Here at Sugarloaf Alpaca Company we believe that the best tool in the shed is knowledge. It will make your alpaca business safer, easier and much more profitable. We started our alpaca operation after attending a three-day seminar at Mike Safely’s North West Alpacas in Oregon. We also continue to attend seminars and hands-on training on a range of alpaca topics including fiber, medical, health, breeding and genetics. By attending seminars at shows, auctions and those conducted by specific farms and breeders you can learn from the best.
It is also important to pair your learning in these semi-formal settings with a local mentor who will be available to answer your everyday questions and assist you through those ‘firsts’ that eventually come to all livestock breeders. We pride ourselves in mentoring those new to alpacas. Nancy’s University of Maryland animal science degree coupled with our combined decade of experience breeding and caring for alpacas give us much to share. Still, we don’t know it all and won’t pretend to. That’s why we will, from time to time, bring in the very best to present seminars. Listed below are seminars and training opportunities we can offer. If you arrived at this page from a link on our calendar then we have a specific date for the seminar. If you don’t see a date that works for you then drop us an email or call and we’ll see if we have one in the works or can schedule one around your availability.
June 5th and June 19th. Alpacas A-100 & A-200 seminars 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Part of the joy of breeding alpacas for profit and fun is being able to share that joy with new folks. We believe that the best tool in the shed is knowledge. It will make your alpaca business safer, easier and much more profitable. We started our alpaca operation after attending a three-day seminar at Mike Safely’s North West Alpacas in Oregon. Mike and his father were one of the original alpaca importers in the 1980’s. We also continue to attend seminars and hands-on training on a range of alpaca topics including fiber, medical, health, breeding and genetics. By attending seminars at shows, auctions and those conducted by specific farms and breeders you can learn from the best. In fact, we were mentored by Alan Cousill and Jude Anderson of Pucara International Alpacas and continue to have a strong relationship with them. They are among the very best suri breeders in North America. Jude is a senior US alpaca judge and Al is Mr. Alpaca in all other aspects of the alpaca industry.
It is also important to pair your learning in these semi-formal settings with a local mentor who will be available to answer your everyday questions and assist you through those ‘firsts’ that eventually come to all livestock breeders. We pride ourselves in mentoring those new to alpacas. Nancy’s University of Maryland animal science degree coupled with our combined decade of experience breeding and caring for alpacas and setting up a farm from scratch give us a unique ability to share the many lessons we have learned.
This spring we are offering a pair of introductory seminars that are geared towards those exploring the alpaca business opportunity and the alpaca lifestyle. It’s geared towards those who know next to nothing about the alpaca industry as well as those who have been exploring the business or who have recently gotten into the business. Our half-day FREE seminars are based on the experience of and materials provided by Al and Jude. Feel free to ix and match schedules on four topics:
A-100: “What’s This Alpaca Thing All About” and The Alpaca Marketplace” A-200: “Understanding Alpaca Genetics” & “Fiber Evaluation”
While you won’t ‘know it all’ when you leave the seminar, you will have increased your knowledge of the full range of the most important topics related to profitable alpaca breeding. In between the two sessions we’ll provide a light lunch to prepare you for the afternoon seminars, and, since it’s all about the alpacas we will be spending time ‘hands on’ as we take the classroom to the barn.
We will offer these seminars on June 5th and repeated on June 19th on our farm. We will start at 10:00 AM on Saturday and conclude by 3:00 PM each day. In between you’ll learn heaps about the alpaca industry as well as begin building relationships with others who share you interest. We’ll also make time during and after the seminars to answer all of your questions and help you begin to develop a business plan for your specific goals. All you need to do is RSVP by the Tuesday before your preferred date for these free seminars and come with an eager and enthusiastic mind. If you choose to go forward this is only the first step in our mentorship in your success!
Jude Anderson and Alan Cousill of Pucara International are bringing their internationally renowned experience to the East Coast and we could not be more excited. They have mentored us from our beginnings and continue to inspire us and our breeding program. We know firsthand that Jude and Alan want their clients to be profitable and have fun farming alpacas. “It’s pretty hard to enjoy yourself if you’re not making money” says Alan. They believe success and fun are a direct result of knowledge.
To that end we have worked with Alan and Jude to combine the best of their seminars and package them in a unique and flexible manner so that those new to alpacas as well as experienced breeders can benefit from their expertise. The schedule below identifies three days of small-group seminars from which to choose over the upcoming Columbus Day weekend – October 10, 11 and 12. Attend one day or all three depending on your needs. No matter where you are in the continuum of alpacas these seminars will enhance your understanding, appreciation, profitability and love of alpacas.
These seminars are designed to answer your questions whether you are considering becoming an alpaca breeder, need help in finding the direction to thrive if you are already a breeder or give you the edge when it comes to the show ring. Alan and Jude guarantee that you'll be a better alpaca breeder once you finish these classes.
Saturday morning will kick-off with a general introduction to the alpaca industry with Alan's "What’s This Alpaca Thing all About?” presentation. Jude will follow this with an presentation entitled: “Understanding Genetics for Alpaca Production.” These PowerPoint presentations and lively discussions will give you the foundation for success in the alpaca industry.
Saturday afternoon will feature Jude's presentation of "Alpaca Fiber" which explains everything you should know about fiber, both suri and huacaya. The presentation will be followed by a hands-on evaluation of alpaca fleeces that put you face to face with our huacaya and suri alpacas in a hands-on environment.
Sunday morning will build on Saturday’s introductions and present a much more detailed look at breeding systems, alpaca conformation and objective evaluation.
Sunday afternoon promises to engage you with hands-on grading and classing of fiber with lots of personal guidance. And, you'll get to see how a senior alpaca judge works to grade fleeces.
Monday morning starts out with Alan's look into the crystal ball with a presentation entitled "The Fiber of the Future," a warts and all look at the alpaca industry in two parts. And, if there is sufficient interest, Jude will present "Showing Alpacas" as only a senior judge can do.
Monday afternoon is set aside for individual sessions with Alan and Jude and Nancy and Kevin.
Seminar Costs:
• Saturday and Sunday individually are $150 per person or $200 per couple including friends.
• Monday individually is $75 per person or $100 per couple including friends.
• Any two days together is $200 per person or $300 per couple, including friends.
• Cost for all three days is $250 per person or $350 per couple, including friends.
Seminar Details:
• Each of the three days will kick off at 8:15 with a country breakfast followed at noon by a hearty lunch accompanied by your choice of beverage including wine and beer! Saturday and Sunday afternoons will finish with the traditional 5:00 PM pasture meditation of relaxing drinks in the pasture while the alpacas graze nearby. A gourmet dinner will follow complete with the appropriate beverages and seasonal desert. (please notify us for special dietary requirements)
• All instructional materials including PowerPoint notes.
• Individual sessions with Jude or Alan to evaluate your herd/farm plan.
• You are encouraged to come any time before the seminar or to stay on after to spend time with Jude, Al, Nancy and Kevin seeing the farm and animals or for consultation.
