Member update | #20 2019

AAA Member Update #20

The AAA fortnightly update is our way of communicating with all AAA members.

President's message

As 2019 draws to a close it is an opportunity to reflect on the year that has been. It has been a difficult and in some cases a very challenging year for most of us as alpaca farmers. The drought and now fire conditions in almost every state have been terrible.

Christmas and New Year are times that we should embrace those around us and enjoy the time to take a break and reconnect. Unfortunately this is not always the case for some of us and we need to take the time to look out for our family, friends and industry peers and take the time to ‘check in’ and see how people are coping.

AAA President Andrew Munn

I would like to take this opportunity to thank every person that has in some way contributed the ongoing good of our industry over the previous 12 months. I know many of our members also volunteer across many other organisations. Not the least of which are our emergency services and support agencies during times of natural disasters. Your efforts are appreciated and I hope you remain safe. On behalf of the AAA Board I would also like to wish all of our members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I sincerely hope that you all make the most of the time you have with family and friends. Please stay safe.

2020 National Alpaca Show in Melbourne

The AAA Board has discussed arrangements for the 2020 National Show. A number of options were put forward for consideration with a particular focus on budget and logistics. The Board would like to announce the 2020 National Alpaca Show will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, on 28-30 August 2020. Paul Haslin has been appointed by the Board as convenor with Lyn Dickson as co-convenor

Melbourne showgrounds offered opportunities to leverage off a craft exhibition being held in the vicinity over the same weekend, which will be an opportunity to promote alpaca-end product. Trade stands and a craft competition will only be offered if they can run at a cost neutral position. The location will also offer the perfect opportunity for members of the public to be involved once again. Keep an eye out - more information and sponsorship details will be available soon. Andrew Munn, AAA President

AAA Website Advertising - special Christmas present to members

As a special gift to our members, the AAA is offering advertising on the AAA website for HALF PRICE if booked and paid in full prior to 31 January. If you'd like to take out advertising on the new AAA website, get more information and book here. If you have any questions you can get in touch at communications@alpaca.asn.au.

Alpaca Youth Education Committee

The Board is pleased to announce the membership of this Committee for 2020.

Julie Blake (Vic)
Daniel Boote (Vic)
Louise Charman (Vic)
Susan Haese (SA)
Victoria Clarke (SA)
Angela Haupt (Qld)
Katelyn Holznagel (Qld)
Louise Holbrook (WA)
Paul Southam (WA)
Janelle Jago (Tas)
Billinda Schipp (Tas)
Kelly Ann Sackey (NSW)
Katie Thomas (NSW)

The Board takes to opportunity to thank the outgoing members of the Committee, Jillian Holmes and Taryan Mathews for the sterling work undertaken in 2019.

Education and Training Update

Shearing is now well under way, if not completed in some areas. Many of us are aware that the numbers of shearers are falling year on year. Have you ever thought about learning to shear? Not necessary for it to be an income stream, maybe just a convenience of being able to shear at a time to suit you. Board Director Sarah Wheeler is looking for members interested in shearing to contact her at sarah@alpaca.asn.au. Whilst planning to provide shearing training is in the early stages, it would be hoped to pair an interested party with a shear in their area.

Staggers - what is it?

‘Staggers’ is a term used to describe the abnormalities seen in alpacas affected by perennial ryegrass toxicity, annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) or phalaris toxicity. Both ryegrasses and phalaris are good pasture grasses and are not in themselves harmful. However, at certain times of the year or under certain seasonal conditions they can become loaded with fungal toxins (ryegrasses) or chemical poisons (phalaris). Read more.

RASF Vocational Education & Training (VET) Scholarships

Through the VET Scholarship Program, the RAS Foundation supports students studying VET courses through TAFE and other registered providers. If you live in a rural or regional NSW community and need a helping hand with your study costs, you could be eligible for a scholarship of up to $6,000 for full-time study or $3,000 for part-time study. Applicants can be studying a range of courses including Wool Classing, Food Science, Farming and Nursing. Don't miss out on this great opportunity and apply by Sunday 19 January 2020. Read more .

Effects of the method of restraint for shearing on behaviour and heart rate variability in alpacas

New European research has been released in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal where the researchers compared three methods of restraint for Alpaca with and without shearing - restrained standing or tied up while lying on the ground or a table. Read more.

Get to know your Board -
Michelle Simberg, Treasurer

Regional Liaison: South Australia
Portfolios: Treasurer, Audit and Risk

Michelle and her husband Robert purchased their first two wethers in 2000 and commenced with a breeding herd in 2005. Their stud of over 100 animals specialising in coloured suri is based in Gippsland, Victoria. Read more.

What's in the AAA shop?

The AAA website has a shop where we sell merchandise and alpaca resources. Our featured item this week is the Alpaca AgSkills: A Practical Guide to Farm Skills.

A basic guide to some of the skills and practices of alpaca production. The book contains step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and full colour pictures.

Follow us!

Please make sure you're following us on our social media channels - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you have photos from the past or news that you would like to celebrate on the AAA main page, please send it through to info@alpaca.asn.au.

Contact the AAA Board

Andrew Munn
E: president@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0408 410 281
Prue Walduck
E: prue@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0429 437 781
Trevor Parry
E: trevor@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0428 196 946

Rochelle Veitch
E: rochelle@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0422 329 174
Sarah Wheeler
E: sarah@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0434 982 760
Michelle Simberg
E: michelle@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0408 371 957

Upcoming events

Berwick Show - 22 February 2020
Canberra Royal - 28 Feb - 1 March 2020
Red Hill Show - 7 March 2020
Farm World 2020 - 26 - 29 March 2020

AAA Christmas shutdown

The AAA offices will be closed from Friday 20 December, reopening on Monday 6 January.
From all of us at the AAA, we wish you a safe and happy holiday period and a Happy New Year!