Showing Off!
By Marty McGee Bennett | Bio
Saturday ~ 9:30-11am; 12-1:30pm; 2:30-4pm
Sunday ~ 8:30-10am; 11:12:30pm
Create a calm, cool, collected, cooperative, comfortable, congenial, companionable, contented camelid!
Participating in shows is fast becoming a requirement for successful alpaca breeders. Learn the skills that will help you and your alpaca succeed, relax and have FUN!
- Wrestling with your alpaca not only looks unprofessional but only teaches him to be a better wrestler! Learn to use balance and re-balancing techniques to encourage your alpaca to stand still.
- Halter Fit: a simple principal but one often over looked and not as straight forward as you think! Learn the specifics of halter fit as it relates to show performance and how your halter may be interfering with your alpaca's ability to concentrate and perform.
- Attitude isn't everything but it is a big part of your success. Learn techniques for improving your alpaca's attitude about being shown and handled.
- The certain something that makes your alpaca look spectacular is something more than conformation and fleece. It is poise. Learn new techniques for improving the way your alpaca shows including his gait, carriage and stance.
- There is a lot more to showing than biceps! Learn techniques for helping your alpaca cooperate for fleece checking and bite examination.
Educational Lunch with Ian Watt
Presented by Ian Watt | Bio
Saturday, April 12 ~ 12:15p - 1:45p
(preregistration and ticket required)
$15 per person
Using Objective Measurements to Advantage in Making Better Breeding Decisions.
A summary of what "Objective Measurements" are, then:
- what objective measurement reports record
- how objective measurement reports can be used to benchmark a herd and to improve production traits over time
- using information to educate breeders on fleece trait understanding
- how objective measurement information can be used by the breeder to help make better breeding decisions
- how to build a better breeding plan around objective measurements, and
- pitfalls in not understanding data and its use in a breeding decision making process.
The aim of the talk is to clearly define what objective measurements are, how they can be accessed and how they can be used to make better informed breeding decisions.
The purpose is to alert breeders to more sophisticated and agriculturally accepted decisions based on science and objectivity and not the more common 'by the seat of my pants' practices that seem so prevalent in today's industry practices.
The talk will be supported by a powerpoint presentation illustrating the various points above and will be made available to attendees who wish to download it on to memory sticks.
Introduction to Alpacas and Their Care
Presented by Dr. Paul Jones
Saturday, April 12 ~ 10:00am and 3:00pm
Sunday, April 13 ~ 1:00pm
Dr. Jones will provide a general introduction to alpacas and cover basic health care including nutrition, de-worming programs, vaccination programs, feet care and care of teeth.
These seminars are provided at no cost to those interested in the alpaca lifestyle, whether you have already purchased your first alpacas or are considering entering the business. Choose the session that best fits your schedule.
After the session, attendees are invited to visit the exhibit hall to speak with breeders, view the halter and fleece shows, and shop among the vendors to see all the wonderful products that can be produced with alpaca fiber.
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