1. Redesigning the alpaca genetically. World Alpaca Conference 2012 Keble College, Oxford University, UK

2. Why I think it is necessary ? to ensure that fleece production is profitable to ensure the animal is environmentally fit to help re-position the alpaca fibre into high retail markets

3. Points to outline today the breeding objectives the scientific basis the selection methods breeding results improving fleece quantity and quality reducing guard hair improving environmental fitness textile results better processing performance better end product quality

4. Breeding objectives Select for: * low primary fibre diameter * high fibre density * high fibre length in environmentally fit animals >>>>>>>>

5. Scientific basis The pre-papilla cell research of Moore and co-workers 1984 -1998

6. Primary fibres and secondary fibres behave differently genetically MicronDpDsDp - DsNo. of alpacas 14 to 1620.214.55.79 16 to 1824.816.78.114 18 to 2027.418.39.146 20 to 2229.020.28.863 22 to 2432.522.010.598 24 to 2634.124.010.180 26 to 2836.625.910.769 28 to 3040.527.912.646

7. Selection methods physical assessment of the animal visual estimation of fibre density and length close fibre inspection measure primary fibre diameter, fibre density and length evaluate progeny of sire and dam (using above criteria) use estimated breeding values as selection aids

8. Physical assessment of the animal * clones * long triple wedge shape * open faced * high muscle and fat

9. Visual assessment of fibre density and length Long and closely packed fibre bundles provide the visual clues

10. Fibre bundles

11. Fibre length Fibre length improves as crimp amplitude increases and crimp frequency decreases

12. Close fibre inspection Guard hair is present in both these samples at similar frequency and coarseness. This is seen when individual fibres are examined on the black velvet board.

13. Close fibre inspection Identify fleeces which are free of guard hair and coloured fibre.

14. Measure primary fibre diameter Selecting for low primary fibre diameter will eradicate guard hair Textile processors and retailers will appreciate this advance Fine primary fibres also allow high densities to occur

15. Measure fibre density DensityDpDs 7328.919.9 DensityDpDs 3539.626.3

16. Measure fibre length Age (years)Fibre length im Huacayas (mm/day) 1 to 20.39 2 to 30.38 3 to 40.33 4 to 60.30 Older0.28

17. Progeny evaluation

18. Breeding values (AGE) body weight eye muscle depth fat cover testicle length worm egg count

19. Breeding values (AGE) SireNumber of lambs born % lambs weanedEye muscle depth (mm) Fat cover (mm) High muscle and fat sires: A411001.60.9 B41971.60.7 C40971.60.9 D72962.01.0 E64950.81.2 F54850.70.9 Low muscle and fat sires: G3588-0.80.1 H7379-0.8 I46790.00.4 J5777-1.9-0.9

20. Breeding results: improvements in primary fibre diameter, density and length Primary fibre diameter (microns) Secondary fibre diameter (microns) Density (follicles/mm2) Length (mm/day) Global3524350.30 SRS® now2921490.36 SRS® later< 17< 2085 +0.60 +

21. Breeding results: improvements in fleece production Age (mths) Fleece weight (kgs) Fibre diameter (microns ) Fleece length (mm) 92.116.9160 214.519.5125 334.220.7135 454.222.0110 DpDsDensityLength 27.820.452.80.43 Moonshine – solid white male

22. Breeding results: improvements in fleece production DpDsDensityLength 28.919.973.20.37 Age (mths) Fleece weight (kgs) Fibre diameter (microns) Fleece length (mm) 2.819.3120 3.621.4115 5.021.8120 7.524.8105 6.023.075 6.624.490 Legend – solid white male at 6 years of age

23. Breeding results: improvements in fleece production Age (mths) Fleece weight (kgs) Fibre diameter (microns) Fleece length (mm) 53.020.2 175.222.3 297.524.3 DpDsDensityLength 27.321.846.20.48 Fatal Attraction – light fawn male

24. Breeding results: an oldie but a goodie Yo Yo – a fawn male at 8 years of age DpDsDensityLength 25.519.044.20.40 AgeFleece weight (kgs) Fibre diameter (microns) Length (mm) 6 years3.422.4100 5 years3.622.8100 4 years4.022.8 3 years3.421.8 2 years3.519.9 1 year2.418.1

25. Excellent fleece and body traits DpDsDensityLength 27.720.163.90.38 35.024.035.00.30 AgeFleece weight Fibre diameter 6 mths3.3 kgs16.8 18 mths-- 30 mths3.5 kgs (skirted) 19.2 42 mths-21.6

26. Excellent fleece and body traits DpDsDensityLength 25.221.563.40.38 35.024.035.00.30 AgeFleece weight Fibre diameter Fleece length 24 mths4.2 kgs22.4120 mm

27. Excellent fleece length and body traits DpDsDensityLength 27.321.846.20.48 35.024.035.00.30 AgeFleece weight Fibre diameter 5 mths3.0 kgs20.2 17 mths5.2 kgs22.3 29 mths7.5 kgs24.3

28. Potential embryo transfer donors Alpaca femaleDpDsDensityLength Octavia20.614.653.90.32 Electra23.517.655.30.27 Eccles24.918.262.30.34 Enchantress25.018.956.50.39 26.819.467.50.44 Sunbeam26.820.565.60.33 Anastasia28.121.461.50.44

29. New generation Suris DpDsDensityLength 23.319.249.00.87 27.118.557.60.66 29.018.658.30.60 38.326.126.20.36

30. Textile results: Merino wool (left) and Huacaya wool (right) become perfect blends

31. Textile results: Suri fibre (left) and mohair (right) become perfect blends

32. Superior processing performance 16 commercial processing trials by Itochu Wool Ltd., 1996-2000. Topmaking: 9 to 14 % longer Hauteur 12 to 58 % less short fibre in the top 0 to 39 % less noil Spinning:20 to 30 % less ‘ends down’ Yarn:excellent strength and elasticity soft and silky, similar to cashmere very even and smooth Fabrics:natural ability to stretch excellent drape crease less gentle lustre deep, rich dyeing feels more like cashmere

33. To position alpaca fibre in luxury retail markets

34. My goals for UK and Europe Offer SRS® breeding services to alpaca breeders Appoint local breeding advisors to deliver these services Identify and publicise herdsires that excel for SRS® fleece and body traits