Latest News

05/04/12 - World Alpaca Conference and Workshops in the UK and Europe 

Jim leaves on the 7th of April to attend and speak at the World Alpaca Conference in Oxford, UK on the 11th of April. The title of his talk is 'Redesigning the Alpaca Genetically. Why it is Necessary?' The following is a summary of Jim's work and an introduction to the theme of his presentation at the WAC in Oxford.

I design, implement and monitor the breeding programs for 40 Merino sheep studs throughout Australia to produce and sell about 11,000 Merino rams annually. These rams are used in over 3,000 Merino flocks and influence the genetic outcomes from approximately 6 million ewes (see www.srsmerino.com). My company provides the same breeding services to alpaca breeders in Australia, New Zealand and Europe (see www.srsalpacas.com).

The breeding system is based on the selection of environmentally fit animals with low primary fibre diameter and high levels of fibre density and length. I developed this breeding system in 1988.  It arose from the seminal scientific research of Dr. Phillip Moore and co-workers, published between 1984 and 1989. These scientists investigated how pre-papilla cells in the foetal skin  regulate wool follicle formation and fibre size. A pathway for breeding advanced fleece-coated animals was defined. Importantly, this work also showed that the genetic regulation of primary wool follicles is different from secondary wool follicles – a discovery that overturned the paradigm of index selection based on clean fleece weight and fibre diameter and called into question the design and conduct of breeding programs of many forms of traditional fleece selection.In alpacas, primary fibres are about 10 microns coarser in diameter than the secondary fibres.  Our task has been to reduce the primary fibre diameter from its current high level of about 35 microns to less than 17 microns.  At the same time, selection for high levels of fibre density and fibre length is delivering high fleece weights of fine alpaca of high quality.

In the 6 years I have been implementing this breeding plan in alpaca herds, primary fibre diameter has been reduced by 6 microns, secondary fibre diameter has fallen by 3 microns, and fibre density and length have increased by 30 % and 25% respectively in the herdsires.Our top alpaca males and females are now measuring over 60 follicles per square millimetre for fibre density and over 0.40 millimetres per day for fibre length. These levels are well above industry averages.Environmental fitness is a key consideration in selection. Newborn survival is improved when birthcoats are long and sire and dam are genetically equipped with high muscle and fat reserves. Selection for high fibre density and length produces cria with long birthcoats. Breeding values for early body growth, muscle and fat are used as selection aids. We place emphasis on breeding open faced animals with long, triple wedge shaped bodies that are designed to sit comfortably in the pastoral landscape of Australia.

Textile processing performance and end product quality are enhanced by selecting for long wools with high crimp amplitude and low crimp frequency.

Following the conference Jim will fly to Belgium to present a workshop on Saturday the 14th of April to over 20 European breeders regarding the SRS® breeding system at the property of Theijs and Hanne, Alpaca Flanders. Theijs and Hanne have been undertaking ET work in Europe and Theijs is a dedicated alpaca vet.

From Belgium Jim flies back to the UK for a workshop on Wednesday the 18th of April at Inca Alpacas in Dorset owed by Tim Hey. Tim is a breeder of black alpacas and a SRS® subscriber. Tim also is going to be the main contact and Breeding Advisor in the UK . Tim has generated a good deal of interest in the UK and following on from Jim's presentation at the WAC should be a full house.

The final workshop is in the beautiful Gardena Valley in northern Italy where Mark Demetz has another workshop planned for Saturday the 21st of April. Mark has spent a number of weeks in Australia and is the Breeding Advisor for Europe. A couple of years ago the first SRS® workshop in Italy was held at Mark's property and was a great success and a wonderful time. It will be a very pleasant end to a hectic trip for Jim as he tries to fit in herd classings and skin tests along the way and be home by the 23rd of April.

23/12/11 - Merry Christmas and a happy 2012 

As the year draws to a close we would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful 2012. Although there are plenty of challenges ahead the baling weekend indicated that really positive gains are been made in the fleece area.

Thank you to everyone who attended workshops, assisted with displays, helped with baling and who contributed to the success of the year. May this time be a time for family and friends and a time to relax. Have a safe and happy break.

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