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