Authors:
D. Blache¹ , J Vaughan, S.K Maloney and J.T.B. Milton
1. School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Date of Publication:
October 5, 2011

Publication:
Australian Government Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)
(Now called AgriFutures Australia)

Summary:
The quality and quantity of alpaca fibre is affected by not only the body condition and nutrition of the animal but also by season and sex hormones. These factors can interact with the genetic potential of each animal to such an extent that they can mask the true genetic value of an animal.

This RIRDC report provides scientific data that can be used by producers, consultants to the industry, and feed manufacturers to design more appropriate diets and feeding strategies that will allow the industry to make genetic progress because these management procedures will decrease the impact of nutritional and environmental factors on the expression of the animal’s genetic potential for fibre production.

Read the rest of the article: http://www.agrifutures.com.au/publications/feeding-alpacas-to-enhance-reproduction-and-fleece-quality/