All systems go . . . .

Werribee weekend has become a tradition now - Luke and i now know that some mishap will befall us at some point. Last year i was stood talking with some of my work colleagues wondering where on earth Luke had got to when a small voice coming from the back of the van alerted us to the fact that he was in fact locked in the van, languishing with 2 puzzled show team males who were probably wondering who was going to drive now. This year i left behind the white coats, yes the white coats. That staple item of every seasoned showman's kitbag was left hanging (washed and ironed) on the bookcase in my office. Thank you to the kind hearted show convenor who had 5 hanging in the regions float waiting for some incompetent person to forget theirs! At least we came away with some ribbons! EP Cambridge Illustrious (daughter of Ruffo and Martana) secured adult champion female whilst EP Cambridge Let's rock (a EP Cambridge Peruvian Caesar boy) won junior champion with his team mate EP Cambridge Prerogative (a spartacus boy descended from Conquistador)hot on his heels to take reserve champion junior male. On the way home we made a brief stop at the giant Koala....




Aside from showing the year end stock take has been taking up our time. We are sorting the herd in to their groups for the winter whilst at the same time recording who is present and correct. So there is a lot of ultrasounding, examintation of fleeces and some drenching thrown in for good measure. And today we get to do it all again only this time they will be wet alpacas - great!

Time to show what we're made of!

Show season has suddenly come at us from nowhere! In the last few days we have finalised the team, all of whom will become well known to us over the coming weeks as we learn their personalities - nothing on earth tests the character and patience of an alpaca like trimming and training! The initial team (they can change show to show)is an excellent blend of genetics from the EP Cambridge sires which is a testament to the strength of these sires. The juniors are starting training today - day one is always interesting and fun. As you can see from the picture their is always one smart one who finds a get out clause! In this case EP Cambridge Let's Rock is that alpaca!



The weather is temperate and makes for pleasant working conditions, the boys are embracing their final week of work with gusto, perhaps they are somehow aware that this is their final fling until spring!

The first few drafts of weanlings have finally settled in to life without their mothers. It is always a little easier once you have some groups established as new comers to the group learn from the older ones - a little bit of peer pressure helps them put on a brave face I think!

In the words of Sinatra ...at last the end is near!

This week is looking set to be a big week on farm as we push towards the close of matings for another year. After the numbers of females which have passed through the pens this year the end is certainly very welcome. But in another few months we will begin it all over again. Birthings are also over bar for the odd eagerly anticipated batch of Embryo transfer cria we are now awaiting. Next week we will move on to ultrasounding to see just how well those boys have done!

Precipitation promised!

Finally there appears to be a bit of rain coming our way! We have the promise of it to look forward to any way. Black clouds are definitely collecting over the property. The group of alpacas EP Cambridge carefully selected last september have finally touched down in the UK this week and are happily enjoying life at Baydon under the attentive watch of Jim and Dawid. It is amazing to think they have been on such a journey and yet they remain unphased with their priorities still the same - good food! Alpacas have it sussed! UK birthing has commenced at Baydon with the promise of some phenomenal babies on the horizon. Here in Australia we are winding down with just 14 girls still to drop - hopefully we will finish on a high with a couple of embryo transfer babies still to come not to mention a few of our A grade females! Fingers crossed!

A Peaceful Passing . . . .

EP Cambridge saw the ending of an era this weekend with the loss of an all-star. NWA Ltd Ruffo died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday night. His favourite and most expensive food lightly grazed by his side and his winter rug warming his ageing bones he never even left the cush position. It was a dignified end for this dignified male. Cathy’s baby boy, Matthew’s mainstay and more, Cambridge’s truest gentleman. Special as he was to Matthew and Catherine it was important that his final resting place was at the heart of EP Cambridge, as his name always will be. Matt has chosen the side of a hill in one of the most stunning paddocks which has superb vistas across the property. A few trees cast a serene shade across his plot and tagasaste (tree lucern - of which he was more than a little partial!) grows nearby. And most importantly he can still see it all below him – the product of his unequivocal greatness.

The real workers!

There are some very special workers at EP Cambridge Australia who have not been given their well deserved 5 minutes of fame on Cambridge Chronicles! We have here a team of kelpies which Matt has selected or bred and then trained up to take on the unique task of herding alpacas. In order to be suited to such a task you need dogs which are gentle but firm - a little dose of bravado is a bonus when they find themselves in a standoff with a defiant alpacas. Matt's Kelpie collection descends from two very skillful animals. Firstly there was Cody who I was not fortunate enough to observe in action as he died prior to my arrival. Cody was an Australian Champion and by all accounts an exceptional dog who exhibited prowess and unrivalled competency in his management of large herds of alpaca.

At the same time as Cody came on the scene Bundaberg arrived. A small black and tan bitch with a knowing eye and willing approach. Bundy continues to work to this day at the ripe old age of 12. She is selective in who she will be work for and Matthew remains very much the centre of her world. She senses immediately when the family are leaving on an extended trip, howling her grief for all to hear. Bundy excels at her art. Now she is slowly but surely passing the mantel to the youngsters. It is amusing to watch them swel with confidence when she is around, or equally to see the earnest, careful consideration with which they execute her patented moves when she has chosen to sleep a little longer.

Brew and Boxer are the offspring of Bundy and Cody. Each has unique elements of their parents and strive daily to be their equals. You can encapsulate Brew quite simply using one word. Enthusiasm. She will do her best at every opportunity, working for whoever may need her help. She is a gorgeous girl with a zest for life!

Boxer is one of those dogs who can steal your heart in an instant. Master of both playing the goof and paddock procedure he is a gentleman amongst Kelpies. Everyone loves Boxer even when his antics are less than helpful! Boxer seems to have that vital component of instinct, his exuberance can be his undoing yet it is his charm as well.
And along came these guys! In the middle you have the irrepressible Cody - main priority in life is to be loved! May well be lacking in grey matter but you certainly have to love him! And on the right is his brother Ozzie, my dog. Main priority in life is food, enjoys sleeping and that covers it!

The three big W - Weaning, Worming, Weather

The rain finally fell the other day which was excellent news for the pasture yet still not so good for handling alpacas! The drought is by no means over but when you have gone without significant rainfall for a while any is both mentally and physically refreshing!

Whilst mating continues other routine husbandry tasks must now also be confronted with some gusto. Namely the worming, foot trimming and ADE treatment of the herd and their young. When you are looking at over 2000 head this can seem daunting. With the right people and a system it is actually very satisfying work with a great sense of accomplishment when you finsih!

Weaning is well underway now and much as none of us like seeing babies taken from their mothers it is quite fascinating watching their unique responses to this process. You have your die hard bubbas who never look back, they're more than ready to fly the nest and nothing can phase them. Then you have the babies who want nothing more than to be back with their mothers. The mothers fall in to similar categories - often the two don't compare!