The British Alpaca Society

08/05/2025

Introducing the second of our keynote talks to be delivered by Molly Gardner, Thistledown Suris, New Zealand. Molly is passionate about alpaca fibre and the luxurious product that can be made from it. She has been involved in numerous fibre projects and continues to champion suri fleece around the world.

Moving from a Bloodstock to a Fibre Industry.

Regardless of the country, imported alpaca have found themselves on a very similar path since they left South America that of a bloodstock industry, the buying and selling of alpacas to grow the numbers. This has been an important part of our fledgling industries. Although they are super cute which makes them hugely appealing, they are a fibre producing livestock in their native homelands. The move to a fibre industry in Britain, Australia and NZ has been more difficult to achieve despite our rich fibre histories, breeding knowledge and expertise. However, progression is a must if our industries are to be sustainable. Compared to some countries, Britain has opportunities available to it and is therefore in a good position to make this transition.

We hope you can join us on the 4th and 5th October 2025. Full details at:
https://bas-uk.com/event/bas-conference-2025/

(Photo courtesy of Emma Taylor)

08/05/2025

06/05/2025

We are delighted to introduce Molly Gardner, the first of our International Key Note Speakers who will be delivering two talks at our members' Conference.

Molly Gardner, Thistledown Suris, New Zealand.

Molly is an astute observer of nature and behaviour, has a drive for continuous improvement and is an early adopter of research and technologies that can support the outcomes of her passions. Livestock improvement is one of these passions. For more than 30 years she has brought together the learning from others, research and her personal experience in the breeding of a number of different livestock species. While quite an achievement in itself, the greater reward is in education - sharing and learning with and from others. Molly has spoken at many international events in Australia, America, Europe and at the WAC when it was held in NZ. She runs workshops worldwide on breeding and fleece production in Alpaca. Molly lives on Banks Peninsula on the South Island of NZ. Apart from her coloured Suri, she has also purpose-bred an Australian lowline x Galloway cattle herd designed to cope with the harsh climate of Banks Peninsula and the increasingly old lady that manages them!

07/04/2025

*The BAS Member's Conference is now OPEN for early bird booking through grassroots. A provisional programme is also now available online* https://bas-uk.com/event/bas-conference-2025/

01/04/2025

✂️ Have you got your shearer book in? ✂️

If you haven’t already got your shearer booked in, now is the time to get organised!
Alpaca shearing is crucial for welfare, with most needing shearing yearly (Suri’s can be sheared every other year, or yearly). 🦙

https://bas-uk.com/care-and-welfare/husbandry/shearing/

Have you ever considered learning to shear alpacas? 🤨 If so, we at tbe British Alpaca Society are incredibly proud of our Apprentice Shearing Scheme!
You can read all about it by following the above link 💭

20/03/2025

🗺️ Connecting with the International Alpaca Community in Germany! 🗺️

Two weeks ago, the British Alpaca Society attended the World Alpaca Conference in Ilshofen, Germany! 🇩🇪🦙

This incredible event brought together alpaca breeders, enthusiasts and experts from around the world to share knowledge, discuss industry developments, and celebrate these amazing animals. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with the worldwide alpaca community, and showcase the excellence of British alpacas in an international setting. We think it is safe to say that everyone who visited our stand truly came away appreciating what we have to offer here in the UK! 🇬🇧🏆

We look forward to seeing some of those same faces at our National Show this weekend 🌍

17/03/2025

🎉 The British Alpaca Society National Show - This Weekend 🎉

Nothing says weekend vibes like going to a venue hosting over 500 alpacas (and a few llamas!). 🌟

📍 Join us at the Staffordshire County Showground, where these beautiful alpacas will be on show.

What do we have in store for this weekend?

🦙 A building full of exceptional alpacas, with their fantastic breeders all happy to talk with you about alpaca ownership or advancing your own herd!

🛍️ Trade stands to stock up on all your necessary alpaca related goodies!

🤗 A collection of beautifully trained alpacas specifically there for the public to meet, learn about, and get hands on with. When you get there, head over to the new ‘World of Alpacas’!

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Activities for all the family, including crafting… and did we mention alpaca selfies?!

📆 21st March 2025 - 23rd March 2025 (Open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday)
📍Staffordshire County Showground
🎟️ Buy tickets at: https://bas-uk.com/bas-national-show/

Tag a friend who needs a dose of alpaca cuteness this weekend 🦙✨

Video credit: Stuart and Angela Wilson

17/03/2025

🎉 The British Alpaca Society National Show - This Weekend 🎉

Nothing says weekend vibes like going to a venue hosting over 500 alpacas (and a few llamas!). 🌟

📍 Join us at the Staffordshire County Showground, where these beautiful alpacas will be on show.

What do we have in store for this weekend?

🦙 A building full of exceptional alpacas, with their fantastic breeders all happy to talk about alpaca ownership or advancing your own herd!

🛍️ Trade stands to stock up on all your necessary alpaca related goodies!

🤗 A collection of beautifully trained alpacas specifically there for the public to meet, learn about, and get hands on with. When you get there, head over to the new ‘World of Alpacas’!

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Activities for all the family, including crafting… and did we mention alpaca selfies?!

📆 21st March 2025 - 23rd March 2025 (Open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday)
📍Staffordshire County Showground
🎟️ Buy tickets at: https://bas-uk.com/bas-national-show/

Tag a friend who needs a dose of alpaca cuteness this weekend 🦙✨

Video credit: Stuart and Angela Wilson

07/03/2025

🎓🌟 BAS Intermediate Alpaca Assessment Course Success! 🌟🎓

Last weekend, 16 enthusiastic delegates attended our Intermediate Course, diving deep into the art of alpaca assessment.
Over three days, they dedicated themselves to expanding their knowledge and learning how to advance their own breeding programs through developing key skills for assessing alpacas- an invaluable step for any alpaca breeder 👏🏻

https://bas-uk.com/training-courses/

A huge thank you to the fantastic group of people who worked together to make this course a total success. Mary-Jo Smith, Jay Holland and Roger Clarke for their expertise and fantastic teaching styles. As well as our fabulous hosts Barbara Hetherington, Craig Kerr and Paul Hetherington , who ensured everything ran like clockwork, it would be impossible to run these events without you.

Thank you as well to those who helped handle alpacas across the weekend and who brought alpacas from their own farms to help ensure the delegates had plenty of alpacas to assess in both Suri and Huacaya.

We think our brilliant delegates would all agree it was a great weekend, and enjoyed by all! If you attended this course, or have attended another BAS course, what did you enjoy most? 🎓🦙

08/02/2025

Book an alpaca activity for a unique adventure with well-cared-for animals. 🐾
Do you offer alpaca activities? If so, tag your page below!

Choose a provider signed up to the British Alpaca Society Code of Practice for an ethical, enjoyable experience while supporting responsible practices. 🧐

Alpaca owners can easily sign up to the Code of Practice through the British Alpaca Society website, helping uphold the highest standards of animal welfare and care.
📋 https://bas-uk.com/about-alpacas/why-keep-alpacas/

04/02/2025

✨ Elite Genetics, Exceptional Alpacas! ✨

Who says retail therapy is just for clothes and shoes? 🛍️ This time, it’s all about top-tier alpaca stud services! 🦙💙

The British Alpaca Society Stud Auction is your chance to invest in elite genetics, improve fleece quality, and take your herd to the next level.
Don’t miss out, head over to the British Alpaca Society website!

https://bas-uk.com/bas-national-show/auctions/

Tag a fellow alpaca lover- because shopping is always better with friends 😉

08/08/2024

Ingrid Weel takes photos at quite a few alpaca shows. You might want to buy one of her great photos or just enjoy lots of alpaca shots. Take look here..............

Please enjoy looking through these show photos and congratulations on your success. PLEASE NOTE: These are proofs. If you make any orders, they will be edited and tidied up for you. Don’t pay anything until you receive an invoice directly from Ingrid Weel Media Ltd. If you are unsure about anything...