Autumn April 2005 Newsletter

The busy summer days of birthing, mating, shearing, showing are drawing to a close as the days draw in. Autumn is a time for planning ahead, maintaining the herd, and planting for spring.

And it is a time for up-skilling and training, so see our courses for April and May below.

Show Champions from Top Studs

As this show season finishes, we are delighted to see our genetics coming through to championships. And it is wonderful that our clients and associates are on the winning streak too.

Brutus has had another great show season, with his progeny winning many shows, throughout the country - NZ Southern Perigord, pictured left, was Champion at Upper Clutha Show in Wanaka 2005.

At the Nationals NZ Southern Capri won Champion Intermediate Female. She is a Brutus daughter. Her fleece won the Auckland Royal Show in 2004.

Aquaviva Stardust, another Brutus daughter, won Champion at Ellesmere and Champion Junior Female at the Nationals, and her fleece was Reserve Champion at Mackenzie Show.  

Silverstream Alpacas, a part-owner of Brutus, in 2004  won Manawatu, Canterbury and Nelson shows with Brutus son Czar, and in 2004 won  Champion at Wanaka, Malvern, and Reserve Champion at Mackenzie with son Caduceus.

Riverdale Dominico, won Champion Junior huacaya at Auckland Royal Easter Show 2005.

Irraquoy is making himself felt with his first progeny. NZ Southern Chief Big Foot (left) won Champion Junior Male at the Nationals Expo, and was Champion Junior Male at Canterbury, and his half-sister NZ Southern Pocohantas was Champion Junior Female.

Emerald Farm Georgio won Champion at Kumeu Show, and Egmont Julius won Champion at Hawkes Bay Show.  Both are Irraquoy sons.

Moon Shine's progeny continue to shine as well.  Willowbank Alpacas, joint owner of Moon Shine, won  Champion Junior at Manawatu with Willowbank Clover.

Silverstream Bardot was Reserve Champion Senior at Ellesmere and Nationals. Silverstream Boadicea was Reserve Champion Senior at Ashburton Show.

Two of Moon Shine's sons who have gone on to stud continue to take championships. NZ Southern Equinox was Champion Senior at Ellesmere Show 2004. NZ Southern Tucson Gold won Champion Senior at Rotorua Show 2005. Tucson Gold's fleece won Champion at Auckland Royal Easter Show 2004. (Tucson Gold at right)

We've put a Stud Location Guide on our stud page on our website. You'll be able to see when our stud boys are in your area to benefit from these genetics.
 

Here are some ideas - adapt them to your area and climate: 
Evergreen trees: Tree lucerne, karamu coprosma, manuka, acacia, pittosporum
Deciduous trees: Willow, poplar, birch, rowan
Shrubs and grasses: hebes, toe toe, tussocks
Pasture species: brome, timothy, clover, chickory, plantain, lucerne

Remember that alpacas can reach as far as your arm and as high as your head to browse, so protect your plantings well.

Our popular neo-natal birthing courses are back. We  have scheduled courses in Hawkes Bay Saturday 21 May and Waikato Sunday 22 May. We aim to have some southern ones in spring.

AGE is here - Across herd Genetic Evaluation and Nic is one of the trainers. Next Christchurch workshop is in April 2005. Find out how this can benefit your herd.

Contact us to book your place.

A group of alpaca breeders work co-operatively together, attending Field Days, and providing regional support for alpaca owners.

We were at the Central District Field Days, and will be at the South Island Field Days at Lincoln 6-8 April, and Mystery Creek Field Days 15-18 June (Stand East 90).

Find out more about Alpacas Services Network