http://openherd.com/forum/recent.aspx Openherd - Recent Posts en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit AspNetForum Sat, 18 May 2013 13:59:03 GMT Sat, 18 May 2013 13:59:03 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=168
If your auction has a winning bidder, their contact information is displayed in your account after the auction ends so that you can get in touch. All sales are directly between the seller and buyer, so you would note any sale terms on your alpaca detail page before you list the auction to make sure the seller knows what the terms are, what's included and what's not.

Once the auction ends, you will initiate the sales contract directly with the buyer. Openherd is not a party in the sales agreement, we just help to find buyers through the auctions/bidding process.

Hope this helps!

Joe
Openherd.com]]> Sat, 18 May 2013 13:59:03 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=168 Sat, 18 May 2013 13:40:32 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=167 Marcia
Silkie's Farm
Chester Springs, PA]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 10:11:44 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=166 Thanks
Charlene
Enchantedoaksfarm.com]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 14:26:21 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=165 Sun, 05 May 2013 19:01:57 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=164 Fri, 03 May 2013 21:52:23 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=163
We lay out the fiber to be sure it is cool and no condensation can form - then use large plastic bags (lots of folks put dryer sheets in each bag to keep moths away) tie the bag closed - I use one bag for each blanket (1sts), then the 2nds and back similar colors together, usually end up with a light bag of seconds and a dark bag of seconds - that fiber will be used differently.

Selling fiber: some folks set up a table at the local farmer's market, some sell online, we have trade shows we can sell through. it is sold either by the ounce, my preference; or by the pound. Entire fleeces are usually sold at a slight discount.

From an operational standpoint, it is wise to track your fleece weights from year to year by animal.

Hope that is what you were looking for,
Cathy]]> Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:00:53 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=153 http://www.usda.gov/documents/FARM_LOAN_PROGRAMS.pdf

As far as the business plan templates and such, don't get too buried in that. Simple is good. As you visit operating alpaca ranches, take notes of the actual elements that are part of the operation. Note that everyone does things a little differently and accomplishes the same goal. Don't let someone convince you that there is only one way to get there from here. Start ups can be efficient and they can be expensive, you make the choice.

Other things that I gleaned from your post that I can speak to from our experience. We should have purchased the animals when our cash flow was good and used the boarding opportunity as we did not have our land at the time the cash flow was the best. So sometimes the order in which you do things is unique to your situation.

Good Luck,
Cathy]]> Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:53:57 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=163
Any Info is greatly appreciated!

David and Roxanne Wood]]> Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:20:48 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=162 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:27:29 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=161 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:30:01 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=160
We're delighted to have you join our forum as an expert on alpaca training and handling to help our members find answers to their questions or to get in on the discussions around these topics. We think this will be a great resource and benefit to the industry, so thank you in advance for your time and generosity in sharing your experience and wisdom.

Joe Preston
Openherd.com]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:08:49 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=160 I welcome your handling and training questions and will do my best to give you some information that will help you decide a direction.]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:58:15 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=159
Thanks for your post and suggestion for searching by keyword or ARI number. We have plans to update the live search to include more keyword types. For the time being you could try a Google search and limit your results to Openherd.

In the Google search box, enter: openherd.com:search terms - replace "search terms" with whatever you're searching for. The openherd.com with the colon will limit results to this site.

Hope that helps and thanks for your feedback which does help nudge that development item up the list!

Joe Preston
Openherd.com]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:49:09 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=159
It is challenging to find alpacas for sale that I'm looking for.

Marcee L. Stephenson
Criation Station Alpaca Farm]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:43:16 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=158
We have a couple young paca boys, and were looking into LGDs (Great Pyrenees).. Does anyone have contacts with someone that raises good quality Pyrs? If at all possible, I'd like them to be "farm-raised", that way they are already a bit familiar with that environment. We are located in MD, so anywhere from MD, VA, to PA would be most preferred, however, if you have another contact feel free to comment and let me know!! Any suggestions/information would be very much appreciated! Thank you so much for your help~]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:54:57 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=157 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 08:01:29 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=156
***Important to know this technique! How to use Alpaca Spit (it's Free, It may be the Best

GO TO THIS LINK THEN COME BACK WITH YOUR COMMENTS
http://www.risingsunalpacas.com/articles/66/rising-sun-alpacas---what-is-alpaca-rumen-juice?-we-love-alpaca-spit--

http://WWW.RISINGSUNALPACAS.COM]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:07:28 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=155
COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER TO SEE SOME EXCELLENT DIAGRAMS/PICS & MORE

http://www.risingsunalpacas.com/articles/55/rising-sun-alpacas---body-condition-score-bcs-of-alpacas-

MIKESCHMIT@GMAIL.COM
WWW.RISINGSUNALPACAS.COM]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:57:26 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=155 Many reasons for a body score of (1) Malnutrition from worms/parasites... poor hay, cria kept on mom too long, Rumin shut down, illness on & on...Call your veterinarian but whatever you do you MUST ACT FAST!! it can take Months to recover...but only days to die

With a body score of 5 They are fat and not healthy just like me/Mike (fat Belly).There is a growing epidemic in the alpaca industry of overweight or obese animals/humans.
Alpacas that are kept at or near optimum condition (Body score of 3) will live longer, have more productive lives. They will have fewer complications during pregnancy, Birthing, and lactation, and will produce fiber close to their genetic potential.

***Grain, usually in the form of pre-bagged supplements, is often overfed. There are animals which can get fat on pasture and too much Alfalfa in their hay......

Being overweight is associated with milking problems (and at least in one seminar that I attended a higher rate of dystocias).it's not recommended to put a fat pregnant female on a diet- many potential problems can arise with significant calorie/nutrients restrictions. Better to slowly/gradually cut back on grain fed over a period of weeks keeping long term goals in mind. Taking an alpaca for long walks (good for us all) and upping their movement, moving the hay so that it's a longer walk to barn/pasture.....Less food & more activity

Alpacas are very stoic animals and may not seem sick to you/us, when actually they could be extremely ill. Observations and BODY SCORING!! your Alpacas is the key to success! call your vet if you are not sure. Hesitating may be fatal to your alpaca.
Love your Pacas
Rising Sun Alpacas (would love to hear feedback here) Thanks Mike & Suzy
edited by risingsunalpacas on 4/6/2013]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:52:15 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=112 EVERY SPRING WE DIG IT OUT AND REPLACE IT WITH NEW SAND...

THE HEALTHIEST ALPACAS ARE KEPT OUT OF THE BARN , WITH LOTS OF PASTURE TO RUN, WALK, PLAY, SUNLIGHT, RAIN IS GOOD ON THEM, BEFORE THEY ROLL IN THEIR DUST BATH SHALLOWS......WHEN THEY STAY IN THE BARN THEY POOP/PEE/WALK ON IT/LAY BY IT/ OR EVEN RIGHT IN IT ......... THAT'S WHERE BUGS/PARASITE PROBLEMS INVEST THE WORST ON THEM... KICK EM OUTSIDE WITH PLENTY OF FOOD, WATER AND MINERALS..
MIKE SCHMIT
WWW.RISINGSUNALPACAS.COM]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:46:46 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=142 MIKE SCHMIT@GMAIL.COM

WWW.RISINGSUNALPACAS.COM]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:10:13 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=154
We're so sorry to hear of your great loss. Our prayers and sincerest condolences are with you at this difficult time. We hope you'll find good homes for your alpacas and the support you need through this.

Sincerely,

Joe Preston
Openherd.com]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:47:28 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=154 Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:30:19 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=153
John & Emily Smith]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:21:21 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=152
Smiles,

Dr. Ruthanne]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 08:08:08 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=152
If there are very common markers between the cria and the presumed sire you are going to have to consider other males. Don't forget that males as young as 8 months have been known to father crias (almost always when you don't want them to). Check any males that may have been on the property in the month or so following the supervised breeding. If there was an "unsupervised" breeding within a few weeks of the supervised one the birthing time could appear to fit with the original breeding date because gestation times in alpacas are so variable.

If you try all these things and still can't figure it out I would contact Dr Shauna Brummet, PhD of Hobby Horse Farm. Shauna is a geneticist and the science officer of ARI. She was instrumental in establishing ARI's DNA testing program and can be a great resource for the tough problems. Really great person as well.

I hope these suggestions will be helpful to you.

Smiles,

Dr. Ruthanne]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 01:21:41 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=152 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:49:56 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=112
Alison & Brian Bois
Ranch Acres Alpacas
Quinton, Va.]]> Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:44:33 GMT http://openherd.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=151 Virtual Tour: http://www.karenholtzclaw.com]]> Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:55:53 GMT