A NEWSLETTER FOR NEW ENGLAND

ALPACA OWNERS AND BREEDERS

Published for NEAOBA by NEAOBA

SEPTEMBER 2000

This is offically my last issue as editor of the NEAOBA NEWS….really, it is. As you know, I said my good-byes in the June edition not expecting to be doing another! However, I accepted the invitation to do one more issue in hopes of simplifying the Lavans’ lifes due to the mid-August arrival of their second son, Peter. I am happy to say Peter is doing well, and the Lavans are settling in to their new routine. I will not bore you with repeated good-byes other than to say thank you for your support and I have enjoyed being the editor emensely.

My husband, John, and I are our focusing our efforts on finding a new farm--we have outgrown our present location. For those of you who have relocated, you know exactly how time consuming and involved it can be. We are looking forward to having more space however we are not looking forward to the moving process. Moving will definitely be more challenging than it was ten years ago before alpacas came into our lives.

Classifieds: $10.

45words(-)

Business Card $10.

½ Page $20.

Full Page $35.

Double Full Pg $60.

Farm Flyers $55.

A farm flyer is a full page advertisement completely prepared by the member. The proper number of copies(125 with the present size of NEAOBA) will need to be supplied by the member and sent to the Editor. The flyers can be double sided and in color if you choose. These will simply be added to the newsletter during assembly.

Guidelines for submitting ad materials:

1. Original photos are strongly recommended for each publication. This assures the finest quality of reproduction. We will gladly return the photos in the SASE you provide.

Original business cards are required for each publication. Example: 4 issues requires 4 cards.

By Laura Busky

For those of you who don’t know me, I have a fairly solid background in accounting and financial reporting. I’d like to put some of my experience to use for NEAOBA. Thanks to our previous Treasurer, Joe Hilliard, we have the ability to track expenses and produce reports quite efficiently. I’d like to continue improving our "system", but I firmly believe that change without reason does not signify an improvement. The last thing I want to do is spend a lot of time making changes that the members don’t find useful.

I’ve found the best way to avoid this dilemma is simply to ask the users what they want. In this case the users are the membership, so I want you all to know that I welcome your suggestions and ongoing feedback. Please feel free to contact me at

978.838.7391

or

if you would like to discuss anything related to NEAOBA’s financial reporting.

Dear NEAFP Contributors,

Jan and Lorrie hauled the fiber to the sorting site July 10. More than 100 person-hours were spent sorting, and sorting, and sorting. We would like to thank all of you who obviously spent time carefully skirting your fleeces. They were a pleasure to handle. We're thinking of creating an Honor role next year and giving kudos for well-skirted fleeces.

As you may guess, the biggest problem was fleeces with a lot of vegetative "stuff" in them. The biggest offenders were hay/straw and timothy seed heads. We also had toenails, stones, glass and hypodermic needle covers. The seed heads do not come out in the processing. They do break and scatter seeds throughout the fiber. Many of the worst fleeces looked to us like first fleeces. They were lovely fiber, soft and silky but were encrusted on the outside edge with straw and lots of junk. If a fleece or part of a fleece was too badly contaminated, it had to be thrown out. Owners were notified and a deduction had to be made in the total fleece weight contributed. Grooming/blowing the animals before they are sheared is very helpful to us and gives a higher yield to you.

The fiber was shipped to the washing mill and then onto 7 other mills. Four mills are involved in the spinning of 6 different yarns. Three other mills are knitting socks, weaving our blankets, and knitting our fine suri/huacaya worsted yarn into garments.

An item we overlooked on the info sheet for this year's products was to indicate that 1 lb. of finished yarn/top/roving required 1.2 lbs. of raw fiber. Therefore, some of you will have a little credit on your account if you have paid, in advance, for your products, i.e. yarn/top/roving. INVOICES will be sent SOON(if not already). If something on the invoice does not look right, please get in touch with Lorrie.

We are going to sample gloves, hats, and scarves for next year's pool. There is also a good possibility we will produce a black woven felt bag, tote/briefcase/purse/satchel, called and ALPACA PACKER. Woven felt by the yard will also be available next year.

"Still no fee to join or form to fill out." We plan to re-do the web site, when we get a chance, and make the facts clearer and add more product pictures. We are starting to realize that we may even have enough interest for a small pool in January but very unlikely. At present, Lorrie is drowning in the paper work, while Jan "swam the mile" in fiber at the sorting mill so as to "keep things afloat".

Our thanks to Darlene Crosby on the west coast. Watch for her article about NEAFP in the next Alpaca Magazine. Seriously, it has been so rewarding to see our North American Products so well accepted and supported by all of you Alpaca owners this year. Thank you for your continuing interest and participation. We KNOW that you will be pleased with your products!

You will be receiving our updates on where this year's pool is and what we are about for next year. Any new product, marketing, or transportation ideas are welcome.

Yours truly,

The Harrisville yarn, both Shetland and APAY, are finished and at Lorrie O'Connor's farm. To save on shipping costs, we shipped yarn only to those farms who indicated they wanted it to be shipped immediately. We are holding the rest until all of the other products are finished. We have received quite a few compliments on this year's new shetland color, Dark Rose Gray. The other two Shetland colors are white/oatmeal and medium fawn. The APAY also comes in white/oatmeal and medium fawn. Other specifics about the yarn: It's on "1 lb. Cones," but cone weights vary from 12 oz. to 22 oz., so we weighed it out to do the distribution. Both the Shetland and APAY are 90% alpaca and 10% merino. It needs to be washed so we suggest skeining it, and then washing it. The white cleans up especially nice. Four ounces of Shetland is about 220 yards and 4 oz. of APAY is about 114 yards. We have some of both kinds of yarn that has been left with us for sale. The price is $1.50/oz. or $24.00/lb.

All the fiber has been washed, scoured, and distributed to the various spinning mills. Because of the frequent heavy rainstorms this July, the fiber took a little longer to dry than normal. This is the first year we have washed and scoured so it's a bit of a learning experience. The fiber in

5 of the 6 washed batches looked wonderful. The last batch, which was dark neck and belly seemed to have more oil or grease in it. We theorized that the sweat glands on the legs came in contact with the belly while the alpaca was kushed and then transferred to the fiber. Whatever happened, it is now squeaky clean, dry, picked, blended, and scheduled to be carded next week,

and spun during the first two weeks of October.

The blanket yarn will be spun first, then will be sent to the weaving mill. We expect the Narragansett Bay blankets and throws to be ready by mid to late October. The Alpaca Sox yarn will be spun after the blanket yarn and sent to the sock-knitting mill. We had hoped to have them by the end of September, but the added scouring and washing process and the huge increase in the

poundage collected means socks won't be ready until at least mid October. Late summer through early fall is the height of the season for every mill doing animal fiber yarn. Regarding labels for socks, we do have last years label with the NEAOBA logo and would be glad to send it off to anyone who wants it. We found that socks really do sell better with an attractive label.

We have taken two advertisement spaces in the upcoming "Alpacas Magazine, Focus on Fashion." One is for NEAFP and the second for the sale of one of our products. We are offering our Alpaca Sox at $10.00 a pair. This is a very special discounted price to AOABA members as

the retail price of our socks is $15.00 to $16.00 a pair.

As for the knitted products from worsted yarn, we have decided to over-dye the black Suri/Huacaya to get an even colored black in the finished yarn. Our sources tell us that even South America does this to keep the color charts accurate from year to year. However, the "tan" blend of white and fawn would be allowed to vary from year to year. If we get enough of a third color like silver next year, we will add that to the worsted yarn and knit products line.

The top/roving is nearly finished and will be spun into worsted yarn later in September, or the beginning of October. The knitting mill for the sweaters and afghans is overwhelmed with orders, but we do have production space reserved . If you haven't done so already, please give Lorrie your color choices (tan or black) and size choices (men's medium or large: women's medium or large) for sweaters, afghans and pillows.

If the timing is right, we hope to introduce a new item at the Big E. Small knit Alpaca Finger Puppets that will retail for $4.00 . We are making them out of the mill ends from the worsted yarn production. If you all like them, we will offer them next year in large amounts. They are really cute!

And finally, we would again like to thank all of you for your patience and forbearance. We know we have lost information, requested things more than once, and at times have been just totally confusing. I heard myself explaining to a friend the other day, that Jan and my original plan was to "take the bull by the horns" and just do it! Sometimes it feels as if the bull we have grabbed a hold of is a rodeo steer that we're trying to wrestle to the ground! We're still working on timing and technique, but our wrestling skills are improving! So, thanks for your applause; it does keep us going.

Lorrie O'Connor and Jan Hensle

By Cindy Lavan, Chase Tavern Farm

As I write this article, I am in a state of complete sympathy for all pregnant female alpacas on this planet. After having a mass of tissue materialize into an alive ‘thing’ and then fester in my uterus for 9 months, any pregnant female creature on this planet (mammal, reptilian, etc.) can relate to her sister species when it comes time to deliver a baby.

In some species, fathers do try to help, bless their hearts…but lets all face it – they could never carry a baby 9 months needless to say 11 – 11 ½ months the normal female alpaca carries for. We won’t even mention elephant gestation! Where are the studs? In the other pasture eating, getting someone else pregnant or standing quietly in the corner of the delivery room with their eyes wide open and their lower jaw around their ankles.

One lovely cloudy day this Spring, I actually remembered to get my digital camera out to capture the birth of a cria. The following pictures and associated story help show what a normal birth looks like for alpacas. Our expecting mother – Daliha, a suri female. She was due with her second cria and went about 9 days after her due date (based on the average 335 day gestation).

She is generally a non-vocal alpaca and has the true herd mentality, so when she was off a bit on her own, up and down and hanging near the poop pile in the morning with mild vocalization - I knew to keep the camera in the barn and my eyes peeled to her posterior side. Most of the deliveries on our farm have been between 6:30am – 1:00pm with a few thrown in as early as 4:30 am and as late as 8:00pm. It was around 8:15am and her vulva was very elongated and swollen. Her udder was in and ready for action, which usually happens with repeat moms. Her udder was red, tender and swollen and the teats stuck out at attention. She was what I call a ‘up and downer.’ Up at the pile, then sitting down. Up at the pile, then sitting down. Comfort was not happening and she was ready to have her cria. While up, she began pushing. Now, when having a baby - all humility goes out the door – and sometimes-fecal defecation associates itself with arrival of the baby (hence the black blop in the picture above the nose).Perfectly normal. After contracting once, the sac became evident. As she laid down to rest, it was gone. She sucked it back in. Perfectly normal. She stood up again to push and with this push, out started to appear the nose. She rested again and the nose was gone. Perfectly normal. With the next contraction, the nose came out more followed by the forehead. The next contraction followed almost immediately with the head emerging fully. The membranes around the nose were not cleared completely, so I cleared away tissue from the nose and in and around the mouth as the cria is now in a position to loose fluid from its lungs and begins to gasp for air. Next contraction the legs popping out above the head. In this position, with head and feet fully emerged, the cria is compromising its source of oxygen from the umbilical cord and can begin to breathe on its own. Having its membranes clear helps facilitate this process. Also, if the female is standing, the fluid in its lungs has a normal chance of flowing out with gravity. As you can see from the picture, Dahila is not standing but in the ‘downer’ position again. Obviously, she forgot to review the chapters on delivery in the book for this cria’s delivery. Feet out above the head or below the head can be normal. What about head and no feet? Unless on the next few contractions or within the next few minutes you don’t get feet, you could have a shoulder locked cria and assistance may be required for delivery. She’s back up. Maybe she read the Cliff Notes book on delivery. Now the baby is hanging there – feet and legs out, head out and with the next push, glides out slowly to the ground. BUMP. Welcome to the world!

Immediately, he is attacked not only by me checking for sex, but also by all the other nosy females in the pasture. "What you got there? Oh, look… a baby. Let’s harass it!" Mom steps in. "Back off," as she spits at her friends. "All right Mom, " I say, "let me dip the cord." I’m done. So much work watching that delivery, I’d better have a cold one and sit down. Actually, I went into the barn to clear everyone out so that Mom and baby could have a nice quiet place just for the two of them. When I came back to get them, baby is sitting up cushed being licked and nuzzled by Mom. Mom can’t seem to fend off one Huacaya female in particular as she keeps investigating the newborn cria. Mom is ready to do her thing and I am ready to move them. Picking up the cria, Mom immediately follows us as we stroll slowly into the ‘safe area.’ Within 20 minutes, he is standing or should I say – trying to stand. Spread eagle up – then on the ground just as fast. Finally, land legs are established and the hunt for the grub begins. He’s got the right idea and heads for the udder area. After a few pokes on the inside of the thigh and then on her belly – he hits paydirt. The teats! Grub! Since she is a well-established Mom and I am watching closely – I see that I don’t need to strip the teats of the waxy plug as he begins to suckle successfully. First suckle lasts just a few seconds. Then he walks under her belly, oppositie the way he came in and begins to investigate his new world. Mom clucks to him and follows him attentively. He lays down. "All this work," he said," I need a warm one, but in a minute. I want to rest my spindly long legs." He sits down cushed again, closes his eyes and dreams of life in-utero. "Those were the days."

Mom still has some business to attend to. The placenta needs to be expelled. A mere 20 minutes after delivery, mom begins to push again. I know what she’s thinking, "Please, don’t let it be another one." Ploop. The placenta hits the ground. A quick smell by mom and off she goes to her baby. In I come. Out of general curiosity – I inspect the placenta laying it out and checking for horn locations, color and odor. If all looks normal and since the delivery was normal, it’s ready to be disposed of. With the placenta pick-up/removal high-tech apparatus – two Shop N’ Save bags – I scoop – and I have a placenta.

Checklist is reviewed – weigh baby when dry. Since perfect weather day, will not dry off baby but let him warm up in sun. Cord dipped – yes. Mom passed placenta – yes. Medications for cria and Mom – Give within the next hour or two since normal cria and delivery. Nursing – monitor closely their interactions and her let-down of colostrum. Suckling reflex checked – good. Enema – probably, he is a little late in term, but will give him an hour to prove to me he doesn’t need one. Oh yeah, name – well, its around Easter and Dahila is a biblical name (I think)– and he’s a strong young man with a strong Accoyo bloodline – Easter – bible - white – Moses!

Moses’ story is a normal one. Not all deliveries go as normal or within such a short time frame as his did. What is normal? Each pregnancy, each delivery is different. Consistencies can be seen over many deliveries in some moms, but then things can change as well. At any time during the course of delivery or before…you are unsure, contact your vet or another breeder to answer your questions. Always error on the side of caution and protect the Mom first and foremost. If there is a problem with the cria – get assistance immediately. Time can be critical.

Always remember – it’s nice to have the baby and take care of it – but your job is support for the Mom and cria. Let her do what she wants to and be a good Mom to the baby. She’s the one that carried around for 11- 11 ½ months. Mother Nature is telling her to do this. Mother Nature is also telling her to get pregnant again in a few weeks. Now, I am smart enough to tell Mother Nature to take a hike – but if she’s ready to go again and all is normal, then let her do her thing again. Girl Power Baby!!!

Footnote to story – Moses did not need an enema after all.

NEAF 2001

Mallory Building at The Big E

Have you listed your alpacas for sale on the NEAOBA web site?

$15 / year / animal

That’s hard to beat!

Sea Hill Farm:

"Stonington Granite" (M) 4-11-00, silver and white,Sire: Silver Dollar(silver/white), Dam:Tina(black)

North Brook Farm:

"North Brook's Patagonia" (M) 6/27/00, medium fawn, Dam: Skyeview's Kona, Sire: El Mustacio

Acorn Alpaca Ranch:

"Honey Crystal (F) 4-30-00 White/Beige; Sire: Peruvian Kaballero (white), Dam: Abaco's Taffy ( Lt. Fawn)

"Carmella" (F) 5-12-00 Med. Fawn with white markings on face, Sire: McDoodle(brown), Dam:

Caraz (white/beige)

"Mystique" (F) 5-26-00 Light Fawn with white markings, Sire: NZ Maori Magic(Black), Dam: Miranda

(Med. Fawn)

"Cletus" (M) 6-8-00 Medium Brown with White Face, Sire: Silverado(Silver/grey), Dam: Midge (Rose Grey)

"Julianna" (F) 6-25-00 White, Sire: PPPeruvian Kenamori Gold (white), Dam: MA Moricka (white)

"Apricot" (F) 6-26-00 Light Fawn, Sire: PPPeruvian Kenamori Gold (white), Dam:Auressa (light Fawn)

"Rocky" (M) 7-12-00 True Black with white markings on face, Sire: NZ Maori Magic (True Black), Dam:

Caithness Black Alyssa (True Black)

"Grey Medallion" (M) 7-20-00, grey blanket with white on face & neck, 4 white socks, Sire: Silverado

(silver/grey), Dam: Melissa

Sallie’s Fen:

"Sallie's Fen Kez" (M) 6-14-00, honey brown, Sire: Kenamori Gold(white), Dam: Malary(black w/white)

"Sallie's Fen Sherlock" (M) 8-11-00, dk grey w/white face, Sire: Sallie's Fen Jed (silver grey),

Dam: SS Dynasty (silver grey)

Chase Tavern Farm:

"Hercules" Suri (M) 4-19-00, light fawn, Sire: Peruvian Daric (bay black) Dam: Peruvian Zena (dark fawn)

"Flynn" (M) 4-20-00 light fawn, Sire: Majestado de Peru (light fawn) Dam: Fiera (dark rose gray)

"Moses" Suri (M) 4-20-00 white, Sire: Accoyo Ace (white), Dam: Peruvian Dalila (white)

"LuLu" (F) 4-20-00 light fawn, 4-20-00 Sire: 4Peruvian Altiplano Gold (beige), Dam: Peruvian Lucia (white)

"Magglio" Suri (M) 5-10-00, red-brown, Sire:Peruvain Silver King (silver), Dam:Peruvian Snow Gleem (white)

"Silver Flame" (M) 5-14-00, silver gray, Sire: Black Flame de Bolivia (black), Dam: Cajas (silver gray)

"Mahogany Creek" (F) 5-22-00, reddy brown, Sire:Silver Creek (medium rose gray), Dam:Blumenau(light

rose gray)

"Kore" (F) 5-31-00, reddy brown, Sire: Black Flame de Bolivia (black), Dam:Carajia (multi rose gray)

"Penelope" (F) 7-5-00, rose brown, Sire: Silver Creek (medium rose gray), Dam: Peulla (fawn)

"Aster" 8-5-00, rich brown w/white chin, Sire: 4Peruvian Royal 'Black' Condor(black), Dam: Marigold (beige)

Parker River Alpaca Farm:

"Chiloe's Thunder" (M) 5-23-00, Sire: Bolivian Black Thunder(black), Dam:Chiloe(light silver gray))

Sky Farm:

"Champagne Charlie" (M) 4-29-00, fawn, Sire: 4Peruvian Royal 'Black', Dam: CT Bess (bay black)

RiverView:

"RiverView's General Stark" (M) 4-27-00,white, Sire:Peruvian Kabellero, Dam: Benjie's Patience

"RiverView's Juan Marko" (M) 5-4-00, beige, Sire: Peruvian Kabellero Dam: Wilpaca's Carmencita

"RiverView's KatieO" (F) 7-5-00, black/brown, Sire: Wilpaca's Eduardo, Dam: BD Buffy

Oak Ridge Alpacas:

"Nevinita" (F) 5-27-00, multi-fawn/white legs/neck, Sire:Caligula, Dam:Calliope

NEWAIM Farm:

"NEWAIM Raisin" (F) 5-07-00, med fawn, Sire: Peruvian Kaballero(white), Dam: BD Annie A9707(Lt brown)

"NEWAIM Achebe" (M) 5-19-00, white, Sire: NZ Maori Magic(black), Dam: Abaci's Fiesta(lt brown)

Mountain Pond Farm:

"Mtn Pond Farm Petros" (M) 6-6-00, red-brown w/white face, Sire: Achilleus, Dam: Babette

"Mtn Pond Farm Di's Diamond" (F) 7-5-00, white, Sire:Mettowee Farms Tardis, Dam:Mtn Pond Farm Diadem

"Mtn Pond Farm Ruby" (F) 7-8-00, red, Sire: Achilleus, Dam: Meadows Hannah

"Mtn Pond Farm Agate by Skye" (F) 7-18-00, pinto, Sire: Mettowee Valley Farm Tardis, Dam: Sonora Codi

Hidden Hill Farm:

"HHF Calliope" (F) 6-3-00, med brown, Sire: Acero Marka's Harrison(beige),

Dam: Chilean Cocoa y Leche(wht/Lt brown pinto).

"Kitri" (F) 7-16-00, bay black, Sire Chocolate Mousse(black), Dam: Millicent's Melody(black)

Henseforth Farm:

"Wild Willie" (M) 5-26-00, white, Sire: King Arthur Pendragon (white), Dam: Nez Blanc (brown w/wht nose)

"Surina" (F) Suri, 6-20-00, Sire: Hercules, Dam: Angel(white)

Trailsend Alpacas:

"Luchetta" (F) 6-23-00, white, Sire: Accoyo Chaparral(white), Dam: 5Peruvian Meratta(white)

Cas-Cad-Nac Farm:

"CCNF Nellie" (F) 4-20-00, med brown, Sire: 6Peruvian Midas Touch (dk fawn), Dam: Annelise (Dk Brown)

"CCNF Blaze" (M) Suri, 5-20-00 dk fawn, Sire: Trafalgar (dk brown), Dam: 5Peruvian Catera (Med fawn)

"CCNF Calypso" (F) Suri, 6-10-00, lt fawn, Sire: 6Peruvian Chachapoya (white),

Dam: 5Peruvian Anastasia (lt fawn)

"CCNF Phoenix" (F) 6-13-00, white, Sire: PPPeruvian Kenamori Gold (white),

Dam: 5Peruvian Margarita (Med fawn)

"CCNF Tahitian Pearl" (F) 6-15-00, bay black, Sire: Silver Dollar (med silver grey),

Dam: 6Peruvian Aphrodite (bay black)

"CCNF Artemis" (F) 7-2-00, med fawn, Sire: 6Peruvian Midas Touch (dk fawn), Dam: Glamor Girl (white)

"CCNF Jamaica" (F) Suri, 7-19-00, dk brown, Sire: Trafalgar (dk brown), Dam: 6Peruvian Nutmeg (lt brown)

Bouldermont Farm:

"Izzy's Lizzy" (F) 5-31-00, lt brown-white, Sire: 4P Great Balls of Fire(med fawn), Dam: 5P Isabella(lt fawn)

Skyeview Farm:

"Skyeview Ericsson" (M) 6/14/00, med fawn, Sire: El Dorado (Lt Fn), Dam: MA Nokia (DkFn)

"Skyeview Hartland" (M) 6/14/00, beige, Sire: El Moustachio(Wt), Dam: Queen Anne'sLace(Wt)

"Skyeview Peanut Butter" (F) 7/6/00, dk fawn, Sire: El Dorado (Lt Fn), Dam: Layla (MdBr)

"Skyeview Nickademus" (M) 7/13/00, med brown, Sire: El Dorado (Lt Fn), Dam: Angelique (Bk/Wt)

"Skyeview Jasmine" (F) 7/23/00, lt fawn, Sire: El Dorado (Lt Fn), Dam: Golden Girl (LtFn)

"Skyeview Merlin" (M) 7/29/00, dk brown, Sire: El Dorado (Lt Fn), Dam: Amber Waves (MdBn)

"Skyeview Crystal" (F) 7/29/00, lt fawn, Sire: El Dorado (Lt Fn), Dam: Caliope (MdBn)

"Skyeview Charlotte" (F) 8/2/00, lt fawn, Sire: El Dorado (Lt Fn), Dam: Beatriz (MdBn)

Alpacas of Maple Lane:

"Rosie O'Grady" (F) 7/20/00, silver Sire: Virtual Reality(lt fawn), Dam: Delightful Trinket(gray)

"No-name-yet" (F), 7/26/00, lt fawn, Sire: Virtual Reality(lt fawn), Dam Grandessence(lt fawn)

Camel's Hump Alpaca Farm:

"Furdinand" (M) 4/10/00, black, Sire: Maori Magic(black) Dam: BD Emily

"Lindor" (M) 7/12/00, rich brown, Sire: Maori Magic(black) , Dam: Fabiana #959

Grey Flannel Farm:

"GFF Isabel" (F) 6/10/00, black, Sire: Calypso(fancy grey), Dam: Hiawatha(fancy grey)

"Nocturna" (M) 6/13/00, black, Sire: El Negro(black), Dam: Phaedra(white)

Mountain Brook Farm:

"Captain Solo"(M) 5/31/00, fawn, Sire: Wings (white), Dam: Sollocota (fawn)

"Luke" (M) 6/13/00, white, Sire: Wira Cocha (fawn), Dam: Mercy (white)

"Princess Leia"(F) 6/18/00, lt.fawn, Sire: Wira Cocha(fawn), Dam: Santa Rosa (grey)

"Lando" (M )6/24/00, lt.fawn, Sire: Wira Cocha (fawn), Dam: Nimue (white)

"Anakin"(M) 6/28/00, white, Sire: Wings (white), Dam: Queen Isabell (brown)

Laurel Hill Farm:

"Accoyo Amadeus’ Blossom" (F) 6/9/00, white, Sire: Accoyo Amadeus(wh), Dam: Cperuvian Bree(wh)

Fiber Fields Alpaca Farm:

"FFAF Legacy’s Luminess" (F) 7/11/00, lt fawn, Sire: Snowmass 4Peruvian Legacy(white),

Dam: PPPeruvian Luminary(white)

"FFAF No-name-yet" (M) 9/30/00, white, Sire: El Cuba(dk fawn), Dam: Dynasty Royal Fawn(med fawn)

to 6 months of age?

2. Guarantees - what is covered to what extent?

Peter Rosengarten:

1. Vitamins and selenium at birth; CD& T at 5 weeks, 15 weeks, 20 weeks. Rabies at 3-4 months. We also worm with Dectomax monthly after the first month.

2. Guarantees - what is covered to what extent?

We guarantee a female will be able to bare a cria under normal circumstances and that it is in good health at the time of purchase.

Lorrie O’Connor:

1. Our vet does "baby shorts" - CD&T at 4 wks and 8 wks, rabies at 3 mos. We start wormer for all our animals April 1. Any cria 3 mos. of age and older also gets wormer.

Jack Dibb:

We medicate newborns very much like the rest of the herd. We start them on Ivermec the first time the rest of the herd is medicated after they are 3 weeks old (some may be 3 weeks, others could be as old as 6 weeks) and then give monthly subcutaneous shots every month with everyone else. Crias get 2 CD+T boosters, roughly at one and two months of age, then rabies at 3 months. We give leptovirus vacine to the entire herd every 6 months, including all cria over one month old. So far we have never done any IGG testing, nor do we give boosters like BoSe.

2. We quarantee healthy animals that have been raised with abundant love! So far we have sold just 2 geldings and 1 "future" herdsire. The latter was certified to be reproductively sound, and fertile, with the owner entitled to full refund if not proven by the age of four. Breeding females are

offered with the same type of assurance.

Kevin O’Leary:

1. During the first six months we try to limit our interaction with crias, CD&T at monthly intervals. Other than that if the cria is healthy we will leave everything else up to the mother. we want Alpacas to raise Alpacas not humans.

2. Guarantees: This I believe is one of the most important factors people should look at when they wish to purchase Alpacas. We include full reproductive guarantees on all Alpacas males and females. Bred females have a live birth (7 days) with a rebreed offered should any problem arise weanlings come with a free breeding when they come to the proper age. All of our Alpacas have a full no questions asked return policy during the first six months, we have raised these Alpacas and want them to end up in an environment that they are loved in as we do.

Laura Busky:

1. Our newborns get Bo-Se 24-48 hours after delivery. Depending on the cria, sometimes we also give vitamins A&D at this time. No wormers are given for the first 30 days. Crias between 30 & 60 days old get oral Panacur or Safeguard at our regular monthly worming time. After that they get Ivomec or Panacur on our regular monthly schedule through the warm, moist months. All doses are calculated according to the cria's weight at the time the medication is given. CD&T #1 is given at about 2 1/2 months followed by CD&T #2 2-3 weeks later. Rabies is generally given along with CD&T #2 provided cria is at least 3 months old.

2. All breeding animals are sold with full reproductive guarantees.

Phyllis Decker:

1. Routine CDT shots (3), Rabies at 5 months, deworming at 5 months, ADE, B12 gel every two weeks.

2. We base our guarantees on the standard AOBA contracts.

Lee Montgomery:

1. At birth we give BoSe and tetanus. At one month we give BoSe and CD&T. We worm at six months.

2. We use a standard contract with all the customary guarantees.

1. What has been your best marketing tool in your

area?

3. How do breeders verify pregnancy and how often?

Directions: Farm members will be contacted by the editor via e-mail for their responses. Farm members without e-mail, please contact the editor with your response.

by Dan Mingle, Mountain Brook Farm

Autumn is here. Our pastures are spent, or nearly so. Our alpacas will soon convert from grass to hay diets.

Although you may already have your hay in the barn, it is a good time to take stock of your needs and resources and strategize for purchases later this season or for your supplies and sources next year.

High Quality hay, according to the New Holland Haymaker’s Handbook, 1987, edited by Dr. John E. Baylor of the Pennsylvania State University, "…is hay that is high in energy value…that livestock will consume in large amounts…contains an abundance of minerals and vitamins, is leafy, free of foreign material, shows little or no sign of weathering and spoilage losses, and under most conditions has a bright green color.

Energy comes from protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Potential caloric energy in hay is measured as TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients) that includes the contributions of each of those sources. TDN is a useful number to compare feeds and to calculate feeding rations but should not be considered an accurate estimate of the caloric absorption or utilization.

TDN and protein contents in hay relate to the type or mix of forage plants grown, the fertilization program practiced, the stage of maturity at which they are harvested, the care and mechanics of harvesting, and the method of storage.

Grasses, like orchard grass, fescue, bromegrass, timothy, ryegrass, and bluegrass are lower in TDN and protein than are the legumes like alfalfa, trefoil, and clover. In Murray Fowler’s Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids, Second Edition, there is an excellent series of charts on pages 32-34 comparing typical nutrient compositions of usual forage plants.

Whatever is grown on the hayfield, protein and TDN levels are higher when properly fertilized. A Texas A&M trial, reported in the Haymaker’s Handbook, reported that a crop of coastal Bermuda grass grown with 0 and with 400 pounds Nitrogen per acre increased protein content from 7.9% to 11.7%. Similar effects are seen with appropriate ph management with lime and with potash fertilization.

Both protein and TDN decline with advancing maturity of the forage stand. Young, tender shoots are at their highest nutrient value. The bulk of the TDN and protein is in the leaves of the plants. Levels decline slightly as the leaf grows and the flower develops then fall more quickly as the seed-head develops and matures. A leafy grass hay as the flowers begin to form may have about 12% protein compared to 6% when the seed-head is mature and the plant begins to brown. Effective TDN declines roughly 1% with each day past the early bloom stage that harvest is delayed.

Whether the hay is first or second crop is less important than stage of maturity. The crop becomes important because of local factors for harvest. In Maine, most crops are in the ideal, early bloom stage in late May when most fields are still too wet to support harvesting equipment. First crop is typically removed in June, possibly one month past the ideal. Second crop, ready in August or September in Maine, is usually harvested closer to the ideal time.

Harvesting factors are the next variables to consider. Understanding that most of the nutrition is in the leaves, it is obvious that harvest must protect the leaf both from mechanical losses and from spoilage. Hay needs to be cut, dried, baled, and collected. The crop can suffer TDN losses due to metabolism, weathering, and leaf shattering.

When a plant is cut, metabolism continues for a period of time that relates mostly to moisture content. As the plant dries, metabolism slows and stops. Plant metabolism burns the carbohydrates that the plant has been storing and depletes the TDN. The longer it takes the plant to dry, the more metabolism reduces the TDN available for our animals. Losses in worst-case scenarios may amount to 16% of TDN.

Rain hitting the cut hay crop is a double-whammy. By delaying the drying process, TDN is further consumed by metabolism. Rain, however, also dissolves and directly leaches or washes nutrients out of the hay. Losses by dissolution and leaching can amount to 10% of TDN.

Mechanical losses occur because the highly nutritious leaf becomes more fragile as it dries. With handling, the leaf crumbles and the fragments cannot be contained by the bale and are lost. With vigorous handling, such as is experienced with raking and baling operations, leaf-loss is estimated at 5, 10, and 20% at 50, 30, and 25% moisture levels respectively. Typical raking losses seem to be between 5 and 15%, baler losses are typically 3-8%. Even rough-handling of the bales can account for additional losses.

Storage losses are the final handling variable. Storage losses relate to weathering and spoilage. Just like cut hay in the field awaiting collection, hay stored outside is subject to weathering losses by dissolution and leaching of nutrients by the rain. Large round bales, often stored outside, depend on tightly wrapped outer layers to protect inner layers from rain damage. The outer layers of the round bale are sacrificed to protect the inner layers. Losses can be substantial. The outer 6 inches of the typical 6-foot diameter round bale contains 31% of the bale’s mass. Thus, spoilage of the outer layers can represent substantial feed losses.

In addition, stored hay is subject to spoilage related to moisture, heat, and microorganisms. Microorganisms are generally inactive at moisture contents at or below 15%. At higher moisture contents, metabolism of hay nutrients by microorganisms both consumes nutrients and increases the internal temperature of the bale. As the temperature increases, heat loving molds and fungi are activated, accelerated the metabolic nutrient consumption and further increasing the internal temperature. Nutrients are consumed, proteins become bound in indigestible forms, and hay becomes unpalatable. Above 170 degrees, microorganisms die, but chemical reactions continue to release heat. Spontaneous combustion and fire occurs when internal bale temperatures reach 450 to 550 degrees.

We have talked about energy levels in hay, but hay also needs to be palatable to be high quality. Palatability is effected by many of the same factors that effect TDN content and in most cases serves to magnify the effects. Particularly, plant maturity at time of harvest and spoilage issues are common to both discussions. In addition, texture is a factor.

I find that alpacas like leaves. As the hay passes the flower stage and the seed-head develops and matures, the plant develops a tubular stem. I find the stems untouched on the floor and in the feeder. The larger the stem diameter, the more likely it is to be feeding time "leftovers." They tend to consume stems the diameter of angel-hair pasta but leave anything larger. Thus a thirty-pound rectangular bale of mature hay may in reality be fifteen pounds of feed and 15 pounds of barn-floor litter. Likewise, I find that weathered, browned, dusty, or moldy hay more often lands on the floor than adds to the diet.

Vitamins and mineral content of the hay relate to the content of the soil on which the hay is grown. An "exhausted" soil, a soil from which generations of crops have been taken without replacement of minerals, will produce hay with low mineral content. Many of these sins can be covered up with judicious applications of the Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium "macronutrients," but the productivity and health of the stand will not be optimum without a healthy soil content of the mineral "micronutrients." Likewise, alpaca health cannot be optimum without a good supply of micronutrients. If not supplied by the forage, the micronutrients need to be provided by supplements. Supplements are never as comprehensive or palatable is the micronutrients provided by the forage.

Test your hay. The Northeast region is served by a forage testing laboratory affiliated with Cornell University. The address is DHI Forage Testing Laboratory, 730 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, Phone (800)496-3344.

If you buy hay, try to develop a relationship with a farmer who takes the hay crop seriously, fertilizing the fields, cutting at the right stage of maturity, giving appropriate attention to moisture levels, handling the hay with expedience, and storing the hay appropriately.

The official

web site of the

New England Alpaca

NEW FARM MEMBERS

Mary Burke

93 Beach Ave

Hull, MA 02045

ph 781.925.4916

Kristi & Charlie Drake

Enchanted Hill Alpacas

106 Beals Road

Bedford, NH 03110

ph 603.471.2592

fax 603.625.5772

email: Drakezoo@peoplepc.com

Lou & Bob Eustance

French Hollow Alpaca Co.

305 French Hollow Road

Bondville, VT 05340

ph 802.297.9353

fax 802.297.9378

email: fhalpacas@aol.com

Betsy M. DeWallace

Shady Ledge

56 Dakin Road

Sudbury, MA 01776

ph: 978.443.2144

email: jdewall@javanet.com

Kathy Plante

Friendly Farms

30 Burnt Swamp Road

Cumberland, RI 02864

ph 401.334.1234

fax 508.695.0012

email: morezac@aol.com

Faith & Herb Perkins

Quarry Ridge Alpacas

303 Oak Hill Rd

Averill Park, NY 12018

ph 518.674.2492

email: hperkins@global2000.net

Blake & Donna Johnson

Northern Cross Alpacas

9 Gagnon Ave

Frenchville, ME 04745

ph: 207.543.9011

email: northerncross@nci1.net

Patricia, Richard & Lisa Houde

Alpaca Fields

Beech Ridge Ranch

116 Beech Ridge Rd

York, ME 03909

ph: 207.363.4385

email: alpacafields@earthlink.net

website: http://home.earthlink.net/~alpacafields/

Edward F. & Brandon J. Boyd

& Jair I. Trujillo

The Double E Alpaca Farm

PO Box 72

619 Hurd Rd

Bethel, NY 12720

ph: 914.583.5141

fax: 914.583.5141

email: eealpaca@aol.com

Charlotte Druschel

84 Meadowbrook Drive

Slingerlands NY 12159

Phone: (518) 489-2060

E-mail: cdrusch@aol.com

Eric & Mindy Rosseland

Harmony Grove Alpacas

PO Box 205

Jefferson, NH 03583

ph 603.586.4399

fax 603.586.4422

email: mindyro@prodigy.net

Henry & Janet Garcia

Starry Night Farm

402 Kearsarge St.

PO Box 57

Warner, NH 03278

Phone 603.456.3289

Ranyee Lee & Gordon Cucullu

East Brook Farms Alpacas

RR 2 Box 63

Walton, NY 13856

ph: 877.585.5017 (toll free)

ph: 607.865.7238

fax: 607.865.7879

email: eastbkfm@catskill.net

website: www.eastbrookfarms.com

Steve and Kathie Haber

Haha Farm

14 Larchmont Drive

Nashua, NH 03062

ph: 603.880.4220

email: kathie@hahafarm.com

Erin, Steven & Megan McCarthy

BelleauWood

8324 State Route 22

Granville, NY 12832

ph: 518.642.0777

fax: 518.642.0777

email: mccarthys@belleauwood.com

website: www.belleauwood.com

Richard & Sandra Carter

Clearview Farm

18310 The Glebe Lane

Charles City, VA 23030

ph: 804.829.6143

fax: 804.829.6143

email: clearviewfarmcarters@peoplepc.com

Katharine Thompson

Fenwick Manor Farm

PO Box 189

333 Rt. 530

New Lisbon, NJ 08064

ph: 609.893.5552

fax: 609.893.2726

email: fmfalpacas@fenwick.net

Jose Sousa

Sousa's Back to Nature

215 Milford Rd.

Swansea, MA 02777

ph: 508.674.1919

fax: 508.674.1173

email: jjcsousa@aol.com

Serena W. Granbery

Moore Brook Farm

82 Indian Cave Rd.

Salisbury, CT 06068

ph: 860.435.2322

fax: 860.435.6209

email: swgranbery@snet.net

NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Michelle T. McClure

221A S. Main St

Hopedale, MA 01747

home ph: 508.478.0618

Bus ph: 508.651.7881

Associate Member:

Jane Lougee Bryant

Abenaki Alpaca Fleece Farm

PO Box 32

Limerick, ME 04048

ph 207.793.2236

fax 207.793.2236

Dave Sanderson

Sandersons@PRAlpacas.com

www.PRAlpacas.com

Ethel Vellekamp

evellekamp@aol.com

Kristi Drake, Enchanted Hill Alpacas

Area code for phone & fax: 603

Sallie Whitlow

Sallie.Whitlow@ccrc.sr.unh

Jim Brent

Camel's Hump Alpaca Farm

Fax 802.434.7255.

Dawn and John Brooker

e-mail: dawn@ffalpaca.com

website: www.ffalpaca.com

We are a modest sized farm offering

"FFAF Katahdin Gold"

Blue Ribbon Winner

Juvenile Composite Class

Big E 2000

Yes, he is for sale.

by Lisa Griffin

Submitted by Jan Hensle

The day two alpacas came to school

It was the exception, not the rule.

But, oh, what a sight it was to see

Those curious animals looking at me.

Throught the front door, they walked side by side,

Following Ms. Hensle’s sure footed stride.

They came together, for just like we,

They like a buddy when not roaming free.

Their simple good nature filled the children with wonder

And the numerous questions left Ms. Hensle to ponder

What did they learn? When alpacas she did bring

already knew how to hum, perhaps now they’ll sing.

The day two alpacas came to school

It was the exception, not the rule.

But they’ll never forget the day they did see

"Those curious animals looking at me."

Those who passed by, glanced I to peek,

And all had a grin that went cheek to cheek.

Except for the janitor who said, "What now?"

I suppose tomorrow they will bring a cow!"

Tom Jefferson and Dream Walker, they were named.

Because their soft fur spins to yarn, they were famed.

And when tired of standing, 1-2-3 they did kush.

The children did giggle, the teacher said "Shush".

Good manner is one lesson all children learn,

And each held a hand out and waited their turn.

The animals nibbled to fill up their tummy

With food pellets thought to be really quite yummy.

Laura Busky, Treasurer

96 South Street

Berlin, MA 01503

(978) 838-7391

e-mail:north.brook.farm@usa.net

"Trafalgar"

DOB: 1/30/97

Dark Brown with White markings on face

1998 Chilean Import

Micron Analysis: AFD 18.2, SD 4.5, CV 24.7%, >30 Micron 2.0%

Stud Fee: $2500

Trafalgar is a proven Suri hersire with crias on the ground here at Cas-Cad-Nac Farm. An exemplary model of the Suri alpaca, his lustrous locks are the color of a dark, rich chocolate. He has consistently thrown typey colored crias with his heavy bone density, fiber coverage (down to their toes), and excellent conformation. Trafalgar is available for outside breedings on a limited basis.

Cas-Cad-Nac Farm, LLC.

Ian and Jennifer Lutz

551 Wheeler Camp Road

Perkinsville, VT 05151

PH (802) 263-5740 FAX (802) 263-9482

alpacas@cas-cad-nacfarm.com www.cas-cad-nacfarm.com