News We have welcomed springtime, though it is hardly a huge transition, since the winter of 2011/2012 is the winter that really wasn't here in the banana belt of Ontario in the first place. Many have applauded the warm temps as they cough and blow their noses and spend who knows how much on cold and allergy remedies at drugstores -- those people do not always live on a farm with animals, either. Some breeders have experienced a few more colds/pneumonias, etc. with their alpacas, too. Like it or not, we need those cold freezing days to eliminate all that bacteria and those no seeums that can cause many of our woes. We have locked up our entire herd in the barn more days this past winter than ever before because of the shocking temperature and weather changes. Who knew? Enough of that. We have seen several robins and cardinals over the past couple of weeks and the crocuses have quietly shown up again. If there's another harbinger of spring better than these three, I can't imagine what it could be. Oh, yeah, shearing is another earmark and, thankfully, it is over for this year. What I'd really like to talk about here is taking your alpacas to shows. We strongly recommend supporting shows and bringing animals to shows, but why? Well, doing so offers much to the seasoned breeders and the new breeders alike: 1) Firstly, how your breeding program is going and how it stacks up against other breeders' successes. We all are looking for that ideal alpaca -- if such a thing really exists at all -- and true enough, what is considered superior by one judge in a ring might not be another judge's complete cup of tea. However, an outstanding alpaca is plainly an outstanding alpaca by anyone's standards. They have that "it" thing going for them. If you are new at shows, just being there will give you a world of education. Be sure to talk to all the established breeders. You'll learn a great deal and, if anything, alpaca breeders love to share their stories. 2) Shows also provide us with a great opportunity to meet and greet old and new friends. The alpaca community in Canada is relatively small and spread out from sea to shining sea. Many of us are friends only on the internet and through teleconferencing committees, so having the pleasure of actually seeing the face that goes with that familiar voice is wonderful. 3) Location, location, location is a phrase often used in real estate, but it fits alpaca shows, too. If you're there with your great animals, people can see you. People can see your animals, too. If you've been boasting on Facebook about your great alpaca boy, you can talk in more detail about him, show photos and fleece samples, or actually have him there for all to see. Great time to arrange for outside breedings, as well. Additionally, if you're not there with animals and new to the business, you can get a picture of what you'd like to do, what colours of animals appeal to you, what image you'd like to present and who you may wish to emulate in that regard. 4) Join your alpaca organizations. Seeing at a show what each organization provides is one of the best ways to determine whether you wish to join or not. We always recommend joining, jumping in and getting involved! Your organizations offer so much information that you would never get elsewhere, discounts on educational courses and various other events held throughout the year. It also gives you a voice. Phoning your friend to lodge a complaint will get you nowhere, unless he or she is the president of an alpaca organization. If your complaint is brought before your organization's BOD, it will be heard and, if it has merit, will be acted upon. The Alpaca Ontario Spring Show 2012 has come and gone. It remains the largest show in Canada. Everyone shows up with their best alpacas and some they're not too sure about. It is always encouraging to get an expert judge's opinion. We have always shown our guys and gals at the A.O. Spring Show and earned our fair share of ribbons. What we have also come away with is a number of surprises- animals we weren't too sure about bringing out-ribboned everyone else. This year, we brought our big black boy, Teddy Boy. He was our last show pick and, guess what, he won Reserve Black Champion. Such pleasant surprises will await you, too, but not if you do not participate! So, are you convinced? See you at the next show with animals? Wishing you a very pleasant spring and summer with an abundance of all that is good. ------ Lynda Upcoming Events Northeast Alpaca Expo Syracuse, New York May 5 & 6, 2012 A.O.B.A. National Show Kentucky Exposition Centre Louisville, Kentucky May 26 - 28, 2012 SPLIT ROCK FARMS 6TH ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE 1652 Ridge Road North Ridgeway, Ontario Sept. 29 & 30, 2012 Eastern C.N.A.S.F. Orangeville Fairgrounds Orangeville, Ontario Oct. 25 - 27, 2012 Royal Winter Agricultural Fair Toronto, Ontario Nov 2 - 11, 2012

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