Seasonal Alpaca Care Tips

Jottings from the Herb Garden

Seasonal Wildlife Notes from the Farm

It goes without saying that Alpacas are central to life here on the farm. But they do not exist in a vacuum. Rather they are at the centre of a web that reaches out across the farm and into the surrounding countryside.

In their Andean homelands the Alpacas form one thread in the vast fabric that enfolds the Peruvian Indians ethos of life. The sky, mountains, valleys and sea, along with all the life they support, weave together to form the fabric of life. This holistic overview is sometimes sadly missing in the fragmented chaos of western culture.

So part of our aim here is to re-weave the Alpaca threads into their Norfolk home, and in doing so, consciously pick up the surrounding strands in the pattern. That is why you will find articles on wildlife, food and crafts, alongside those on Alpacas.

Together they go to make up our lives and we hope they bring to you the enjoyment of life that they bring to us. This Newsletter is intended to be produced every quarter, so watch out for your next copy.

Seasonal Alpaca Care Tips

When Bluetongue first hit the headlines and because of its closeness to us at The Low Farm it worried us greatly. We already had in place disinfectant mats, trays and spray cans for Foot and Mouth. Everything and everyone that came onto the farm out of necessity, was sprayed and dipped, but with Bluetongue, none of these practices would help.

We were also very aware that whatever we did now to help combat the virus brought about by an infected midge biting one of our alpacas had to be something for the long term. This meant introducing some daily habits. Feeding was one such habit, poop collecting another and frequent observation of the herd another. For the latter two there was nothing we could think of which might help keep the midge at bay, but with the feed this was different.

We looked into garlic powder as a daily additive to their feed and its affect on them if any. Nothing came up as being negative, and our vet thought it was a good idea, so since October 2007 every alpaca, large and small, gets a small level teaspoon of garlic powder sprinkled onto their feed each day, and because it is part of the routine, it is unlikely to be forgotten. The shelters smell of garlic until it is consumed; their breaths smell of garlic; but on the up side, the midges hate the smell and taste.

Diary Notes

From 20th December 2007 DEFRA has declared the start of a vector free period. Because of lower temperatures the midge activity which causes Bluetongue is considered low enough to prevent the spread of the virus. This means that animals can be moved out of the protection zone but only with a certified lab copy of a blood test which must then be attached to a general licence EXD472 (BT) (E). These must also be attached to a self declaration form 2 which is available from DEFRA. The blood test since 21 January is £2.95 per animal.

Are we all aware of the towing licence training we are now expected to have. I have not yet looked closer into this, but it is my understanding that anyone towing animals from the beginning of 2008 must have undergone a test and be certified. Cost of this I believe is approximately £220.00 per person. Anyone who knows more about this, or has already obtained their licence in the meantime please let us know.

For those new to owning Alpacas. From the beginning of April give some thoughts to shearing. The Shearers get very busy as the summer gets underway. We normally plan to have ours sheared end of April to first week in May. Those who can bring their Alpacas over to us can join in with our shearing days, but please let us know well in advance as organising them needs consideration. Those who want the Shearer to come to them, then again please let us know and I will pass your details onto Mike. For those who have worked with Mike in the past will know how gentle he is with them and what a great job he does.

A reminder about the Fibre Sorter course that we will be holding on the farm in April. For information, dates, costs and to apply, click here. We might even be able to incorporate a shearing day for those interested in learning to shear for themselves. This is a technique we were shown in Canada and want to incorporate on our farm.

Finally, Studs! Now is the time to consider the quality of next year's crias. Take a look at our Machos by clicking here.

Princess's Diary

Anyone who has read her diary thus far on our web site, will understand how precious this alpaca is to us all on the farm. She continues to amaze us and on 5th June 2007, she gave birth to a beautiful little female cria whom we named Venus.

Initially, things did not go according to plan as her milk did not come in, so Venus was given colostrums and put onto tiny bottles with tiny teats in readiness for the changeover when Princess did start to produce milk. Three days later all was flowing well with Princess, but Venus would not accept Mum no matter what we did. The bond was there, and Venus would stay with her in the field, but mew as she might, Princess could not get Venus to suckle. Princess, is blind, so mewing was her only means of contact with her baby. Naturally, after a week or so, her milk dried up and Venus was a fully bottle fed cria.

One month later Coral, Princess's Dam gave birth to a little female we call Lilly. After a few days it was noticed that Lilly was only suckling on two teats from Mum. On closer inspection, two of her teats had become distorted.

When Princess was ill as a baby, because she was not sucking properly, Mum had mastitis. Now although the teats appear normal when not full of milk, once the sacks fill, then they lose their nipples so baby can not get hold of them. This was the first cria Coral has had since Princess was born four years ago. Because of this, she is obviously now retired from breeding.

Feeding Lilly; Venus watching

This meant we had to try and supplement Lilly, but this proved stressful for both her and her Dam, so we started to bottle feed Lilly too. After a few days, feeding time with Lilly became very problematic, she just did not want to take the bottle, so we had to wait and watch and rely on mother nature. Just maybe she was actually getting enough from Mum, even though her weight gain was not as it should be. Imagine our amazement, when we saw her going under Princess. Low and behold, yes, Lilly had re-started the flow of milk from Princess. So to this day, Princess has twins, one natural born and one her half sister.

To watch the four of them is very emotional. Princess now has two pairs of eyes. The two girls walk her out in the mornings, bring her back to the barn in the evenings and stay with her all day long. Grandma is never too far away. At night the scene is one of great emotion, as Princess cushes, Venus lays by her side with her chin on the top of her back from one side, and Lilly does likewise from the other, with Coral somewhere really close by. The four are a very close family, and a lesson to us all of unity and bonding.

General Farm News

September, and Mason City, Iowa, USA as Fleece Judge and one of two Halter Judges; the other being Dr Julio Sumar. This was the second time as Judge at this show and it was good to see the improvements in the quality of the alpacas entered, which was a great credit to the breeders and the knowledge they take away with them from each show.

In October, over to Olds College in Calgary, Canada to take a Camelid Fibre Sorter Certification, which was absolutely fantastic. So good was the course that we are arranging to bring the tutor, Ruth Elvestad over to the UK in April to hold the course, and therefore the certification programme here on the farm. The course numbers will be small, because of the amount of theory and practical involved, so if any of you wish to enrol, please let us know as soon as possible, as we are sure it will fill very quickly. Click here for more details.

Judging fine huacayas at the Fiesta

November and back in Peru. The Alpaca Fiesta 2007 was again held in Arequipa. Unfortunately we missed the first day of Judging, the firework display and the evening parade, because air traffic controllers in Lima decided to strike 30 minutes before we were due to catch our flight to Arequipa. However we did not waste this time as we took a taxi to our favourite fish restaurant on the coast and savoured a leisurely lunch with a few of the best Pisco Sour in Peru. The Alpacas entered into the Fiesta were amazing as you would expect, but this year we had no intention to buy any. Instead our missive was for the top quality textiles.

After Arequipa we spent some time up in the high Andes watching Alpaca history in the making at a private research station. Then followed a few days in Cusco, taking in the sights and buying some items for the shop, before departing for Lima on the first leg of our journey home.

The Alpaca Barn

The Alpaca Barn

December was very busy in the shop with a wide variety of items being bought. The felted bags and berets continue to be a big success. Our customers love the uniqueness of what is available, and we are proud of what we produce from our own herd.

For one weekend we hosted the start of the Posada Magi figures' journey around the parish this year, so were very pleased to receive the local newspaper reporter and photographer as well as Anglia TV for a cameo clip. Whilst customers drank their coffee and ate mince pies, they could watch the gentle grazing of the Alpacas in the paddock. A few even got a cuddle or two.

Alpaca Adventure

Our little Venus is such a gentle charismatic cria. She was shown the entrance to the shop on one of these days, in she stepped, as if this was a regular habit, straight into the lens of the photographer/interviewer. A star was born! She knew exactly what was expected of her. She walked straight up to the Posada Magi figures kissed each one of them, then turned to me, mewed, and did the same. Perfect evening viewing for 'what's on' in the region. Customers already in the shop were enthralled, and fell hopelessly in love with her.

Jottings from the Herb Garden

A promise of good things to come ...

This year hopefully will see the birth of our new herb garden. We have already picked the spot on a gentle south-west slope, backed by 18th century flint and brick walls. This garden (managed organically) will be for general farm use, and hopefully supply us with things as diverse as flavourings to be used in the farm kitchen to moth repellents for the fleeces and textiles! With some hard work, and a little luck the garden should be ready to receive its first plants just as the soil warms. From the time it was built, some 500 years ago, the farmhouse must always have had its herb garden, and it will be good to reinstate this important feature. If any of us ever get the time, it will be a lovely place to sit!

You will be able to follow the garden's progress each quarter, with maybe a herb profile now and again. But unless we get out there with a spade and fork ere long, there will be nothing to write about in future issues.

Seasonal Wildlife Notes from the Farm

As the memories of Christmas fade, you can really begin to feel the tide of the year turning. Although "the cold may strengthen as the daylight lengthens", spring proper is only weeks away. On our pasture surrounded by leafless trees and lit by rain washed skies, it is the bird life that becomes thrown into sharp relief. Last years Jackdaws are back in the barn - in the eaves high above Princess and her family - noisily discussing the pros and cons of raising another brood. They are joined by tiny wrens who flit in and out, suddenly more noticeable and we wonder - or perhaps hope - is it just food, or are they looking for possible nesting sites? Perhaps it is too early, but the thought of nesting birds is comforting.

One thing is sure, the woodpeckers are sorting themselves out in readiness for breeding. It begins early every year as they drum and reply to one another from the wonderful mature oak trees that skirt the farm.

At the end of a working day recently, in twilight, beneath those same oaks a vision of great beauty was to be seen. Nothing to do with the coming of spring, but hunting for food, a Barn Owl patrolled the hedge bank. The very essence of dusk, it moved without a sound some six feet above the ground, totally unaware it was being observed. It continued in this manner until only a couple of yards away. Then its large eyes lifted, and the spell was broken. But the magic of that encounter will linger.

Seasonal Recipe

On the farm we are blessed with some beautiful and ancient hedgerows. Over the past eight years a program of planting native hedging has enhanced this asset. Not only are they beautiful, act as natural windbreaks and fencing, and essential for wildlife, they can provide us with food and drinks. Over the coming issues we shall be looking at some treats a hedgerow may provide.

Very soon the fresh new shoots of the stinging nettle (Urtica Dioica) will be found at the bases of hedgerows growing on strong fertile soil. It is interesting to note that string may be made from the mature stems, and if the same mature stems are retted and beaten, a fine silky golden fibre is produced which may be woven into cloth. But it is the young shoots that are eaten.

Wearing rubber gloves, pick the young shoots when they are no more than a few inches high. Remove any tougher stem that might be forming and wash well. Nettles are high in iron and nettle tea is a powerful spring tonic, but it is to its use in cooking we shall look today. If dried they can also be fed to the Alpacas as part of an organic diet.

Nettles to cook with

Nettle Soup
8oz nettles weighed after removing tough stalks
1/2 pint of milk
3/4 pint water
1 vegetable stock cube
1 tsp dried herbs - of your own choice
1 large onion finely chopped
1 lb potatoes peeled and chopped
1 clove of garlic chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Sweat the onion and garlic in a little butter or olive oil until soft then add all the other ingredients. Simmer gently until the nettles and potatoes are quite soft. Sieve, or put into a blender and serve with a swirl of single cream.

Alpaca Crafts

No.1 Knitting

Knitting can be traced back 2000 years and it's earliest examples are found in the middle east. We are most likely to think of sheep's wool when knitting is mentioned. The Andean Indians have been using Camelid fibre to produce their textiles for at least the past 8000 years. It was not however, until the Spanish came to Peru some 400 years ago, that knitting was introduced in the Andes. To a people who were, and are still, one of the most textile orientated cultures on earth, knitting provided yet another vehicle for their great skills.

Alpaca Hats

Alpaca fibre, with its light and silky soft texture gives a knitted fabric great luxury. In the Alpaca Barn we have hand knitted garments from Peru which amaze us with their fineness and beauty. Most silk-like of all are our examples knitted in Royal Baby Alpaca - which simply has to be touched. In any given year only 1% of all the crias born will have a fleece fine enough to be 'Royal'.

We at AzSu, have fleece from our own herd spun into yarn. Our alpacas supply fleeces which grade in tone from winter white, passing through fawns, browns, greys to deepest pure black. Because of this wonderful range of natural colours we choose not to dye our yarn. It is spun to produce a fine 2-ply (fingering) Shetland style yarn, a 3-ply double-knit and a sturdy 3-ply Aran style yarn. Once you have knitted with pure alpaca, experience the amazing drape of the finished garment and see how light, warm and soft it is, you may never want to knit with anything else!

Alpaca Handbag

As well as the yarn (sold in 50 gm balls) we also make up our own kits which includes pattern and instructions, as well as the yarn. These vary from a simple scarf - ideal for the novice knitter - to handbags and hats. If you use a pattern for wool, we recommend you knit a sampler square on alpaca first. You may find you will need to change needle size or even garment size in order to accommodate the pattern. But we promise you that any trouble taken is well worth while. The wearing properties of alpaca will mean it outlasts a wool garment many times over.

So give it a go - be different and knit with the fibre once beloved of the Inca Kings!