The Flowerdale Estate property includes a world-class residential conference retreat used by major companies for their management training and meetings. The venue offers luxury accommodation, a heated swimming pool, billiards, tennis, gymnasium, saunas. This facility is ideal for conducting alpaca training events. Throughout the year, Flowerdale Alpacas runs training seminars and workshops.
The seminar, "An Introduction to Alpacas", is specially designed for new breeders. This program is very popular with aspiring new alpaca breeders that come from most states of Australia and New Zealand.
ASSISTING NEW BREEDERS
Flowerdale Estate offers a weekend (2 day) practical workshop to assist new breeders to make a successful start in their new alpaca business. The program is a nice balance between classroom learning, hands-on practical activities in the shearing shed and networking with other new breeders. Meals and accommodation are all included. Friday night accommodation is also available.
New breeders, Allen and Libby Williams, who attended a seminar at Flowerdale Estate Alpacas.
"Allen and I really enjoyed the weekend workshop, "Introduction to Alpacas". The course notes and discussion are detailed and thorough, covering a broad range of essential topics for prospective and new owners of alpacas. The practical sessions gave us a wonderful opportunity to practice giving injections, body-condition scoring, toe nail clipping, halter training etc., under expert guidance. This also gave the group, as prospective owners, a chance to actually handle these beautiful creatures.
The weekend was also a great opportunity to meet other alpaca enthusiasts, make friends and enjoy the wonderful food and facilities at the beautiful Flowerdale Estate. We can't wait for the next seminar."
THE PROGRAM
SATURDAY
8:00am - Arrive and register
8:30 - 10:30 - "About Alpaca"
- Alpaca origins
- Alpaca genotypes - Huacaya & Suri
- Good ways to get started (pets, agistment, breeding females)
- Alpaca industry prospects
10:30 - 11:00 - Morning Tea
11:00 - 12:30 - "Selecting Quality Alpacas"
- Conformation
- Fleece characteristics (Coverage, density, crimp, luster)
- Interpreting pedigrees
- Check list for buying alpacas
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 - "Husbandry - care of your alpacas"
- Nutrition
- Medical care (working with your vet, worming, injections, toe nails,teeth)
- Breeding
- Birthing
- Weaning
- Essential equipment
- Record keeping
3:00 - 3:30 - Coffee Break
3:30 - 5:30 - "Hands on training"
- Moving alpacas around the farm
- Teaching them to walk on halter & lead
- Transporting alpacas
5:30 - 7:00 - Free time
7:00 Dinner
Accommodation provided.
SUNDAY
8:00 - 9:00 - Country Style Breakfast
3:30 - 5:30 - "Setting up your Alpaca Farm"
- Number of alpacas per acre
- Farm layout
- Fencing
- Sheds and shelters
- Watering systems
- Laneways and corals
- Paddock improvements
- Landcare
10:30 - 11:00 - Morning Tea
11:00 - 12:30 - "Farm Tour & Demonstrations"
- See how Flowerdale Estate was set up specially for alpacas
- Experience toe-nail trimming, injections, "spit-offs", matings, shearing and skirting fleeces (in season)
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 2:45 ** - "Marketing your alpacas"
- Market positioning
- Sales opportunities
- Showing
- Building a profile for your stud
- Discussion and Q & A
2:45 - 3:00 - Coffee Break (Workshop concludes)
3:45 - "Weekend concludes"
** 2:45 - "Herd Development & Business Plan Sessions"
These private sessions are available to participants to assist in developing a Herd Plan. We offer advice on farm planning, goal
setting, business plans, herd evaluation, selection of to purchase, mating strategies. Consultations are included in the cost of the
weekend and can be arranged throughout the weekend, immediately after the workshop concludes on Sunday or on the Monday following the
weekend. Sunday night accommodation can be arranged for those wishing to stay on Monday. All private planning sessions need to be
booked.
CREDIT CERTIFICATE
Should an attendee subsequently purchase female alpacas from Flowerdale Alpacas, within 60 days of the workshop the full price of the seminar will be credited against the purchase price. Each workshop attendee receives a credit certificate to the value of the course.
BOOKINGS
Seminar participants are advised to book early. There is a limit on the number of places for the seminar. Placings will be allocated on a first in first served basis. Don't delay. Most people book online. Or you can book by phone. Details are at the bottom of the page.
Phone bookings can be made by calling 03 9728 7070
WORKSHOPS CALENDAR
Sep 04 & 05, 2010
Introduction to Alpacas
Oct 30 & 31, 2010
Introduction to Alpacas
Related pages
FLOWERDALE NEWS
01/08/10 | 2010 Cria Drop
The autumn drop is now old enough to evaluate the quality of last season'e breedings. We are pleased to say that some of these cria are amongst the best quality we have ever bred. Many of the dams have been re-joined and a few are for sale.
13/08/10 | Show Season gets underway.
The main show season is now in full swing with Colourbration, Royal Melbourne and the National ahead of us. We look forward to the competition and the camaraderie.
30/08/10 | Release of Special Stock.
A new section has been created on this website for a few very special animals offered for sale. These are our STAR PERFORMERS. Those listed are elite alpacas with superior pedigrees and some excellent show results.