News
Ahhh, reading my last News article, the crocuses have now "croaked" and we've been enjoying the colour of geraniums and many other annuals, preparing for the arrival of the "mums," as admittedly, Fall is upon us and coming at breakneck speed. I mentioned to someone not long ago that prior to alpacas, Glen and I weren't quite as measured in our plans then. With living things (75 alpacas, 3 dogs, 1 cat) all dependent upon us, we aren't able to be so casual with our upcoming schedule anymore. Weighing predominantly on good scheduling is, of course, breeding schedules. Thrown into the mix are shows -- which ones can we make and which ones can we not; not a small number in the equation is shearing, then sorting for milling and fleece shows; and then, because we grow our own hay, keeping our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates enough to bring in the first and second cuts; these are just but a few of the myriad occasions that need to be planned for as alpaca owners/breeders.
To be added to the list above is always standing sentry for "baby watch." We do plan our births, jot down the known gestation periods of all the moms so that we aren't too surprised at their newest cria's arrival and try doing everything to the letter in preparation. Last week, all of the females crowded around me as I began to give them some relief from the heat with some nice hose spraying - most of them absolutely love it and turn this way and that so that every body part is exposed to the water. My head and thoughts were definitely in la-la-land as I sprayed them all until, to my utter amazement, Savoy Truffles' backside was presenting me and the world with two feet and a protruding nose. Now, we weren't absolutely sure of Truffles' pregnancy, as she had never spit off and hadn't gained much weight, so this was a very pleasant surprise. Out came this darling tiny fawn girl (13 lbs. @ 10 3/4 months gestation). At Split Rock, we usually have very robust babies, so this was a shocker. Happily, she is gaining weight, healthy and normal. We have named her "Besame Mucho" in keeping with the Beatles' theme of our animal's names and the fact that the name means "kiss me many times," which is precisely what we do with her. Little Besame has certainly made a mark in our hearts forever! What a production number.
The show season is beginning in earnest. If not composite, the animal's fleeces are beginning to grow back exponentially and are judged as is. Having raised many blacks, we find that the second year of black fleece growth gives a clearer indication of what the fleece is actually like. It usually takes a full year for that black fleece to come into its own, so it sometimes undergoes many changes from shearing to shearing. The same many times holds true for grey fleeces, though less so. Of course, white and fawn fleeces in all their glory are beautiful from the git-go. Because coloured animals were culled from the world's herds for centuries, white and fawn fleeced-animal breeders had many more years to perfect their fleeces. Happy to say now, however, that presently some of the most beautiful fleeces out there are now coloured - they are coming into their own. We'll see what this year's show season promises.
Oh-oh, bee in the bonnet time. We have all read the report sanctioned by Alpaca Canada on the fleece industry in Canada - how should we plan, where should it go, and what do we as collective alpaca breeders need to do to properly steer it in the years ahead. The report states that we need thousands upon thousand of additional animals to use our alpaca fleece commercially. That goal is not foreseen to occur for many decades. Also, that fleece must be pure of colour. To that end, show judge's and committees fiercely protect the "pure" colour aspects in the ring when pure colour in the cottage industry (it is predicted we will be a cottage industry for many years to come) is not what the yarn customer or garment customer necessarily wants. They want something that doesn't look commercial .... something that is distinct..... something that stands out and defies duplication. Yes, everything we sell should represent what we preach that alpaca is: beautifully soft, 5-7 times warmer than wool, non allergenic, wicks well, is somewhat spot resistant, strong, gorgeous to look at, etc., but the alpaca consumer want something special, too, that doesn't look so commercial. So, why oh why, do we sometimes throw away the best fleeces or discard the best-fleeced animals we've got when a commercial industry is but a current pipedream?
Yes, we are a very new industry and, like anything new, we have many growing pains and wrinkles to iron out. The mantra that will so well serve us all is that we are rowing this boat together and, therefore, everyone sinks or swims with the decisions we make. Many questionnaires or the like that are sent out to Canadians receive only 30% participation. Now, that is a very poor number. If ALL of us don't stand up and make our preferences known, volunteer our talents, and just plain participate, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We cannot live in a cave and escape the responsibility. The onus for our success is on us all.
The good part is that we can invite you all to please come join us at our Fourth Annual Open House on September 25 & 26, 10am to 5pm daily. Attended by over 2500 people last year and covered by CTV news, we have something to offer for "kids" of all ages. Meet our alpacas and babies as you take one of our popular guided walking tours; enjoy a wagon ride pulled by Belgian horses; peruse outstanding original artwork; sample jams & jellies; watch and learn as Laurie Corriveau of Wild Violet Alpacas works her magic spinning wheel; whet your taste buds with drink and food provided by South Coast Cookhouse; browse our "alpaca" tent to shop for one-of-a kind Canadian handmades or North American and Peruvian items; touch the luxury of Split Rock Alpaca yarns. Get a jump on Christmas shopping before the one-of-a kinds are all gone. It is all GREAT fun, so come one come all and spend some time with us enjoying the beauty of these awesome animals!
Hopefully, we'll see you all at the Open House or at one of the shows. Meanwhile, have a great year, enjoy the alpacas you have or think about owning some. You'll never regret your decision.
Cheers to you ........................ Lynda & Glen
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Upcoming Events
Salmon Arm Fair Alpaca Show
Salmon Arm Fair Grounds, BC
Sept. 10 - 12, 2010
150th Lincoln County Fair & Alpaca Show
Beamsville, ON
Sept. 10 - 12, 2010
Canada's Outdoor Farm Show
Woodstock, ON
Sept. 14 - 16, 2010
International Plowing Match
St. Thomas, ON
Sept. 21 - 25, 2010
SPLIT ROCK FARMS 4TH
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
Ridgeway (Fort Erie), ON
Sept. 25 & 26, 2010
Farm Days for: Alpaca Canada
and Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association
Canadian & American Visit-A-Farm Weekend
Sept. 25 & 26, 2010
Norfolk County Fair Llama & Alpaca Show
Simcoe, ON
Oct. 4 - 11, 2010
Lloydminster Alpaca Halter & Fleece Show
Lloydminster Agricultural Grounds
Lloydminster, SK
Oct. 15 - 17, 2010
Alpaca Ontario Education Weekend & Fleece Show
Speakers: Dr. Pat Long, Dr. Brett Kaysen
Fleece Judge: Jill McLeod
Oct. 22 - 24, 2010
Empire Alpaca Extravaganza
Syracuse Fairgrounds
Syracuse, NY
Oct. 22 - 24, 2010
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Select Sale & Futurity
Judges: Wade Gease and Kristin Burhman
Orangeville, Ontario
Nov. 5 - 7, 2010
A.L.P.A.C.A Odyssey Show & Select Female Sale
Northlands Park
Edmonton, Alberta
Nov. 5 - 7, 2010
www.alpaca.ca
Alpaca Ontario Spring Show 2011
Orangeville Fairgrounds
Orangeville, ON
April 9 & 10, 2011
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Select Sale & Futurity
Judges: Jude Anderson & Ken Hibbits
Orangeville, Ontario
Oct. 28 - 30, 2011
Eastern Canadian National Alpaca Select Sale & Futurity
Judges: T/B/A
Orangeville, Ontario
Oct. 26 - 28, 2012
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