World Alpaca Conference BRONZE SPONSOR
BRONZE SPONSOR – Herts Alpacas “I’m really pleased with the way the conference has gone for us,” said Nigel Beckwith. “The sponsorship has got our name out there, we’ve got a good profi le and done well promoting our herd sires to UK and overseas breeders. I’ve really enjoyed the workshops and learned a lot, despite having been in the business for more than 10 years.”
BENERLUX
Hanne Van de Winkel said that the Benerlux Alpaca Federation (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) has 66 members and is growing rapidly. The fi rst show was held in 2010 and there are now four shows a year.
“A 240 entry show was fi lled in less than a week
so interest is high here,” she explained. “Our own bred animals are now starting to compete and fi bre processing into products is increasing.”
Ron Condon, Shanbrooke Alpaca Stud, Australia: “I’ve been in the business for 21 years but I’ve taken a lot from this conference – met up with old friends, done some networking. It’s been very useful.”
NEW ZEALAND
Kit Johnson from the New Zealand Alpaca Association described a
membership of 1087, a population of 25,000 animals, with an additional 5000 unregistered. With no restrictions on importation, there is a diversity of genetics from Australia, Canada and the USA. The association is currently aiming to increase its membership across all three of its regions. It has an active show circuit of 28 shows, and the advantage of no movement restrictions.
New Zealand is proud to be hosting next year’s World Alpaca Conference from 23-24 September. Visit www.
alpaca.org.nz for further information.
Emily Brown, Switzerland, next to artist Mark Smallman’s trade stand: “I was keen to attend the conference as I’ve recently set up a fi bre processing mill – the educational programme has been outstanding and extremely useful.”
GERMANY
Mike Herrling from the Alpaka Zucht Verband
Deutschland (AZVD) described a
growing membership of 558 and 8424 registered animals.
The AZVD uses an expanded screening programme, based on the Alpaca Registry (ARI) standards which require blood typing/DNA as proof of lineage. Mike expressed some concerns, including a lack of biosecurity in an evolving international market, interna- tional sales ethics and unawareness of breeders about genetic defects and negative traits.
AUSTRALIA
The Australian Alpaca Association Ltd has
over 1600 members, 170,000
Chris and Linda Goffey of Redhill Alpacas live locally and brought Miguel and Hey Jude along to generate some extra publicity for the conference. The story appeared on BBC News’ regional slot the following morning.
20 Alpaca Summer 2012 registered animals and double that
unregistered. Delegates Chris Williams and Ian Frith described the way the industry is developing. “We’re moving towards broadacre farming (a term used to describe large-scale agricultural operations) for fl eece,
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