We are back from the A-OK Alpaca Blast Off in Shawnee, OK.  It was a long trip, but  uneventful, although we did lose a trailer hubcap somewhere along the way.   So strange…  We had good results from the show with all of our animals taking ribbons.   The two blue ribbons that we got are from two females who are sired by Stonewall Jaxon, our 5-time champion herdsire.  We are thrilled about that as it is always a good thing to know that a herdsire’s progeny can do well in the show ring. 

                                                  

We are also thrilled that our Poseidon son, Paschal, took a second place in a competitive group of 11 great looking white juvenile males. 

                                                   

And our junior herdsire, Express’ Masterpiece Renoir took a “Best Crimp” ribbon in the fleece show competition.  He is really racking up the awards on the show circuit.  Although this picture is from another show, this is how great Renoir looks.

       

So, we are back on the ranch now.  Did a little behavior testing this morning to be sure that our females who are pregnant are still pregnant.  Seven out of seven and all spit at the male.  Spit testing is one way of testing your females to see if they are pregnant.  A female alpaca is really in touch with her body and once they are pregnant, they want nothing at all to do with a male alpaca.  Other ways to check for pregnancy is progesterone testing or ultrasounding the female.  We have done all methods, but spit testing is one that doesn’t involve any lab work or a veterinarian and can be done on a day at the ranch!