This spring was cooler than most and began with much rain. This was a blessing as we were able to shear alpacas before the first heat wave. They are all a lot thinner and cooler and even sillier, as they leap and bounce around the green pastures. Our shearing produced much wonderful fiber which will be Certified Sorted and submitted to NAAFP for processing into exceptional alpaca products. Summer brought unusual heat. Jeanne returned to a school in Tanzania, Africa this summer and it was hotter here in Pennsylvania than it was in equatorial Africa!
Since Jeanne is in the final year of her apprenticeship as a Certified Sorted grader and sorter of alpaca fiber, we will be able to make better decisions regarding breeding and the destiny of our alpaca breeding stock. This is an excellent and more thorough and accurate appraisal of alpaca fiber than can be done in a show ring. Look for a new section coming soon to this website about fiber grading and sorting and how it affects breeding decisions and purchasing assessments.
We have welcomed five new cria this year and are still waiting for three more to arrive. Watch for Count Cornelius, Lady Ophelia, Duchess Deandra and Mowgli. Their pictures will be posted soon.
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