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Alpaca Genetics

There isn't a breeder out there who wouldn't like to know with certainty, what the future will hold by breeding certain animals. While absolute certainty may not be possible, having certainty about what is highly probable is possible. This is possible when one has a strong understanding of genetics and alpaca genetics in particular. Breeders who employ breeding practices based on sound, scientific, genetically based information have a competitive advantage. Our Alpaca Genetics library contains articles encompassing genetics in general, as well as those specific to alpacas.

articles

HaSu Gets New Shearing Tools
HaSu Ranch and its sister company, Breedworks have joined with Mike Safley to create a tool to provide cutting-edge science to the alpaca industry which will allow breeders of all sizes to track the ability of individual sires to transfer specific desired fiber traits to their off-spring. This tool is an easy-to use fiber collection system that can be found on the Ideal Alpaca Community's website and uses the laboratories of Yocom-McColl to study fiber samples and produce detailed histograms. Yocom-McColl can then study the collected data and with the aid of experts at Virginia Tech create a data base that will allow this industry to more successfully breed to a higher quality fiber...



Breeding For Genetic Gain
It is also important to understand how genetics, heritage, and the environment can influence the quality of our bloodstock. Understanding which genetic traits are present in the alpaca you are considering for purchase and what selection criteria to employ for individual animals can be valuable to both beginning and experienced breeders.



Selecting Your Future by Selecting a Herdsire
The quickest, most efficient way to improve your herd is to select a herdsire that furthers the goals of your breeding program. First you need to define those goals but then how do you choose a herdsire? What do you look for? Where do you look? Take the time to make the best choice you can for the future of your herd. You won't regret it.



The Comparative Analysis of Alpaca
Breed standards for American alpacas have, in the past, been controversial. The leadership of the industry has, over time, uniformly opposed adopting breed standards. This article endeavors to look at breed standards analytically. The authors firmly believe that breed standards are an overwhelming positive for the alpaca breed.


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.





alpaca genetics articles

HaSu Gets New Shearing Tools

Breeding For Genetic Gain

Selecting Your Future by Selecting a Herdsire

The Comparative Analysis of Alpaca

What are EPD's? (Estimated Progeny Differences)


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