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BTP or SIP: Value For Your Educational Dollar
High on the Altiplano, it is our last day of the ABFS Breeders Course at altitude. The morning air is crisp as a group of breeders from the US, Australia, Great Britain, and Canada gathers in small study groups or observes alpacas in their stone fence pens. I wondered: What have we learned? What would our farm bring home from this experience?ABFS’ Breeders Course is more than a “Been to Peru” (BTP) experience. It is truly a “Studied in Peru” (SIP) of knowledge unavailable in our home countries. The first few days, course members were chomping at the bit to get to our studies. Only after reaching the Altiplano did I understand the importance of acclimatizing in Cuzco. It wasn’t just an awesome day trip to Machu Pichu, and a free shopping day. This “free time” is actually a serious concern for the Breeder’s health and our group’s success at the higher elevations. Group organizers and leadership were firm on minimizing health risks. As a result, we did amazingly well health-wise
Dr. Julio Sumar and Maggie Krieger provided exceptional daily Power Point lectures (including a course book of PP slides for note-taking), evening discussions, and hands-on assessment of alpacas. The breadth of the syllabus was impressive. Without covering the entire program, a couple of observations on coursework:
* Don’t let titles of Teeth, Shots, or Toenails put off experienced breeders. Newer breeders will benefit greatly and there are still tips and tricks experienced breeders can learn covering fundamentals.
* Daily hands-on assessment of alpacas (Huacayas and Suris) was a growth experience. For our farm, it provided the time and repetitions to hone an evaluation protocol. No matter if one or both of us are on a buying trip, we can now assess alpacas the same way.
* Dr. Sumar’s genetics and reproduction lectures have become an integral part of our assessment and breeding program. His 40 years of study provide insights (and slides!) our US researchers don’t yet possess. A SIP of knowledge!
* Maggie Krieger’s coverage of fiber development was detailed and of shear value! It included prenatal and post-natal, micro- and macro-overviews with slides and hands-on fiber assessment.
* Later visits to the Arequipa fiber mills brought greater understanding of where international markets and mills are in comparison to Peru.
* As with all education experiences, we learned much from our instructors as well as our local and international colleagues. Some information we’ve instituted immediately, some we’ve integrated into our long-range planning, and some we’ve determined doesn’t work for us – based on empirical information not anecdotal guesses.
A couple of glitches occurred in the three weeks. Expect something to not meet your expectations – then move on! Know also that accommodations at altitude are basic but rich when you observe the local agrarian scene. No glitch or unforeseen event was insurmountable or diminished the overall experience.
The Peruanas are a wonderful and gracious people. I would travel to Peru on business or holiday again in a heartbeat. That said, recognize the Breeders Course is a focused learning experience on the landscape … except for a day or two early in the trip and at the end. Oh, and a long bus ride here to there.
For alpaca owners and veterinarians all over the nation and the globe, we have so much more to learn. But there is much to be gained from those who have for decades and centuries tended, husbanded and studied the South American herds. This intense course was an unparalleled study environment with experienced researchers and educators in the homeland of our beloved alpacas. Overall, ABFS provided a good value for our educational dollars.
K.Lea and Terri were students on the 1 st ABFS Breeders Course in Peru . Their business, Lone Eagle Alpaca Farm, in Parker, Colorado , was established in 1998.
Written by K.Lea Ginnodo & Terri Lalier, Lone Eagle Alpaca Farm
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