Seminar

The breeding system for Alpacas

After the great success of the 2008 and 2009 Seminars together with the SRS Article which Janie Hicks wrote for the AllespaKa magazine which initiated a lot of discussions throughout middle Europe, Alpaka-Appenzell together with the co-operation of Coolaroo Alpaca Stud Australia have decided to hold a third seminar in February 2011. More details will follow.

Details of 2009 Seminar:

We wish to invite you to take part on either of the seminars or for a very intensive learning program you are very welcome to take part in both seminars.

Both seminars will be carried out with practical training together with a selected group of alpacas which have been bred by Coolaroo Alpaca Stud and Alpaka Appenzell, which are a result of the SRS® breedeing program.

Part A – Basic seminar and wool production for new commers

Presented by Markus Bischofberger together with Janie Hicks (presented in both German and English):

History of alpacas
Animal husbandry
About worming alpacas and supplementing/when and why.
Study the reproduction behaviour of the alpaca so as to understand their most unique breeding habits
Special fencing technique
How to identify good vs poor attributes for purchasing or selecting your own alpacas, examining conformation, fleece and breeding.
Handling, haltering/training young alpacas for showing

Part B – Advanced Wool Production Seminar

Presented by Janie Hicks (presented in English with German translation):

Teach breeders the effectiveness of the genetic pathway utilizing SRS® Breeding techniques
Teach participants how to identify the ‘Fibre markers’ to breed higher density, faster growing, soft wools
Include a presentation of the results associated with Jane Hicks study in Peru , 2001
Discuss Fibre follicle development from primitive to advanced fleece types.
Discuss why processors prefer the advanced alpaca wools.
Provide breeders tools to class and join their own alpacas by understanding ‘frame’ types and ‘wool’ types
Allow breeders to focus on a ‘Breeding Pathway’ within their herds.

About Janie Hicks - „Coolaroo Alpaca Stud“ Australia :
Since 1987, Coolaroo has applied the lifelong experience of three Merino breeding families to alpacas. Since 1995, they have driven the adoption of the SRS® breeding system, success of which is becoming evident in Australia , New Zealand and the UK . In 2001, they undertook a year’s residential research in Peru , establishing new benchmarks for softness, density and length, to drive high impact, accelerated genetic improvement.