Re: [AlpacaTalk] Shows

 

Jody, your assumption seems to be that the only people buying alpacas or who would be interested in your alpacas are people who show.  That's absolutely not true.  If you intend to market to the show crowd, that's one thing and yes, failure to succeed at shows would be a determining factor in a prospective buyer's decision.  However, if your alpacas are not show quality, then your target market should not be show people but rather people who have a more traditional "commodity" mindset or people who have a specific interest in fiber-producing livestock.  When you're writing your marketing material, keep in mind who your livestock is most apt to appeal to and direct your marketing toward that audience.  For example, a traditional livestock farmer (dairy or wool or whatever) will find information about reproductive abilities (fertility or fecundity, production history) of far greater interest than whether the animal took awards at a show.  That farmer will be more attracted to an alpaca whose progenitors have maintained fiber quality far into maturity than to an alpaca who took 26 championships as a yearling.  You need to evaluate your herd for the qualities they HAVE, and market them accordingly.  That doesn't mean that you can't breed for improvements, but unless you are one of the show crowd, the improvements you should focus on are improvements in commodity factors such as density, tensile strength and uniformity in fleece, and husbandry factors such as parasite resistance and ease of conception or impregnation.  There are many people interested in alpacas who understand that success in the show ring for a couple of years does not guarantee the qualities necessary for an efficient and productive operation.
 

Judith Korff

LadySong Farm Bolivian Suri Alpacas

Suri: Silk Without the Worm

Randolph, New York 14772 

Cell: (716) 499-0383

www.alpacanation.com/ladysong.asp

 

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From: Jody Ehler <Jody_Ehler@hotmail.com>
To: alpacatalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, March 15, 2011 2:55:51 PM
Subject: RE: [AlpacaTalk] Shows

 

Jen
 
I am a small farm and am really afraid to go to the shows just for that reason.  If I attend shows and my animals bring home last place or not at all...how can I sell my animals to people who ask how well did they do or did you show?  I have some really nice animals, but I can't justify paying the fees to show and then putting my animals in jeopardy of looking poorly to potential buyers because they showed poorly?  I guess I am leaning more towards doing micron counts and using fiber samples more for selling my critters.  Plus the stress they endure for the weekend?  I will admit I enjoyed going to the shows and seeing these awesome alpacas!  I just walked away thinking the shows are out of reach for my herd....UNLESS some large farm would lease one of their awesome males to my girls for a summer out of the goodness of their hearts???  LOL....maybe a TV series on "Champions for the  underdog girls!!!  Just a thought!  Otherwise I too feel it is a show for the big boys.  :)  I do see many shows everywhere though and I am sure the big farms don't attend ALL the shows??  Maybe there could be shows designed for different categories relating to farm size?  Like "Newbie Shows"!
 
We have to remember this is how the world works!   The more you can put into something the more you get back.....hopefully!! There are some pretty awesome alpacas out there, but unfortunately most of us can't improve our herds due to the high breeding fees from these big boys.  I would like to see all our alpacas eventually have these tremendous fiber stats just to improve our fiber production outlook!  We all are striving for the best fiber for our industry?  It's hard for small farms to sell their not so awesome fibered animals unless going to persons wanting two or three for pets.  I am coming to the reality that not all my animals are top notch.....using humor.... and so am trying to find homes for the ones with out good fiber traits and saving up for replacing them with awesome fiber.  Any hoo!  Even though I think I have some great animals, I just don't want to make them look poorly and have them get a complex about themselves by taking them to the shows!!  LOL 
 
Take care!
Jody
 

Jody Ehler
Solon, IA 52333
J & J Alpacas
Check out our adorable alpacas!
www.jandjalpacas.com

 

 



 

 







 

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To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
From: jenford13@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:15:25 +0000
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Shows

 

Hi folks,
I'd like to initiate a discussion on the subject of alpaca shows.
At the outset, let me state quite emphatically that I have all the admiration in the world for large farms. I acknowledge and celebrate their contributions to the alpaca industry, veterinary research, and the show system. I've bought alpacas from large farms and count those breeders among my friends. So, no vitriol against big farms, just some musings on the challenges of stepping into the ring with them.

I've just returned from yet another show at which two or three farms walked away with the lion's share of blue ribbons and purple banners. Their animals absolutely deserved hope to win, they were wonderful examples of the breed. But how in the world can the rest of us hope to compete against folks with the means to position themselves to win almost every time they enter the ring? The farm I came with won three 3rd place ribbons and the joke was "we actually took three 1st place ribbons amongst mere mortals." But how do you convey that to prospective customers without sounding like a ditz or launching into a dissertation on the realities of the showing? ("Third place is great, seriously!")

Does anyone think that the time has come for shows at which participation is limited to breeders who own, say, a dozen or fewer breeding females? Obviously AOBA can't sanction shows that limit participation, but I think many of us are almost at the point where we don't care. As long as a show is well-organized and uses certified judges, just how much does it really matter if there's an AOBA logo on the ribbons?
I've been showing for a decade, and remember when the playing field was pretty level, when you went to a show and could reasonably expect to walk away with a few wins. Not any more. One long-established breeder I spoke with summed it up this way: "I can no longer afford to spend $1,500 to compete for fourth place."
Thoughts, ideas, feedback? (Please, no rotten tomatoes; I just want to start a discussion, not start a war!)
Respectfully,
Jen Ford
Backstage Alpacas
Bedford, PA
www.backstagealapcas.com

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