Monday, January 14, 2013
Like the old song says, with alpacas, to know them is to love them! We have never had a ranch visitor that left our ranch not wishing they could take some home. That being said, taking home livestock means accepting some degree of work and expense, and potential new owners always have a lot of questions. We are always ready to answer.
One of the most common questions asked about alpacas is “What do you do with them?”, and the corollary, “How can you make money doing this?”. Throughout the l read more...
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Monday, January 14, 2013
Winter is a good time to be an alpaca. Finally some relief from the heat, and the alpacas could not be happier! They are in full fleece with only a month before show season, and only four months before shearing time. They are energized by the cold. While the moms watch, the excited babies run laps around the pastures, kind of their version of alpaca NASCAR. On a day so icy that the humans just huddle inside, the alpacas are practically bouncing in the pasture. They are made for this season read more...
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Monday, January 14, 2013
Last month, Rhonda wrote an article about her favorite charitable cause, the Quechua Benefit. As I write this December article, it is still November, and she is still in Peru, where spring is coming. Rhonda is the medical director for a crew of providers that are caring for the Quechua natives of Peru who live high in the Andes, often above 15,000 feet. This medical team goes once a year, helping as they can with the resources available, and trying to make a difference in the lives of the Q read more...
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Monday, January 14, 2013
In December, our alpaca moms delivered to us some of the best babies we have ever had. Rhonda’s careful attention to breeding, health, and nutrition in our alpacas has led to a cria crop that should do spectacularly well in next year’s shows. With the colder weather, the alpacas are their most active and happy. The babies get together and have pronking races around the pastures. It’s hilarious to watch. Some of these babies are healthy and beautiful, but will not be up to Rhonda’s exacting read more...
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Sunday, July 22, 2012
I guess I just don't get it. Why would anyone take the time to write down their random thoughts for no one in particular. No one may ever even read what you write...so why bother? Is it the whole process of letting of steam and venting? Or is it like talking to yourself...except in ink? And if so...do you really want just anyone reading it? Hmmm. I can understand keeping a journal; I just wouldn't want to share it with everyone.
Maybe it is an effective release for those individuals that read more...
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Sunday, April 1, 2012
Alpaca Fiber: The Spring Harvest
Not much of a winter this year. I am going to have left-over kerosene that the greenhouse didn’t need. The fire ants are already figuring out that the winter was short, warm, and damp. At least I don’t fret over the dandelions out here on the ranch. Actually, I kind of admire the fact that they are early risers, up and at ‘em.
Our ranch is the “early riser” for the most intense season in the alpaca world, the shearing season. Yup, like the wave of bluebonne read more...
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Friday, January 20, 2012
I am sitting at the auction hall at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas and some of our alpacas will soon be going on the auction block. Elvis is on stage showing an alpaca right now and he is doing pretty darn well!
Las Vegas has colored lights everywhere. Earlier today, previewing the alpacas to be auctioned also reveals every color that alpacas may show. White, black, grey, “rose” grey and every shade of brown. This is color that goes through the fiber, to the core, and is a natural, dye read more...
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Friday, April 15, 2011
We are on the to the Futurity in Grand Island Nebraska!
Yesterday we left at about 9am and headed due north on I-35. On board, we have Jenny Thompson, my trusty ranch manager and friend, Harriet Neubauer, a friend and relatively new alpaca breeder, myself....and TP Poseidon's Gladiator, TP Poseidon's Isaac's Journey, TP Poseidon's Isaac's U2, Tierra's XXXSTACy, TP Poseidon's Elin, TP Poseion's Rose, Matrix Serenity, Snowmass Winter Kiss, and Matrix Serentiy's Scarlet. We have high hopes of read more...
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wow! This year seems to be zipping by! We are shearing starting tomorrow and by Saturday should be done and everyone will be shorn except for our show string. I can't wait to get my hands into all of those TP Poseidon's Motivator's babies fleeces! Too bad that they won't be old enough to show until fall...I can't wait.
We will be heading off to the Futurity in a couple of weeks and then The Great Western Show and Nationals.
Then my son Mark will be graduating from High School. We have a read more...
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