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How EPDs Help You Breed Better Alpacas

Dr. Sara Via | 05/09/07

In order to breed alpacas with better and better fleece traits, we want to choose superior alpacas for our herds. But how do we identify a “superior” alpaca? Genetic superiority cannot be reliably estimated just by measuring an animal’s fleece traits or even by pedigree! A formal statistical estimate of genetic value, that is, its EPD (Expected Progeny Difference) is the best available way to predict whether an animal’s progeny are likely to be above or below average for each trait.

A National Alpaca Improvement Program

Mike Safley | 05/19/08

History gives us many lessons about how to create a superior herd of almost any breed of livestock. The science of genetics is highly refined and entirely accessible by anyone who wants to breed anything for almost any purpose. The question becomes how we proceed toward that goal of superiority in the alpaca industry.

There has been a worldwide textile industry for more than eight centuries. While people have always made their own textiles, industrial developments have radically changed the way textiles are produced and marketed, developments such as the invention of machine spinning, the worsted spinning process, knitting and weaving machines, the rise of the cotton gin, the steady evolution of fabric finishing techniques, and the development of man-made fiber. Add to this a constantly changing fashion industry based on affluent consumer preferences, and you have a textile market that can best be characterized as a moving target. This combination of conditions has created challenges for livestock breeders whose product is fiber. But it has also created opportunities for breeders to create animals whose fleece meets a specific need.

EPDs - The Path to Excellence

Mike Safley | 05/20/08

At first blush, animal breeding seems relatively simple. If you believe ‘like begets like’ all you need to do is mate similar animals. If you want a further edge-up, study pedigree. If that is not good enough, you can measure phenotype making sure only the best are included in your breeding plan.

The problem is none of these strategies is particularly effective, and many of the beliefs that breeders rely on are black magic. Myth makes the animal improvement equation more complex than it need be. Before we can get on to steady measurable improvement, we must sweep a few myths out of the closet.

One of the more pervasive myths in the alpaca industry is, ‘The best way to select elite breeding stock is by analyzing their phenotype.’ It is closely followed in importance, by the myth that ‘pedigree equals breeding value.’ I think is it is fair to say that breeders’ faith in pedigree often takes on mythic proportions, but their faith is not born from the science of genetics. But, before I get to that we need to critically analyze the role that phenotype and pedigree play in breed improvement programs.

The AGEing Process

Dr. Ian Davison | 05/29/08

Over 200 years ago, a few colonial entrepreneurs imported into Australia a herd of Spanish Merino sheep from South Africa which, with selective breeding and generational improvement, was to become the nucleus of an industry which has sustained Australia for over two centuries, and which became the international benchmark for fine wool production.

The culture acquired and lessons learnt over those 200 years have now been applied in Australia to a new fleeced animal, this time an exotic import from South America. That animal is, of course, the alpaca, an animal unique to South America for the past 6000 years, but released into Australasia, North America and Europe in only the last 20 years.

The ABCs of EPDs

Mike Safley | 07/02/08

A new chapter is about to be written in the history of alpaca breed improvement. It will identify the exact point in time that the industry changed for the better, invigorating the market for both alpaca fleece and breeding stock. New bloodlines will be discovered, additional breeds developed, and new breeders will step forward to lead.

Alpacas were fashioned from the wild Vicuna 6,000 years ago. For 5,975 years, the Quechua Indians of South America nurtured the breed, wove cloth, bartered textiles and eventually sold the fleece creating a cash income. During this time, the quality of the breed remained fairly static. There were exceptions, men like Julio Barreda made dramatic improvement within their herds, but the average quality of the 3,500,000 alpacas in the world have changed very little.

Across Herd Genetic Improvement

Mike Safley | 02/02/06

It is the alpacas turn on the world's stage. They have long suffered the indignities of Peru's Spanish conquers. It is time for their redemption from five centuries of purgatory, inflicted on them by the Spanish colonists. Alpaca breeders, world wide, need to make it their passion to place alpacas at the top of the livestock pinnacle.

Are You Afraid of Inbreeding?

Dr. Pierre Baychelier, Alcazar Suri Stud

There are advantages and disadvantages in the use of inbreeding and outbreeding in domestic animal reproduction. Both approaches complement each other and, when used rationally, can help breeders progress in their genetic gain.

The Case for Crimp

Mike Safley

There are two ways that Huacaya breeders think about crimp in the United States. One group believes that crimp is not an important trait.

Practical Alpaca Breeding

Mike Safley | 02/03/06

To a person who has never bred animals, let alone alpacas, the technical aspects of genetics and animal breeding theory can be intimidating. It is important to step back and realize than common sense is the common denominator for success. People, who succeed at animal breeding use good information, are deliberate, patient, and consistent and they keep their breeding program simple.

Selection from Animal Breeding

Thomas Shaw

The importance of the ability to select animals with skill and judgment when breeding them cannot easily be overestimated. In the absence of such ability mistakes will be made all along the line of the breeder's work.

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