Well there is no point trying to be mysterious about our purchases at the auction...I see that it is already on the Harrison and Hetherington web site http://www.livestock-sales.co.uk/2011/alpacas/0829/index.html
(don't know why I bothered doing my hair...looks like I forgot to brush it...I did say just use the one where the alpaca is standing correctly...oh well!). I did go with the intention of purchasing lot 24; Blueberry Alonso Renata 11 (Champion Intermediate Female and Best of British Champion at Northumberland Show 2011), unfortunately so had someone else. The bidding was fast and she went for the absolute maximum that I was prepared to pay (and much more that I had hoped I would have to spend!).
Our black female Blueberry Sinbad Blackbird was the third most expensive alpaca sold...I just don't get bargains! I wanted to get a little herd of 3 young females so that they could be quarantined together and the third female was chosen based on her fleece stats but also because she is due soon...I like the gamble...will she have a female...if so she may well be a bargain! She is Blueberry Max Nicola and carries Rural Alianza Don Pepe of Wessex and NWA Ltd Ruffo genetics.
Jim chooses his alpaca names as a combination of the dam and sire. Sometimes this is a bit confusing (I noticed that one gelding who had Matador as his sire and Magnolia as his dam, had ended up as Matt Magnolia...paint may be better in matt not sure about an alpaca....gloss?!) Therefore as her mum is already called Blackbird I think I will be calling Blackbird, Biba.
Nicola (L) and Renata
Biba
This morning I took along some poo samples, including those from the new girls, to the VLA for testing. We do have the kit to do our own, but had been asked to provide some alpaca poo to the laboratory 'as a favour'. It seems that they are to be tested on their sampling techniques and reporting of alpaca fecal egg counts. So I supply some poo and I get the results for free...even better I was given a nice bottle of Rioja for my trouble...turning poo into wine...can't be bad.
Just picking up a comment that Judi made on an earlier blog regarding sensitive skin (Phoebe an alpaca belonging to Robyn and Craig is hypersensitive since having mites last year) unfortunately the vet didn't really have anything additional to add. We have tried everything (including recently treating her as if she had mites just in case we had got it wrong, but it didn't make the slightest difference). It does seem to be related to flies so we think that it may be a reaction to insect bites. She really is much better on wet and windy days and doesn't seem to itch at all (luckily for her there are plenty of those round these parts). One product that has helped (but leaves the fleece a dreadful mess) is Stop Itch which includes a fly repellent as well as soother, but it is a cream so not the easiest to apply. I had asked the vet about an anti-histamine but this isn't something he could recommend.
And finally...someone has been eating too many pies...Velvet has always amazed us with her ability to squeeze through the stock fencing between alpaca paddocks...quite useful as she often needs to make a swift exit after messing with someone's cria...however she does appear to have gotten a little large for the hole!
Velvet....no way!
I wonder about the other prices that H&H don't give. There was no reserve it seems. If 23 lots made 1000gns plus that means the other 40 lots were sold for under that, if they sold at all. It is worrying that alpacas seem a lot less valuable than they used to be.
ReplyDeleteBarbara - the midges this year have been horrendous and our alpacas ears, and in some cases noses, all looked as if they had mites, but a thorough application for a couple of weeks of that delightful stuff, Ruggle, cured it!
ReplyDeleteThanks John, we have Ruggles I will give it another go.
ReplyDeleteRe auction: All the alpacas sold (except Matador the only one with a reserve. 31 lots went to one breeder starting a foundation herd. One older female made £450 but the rest went for around the £1000 mark or over. Pet boys were obviously much cheaper. The pregnant females (apart from the foundation herd girls) as far as I witnessed went to established breeders from across the UK. I think prices at a dispersal sale will always be lower as the backup service and support are not there. Nor any of the benefits attached to being a customer e.g reduced stud services. The vast majority of the stock was 'home grown' so provided an excellent return for the investment made. I know that the breeder was more than happy...helped by our larger contribution!!
Hi Barbara, The name 'Biba' brought back memories - I worked at that emporium in an earlier life in the 70s! Re insect bites etc - some of our boys refuse to leave their field shelters when the midges are about. 'Gully' in particular prefers to stay in eating hay whilst watching the rest of the herd outside! We'Ruggle-it' too - it's good stuff. Take care. Robbie
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara..maybe we should add Ruggle-It to our vast pharmacy of possible skin problem solutions! We do use Neem oil with a degree of success and I think that it is a key Ruggle-it ingredient! I find that one product works for a while, then the effects wear off...we need a huge armoury...and fat wallet!!
ReplyDeleteI just love that photo of Velvet.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new additions, good luck with the new last year of the year!
Congratulations Barbara - they look great and I am very jealous!
ReplyDeleteOnly just catching up on blogs due to one or two challenges here!