DR. DAVID ANDERSON, DVM

Saturday 8:30 to 10:00am - Avoiding the Pitfalls of Camelid Breeding

Dr. David Anderson has been a key driver of Alpaca & Llama Research. Dr. Anderson initiated the International Camelid Institute, which is an education and service facility for camelid owners, breeders, veterinarians and scientists, fiber and textile persons, and animal enthusiasts throughout the world to advance the well-being of camelids and the camelid industry.

Saturday 12:00pm to 1:00pm - Alpaca Viewing & Wine Tasting with Dr. Anderson

There will be no wine, before it’s time & IT’s TIME!!!  Dr. David Anderson, who will share with you his great knowledge about alpacas, would like also to share with you his great taste. The doctor has a refined palette for the vine and invites you to join him for a sampling of some of his personal favorites.

TIM LAVAN - AOBA CERTIFIED JUDGE

Friday 2:00pm to 3:30pm Alpaca Judging – “What Matters in the Show Ring?”

Tim Lavan along with his wife, Cindy and their children Charlie & Peter own and operate Chase Tavern Farm and Chickadee Ridge Alpacas on the family’s 130 acre mid-coast Maine farm. Since 1993, Chase Tavern Farm has been breeding Championship producing stock and have developed a national recognized breeding farm of excellence. Herdsires working on our farm include 4Peruvian Altiplano Gold and 6Peruvian Accoyo Powerball and the farm born and raised males, El Segundo de Royal Fawn, Magnum Gold, Evander and GreyBeard to name a few.

Tim is recognized as one of the industry’s top judges having screened or judged over 10,000 alpacas to date. He has judged over 35 alpaca shows all across North America and has lectured on many topics ranging from fleece to breeding strategies.

CHERYL GEHLY - AOBA CERTIFIED JUDGE

Friday 3:30 to 5:00pm - Skirting Fleeces (Huacaya & Suri)

Cheryl Gehly came to the alpaca world with a background of 25 years in education. She has volunteered as a fleece show superintendent on several occasions and became a familiar face to many as she helped at numerous annual AOBA National Conference Fleece Shows. Cheryl has also volunteered her time with AOBA by being a member and chairperson of the Judge Training and Certification Committee. In addition, she has shared her knowledge with judges and apprentices as an Instructor at JTCC sponsored Judge Training Clinics. Most recently, Cheryl was appointed as a member and chairperson of the AOBA Judge Advisory Committee. Cheryl currently spends her time judging fleece shows, as well as teaching, consulting and training in the alpaca business.

DOUG HERRMANN, PHOTOGRAPHY BY HERRMANN

Friday 4:00pm to 5:00pm - Photographing Alpacas

Successful marketing necessitates presenting your product in a way to attract your target audience. When marketing your Alpacas, it is important to photograph them so that their natural beauty and strong composition are featured. This requires a basic understanding of photography, composition, and lighting. This seminar will review basic photographic techniques to best capture the beauty of your Alpacas.

MIKE BARNHART - ALPACA TRADING COMPANY

Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm Mike Barnhart - Put Some Sizzle in Your Orgle - Marketing Your Herdsire

Are you looking to take your Herdsire to the top? New and experienced breeders alike will benefit from learning what it takes to market your Herdsire and earn money from outside breedings in the alpaca industry. Topics will include: When is it right to purchase a Herdsire? Setting Breeding Fees. Syndicate purchases. Co-Owning. Developing your outside breeding program and most importantly MARKETING, MARKETING, MARKETING! I will be sharing some of the methods we used to make Torbio a household name!

DEBBIE HIRT & HELEN HUMPHREYS - SILVER PENN SALES, LLC

Saturday 10:00am to 11:00am - How to Buy at Auction

Debbie Hirt & Helen Humphreys, the owners of Silver Penn Sales, LLC bring over 17 years of experience raising, showing, buying and selling alpacas. Helen is an AOBA certified Halter and Fleece Judge. Silver Penn Sales manages the Prestige and the Extreme Progeny Auctions and in addition to their sale management expertise, over the years both Debbie & Helen have participated as buyers and consignors at sellers numerous auctions, so they know every angle of Alpaca Auction Business! Whether this is your first auction or if you just have questions on smart buying and selling at auctions, plan to attend their seminar “How to Buy at Auction”.

VICKI TRIMBERGER - MYSTIC SPRINGS RANCH

Friday 1:00pm to 2:00pm - "Alpaca Showmanship"

Saturday 11:00am to 12:00pm - "Alpacas 101"

Mystic Springs Ranch is owned and run by Vicki, Mike, Maddy and Cody Trimberger and is located in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin, near Green Bay. They have spent the last 8 years breeding some of the top suri alpacas in the country and now they offer some of the finest Huacaya genetics as well. With over 15 years of showing horses and 8 years of showing alpacas, Vicki teaches exhibitors how to relax and excel in the show ring, she also specializes helping new breeders learn the basics with her course Alpacas 101.

JOVI LARSEN- FIBERGENIX SURIS

Saturday 11:00pm to 12:00pm - "Breeding Without Borders"

Jovi Larson and her husband, Richard Surles, own FiberGenix Suris in southwest Virginia.  Soon after purchasing alpacas 10 years ago, she realized that alpacas would be her second career – after 20+ years in scientific research.  She received her Ph.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has experience in the fields of molecular genetics, immunology and virology.  A past board member of MAPACA, she also helped organize the NJ Alpaca Community affiliate.  Her talk will introduce and cover topics such as genetic bottlenecks affecting the North American alpaca herd, the effects of inbreeding/linebreeding and other examples of close breeding to be avoided.  An understanding of these issues can help you make informed purchase and breeding decisions.