Premium Alpaca Xxxxx
Quality preparation The second aspect to Premium Alpaca is the need for high quality fleece preparation and consignment standards.
Market analysis has revealed that consignments of alpaca have often resulted in negative feedback in terms of high variation of fleece types within single consignments and a high degree of contamination. Premium Alpaca has therefore responded to this challenge by developing and implementing a set of protocols that cover the preparation and conduct of shearing, fleece skirting, control of contamination, fleece classing and adherence to consignment specifi- cations. All breeders involved in Premium Alpaca are required to attend a one day workshop in order to receive instruction, documentation and demonstrations relevant to the protocols. To ensure fleeces comply with classing specifi- cations, all fleeces are subject to a three point fibre measurement test before being allocated to consignment. An indication of success with the three point testing of fleeces is the fact that Premium Alpaca fleece consignments were shown to have consistently lower variation compared to all other alpaca consignments at fibre auctions held in Australia in late 2011 (Core test results, Primaries Wool Brokers. WA). The final component of Premium Alpaca is the marketing and promotion of the quality fibre. The supply of premium alpaca fibre must be linked to brand recognition. Premium Alpaca brands and labels will include positive messages of welfare driven husbandry, environmentally conscious practices, quality assurance systems and images of luxury and comfort. The labelling will also include ‘personalised stories’ of how the fibre is grown and how the alpacas are cared for. A ‘trace-back’ system is being planned that will allow customers to link with Premium Alpaca breeders. The Alpaca Ultrafine Bale Scheme, which has been incorporated into Premium Alpaca, has already adopted some of the above strategies with considerable success. To date, Premium Alpaca consignments enjoy prefer- ential supply agreements in Australia and New Zealand, with negotiations in place to supply processors in Europe and China. It is also pleasing to see a growing number of small private mills are now looking at sourcing Premium Alpaca lines. While the scheme is currently confined to Australia, plans are underway to expand Premium Alpaca into New Zealand. Some interest has also been expressed from the UK and Europe. It should be noted that current members of Premium Alpaca have welcomed the expansion of the concept to countries outside Australia. It might also be noted that given the comments from
breeders who have become involved in the concept, the expected increase in fleece values form only part of the benefits. The sense of achievement from producing some of the world’s most sought after fleeces is starting to breathe new life into producing the fibre of the gods.
ABOVE: The world’s finest alpaca bale (17.8 microns, weighing 124kg) which was compiled from Premium Alpaca fleeces.
BELOW: Job well done: The Western Australian Premium Alpaca group at their fleece collection day.
The second aspect is the need for high quality fleece preparation and consignment standards.
References • Brien F et al (2006). ‘Merino Selection Demonstration Flock Trial, SA EC193’ Final Report. AWI Ltd & SARDI.
• Hynd P, Ponzoni R & Hill J (1997). ‘Can Selection for Skin Traits Increase the Rate of Genetic Progress in Merino Sheep. Proceedings for Assoc Adv Animal Breeding & Genetics.
• Kondinan Research Group, (1998). Principles of Merino Sheep breeding.
• Wang L, Wang X & Liu X (2003). ‘The Quality and Processing Performance of Alpaca Fibres’. RIRDC Publication 03/128
• Whitely K.J (1972). ‘Components of Variation in Fibre Diameter, Lecture to Wool Preparation Symposium, Sydney Technical College.
• Vallely P (2009). Genetic Improvement Fibre Technology, AAFT. Crookwell. NSW.
Please note, the writer of this paper discloses his commercial interest in the area of fibre measurement.
Alpaca Summer 2012 49
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