Winter Farm Update
With birthing and breeding season behind us and while the holidays were winding down, Tara and I managed to take a long winter vacation in Florida. We spent time at my folks in "The Villages" before escaping to the beach in Siesta Key. We managed to see some old friends in Palm Beach for New Years as well. The weather was gorgeous and it was just what the doctor ordered for rest and relaxation.
Our son Jansen took care of the animals while we were gone and he did a marvelous job. I don't know what we would do without his help. Also our Maremma LGD's, Santo and Lucia, kept the animals safe from predators at night as they always do.
The morning after we returned home I snapped some photos of the girls and crias. They all came to the fence to greet me and I tried to get them to line up along the fence. It didn't quite work out as I had planned but, none the less I managed to get them to pose a bit.
Now, it's back to business here at the farm. The weather has been blistering cold which makes barn chores a bit uncomfortable. Other than the daily farm duties there's not much else going on. Shearing is right around the corner and now is the time to start lining up a shearer for May which we have. There is the typical year end paperwork for the accountant and we're waiting on the spring birthing and breeding season. We'll also visit the 2009 Southern Select Alpaca Show — March 7 - 8 in Shelbyville, TN. No entries this year as we're still not sure about showing the alpacas. There is a lot of work involved in showing the animals, not only in the preparation but after the event as well. However, alpaca breeders that have won ribbons also know the show ring is a great marketing vehicle. I think we'll take this year to evaluate and learn more about the show ring before plunging in.
Thor is becoming quite the independent one as he ventures away from mother Trellianna more often. Here he is seen with our silver girl Argento. He has great conformation and his fleece is soft and fine. I realize that it's baby fleece but it'll be interesting to see if he develops Wira Cocha's density. But, so far I'm liking what I see in him plus he has a sweet disposition to go with it. He takes after his mother in that department.
Our son Jansen took care of the animals while we were gone and he did a marvelous job. I don't know what we would do without his help. Also our Maremma LGD's, Santo and Lucia, kept the animals safe from predators at night as they always do.
The morning after we returned home I snapped some photos of the girls and crias. They all came to the fence to greet me and I tried to get them to line up along the fence. It didn't quite work out as I had planned but, none the less I managed to get them to pose a bit.
Now, it's back to business here at the farm. The weather has been blistering cold which makes barn chores a bit uncomfortable. Other than the daily farm duties there's not much else going on. Shearing is right around the corner and now is the time to start lining up a shearer for May which we have. There is the typical year end paperwork for the accountant and we're waiting on the spring birthing and breeding season. We'll also visit the 2009 Southern Select Alpaca Show — March 7 - 8 in Shelbyville, TN. No entries this year as we're still not sure about showing the alpacas. There is a lot of work involved in showing the animals, not only in the preparation but after the event as well. However, alpaca breeders that have won ribbons also know the show ring is a great marketing vehicle. I think we'll take this year to evaluate and learn more about the show ring before plunging in.
Thor is becoming quite the independent one as he ventures away from mother Trellianna more often. Here he is seen with our silver girl Argento. He has great conformation and his fleece is soft and fine. I realize that it's baby fleece but it'll be interesting to see if he develops Wira Cocha's density. But, so far I'm liking what I see in him plus he has a sweet disposition to go with it. He takes after his mother in that department.
posted by Ambriel Acres Alpacas | 7:04 PM
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