The AAA Tas Region held a workshop in June for people contemplating the purchase of alpacas, or who have recently acquired some. All aspects of selection, farm planning and handling/husbandry were covered. Feedback was positive although one participant commented there was”nothing like getting practical experience on-farm with an experienced breeder.”
For those interested in developing a quality black herd, there are young males with stud potential available as well as females mated to outstanding National quality herdsires. Great mums for hobby breeding and several weanling females are included. We offer well-priced packages for a risk-free entry to alpaca breeding at hobby or advanced levels.
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Email alison@wharncliffe.com.au
Two of our ET cria were shown in 2010, one at the Royal Hobart and another at the Huon Show. Wharncliffe Chieftain ET won a Reserve Championship at Hobart and Wharncliffe Chevalier took Best Black at the Huon Show. These two little chaps are almost interchangeable peas in a pod. Being able to rely on a consistent outcome of quality is one of our breeding goals. The ET cria and “natural” cria from the same parents are helping us on our way to achieving this goal. 
In March 09, Wharncliffe embarked on an Embryo Transfer programme with Mossvale alpacas under the supervision of internationally respected Vet Dr. Jane Vaughan. Although a small programme, the cria that have arrived are a great boost to the quality of this year’s drop. These cria combine the bloodlines of two sought-after Peruvian males.
Wharncliffe Casanova was shown at the National Show in Adelaide last weekend. Judging by Wendy Billington and Amanda vanden Bosch was rigorous, so Casanova’s second place was a good result, recognising his quality amongst the 650 entries.
This year, Wharncliffe has facilitated a series of workshops in conjunction with another southern Tasmanian stud. A well-attended seminar for industry entrants was followed by a cria handling morning and a talk by Elizabeth Paul on the topic of rickets and Vit D deficiency. World-renowned alpaca trainer Marty McGee Bennett will present a two-day workshop near Hobart in early April.
3 Wharncliffe-bred animals won Blue Ribbons at Burnie Show yesterday. Casanova’s 8 month old daughter Evette is the first of his offspring to be shown. She has a fine, dense fleece with an outstandingly soft handle. Like Casanova, Evette has a heavy frame and excellent coverage. The third winner, Eliza, is one of Casanova’s half-sisters. Casanova himself was awarded Reserve Championship (Snr Male) against some excellent white/light fawns as well as Best Black, his 9th Best or Supreme Black award.
Wharncliffe Casanova entered and won the 30+months section at last month’s Colourbration event at Bendigo. Casanova has had a successful show career in Tasmania but it is good to benchmark one’s animals against a big pool of animals. The Victorian Colourbration is the 3rd biggest Show in the country, with 450 entries overall and 66 in the black show. Casanova stood up well at nearly 4 years old, holding his fineness and fleece characteristics.
Wharncliffe Casanova won Supreme Black Huacaya in both the Fleece and Led classes at the Wynyard Colourbration Show yesterday. Judged by Angela Preuss, the depth of the Wharncliffe herd was demonstrated by our animals winning every class entered, with 4 of the 6 animals in the Supreme lineup being from Wharncliffe. In the 6-12 month fleece class, 3 girls sired by Canchones Hallmark took 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a class of 8.
On December 10th, we were sad to hear that Aymara Talisman had died at the age of 16.
Tali about to be shorn '03
One of the great black sires and a huge character, Talisman epitomised South American machismo. No-one who handled him will ever forget how Tali would prance and trip his way towards the girls, always keen. Travelling between WA and Ballarat for a number of years, Tali was with us at Wharncliffe before moving to the Yarra Valley where he worked with great enthusiasm until very recently. Talisman contributed his excellent conformation and lustrous blue-blackness to his many cria. A wonderful old boy who is very much missed.