We look at the alpaca dam and sire but may still not have a clue about the cria that will result. Join me as I muse on breeding decisions.

The first consideration is the bloodlines and avoiding potential inbreeding. Next, we should be considering the desirable traits and how to increase the likelihood of adding to them in the next and following generations.

At one level it seems simple but there are issues of genotype and phenotype and which traits are clustered together.

One of the important factors is data over time which means keeping records - and referring to them. We do not just need more alpacas but better ones and our breeding choices will affect this.

This is more challenging for owners of a few animals since the data requires quantity over time to be more accurate.

Link

Here is a link to the British Alpaca Society discussion of Estimated Beeding Values https://bas-uk.com/alpacapedia/estimated-breeding-values-for-alpacas/

Contact me with your thoughts on breeding decisions steve@alpacatribe.com