We have so many open alpaca females off the farm for breedings at the moment that the whole place is looking rather empty.

We often talk about stocking rates of 5 or 6 per acre based on the amount of forage an alpaca needs and the level of parasite control that's desirable. But there is also the aesthetic factor and two alpacas in some huge pasture just do not look anywhere near as attractive as two dozen romping over the horizon.....

Yesterday I had an very chatty e-mail from a fellow alpaca breeder down in Australia who had come across the Blog and wanted more details on the EPD programme that is getting underway. I haven't been to see the alpaca farms is Australia or even the sheep farms but I understand that they are outstanding.

Right now Australia is in the grip of a ten year drought and the Prime Minister said this week that if it doesn't rain in the next 6 weeks he will have to disconnect the irrigation to 55,000 farms....who together produce about 40% of Australia's fresh produce......

As my old mum often says "count your blessings" so I am not going to moan about the irrigation system today.....

Adrian Stewart - click here to go to Mulberry Alpacas.
Click here to register for the Mulberry Alpacas Newsletter.
Click here to find out about National Alpaca Farm Day 2007.
Click here to see a very pregnant female that's available until May 15th 2007.