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ABFS Course Description
Below you can get information on all of the classes that the Alpaca Breeder Fiber School offers. For information on when classes are avilable please check the Course Schedule.
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Advanced Fiber Technology I
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Alpaca fiber is the alpaca breeders’ end product. This hands on course is designed to teach how to test, evaluate, and grade your alpaca’s fiber. What data should you keep and what does it tell you? Learn about product development and fiber markets around the world and their impact on you as an alpaca breeder. Understanding histograms and applying that information and your own data to your herd management and breeding program. Make the most of your fiber!
Two day Course
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman or Ruth Elvestad
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Advanced Fiber Technology II
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Prerequisite Alpaca Fiber Technology I
This course is designed to further focus on fiber. Hands - on course recognizing fleece characteristics, determining fiber micron. Intense fiber course!
Students that are successful can be candidates for the Camelid Fiber Sorter Certification Program.
Two day Course
This course will be taught by Ruth Elvestad or Diana Timmerman
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All About Suris! Suri Fiber and Genetics™
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Designed for the suri breeder, concentrating on the characteristics of suri fiber and genetics specific to the suri. Participants will develop their skills in evaluating suri fleece for the betterment of their breeding programs and show results. Students will learn the genetics of the suri as related to improved outcomes in herd production. Hands- on skill development in recognition of fiber traits.
Two day course
This course will be taught by Dr. Julio Sumar and Diana Timmerman
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Alpaca Conformation = How Does It Affect Function? ™
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This course will teach you the effects conformation has on function and health. You will see, starting from the inside and working outward, what plays a major role in function and what happens when you have an alpaca with poor conformation. Learn how to recognize positive and negative conformational issues.
Two day course
This course will be taught by Diana and Tim Timmerman
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This will be a hands-on course, teaching students about alpaca fiber character, density, uniformity, fineness - recognition and understanding of the factors that make "good fiber". Learn how your herd health impacts fiber characteristics, how to make breeding choices and select alpacas for the show ring from your own herd. This course will make a difference!
Two day course
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman
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Alpaca Reproduction and the High Production Herd™
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Reproduction problems impact the quality output of your herd. One of the world’s foremost experts on alpacas, Dr. Julio Sumar, will present on recognizing and dealing with reproduction problems.
To be covered:
Assessing reproductive maturity and health
Fertility in females and males
Nutritional factors in prenatal health and fiber quality
Breeding protocols and pregnancy testing
Genetics and reproduction – time, quality and returns
Two day course
This course will be taught by Dr. Julio Sumar and Diana Timmerman
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Alpaca Ring Steward Certification™
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Perfect course for Affiliates to host prior to show season!
This course is designed to enable you to learn the process of handling alpacas in the show ring. Instruction covering proper use of restraint, ring procedures, communicating with Judge, Gate Keeper, Exhibitors and Show Superintendent. System of show tracking, ethics and AOBA Show Rules will also be discussed and demonstrated. Students interested can go on to get Certification from ABFS as a trained Ringer Steward. Match up this course with another one day course and have a full weekend.
One Day Course
This course will be taught by Tim Timmerman
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This course will cover the relationship of nutrition to alpaca production of high quality fleece and healthy crias, and breeding procedures which can help to ensure highest fertility in your herd.
Two day course
This course will be taught by Dr. Julio Sumar and Diana Timmerman
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KISS - Keep It Simple Sorting
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This course is designed for alpaca breeders that want to learn to sort and evaluate their own fleeces on the farm. Learn to identify fiber characteristics, hands-on process of simple sorting and evaluating. This is a course every breeder should take to understand how sorting and grading not only optimizes your end product but is a useful tool to sccess your breeding program and make informed breeding decision.
Two day course
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman
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Let's Learn to Color Check - What Color is My Alpaca?
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Perfect for Affiliates to host prior to show season!
How many of you wonder what color your alpaca is? Is it rose gray, roan or indefinite dark? Is it a multi or a solid color? This course is designed to give you hands on education about color checking your alpaca for AOBA, IAJS, CLAA, ALSA, etc. Match up this course with another one day course and have a full weekend.
One day course
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman
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Optimum Show Results with Alpacas
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Using a mock show format, students will learn show ring technique and understand the current rules for showing in various show formats; how to select their own show entries – students learn to recognize and evaluate the own alpacas’ fiber character strengthen. Alpaca shows also provide great marketing opportunities – learn several aspects of shows that can help your marketing program.
Two day course
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman
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If you do not see a course listed then let's put one together that works for you and the breeders in your area.
One or two day courses
This course will be taught by Diana and Tim Timmerman
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QuickBooks, Accounting and Taxes
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This is a must course for all. Learn the basics of setting up and understanding your way around QuickBooks. Which accounting program should you use for your business? Oh, and the information about all the tax benefits with alpacas will be explained thoroughly and professionally.
Two day course
This course will be taught by Marcia Siebring
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Smart Skirting for Great Rewards!
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Hands on fiber preparation for show and production.
So you submitted your best fleece to the show and no ribbon? Sent your fiber for processing and your returning product was disappointing? Your fiber preparation may be at fault! This course will teach you how to evaluate your fiber and prepare it for maximum results either in the show competition or in processing.
Course content: -Evaluating your fiber for show submission; judging criteria and point system -Skirting technique for show entries - Classing your fiber for production; determing end product -Sorting and grading your fiber for optimum results in production -Recording fiber data and using it to improve next year's clip! You are welcome to bring your own fleece for evaluation and to work on in class.
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman, Ruth Elvestad or Charlene Friedman
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The Construction of Alpaca Fleece
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Have you ever thought "How Is Alpaca Fiber Constructed"? Then, this is the course for you.
This is a two-day hands-on course educating you about alpaca fiber.
You will learn -
How is alpaca fiber constructed and how is it different from other fibers?
How much does nutritution affect alpaca fiber?
How does your herd health impact your fiber production?
How to make breeding selections for good fiber?
How to understand Fiber testing reports and use them in your future breeding program?
How to determine the quality of your fiber on and off the alpaca?
How to select your show string?
How to skirt for fleece shows and processing ?
This course will make a difference!
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman
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Why Alpacas? Introduction to Alpacas™
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For those new to the industry or exploring the alpaca business. Covers financial and tax issues, basic alpaca care, selection criteria, marketing, overview of alpaca industry, start-up needs and expenses.
This course will be taught by Diana Timmerman and Marcia Siebring
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