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

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

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

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

Scientific basis The pre-papilla cell research of Moore and co-workers

Primary fibres and secondary fibres behave differently genetically MicronDpDsDp - DsNo. of alpacas 14 to to to to to to to to

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

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

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

Fibre bundles

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

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.

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

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

Measure fibre density DensityDpDs DensityDpDs

Measure fibre length Age (years)Fibre length im Huacayas (mm/day) 1 to to to to Older0.28

Progeny evaluation

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

Breeding values (AGE) SireNumber of lambs born % lambs weanedEye muscle depth (mm) Fat cover (mm) High muscle and fat sires: A B C D E F Low muscle and fat sires: G H I J

Breeding results: improvements in primary fibre diameter, density and length Primary fibre diameter (microns) Secondary fibre diameter (microns) Density (follicles/mm2) Length (mm/day) Global SRS® now SRS® later< 17<

Breeding results: improvements in fleece production Age (mths) Fleece weight (kgs) Fibre diameter (microns ) Fleece length (mm) DpDsDensityLength Moonshine – solid white male

Breeding results: improvements in fleece production DpDsDensityLength Age (mths) Fleece weight (kgs) Fibre diameter (microns) Fleece length (mm) Legend – solid white male at 6 years of age

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

Breeding results: an oldie but a goodie Yo Yo – a fawn male at 8 years of age DpDsDensityLength AgeFleece weight (kgs) Fibre diameter (microns) Length (mm) 6 years years years years years year

Excellent fleece and body traits DpDsDensityLength AgeFleece weight Fibre diameter 6 mths3.3 kgs mths-- 30 mths3.5 kgs (skirted) mths-21.6

Excellent fleece and body traits DpDsDensityLength AgeFleece weight Fibre diameter Fleece length 24 mths4.2 kgs mm

Excellent fleece length and body traits DpDsDensityLength AgeFleece weight Fibre diameter 5 mths3.0 kgs mths5.2 kgs mths7.5 kgs24.3

Potential embryo transfer donors Alpaca femaleDpDsDensityLength Octavia Electra Eccles Enchantress Sunbeam Anastasia

New generation Suris DpDsDensityLength

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

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

Superior processing performance 16 commercial processing trials by Itochu Wool Ltd., 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

To position alpaca fibre in luxury retail markets

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