Here are the explanations behind the laboratory analysis of alpaca fibre which I posted on the blog yesterday. Its a bit technical to be honest so not to everyones taste and some of the descriptions I need to read twice to make sure I really understand. I hope you find it useful or even just thought provoking.

My thanks to Angus McColl of Yocom-McColl for helping me out here.

Normal Distribution
The graph of a normal distribution, the normal curve, is a bell-shaped curve. Many biological phenomena including animal fiber diameter distributions for single-coated animals, result in data distributed in a close approximation to normal. Hence, statistics applicable to normally distributed populations (mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation) are used to define these fiber diameter distributions. The normal curve is symmetric about a vertical center line. This center line passes through the value (the high point of the bell) that is the mean, median and the mode of the distribution. A normal distribution is completely determined when its mean and standard deviation are known.
Approximately 68.0 percent of all measurements lie within one standard deviation of the mean and approximately 95.0 percent of all measurements lie within two standard deviations of the mean. More than 99.5 percent of all measurements will lie within three standard deviations of the mean.

Fiber Diameter Measurement and Distribution
Fiber diameter is measured in microns. One micron is equal to 1/1,000,000th of a meter or 1725,400th of one inch. Mean Fiber Diameter (MFD) is in common use internationally. MFD, Standard Deviation (SD) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) all relate to the (approximate) normal distribution of the animal fiber diameters. SD characterizes dispersion of individual measurements around the mean.
In a normal population, 68% of the individual values lie within one SD of the mean, 95% within two SD's and more than 99.5% within three SD's. Since SD tends to increase with increasing MFD, some people prefer to use CV (=SD*100/MFD) as a method of comparing variability about different sized means.

Comfort Factor
Comfort factor is the percentage of fibers over 30 microns subtracted from 100 percent. Ten percent of fibers over 30 microns corresponds to a comfort factor of 90 percent.

Curvature
Fiber curvature is related to crimp. Average Fiber Curvature (AFC) is determined by the measurement of two millimeter (2mm) snippets in degrees per millimeter (deg/mm). The greater the number of degrees per millimeter, the finer the crimp. For wool, low curvature is described as less than 50 deg/mm, medium curvature as the range of 60-90 deg/mm, and high curvature as greater than100 deg/mm.
Typical values might be illustrated by a 30 micron Crossbred wool fleece with typically low curvature and broader crimp with a frequency of approximately two crimps/cm. In contrast, a 21 micron Merino fleece typically has a medium curvature and a medium crimp with a frequency of approximately four (4) crimps/cm. A 16 micron Superfine Merino fleece typically has a high curvature and a fine crimp with a frequency of approximately seven (7) crimps/cm.

Definition of Medullation
A medullated fiber is an animal fiber that in its original state includes a medulla. A medulla in mammalian hair fibers is the more or less continuous cellular marrow inside the cortical layer in most medium and coarse alpaca fibers. By definition (ASTM), a kemp fiber is a medullated fiber in which the diameter of the medulla is 60% or more of the diameter of the fiber.

Medullation Measurement
Medullation measurement can be performed using either a projection microscope or the OFDA 100. Using IWTO nomenclature, a kemp fiber is classified as an "objectionable fiber" when measured on the OFDA 100. The OFDA100 measures opacity and therefore only white or light colored fibers can be measured. A reasonable assumption is that colored fibers have similar levels of medullated fibers as their white and pastel counterparts.

Spinning Fineness
This number (expressed in microns) provides an estimate of the performance of the sample when it is spun into yarn by combining the measured mean fiber diameter (MFD) and the measured coefficient of variation (CV). The original theory comes from Martindale, but the formula used comes from Butler and Dolling and normalizes the equation so that the spinning fineness is the same as the MFD when the CV is 24%.

Length & Strength
Length is measured in millimeters (mm) and the reported measurements readjusted to an annual growth period. Strength is measured in Newtons/kilotex (N/ktex) and is the force (measured in Newtons) required to break a staple of a given thickness (measured in kilotex). On the earth's surface, one kilogram exerts a force of 9.8 Newtons (= 1kg acceleration due to gravity measured in meters/second/second). Kilotex indicates thickness in terms of mass per unit length expressed as kg/km.
Intrinsically, alpaca fibers appear to be very strong, an average of 50 N/ktex or better is not unusual. From a processing point of view, a mean staple strength greater than 30 N/ktex is considered adequate for processing wool on today's high-speed equipment.

Resistance to Compression
The resistance to compression (RTC) of alpaca fibers is measured in kilopascals (Kpa). A pascal (Pa) is a unit of pressure equivalent to the force of one Newton per square meter. In the commercial sector, RTC values >11 kPa are considered high, 8 to 11 kPa medium, and <8 kPa is low. The intrinsic resistance to compression of alpaca is low because of the relatively low levels of crimp. Thus, alpaca is not suited to end-uses that require high resistance to compression (or high bulk).

Position of Break
Truly sound fibers break in the middle section of the staple. Intrinsically, alpaca fibers appear to be very strong, in the 50 N/ktex range. A mean staple strength greater than 30 N/ktex is considered adequate for processing wool on today's high-speed equipment.

Clean Yield
Yield is based on bone-dry, extractives-free wool (alpaca) fiber or wool (alpaca) base (WB). Many different "commercial" yields are used in the international marketing of wool fibers. These are values calculated to predict the amount of clean fiber obtained after commercial scouring and/or after combing. Allowances are typically made for grease, ash, vegetable matter, and moisture. Various percentages of moisture are added in these calculations of commercial yield, which in some cases (very clean wool or some alpaca yields) may result in the clean yield exceeding 100%.

Adrian Stewart

The way we examine and look at alpaca fibre is slowly becoming more scientific. The tests we have on our own alpaca fibre cover a wide range of measurements. In all there are 11 measurements which we track. Here is a copy of an extended histogram you can see Yocom-McColl have calculated values for several metrics associated with this particular fibre sample.



You will notice there are two bar graphs one based on fibre diameter and one based on the number of medullated fibres in the sample.

Tomorrow I will go through the various measurements in more detail.

Adrian Stewart

The latest batch of alpaca feed we had milled now contains flax. The benefit to alpacas are not fully documented but with other breeds there are well documented examples of the benefits.



Flax is unique in its high alpha-linolenic fatty acid (ALA) content. ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid, which contributes to good animal health. Flax is increasingly used as an ingredient in feeds for improved animal nutrition.



Many horse breeders and owners add milled, cooked or soaked flax seeds, or flax supplements or treats, to equine diets, especially if the horses are not fed on pasture for much of the year. The balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in flax is important for horse health. Due to its high alpha-linolenic content, flax can eliminate dull, dry coats, and the itching and scratching that can accompany them. Flax can also prevent colic in horses.


Flax has been grown since the beginnings of civilization, and people all over the world have celebrated its usefulness throughout the ages. Cultivated flax, L. usitatissimum, is of two types: one is grown for the seed and the other for fibre production. In North America, it is primarily the oilseed varieties which are produced commercially.

Historians weave the magic of flax into ancient history. Records show that the human race has eaten this seed since early times.

About 3,000 B.C. Flax is cultivated in Babylon.
Burial chambers depict flax cultivation and clothing from flax fibres.

About 650 B.C. Hippocrates writes about using flax for the relief of abdominal pains.
In the same era, Theophrastus recommends the use of flax mucilage as a cough remedy.

About 1st Century A.D. Tacitus praises the virtues of flax.

About 8th Century A.D. Charlemagne considered flax so important for the health of his subjects that he passed laws and regulations requiring its consumption.

About 15th Century A.D. Hildegard von Bingen used flax meal in hot compresses for the treatment of both external and internal ailments

Adrian Stewart

If you spend any amount of time on a tractor while mowing alpaca pastures then you will know that the noise can be really bad. If your tractor has a cab then this makes a big difference , but how many of us can afford a cab on our tractors?

So whats the answer? Well there are all manner of ear defenders out there that will do a great job. However if you want to listen to music or talk radio then you have to crank the volume up so high that its probably causing more damage than the tractor noise was in the first place.

But I now have a better answer, last week was my birthday and my eldest son bought me a John Deere noise cancelling headset.



The John Deere headset provides 18 decibels of noise cancellation which is the highest of any active noise reduction (ANR) headset on the market. It is the only headset specially tuned to reduce the ambient repetitive noise produced by residential and commercial lawn tractors, agricultural equipment and hand held products such as gas trimmers and leaf blowers.

They are quite amazing you put in two AAA batteries and put them on, straight away the noise is reduced, but then you flick the "ON" switch and the noise justs melts away!

They aren't cheap at $89.99 but they are much cheaper than similar sets offered by Bose and Panasonic.

Bottom line; I can now listen to the radio while mowing and I don't have to crank up the volume to factor 9 to hear it. Plus my ears are protected from the constant noise created by the tractor and mowing machine.



Adrian Stewart

The temperature has been about 105 degrees or more for the last few days and the alpacas are coping fine as the humidity is very low. However there is nothing they like more on a hot summers day than a little attention from the hose pipe.

Just a gentle spray to the chest and underbelly which is their thermal "window" really makes them happy.

How do I know? Well they just queue up for more and would happily be hosed down all day long if you would let them.





Some alpacas will lie down in water but this can tend to rot their fleece so is not to be encouraged. Plus standing pools of water can be convenient places to drink and that's definitely a bad idea.

Adrian Stewart

Everyone who meets our Australian Shepherd dog asks his name, which you may already know is Gifford.

The next question people ask is where did he get a name like Gifford?



Well the short version is that he is named after Giffords a small, family circus back in England.

The slightly more interesting version is that after working in the City of London for almost 20 years I left and went to work in Giffords circus one summer. There is not room here to say why, so lets just say it was an unfulfilled ambition and a life changing experience all rolled into one.





Gifford the dog has all the qualities of Giffords the circus; fun, a sense of adventure, no fear of failure and simple tastes. Need I say more.........



Click here for Giffords Circus.

Adrian Stewart

The latest treatment for mites in alpacas, I have come across and have yet to try is from Ohio State University (OSU).

Where the injectable route doesn't appear to be effective and from my entry yesterday we can pretty much say that it very rarely is a workable solution on its own, then OSU recommend the following.

If the skin is really scaly use a shampoo containing benzoyl peroxide as it really helps to loosen up the crusts and lift them off, making the skin much more supple. If there is then evidence of bacterial infection (pustules and the like) then something like Etiderm is a good choice being both antibacterial as well as keratoytic.
(Keratolytic therapy thins the skin on and around the lesion. The medicine causes the outer layer of the skin to get loose and shed.)

Along with this OSU will sometimes also give a shot of Bose ( for the vitamin E) and supplement with Vita E powder and sometimes Zinpro for the zinc which is often low in these cases.

OSU have also used Frontline spray for some cases with success. This is when it is used for 3-4 weeks in conjunction with ivomec. But this is a more expensive approach.

Both yesterdays solution and today's were provided to me by Dr Tara Timpson of Crater Animal Clinic here in Southern Oregon.

So there are three options to talk about with your vet who will then help you select a solution that is effective for your herd.

If you know of any other treatments that are effective against alpaca mites please let me know.


Adrian Stewart

The second treatment for alpaca mites that I am aware of was the subject a UK research study in early 2001. The study was designed to compare the effectiveness of two ivermectin formulations for the treatment of Chorioptes mite infestations in alpacas. Which by the way are the most common type of alpaca mite infection in Oregon.

Of the 218 UK alpaca farms that took part in the trial 112 farms (just over 52%) reported skin lesions in their alpacas. Where veterinary surgeons had examined the alpacas the most common diagnosis was zinc deficiency but in total 21 different diagnoses were made. Quite a confusing picture for any alpaca breeder!

Without going into the detailed protocol for the conduct of the clinical trial here are the important points.

The infected alpacas were split into two groups:
Group A received eprinomectin pour on at day zero of the trial. (500mcg/kg)
Group B received ivermectin subcutaneously at day zero, day 14 and day 28 of the trial. (400mcg/kg)

Skin scrapings and mite counts were taken at days 7, 14, 28, 42 and 63 of the trial.

In both groups the mite count dropped drastically at day 7 but then peaked again at day 14 and remained high for the rest of the trial.

The conclusions drawn were that more work needs to be done with dosage to combat the mites effectively and that the injection of ivermectin alone is not likely to be effective in alpacas.

To my mind this supports the use of the first approach which I discussed yesterday which involves injection and topical treatment.

Adrian Stewart

Mites must surely rank as one the most long running topics in alpaca husbandry. So today and over the next two days I intend to outline the conditions caused by mites and the three cures that I am aware of.

The primary culprits in most problem skin cases are mites. There are three types that cause the majority of symptoms:

1. Sarcoptes are round, fat mites with short legs who bred on the surface of the skin, after which, the female burrows under the skin and lays her eggs in the tunnel she creates. These mites are often found on the alpacas lower legs, belly and tail but they can range over the entire animal.

2. Chorioptic mites are more elongated than the sarcoptes and they chew on the skin rather than burrowing. These mites are less common and do not cause as severe of a reaction as the sarcoptes.The chorioptic mites live entirely on the surface of the skin and are often found between the toes, in the ears, on the face and over the body. In Oregon the most common mite is the chorioptic.

3.Psoroptic mites: These oval shaped bloodsuckers live on the surface of the skin. There is some confusion as to whether these mites even occur on alpacas in the United States.

All of the above mites bite and suck, leaving behind a trail of red, itching, thickened skin that often creates puss pockets similar to a mild case of human acne. Many alpacas will have mites in their ears, which they will drop to the side of their head and scratch with their hind foot. Always check the inside of the ear to see if a black waxy substance is present (this condition can also be the result of ear ticks). This material is mite or tick feces and indicates a need for treatment.

The diagnosis for the presence of mites and the identity of which species is present, can be made by your veterinarian from a skin scraping.



The First of Three Cures I have used:

"Witches Brew Recipe" as developed and used by Mike Safely at Northwest Alpacas.


2/3 pint mineral oil

1/5 pint DMSO

8 ml Ivermectin

5 cc Gentamycin (50 mg per ml)


Directions

The ?brew? needs to be applied to the affected area every three days for at least 15 days, maybe more. Make sure that you use rubber gloves when you are applying the mixture. At the beginning of the course of treatment, some veterinarians suggest an injection of Ivermectin followed by another 15 days later. In addition, I have had a lot of success in curing ear mites by infusing each ear with ? cc of Ivermectin at the beginning of treatment.

This is how the ingredients interact to affect a cure: The DMSO delivers the Ivermectin through the crusty skin; the mineral oil holds the solution in place; and the Gentamycin acts as an antibiotic and clears up the infections that follow the mites.

I have used this solution with good results on the face of one of my female alpacas, she was mainly infected on the bridge of her nose.

Tomorrow I will talk about an alternative treatment that was tested in the UK and which I have again used with success.


Adrian Stewart

Well today is the longest day of the year and its my birthday. Not just any old birthday but my half century.....so I am having a day off from my alpaca Blog.

Back tomorrow

Adrian Stewart

The site of the operation where Dr Timpson removed the subcutaneous cyst is now healing very nicely and is free from flies.





Everything else is progressing well the female who is due to give birth in the nex two weeks or so looks decidedly not pregnant to my eye but has scanned pregnant. I think a quick trip on the scales is in order to see whats happening.

Adrian Stewart

Today was a brave attempt to catch up on e-mail update the Blog and do some more practical tasks around the farm.

After cleaning up the alpaca paddocks I worked with Macario to install a gate and opening into a fence line where a gate would be very useful. Gates and gate openings cost no more per foot than fence line so if you are fencing put in plenty of gates, you can never have too many gates on a farm !!

The company that were meant to spray the broad leafed weeds on Friday couldn't work because of the wind so are hoping to be here tomorrow morning now.

Once the gate was in place I headed off to the Grange in Medford to collect 30 bags of Alpaca Feed made to a special recipe which is shared between about 10 local farms. We have now added flax to the blend as it is believed to help brightness in the alpaca fleece.

When I was at NWA last week I learnt that they feed wet COB (corn oats and barley) plus equine senior to their alpaca females who are close to birthing so I have decided to try the same. Plus we have a very thin girl who really needs the additional nutrition.

Most of our alpacas are on the big side and I am almost certain it is the winter hay that is to blame as it is very rich and was available all winter on a self service basis. So next winter I will have to be much more careful when rationing the hay.

Time to go move the irrigation ready for tomorrow.

Adrian Stewart

With over 450 registered cria in the USA Hemingway has to be the most famous father in the alpaca community.

Hemingway made his mark early on; he was the first place adult male at the 1995 Alpaca Fest in Hillsboro, Oregon, which was, at the time, the largest alpaca show in the United States. In the white juvenile male halter class, the first four ribbon winners from a class of ten were Hemingway?s progeny. At the 1996 show in Estes Park, Colorado and the AOBA National in Denver, Colorado, Hemingway?s offspring won first place in the white weanling classes, both male and female, each competing against 25 entries in their respective classes. These awards were made before the rule that split classes at 15 and before championships were awarded. His colored cria won multiple blue ribbons at both shows.

Hemingway?s early histograms are exceptional in every respect. His numbers are matched by few studs, if any, currently working in the world, and his fleece at five years of age was, on average, 17.8 microns, 3.7 standard deviation, 20% coefficient of variation, and 1% of microns over 30. In 1995, Cameron Holt of Melbourne Institute of Textiles said, ?Hemingway is an exceptional animal. He tests better than any male I?ve seen [1995], his fleece is soft and I would breed him to every female I could.? Time has proved Cameron?s words. Hemingway currently has 450 registered offspring. Today his crimpy fleece measures 23.7 microns. But even more than his remarkable histograms it is Hemingway?s ability to influence the fleece of his progeny that marks him as a great herd sire.



His progeny are now located around the world. Hemingway?s offspring have all been of sound health, fine fleece, and outstanding phenotype. His sons command extraordinary prices and are the lead males in many a breeding program. Today, Hemingway is owned by a partnership of breeders made up of Northwest Alpacas, Pacific Crest Alpacas, Morning Sun Alpacas, and Timberland Alpacas.

Hemingway is no longer available for outside breeding and the last time a breeding was sold for the Quechua Benefit it raised $12,000.


Adrian Stewart

While looking round at NWA I discovered this very relaxed and contented alpaca that is unfortuantely blind. She has lived in the same pasture for 10 years now and knows her way round every square inch so she can find water and hay as quickly and easily as the rest of the herd.



This year she has given birth to a gorgeous cria.






Adrian Stewart

As I arrived at NWA on Friday morning one of their maiden female alpacas, called Bailey, was in labour and the head of the cria was already out. Never having my camera far away proved to be a good idea and the following series of 11 photographs says it all.

The following sequence took ten minutes to film, its that fast once the head and front feet are out.
























Adrian Stewart