Successful Health and Fiber Class
Last Saturday (June 14), we had another successful Alpaca Health and Fiber class. Thank you to all who attended. We enjoyed the great questions and discussion.
In the morning, Sharla Willis of Peaceful Heart Alpacas led a discussion about alpaca fiber and its many uses; who our market is for each of the forms of fiber (raw, roving, yarn, products); and options for selling fiber without processing. We also spent a portion of the morning session sorting fleeces and discussing how to keep our sorted fleeces consistent by fineness and length to have a better quality yarn. In the afternoon, Dr Heather Jenkins of Healing Springs Animal Hospital in Galax lectured on the most recent alpaca health information related to vaccinations, parasites, teeth, and reproduction. The state of alpaca research is evolving, and it was helpful to hear the findings reported at the latest International Camelid Health Conference.
We had a special treat for the seminar this year, due to the recent birth of a new alpaca cria. He was due for his well cria check up, so Dr. Jenkins was able to demonstrate this process for the class, explaining each procedure and what she was looking for as she examined the cria. This worked very well into the lecture, providing a clear visual for many of the lecture topics.
We offer the Alpaca Health and Fiber Classes every year. If you are interested in attending, check back with us for more information about the class schedule. You can also sign up for our monthly email newsletter here on this webpage to keep up with everything going on at the farm.
Peaceful Heart Alpacas provides year round support for those who purchase alpacas from us, encouraging people to give us a call whenever they have questions. We feel that ongoing support and offering educational opportunities such as these classes is an important part of selling alpacas. We want people to be confident as they work with and care for their alpacas, and to help them stay up to date on alpaca related topics such as vaccination schedules and new ideas for alpaca products or processing options. Healing Springs Animal Hospital, not only provides excellent small animal care in Galax, but Dr Jenkins specializes in Camelid Medicine and has a wide mobile service area with alpaca and llama patients throughout southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina. She also treats camelids at her clinic, and provides boarding for those who need to receive ongoing care at her clinic.