Alpaca Fibre Production
For Show! For Industry!
by Norm Evans
Most alpaca breeders have goals
that they want to accomplish with
these wonderful animals. For some
it is just the alpaca’s presence, for
others it is about their fine fibre and
the garments that can be produced.
For others it seems all about the
competition for ribbons, winning in
the show ring, finding fault, pointing
fingers and giving excuses if different
judges place their animals differently
in successive competitions.
With success comes speculation. While I do not show or
own alpacas, I have spent the last 25 years attempting
to maximize alpaca health and fibre quality through
providing balanced nutrition lacking in our forages. I
am blessed to attend several major shows and listen to
many breeders especially potential new breeders. It is
my opinion that alpaca show competitors need to guard
against having a negative impact on the industry by trash
talking behind winner’s backs about other breeders.
Shows and healthy competition is an excellent way
to attain goals and improve overall animal quality.
Breeders prepare their animals for competition in different
ways. Some breeders study and provide proteins that
contain the essential amino acids not available in the forages
and that cannot be made by the digestive process while
others attempt to provide fine fibre by minimizing nutrition.
While minimizing nutrition sometimes wins in the show
ring because of extremely fine fibre when these champions
are sold to some of my clients, it is not uncommon for
these alpacas to experience fibre breaks, stunted growth,
small testicles, and even become ill thrift patients. Some
breeders keep the animals on turf, in their trailers and
away from grass or dust while others are accused of
creating brightness and luster by unnatural means.
Judges are human beings just like competitors but with
hours of strenuous training in the selection of the ultimate
alpaca to represent the future of our industry. Theirs hands,
fingers, and eyes are their tools. They judge more than
fleece. They presently do not have a good metric means
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to assess or measure. It is not the judge’s job to police
or to be the enforcer of the show rules. Random samples
from random competitive classes could make all exhibitors
as well as judges feel more secure that all are competing
evenly. Although expensive, some labs can test for over
470,000 different items. Rules and regulations that can be
enforced could help the alpaca industry enjoy continued
success. The following is my attempt to help all breeders,
potential breeders, and judges have a better understanding
of a side of fibre production apart from judging.
Where Does Alpaca Fibre Come From?
Healthy skin follicles produce the fibres. Follicle genetics (the
stud’s contribution) is set in place in the first 4-6 weeks of
gestation or morphological fetal development. These fibres
surface inside the mother at near 210 days of gestation.
The mother’s nutrition at this time affects the number of
secondary follicles that survive to produce fibres so density
and micron fibre size is directly affected. The next critical
period to maintain fibre producing follicles is the first 9
months of the cria’s life. Prevention of sickness and internal
parasites at this time and through the stress of the weaning
process assures healthy follicular development for the future.
The follicles can be destroyed by skin insults from external
parasites such as lice or mange as well as stress and staph
bacterial infections. Uniformity and fineness (the genetics) is
created as well as lost by the caretaker. Many alpaca breeders
possess both females and males that have genetic potential
to produce alpacas with a density of 40 to 60 follicles SQ
MM of skin. That means that a piece of healthy skin the size
of a pencil eraser will contain 3500 to 4700 fibres. Nutrition
to the skin and follicles is necessary for these fibres to
survive, grow and remain healthy and usable. It is like a yard
that does not receive water and nutrients, it will dry up.
Healthy fibre that shows good brightness or luster appears
to be strongly dependent on the alpaca’s sebaceous glands.
These glands secrete “sebum” which is a mixture of free
fatty acids, natural oils, and lipids. In sheep, the sebum
secretion is called lanolin but has not been named or even
recognized by many in the alpaca. All mammals as well
as humans possess these glands over much of the body.
Sebaceous glands consists of lobes connected by ducts
into the hair follicle sheath while some open directly on to
the skin surface which is responsible for the oily feel (grease)
on the skin surface. Sebum reduces water loss from the skin
surface and protects the skin from infection from bacteria
and fungi. Sebum production from the sebaceous glands is
under the control of the sex hormones (ovaries and testicles)
which produce androgens. Sebaceous glands are already
active before birth which is good reason for the luster and
brightness of fibre noted in crias. I have also noted that
many males that possess a high level of sebaceous glands
on skin biopsy seem to pass this trait genetically to their
offspring. This would seem to be a good reason to search
for and utilize males with large testicles and a moderate level
of sebaceous skin gland presence to promote the genetics
for follicular development and fibre health in the offspring.
Proteins that we as well as our alpacas consume are made
up of essential and nonessential amino acids. Nonessential
amino acids come from our food or can be made through
the digestive process. Essential amino acids are not made
through the digestive process and must be supplied
or added to our diet. Analysis of alpaca fibre samples
indicates which amino acids (proteins) are being utilized
and at what levels in alpaca fibre production. If we know
what is being used in the fibre we have an idea of what to
put in the supplement to maintain the balance that most
crias are born with. The lack of providing essential amino
acids that the alpaca cannot manufacture and not found
in forages results in a form of nutrient starvation which can
reduce sebum production. Yes, some breeders are using
decreased caloric intake to produce low microns for their
show fleeces and this form of nutrient starvation often results
in small unhealthy alpacas (sometimes “ill thrift”) and in
my opinion should not be rewarded at shows and sales.
Extremes can work both ways. A few alpacas’ especially
dark colored alpacas show sebaceous gland hyperplasia and
if strong nutrition is being utilized, it can result in excessive
sebaceous gland secretion. This result is oily or greasy skin
and fibre. Sebaceous gland presence appears genetic and
the gland function or secretion appears to be enhanced by
nutrition. Many alpaca breeders are familiar with the term
“lanolin” which is the sebaceous gland secretion of sheep.
Lanolin is not oil but a wax and this wax becomes oil between
100° and 107°F. Could this happen to the alpaca’s sebaceous
secretion in the summer to alpacas with high level gland
presence or hyperplastic sebaceous glands creating oily
or greasy fibre to the judge’s fingers? These hyperplastic
glands may sometimes rupture on the skin surface and exude
grease like debris on the fibre. (Picture 9) This secretion when
mixed with normal grime on some alpacas presents as a
dark oily, waxy addition to the person handling the fibre.
Natural Oils Mimic Sebum
from the Sebaceous Glands
Probably 10+ natural oils mimic sebum but appear
differently under magnification. Among them are extra
virgin olive oil, pure vitamin E oil, avocado oil, sunflower
oil, castor oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, sheep oil
(lanolin), lavender, rosehip oil and several others. One
super spritz combines coconut oil, grape seed oil, and
castor oil mixed equal parts. Then mix this 3 parts water
Picture 1: Shows the normal grime on the untreated fibre of a light fawn
alpaca with average sebaceous gland presence.
Picture 2: A magnified view of the normal grime of a nice 18 micron fibre
which is the top horizontal fibre from photomicrograph 1 above.
Environmental Impact on Fibre
It seems to me that what our judges feel in alpaca fibre will be
affected by heat and humidity which will increase oil secretion
from the surface glands onto the skin and fibres especially
at hot summer shows. It is also possible that some breeders
have their own method of topical fibre preparation to impress
the judges while other breeders certainly do nothing. Some
hose, some dunk, some spritz and whatever else that I do not
care to know about. Observe the views of clean fibre versus
grimy fibre as viewed through my scope and camera system.
(Pictures 1-8) Then note the microscopic changes that are
noticeable to the fibre under different conditions and consider
would it affect the appearance and handle of the fibre to you
or the judges. Remember that there are 25,400 microns in an
inch and as mentioned previously dense alpacas often have
3500 to 4700 fibres in an area the size of a pencil eraser.
Picture 3: Fibres from photomicrograph No 1 after 2 water rinses.
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and one part oil and apply 2-3x per week to desired effect.
Coconut oil is known for shine. What is in that spritz??
In addition to the natural oils, several animal and human
shampoos, conditioners, cleansers, sunscreen agents,
alcohols, machine oils, salad oils, etc. are receiving
attention as fibre conditioning agents. Treated fibres can
have a different appearance under magnification and the
ingredients in most can be identified by laboratory tests.
Fibre Brightness and Luster:
Could it be the Water?
Picture 4: Fibres from photomicrograph No 1 after rinsed and spritzed.
Note definition (darkness) on cortex of rinsed and spritzed fibres.
Picture 7: Magnified view of the No 6 conditioned black fibre.
Breeders that spend $50 and have their water tested at
the alpaca barn often enjoy more lusterous fibre. The body
is 70 per cent water and the consumption of 4 to 6 liters
day of clean water can prevent dry fleeces and promote
quality fibres. The choice of water containing equine
CONDITIONED
1° DARK FAWN
FIBER
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Picture 5: Magnified view of spritzed primary and secondary fibres
photographed from the lock that pictures 1 – 4 were derived from.
Picture 8: Magnified view of another conditioned primary fibre (Dark Fawn).
Picture 6: Primary fibre from black lock with normal grime before and after
rinse and spritz.
Picture 9: Hyperplastic sebaceous glands show as the large gray areas that
surround basically every fibre.
electrolytes both summer and winter will often increase
intake and the cost is about 3 cents per day. The alpaca’s
tested water needs to have a pH between 6.5 and 7.5
and be virtually free of iron and sulfur which causes bad
taste, reduced intake and mineral tie ups. Some water
softeners often contain too much calcium and salts (high
pH) and can actually cause tie ups decrease fibre luster
and hinder fleece growth. Even when used topically
some water softeners can leave a coating on the fibre.
Alpaca Fibre Characteristics
To insure alpaca fibre health, fetal nutrition must be
maximized through the mother the first 45-60 days and the
last 100-120 days of gestation as well as the first 9 to 12
months of the cria’s life. This does not mean more grain as
energy or carbs but it means more quality protein in the form
of quality forage (80+% of diet) plus a supplement containing
those essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins needed
to stimulate growth, nourish the skin and the secondary hair
follicles. Forage and water testing is necessary. Based on
the test results, supplements may or may not be necessary
in some areas of the country. In fact, it is not uncommon that
several grain additives actually can actually harm fibre quality.
Fibre fineness is highly genetic. About 10-15% of the
adult alpacas (7-9 years of age) that I test show basically
the same fineness of microns that they showed at 2 years
of age. That is genetics and it is virtually impossible to
cause fibre blow out (enlargement) in these animals.
Adequate nutrition is necessary for genetic traits
to be manifested and maintained. We need to
keep our animals healthy and natural and be
sure that no alpaca is misrepresented to a new
owner for our own personal gain. I want to believe
that most breeders adhere to this principle.
MartinA
Lifestyle Alpacas
*Farm Tours
*Hand Knitted
garments
*Machine
knitted
garments
*Knitting,
felting &
spinning
groups.
*Alpaca Box
shop.
*Alpacas for sale, pets and breeding
*Grey stud service mobile or on farm
Dyeing & Carding
*We have a Pat Green Picker and carding
machine and can offer a quick turn around
service. *We can dye a whole fleece before
carding and can blend. *Hold workshops for
Dyeing. Agents for Unicorn products.
www.alpacas-nz.co.nz
Formerly Tai-Tapu Wool Carders & Spinners
Available for your alpaca requirements - washing &
carding, blending with wool and spinning. We can not spin
straight alpaca, it has to be blended 80/20 alpaca-wool mix.
Pricing available on our website: www.greenacresfibres.co.nz
354 Paparata Road Bombay
Ph 09 236 0171
Bob 0275419329
Joyce0211518664
Email [email protected]
www.martina.co.nz
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