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ALPACA RESOURCE CENTRE |
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Alpaca Workshops - "An Introduction to Alpacas"
The Flowerdale Estate property includes a world-class residential conference retreat used by major companies for their management training and meetings. The venue offers luxury accommodation, a heated swimming pool, billiards, tennis, gymnasium, saunas. This facility is ideal for conducting alpaca training events. Throughout the year, Flowerdale Estate Alpacas runs training seminars and workshops. The seminar, "An Introduction to Alpacas," is specially designed for new breeders. This program is very popular with aspiring new alpaca breeders that come from most states of Australia and New Zealand.
THE PROGRAM
Flowerdale Estate offers a weekend (2 day) practical workshop to assist new breeders to make a successful start in their new alpaca business. The program is a nice balance between classroom learning, hands-on practical activities in the shearing shed and networking with other new breeders. Meals and accommodation are all included. Friday night accommodation is also available.
New breeders, Allen and Libby Williams, who attended a seminar at Flowerdale Estate Alpacas.
"Allen and I really enjoyed the weekend workshop, "Introduction to Alpacas". The course notes and discussion are detailed and thorough, covering a broad range of essential topics for prospective and new owners of alpacas. The practical sessions gave us a wonderful opportunity to practice giving injections, body-condition scoring, toe nail clipping, halter training etc., under expert guidance. This also gave the group, as prospective owners, a chance to actually handle these beautiful creatures.
The weekend was also a great opportunity to meet other alpaca enthusiasts, make friends and enjoy the wonderful food and facilities at the beautiful Flowerdale Estate. We can't wait for the next seminar."
See calendar for dates. Book online here.
SATURDAY
8:00am - Arrive and register
8:30 - 10:30 - "About Alpaca"
- Alpaca origins
- Alpaca genotypes - Huacaya & Suri
- Good ways to get started (pets, agistment, breeding females)
- Alpaca industry prospects
10:30 - 11:00 - Morning Tea
11:00 - 12:30 - "Selecting Quality Alpacas"
- Conformation
- Fleece characteristics (Coverage, density, crimp, luster)
- Interpreting pedigrees
- Check list for buying alpacas
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 - "Husbandry - care of your alpacas"
- Nutrition
- Medical care (working with your vet, worming, injections, toe nails,teeth)
- Breeding
- Birthing
- Weaning
- Essential equipment
- Record keeping
3:00 - 3:30 - Coffee Break
3:30 - 5:30 - "Hands on training"
- Moving alpacas around the farm
- Teaching them to walk on halter & lead
- Transporting alpacas
5:30 - 7:00 - Free time
7:00 Dinner
Accommodation provided.
SUNDAY
8:00 - 9:00 - Country Style Breakfast
3:30 - 5:30 - "Setting up your Alpaca Farm"
- Number of alpacas per acre
- Farm layout
- Fencing
- Sheds and shelters
- Watering systems
- Laneways and corals
- Paddock improvements
- Landcare
10:30 - 11:00 - Morning Tea
11:00 - 12:30 - "Farm Tour & Demonstrations"
- See how Flowerdale Estate was set up specially for alpacas
- Experience toe-nail trimming, injections, "spit-offs", matings, shearing and skirting fleeces (in season)
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 2:45** - "Marketing your alpacas"
- Market positioning
- Sales opportunities
- Showing
- Building a profile for your stud
- Discussion and Q & A
2:45 - 3:00 - Coffee Break (Workshop concludes)
3:45** - "Weekend concludes"
2:45** - "Herd Development & Business Plan Sessions"
These private sessions are available to participants to assist in developing a Herd Plan. We offer advice on farm planning, goal setting, business plans, herd evaluation, selection of to purchase, mating strategies. Consultations are included in the cost of the weekend and can be arranged throughout the weekend, immediately after the workshop concludes on Sunday or on the Monday following the weekend. Sunday night accommodation can be arranged for those wishing to stay on Monday. All private planning sessions need to be booked.
The Weekend Package
Why not make a special weekend of it? Relax in our heated pool. Play some tennis or workout in the gym. Our chefs will tempt you with their award-winning menus. And of course we are fully licensed. The price per couple is $625. Price per individual is $425. This includes en-suite accommodation for Saturday night, Saturday and Sunday lunch, morning teas, Saturday night dinner, workshop tuition and all course materials. (Phone calls and beverages additional).
Fabulous food; a highlight of the weekend.
Course attendees often rave about the food. Some say 'why don't you make more of an emphasis of your wonderful food on your website?'.
Credit Certificate
Should an attendee subsequently purchase female alpacas from Flowerdale Estate Alpacas, the full price of the seminar will be credited against the purchase price. Each workshop attendee receives a credit certificate to the value of the course.
Calendar
| 2008 Dates | Seminar |
| May 10 & 11, 2008 | Introduction to Alpacas |
| July 5 & 6, 2008 | Introduction to Alpacas |
| October 11 & 12, 2008 | Introduction to Alpacas |
Seminar participants are advised to book early. There is a limit on the number of places for the seminar. Placings will be allocated on a first in first served basis. Don't delay. Most people book online. Or you can book by phone. Details are at the bottom of the page.
Phone bookings can be made by calling 03 9728 7070
