On May 30th Wharncliffe will be holding a production sale at Crabtree in conjunction with Mossvale Alpacas. Over 30 animals will be available which will cater to a range of interests. There are healthy happy pets, low-risk girls for hobby breeders and quality females for those interested in building a fine black herd. Females related or pregnant to Champion Wharncliffe Casanova are available. Email alison@wharncliffe.com.au to request the Catalogue to be emailed to you.

In March 09, Wharncliffe embarked on an Embryo Transfer programme with Mossvale alpacas under the supervision of internationally respected Vet Dr. Jane Vaughan who developed the protocol. Ours was a small programme - we’re a small stud! - but the cria that have arrived are a great boost to the quality of this year’s drop. It will be interesting to watch them develop over the next few months. These cria combine the bloodlines of two sought-after Peruvian males. Females carrying Peruvian genetics will be available at our upcoming sale in late May.

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. This is a wonderful opportunity and alpaca/llama owners should call Alison on 0438297147 or email to register their interest in attending.

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.

The main show season has finished and Wharncliffe boys Mahler and Casanova are glad to be back in the paddock. The final event was at Huon in mid-November where each won his age class as they did at the Burnie Show and at the Royal Launceston Show a week later. Casanova was awarded Reserve Champion Senior Male and Best Black at both Royals and Huon.  The Launceston judge commented on Casanova’s ability to stand comparison with the white animals and Kylie Martin at the Royal Hobart said he was one of the best blacks she has seen. This is the 3rd year in succession that Casanova has won Best Black at Hobart and Huon was his 6th Best Black award.

Wharncliffe Casanova was awarded 1st in class at the 2008 Wynyard Focus on Fleece.