Debutantes- TOFT Class of 2014

The 2014 Maiden girls were moved this week into the clean paddocks in order to ready themselves for mating which will start immediately shearing is finished. 

At TOFT we always as a rule try and leave our females to mature fully and mate them at two years of age. There are some female alpacas which mature early and we know some breeders mate their girls anywhere from 12-18 months. For some girls this works fine but at TOFT we are looking for our females to produce elite Cria every year for at least ten years so we don't mate them until they are 2. So here they are in the new paddocks looking for the big boys. Keep looking girls we start shearing on the 11th of May!

TOFT class of 2015

All the TOFT Weaners have been moved onto fresh pasture in the last couple of weeks. These paddocks consist of un harrowed winter growth which has been left for six months to settle giving them enough new grass growth to get him through to shearing without their fleeces collecting any surplus vegetable matter. 

At TOFT these days all our cria are under 20 microns AFD in their first fleece, which is a fantastic achievement and a credit to their pedigree but it comes with the additional problem -these superfine fleeces will, if not looked after and managed properly, collect every but of dry matter out of their paddocks and make them unusable it we are not careful. We do our best adn hope that we can remove any excess that has gathered in these wonderful fleeces at shearing. We shear the second week of May so we have a bit to go yet.

TOFT - Class of 2015

Weaner paddocks at TOFT -home to the next generation.

Heart of England Alpaca Fiesta 2016

Popped into  the Heart of England Alpaca Fiesta yesterday at the Bury Farm Equestrian centre, Slapton near Leighton Buzzard.  Always amazed to think back to 2000 when we managed about 48 entries in the first BAS Alpaca Show at Purston Manor Brackley. Some exhibitors actually carried their alpacas into the ring to be judged and carried them out again. At that time there were less than 2500 alpacas in the country and halter training was in its infancy. The learning curve had only just begun. 

16 years later and the Heart of England Fiesta attains over 300 entries 24 hours after they opened for bookings.

 I think it's now safe to say as we approach our twentieth year of breeding alpacas that our South American friends have secured a permanent presence in the Agricultural landscape of the U.K. All we have to do now over the next 20 years is start to move to a more commercial fleece producing operation to add real value for the breeders to this magnificent fibre. Onwards and upwards!

TOFT Hosts BAS Level 1 Judge training...

Busy old week on the Manor as we hosted the BAS level 1 Judge training course here at TOFT. Course Tutors were BAS Judges, Liz Barlow and Jay Holland, Shirley was observing so she can tutor in the near future and yours truly was on domestic duty, catering, handling and support service. A massive thanks must go to our herdswomen Linda and Freya who'd did a great job of organising the animals and to the handlers who came from far and wide to help lead and hold the alpacas for the prospective judges. A great three days of learning and fun on the Manor.  The delegates all went home exhausted but wiser than when they arrived. We thank then for their good humour throughout and wish them all the very best as they advance through the various BAS judging levels.

Grans on the Manor ....TOFT Alpaca Open Day

It really is a family affair at TOFT and not just for those of us who work here on a regular basis. THis weekend we had the pleasure of our daughter Laura (aka FEMME) taking a break in her busy recording schedule to sample the 'vibe' on the TOFT Alpaca Open day. It's great to see that she hasn't lost her touch with the alpacas having been living that there 'London' life for the past few years. 

Here she is enjoying a little family fun with the Supergrans- Gran Gran Adam, Gran Shirley and Gran Sandra. That's a whole lot of Grans on the Manor in one day but fun was had by all.

The two scallywags are Edward Lord and Jacob McDowell who revelled in the attention, being surrounded by Grans all day long.

TOFT Easter Open day

The TOFT Easter Open day took place yesterday. The Manor was running with Yarnies and fans of TOFT Studio TOFT Alpaca Stud and the TOFT Coffee Shop. The people started arriving at 9.30am even though we didn't officially start until 10am. By 3.30pm 6-700 people had been through the gates around the farm and back again. A huge TOFT thanks to all our helpers and staff who created a wonderful atmosphere in the shop, on the farm and with the alpaca walking. Happy Easter one and all and a huge thanks to our 'rellies' the TILLEY clan for giving up the time to steward and help the proceeding run smoothly.

Here is my incredible Mother in Law Myra joint in in the Alpaca walking. She's a real TOFT treasure and the best a man can get. Thanks again one  and all and we look forward to seeing you all again in August.