Paca News

Archive Early-2006

Australian Alpaca Conference
Adelaide - 19/20 August 2006

Great effort by the organising committee in Adelaide to deliver a programme answering their theme 'From Here To Wear'. The weekend started with an alpaca fashion show and ended at the leading edge of alpaca science - artificial insemination and discussion of ET 'for all'. And the Saturday night dinner and speaker added some bright relief to an intense alpaca weekend.

The stand-out speaker was Associate Professor Robert Van Saun from Pennsylvania State University. Prof. Van Saun certainly put a few old wives tales to bed with detailed research identifying a number of quirks to our alpacas. Interestingly Robert demonstrated why spring births should be encouraged for the sake of healthy cria. It's important to note Prof. Van Saun's research involves direct research on alpacas at the University over the last eleven years. Lets hope we see the Professor in New Zealand soon!

Other presentations covered a spectrum of topics. Another standout was from Mike Talbot, the AAFL CEO. His appeal for more fine white fleece showed the strength of the Australian Alpaca brand and the place of AAFL in identifying and delivering to a variety of markets. That, bluntly, translated into a shortfall of 3 tons of fine white fleece to fulfill existing orders! And other presenters discussed soil, pasture and alpaca health subjects comfortably translating to New Zealand issues: staggers, selenium and phosphorus deficiencies, barbers pole, winter nutrition. Certainly a worthwhile weekend!

Winter Feed ... again!
August 2006

One of the outcomes from Andy's 17 days in Australia was the issue of winter feed. Both vets and scientists agreed at Sydney Breeders Weekend (Assoc. Professor Andrew Dart) and Adelaide AAA Conference (Assoc. Professor Robert Van Saun and Colin Trengrove) that dry matter is critical, that baleage is safe and that alpaca pellets various (sheep nuts etc.) are a NO GO in most circumstances, unless they are simply being used in handful amounts as 'treats'! If supplementary feed is necessary the best choices are hay, be they meadow or lucerne, or baleage itself.

Busy times!
July/August 2006

It may be frosty outside but this is an important time to watch your alpaca. Pasture feed getting a little short ... we are putting out plenty of baleage and hay for the girls and boys but they can pick-up a bug or worm. We have completed our winter worming, usually done late-July, and it gives us a good chance to check the health and body scores of our 'pacas. And rushing in our Alpaca Genetic Evaluation (AGE) stats added some paperwork to our feed-out responsibilities.

We have done some weaning but try to leave the bulk until fresh pastures emerge in mid-September. And although we check pregnancies we will again wait to early Spring to redo any mating's. Personally some real sharp frosts do no real harm to us ... except the water trough ... but Mr. Frost does whack the worms ... so ... go ahead ... make my day ... frost for breakfast ... please!

Frost, frost ... and more frost
July 2006

Appreciating the variety of weather patterns being experienced across New Zealand we have seen nearly two weeks of solid frosts and short snow showers here. The good news is the intestinal worm larvae and eggs in the paddocks should be truly whacked, as well as a number of other bugs ... we hope. And the winter sun has helped most of our cria, although we do plan our next round of vitamin D injections over the next few weeks.

Winter Feed
Early July 2006

Although we have plenty of 'frozen veggie's' in the paddock we are feeding-out herb baleage to the 'pacas, generally to their pleasure. The only strange thing we have noted is the intensity with which some of the cria attack the baleage? Why would they choose to join the party but other cria never even taste the feast?

Baleage story seems a good one with the 'pacas. They certainly huddle around the feed and we have not seen any change in their droppings. And meadow hay is also available although their choice seems to be the baleage over the hay.

Camelid Visitors
June 2006

We have a pair of guanacos visiting Flagstaff Alpacas. Clover, a young male, and breeding female Thorn are visiting us from Auckland ... and they did not seem to mind the journey south in the Alpacamobile. Ancestors of the llama and alpaca their fleece character is very different - they are generally combed rather than shorn each year.

And their recent introduction to snow seemed like a real treat as both bounded around the paddocks! They like baleage and Clover likes alpaca nuts ... by hand only! Click on Clover's link for a picture of Clover with Thorn, or come and visit these two rare camelid's.

Duck Shooting Season ... I'm a Duck!
13 May 2006

Duck shooting season is with us. Larissa ... top picture ... a little confused ... though she might join the fun?!!? Quack ... quack ... I'm over here! Maybe she's planning a water birth next summer and just doing some ante-natal classes?

Water temperature ... about 5 degrees ... perfect!

Pizza ... What toppings would an alpaca choose?
13 May 2006

Sea Change (third picture) got caught .... eating our gorse? Check this link for pictures! Did generate the question - what toppings would an alpaca choose on their pizza? Would it include gorse alongside lucerne hay, chicory, dandelion and a sprinkling of sheep nuts? Please e-mail us what you think an alpaca would choose ... andy@wonderfulalpacas.co.nz ... Pictures of the 'pacas nibbling our gorse bush choose this link!

Regional AGM
7 May 2006

Andy attended the Regional AGM of the AANZ and continues as President for the South Island. The Region does look forward to working with cluster groups around the South Island, the Otago and Southland Group covering our own area - next meeting due end of May. Also, the Region will be supporting the Training Days after the Alpaca Expo in mid-November 2006. Also we should see an 'Ask the Expert' day in the area soon ... details of guests on the panel to follow.

Floods ... oh YES!
Late-April 2006

Rain ... we had some ... thanks. Some more? No thanks!!! We had 215mm here on the hill in 34 hours. Alpacas ... did'nt seem to mind ... but fair to say they looked waterlogged! But when the sun returned, and with it some strong, drying winds, their fleece looked really stunning ... no matter whether the 'paca was aged 2 months, 2 years or 2 decades!

Wanaka Show 2006 - Results
11 March 2006

And success for several of our boys and girls at the Show. Enrico, Ben Elvis and Cyprus II were all winners of their classes, Cyprus II being four months pregnant but very calm with it. Enrico, Ben Elvis and Moneymaster are in the top picture. Ben Elvis celebrated by having an all-over hair cut at the Show - or rather he was shorn as part of the shearing demo! And the weather smiled for the Alpaca showing with the winds and clouds only returning after the celebrations were over ... a great weekend!

Southern Warrior
March 2006

We are pleased to announce Bluegrass Southern Warrior (69601) has joined our team of stud males. A Conquistador, Jolimont Warrior, El Dorado, Ledgers Dream and Vanilla male this guy is ... gorgeous! More details to follow but Southern Warrior is owned in partnership with Silverstream Alpacas so will be available through all of Canterbury, Otago and Southland. If you are passing come and enjoy his super-soft carpet of a fleece!

Paca Plasma
February 2006

To confirm alpaca plasma is now available in Dunedin and Oamaru, and hopefully Balclutha soon. Further details from here at Flagstaff Alpacas, or from Allan and Jackie Grant in Oamaru.

Southern Field Days - thanks!
15-17 February 2006

Great to catch up with so many people at the Southern Field Days - and Pascal, Kami, Sea Stallion and Charm enjoyed meeting everyone. Thanks for feedback on the website - we'll try to in increase the news flow and, as requested, I have divided the archives down so they load quicker - the link for late-2005 is ... here! And the other links are below. And as we said at the SFDays everyone is welcome to visit us - and three cria have arrived to add to the fun.

Big thanks to Anne and Brian Thornton for their help at, and the leading of the alpacas during, the Field Days - and to the organisers for their efforts organising this quality event.

Meet the Kids
Late-February 2006

New arrivals everywhere - and the welcoming party of mums and newborns was out for several cria in late February. The kids and parents of the local Plunkett Group had been visiting on 21st February... and just missed, by 10 minutes, the birth of one little black female cria when they departed after lunch on the lawn.

'Gang of Four' Meeting
Early-morning - 6 February 2006

A secret meeting between the Flagstaff Alpacas ' Gang of Four' was captured on camera recently (bottom picture). Believed to be plotting their next milk-raid no further intelligence is currently available from operatives ... in the field ...

Exhibitors Training Day
5 February 2006

Good to see so many local and Canterbury breeders here to listen to Kevin and Lesley Burgess discussing the exhibiting and conduct of alpaca ... and their owners ... in the Show Ring and at their homes. An interesting day included fleece judging, coverage of show rules and regs, alpaca handling, leading alpacas in a mini-show format and experience, for pacas and handlers, on an alpaca assault course! Big thanks to Kevin and Lesley for a great day.

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