DECEMBER, 2011

The schools close and holiday traffic increases on the roads, festive street lights are turned on and the shops peal out their Christmas carols -- signs that the festive season is upon us again. I am not one that usually favours Americanisms, but their festive wish of "Happy Holidays" I do find appropriate rather than "Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year". Best wishes to fellow breeders, friends and associates -- may all enjoy the holidays and spending the festive season with those they love.

We ended the year with a visit from a Belgian vet and alpaca importer/breeder. He gave advice on skin problems and causes of facial hair loss seen in some alpacas. Also on the treatment of females that are slow to conceive. This is most likely the maidens and females with a low grade uterine infection. It was encouraging to hear the progress in his practice of embryo transfer and the induced super ovulation of selected superior females for flushing. They have even imported cheap females from Chile, these being cheaper than those locally available, as donor recipients. The Benelux countries are combining their resources and arranging joint alpaca shows and seminars. These have proven successful in increasing public awareness of alpacas and attracting more new breeders. He was impressed by my alpacas he handled -- good density, fine handle and low guard hairs.

African Alpacas has had a busy November. Manager At Schlebusch and team have sheared over 250 alpacas in the W Cape. The cleaning prior to shearing often takes longer than the shearing itself. We use brushes, wire beaters and a high pressure electric blower to remove vegetable matter and sand from their fleeces. This gives the cutters longer service before sharpening and much cleaner fleeces. Low micron and consistent densities confirm our breeding is still directed to herd improvement. It is encouraging to see more breeders utilizing their own flibre and a growth in the spinning and weaving of alpaca.

End of year sales have also improved with new alpacas being introduced to the Hemel and Aarde valley near Hermanus and adding to herds in other areas. The Namibian/S African border remains closed to livestock due to a Foot & Mouth outbreak in KZN some time back. 9 alpacas wait at Inca Vale for export to Namibia once the restriction is lifted.

Happy Holidays from Gavin and the team at Inca Vale Farm