Photo and Artwork by Valerie Newell of The Green Alpaca

The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) is giving alpaca breeders something to celebrate this holiday season!

Through AOBA’s public relations efforts, a press release was distributed to the media highlighting alpacas as a green business. As a result, Alpacas are being featured as the perfect green livestock on a syndicated television special called “It’s a Green Christmas.” This is one of the largest exposures of alpacas to the general public to date.  Being shown in over 120 television markets, this segment is worth over $200,000 in television air time.

The one hour show features a variety of ecologically beneficial businesses and products.  Alpacas are highlighted for over 3 minutes as an all around environmentally friendly livestock.  Alpacas are discussed as being easy on the land and efficient users of food with highly desired manure.

Showcasing the alpaca industry is video footage from AOBA’s National Conferences including models wearing beautiful alpaca fashions on the runway, fleece competition judging, individuals spinning alpaca fiber and consumers shopping for alpaca garments.  The show also includes a visit to Alpacas at Windy Hill in Somis, California where Cindy Harris was interviewed while holding a 3-day old cria.  Cindy did a terrific job of educating viewers about alpacas in general as well as the different types of alpaca fiber and the variety of end products.

“It’s a Green Christmas” is airing from November 21, 2009 through January 4, 2010 across the United States. For a list of airing times and stations, visit http://itsagreenchristmas.com.  More markets continue to be added to the schedule.

Note from Alpaca Farmgirl: Is AOBA back? Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come! Alpaca Farmgirl encourages you to sign up or renew your AOBA membership, and to participate in the AOBA Farm & Ranch Guide. AOBA works for us. Let’s support our organization and we will all benefit!

Thursday, June 4, 2009
7:00 am – 7:00 pmBarn Open
7:00am – 6:00pmRegistration, AOBA Store kiosk and Membership Desk Open
7:00am – 8:00amAOBA Breakfast Available
8:00am – 9:30amAOBA Annual Membership Meeting
9:30am – 6:00pmEducation Seminars
10:00am – 10:30amExhibitor’s Meeting
10:00am – 1:30pmGroup Production Classes
9:30am – 5:00pmVendors Open
8:00am – 5:00pmFleece Judging (closed to exhibitors and public)
9:30am – 5:00pmHandcrafter’s Spin-off Display
9:30am – 5:00pmFiber Arts and Skein Judging
9:30am – 5:30pmPhotography Competition Display
6:15pm – 6:30pmAuction Consignor’s Meeting
7:30pm – 10:00pmMeet and Greet Reception at the Rock N Hall of Fame -
Transportation provided

Friday, June 5, 2009
7:00am – 7:00pmBarn Open
7:00am – 6:00pmRegistration, AOBA Store kiosk and Membership Desk Open
7:00am – 8:00am

ARI Breakfast Available
8:00am – 9:30amARI Annual Membership Meeting
9:45am – 12:00pmShorn Classes
9:45am – 12:00pmComposite Classes
9:45am – 12:00pmPerformance Classes
Friday, June 5, 2009
9:45am- 5:00pmVendors Open
8:00am – 5:00pmFleece Judging (closed to exhibitors and public)
9:30am- 5:00pmHandcrafter’s Spin-off Display
9:30am – 5:00pmFiber Arts and Skein Display
9:30am – 5:30pmPhotography Competition Display
12:00pm – 1:00pmAuction Preview (Open to the Public)
1:00pm – 6:30pmAlpaca Auction: Featuring Cash Bar and ample Hors d’oeuvres
(Dinner on your own)

Saturday, June 6, 2009 (Open to the Public)
7:00am – 7:00pmBarn Open
7:00am – 6:00pmRegistration, AOBA Store kiosk and Membership Desk Open
8:00am – 5:00pmFull Fleece Halter Competitions
8:00am – 10:00amContinuation of Performance Classes (If applicable)
8:00am – 4:00pmEducation Seminars (paid attendees only)
8:00am – 5:00pm
Vendors Open to public
8:00am – 5:00pm
HandCrafter’s Spinoff Display
8:00am – 5:00pm
Fiber Arts and Skein Competition Display
9:00am – 5:30pm
Photography Competition Display
7:30pm – midnight AOBA Fashion Show and Dinner

Sunday, June 7, 2009 (Open to the Public)
7:00am – 4:00pmBarn Open
7:00am – 2:00pmRegistration, AOBA Store kiosk and Membership Desk Open
8:00am – 4:00pmVendors Open to public
8:00am – 2:00pmFleece Show Results on Display
9:00am – 11:00amFleece Show Oral Reasons
8:00am – 2:00pmHandCrafter’s Spinoff Display
8:00am – 12:00pmFiber Arts and Skein Competition Display
9:00am – 2:00pm
Photography Competition Display
8:00am – 5:00pmFull Fleece Halter Competitions
2:00pm – 5:00pmFleece Show Check-Out
2:00pm – 5:00pmFiber Arts and Skein Check-Out
2:00pm – 5:00pmHandCrafter’s Spinoff Check-Out
4:00pm – 10:00pmAlpaca and Vendor Move-Out

Currently, many claims are made in the marketing of alpaca fiber and fiber products. Terms such as “warmer/stronger than wool”, “soft as cashmere”, “wicking abilities”, non-flammable” and “hypoallergenic” are often used to compare alpaca to other fibers and their products.  To address this AOBA is taking a proactive approach by gathering information and data and making it available to the alpaca industry.

There is no centrally documented data to support these claims. It may be that research and testing have been accomplished, but it is not readily accessible other than in marketing pieces.  In addition to the testing a search for previously conducted testing will occur and be posted as well.

Cotton and wool fiber and associated products have long had established values for certain attributes. Synthetic fiber developers often use that data to compare the functionality of emerging fibers to cotton and wool.

There are testing protocols available using ASTM standard methods to confirm and validate alpaca characteristics and compare to the widely accepted characteristics for cotton and wool, and even to extrapolate published information about synthetics, silk, and emerging “natural” fibers.

Because AOBA is the breed association for alpacas, it is incumbent on the association to be the leader in confirmation and validation of claims pertaining to alpaca fiber and fiber products. The Fiber Committee of AOBA is a logical group and has been assigned to coordinate and carry out the task.

Research and testing is needed to support the intrinsic characteristics of alpaca fiber as AOBA moves forward in the objectives of the Strategic Planning process. To formulate a strategic plan for fiber and finished goods production and promotion without sound data would be premature and inadvisable.

Research and Testing Studies

The first phase of the research and testing will be to validate intrinsic characteristics of alpaca fiber (things that are not variable among individual alpacas, ie not qualitative)

• To perform preliminary testing on the desired core characteristics (moisture absorption and retention, thermal conductivity and flammability as starting points)
• To carry out a literature search to find available data on the targeted tests as compared to alpaca and other fibers

The test areas are intended to address wicking (moisture absorption and retention), insulating and warmth (thermal conductivity) and flammability claims. Instinctively, these should be characteristics intrinsic to all alpaca fiber regardless of use.

Once accomplished, the test results from phase one would be published as preliminary data by AOBA on www.alpacainfo.com to be available to all interested parties.  A peer reviewed document will subsequently be published.

The second phase of the research will be to investigate other attributes of alpaca fiber and substantiate other claims, primarily for the apparel industry:

• Hypoallergenic claims will be the most costly, but likely the most important. “Hypoallergenic” borders on a health claim, which involves more than just a comfort factor (itchiness) While there are no regulations to the use of hypoallergenic with regard to textiles, it will be important to base such a claim on scientific data as time goes on to avoid charges of misrepresentation.
• Comparisons of alpaca to wool handle are often made, such as ”a micron of 26 in alpaca feels like a wool micron of 19”.  This area transcends laboratory testing, and would likely include consumer focus groups.
• Other attributes such as fineness, tensile strength, luster, and comfort factor would depend on individual fiber and the application for use. These are quality parameters, not characteristics inherent to alpaca as a fiber.  As commercial production is developed in the US, these attributes will become important to the processing industry in determining the use (and subsequent price paid) for individual lots of alpaca fiber. For purposes of AOBA, a range would be established to use as comparative marketing tools for the textile industry.

The longer term third phase of research would be to explore utilization of alpaca fiber in other aspects, such as technical textiles and commercial textiles.

Research Facilities

For Phase One, AOBA will utilize the testing services available at Gaston College Textile Technology Center, Belmont, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. The facilities are familiar with a wide range of textile evaluation, and have recently been involved in a privately funded project of alpaca fiber and blends. The laboratory services there are in place, and adequate to do the testing as outlined for phase one. Gaston College was the host for the recent Alpaca Fiber Symposium. North Carolina State University has been involved with AOBA for several years in the investigation of alpaca fiber development from a Textile Engineering perspective, and is currently participating in the Student Design Competition through the Textile and Fashion Design programs.

For Phase Two, the research will be expanded to other Textile Departments at Colleges and Universities. Through the Student Design Competition, the AOBA Fiber Committee has adequate contacts to investigate and assess capabilities. Phase Two will encompass not only Textile Engineering, but Apparel, Consumer Science and Retail Management Departments.

Check the AOBA website for information regarding alpaca fiber and fabric testing, it will be posted as it becomes available.

I’m writing to tell you about an important decision made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and about one of the many benefits of your AOBA membership.

In July 2008, the FDA published a proposed order that would prohibit the extralabel use of Cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals. Even though alpacas are not part of the food producing chain the order impacted our industry. That order allowed for a 60 day comment period and a 90 day effective date for the order. Cephalosporin is a drug commonly used in the alpaca world and better known by the brand names Naxcel® and Excenel®.

The Government and Industry Relations Committee (GIRCOM), a joint committee of AOBA and ARI was made aware of the FDA order in early August and began to take action.  During the weeks and months that followed, GIRCOM was in communication with the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) on behalf of our members. The AASRP and the AVMA took the lead commenting to the FDA and were well aware of the concerns of the alpaca industry.  The GIRCOM continued to monitor the proceedings.

I am pleased to inform you that on November 21, 2008 the FDA withdrew their Order of
July 3, 2008. A copy of that decision can be found on the AOBA website at www.alpacaowners.com under “Committees” click on “Government.”

The countless hours put in by the volunteers in this industry serving on AOBA committees greatly assists our association. This is but one committee and one example of the result benefiting all members. Would you like to be involved?  Committee participation and corresponding results is probably one of the most important benefits of AOBA membership.  We look forward to counting you among our industry’s members in 2009.

David Barboza
President

Cephalosporin is a drug commonly used for alpacas. AOBA (The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association) does a lot of good for alpaca breeders! Sign up or renew your membership.