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Glossary of Alpaca Terms |
| This glossary of genetic terms is a handy reference while reading the above articles. |
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A National Alpaca Improvement Program |
| 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. |
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How to Accurately Select for Alpacas with High Breeding Value |
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 out of the science of genetics. In this article, I hope to persuade you that the true path to breed improvement is through the progeny test.
But, before I get to that we need to critically analyze the role that phenotype and pedigree play in breed improvement programs. |
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Blue Eyed Whites |
By D. Andrew Merriwether, Ph.D., and Ann M. Merriwether, Ph.D.
Much controversy and secrecy revolves around discussion and use of blue-eyed-white alpacas (BEWs) in breeding programs. Blue-eyed white alpacas are all-white alpacas, with blue eyes, which are often (but not always) deaf. Recently some alpaca farmers have suggested that the BEWs should not be used for breeding so this gene can be eliminated from the American alpaca gene pool. This suggestion reflects some of the misinformation that surrounds the issue of BEWs.
This article will discuss the genetics of BEWs. What we know about the genetics, given the paucity of reliable breeding data on the subject, is limited because some farms don’t acknowledge if their herdsire or dam has ever thrown a BEW, and relatively few BEWs are actually ARI registered (an when registered they are registered as white not BEW). |
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What are EPD's?(Estimated Progeny Differences) |
| An EPD is an estimate of the genetic merit of an animal for a single trait. The EPD is the expected difference between the performance of an animal's progeny for a specific trait and the average progeny performance, for that trait, of all the animals in the breed at the time the genetic evaluation program is established. Changes in mean EPDs over time quantify the long-term genetic improvement that has been achieved. |
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The Suri Gene Supreme -- A Crossbreeding Conundrum |
| Colored suris by design? What if the suri gene is dominant and found at a single location on the alpacas DNA map. What if huacayas from crossbred parents were as pure as any other alpaca? The ramifications would be significant. |
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Homozygous Suris: What are the Odds? |
It was in 1997 when Dr. Raul W. Ponzoni of the South Australian Research and Development Institute released his paper titled "Phenotypes Resulting From Huacaya by Huacaya, Suri by Huacaya and Suri by Suri Alpaca Crossings", stunning the alpaca industry.
He wrote it together with D.J. Hubbard, R.V. Kenyon, C.D. Tuckwell, B.A. McGregor, and G.J. Judson, and made the amazing claim that "The results indicated control by a single gene (or by an haplotype), and dominance of the allele responsible for the suri type (AlFs) over that responsible for the huacaya type (AlFh)." |
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Macho's: The Father's Lineage |
| Every livestock breed has its legends. Racing has Man O’ War and Bold Ruler; Aberdeen Angus breeders revere Old Jock; and Merino breeders remember Master Builder, a descendent of the great impact sire Majestic. Alpacas of pedigree are a rather recent phenomenon. We cannot reach back centuries or even decades for the icons of alpaca breed improvement. The most famous alpaca herd sires are of recent vintage, some are still alive. |
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Read Before you Breed |
| Mike Safley is one of the leading doyens of the North American alpaca industry and though some of his actions have incited controversy over the years, his experience and knowledge of this enormously competitive business can not be casually dismissed. Synthesis of a Miracle, promoted as “compelling reading for anyone who owns or breeds alpacas, or anyone merely interested in the history of these enchanting animals” is more than an alpaca retrospective; it is a fascinating study about the rewards of determination. And given Safley’s nature, this mindset is made eminently clear in the book’s introduction. “One day I will breed better animals than you.” Safley lightheartedly remarked years ago to Don Julio Barreda, a world-class Peruvian alpaca breeder to which Barreda graciously replied “Thank you for telling me. When a man knows someone is walking behind him, he walks a little faster.” And so, Synthesis of a Miracle begins: part man, part animal, part science and all parts determination. |
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The Inheritance of and Association Among Some Production Traits in Young Australian Alpacas |
| Phenotypic and genetic parameters are part of the 'building blocks' required in the design of effective livestock genetic improvement programs. There is currently no published information dealing with this aspect of alpacas in Australia, and very little worldwide.
In this paper, we report results of a preliminary analysis of young alpaca records, we compare them with other reports in the literature, and we comment on the likely implications of our findings. We also contrast the alpaca phenotypic and genetic parameters with those derived from Merino sheep. |
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Evolving the Australian Alpaca |
| The sustainability of the Australian alpaca industry depends on Australians adapting their alpacas to Australian conditions, irrespective of where they are situated in the country. That means alpacas in different weather and topographical areas will evolve differently. We must not allow the show industry to dictate what we breed, with no concern for where we live. Put simply, animal breeding is a combination of genetics and environment. |
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Are You Afraid of Inbreeding? |
| 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. |
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Practical Alpaca Breeding |
| 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. |
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Selection from Animal Breeding |
| 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. He will not be able to make improvement save in a sort of accidental way, nor will he able to maintain it if perchance he should be so fortunate as to make it. His work as a breeder can never rise above the level of mediocrity, howsoever much wisdom and care he may exercise in other respects in conducting his work. |
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Animal Breeding- Prepotency |
| The question of prepotency is of great practical moment to the breeder of live stock, because of the direct influence which it has upon improvement or the want of this, in a stud, herd , or flock. Like many of the features of breeding it is only understood in part, but happily enough is known regarding it to enable the skilled breeder to choose animals possessing it with a reasonable degree of certainty. |
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Developing a Breeding Program |
| Pure blood animal breeders around the world crave the ability to produce the best of their breed. They want their animals to reach the pinnacle of their potential. That is what animal breeding is all about: A self dynamic dream. When an alpaca breeder sets his goals they generally include excellence. No one says, “I want to mate my female to a stud who will produce an average alpaca, not a great one.” The difference between producing ideal animals and mediocre ones is basically a little knowledge and a sound plan or breeding program. |
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Alpaca Herdsire Selection: The Art and The Science |
| The herdsire for any breeding program is the single most important determinant of overall herd quality. It's true for cattle, sheep, horses, or any other breed. For alpacas in North America the sire is even more important. Alpaca bloodlines are currently available for only four or five generations. |
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Alpaca Breeding for Genetic Gain |
| Mother Nature hatched a plan. She encoded the Vicuna with a blueprint for the alpaca. She could see a time when certain Vicuna would evolve and become known as alpaca. |
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Pure Blood - Part I: The Mechanics of Inheritance |
| The first in this series, outlining: The Mechanics of Inheritance; Ratio of Generations Inheritance, Galton's Law; An Alpaca's Phenotype vs. Genotype; Plant vs. Animal Breeding. |
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Pure Blood - Part II: Pure Blood or Pure Money Measurement |
| The second in this series, outlining: Pure Blood or Pure Money Measurement; Prepotency; Heritability; Breeding Values; Repeatability; Variability; The Concept of Selection; Warning Blood; Breeding as an Art; Following the Geneticists Advice |
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Pure Blood - Part III: Breeding Systems |
| Part III in this series, outlining: Creating a Breeding Program; Four Keys to Genetic Change; Mating Systems; Creating a Strain or a Breed Within a Breed; Bloodlines; Using the Five Mating Systems |
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Pure Blood - Part IV: Industry Goals |
| The final article in this series, outlining: Breeding Goals:Formulating a Breed Standard |
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Planned Breeding by Lloyd C. Bracket |
| One of the fathers of the German Shepherd in this country and the oldest living continuous fancier of the breed in America (since 1912) his theories on breeding have been more than proven in his Long-Worth Kennels where he established his own strain in the breed and produced more than 90 champions in only 12 years, a world's record for any breed. Known affectionately as "Mr. German Shepherd" he has proven beyond doubt the soundness of his breeding program. |
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Jiggling Genes by Dr. Philip Sponenberg |
| Genetics is the science of how traits pass down generation to generation. Many people think that genetics can be a predictive science - accurately predicting the next baby to hit the ground. Alas, genetics does not work that way. Instead, genetics can be viewed as a science of possibilities. |
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Genetic Improvement in the Alpaca Industry by Chris Tuckwell |
| This paper is prepared to give readers a very simple understanding of genetic improvement plans, the need to consider such plans for their stock and the factors that may influence the effectiveness and efficiencies of breeding programs. |
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The Status of Grey Alpacas in the Australian Herd |
| The relationship between black and brown colour in alpacas does not seem to be the same as that which exists in dogs or horses. In dogs, black B is the clear dominant allele of the black/brown gene. The recessive allele b produces liver colour when it is homozygous and is also associated with amber or yellow eyes and brown noses. Mating a homozygous BB black dog to a liver bb dog produces all black, Bb offspring. Mating a heterozygous (Bb) black dog to a liver bb dog should produce half Bb black offspring and half bb liver offspring (Little, C.L.). |
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The Status of White and Red Alpacas in the Australian Herd |
| White fleece or fur is generally a less viable option for a wild animal than coloured fur since a white animal is more visible both as a predator and as a prey species.
Albino white, where the eyesight is affected by the loss of pigment in the retinas, is even less of an option and very few natural albinos survive for long in the wild. |
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