alpaca advice

The Alpaca Training Centre was set up in January 2004 following the conversion of the milking parlour to a training classroom with exhibition area and catering facilities. The Centre is the only dedicated training facility in the UK providing year round courses suitable for all abilities. These include:

* Introduction to keeping alpacas	* Shearing alpacas (beginners & improvers)
* Alpaca husbandry (standard)	* Care of the pregnant female & birthing
* Alpaca husbandry (advanced)	* Fibre sorting and classing
* Show preparation and showing	* Spinning
* Breeding programmes	* Marketing alpacas
* Alpaca Assessment	* Alpaca Assessment (advanced)

Set out below is our new schedule of training courses for 2009. A brief description of each course is summarised below this table. A booking form for the courses can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

Course	Date	Cost(£) inc VAT
Alpaca Husbandry (Standard)	Friday 6 March 10am - 4pm	57.50
Introduction to Keeping Alpacas	Sat 07.03.09 10am - 12 noon	20.00
BAS Judge Training Level 2	27 & 28 March 2009	Contact BAS
Alpaca Husbandry (Standard)	Thurs 2 April 10 am - 4 pm	57.50
Spinning Course (all levels)	Weds 22 April 9.30am - 12.30	30.00
Alpaca Husbandry Advanced (With Vet - see note below)	Thurs 30 April (10 am - 4 pm)	75.00
Alpaca Shearing (all levels)	Weds 6 May 10 am - 4 pm	60.00
Alpaca shearing (all levels)	Thursday 7May 10 am - 4 pm	60.00
Alpaca Husbandry (Standard)	Friday 12 June 10.00-4.00 pm	57.50
Introduction to Keeping Alpacas	Saturday 4 July 2.00 - 4.00 pm	20.00
Alpaca Husbandry (Standard)	Thurs 9 July 10 am - 4 pm	57.50
SPINNING (Introductory/Beginner)	Friday 18 September 9.30am to 3 pm	40.00
SPINNING (Follow-up, all levels)	Friday 23 October 9.30am to 12.30	30.00
SPINNING (Follow-up, all levels)	Friday 27 November 9.30am to 12.30	30.00
Alpaca Assessment/Evaluation Day	Autumn - date TBC	TBC
Alpaca 'Fibre to Market'	Autumn - date TBC	TBC

A one day course suited to the new owner or those with some livestock experience. A practical course covering general husbandry including handling, halter-training, vaccinations, foot trimming etc.

This course is tutored by a qualified Vet who has extensive Alpaca experience. The course is divided into two subject areas - the morning covers 'Diet, Dentition and Digestion', with the afternoon covering 'Care of the Pregnant Female, Birthing and the Newborn Cria' which includes a practical birthing session using a dummy womb.

A half day course introducing you to the basic principles of farming alpacas including farm tour, - suited to those with little or no livestock experience.

The Alpaca Training Centre is one of the few approved venues in the country to host BAS approved courses and has seen the first British Alpaca Judges qualify through its doors. Please view the BAS website for further details.

A two day clinic tutored by Julie Taylor-Browne. Julie has been training with leading U.S. Camelid trainer Marty McGee Bennett and has now qualified as a Practitioner. The training methods used will give you confidence and knowledge for effectively working with the most difficult of animals. Courses are very much 'hands on', with demonstrations on various training tools such as wands, halter training rope, body wrap will be given, together with the chance to practise.For further information on CameliDynamics CLICK HERE

We are lucky to have Jean Field tutoring the spinning courses, - she is experienced in spinning alpaca as well as other fibres. Jean will tutor one whole day suitable for beginners and novices which will include a light lunch, followed by two follow-up half days. Please indicate when booking whether or not you have your own wheel. Lunch will be provided on the full day only.

Shearing courses are run in the Spring and are suitable for both beginners and improvers. They are entirely practical and numbers are strictly limited to ensure individual attention.