AAA Member Update July 2020

The AAA monthly update is our way of communicating with our members. 

Let's deal with the “ugly” first – last year’s financial result.  The financial situation was identified early under Andrew’s presidency which put us in a good position to take the action as outlined in Carolyn’s Treasurer Report.  The positive is we have identified the causes, addressed the major issues, or at least the ones under our control and have a prudent financial plan to trade back into the black - with sound assets behind us.

Carolyn and I had a very positive zoom meeting with your Regional Presidents this week to talk through, amongst other things, the financial ramifications at a Regional level.  The discussion was robust with some good feedback on ways to move forward.  From my perspective, the most positive thing was the President’s preparedness to be part of the solution and work on your behalf with the Board.  To me, that is a “winning” formula. 

In addition to having a prudent financial plan, your Board is focussed on stimulating and growing our industry as evidenced by the following activities mentioned in this Newsletter:

• Continuing to pursue the re-opening of the NZ export pathway with discussions having commenced development of a direct trade pathway from Aust to the UK. 
• The Fleece Challenge enabling the showing fraternity to showcase their breeding programs with fleece education activities leading up to the Challenge.
• Linking of the AAA Education program to priorities identified in the 2020 Membership Survey with new online delivery methods being developed.  The Membership Survey results will be announced shortly.
• Restructure and development of a governance model for the Youth Portfolio with 8 new Young Parader Judge Apprentices being approved – congratulations to one and all.
• An Expression of Interest for a Membership Services Committee further demonstrating the Board’s philosophy to engage with the members wherever possible
• “There’s No Business Like Show Business” project -  rather than sit back and wait to see what COVID throws at us next year, the Board, again with input from key stakeholders, aims to develop agile strategies to enable shows to proceed in 2021. The aim is to give you a forum to promote your breeding program and for Regions to generate revenue. Mick floated this concept at the Regional President meeting.  Watch this space.
• I remind those members in the QAlpaca program to get your annual reports in.

Thank you again to my fellow Directors for having faith in me.  I will do my best as IP for the next 4 months.  I would also like to acknowledge and thank my partner Ada for encouraging & supporting me as I take on this role – but I still have to do the dishes!  Keep those masks on (especially in Victoria).

Treasurer's Message

2019-2020 financially has been the most challenging year in AAA history with an estimated loss of $195,000 (note that this result is still subject to the results of the annual audit). Many members have suffered and continue to suffer from years of drought, then frightening fires. In some locations, our members have also been affected by floods. The effects of the extended drought, in particular, have seen a significant reduction in income from registration and transfers. Read more (please log into the AAA webiste member's section to read)

Member Services - Call for committee members

The AAA Board is looking for dedicated members, with a range of backgrounds, to join a working party to assist the Board with improving the value in memberships. A copy of the EOI can be found on the AAA website.  Further info - ceo@alpaca.asn.au  EOIs close 14 August 2020. 

COVID Shearing 

The AAA has developed a set of guidelines and operations protocols that should be implemented during your shearing to reduce the risk of COVID transmission in shearing sheds. Download the protocols by clicking here. Further information about shearing during COVID can be found on the AAA website. 

Regional news

QLD region and Tasmania region have both recently held their ARMs.  Congratulations to the new QLD President Geoff Coutts-Smith and the  new QLD Committee and the returning Tasmanian President Dusti Aspinall and the new Tasmanian Committee 

Market Access & Trade Update

Direct Access to the United Kingdom

The MATC has formed a joint working party with the British Alpaca Society to investigate the development of a one-way direct access export pathway to the UK post-Brexit environment. An initial meeting has resulted in actions to progress negotiations with both the UK and Australian government departments.

While the complex process of export agreements take time, agreement on many issues has already been achieved. The joint working party will continue over the next months to work with their respective governments to achieve the shared goal of an export pathway between our two countries. Perceived benefits for our AAA Members through this trade are: 

• Increased trade opportunities
• Improved animal health & welfare eg alpacas not having to spend 6 mths in New Zealand quarantine
• Quicker turnaround on international purchases
• Reduced export costs.

Read more

Youth News

Some monumental progress has been achieved so far this year within the Youth portfolio. The AYE Committee has been working tirelessly on establishing protocols and policies, officialising various elements of Youth Parader competitions within the AAA. Further to this, the governance of Youth Groups has been established and the existing groups officially recognised within the organisation. The basis of the new structure is that Youth Groups can operate essentially mirror image to Regions, aligned with State borders, and available to all AAA members under the age of 26 years.  The main benefit of establishing Youth Groups is that our young members, our next generation, will be able to represent themselves, and yet have access to elected Mentor Members as support. Youth Group Governing Rules have been approved by the Board and now available to be viewed on the AAA website.

Education Update

July has been another interesting month with COIVID again showing its disruptive powers. I am sure you all have stories of how COVID is playing havoc with your plans. For me, this was a plan to produce some educational videos. A great plan. Pity that just a couple of days out, the venue arranged become a designated COVID testing site!

It will be a while before we have the opportunity to run face to face educational activities. In terms of online education offerings currently being planned and developed (constraints permitting), four main areas will be addressed, aligning  with priorities identified by members in the 2020 AAA Member Survey:

•  Animal health and welfare (including biosecurity, husbandry, nutrition;
• Running a small/farm business;
• Breeding; and;
• Showing.

Educational offerings will include both newly created materials, specific to the alpaca industry, as well as more general small business resources that are of relevance to alpaca breeders. Fleece focussed educational offerings are on the agenda too in the lead up to the National Fleece Challenge in December. Also reflecting the importance of regional training, discussions with Regional Presidents will be scheduled to get their input into proposed educational activities and resources.

Alpaca sales responsibility

A gentle reminder that when selling alpacas you have a responsibility to provide guidance to the new owners. While alpacas are generally docile and may seem to some purchasers a great addition to their family, they are animals with a very strong herd instinct, and should not be kept in isolation as domestic pets. Cria, that for any reason require bottle raising, should always be kept in a herd environment and not treated as domestic pets as this may lead to serious behavioural problems in adulthood.

We have made media comments in recent months regarding alpacas kept as pets in suburban backyards. This is not an ideal situation and we all need to be vigilant about animal welfare and the reputation of the industry. If you have any queries or would like to order some copies of Managing Alpacas in Australia to provide to people who purchase alpacas from you, please check the store on the AAA website