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Crias! The following pictures are of my 2005 crias - all StudMaster progeny out of modest quality dams. "Angels of Mercy"
First, I needed to decide what kind of alpacas I want to raise. I decided that I wanted both huacaya and suris. I like the light colored animals, and generally (although breeders are making amazing strides in colored fleeces) the white and light animals have finer fleeces. Not having an unlimited budget, I can relate to the people out there who want to join the alpaca ownership ranks, but can't, or don't want to, lay out $30,000 to $50,000 on a female. I started out with modestly priced, but healthy, older production females. Far more important to me was the males these females were bred to, and the progeny they (the males) had produced in the past, or the progeny the males’ relatives produced. EPD's are the newest way alpaca owners may determine their animals reproductive qualities, and I am an enthusiastic participant in the Ideal Alpaca Community's EPD program.
2005 cria Tia - she is a back crossed suri out of a crossbred dam. Both she and her dam Chessie are StudMaster progeny.
There is a link to the IAC at the bottom of this web page.
To me, the most important part of the IAC is the ability to participate in the EPD, but because alpacas are also a business, I believe it is an "Ideal" marketing entity. Many breeders rely on show ribbons to help them decide which stud they will breed to, or which animal to buy. That has never been the way I do things. I like to look at offspring, but because a male's offspring may be in another state, or clear across the country, EPD's will help take a bit of the guesswork out of that decision.
Customer support is very important in the alpaca world. And to me, there is nothing more important than making sure my animals live long, productive lives in their new homes. I want my clients to be as thrilled with their animals as I am.
The major goal with my alpacas is to improve their fiber. This, of course, should be every alpaca breeders goal. In my breeding program, I am using the SRS (soft rolling skin) principals developed by Jim Watt in Australia. I am breeding for high density with long staple lengths. I am in the beginning of this quest.
Fiber from my boy Sting - bright, crimpy, needing smaller bundling but a beautiful fleece anyway. Sting was also a StudMaster progeny.
Please take a minute and look through the rest of my site. I have lots of information. Feel free to e-mail me or call if you have any questions.
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