SRS® Alpacas International

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Joining Strategies

Who does it?

Classing and joining decisions are carried out by an SRS® Breeding Advisor (BA) in consultation with the member.

When and how often?

Annually and when the alpacas have at least six months fleece. Herds of less than 20 females have the option of being classed every second year.

Time Required

At least half a day for herds of less than 50 alpacas and a full day for more animals.

Breeding Advisor's Duties

1. Contact the subsciber within one week of receiving Herd Assessment Booking Form to set a classing date. Advise the office of the agreed date
2. On the classing day, discuss with the subscriber:
• breeding goals
• the principles of SRS® breeding and new developments
• mating strategies (including outside matings, animal purchases, embryo transfer)
• culling strategies
3. On the classing day, obtain from the subscriber:
• confirmation of contact details
• Ensure written consent to collect skin and fleece samples on the day by completing Skin Testing Request/Permission Form if testing is required
4. Class the alpacas, the preferred order being:
• sires
• sire's offspring
• prospective sires
• breeding females
• weaner / unmated female
• weaner / junior herdsires
5. Keep the following records on each animal classed:
• date of assessment
• identification (IAR)
• sex
• colour
• age in years and months
• subjective gradings for density and length
• breeding type ('Wool' or 'Frame')
• Individual animal comments
6. Discuss with the subscriber any relevant details about the stock
7. Collect skin and fleece samples for density and length measurements if required and agreed by the owner. Skin tests are taken from animals where measurement is considered likely to be important to the future breeding and reputation of the herd. It is often useful to test sires, yearling males for retention or sale and females being considered as embryo transfer donors. Send skin and fleece samples to Dr. Watts within one week of collection along with a completed Skin Testing Request/Permission Form along with animal details required for skin testing
8. Provide a written report of the classing and joining decisions for breeder invoicing
9. Contact subscriber to discuss any skin test results and later to confirm joining decisions have been enacted. Provide on-going breeding advice to the subscriber throughout the year

Skin and fleece testing services

Skin tests are conducted by Dr Watts at his laboratory. The key follicle and fibre traits we require for a recommended alpaca are:

1. Low primary fibre diameter, and
2. Uniform levels of fibre density and fibre length

Other Services

Breeding Advisors are available to assist in the sourcing of outside animals and matings. Additional costs apply to this work.

Fees

SRS® Breeding Advisors' fees (inclusive of GST) are:

• Dr Jim Watts: half day, $550; full day, $1,100
• Other BA's; half day, $440; full day, $880
• A half day constitutes no more than 4 hours assessment and discussion, normally for less than 50 animals. Costs of travel, accommodation, and meals are extra
• Other services such as preparing classing and joining reports, providing on-going breeding advice, sourcing animals and matings is charged at $110 per hour

Confidentiality

All skin testing and herd assessment information will be kept in strict confidence between the subscriber, and SRSAI and their agents unless otherwise authorized by the member.

Request for Herd Assessment or online >>

Skin Testing Request / Permission or online >>

Information on this page was updated 01/01/10