This is a full day seminar offered each year which introduces the alpaca and the alpaca livestock industry today.
•SESSION #1 focuses on the alpaca history, its fleece and conformation characteristics, what we do with our fiber, and why you might be interested in this industry as a hobby or business; AND
•SESSION #2 focuses on basic husbandry for the alpaca, as well as handling and training of alpacas. Lots of hands on time!
Come learn all about this emerging livestock opportunity, whether you just want to own pet or fiber alpacas, or you are seriously considering becoming a breeder. Find out what it's like!
Reservations are needed and space is limited; please call the office at 509-378-6909 for more information; or click the link below to make your reservation! The gates open at 8:30am for hospitality and we begin promptly at 9am.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
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Part show, part clinic. ALSA sanctioned youth performance show. Performance and Showmanship classes. Free to watch, held this year at Macedo's Mini Acre in Turlock
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Sponsored by: New Mexico Alpaca Breeders
Event Contact/RSVP: Barbara Roybal 505-490-0160
Saturday, April 27th, 2019 10:00am-5:00pm
This six-hour workshop will include hands on dyeing, using 8 different colors, under the direction of Glenna Dean. Glenna will provide the following materials:
NMAB will provide coffee and snacks in the AM and drinks and snacks in the PM. The schedule allows for a one-hour lunch break; there is sufficient time for participants to go out for lunch.Please feel free to bring your own sack lunch. There are 10 eateries within three miles of Rancho de Los Sueños.
Participants should be prepared to help lift heavy pots of boiling water, and to assist in the immersing and removal of the yarn from the boiling dye bath.Old clothing, closed toe shoes, and gloves are recommended.Since the workshop takes place out of door, a light jacket or sweater may be necessary.
Please RSVP directly to Barbara at 505-490-0160 (text message is fine) and mail your check, payable to NMAB, in the amount of $25.00 to:
Barbara Roybal
PO Box 718
Los Alamos, NM 87544
To allow the instructor sufficient time to plan, please post mark your check by April 1st.
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Harvesting our crop via shearing- will begin at 10 on Sat.
It's a very busy time and we won't have time to chat but you're welcome to watch. Shearing is done not only to harvest the fiber but also to keep them healthy as they don't tolerate heat well. It actually can kill them so their spring haircuts are absolutely necessary.
Chris Hatch shears our herd- he's professional, quick and efficient. They will also have their pedicure and teeth adjusted if needed.
We (my helpers and I) collect the blanket (prime fleece) first, then the 2nds - neck and upper legs and finally their lower legs- 3rd. All are bagged and marked & weighed later for production data.
All our fleece goes into production. We sell the raw fleece at the CNY Fiber Fest in Bouckville in June. 3rds go to our mill- Windy Meadows near Rochester- to make the insoles and dryer balls we sell. The seconds and other fleeces go our co-op, the New England Alpaca Fiber Pool, to be made into products here in the US.
Note: as always, please leave your pet dogs at home, they will stress our herd. Thank you!
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