![]() AAA Member Update #20The AAA fortnightly update is our way of communicating with all AAA members. ![]() President's messageAs 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 MelbourneThe 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 membersAs 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 CommitteeThe Board is pleased to announce the membership of this Committee for 2020.
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) ScholarshipsThrough 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 - |