News
Ahhh, the crocuses are now up and looking pretty perky!
And we're feeling pretty perky, too. This is certainly one of the most exciting times of the year in so many ways. For just about everyone, it's the time to shake the cold weather doldrums and incorporate a spring into your step; to take a deep breath and literally smell the change of seasons and feel the sun's rays on your face. An alpaca breeder rejoices in those emotions like everyone else, but is also looking toward the busy and exciting season ahead for showing off the babies that were produced from last year's pairings and envisioning the gorgeous crias yet to be welcomed into the world this year.
Alpacas are no different from us with respect to welcoming Springtime. They are coming out of hibernation, as well, evidenced lately by their lolling around hills free of snow and choosing to sleep outside under the stars. The newly weaned babies hang together as a pack .... after all, they had to all leave their mom's sides at the same time and have formed somewhat of an alliance. These brave little souls are now facing everything on their own, including training for shows which doesn't thrill any of them at first. Some alpacas do extremely well strutting their stuff at shows and with others, it's a trial. You only hope your best alpaca is a bit of a show off -- it helps to have a natural out there in the ring.
One of our recent farm visitors asked us why we choose to bring our animals to shows. There are several reasons. Shows help you to advertise your farm and the calibre of animals you keep and raise there -- help you become known among your peers and new potential customers alike. Shows also help you to properly assess your alpacas with a non-jaundiced eye, as everyone who raises alpacas inevitably thinks their alpacas are the cat's meow. In truth, they may not be. Shows help you to understand where the industry is going and what you must do if you want to stay current. At a show, it pays to be attentive when the judge gives his/her opinion on why an animal was chosen as first in its' class. Shows are so educational in and of themselves. As important as everything else is the ability to mingle with other breeders, to form friendships in an industry you share and hope to expand together. And, one of the biggies --- shows are fun.
Glen and I own 70+ Canadian-ARI registered alpacas and 1 lone ARI (or American) registered alpaca named Casanova's Peruvian Heartthrob who resides in NY State. We call her "Thumper" for obvious reasons. It was our pleasure to show Thumper recently in the States. She has won several ribbons and took a 2nd place in her prestigious class of 7 at the New Jersey show. We were thrilled. It is our belief that because there are so many more shows in the U.S. than we have in Canada, a huge emphasis is placed on those shows and the show system in general. Though our shows in Canada are terrific and competitive, we can honestly say that this country tends to put greater importance on the production of elite-fleeced animals and in creating an outstanding Canadian fleece market recognized worldwide for its excellence. Finer, better fleece is the work of good breeding. With this in mind, breeding and the end product absolutely go hand in hand.
Glen and I did not come from a farming background. We were raised with cats and dogs. Amazingly, a huge percentage of alpaca breeders are just like us. We have met alpaca breeders from every walk of life you can think of, including tax attorneys, real estate salespersons, tennis pros, artists, chefs, computer geeks, truck drivers, dentists, teachers, gardeners -- you name it. We even know doctors who have nearly given up their professions to become full-time alpaca owners and breeders. A.O.B.A. show judge, Wade Gease, falls into the "amazing" category, too. His bio reveals that he is an achiever to be reckoned with. We would expect, as a fleece expert, that he is a certified Camelid Fibre Sorter, alpaca breeder and a broker of bamboo for blending with alpaca. What we never knew or expected is that he holds certifications and degrees in aeronautical science, chemistry and biochemistry and is a flight instructor. Again, amazing! We are such a diverse group.
So what attracted all of us to alpacas? If we lived in the States, I would say some of us were attracted by the tax breaks offered by the government. In Canada, we are not so fortunate in that category. So, what is it then? For Glen and myself, it is the love of animals first and foremost, having the privilege of being their keepers, to share in a lifestyle that owning them provides, to live in a marvelous country setting, to work at something that carries so many investment qualities and, hopefully, helping to build a worthwhile industry that makes a difference to the world. I had better stop now because I could go on and on and on regarding this subject. I'm sure, though, that this alpaca journey has as many reasons "why" as the people in it.
Coming up, we'll be attending the Alpaca Ontario Spring Show and the C.N.A.S.F. in Red Deer, Alberta, both held in April, and the Northeast Expo, Syracuse, NY in May. If you're a breeder, please support the shows. If you are a potential alpaca owner or simply like alpacas, the A.O. Spring Show is the biggest in Canada. If you see us there or at any of the shows, please come up to say "hi" and wish us "Good Luck," eh!
Breeding with love and striving for coloured excellence........................Lynda & Glen
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Upcoming Events
The Alpaca Maturity
Fair and Expo Center
Henrietta, NY
March 20, 2010
A.L.P.A.C.A. Spring Show 2010
Horse Sense Stables
St. Albert, Alberta
March 26 - 28, 2010
North American Alpaca Show 2010
Eastern States Exposition Centre
Springfield, Massachusetts
April 1 - 4, 2010
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Select Sale & Futurity
On-Line Stud Auction
April 1 - 30, 2010
www.cnalpacaeast.com
The Keystone Alpaca Classic
Brandon, Manitoba
April 9 - 11, 2010
Alpaca Ontario Spring Show
Orangeville Fair Grounds
Orangeville, ON
Judges: Mike Safley & Diana Timmerman
April 10 & 11, 2010
Canadian National Alpaca Sale & Futurity
Westinghouse Park
Red Deer, AL
April 16, 17, 18, 2010
2010 MAPACA Jubilee
Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex
Harrisburg, PA
April 22 - 25, 2010
Northeast Alpaca Expo
Syracuse Fairgrounds
Syracuse, NY
May 1 & 2, 2010
Mayflower Alpaca Show
Crapaud, PEI
Judge: Dawn Brooker
May 8 & 9, 2010
SPLIT ROCK FARMS ALPACAS
Shearing Day
Shearers: Shearing Alpaca, Ohio, USA
Mid May, 2010
AOBA National Show
Fort Wayne, IN
May 21 - 23, 2010
Pacific Coast Alpaca Show
Arbutus Meadows
Nanoose Bay, BC
May 2010
SPLIT ROCK FARMS CRIA SEASON
June 1 - September 1, 2010
Alpaca Breeders of Western New York
Cuba, NY
July 10 & 11, 2010
Navan Fair Alpaca Show
Navan Fair Grounds
Navan (Ottawa), ON
Aug. 12 & 13, 2010
Salmon Arm Fair Alpaca Show
Salmon Arm Fair Grounds, BC
Sept. 10 - 12, 2010
150th Lincoln County Fair & Alpaca Show
Beamsville, ON
Sept. 10 - 12, 2010
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show
Woodstock, ON
Sept. 14 - 16, 2010
International Plowing Match
St. Thomas, ON
Sept. 21 - 25, 2010
SPLIT ROCK FARMS 4TH
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
Ridgeway (Fort Erie), ON
Sept. 25 & 26, 2010
Farm Days for: Alpaca Canada
and Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association
Canadian & American Visit-A-Farm Weekend
Sept. 25 & 26, 2010
Norfolk County Fair Llama & Alpaca Show
Simcoe, ON
Oct. 4 - 11, 2010
Lloydminster Alpaca Halter & Fleece Show
Lloydminster Agricultural Grounds
Lloydminster, SK
Oct. 15 - 17, 2010
Alpaca Ontario Education Weekend & Fleece Show
Speakers: Dr. Pat Long, Dr. Brett Kaysen
Fleece Judge: Jill McLeod
Oct. 22 - 24, 2010
Empire Alpaca Extravaganza
Syracuse Fairgrounds
Syracuse, NY
Oct. 22 - 24, 2010
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Select Sale & Futurity
Judges: Wade Gease and Kristin Burhman
Orangeville, Ontario
Nov. 5 - 7, 2010
A.L.P.A.C.A Odyssey Show & Select Female Sale
Northlands Park
Edmonton, Alberta
Nov. 5 - 7, 2010
www.alpaca.ca
Alpaca Ontario Spring Show 2011
Orangeville Fairgrounds
Orangeville, ON
April 9 & 10, 2011
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Select Sale & Futurity
Judges: Jude Anderson & Ken Hibbits
Orangeville, Ontario
Oct. 28 - 30, 2011
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Select Sale & Futurity
Judges: T/B/A
Orangeville, Ontario
Oct. 26 - 28, 2012
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