departmental 

(county) veterinary officer decided to do so 

and was backed by the Ministry and suddenly 

we were faced with draconian regulations and 

unreliable tests. 

SNELA and the associations wrote letters 

to the Ministry and several agreed to allow 

SNELA to represent their interests. In France 

the world shuts down for July and August, 

so little was expected to happen before 

September. 

In September several individuals and 

associations wrote to SNELA requesting 

information, a meeting to discuss policy and 

a long overdue (18 months since the previous) 

AGM. All such requests were peremptorily 

rejected by the self appointed president and 

several were told in conversation that she 

would decide policy and they would do as 

they were told. It became evident that the only 

concern of SNELA was to protect the multispecie 

(cattle & sheep) breeders entitlement 

to government compensation in the event of 

culling. In the land of egality this did not get a 

good reception. 

The associations wrote individually to the 

Ministry and started to co-ordinate their 

efforts. Within weeks the various association 

presidents were freely communicating and they 

rapidly produced a cohesive and compelling 

letter justifying their arguments and position. 

They also discovered that a private meeting had 

been arranged by SNELA with the ministry 

the day before a reluctantly called AGM. 

The associations wrote a joint letter to the 

Ministry and were promptly invited to attend 

the meeting along with Dr Guidicelli, a vet, 

breeder of alpacas and llamas and France's 

foremost authority on these species. The 

meeting, on the 27 November 2007 in Paris, 

proved both positive and productive. 

The Director from the Ministry of 

Agriculture explained that his primary 

concern was for the health of the French 

population and French agriculture as a whole. 

Having said this, he recognised the concerns 

of the alpaca and llama community. He 

realised that we are a growing and developing 

industry and we must accept that legislation 

is inevitable for the protection of all. At the 

same time he agreed further research was 

essential before final specific legislation and 

accepted that testing should, in general, 

be on a voluntary basis at this time. If one 

opted for testing then animal registration 

was to be mandatory. He further accepted 

that compulsory registration, as requested 

by the associations of all small camelids, was 

desirable but pointed out that this was not 

practical for administrative reasons at present. 

It was accepted that current tests available 

were extremely fallible and research would 

take place to find the best solution, however it 

must also be acknowledged that all tests were 

fallible to a certain extent. 

In answer to a question concerning the 

compulsory slaughter of animals he affirmed 

that a compensation package was not a 

problem, experts needed to be used to provide 

true values for this. He recognised that the 

associations had behaved responsibly in their 

reaction to these issues and had encouraged 

their members to be positive and proactive in 

trying to respond to these and other problems. 

He assured all that he was not interested in 

'a quick fix solution', calling for a further 

meeting to discuss progress in three months. 

It is indeed ironic that SNELA whilst 

arbitrarily trying to dominate alpaca affairs in 

France has succeeded in uniting the various 

associations in common cause for the first 

time in the history of small camelids. I can 

only hope that the associations will build upon 

this fledgling relationship. Sadly SNELA 

seems to be the only casualty, marginalised 

with only a handful of supporters remaining. 


At Pinkney Alpacas we have 

a large herd of suri alpacas, 

including seven prize 

winning stud males (three 

Pinkney Phantom 

Winner of Progeny Class 

Three Counties Show 2007 


BAS National Show 2004 


Royal Bath & West 2004 

pictured). A small number of 

animals are for sale 

each year. 

Telephone: 01666 840540 

or 07775 780345 

Email: 

info@pinkneyalpacas.com 

Pinkney SibeliuS 


Bath & West Show 2007 

Supreme Champion & Best 

UK Bred Alpaca at Show 


Pinkney nutkin 

Sire of Pinkney Sibelius 



Reserve Supreme Champion 

Royal Show 2004 

Supreme Champion Fleece 

Royal Bath & West 2005 

www.pinkneyalpacas.com 


69

alpaca feeds 

• contain cereals for high energy 

• contain sugar beet for quality fibre and 

palatability 

• fully mineralised to balance forages 

• high levels of vitamins and trace elements for 

health and fertility 

• packed in 25kg bags 

• available delivered direct to farm in minimum 

1 tonne lots 

• also available in bags from MVF or SCATS 

Countrystores 

for information 

contact the MVF FeedLine on 

01278 444829 

70 Alpaca World Magazine Winter 2007 / 08 


Looking for quality 

alpaca sales and 

stud services? 

Alpacas of Wessex 

offer you choice 

… in depth. 

Congratulations to all our clients 

on their numerous successes in 

the show ring this season! 

The secret to our clients’ success is in the 

genetic quality of our stud males, helping to raise 

standards of fleece and conformation in many 

established herds. 

Whether you are new to alpacas or a breeder of 

long standing the package of sales, stud services 

and support offered by Alpacas of Wessex won’t 

let you down. With 14 UK based stud males and 

with a wide range of breeding females we can 

provide you with a depth of choice few others can 

match. 

Telephone John Gaye on 01258 821499 to 

request a copy of our Stud Brochure 2007 or 

visit www.alpacasofwessex.co.uk for more 

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BRITISH 

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Alpacas of Wessex, Clouds Park, East Knoyle 

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71

Winter - Classical MileEnd Alpacas

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