news Email: 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 info@alpacaworldmagazine.com International Alpaca Congress in Madrid <strong>Alpacas</strong> reign in Spain news Virus news Britain a Bluetongue Lower Risk Zone Britain has moved a step further towards disease free status when it was reclassified last month by the European Commission as a Lower Risk Zone for bluetongue virus BTV8. The BTV8 Protection Zone covers most of Europe and the Lower Risk Zone is a new classification that requires stricter vaccination conditions to be placed on bluetongue-susceptible animals being imported in to this country. The conditions are: – vaccination plus a 60 day wait; or – vaccination plus a test 14 days after the onset of immunity; or – booster vaccination within the Half a million potential viewers for new campaign First alpaca television ads on the way The first television campaign advertising alpacas is set to launch this autumn. A group of commercial alpaca breeders – the Alpaca Breeders Bloodstock Association – will make a series of thirty second television adverts that will air on the satellite channel Horse and Country TV for six months. This channel broadcasts to 9.8 million homes on Sky 280 and has more than 500,000 viewers each month. The intention is to raise awareness of these wonderful animals and viewers will be directed to a brand new website I Want <strong>Alpacas</strong> where links to all the participating breeders will be displayed. A series of Farm Open Days will also be staged during the campaign. time stated pm each vaccine’s data sheet Veterinarians are urging farmers here to continue to vaccinate as the Joint Campaign Against Bluetongue believe that a small but significant number of pregnant animals could be carrying a BTV-infected foetus but still test negative in the post-import test. The newborn animal could infect the local midge population and restart the circulation of the disease. Once the disease is in the midge population it can spread across huge distances in a short period of time. It is also thought that the threat of wind borne re-incursion still exists. All ABBA members will sign up to a code of conduct of best practice that will govern the sale of alpacas and stud services and the all important after sales service that buyers can expect. This will include clear bio-security guidelines on and off farm. It is envisaged that ABBA will set up a series of educational courses on all aspects of alpaca farming later in the year. The founding members of ABBA are The Alpaca Stud, Inca Alpaca, Bozedown <strong>Alpacas</strong> and <strong>Classical</strong> <strong>MileEnd</strong> <strong>Alpacas</strong>. These breeders along with Houghton Hall <strong>Alpacas</strong> and EP Cambridge UK are also involved in organising the British Alpaca Futurity, the most prestigious show in the alpaca calendar. The Futurity 2011 will take place Bluetongue is caused by a virus within the Orbivirus genus of the family Reorvirades. At present 24 distinct serotypes have been identified as a result of serum neutralisation tests. The virus is transmitted by a small number of species of biting midges of the genus Culicoides. Bluetongue virus cannot naturally be transmitted directly between animals. Virus transmission between animals occurs via these midges. However, the likelihood of mechanical transmission of the virus between herds/ flocks and within a herd/flock by unhygienic practices (e.g. use of contaminated surgical in Hall One at Stoneleigh Park on the 11th and 12th March and is a celebration of British alpaca breeding. The judge for the halter classes will be Liz Barlow from the UK. There will be a fleece show, fashion shows, speakers, practical workshops on birthing, alpaca assessment, weaving and spinning and a celebration dinner. l equipment or hypodermic needles) cannot be excluded. When a midge bites an infected animal, the virus passes to the midge in the blood meal and the virus multiples in the midge. The cycle of replication of the virus in the insect vector and in the ruminant host, results in amplification of the amount of BTV available to uninfected naive hosts and vectors. Peak populations of vector Culicoides occur in the late summer and autumn and therefore this is the time when Bluetongue is most commonly seen. l For more information about ABBA or the British Alpaca Futurity please contact Chas Brooke on 01884 243579 or chas@alpaca-uk.co.uk or rachel@alpaca-uk.co.uk Veterinarians and alpaca breeders Leo and Marieke van Merwijk were amongst the delegates at the recent International Alpaca Congress in Madrid. This is their report. We figured it would be a good opportunity to meet more alpaca people from all over the world, sharing knowledge and having a nice weekend in Madrid. This International Alpaca Congress was organized by Alan B. Stable. He is no alpaca owner, but an international marketing specialist. After Alan’s welcome speech, Australian Alpaca Association National Show and Sale ‘Opera House of horses’ hosts alpacas This year the brand new Australian Equine & Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth, described as the "Opera House of Horses" will host the 17th Australian Alpaca Association National Show and Sale. It has quickly earned a 5 star reputation with modern building techniques and the use of new technologies. AELEC is highly sought after for the nation's thoroughbred and livestock sales. It has already hosted numerous national events with the prestigious alpaca National Show and Sale for 2010 now on the calendar. The main arena seats 3300 with 500 in the sale ring. The 478 stables bring new levels of comfort and safety for the animals. Tamworth, surrounded by its high pastures, is the largest city of the New England region. It is a thriving cosmopolitan city with historic buildings blended with new development; there is excellent shopping and many Nigel Cobb started the congress, talking about his experiences moving from Great Britain to Spain and their regulation and alpaca health problems. Nic Cooper from New Zealand introduced a few new definitions in the alpaca dictionary, such as a ‘carpet alpaca’ and ‘ego pets’, and talked about breed standards. Last was Susan Tellez from the USA, who is a very big Suri fan. After the break there was an opportunity to meet all the people. Tables were set up for everyone, you could walk around, sit down at a table and talk alpaca which was a very nice way of getting to know each other. There were lectures on breeding goals, how to improve your herd, the use and value of the AGE and EPD programmes, fibre testing and the different cafes. The grand arcade post office on Peel Street is flanked by magnificent date palms and with its impressive clock tower, dominates the centre. Plans are well underway for the 2010 National Show and Sale, with organisers planning a memorable event, however, the main attraction will be the alpacas - between six and seven hundred of them. Judging will start on the Thursday afternoon and continue through Friday and Saturday. ways to test and interpret results and using them for breeding improvement and marketing. Next the importance of registration, BAS and LAREU, which resulted in a very interesting discussion, leaving us thinking, we do not have a proper registration/ pedigree record /society in our country. On the last day the subject was fibre processing, cooperatives and marketing. All the possibilities of alpaca fibre were explored by a very dedicated Andrea MacDonald (USA), a yarn expert. Last but not least Alan Stables talked about marketing our alpacas, that marketing is all about emotions and how to promote these emotions. After a big thank you from Nic Cooper to Alan this International Alpaca Congress came to an end. l On Friday evening the prizes for Fleece, Craft and Art/Photography will be presented at the cocktail party and Saturday there will be the Celebration Dinner. After the AGM on Sunday morning the Auction will start at 12 noon. This is a great event to watch even if you are not buying or selling. For further information visit www.alpaca.asn.au l 4 Alpaca World Magazine summer 2010 summer 2010 Alpaca World Magazine 5