https://www.openherd.comWhere you can get any color alpaca you want as long as it is black.https://www.openherd.com/article-list/4878We recently developed a new advertisement that supported our business mission and efforts. This focused more on what we do rather than the usual what the customer might be seeking. In this we hope that this translates into other businesses that have a similar mission and can benefit from our experience and endeavors. We hope this generates sales in both alpacas and products especially with regard to using black fleece. This is more about branding our business.Mon, 04 Dec 2017 15:52:16 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/4798When discussing lingering fleece qualities I would like us to focus on AFD and SD only but certainly could staple length or fleece weight. Recently I was challenged by a well known and experienced person why worry about lingering fleece qualities. The reasoning was due to keeping older genetics rather than cycling them out for more improved genetics. I am certain there are many more reasons but that was my take away. My answer was reduction in cost was the primary reason there is an appreciatio...Wed, 06 Sep 2017 16:58:36 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/4242<p>We are shearing approximately 60 alpacas. We employ the Noodling method and work with a professional shearer Brent Winslow utilizing the two stage shearing method as well. This is the time to experience husbandry in one day with nail trimming, shearing, CD&amp;T inoculations, and fleece assessments. Haltering and leading alpacas at its best. You are welcome to watch or help. We simply request if you would like to attend even if you stop by for only 20 minutes to let us know at least...Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:13:34 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/4067Let's start with micron. Think of micron as a ruler. A ruler is divided into lengths 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 inch so you can measure different lengths. Micron is the measurement of thickness like you would measure the diameter of a circle. When applied to alpaca fiber it is the measure of the thickness of fiber but when reported it is the average thickness of many fibers in a sample. Relative to humans, most cannot distinguish variation under 3 micron with the eye or feel but generally can disting...Mon, 14 Sep 2015 11:19:04 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/3215Wednesday’s weather prediction for Friday our travel day to the show, was rain, sleet, snow, freezing rain, and high winds – not the weather we look forward to hauling alpacas in a trailer. MAE emailed a notice Wednesday that they prepared the facility to accept alpacas Thursday for early arrival to avoid the weather. Marge was able to rearrange her schedule, as I scrambled to get the show supplies ready to go and we met somewhere in the middle when Marge called and said she could be home at 11a...Thu, 17 Sep 2015 01:49:07 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/3011OK, for you that have automatic water'rs this is the time to put your feet up on the desk, sit back, and have a good laugh or reflection on why you water the way you do. Last night temperatures reached zero. I was finishing chores as the sun set and was interested in finishing soon because the temperature was dropping rapidly and I was beginning to feel the sting. So I wrapped up and did not do my usual checklist just before heading in and apparently thought I would do it when I started today...Mon, 09 Dec 2013 17:31:13 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/2975When quality females are offered as “production” or “foundation” this seems to trigger a Typhoid Mary response. What no banners? Selecting alpacas from show winners relies only on phenotype. You may say –no- they also have great pedigree! If your goal is developing a quality line of alpacas that produce consistently higher quality alpacas these are the three weakest criteria when selecting foundation females, show placement, phenotype, and pedigree. Let us share our experience to su...Wed, 20 Nov 2013 07:14:14 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/2939Dystocia defined in medical journals state, “abnormal labor or childbirth” or “a slow and difficult labor or delivery.” Dystocic births that result in a failed birth are costly in many respects. Potential need of a veterinary is a direct cost. Loss of 660 days of production and we arrive at this number due to waiting 2 years to see the next cria on the ground and the results of that breeding success toward genetic gain. We define success as not only a successful birth but the phenotypic gain...Sun, 03 Nov 2013 10:57:10 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/2931Marge and I entered three of our maidens in True Black Yearling Huacaya at the Illinois Alpaca Show in Grayslake October 26, 2013. We predicted the order if they did not walk was Suluta, BobbyJo, and Atungya. Suluta possesses the type of fleece the spinning mills seek where the primary and secondary fibers are nearly equal. BobbyJo has nice fleece with great conformation but shorter staple, and Atungya carries nice conformation but her primary fibers are a bit heavier than her secondary fiber...Thu, 31 Oct 2013 06:56:07 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/2915We attended the Michigan Alpaca Festival in Grand Rapids Michigan October, 2013. The judge’s recitations included “finest in the class but lacks the density…”, “best fleece in the class but would like to see a larger frame – but they are young and have growing to do”, but always “extremely nice hand.”. We hear “extremely nice hand” in recitations consistently from one judge to the next. In part “hand” is a result of uniformity measured by Standard Deviation in Watt (OFDA2000) or Yocom (OFDA...Wed, 23 Oct 2013 07:29:42 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/2888Awhile back I was researching black alpacas Sunday morning. When one caught my eye I would go to the Alpaca Registry and look at pedigree. This particular Sunday while doing research I broke out laughing which prompted Marge to ask why? I explained I saw a picture of a nice black cria and looked at parentage. Both parents are white. Then I looked at the grand parents and all four are white. This white pedigree stretched though out the pedigree where even all great great parents are white. ...Sun, 03 Nov 2013 11:02:33 +0000https://www.openherd.com/article-list/2792<p>Touch, feel, and interact with alpacas accessing the fleece, learning differences of fleece characteristics, recognizing value verses perception of a high quality alpaca, and having some fun interacting and watching the high level antics as they romp through the pasture. We invite you to visit, take pictures, be inquisitive, and enjoy alpacas. We welcome the company and interest in alpacas. We open at 10 in the morning and close at 4 in the afternoon. We have some product for sale made ...Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:09:07 +0000