FMG Rural Excellence Award 2006

In February of this year (2006) we were asked by the secretary of our local A&P Society if we were interested in entering a Rural Excellence Award Competition. We asked what was involved and was told all we had to do was answer some questions and put our answers to paper. we were also told that the award was all about NZ farmers and their farming ventures. The judges were looking for farmers that run their operation to a high level and that they are good at what they do and that they do it very well with a high level of excellence.

Next thing I know we are being interviewed by two of the committee from the Manawatu A&P Association, we showed them around our farm and talked about Alpacas for the afternoon, which I do all the time, so this part was pretty easy.

In a few weeks time, we received a letter in the mail saying Congratulations, we had been chosen as the Winner for the Western Districts, and would go on to Represent our district and we would now be judged by a specially selected panel of judges to compete with other district winners for the prestigious FMG Rural Excellence Award.

We were surprised and delighted that after just answering a few pages of questions, and a farm visit, how far into the competition we were, and that we were now in the position of being judged for this very prestigious award.

It wasn’t until the awards dinner on July 21st, that we actually realised how big this competition was and how honoured we had been to have been chosen as the Western Districts Regional Representative and ending up as one of the five finalists.
Our Alpaca Farm, to my knowledge, is the first ever Alpaca Farm to have been nominated by any A&P Association to enter this prestigious competition.

There were over 300 people who attended the awards dinner and it was then that it hit us just how honoured we had been to have been a finalist in this year’s competition.
Looking back now, we realise that we should have done a lot more homework before we were judged as there was a lot of things we should have talked about and there were lots of things we just never thought would be important. Like they say hindsight is a wonderful thing!

This competition to date has been a traditional farming competition and has only in the last couple of years been opened up to alternative farming ventures like ours. We think we have been able to open the eyes of a lot of traditional NZ Farmers in that Alpacas are here to stay and that they are the animal of the future. We believe we have helped the whole Alpaca Industry by just being involved in this competition.

We were told by one of the judges on the night of the awards dinner that it was a very close contest and of all the 5 finalists, our Alpaca operation showed the highest potential to make the largets income. He also said that we were sitting on a gold mine, which of course we all know. He also said that the actual winners of the competition, were largely over capitalised for the returns they were getting, which was interesting.

The eventual winners of this year’s competition were from the Hawkes Bay and own 3,000 acres of land and are a huge farming venture and as well own and operate a large agricultural contracting company.

History of the AC Cameron Memorial Award

The award evolved from the Royal Agricultural Society’s Silver Medal Awards for young farmers, first presented in 1960. The Royal Agricultural Society introduced the awards in that year in recognition of the record achievement of the Federation of Young Farmer’s clubs in the community. The two people mainly responsible for initiating the awards were Messrs A Grant and L J Wild, both members of the Royal Agricultural Society Executive and who at various stages, been deeply involved with the YFC. In honour of Mr. A C Cameron MBE & MC.
The Royal Agricultural Society changed the name of the award to the A C Cameron Memorial Award and changed the medal from silver to gold.

The award differs from other farming awards in that judges seek to locate the overall winner who not only excels at farming, but who also displays innovation, leadership, community involvement and input into their industry as a whole. In the past there were two winners, one each from the North and South Islands. Since 1977, the Award has been presented to one overall national winner.

Below is a copy of the News Release that some of you may have seen in your Local Papers at the time the competition was running as well as the pictures taken at the award dinner.

News Release:
The Royal Agricultural Society of NZ
P O Box 54, WOODEND, NORTH CANTERBURY
Telephone:   03-3136945, Fax:   03-3133549
e-mail:   d.n.cameron@xtra.co.nz
website:   www.ras.org.nz

Alpaca Farmers Aim for Top Award

The Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) announced today that Eric and Gaye Lister, alpaca farmers from Palmerston North, are this year’s Western District finalists in one of the most sought after awards in New Zealand – the FMG Rural Excellence Award.

The Award is run under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society and commemorates the late A.C Cameron, who was instrumental in the formation of the Young Farmers Club as well as being a previous General Manager of FMG and a stalwart member of the RAS for many years.

While the Lister’s total farm area is only 50 acres, the property was purchased four and half years ago for the express purpose of farming alpacas. The block is totally surrounded by Pine trees, which offer excellent shelter for the animals, and the water supply is second to none with a creek that runs all year round.

Situated at the base of the Tararuas, the farm has its own ‘mini climate’ with a high rainfall. The soil is Linton Loam, a free draining soil that never floods. Grass, primarily Brown Top and Ryegrass, grows nearly all year round.

Known as the ‘Thief of Hearts Alpaca Stud’, the Listers farm around 250 alpacas. Female alpacas can be bred for the first time from 14 months onward. The gestation period is 12 months and therefore only one cria (offspring) is capable of being produced per year. In the Lister’s eight years of breeding they have only ever had one female fail to have a cria every year and over the last eight seasons they have produced 50 percent male cria and 50 percent female cria.

Generally stock is moved to a new paddock each week, however often the stud males will stay in the same paddock. A birthing paddock has been established within sight of the house so a close eye can be kept on the animals about to deliver.

The Lister’s produce their own hay to ensure only the highest quality hay is produced. This year ten acres produced 820 conventional bales. During the winter pea vine hay is also fed out and 400 bales are required over this time. The pea vine hay gives the animals a higher protein level, which holds their body condition and stops the females absorbing their foetus.

While the Listers are very pleased with the progress made to date they have set themselves goals to keep them on track. Their ultimate aim is to breed alpacas with a fleece weight of 12 kilograms annually, under 20 microns with handle, lustre and high frequency crimp. Eric also aims to be one of the top three breeders in New Zealand, which in turn will attract the interest of overseas buyers and allow him to export animals.

The FMG Rural Excellence Award is different to other farming awards in that judges also take into consideration the finalists’ community involvement and input into their industry as a whole. Eric is one of the key people in the alpaca industry and is keen to promote the industry to the public. He regularly publishes articles and encourages interested parties to visit the farm once a month. At least five field days per year would be held on the farm and Eric makes a point of attending six different shows each season. Over the last two years his animals have won him four supreme ribbons. Eric also works closely with the local veterinarians and holds regular teaching sessions for them. As the co-ordinator of the National Alpaca Conference in 2005, Eric ran a vet conference in conjunction with this. Eric is also co-ordinating this year’s National Alpaca Conference.

Outside the alpaca industry the Listers run a very successful pet shop, which employs twelve fulltime staff. Originally the pet shop subsidised the alpaca farm, however the farm is now producing its own income and stands alone.

The winner of the 2006 FMG Rural Excellence Award will be announced at a special dinner in Palmerston North on the 21 June. The overall Award winner will receive the Royal Agricultural Society’s prestigious gold medal, a $6,000 travel prize plus $1,000 spending money, courtesy of FMG, and $1,000 from supporting sponsors, Ravensdown Fertiliser.

- ENDS –

For further information contact:
Debbie Cameron, Royal Agricultural Society

Printable View

Why should I become an Alpaca owner or breeder ?
The getting back to nature and the basics of living a "Lifestyle" is what is so appealing to many people searching for a business opportunity that can be operated from home and will involve the whole family.

What type of people will purchase Alpacas ?
People who own a Lifestyle Block of land and who love animals are the people who will become involved in the Alpaca Industry. Lifestyle block owners want an animal that does not push through fences, is easy to care for, does not pug up the paddocks in the winter and is a dream to handle and be with. Alpacas offer all of these qualities, and many more.

What sort of Land is best suited for Alpacas ?
Any. Alpacas are now in New Zealand from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island. The love hills to run around on and don't mind the wet clays in the winter. They will basically live and thrive in all conditions all over New Zealand.

What is the down side to owning Alpacas ?
The only down side is the cost of purchasing Breeding Females. If Alpacas were cheap then everyone would own them. As you have to start with two animals, as they can't survive on their own, the price to become involved in this industry can initially be quite high.

What do you do with an Alpaca ?
Firstly, they provide an excellent investment opportunity and secondly they produce the most luxurious natural fibre on the planet. As an Investment Opportunity it would currently be the worlds finest Livestock Investment available. Their fibre is known for it's fineness, light weight and lustre. Alpaca textile products are recognised world-wide.

Why are Alpacas such a good Investment ?
The Alpaca's high value and high rate of return make them viable even on small lifestyle Blocks of land. Alpacas are scarce out side of South America and their fibre is superb and in high demand on the world market place.

Why will Alpacas numbers continue to rise in New Zealand and Australia ?
Peru & Chile have no more available grazing for any more animals, any future production of Fibre will be coming from New Zealand and Australia.

Do Alpacas have any other uses besides Fibre ?
They make great Pets and companion animals. There is a growing trend to show these animals due to their high aesthetic appeal. They have loveable natures and can easily be trained to lead and are so gentle that small children can lead them in parades.

What are the correct names for Alpacas ?
The Males are called Machos. The Females are called Hembras. The Babies are called Crias When a Cria turns one year old it is called a Tui.

How long do Alpaca's live for ?
They live for up to 25 years, this is one of the reasons why they make a good investment as you could with good management expect to get 15 to 20 Cria from a breeding female over her life span.

At what age do Alpaca's start Breeding ?
The Females can be mated at 12 months of age while the Males are not used as stud animals until they are usually two and a half to three years old.

How long are the Female Alpacas pregnant for ?
A long time! The gestation period is usually 335 to 355 days which is just under 12 months and they only ever have one Cria at time, half are boys and the other half are girls.

What do Alpacas eat ?
They mostly live on grass. They are ruminants, which means they chew their cud like a cow. Because Alpacas evolved in harsh conditions, they utilise their food more efficiently than other ruminants. Alpaca's love meadow hay, lucerne hay and are more of a browser than a grazer. They eat more like a goat than a sheep. They also like Alpaca Nuts as a treat.

Are Alpacas Intelligent ?
Yes. Alpacas are highly intelligent animals who are quick to learn what you expect from them. They are constantly communicating with each other using a variety of body postures and a variety of different sounds. The sound most heard is a soft humming which is as unique as the animal itself.

What sort of fencing do Alpacas need ?
Nothing extra is required other than ordinary farm fences. Deer Fencing is not needed at all. Some Alpaca Farmers use Post and Timber fences but only because it looks so good and the animals look so good behind this type of fence. Alpacas don't challenge fences.

Are Alpacas easy to look after ?
As they are small animals they are easy to look after and require no special care at all. They simply need shearing once a year, worming and vaccinations every six months. Unlike sheep they don't get foot rot, fly strike and usually get very few worms.

How do you shear Alpacas ?
Alpacas don't have a flexible back bone so you can't shear them the same way as a sheep although you can use the same equipment that a sheep shearer uses. You can use a board on the floor or use a specially designed shearing table to shear Alpacas. You gently stretch the animal out on the table, shear one side and then the other. Someone has to sit on a stool and hold their head the entire time.

How many Alpacas can you run to the acre ?
With good stock rotation you can run 7 or 8 to the acre. They actually eat less than a sheep does. If you use supplementary feeds then you can run more than this.

Can you run Alpacas with other Animals ?
Yes you can. The only consideration here is whether the animals you want to run with your Alpacas will hurt the Alpacas. The Alpaca is a very gentle animal.

How many Alpacas do you need to start with ?
You must start with at least two animals. Alpacas are a herd animal and hate being on their own. No reputable breeder should sell you just one animal unless you already have two and you are just adding to your herd.

Do Alpacas have twins ?
No. Alpacas are a very slow breeder in that they only ever have one Cria. They are pregnant for eleven and a half months. They feed their Cria for about 6 months at which stage they are usually taken off of mum and weaned. This gives mum six months to get back into good condition and ready for the next Cria.

When do Alpacas have their Cria ?
Usually between 8.00am and 2.00pm . If a Cria is born later than this time then there was probably a problem giving birth. If a Cria is born at night then something was very wrong. Alpacas usually wait until a fine day to give birth as well, this happens in 98% of the births and it always pays to keep a careful watch on any females due to give birth.

What is it called when an Alpaca gives birth ?
As a baby Alpaca is called a Cria then giving birth is called "Unpacking" or Criation"

Are Alpacas dangerous ?
Absolutely not. Alpacas are totally safe even for young children to manage. They do not bite or butt and they do not have teeth, horns, hooves or claws to do you any serious injury. Alpacas will never charge or run through you in a pen or a corner, in fact they do the opposite in that they stand still so that you can catch them. They are unlike no other farm animal to handle.

How do you round Alpacas up ?
The easiest way is to just call them. If you need to round them up into a pen then a piece of rope between two people is the best way of doing this. It is easier to lead these animals than to try and push them.

Can you keep Male and Female Alpacas together ?
No. Once the Females are pregnant they want no part of the Macho at all. The Male will only annoy the girls so there is no point in keeping them together. The Males should be kept at least a couple of paddocks away from the girls and especially any maiden females.

Do you need to keep Alpacas indoors during the winter ?
Not at all, Alpacas are very robust animals and are quite happy to stay outside all year round. The actually don't like being inside and even if you offer a shed for them to go into out of the rain, they will not use it.

How do you transport Alpacas ?
They will travel in the back of a ute, trailer or van. They will even sit in the back of a station wagon. Once you start moving the Alpaca will sit down and stay seated during the whole journey. A specially built trailer with a ramp is the ideal way to transport a few animals all at once.

Are there Vets who are interested in Alpacas ?
Yes there are but you may need to shop around to find a vet who is willing to learn all the new things that Alpacas will present him or her with. There are now many young vets around the country who are very keen to become involved with these animals.

What are the veterinary costs associated with Alpacas?
Veterinary costs are remarkably low as there are no specific medical problems in these very hardy animals. The births are usually trouble free and take place in daylight hours.

Are Alpacas prone to any diseases ?
The only serious problem in New Zealand is Facial Excema. As Alpacas love the dead grass matter at the base of the pasture, where the facial Excema spores grow, they are susceptible to this disease. Prevention is the answer here and you should spray your pasture during the danger period of January to March.

Is there a national organisation for Alpacas ?
Yes, it is called AANZ (Alpaca Association of New Zealand). This is the national body that looks after all the requirements of all it's members. If you are thinking about becoming involved in the Alpaca Industry then a good place to start is to join AANZ.

How can I make money out of Alpacas ?
There are many different ways :
- Proceeds from the sale of animals
- Proceeds from Breeding & Stud Services
- Proceeds from the sale of Fibre
- Proceeds from farm agistments and related services
- Proceeds from Alpaca related products
- Proceeds from processing dung into fertiliser
- Proceeds from shearing other breeders animals
- Proceeds from farm visits by schools & public open days