Description

Nero is a handsome Macho, with a regal presence, full coverage and a beautiful disposition.

Nero is really, almost everything we could ask for in a herdsire. Although we have never shown him, he had enjoyed a successful show career before his retirement into the stud barn. Nero placed 3rd at the Alpaca Odyssey in 2007, 3rd at Northlands Spring Show 2008, 1st out of 12 at the Keystone Classic in Brandon in 2008 under David Barboza, and a 2nd at the Lloydminister Alpaca Showcase under Dawn Brooker (who noted his exquisite handle, heavy bone structure and head style), showing that he had the capacity to impress the judges as much as he has impressed us.

Quality runs in the family when it comes to this boy. Nero's sire is Peruvian Captain Nemo, who is one of only 3 Peruvian Auzengate offspring in Canada; and his dam Shala Ben. His full sister, Sharona Ben and his half brother Bay Leif were both the high selling animals at the Canadian Nationals in 2004. Sharona Ben has gone on to produce champions such as PGA Hummer, PGA H2 and PGA Sawamara.

He has all the traits we look for in a breeding male-- density, fineness, colour, crimp, matchstick bundling, a soft handle and staple length (Really, our list could go on). He is maintaining these qualities well into his golden years. At 16 years old, he is still impressing us with a micron of only 22.6, and a fleece that is still exceedingly soft and retains its character.

We just love his phenotype which he passes onto his offspring. His cria are starting to hit the show ring, and are all doing their sire proud, winning ribbons and banners consistently. His 2011 son Tiger Loca Merdock, won Grand Champion Fawn at the 2012 Lloydminister Alpaca Showcase. We are very impressed with his 2015 cria, with his sons displaying just stunning fleeces already. Fineness, and longevity of fineness, is a trait that we are beginning to see in many of his cria as they mature into adults themselves. His son Heracles tested at 16 microns in 2016, and 20 microns in 2023 at 8yrs, while Apollo, at 4 years old tested at 16 microns, and at 6yrs is 21.7 microns. Merdock, at nearly 3 years was just over 21 microns. His daughters are sharing the fineness, with many of them maintaining sub-20 micron fleeces into maturity as well.

Update: It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Nero.It was love at first sight when Connie laid eyes on him, and his time with us has been nothing but treasured. Nero significantly influenced the direction of our breeding program, and he reinforced our love for these animals, setting the bar high. Always enthusiastic for walks, and easy to handle for any and all tasks, his chats with us while working were always appreciated. Somehow, the herd feels smaller without his presence, though we know his legacy lives on in his progeny, he will be missed.