Seminar and Workshop Schedule

Seminar and Workshop Programme

The Futurity group are proud to be able to present this excellent collection of eminent practitioners in their specialist fields. Something here for everyone to enjoy and learn from. To encourage all to benefit from this programme a single low price ticket will cover all the presentations on both days. A small supplementary charge will be made for the two workshops.

All seminars and workshops will be conducted within Hall 2 on the main floor, allowing immediate and easy access for those who might be also involved elsewhere.

Birthing Alpacas—No Need to Panic!

Claire Whitehead BVM&S MS MRCVS Diplomate ACVIM

Part 1
The seminar aims to help you identify the indications of impending parturition in alpacas, to help you evaluate when a birthing is proceeding normally and when you should think about stepping in. You will learn useful tips about how to identify the various parts of the cria by feel (when you can’t actually see them). You will also learn when it’s appropriate to step in to aid the birthing process, and when you shouldn’t, what equipment you will need, and what you should not do!

Part 2 (Limited to 16 places)
The practical workshop is complementary to the seminar and cannot be attended without first having attended the seminar. In the workshop you will learn to put into practice the tips you have picked up and begin to train your fingers on how to feel and identify without actually seeing.

Taking Better Photographs

A practical seminar by Doug Hermann (USA) Photography by Herrmann

You will learn how to capture the best alpaca pictures and adjust them for your website and marketing. Doug is a master at this difficult task, regularly being contracted as the official photographer for the best and largest alpaca shows in the USA. He also teaches at local colleges and presents seminars. You will learn the special tricks he uses to ensure the alpaca stands properly and how best to frame and adjust your camera and post production editing to ensure professional looking pictures grace your website and marketing products.

Following the first part of his seminar you will be invited to go and take pictures at the Futurity event. Following this Doug will take a look at your pictures offering further advice and suggestions. The best picture taken as judged by Doug will be awarded a Futurity ribbon and cash prize.

Felting with Alpaca Fibre

Illustrated lecture, demonstration and taster workshop by Liz Clay

Are you interested in adding value to your alpaca fibre? Looking for inspiration and technique can come no better than attending this workshop. Liz Clay makes stunningly beautiful boas, wraps and scarves. Her collection of exclusive hand felted accessories combines innovative design with superb craftsmanship. Beautiful and feminine creations exclusively handmade using the finest of luxury fibres; boas, wraps and scarves carefully created from cashmere, merino, alpaca and silks. Liz Clay’s exquisite accessories create drama and sensation—timeless pieces of textile art that make exclusive gifts and very special commissions.

Her collection of boas, wraps, scarves and individual creations is exhibited widely both at home and abroad, featuring in the collections of Stella McCartney, Givenchy and selected outlets in London including Harrods.

Part 1
An illustrated lecture about her practice and designs using alpaca and other luxury blends with alpaca. This will include her couture collections and research and development work, with samples

Part 2
A Felting demonstration of both 2D and 3D techniques which will include fibre preparation and advice

Part 3
Taster workshop to promote hand felted applications using alpaca fibre. Places for this workship will be limited to 10 bookings

Why Crias Die in the First Week of Life

Dr. Ahmed Tibary DVM, DACT (USA)

Clinical research has shown recently that over half of cria deaths occurs in the first week of life. The majority of cria deaths in this period will occur in the first day to 3 days of life. This data points to the importance of the perinatal period (2 weeks before birth to 2 weeks after birth) in the management of alpacas. The breeder is at the forefront in combating and reducing these losses. Most of the losses can be traced to an abnormal pregnancy, abnormal birthing, abnormality of development of the cria or an infectious process during the immediate period after birth. These aspects will be discussed with a special reference to management of difficulty birthing and reduction of infections.

Dr. Ahmed Tibary graduated in 1980 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire (IAV) in Morocco. He earned his MS (1984) and PhD (1989) in Theriogenology from the University of Minnesota and a Doctorat of Science in Animal Production. He was certified as a theriogenologist (reproductive medicine specialist) by the American College of Theriogenologists in 1991.

Dr. Tibary started his career in Morocco and maintains an ongoing affiliation with the university there, teaching and doing research on ruminant, equine and camelid theriogenology. He has worked as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Theriogenology at the University of Minnesota (1990-1991), Dr. Tibary was the Scientific Director of the Veterinary Research Centre in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates from 1991 to 1998 where he helped in the development of a referral centre for infertility and artificial breeding in Arabian horses and camels. He joined the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University in 1998 where he is now an associate professor and heads the Camelid, Equine and Ruminant theriogenology service.

Dr. Tibary has devoted most of his career to teaching theriogenology and conducting applied research in large animals. He has been honoured with several awards recognizing his excellence in teaching including the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award in 2001 and 2005. He is the author of over 100 scientific and lay articles in reproduction in bovine, equine, camelids and small ruminants. He has also authored several books on equine and camelid theriogenology. Dr. Tibary has given over 200 presentations to breeders and veterinarians in the field of reproductive medicine and related technologies.

Hand Spinning Alpaca Fibre

Jean Field (UK), Craft Competition Judge

Have you ever wanted to have a go at hand spinning your alpaca fleece or are you wanting to improve your technique? Jean will be the ideal person to help you out and lead you to perfection. She has many years of hand spinning experience, is a leading light in her spinners and weavers guild, and we have seen her handiwork at first hand, taking first prize for hand spinning at the 2009 Futurity competition.

Bring your own spinning wheel and fibre, either huacaya or suri. This can be as raw fleece, washed or unwashed. We can card it at the workshop if required. Or if you prefer, bring your own batts or rovings for immediate spinning. Worsted and woollen techniques will be demonstrated together with various long and short draw methods of spinning. Spinning wheel maintenance will also be covered.

Pregnancy Loss—What To Do?

Dr. Ahmed Tibary DVM, DACT (USA)

To enable as many as possible to attend this important seminar, show judging will be suspended for the duration of this presentation. Alpaca Exhibitors for the halter classes will receive free entry tickets as part of their entry fees.

Pregnancy loss is the second most common complaint in our practice. They represent 28% of all cases seen in the last 10 years of our reproductive medicine service. Pregnancy loss can occur at any stage but most commonly we see 3 large peaks, the first 60 days of pregnancy, mid pregnancy (5 to 6 months) and around the end of pregnancy (early delivery). Pregnancy loss is one of the most frustrating disorders of reproduction to deal with as it generally involves several factors, some due to the developing foetus and placenta, some due to the dam, and others may be environmental. This presentation will discuss the causes of pregnancy loss and how the breeder and veterinarian should work to try to arrive at a diagnosis.