A.  Suri alpaca breed standard.
B.  Suri alpaca and fiber research results.
C.  Suri show ring guidelines.
D.  Suri herd classification system for data collection.
E.  Suri EPD program and calculated results.

A. The evaluation of 16 phenotypic traits based on the Suri Breed Standard and research data.
B. A hands-on herd review by a certified Suri classifier using a point system for evaluating individual alpacas.
C. The collection of trait data for the Suri database and EPD programs.
D. Owners receive a herd report and access to an online database that identifies strengths and weaknesses of individual animals for specific traits that can be used in selection, breeding and marketing of their Suris.

A. The breeder should review the entire document, Procedure
B. After reviewing the above-listed documents, call the Suri Network Office (970-586-5876) to discuss a preliminary review of the process.

1.  Suris approximately 12 months or older will be classified.
2.  Suris must have at least 3 inches of fleece OR be shorn with their fleeces in bags.
3.  The breeder must provide covered facilities and available handlers.
4.  Certified classifiers will average 7-10 minutes per alpaca with maximum 50 animals per day.
5.  Alpacas are scored per trait with 5 (High) 4 - 3 (Average) 2 – 1 (Low).
6.  ALL data scores are then reported and filed with the SN Office Suri Database for the EPD program.
7.  The breeder will receive a classification report.

A.  Data Collection is more accurate and useful if it includes the entire population. Using only selected animals minimizes the accuracy of EPD calculations. This is standard in the livestock industry.
B.  Trait data analysis results will become more valid as we include more data and pedigree links on all animals.
C.  Including all animals in data and all related pedigrees will reflect industry trends.

D.  At a minimum, all Suris used for breeding or fiber production (both now and anticipated in the future) should be included.

A.  The suggestion at this time is a minimum of every 3 years for Classification and Fiber Test Data.  Fiber traits and to a lesser extent, conformation traits may change over time and reclassification is a good way to see which Suris are maintaining desirable scores and which are not.  

B.  Livestock and dairy industries collect data monthly for some and biannually for others.

A.  If you have Suris on your farm that were not classified under a previous classification, you may have these additioanal Suris classified at any time.

B.  One scenario is that you may have have several Suris less than a year old last year that were not included in the classification so it would be a good time to get these classified.

C.  Another scenario is that you may have aquired new Suris since your previous classification and you would like to include these. 

A. Data collection will be on-going and maintained in the SN Suri Database.
B. Collected Classification Data will be transferred to the EPD Program Manager for analysis and results, termed an “EPD RUN”. The frequency of these runs will depend on the amount of new data collected and costs. Ideally runs would be done 1-2 times per year.
C. Fiber test data from all approved labs will be accepted as received.
D. EPD calculations will be run initially on the most important traits to fiber production and the preservation of the Suri phenotype.
E. Classification evaluates 8 fiber and 8 conformation traits for the database and present and future EPD runs.

A. The classification fee is $500 per day for an estimated 50 alpacas and farms are encouraged to work together
to provide this number of alpacas.
B. The breeder(s) involved will pay all travel, lodging and meal costs for the classifier.  For more information, Check the S.H.I.P. Classification Expense Guidelines  document.

A.  Select a classifier that can travel to your farm economically.  For example, is the distance to your farm/ranch such that the classifier can drive rather than fly?

B.  House and feed the classifer at your home.

C.  Encourage other Suri owners near you to conduct a classification during the same period.

D.  Read the document S.H.I.P. Preparation Guidelines to provide an efficient environment for the process.

A. Data collection is inclusive of ALL breeder’s Suris, not a group of selected alpacas as this would decrease the accuracy of the results.
B. Herd/Individual ratings in combination with the EPD results will provide breeders with tools to make rapid advancement in positive traits.
C. Identification of Suris with proven production of certain traits can improve the quality of the breeder’s herd.
D. Breeders may identify and market individual animals ranked high for production of certain traits.
E. EPD and Classification Data provide recognition in the livestock and camelid industries

A. Classification is an evaluation against the IDEAL based on the Suri Breed Standard.
B. Show ring judging is comparative only among those in that class on that specific day.
C. Show ring exhibition provides a subjective opinion and farm name exposure for a few individual alpacas, but is not inclusive of the entire herd.
D. Classification allows the breeder to categorize alpacas by their most valued use for future production of offspring and fiber.
E. Classification reports and EPD results provide owners with actual breeding tools for herd improvement.