SALE REPORT - ALBURY/WODONGA SPRING/SUMMER ALPACA SALE
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68 alpaca catalogued, 54 offered, 13 passed in.
Unjoined maidens averaged $1713 (range $800-$5200)
Joined hembra averaged $1467 (range $1200-$6200)
A small crowd were on hand to witness the sale with around 20 registered bidders. Several bidders provided a base to the market, competing on lots with only one lot not receiving any bid. The majority of those alpaca passed in were joined hembra with a reserve.
The sale, run by the team at Landmark, is beginning to be known for the number of unjoined ready to mate young hembra on offer. This sale being no exception with around 63% of the offering being of this type.
The feeling around the sale seemed to be that it was lower in price than the Autumn/Winter sale but with a better clearance. Considering the lower demand brought on by drought, quality, and the market in general, it was a solid auction.
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2006 SHEARING
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Thanks to the outstanding effort of our shearing team, Halcyon was able to beat it's own record. Delivery of the 2006 alpaca clip to AAFL within 24 hours of shearing cut out.
The skill and workmanship of our two foreign (Tasmanian!) shearers Glen Boyd and Tony "Slippery" Arnol was second to none. The only complaint being made when Glen took his shirt off. Our two gifted roust-abouts, Kelly Gentle and Noelene Hayes, kept the fleeces coming to the table and truth be told they did half the classing on the floor.
Unfortunately our alpaca are reluctant to tie themselves down (even in our new shearing frames built by TASPAR) so to get them from standing to stretched out Michael Wynd and Jim Jamison sweated it out.
The broom danced around the floor partnered by volunteer Keate Woodgate . Keate's biggest problem was trying not to trip over while laughing at Glen's repertoire of jokes which flowed freely throughout the two days.
Annette Woodgate had the scribes job taking notes on fleeces and doing weights and lengths. Chances are she still has neck weights, staple lengths and NCV levels ringing in her ears!
The fleeces were skirted and sorted by Justin Weaver. Justin likes to concentrate on the fleeces to ensure that they go to AAFL in the best possible condition in a way that makes the AAFL classers job easier. The most important team member, Justin's wife, Anita made sure everyone got fed and watered (3 month old Lily and 2 ½ year old Ewan included).
Halcyon is using SRS® Breeding principles and aiming for a fleece long enough to allow twice a year shearing. To us this means doubling the income and the fun !
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SON OF VINCENT NSW BOUND
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Selecting a sire can be a daunting task, and the decision by Odette Mayne of Currumbong Alpacas was made that much harder by the fact that several of our machos would fit the bill.
However, when we looked at the traits most missing in the hembra and the type of sire that would give her the greatest lift, the decision was clear - Halcyon Magnate.
Good density levels, great fibre growth rate, excellent structure and clean points are a feature of this Caligula grandson. Mating enquiries can be directed to Odette Mayne on (02) 6230 9192.
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OOPS HE DID IT AGAIN
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Marriglen Mars wins the AAA National Supreme Champion Fleece and Grand Champion fleece (Bill Plunkett memorial trophy). Not bad considering it was his third fleece and only 9.5 months growth. Imagine how badly he would have beaten the opposition if it had been the full 12 months.
And talk about bipartisan support, with Halcyon, Illawarra and Marriglen studs barracking, not to mention the whole of the WA contingent. He was a crowd favorite!
We are all looking forward to seeing his forth fleece try for the hat trick.
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GENETICS IN NSW GET A LIFT
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Breeders in southern NSW will now have easier access to a high class proven sire exhibiting high density and low primaries. A half share in ILR Peruvian Hemingway's Protégé has been sold to Bob & Judy Richardson.
With sons working in three states of Australia along with several in the US, a grandson starting work at Halcyon and some of the best skin tests around, Protégé was hard to ignore.
ILR Peruvian Hemingway's Protégé will spend his time split between Clearview Alpaca Stud and Halcyon. NSW enquiries can be directed to Bob & Judy Richardson on 02 6227 6147.
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PROTÉGÉ TO HUMDINGER TO POPOVER
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A recent round of skin tests came up with a magnificent result. Halcyon Popover, a son of Halcyon Humdinger, and therefore a grandson of ILR Peruvian Hemingway's Protégé tested at 74.7 follicles per mm² for density. When you consider that the average Huacaya is somewhere between 28-32 follicles per mm² the difference is incredible.
Halcyon Popover will go into a progeny testing program to give him a chance to prove himself over numerous hembra and have his results assessed. |
OUR PERENDALES ARE "RADICAL"
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The judge could only come up with one phrase to describe one of our young rams - "radical". After only 18 months in existence, Graceburn Perendale Stud dominated the showring at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
We decided to only show young weaners that we had bred, a move that paid off with a second place in the under 1 ½ year old rams, first and second place in the under 1 ½ year old ewes, Champion ewe, and Supreme Perendale exhibit.
Not a bad effort bearing in mind our rams were fresh out of the paddock from working - having been put out for joining at a mere 8 months of age. Plus a great result considering the season and how new to the breed we are.
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HIDDEN GEM
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Hidden away at Talca Alpaca Stud is one of the next super sires. Very high density, very high growth rate, low primary micron, high S to P ratio, great frame, incredible handle and lustre. And at 5 years of age his fleece hadn't gone over 20 micron.
We are very pleased to announce that Nick and Christine Veltjens have offered us a half share in this mega macho. We look forward to seeing his offspring in early 2007.
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Our good friends and fellow SRS® members, Ian & Harriet Davison have a new addition to their stud macho portfolio after eagerly taking up a half share in Marriglen Mars. Both parties could plainly see the positives in having Mars working across two states in two large herds, making the most of his time and genetics.
Matings can be arranged through Halcyon or via Harriet Davison on:
( 02) 4446 0096.
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GIPPSLAND GAINS A SIRE
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Gippsland gained one heck of a sire today with the arrival of Halcyon Caramello at Jenny Miles's Milestead Alpaca Stud just outside of Warragul. This exceptional example of a macho is a light fawn (must be good if Halcyon are willing to put their name to a fawn) exhibiting high density, thin staples with deep bold crimp and excellent growth rates.
Anyone interested in improving their fawn breeding program would do well to consider using Caramello and can contact Jenny Miles on (03) 5623 6654.
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STUD SIRE GETS A NEW PART OWNER
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The decision was made late last year to offer ½ shares in several of our leading stud sires to selected breeders. The reasoning being that due to our focus on ET there just wasn't the need for the machos to be here 24/7. Fiona Ward of Achnacone Alpaca Stud leapt at the chance to buy into her favourite , Halcyon Vincent Van Gogh. Fiona has seen some excellent examples of what this outstanding Caligula son can do for your breeding program and was thrilled at the chance of owning a piece of him.
Vincent will spend most of his time at Drouin under the care of Fiona, coming back to Halcyon when matings are required. To book a mating contact Fiona Ward on: ( 03) 5627 6417 |
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The seven hembra and one macho have arrived from quarantine. Ten months after selection we finally have access to our new macho Halcyon Alianza Alloro plus seven of the best hembra to be found in Peru .
The hembra will join the other elite females in our stud (ET) herd pieced together from across the US and Australia .
Alloro will take his place as our new "frame" sire due to his perfect conformation, bare points, good density, high growth rate of fibre and low micron difference between primary and secondary follicles.
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