Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we are celebrating 200 episodes of the podcast. Thank you for your support and encouragement. It is appreciated.

I have indulged in some reminiscing from where we started and a few of my personal favourite episodes.

Episode 1 - an introduction

Episode 27 - Alpacas as a Metaphor for Life

Episode 97 - Be more alpaca

Episode 117 - Breakfast with the girls.

I hope you enjoy the tasters, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Steve

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Like all of us, alpacas thrive on familarity and the expected plus variety now and again. What kind of variety could you bring to the mix for your alpacas. Listen in and let me share some thoughts.

These include what they need as basics - food, water, shelter. But also stimulation and interest. They are naturally curious and delight in something new.

Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia used a collection of unusual objects in the alpaca field to see what they thought about them. Intersting results. Check out her Instagram feed for the answers and an idea for you to try out.

Instagram reel with strange objects in the field

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Confidence comes from a combination of sufficient knowledge and practice over time.

In the last episode, I asserted that gaining more confidence with caring for your alpacas was possible, not just in principle but specifically for you.

David Dunning and Justin Kruger of the Dunning-Kruger effect fame, suggest we can delude ourselves about how good we are. Their work starting back in 1999 suggests with a little bit of knowledge we can overestimate our capabilities, with a lot of knowledge underestimate it. And in the middle, we can know we don't know as much as we thought, risking a conclusion that we are useless and know nothing - in fact, we have just reached the point of knowing we have more to learn, which is a place of possibility. This dip in confidence we can feel as alpaca owners is normal and should be seen as part of the journey to becoming better at caring for our alpacas. I hope this gives you hope that:

1. It is possible for you.
2. Practice over time will produce progress (it is not instant).

Summer continues to develop here in the UK. Watch out for flies, water levels and weeds you need to remove at this time.

My pregnant girls are getting a bit more grumpy and starting that last phase of pregnancy. Watch for developing signs and continue to give your alpacas confidence that you are safe to be around. The cria will be along soon - probably!

If you get the chance, go spend some time with an alpaca and smile. (but protect yourself from too much sun and biting flies!)

One thing that gave me a lot of confidence was training with Marty McGee Bennet of CamelidDynamics. See the episodes below, where we talked about what CaelidDynamics is all about and what she has learned over many years. Online courses and information available at her website plus she has started travelling again - meanwhile, here in the UK, Victoria Barrett of Simply Alpacas is a Senior CamelidDynamics Consultant - see more details on the Simply Alpaca website.

Past episodes to check out

Episode 89 CameliDynamics with Marty McGee Bennett https://alpacatribe.com/podcast89/

Philip Roberts - known as Flip to his alpacas, friends and readers - discovered the delight of alpacas some ten years ago. Amazed at their intelligence and how they have eyes that "go into the universe" he found he just needed to write a book about his two companions Geno and Vinnie.

The book is a rhyming book for children and the start of a series called the Freedom Book Series https://freedombookseries.com/ which tells a story of how Geno and Vinnie came to America.

Listen in for Flip's story and to learn how 'the story' came about.

We are all creatures of habit but alpacas especially so. From feeding preferences and positions to grazing routes and times of the day. Millie and her daughters have particular behaviours that are noticeable but so do the others, even if they tend to hang back.

Noticing the tendency to form habits, how do we make good use of it? Calling them, feeding them at the same time in the same place and knowing where they are likely to be at different times of the day can all be used to our advantage in simplifying how we manage our charges. It also means we get to spend more time watching them and interacting with them. Which has got to be a good thing.

When you introduce yourself, how long does it take before you mention alpacas? Are they part of who you are? They are for me and I am guessing you too.

Taking time to be aware of how we talk about alpacas and improving this is likely to be helpful. When you next get the chance, listen to a good judge sum up the finer points of the winners - note the language.

In this episode, I give a quick update of the alpacas on the farm and talk about some news items you may not have seen.

Oscar the alpaca interrupts a soccer game by invading the pitch

Tyson an alpaca in Germany is helping in battle to fight COVID-19 with his antibodies - now paper published in Nature

6 months of weekly episodes. You will have your own favourites but here are some of the bits I really liked. This time we consider getting to know your alpacas and making amazing things with the fleece - small and large scale.

With time stamped links to the episode the featured guests first appeared on.

Time stamp Guest Episode
00:51 Rowan Flindall-Shayle Episode 2
02:04 Victoria Barrett – new owners Episode 19
03:59 Jenny MacHarg – birthing tips Episode 24
08:15 Hannah Williams – spinning; production; crochet kits Episode 7
09:30 Steve Cooper – spinning; production Episode 10
10:12 Jen Delucia – fibre; spinning and weaving Episode 3
11:32 Victoria Barrett – fibre; felting Episode 19
12:35 Marta Kwasniewicz – jewellery with alpaca fibre Episode 17
14:35 Julia Berry – crafting with alpaca fibre Episode 21
15:55 Catherine Price – knitwear and woven products Episode 16
19:28 Jenny MacHarg – the most important piece of equipment on your farm Episode 24

I hope your summer is progressing nicely and the hot weather is being okay for you.

My alpacas seem to be spending a lot of time in the stable in the cool – and I like that idea myself.

If you’re a regular listener, you will know we are doing a shorter format for the summer. In this episode, I want to share some thoughts about something that is at the heart of Alpaca Tribe, Alpaca Tribe is for alpaca people of whatever kind. You’re all welcome. Having said that, our aim behind what we’re doing here is particularly to help promote confident and fulfilled owners of happy and healthy alpacas.

****Happy alpacas

Let me ask you, what does a happy alpaca look like? It’s easy to anthropomorphize and say that “Alys looks like she’s smiling today”. Well, I know that some alpacas have a face and mouth that looks like they’re permanently smiling. But what I’m talking about really, is way beyond that.

There are times when I know that my alpacas are happy. The level and intensity of humming is a giveaway that when the opposite is true. Generally, a quiet alpaca is a happy alpaca, or at least not an unhappy one. In the valley here, where we are, we have a lake and the alpacas love to sit in the water, particularly in the ford area by the bridge. There is not enough room for them all, so they have to queue up. As they get their turn and settle down into the water. There is a subtle lifting of the head and leaning back slightly. There isn’t quite an audible sigh, but to my eyes, at least there seems to be a look of bliss. “Oh yes, that’s better”. Is that a happy alpaca? I think so.

When being fed, there are more smiling opportunities. Some of the girls in particular just love their food. Usually, the sound changes when the food goes in the troughs and there is just a slight rattling sound as they work their way down the trough hoovering up the dried food, especially in the winter, when we tend to give the girls some extras of flaked peas, which they tend to take out first.

The same when we open up a new bale of hay they just love.

**Healthy alpacas
**

Of course, this doesn’t just mean the absence of illness. Health is encouraged and promoted by a range of preventative actions and by an adequate supply good food and water, plus the interventions of vaccinations, worming and vitamin supplements as necessary.

Good food by which I’m thinking of soft leafy hay, a measure of dried feed to provide the trace elements necessary for health and well-being Feeding is a whole topic of its own really, with different demands for breeding females fibre producers, growing cria, etc, etc.

We can’t always do everything to optimize each mouthful, but if we learn about nutrition, we can do right and do well by our charges. I hope to return to the topic of feed and nutrition in a later episode.

The mechanisms of healthy balance can be difficult to discern, but make a good target for us to be aiming at.

Happy and healthy alpacas

If you have any comments questions or suggestions for future topics do let me know by emailing steve@alpacatribe.com or use the link on the website to leave me a voice message.

Thanks for being with me on the journey and see you again soon.

-Steve Heatherington

LINKS
Mike Safley book – Alpaca Shepherd
US Amazon – you would probably be looking for a second-hand copy!

Kerry Lord of Toft UK has grown a successful British based retail business supplying internationally, selling crochet kits and helping people learn the simple skills that are flexible enough to produce over 500 different animals.

It began with Edwards Menagerie with 50 patterns including the perennial favourites (which one is your favourite? - I tell you mine in the episode). Patterns and kits are available from the website and there is a strong and active community to be found on Instagram and instructional videos on YouTube.

If you are thinking of trying crocheting, Kerry's biggest tip is to start with something you want to do! Motivation helps get the basics under your thumbs but be warned it can become addictive!

Kerry tells us how things began, how they grew and how to navigate the challenge of success.

You are going to want to have a go - I have already ordered my kit!

LINKS

Website - https://www.toftuk.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/toft_uk/

IGTV - https://www.instagram.com/toft_uk/channel/?hl=en

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjMB9BBVkL7F4QxUBg_utVLJHPOEBaU6X

Catch up

We first heard from Jeremiah Owen of Hiraeth Ranch, in Episode 12 of the podcast back in March 2019. Since then there have been some good learning opportunities and a few surprises along the way. 

Shearing

This has included his first time helping with shearing. It generated great excitement for all of the family and they took loads of photos – he said it was like being tourists in their own home. The fleece has been harvested safely but the final decision about what to do with it has not been taken. Jeremiah tells me they will do something with it by the end of the year. I think we have all been there.

Breeding

They have also done the matings for next year’s cria due late summer. His children are already impatient about when they will be arriving and it is a long way to go! Are we there yet?

Herd Health

Mites put in an appearance and were promptly dealt with. now they know what to look for it will make it easier to keep on top of. Worming too, where Jeremiah’s approach is to test and treat as needed rather than routinely worm and risk developing resistance in the parasites. A good principle to follow. It is helpful to have made a good link with a veterinarian and to be developing a working relationship with them.

Always Learning

Overall a good year so far and now getting prepared for the colder weather to come – not too severe in his part of California but still a challenge.

Stay safe and keep learning. 

See you again soon.

LINKS

Jeremiah Owen website

Steve Heatherington email – steve@alpacatribe.com

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we consider a road map for keeping alpacas.

Wet days sometimes bring out melancholy - or is that just feeling sorry for myself?

I got a bit wet - no I don’t need a coat - but I did. Thankfully in a moment of sheer brilliance, I had left a spare waterproof coat and baseball cap in the tack room down at the stables - outstanding idea - for just such a moment as this.

I learned early on being here in the valley that you can’t outrun a rain shower, and you will get soaking wet

Think ahead and make your preparations. - Isn’t it great when things work out - when the plan works?

So I am going to celebrate my small win - and enjoy it.

But no complacency, of course - I have to put it back in the tack room for the next time - which was actually this morning. I exchanged a shouted conversation with my wife Sue as she was going up to feed the boys, and I was seeing to the girls. I noticed she wasn’t wearing a coat.

And then I started feeling the drips of some rain coming and saw the glowering rain cloud advancing - as you know, I live by my MetOffice phone app, which keeps me up to date with the weather - it is pretty accurate - for a forecast - it is easy to be even more accurate after the event.

So I finished feeding the girls grabbed the coat and hat, and set off up the hill to deliver them to Sue. It was a reasonably short-lived shower, but having the coat helped a bit - and then she returned them to the tack room for another next time as she made her way back to the house.

Having a plan is a great idea - it can be an excellent way to spend a lot of time creating something that you never need. Theory is theory, and we need something practical and functional.

I have noticed with the alpacas, that sometimes a detailed plan doesn’t quite do the job. What I have needed was more of a road map with some key way markers and the end destination clear to see.

What if we could come up with something like that for your journey with alpacas - what if you could design your own road map?

Where shall we start - begin at the beginning and keep going until the end - so what is the beginning? Where do you want to start or need to start?

1. Is it real?

2. When is the perfect time? - change that to best for you time

3. What needs to be true for this actually to happen? - money, land, decision

What is the endpoint you are trying to get to - the destination on your alpaca road map?

1. Are we there yet? - how will you know? - remember, it is a road map to help you find where you want to go, so be clear enough

2. If you are heading for a breeding herd, you may not want to start with castrated males - but then again, that could be a great low entry bar way of getting started and building your experience. We always knew we wanted to have a reasonably sized herd and started with our five pregnant females. That was us. Where would you start? Where do you want to get to? It could be numbers, show winners, or producing yarn, or having visitors. It is OK to try things along the way - it is an adventure - an alpaca adventure.

3. Your goal is your goal - don’t take on board the hard questions others may ask but don’t automatically discount them either. If it is a sound road map, it will stand up to scrutiny. You have to make the journey, not them. Dire warnings of what awaits and cries of “there be dragons” may come from ignorance, concerned ignorance, but still ignorance - do your research, take advice and make your own decisions.

Once you have worked out where to start and what the destination is, what we need now are some travelling companions. Fellow travellers make the journey easier and quicker (well nearly always).

Make some connections and then keep them. Water the relationships. Make it give and take - help...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I muse on some examples of persistence and how they apply to keeping alpacas.

Sometimes we should keep going, sometimes stop. Often we need to pivot. Find some good sources of support and wisdom to help you make your own decision. Take all of the factors into account.

Just so you know, I am saying you should only stop something if you choose to - not because you think I am telling you to (which I am not).

We do need to be flexible and wise. The future and our alpacas are relying on us.

If you want to read more about the alpaca chromosome research, go here

If you want to see the British Alpaca Society show online - start here

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Marta Kwasniewicz designs and produces beautiful jewellery with alpaca fibre using a range of techniques including Kumihimo the Japanese braiding technique.

Originally from Poland but now living in Norfolk, Marta has developed a range of techniques that she applies to the design and production of jewellery made with alpaca fibre.

The techniques include crocheting, tatting, needle felting and kumihimo (the Japanese braiding technique). Still stretching herself in learning new techniques and applying them to this unique range of jewellery, Marta is working on a new technique – to be revealed soon!

LINKS

http://www.stubbsfarmalpacas.co.uk

Marta Kwasniewicz
Website (takes you to her Etsy shop)

Facebook – great range of posts with pictures

Instagram

Pintrest

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I offer some suggested guidelines for choosing alpacas. If you have any questions, please do let me know.

What do you see when you look at an alpaca?

Some guidelines (not exhaustive)

• Buy the best you can afford - but suitable for your purpose.
• Buy what you like - especially if they are going to be field companions
• buy for the characteristics you need
• do your homework
• think, talk and ask questions
• trust yourself

Some extra questions you may want to ask:

• what has the breeder's experience been with this alpaca?
• what is the breeding history of this alpaca? (if you are planning to breed yourself)
• what is the health history of this alpaca?
• Is the breeder aware of any issues with this alpaca - either recently or in the bloodline?
• If you are looking at buying more than one alpaca, who do they get on with? (they should be in a minimum group of three)

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, noticing something about your alpacas is the first and most important step. But don't rush to conclusions. Most times, we should hold our conclusions lightly until we get more information.

Try to find somewhere to park the question and stay curious. It could be in your head or on your phone.

I like BearApp for this (sorry, Apple ecosystem only) - I can dictate, type, add photos and use hashtags for quick finding and grouping related records for later. What is your favourite?

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Sadly, this week, we lost our herd matriarch, Millie. She has been mentioned on the podcast many times and has been with us for 15 years. Seeing her twice a day for that length of time is a lot of alpaca interaction.

She had an amazing attitude and taught me a lot, including how to avoid being spat at. A clear leader of the herd, she will be missed, and the other girls are now going through the adjustment of grieving and accommodating to the new reality with the gap at the feeding buckets and in leading to the grazing. So glad to have known Millie.

There was a memorable incident when she got stuck in the mud and had to be rescued by the fire brigade. The pictures are on the website (https://alpacatribe.com) and this is the stuck in the mud episode if you want to enjoy it again.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, everyone maybe talking AI - but not everyone is talking Alpaca Intelligence

Join me as I consider the intelligence shown by these amazing creatures.

I also got caught out in the rain and had to shelter while giving breakfast to the girls. Preparation and spontaneity. Why not have a half-hour holiday with your alpacas? But take something to sit on, the ground is wet from that latest shower.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Alpacas are easy to keep - relatively. If it feels like every day is a fight and a challenge - what if it was easy - or at least easier?

Things can be different - different thinking, different doing and different being. You can have success as you build on your experience into the future.

How do you measure success? We need to use the right measure and have the right expectations. We need to be moving forward but it takes time.

What do you need for your alpaca success?

1. INFORMATION - knowing what to do
2. GUIDANCE - knowing how to do it
3. PRACTICE - having a go

What do you want? When do you want it?

Pick your journey and plan the steps to get from here to there - then make a start.

TAKEAWAYS

1. Changing our thinking, doing and being can help give us alpaca success.
2. Ask for help when you need it.
3. Pay it forward - look for someone you could help.

If you only produce a little fleece from your alpacas, it can be more difficult to do something meaningful with it. In this podcast episode, we discuss some ideas and thoughts that might relieve the guilt and bring some definite benefit.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, if you are thinking of keeping alpacas, we suggest you start with what you good at. Consider:

• Where are you?
• Where do you want to go?
• How will you get there?
• Why do you want to keep alpacas?

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

As we celebrate 300 episodes of The Alpaca Tribe Podcast, I have been reflecting back on what I have enjoyed and what you have listened to most. How we started and an invitation to breakfast with the girls seem to have been popular so I wanted to share some clips with you (again if you are a regular).

Thank you for being on the journey with me and for the encouragement you have shared over the 300 episodes. Always happy to hear from you - it makes a big difference and keeps me going.

If you can, go spend some time with some alpacas or even better have breakfast with them.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

There are signs, no really! But we still have some way to go.

Join me on another farm wander with the alpacas considering grazing, sharing the space with birds and wondering about births later in the year.

Here is the second part of my interview with our vet Tamara van Doorn of St James Vet Group. We talked last time about how we can work as a team and get the best from our vets,. In this episode we talk herd health plans and where to point your vet if they need some more technical support.

NADIS - National Animal Disease Information Service

British Veterinary Camelid Society

Claire Whitehead and her ukalpacavet website

While musing on where alpacas come from, my thoughts turned to a recent guest, Suzanna James and her project with the women knotters from Antuata - part of the Awamaki Fair Trade Organisation.

I caught up with Suzanna in a busy week where she has launched a new range of hats - Yura - knitted by the ladies of Antuata with a limited number available for order now.

Visit https://www.suzannajamesknitwear.com/ and sign up for the newsletter to receive information about how to order and support the work of this project.

There is also a quick Corral Catch up with our cria.

A catch up with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas, hearing about the work that has been done on the farm since we spoke (https://alpacatribe.com/podcast50/ )

As well as a lot of fencing, there have been some cria births recently. This inlcuded a difficult birth with a jameed-up leg.

With the advice from her alpaca connections, her partner Anthony and careful persistence, it all worked out well and with the safe arrival of a male cria.

Preaparation, learning and being flexible in the moment - all part of life with alpacas.

https://www.campoverdealpacas.com/

https://www.instagram.com/campoverdealpacas/

https://www.facebook.com/CampoVerdeAlpacas

What is normal ?

Everything has a cause

When you first start with alpacas, it takes you a while to recognise what is normal. This is a learning opportunity - are youdoing the best for your alpacas in the best way? It is what we all aim for and learning what is normal, is a key part of achieving this.

Everything your alpacas do has a reason behind it. In this episode, we consider this and particulalry spitting and moving away from us as we move towards them. How can we encourage good expected behaviour and not create bad behaviours?

Takeaways

1. There is a normal - for alpacas in general and each alpaca individually.
2. Expected behaviour has a cause as does unexpected behaviour.
3. You can help or hinder developing good expected behaviour.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

We want to be confident, fulfilled owners of happy and healthy alpacas. The moving target of what is involved in achieving that continues to entice us to do better.

Good food. Keeping them healthy. And spending time with them. Steps along the way.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Seasons have different sounds - here are some from the valley and house on Christmas day. Happy Holidays.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I explore change, considering how we approach it and the difference between things we have no control over and things we can affect.

World scale changes will affect us, maybe not today or even tomorrow, but soon.

As always, I encourage you to go spend some time with your alpacas and enjoy the moment.

Let me know your thoughts.

The podcasting timeline and where the term podcast came from

https://internationalpodcastday.com/podcasting-history/

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our listeners in the US. We appreciate you and hope you have an outstanding few days.

May your hay store be filled to the brim, your buckets overflow with goodness and sufficiency. May your little ones grow tall and strong and your mothers stay attentive and good milkers. Be well, stay safe and hope to see you again soon.

Happy thanksgiving.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Alpacas have a rhythm and so do we. Sometimes we can get them to coincide.

There are daily rhythms, weekly rhythms and seasonal rhythms.

Rhythms are seen in the way alpacas walk; the growing seasons; the times of alpaca activity - shearing, birthing.

Find the steady gentle rhythms of your alpacas and get in step.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we recognise the need to take a long view of almost everything to do with alpacas. They live a long time for livestock; they have a long gestation; the single cria a year means breeding decisions take a long time before you can judge success and repeat or vary for the next round.

We need to think in seasons and years rather than weeks and months.

It is a different timescale and rhythm but has its advantages.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

The last episode of 2019 and the first of 2020 - this straddles the year and is a great opportunity to look both back and forward.

Alpacas are amazing animals and I love introducing people to them for the first time.

As herd numbers increase the roles get shared out. This year they seemed to be more laid back and happy to spread out rather than be tightly bunched. I am taking this as a good sign!

Spending time with alpacas is never a waste of time - at least in my opinion. The depth and complexity of relationship and interaction warrants study. What are you doing spending all your time sitting in a field with alpacas? I am investigating...

No cria this year as we reset the mating clock to avoid births too late in the year. Next year, June is the month to watch - can't wait.

I wish you well for the coming year 2020. The time of perfect vision. Well, we shall see.

May you have enough of what you need and more of what you would like, together with a break from what you could do without. Ride the bumps in the road. reach for the stars, and be generous with yourself and all those around you. Have a great year.

Hope to see more of you. Remember to subscribe so you don't miss anything; Share the good stuff with others. And leave us a review to encourage us and help other people find us too.

LINKS

Jen Delucia

http://tierraymar.uk/

Hear her in Episode 3

Brian Schieber

Jax and Lovey  (#jaxnlovey)

Hear him in Episode 36

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Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I explore how I think about normal and variations from it. A laid-back summer episode.

Also do go check out this podcast from The Carbon Almanac

https://carbon-sessions.captivate.fm/episodes/1#showEpisodes

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

SHOW NOTES

That Alpaca Question lurks and troubles us - it is different for each of us but we need to find our answer to it.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I talk about how I like to be noticed by my alpacas. I like to think it is more than just bringing the food, but I am not sure. Repetition of the right things will build your confidence.

Experimentation is good - why not try some wet felting - here is a link for a simple tutorial. Go have fun!

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

In part two of my conversation with Marty Mcgee Bennett, we continue exploring how Marty built her knowledge and experience and how she has been teaching camelid owners in clinics and through books and videos.

Marty is to be found on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pintrest but you will find all of the information, links and the way to purchase resources on her website at camelidynamics.com You can also sign up for her newsletter and join the Camelidynamics Guild community.

As we talk about in this episode, there are online courses and a zoom consultation if you need it so Marty can be accessible even during the pandemic.

some key take aways

• balance is the key to everything
• The Camelid Companion book is a great place for new owners to start learning about Camelidynamics
• a catch-pen is essential to be able to work in a small space where the animals feel safe
• history plays a part but the most pointed indicator and influence is current conditions

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, Steve provides a weather forecast, talks about visitors, including a swan and an unidentified goose, and shares observations and reflections about how being around alpacas can help reduce stress and how we, in turn, can reduce stress for them.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

SHOW NOTES

Joe Phelan of K2 Alpacas near Dublin has made great progress in growing his alpaca business - here he shares his journey and approach. He can identify something like 50 different income streams from alpacas.

He spent two years researching before making the jump. Raised in a town he worked on a farm until his mid-teens during school holidays. The more research he did the more he couldn't believe how superior they seemed to be in every area.

From day one they alpacas had to be self-sustaining. He only grows as much as the business allows him to grow.

They are well known for alpaca trekking and presseco but in addition to agri-tourism, fleece products and animals sales play their part.

LINKS

Home - K2Alpacas

Welcome to K2Alpacas - Book your unique and unforgettable Alpaca Trekking Experience

https://k2alpacas.com/

info@k2alpacas.ie

Facebook

Instagram

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we mark the start of the holiday season and wish our listeners in the US a happy Thanksgiving.

With a valley update, I muse on the first frost, the joy of the sun on your back and the need to be more alpaca by being present in the moment and watching out for each other.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Hi Steve here

With most things in life, it is important to get started well and have an idea where you trying to get to. This applies equally to keeping alpacas.

The Alpaca Tribe is for anyone who is passionate about alpacas and through this podcast, we are wanting to particularly help people who have only a few alpacas, or are in the process of considering keeping them. There are a number of issues to consider and things to put in place to allow you to get started in a strong way. More ideas and tips to come in future episodes There are many people who have started the journey ahead of you and it is always good to learn from other people who have navigated the same issues.

We recognise that there are also some people who are passionate about alpacas but are unlikely to ever be in a position to actually own some. The podcast is for you too and we hope you enjoy our talking all things alpaca.

In this episode, I am in conversation with Tanya Russell. She and her fiance Charles, have taken on a ready-made herd of 17 that the previous owner had to disperse but was delighted when she was able to pass them on as a group. It is not possible for everyone to cope with that scale when starting but deep-end learning has its benefits too. We chat through a number of the challenges and delights Tanya has experienced and hopefully, you can gain insight and learn from her journey. How would you feel suddenly being responsible for 17 alpacas for the first time?

An interesting additional dimension is that Tanya is a sculptor specialising in animals large and small in either Bronze Resin or Foundry Bronze. She has exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and RHS Hampton Court, RHS Chatsworth and RHS Cardiff too. Her work is on show at Pashley Manor Gardens, Cotswolds Sculpture Park and Court Robert Arts sculpture garden.
Some of you will be pleased to hear she intends to try her hand at alpacas and that she also undertakes commissions.

Enjoy the conversation.

GUEST INFORMATION - Tanya Russell

Website https://tanyarussell.com/

Facebook @tanyarussellsculpture

I love talking alpacas with alpaca people from around the world - it is so good to learn from each other. Listen in for more discussions with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas near Melbourne, Australia, on showing and shearing.

In another video, Rita managed to catch kangaroos and alpacas co-grazing. I hope the alpacas were not watching too closely as the kangaroo made hopping over the fence look so easy.

Campo Verde Alpacas

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Happy holidays to one and all.

The gift of keeping alpacas is amazing and lasts all year. How can we give back? What can we get better at? How do we do it? Being intentional is a great place to start. Plan to build on what you are already good at, or things you need to improve or add into your repertoire.

Next year could be a great step forward if we approach it with intention.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I am wondering about how the extraordinary is there with us just beyond the ordinary. Let the alpacas teach you to notice. Thank you Olwena (the large brown female alpaca with amazing eyes).

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

The clocks go back, the leaves fall, the nights draw in and there is mud everywhere. Looking at the alpacas you can tell it is autumn.

What was it that caught your attention when you saw your first alpaca? the mutual watching always makes me smile - in fact, a lot of things alpacas do make me smile.

We seem to have switched seasons here in the UK. What are some of the things we should be thinking of and preparing for?

Season Change Tips

1. Have you got what you need? - Supplies of Vitamin AD&E Paste; hay; protective coats to support elderly or sick alpacas through the winter.
2. Check your alpaca's feet, given all of the wet and muddy weather.
3. Trim fringes where necessary.
4. Check body scores for each animal and record the results - more difficult to see just by looking as the fleece is growing longer.

Welsh Alpaca Show

A successful inaugrual show with around 70 alpaca entries in the different classes and more than 1,000 visitors. Included many stalls and displays including:

From Fleece to Finish - Sue Miller

facebook.com/fleecetofinish

fromfleecetofinish.etsy.com

Bird Farm Alpacas - Emma Bird

http://www.birdfarmalpacas.com

Author - W John Davies

wdavies238@btinternet.com

Farming for better profitability - ISBN 978-0-9932541-0-9

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Feeding the boys on a glorious autumn (fall) day. Between storms, but the alpacas don't seem to mind. The sunlight shows off some of the long hairs around the eyes and ears. Glad I didn't take them all off at shearing time.

Are you ready for the next storm? It seems to be that time of year.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we look at 'normal' alpaca behaviour - starting with their queuing.

The RSPCA Five Freedoms and Five Domains give us some pointers about how we can ensure we care for our animals in the best way. Let me know if you come up with any good ideas for extra things we can do for our alpacas.

Good news - the Canada Geese' eggs have hatched (3).

Reducing numbers of horse-flies the hard way but we keep trying.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Listen in to this episode as I consider expectations.

Everyone has expectations including you and your alpacas. What we do and how can affect them every time. Build your alpacas' expectations of you being a safe person. Plan your interactions to create good, and appropriate expectations for yourself. From my experience thngs cost 1/3 more than we would like them too and always take longer to complete.

If you can, go spend some time with your alpacas and get into step with alpaca pace.,

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

In this episode you will hear about the arrival of our first two cria this year and the names we chose for them.

Angharad daughter of Betsi weighed in at 8 kg and is strong and doing well. Her mother, Betsi still grumbles and calls the cria away whenever she sees me (normal for her) but is starting to settle more quickly than previous occasions.

Amelia broke her streak of boys by giving birth to her first daughter. Beautifully white and 6.5 kg for which I am sure Amelia as a smaller, more compact alpaca was very grateful.

The preparation pays off and even though you are waiting, the alpacas are not in a hurry and the cria will arrive when they are ready.

I hope your birthing season goes well and I will let you know more news next time.

Thanks for being here and please do share the podcast with someone you know who you think will enjoy it too.

Speakpipe for leaving a voice message

Podchaser for leaving a rating and review

Julia Berry and her husband started with 4 pregnant female alpacas and now have a herd of 23. Not completely satisfied with the results of someone else spinning her fleece into yarn, Julia decided to learn how to do it herself. She has always loved crafting and delights in the soft buttery feel of alpaca fleece as it is being worked.

People sometimes reject alpaca fleece as unsuitable for their needs but Julia believes that can be due to being sold less than top quality fibre. It is now part of her mission to educate alpaca owners and the general public about how to make the experience of working with alpaca fleece a delight.

As part of the West Shires Alpaca Group (with 35 alpaca farms as members), she has been involved in running workshops on 'getting the fleece' and making the most of it. As part of The Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern, 14-16th June, the group will be holding a craft show for items made from alpaca fleece. Applications still open until 1st June, so get your skates on!

Julia Berry at Apple Cross Alpacas

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

There are many things we can be thankful for. For me, alpacas are definitely high on the list.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate it. May we know more love, peace, and joy in the coming days and into 2024.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

The watchers become the watched.

In this episode I share a few stories that illustrate how alpacas pay close attention to us and if we do the same we can let them teach us where we are going wrong and how we can improve as we interact with them.

What is your greatest lesson an alpaca has taught you?

Let me know through by sending me a voice message using the button on the website or here:
Send me a voice message

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I sit in the sun and think alpacas, and swans, and herons and the rest.

No one ready for breakfast when I first went down to feed them - no one at home. But they heard me and came ready for clearing the troughs. Cold mornings make for hungry alpacas.

Birds about today on a beautiful, clear, bright, sunny, still day with low sun. Ravens have a lovely call.

Watch what is going on in your place and your season. Spend some time with your alpacas if you can and breathe...

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

We ran our first Farm Open Day a few weeks after we had our alpacas arrive. Our faithful friends were interested in seeing them and we were happy to share our delightful new arrivals. We have learnt a lot over the years - mostly how to do it better - here Steve Heatherington shares some of that hard-won experience to hopefully help you get a good start, if you are thinking of having your own Open Day.

SCALE

• What is the maximum number of people you can cope with at one time?
• How many cars can park safely and get in/out?
• Make sure you have enough helpers - and some spares
• Limit numbers by having tickets - decide if, and how much you will charge

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Health and Safety - do your risk assessments and put things in place to keep visitors safe.
• Insurance - you will need Public Liability insurance and keep within any restrictions they impose.
• Security - house and workshops or stores

WELFARE

• People - toilets, handwashing facilities; access for people with disabilities
• Animal - as stress free as possible; no dogs

OFFERINGS

• products
• payments (cash or card)
• selling animals - not easy to do on a farm open day; collect contact details and arrange for another time
• refreshments - decide extent and price
• demos
• feeding the alpacas

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

• social media (including paid adverts?)
• signs to make you easy to find
• banners and information signs

CONTINGENCIES

• weather (too hot; too wet)
• disasters and cancellation policy

PACKING UP

• returning to normal
• take signs down
• feed yourself and the alpacas

LINKS

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk
Eventbrite - Discover Great Events or Create Your Own & Sell Tickets (NB other providers available)

https://squareup.com
Take card payments with Square and get fast deposits, low rates, simple to use point of sale software, dedicated support and powerful eCommerce tools.
(Note: other providers available)

https://farmsunday.org/
Homepage - Open Farm Sunday

OPEN FARM SUNDAY INFO PACK - very good resource

https://farmsunday.org/uploads/homepage-slides/2019-LOFS-Information-Pack-FINAL.pdf

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, the air was still and the valley was quiet. The alpacas were waiting for breakfast. What a great start to the day.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Be prepared physically and mentally

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

We are done dusted, and the alpacas looked pretty polished, even if I say so myself.

They are in good shape this year and, most of the time, appreciate being free of their fleece. It is a significant undertaking but important for their welfare. It is also a harvest of their produce (fibre), and we gathered a lot this year.

There are a few - in the process of shearing - photos on the website at https://alpacatribe.com if you want to check them out.

Stay well, cool and not far from an alpaca.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I offer you three things you can do to help you thrive. The good news is they will also help your alpacas.

1. Find somewhere to sit.
2. Be clear about what you want.
3. Stay connected.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

For many, keeping alpacas is a lifestyle choice and a foray into a more rural and slower-paced existence. For all of us, it introduces regular alpaca-smiles into our lives. Whenever you get a chance, spend some time with an alpaca.

With an alpaca business, sometimes you get lucky with positioning or timing and can make your alpaca business work smoothly and naturally with great rewards. For most of us mere mortals, we have to employ hard work, which is fine, as long as you know that's what you are signing up for. Being deliberate and intentional about what you are doing, whatever it is, brings progress and rewards.

This morning as I was feeding my group of girls, I was aware of how they were responding — mainly standing around watching.

video of alpacas

They were standing around watching because I was mucking out before feeding them. I usually do this - it seems like a good idea to clear the decks. And while they hold their ground, they do look at me slightly suspiciously when I have a brush in my hand. More so as I start moving the wheelbarrow, but - many of them now allow me to sweep near their feet without flinching. Sometimes they are in the way.

What is going on here is a balance between threat and treat. The alpacas want their food and know that it is coming and so will tolerate a certain level of Potential Threat to be sure they do not miss out on their share of the food.

Regularly my alpacas' experience has been that I have provided the promised food - much more often than fulfilling any threat. 

What is your experience when you are around alpacas? - do they trust you? - a simple example is that moving steadily with purpose is better than creeping around and making sudden movements. Do they stand their ground watching you with interest, or is that a hint of panic you see in their eyes?

Do they know what you are doing? Do they know what to expect? Have you got 'positive history' in the bank? It is worth making regular investments in that savings account.

Repetition is an essential part of learning, and whether you realise it or not, they are learning from you every day — familiarity breeds confidence (as well as that other thing). Confidence in both you and in them.

My reflection this morning as I carried out my daily chores was that I was missing an opportunity. If I became more intentional, could I build something positive with this repetition? Regular small steps to make progress.

To be intentional, I would need to have a plan, a purpose and some goals - goals that were small, attainable and part of growth or development.

Progress goes in a Cycle - with reflecting; revising, and; repeating - the more you do something, the better it gets - at least it will get better if you are doing the reflect, revise and repeat parts. Don't get good at doing the wrong thing.

It is your mindset that will make the most significant difference here - taking the lifetime-learner approach.

• It makes a difference to your situation as you learn
• You can have a fixed or flexible mindset - you never know what is coming next with alpacas, so a flexible and resilient approach will serve you well.
• Think about what you have and what you need and start creating that mindset for your future. Today is always a good day to start.

Basics of mucking out

1. Wear gloves
2. Always wear wellies
3. Learn to use a broom - for those who need some help (and a smile) watch this video
4. Combine with the brush a light wide shovel, like this

TAKEAWAYS

1. You are not on your own - look for connections
2. Be intentional - use daily chores as opportunities
3. Keep learning

LINKS

Alpacas know what you are saying by the way that you say it. They may not understand your language but they can pick up on intent. Learn to talk to your alpacas nicely.

In this episode, Steve talks with his wife Sue about their experience of talking to alpacas.

Using the right words for the context means you will convey the emotional intent of calming and reassuring your alpacas that you are a safe person to be around.

Practice and also take note of how they communicate with each other. Develop ways of calling them eg for food - just pick something you are happy to shout out loud!

This episode is with a lovely artist from Tennessee who happens to have the surname of Llamas - (pronounced Ya-mass in Spanish - listen here). Kristin Llamas began with an art project to link people's names to paintings of llamas - the Spanish for "what is your name" is ¿Como te llamas? - so the play on words all came together delightfully and resulted in many paintings of both llamas and alpacas plus a book - available through all good book stores. (This link is via Barnes and Noble)

The initial call for names for the project only needed 20 but within no time it was 100 and continued to increase. It seemed to hit a nerve - do you like your name and feel connected to it? Which llama or alpaca painting goes with your name? You will have to check out Kristin's website to find the answer or maybe even buy the book - it will be Christmas soon I am sure, or your birthday, or maybe there is a Wednesday coming up soon?

Kristin has been painting on large canvases in acrylic paint but to avoid the ever-increasing storage issues she has now progressed to using her iPad and an Apple pencil. I love the style and the essence of llama and alpaca she seems to capture.

Nashville buses had a large scale wrap of llamas and alpacas - that would have been something to see. And murals too...

Websites

• https://llamasart.com/
• https://www.kllamas.com/

Instagram

• https://www.instagram.com/llamasartshow/?hl=en
• https://www.instagram.com/kllamasart/?hl=en

#oneHerd

So, alpaca feet are a little different. They have two toes and they have long nails associated with those toes. And then the toes kind of merge into a little bit of web, but it merges into a flat, but fleshy pad, quite like a dog's paw,

It's quite distinct. There's nothing quite like it. It's not like a sheep's foot where you have the hard hoof, so these are soft.

They spread the weight. Now, occasionally you'll get stood on - no fairly regularly you'll get stood on. So you'll feel the weight of the alpaca. And you'll be glad that they've got a soft foot. It's still quite heavy and still quite a definite feeling through your Wellington boots or whatever you're wearing.

The other thing is that you will occasionally get caught with a kick. If you're standing in the wrong place at the wrong time, then the leg flies back and you get caught. The advantage, therefore of it being a pad is that you don't get as much damage. It's still gonna end up bruised.

It will bruise, but it's not as much physical damage as you could get from a hoof, from a horse or a cow or even a sheep.

So yeah, the question then is. How to look after them. I guess sometimes you notice there's a slight limp or something. Sometimes it's a physical injury of the leg rather than the foot, but sometimes there's a problem because they are soft fleshy, quite tough though, but they can get a thorn or something, or a cut, which gives an infection in the foot. So that's something to watch out for.

The other thing big thing really to watch out for is between the toes. It can become a bit of a trap point for mud, for grass seeds, for bits and pieces, but also it's quite closed in and therefore it can be kind of moist.

So you kind of get a bit fungal growth there. You can get a bit of other stuff going on and it's just a bit smelly, horrible, So occasionally you might need to give a bit of a clean, but it'll wash out. I tend to use an antiseptic cleaning solution. Called Hibiscrub, which is both strong enough and gently enough and can be diluted as necessary. It's also worth checking for any signs of mites here.

Of course, the default position is going to be that they don't really want you picking up their feet and examining them. So you may need to do some desensitizing work here, which is kind of taking hold gradually, getting them familiar with being touched and with you lifting a foot.

So be careful and work slowly. I think that's probably my best advice on that one.

Going back to when we started and that first seeing of a footprint, do you know, it still gives me a lovely sense of satisfaction to see alpaca footprints around. I just love it.

So do give them a check-out don't overdo it and don't force them but do give them a checkout.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we will be thinking about what success means to us.

It could be the first time you do something, the repeats that increase your skill, or it could be consistency over time. Success means different things to different people and also over time.

The Carbon Almanac is going to be an amazing printed resource for people who care about the planet and all life on it, including alpacas. To be published soon - paper supplies permitting. Meanwhile, there are downloadable resources and four different podcasts to listen to. I have included the trailer to the kids' podcast, Generation Carbon. I hope you enjoy them and decide to go check them out for yourself and also share them with others.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Having covered alpaca behaviour last time with Marty McGee Bennet of Camelidynamics, we should know everything about 'our' alpacas and understand them perfectly. But they still bring some surprises to our everyday living with alpacas.

I have been supervising some matings here on the farm and it is a complex set of behaviours to fully understand. On this occasion, we had some 'run-off' tests as well as 'spit-off's'.

Nearly done for the year with the matings, Autumn has made an appearance so thoughts must turn to ensure our animals are sufficiently protected from the weather and to take the opportunity to review our alpaca health plan.

I recently discussed with Tanya Russell how she has been developing her own skills in faecal testing before worming her alpacas.

There are services available to carry out tests, which may include your vet but it should be the right test, which is widely recommended to be the Modified Stoll's test in the case of alpacas.

See https://www.ukalpacavet.com/laboratory-services/faecal-testing/

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Good decisions are made when we balance head and heart. Not in equal measure but by taking both into account. Most of us favour one or the other, so reflect on how you tend to do this, before making big decisions like "should I keep alpacas?"

If you want to consider that question in more detail, check out Episode 189 "Things to think about before keeping alpacas"

Stay warm.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Seasons come and go - the sign of growing older is said to be that everything speeds up. Maybe, but 2020 has been an unusual slow-fast year, very variable.

I finished off the pen-matings for this year and this episode is an update and reflection on the process.

Did you know that alpacas have a reverse gear? And that they are star-gazers by nature. At least this has been my experience.

Hannah Williams started 7 years ago with 3 castrated male alpacas but with a year she was buying females and began breeding and currently has a herd of 36. Experienced in farming she discovered alpacas are similar but different from other livestock and are both delightful and rewarding. She sells pet boys and breeding stock and has developed the use of the fleece, selling crochet kits among other things to allow people to see what can be done with the amazing fleece from alpacas. A passionate no-nonsense breeder who loves to help other owners. Learn from her journey and see what could be possible for you.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Building cooperation comes by building trust. Being trustworthy to your alpacas is a worthwhile investment even if it takes time and effort.

Start with the simple and take small steps and you can grow your alpacas' confidence in you - and also your own confidence in you. A clear win-win.

Leading is different to managing. I vote for leading - listen in to find out why.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we have an update from the valley and see how the questions from last time apply beyond alpacas.

1. What do I see?
2. What does it mean?
3. What do I do about it?

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I resume my conversation with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. It is incredible how much is the same even at the other end of the world.

We talk about climate change and being responsible and knowing when to intervene and when to try to restore balance a little. And spider webs in the home!

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

I have adjusted the old saying to "shear alpacas while the sun shines". We have started - listen in for an update.

Sometimes I would like to speak alpaca but some of our alpacas made their feelings known and it is probably just as well I did not understand what they were saying in detail. I think we are friends again now!

The sound of the shears gets in your head and I have even started dreaming about shearing! Still, it is only a short phase. We will all be happy when we finish but the sunny weather definitely makes it easier.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

It is so easy to get excited about the thought of keeping alpacas, but what does it really take and are you right to be thinking about it?

Maybe, but let me see if I can put you off first. There is more to it than you might think!

We can get sentimental about the idea of keeping alpacas, understandably, given that they are such amazing creatures. However, we need to ask ourselves some serious questions first.

Have you got space?

• space for grazing and housing etc.
• space in your already busy life
• space in your bank account

Issues to consider:

1. Cost - can you afford to start and keep going?
2. Commitment - they can live 20 or even 25 years
3. Consistency - can you be there every day?

Be sure

Plan and answer the big questions.

If I haven't put you off, I hope you will love keeping them.

Go spend some time with an alpaca.

So here we are at episode 100 on a journey of almost two years.

It has been a great journey and I am delighted you have been with me for some or all of it. Thank you.

I am also very grateful for the many guests we have had during that time, who have added their voices to the varied subjects we have covered. Join me in this special episode as I select some great contributions and share them with you again.

TIMESTAMPS

Start playing and then use the links below to jump to the place you want to listen

[00:00] Music intro

[00:25] intro

[01:27] valley sounds

[04:21] start of clips

[04:36] Jen Delucia

[05:05] Marta Kwasniewicz

[06:24] Catherine Price

[09:27] Victoria Barrett

[10:05] Bridget Tibbs

[10:47] Hannah Williams

[12:50] Julia Berry

[13:17] SteveH 

[15:45] Rita Soares

[16:10] Joe Phelan

[16:57] Rita Soares

[18:26] Jeremiah Owen

[20:05] Kris Cody

[22:27] Marty McGee Bennett

Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas is an old friend of the Alpaca Tribe. Listen in as Steve and Rita talk alpacas, particularly how life with alpacas is developing having started with four and grown to 35! Be warned, it happens sometimes that alpacas can grow to be a bigger part of your life than you first expected, especially if you have the 'alpaca gene'.

We also talked births and weaning; fences to keep dogs out; kangaroos and geese and taking bad pictures in case you don't get one at all.

They talked so much we have Part 2 coming up next time.

Here are some other episodes you may enjoy that were mentioned in the interview

What motivates behaviour in your alpacas? Could Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs help us identify some of what is happening?

Physiological needs are the basic motivators. This includes: breathing; eating; drinking; sex; sleep; relaxation; and movement. You can immediately see how this can be applied to alpacas.

Grazing demonstrates how alpacas can be moivated to seek out certain types of grass and avoid others (such as around the dung piles).

The urge to reproduce is seen in both male and female alpacas.

When doing something you do not normally do with the alpacas, think carefully about unintended outcomes!

The next level of needs after physiological are: safety; order; stability; health; and protection.

Key Take Aways

1. Alpacas are not human but do have a psychological dimension.
2. It is helpful to consider Maslow's Hierarchy of needs and motivations to help us identify why our alpacas do what they do.
3. It also heps us care for them appropriately by providing their basic needs 'alpaca-style'.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments, either below, by emailing steve@alpacatribe.com or using the speakpipe link to leave a voice message.

https://www.speakpipe.com/AlpacaTribe

LINKS

What is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? a motivation theory | ToolsHero

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory about five hierarchical levels of human needs, presented in a pyramid shaped model.

https://www.toolshero.com/psychology/hierarchy-of-needs-maslow/

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, Changing tack when sailing allows us to take advantage of the wind. How do you know when to tack?

I share some thoughts about making decisions and factors that can influence it. There is also an update on happenings in the valley. Listen in, you are most welcome.

Alpaca Feed

We are now using the vitality alpaca mix from Waterhouse Feeds and are very pleased with it and at how much our alpacas seem to like it. Worth considering if you are in the UK.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Challenge and the unknown for us all. If we are kind to ourselves and take care of ourseleves we will be in a better place to care for others who rely on us, not least our alpacas.

There are signs of a chnge of season and some checks we can usefully be making  on the alpacas - feet, eyes and fleece.

If you get the chnace - spend time with your alpacas in the sun.

Take care, SteveH

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we talk about finishing the shearing for the whole herd. So welcome!

Learning as always - about the alpacas, individually and collectively. Learning about ourselves. Confidence and clarity. Preparation and mindset. It all works in together.

What does success look like to you? Moving target, so take the small wins and let them build together to make progress.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I am thinking about how we live in the in-between. Between holidays, extreme weather and what may be coming in 2023. We do what we can, what we need to, and plan for better times - though for many it is too early for planning for better times, we just hope for better times.

I have also included a clip from a Carbon Sessions episode from the Carbon Almanac Collective, a project I am involved in. Here I am part of a roundtable talking about climate and weather.

Take care, and see you next year!

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I muse on some of the realities we face when we choose to live with alpacas. I am not trying to put you off, well, only a little. But, I do want you to avoid having an unrealistic, romantic notion of what is will be like.

If you already have alpacas, you already know they bring highs and lows - joy and sorrow. But I wouldn't be without them.

If you can, go spend some time with some alpacas, and breathe.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, two of my favourite things are seasons and noticing. When we notice something, we need to hold it long enough, until we are sure.

We seem to be changing seasons. Yellow leaves dropping from the trees - or is it just from the heat wave a few weeks ago? The brambles seem to be confused and are producing new flowers and fruit at the same time - at least near each other, even if not on the same plant. There are also other flowers returning to the summer stage for a quick reprise. What is going on?

What are you noticing? What are you noticing with your alpacas?

Don't get caught out as I did with Alys.

When we notice something, we need to hold it long enough until it makes sense and we know how to interpret it. Keep noticing. Keep holding.

If you can, grab a chair and go sit in the field with your alpacas. It is a wonderful way to end the summer.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I make suggestions about using the low-ebb time of winter when the vegetation has died back, you can see the fences and the weeds and catch up on some maintenance.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

You can listen to podcasts in so many places - where is your favourite place to listen to the Alpaca Tribe podcast?

I recently had some feedback from Muninn from Oregon who wanted to know how many alpacas are needed to make a financially viable business. Good question but unfortunately there is not a simple out of the box answer suitable for everyone.

Initial investment can be high if you aim for top quality animals and jump-start the size of the herd. Where you start depends as always on where you trying to get to. For example, let's consider a breeding herd and sales of alpacas.

If you had say 20 breeding females and assume equal numbers of male/female cria you could have three groups of males and females to sell each year. Do you know the average values of pet males in your area? You could end up with only a few thousand pounds/dollars. The females maybe 10,000. Half of that could be swallowed by cost such as feed; vet and medicine bills; maintenance of land and equipment; shearing; registrations; transport etc.

Other income streams can be added such as fleece (from raw to finished product); services; training; shearing; composted alpaca dung; experiences and other tourism-related activities.

Good news - you can start small and cheap.

Bad news - cost of starting large is high.

TAKE AWAYS

1. Setting up an alpaca business need plenty of planning and preparation
2. It may not bring quick or large returns.
3. Diversification is really helpful.

Joe Phelan of K2 Alpacas talked about his business growth in Episodes 42 and 43 - well worth another listen

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Today was a weather day with a bit of everything. Very Spring-like. What kind of weather protection do alpacas need?

In addition to field shelters, natural shelter-belt from trees and bushes are really helpful. Protection is needed from the rain/wind/sun.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

We tell ourselves stories - of who we are and what we can do, or can't. Some are true but not all. Alpacas tell themselves stories about us too. Whether we are safe to be around. Whether we can be trusted. Whether we are unpredictable.

Alpacas don't like to be rushed and they don't like surprises. We can help write their 'story-book' with simple small steps of good experiences. It is worth the time and effort.

Look out for the bonus episode - Goldilocks and the three bears.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I went in search of Normal and found it in Illinois!

Alpacas here are mostly normal but we did have a visitor who left the gate open and the alpacas free to wander off down the road. No damage done.

Have a listen to my musings and if you can, go spend some time with your own alpacas watching out for normal.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Could I keep alpacas?

Seen alpacas and think you would like some of your own? You need to know what is involved and the questions you should answer before buying an alpaca.

1. Have you got enough? money; land; knowledge; capacity
2. Business or hobby?
3. Large or small?
4. Breeding or pets?
5. Will you show them?

Looking from another perspective:

• Why do you want alpacas?
• Who will you get them from?
• What kind will you get?
• Where will you keep them?
• When will you get them?

Take your time and connect with the right people and knowledge. Take a training course. Get the right equipment. You need to plan and prepare for success in keeping alpacas.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, Steve continues his conversation with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. They talk about their experience as small breeders in Australia and the UK with its contrasts and similarities.

They discuss the state of the alpaca industry in Australia. They talk about the growth and stability of the industry, the challenges faced by breeders, the impact of COVID-19 on alpaca shows, the shift in exporting alpacas to Asia, and the difficulties in making a profit from alpaca fibre. They also highlight the importance of focusing on animal welfare and handling skills, the differences between small hobby owners and large-scale breeders, and the dreams and realistic expectations of alpaca ownership.

What we give our attention to changes over time, which is to be expected and anticipated. Give yourself to the things that you need to for the season you are in.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I muse on three things that will make living with alpacas easier - there is no easy.

1. Do the right hard work.
2. Keep going.
3. Think like an Alpaca

I also considered click-bait and how to avoid it - not sure I succeeded.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, we are thinking about how ordinary and extraordinary days can both start looking the same. But keep your eyes open, you never know when the extraordinary is going to show up and surprise and delight.

Frequently around cria birthing time, I have found this to be true.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Into Autumn in the UK you start to ask yourself, why are we keeping alpacas? I can think of lots of reasons - here are five.

1. You have 'the alpaca gene' and can't not keep alpacas. Not a real gene - it just feels like it.
2. Stock sales - breeding stock or pets.
3. The grand plan - lifestyle choice and making a living. Challenging and hard work but in normal times possible.
4. Fleece - the delight of the premier alpaca product. It is what alpacas are for.
5. Sharing them with others - through farm visits and things like walking with alpacas.

Listen in for more details and a round-up of the happenings in the valley. Especially an update on little Wenna and the other cria. The geese even make a return - just visiting.

Go spend some time with an alpaca - if you can.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Join me in the valley for a sit in the cold and some breakfast with the girls.

It might not be the best time of year in the UK for sitting outside. If you get some surprise winter sun do take advantage of it.

New Year encourages some philosophical reflection but sometimes unreality. What small things can we do today that will have longer-term benefits for you, your alpacas and the planet? Decide which trend you want to lean towards. It takes time but it is worth it.

Check out the Carbon Almanac website and Carbon Sessions Podcast

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Observations from the Alpaca Farm: Morning Rituals and Seasonal Changes

In this episode of the Alpaca Tribe podcast, host Steve Hetherington talks through his routines and experiences on an early, frosty morning.

Steve shares his breakfast feeding routine with the alpacas, contemplates the weight of the feed bag and reflects on the peculiarities of the day, warning listeners about life's unexpected abnormalities.

Steve revels in the seasonal changes, namely, the cold weather and frost, which he appreciates for their role in curbing parasites. He comments on the ascetic details of being out on a quiet, cold, frosty farm, and the peculiar behaviours of the alpacas, the birds, and a resident swan.

Steve also emphasizes the importance of being observant, and asks listeners to reflect on what they notice in their surroundings, and how that affects their actions.

The podcast wraps up with some pointers about seasonal preparation and maintenance to face the winter, including looking after running repairs, feeds, and fences. Steve prompts listeners to make their own shortlists of things to accomplish in the coming week.

00:01 Introduction to the Alpaca Podcast

00:36 Breakfast Time with Alpacas

01:35 Observations and Reflections

01:56 Alpaca Feeding and Weather Conditions

02:49 Noticing the Surroundings

06:47 Seasonal Changes and Preparations

09:01 Maintenance Tasks for Alpaca Owners

11:48 Observing Wildlife Around Alpacas

13:42 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, a brief update on what's happening in the valley - snow features quite highly - mainly because of its rarity and surprising nature.

Plus, hear about our new vet and unloading a feed delivery.

Also, a shout-out to our listeners in Norway - I appreciate you listening; thanks to our old vets St James; and to Kris Cody and the team at https://www.pakaapparel.com/.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Happy holidays to all listeners of the Alpaca Tribe podcast - see you again soon.

Peace to you and yours.

Happy Christmas!

And as we say in Wales - Nadolig Llawen!

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I give a valley update, talk about what spooked the girls and what we can do about it and consider how we move forward in our experience of keeping alpacas by increasing traction and reducing friction.

• A CAMELIDynamics Virtual Conference - 2-day virtual conference with amazing guest speakers and camelid focussed knowledge.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I notice that time runs differently depending on your perspective.

Here we have valley time, farm time and of course, alpaca time! You won't be surprised to learn that alpaca time is my favourite. What about you?

As the clocks are about to go back, it made me think about the different times we run to.

The valley gives a particular perspective and has its own rhythm. How the sun arrives and reveals itself is different to living on the flat or even the top of a hill. As well as the sun coming down in the morning (listen to the podcast for an explanation) we lose the sun earlier in the day. Seasons bring treasures such as the waking up of spring and the settling down to sleep of fall.

Farm time is related but different with an emphasis on the production cycle - when the grass starts growing and for how long, the hay season and the jobs that we do each year.

Apaca time is slightly different and involves their pace and rhythm. They definitely are hearing a different drum to most of us. Fascinating.

My favorite is alpac time - so, if you can, go spend some time with your alpacas, or find some to visit.

Enjoy the extra hour and whatever you are able to do with it.

S

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.

If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works, which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd

Change is the one constant. Join me on the alpaca feeding round on a wet late-winter afternoon.

For basic equipment like troughs and buckets, investing in some long-lasting ones will serve you well.

Take care of yourself.