WHAT IS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF S.H.I.P.?
The primary goal of S.H.I.P. is to provide a variety of tools for herd improvement and management of Suri Phenotype and Fiber qualities for Suri Network members.
WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF S.H.I.P.?
S.H.I.P. is more than just the on-farm classification. The whole program is focused on using all the tools available to make herd management and breeding decisions. Here are some of the tools:
-
Suri alpaca breed standard.
-
Suri alpaca fiber testing and histograms.
-
Suri show system results, both fleece and halter.
-
Suri herd classification system for data collection.
-
Suri skin biospy data.
-
AOA EPD program and calculated results.
WHAT IS A SURI HERD CLASSIFICATION?
-
The evaluation of 16 phenotypic traits based on the Suri Breed Standard and research data.
-
A hands-on herd review by a certified Suri classifier using a point system for evaluating individual alpacas.
-
The collection of trait data for the Suri database.
-
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.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE A HERD CLASSIFICATION?
- The breeder should review the Application and Preparation Guidelines
- After reviewing the above pages, call the Suri Network Office (970-586-5876) to discuss a preliminary review of the process.
HOW DOES A CLASSIFICATION WORK?
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.
7. The breeder will receive a classification report.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY HERD BE CLASSIFIED?
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.
WHAT ABOUT NEW SURIS ADDED TO MY HERD AFTER CLASSIFICATION?
- If you have Suris on your farm that were not classified under a previous classification, you may have these additional Suris classified at any time.
- 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.
- Another scenario is that you may have acquired new Suris since your previous classification and you would like to include these.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE FIBER TESTS DONE?
-
Laboratory Fiber Test Data is an objective measurement with exact values.
-
Classification provides subjective values for 16 traits as viewed by classifiers. Classifiers will continue to work together for consistency in evaluating those traits.
-
The compilation of both data sets, fiber tests and classification data, plus the ability of owners to add additional herd data in the future, will provide a more complete picture of the North American Suri population.
WHAT ARE THE CLASSIFICATION COSTS?
-
Upon submission of an application to the Suri Network, you will be invoiced a $75 administration fee.
-
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.
-
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.
HOW CAN I REDUCE MY COSTS FOR CLASSIFICATION?
-
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?
-
House and feed the classifier at your home.
-
Encourage other Suri owners near you to conduct a classification during the same period.
-
Read the document S.H.I.P. Preparation Guidelines to provide an efficient environment for the process.
HOW DOES CLASSIFICATION DIFFER FROM PLACING IN THE SHOW RING?
-
Classification is an evaluation against the IDEAL based on the Suri Breed Standard.
-
Show ring judging is comparative only among those in that class on that specific day.
-
Show ring exhibition provides a subjective opinion and farm name exposure for a few individual alpacas, but is not inclusive of the entire herd.
-
Classification allows the breeder to categorize alpacas by their most valued use for future production of offspring and fiber.
-
Classification reports and provide owners with actual breeding tools for herd improvement.
WHAT OTHER TOOLS ARE AVAILABLE TO SURI BREEDERS TO HELP IMPROVE THEIR HERDS?
-
Fiber Testing
-
Follicle density testing (skin biopsy)
-
Halter and Fleece shows
-
AOA EPD scores
