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Shearing time is upon us. Make sure
your fleece is long enough, and that it is clean prior to shearing. The fleece
cleaners are great - their electrostatic force flicks the debris out of the
fleece on the alpaca. Take a mid side sample and get your microns tested. Weigh
your total fleece weight, and then remember to fill in the AGE submission form
to get started on breeding values for your alpacas.
We strongly encourage clients with
offspring from our males to register them and their shear data with AGE.
This helps us get our stud male breeding values more accurate, and give you
better advice on who to use for which female.
We also recommend that older
animals that do not grow enough length for decent use in a 12 month period, are
shorn anyway. This for animal health reasons.
We are finding that modern day
youngsters have fleece perfectly long enough to be shorn at 7 months, and are
"over-fleeced" at 10 months. Consider shearing them young. The second fleece
will be far better for it.
Finally, on mating, remember that
young females can likely be mated at 12 months of age. But this may not be the
best for them.
If your female is smaller, or is
not emotionally mature, or is resisting the male in the mating pen, then wait.
You will get a far better productive life from her by waiting, than by forcing
the mating.
For your
mating programme, book in your favourite stud male
early – otherwise you may find he is the other end of the country when you need
him. Our Stud Booklet 2008-2009 is out and our Stud Location Guide on the
website is regularly updated.
