Workshops and Lectures 2005
Sunday April 10th, 2005
Alpaca Ontario
Workshops and Lectures Sunday April 10, 2005
This year there will be a variety of concurrent lectures and workshops for you to choose from to suit
different interests and experience levels:
1) The History of Alpacas in the Americas
- Mike Safley
The ancestors of the alpaca originated in North America, then migrated away more than 2,000,000 years
ago and returned in the 1980's. Their domestication, the history of animal breeding and the development
of the modern day alpaca community are the subject of this presentation.
2) Genetics and Alpaca Breeding - Mike Safley
Learn the language of genetics and how to apply the concepts in your breeding and selection program.
3) Alpaca Type and Style - Mike Safley
Breed type and how it has evolved over time, from primitive style animals through unimproved, improved
and ideal type are the subject of this presentation.
4) Fibre 101
- Cathy Merkley
Fibre is the primary end product for alpacas. The future of this very exciting aspect of our industry is in
our hands now. Fibre 101 will discuss the basics of fibre production, including fibre characteristics and
improvement through good husbandry practices and breeding. You can achieve a better bottom line by
paying attention to fibre production. The session will include a brief introduction to the Canadian Camelid
Fibre Co-op.
5) Fibre 201 - Cathy Merkley
This session will provide participants with a detailed examination of fibre characteristics and assessment.
Histograms, record keeping, as well as visual and tactile input will be discussed as tools for assessing
fleeces for processing and making those all-important breeding decisions. Grading and sorting fleeces to
determine the best use of end product will be discussed using a variety of fleece types and examples of
the yarns and other products from the Canadian Camelid Fibre Co-op.
6) Sorting Demonstration - Cathy Merkley
Cathy will demonstrate the all-important sorting of fleece using her best techniques and tips. The focus
will be on proper skirting of a blanket fleece for showing or processing, and methods you can use to be
able to sort fleece with confidence. Participants are encouraged to bring a fleece for skirting and
assessment.
7) The Mini-Mill and Fibre Preparation for the ‘Mini-Mill’ - Heather Handy
Heather will explain what happens to your fleece at the mill – the whole process that sees your fleece
end up as rovings, batts, yarn or felt. Find out what you can do to ensure that you will be happy with
what you receive back from the mill – submitting healthy fleeces that have been sheared, skirted, and
sorted correctly is the way to get good results.
8) Alpacas and Chiropractic - Mary Anne Staples BA DC CAC
Animal Chiropractic is an integral part of the holistic trend in animal health care, which stresses the
integration of external and internal influences on the organism. Find out what animal chiropractors do
and what they can do for your alpacas.
Alpaca Ontario, www.alpacaontario.ca
Over ……………..
Workshops and Lectures 2005
Sunday April 10th, 2005
PRESENTERS:
Mike Safley
Mike Safley will be our judge for the AO show on Saturday. Mike has owned alpacas since 1984; his
ranch, Northwest Alpacas, is in Hillsboro, Oregon. In the past he has been president of the Alpaca
Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA), the Alpaca Registry Inc. and was founding editor of Alpacas
Magazine. He has written two books on alpacas: Alpacas, Synthesis of a Miracle, and Ideal Alpacas:
From Myth to Reality. He is a senior AOBA judge. He has devoted much of his life and time to the
alpaca industry.
Cathy Merkley
Cathy is a full partner in T’n’C Farms, an alpaca farm near Lloydminster Saskatchewan. She is a
certified alpaca halter and fleece judge under both the International Alpaca Judging School (Peru)
system and the AOBA (Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association) (U.S.) system. She was the judge for
our 2003 AO show. She is a certified camelid fibre sorter and classer through the National Fibre Centre
at Olds College, Alberta. As well as being a spinner and knitter, her other ‘fleece activities’ include being
chair of the Canadian Natural Fibre Fair Committee, and serving on the CanCam (Canadian Camelid
Fibre Co-op) sock and felt development teams.
Heather Handy
After Heather Handy and Norris McAuslan became enthralled with alpacas and their gorgeous fibre, they
realized there was a need for more fibre processing facilities, and purchased a ‘Mini-Mill’ operation in
2002. They now run Edy’s Mills Fine Fibres near Sarnia as well as raising alpacas (Brier Run Alpacas).
They believe there is a real potential for the alpaca fibre industry and its continued growth.
Mary Anne Staples BA DC CAC
Dr. Mary Anne Staples graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1993 and
practiced in Lindsay for eight years. In 1999 she was certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic
Association as an animal chiropractor, and carries on her animal practice as a mobile service, traveling
to most of southern and central Ontario. She is a recent graduate of the Advanced Animal Chiropractic
programme with Options for Animals, Hillsdale, Illinois.
SCHEDULE ON SUNDAY APRIL 10
8:00 – 8:15 am
Community Hall – pick up registration materials
8:15 – 8:30 am
Welcome and introductions – Community Hall
8:30 – 10:00 am
History of Alpacas in America – Community Hall
Fibre 101 - show ring
Mini-mill and fibre preparation for the mini-mill - Exhibition Hall
10:00 – 10:30 am
Refreshment break
10:30 – 12:30
Genetics and Alpaca Breeding - Community Hall
Fibre 201 – Show ring
Alpacas and Chiropractic - Exhibition Hall
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch Community Hall
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Alpaca Type and Style - Community Hall
Sorting Demonstration – Show ring
Any questions about the Sunday workshops should be directed to:
Nancy Carr(613) 376-3389
carralpacas@sympatico.ca
Laurel Amey (613) 328-1466
wyldwoodalpaca@hotmail.com
Alpaca Ontario, www.alpacaontario.ca
or
Over ……………..