Alpaca Workshops: Learn about Liver Fluke in Alpacas

Little Valley Farm conducts monthly alpaca workshops for those new to alpaca farming or considering owning alpacas. The workshop is an excellent opportunity to learn about alpacas and to determine if they are the right livestock for your hobby farm or acreage.

During the workshop, we will share our journey of starting an alpaca farm in the Hunter Valley in 2012. We will discuss what we did right and what we did wrong. We will also cover all aspects of alpaca farming, including animal welfare and health issues, and the best shed set-up for different weather conditions, including shearing day. Additionally, we will provide essential information on maintaining the daily health of your livestock and understanding the various parasites that affect them at different times of the year.

Today is about the parasite, LIVER FLUKE

Click on the image above to read more about Liver Fluke in Alpacas by Jane Vaughan, BVSc, Ph.D., MACVSc, CRIA Genesis.

Liver fluke are typically found in areas of southeastern Australia where the annual average rainfall is 600 mm or greater or on irrigated country where the average rainfall is 400 mm, in and around swampy areas, springs and seepages, irrigation channels and shallow, slow moving creeks where the intermediate host snail of this parasite breeds.

Liver fluke is the common name of the trematode, Fasciola hepatica. The parasite is found worldwide and is the only liver fluke found in Australia. Infection can lead to reduced productivity and death and costs millions of dollars each year in lost production (meat, wool, milk, liver condemnation, secondary infection, replacement stock requirements), stock deaths and costs of treatment and prevention. The fluke mainly affects cattle and sheep, but can also affect alpacas, goats, horses, pigs, kangaroos, wombats, rabbits and deer. Humans may also be infected, for example after eating watercress collected from fluke-infested creeks or following use of contaminated water on vegetable gardens. The adult fluke is a pale brown or grayish-brown flat worm about 1.5-4 cm long that lives in the bile ducts of the liver. Refer to the file by CRIA Genesis for actual images.

Things to Note

Treatment: Once a diagnosis has been made, a zero-tolerance approach is recommended when treating and controlling liver fluke because even light burdens can cause significant damage and production losses. The treatment recommended will depend on the nature of infection – are immature or adult fluke causing disease? Not all flukicides (anthelmintics effective against liver fluke) are effective against immature fluke so are not recommended in acute fluke outbreaks (Table 1 in the attachment of CRIA Genesis). They are also less efficient for strategic control of flukes. Even the best flukacides do not kill every fluke and an effective flukacide is described as being 90 % or more effective (compared with roundworm anthelmintics where effective drenches kill more than 95 % of target roundworms). Remember to test/treat introduced stock to reduce contaminating fluke-free areas.

Not sure on your parasites

If you are uncertain about the parasites you may have, you can conduct a fecal egg count (FEC) with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) or your local veterinarian. However, you must specify the parasites you are looking for when testing.

Need advice or a drench

If you require any assistance or advice, please contact your local veterinarian. Alternatively, feel free to drop us an email if you are in Australia. We also have some supplies available if you need a particular drench for your small herd.

Little Valley Farm workshops

Click the link to learn more about our monthly Sunday workshops in the Hunter Valley.

Hope to see you soon, thanks, Daniela Riccio

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Life cycle of the Liver Fluke: Fasciola hepatic by David Barlow. This video of the life cycle of the globally significant parasite of sheep and cattle; the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica was produced in collaboration with parasitologist Dr Clive Bennett (University of Southampton, retired)

Attachments:

Live Fluke in Alpacas - a very good read on this PDF document by Jane Vaughan BVSc PhD MACVSc CRIA Genesis.

Tips for keeping your alpaca cool

Spring can get quite hot, and your alpacas may feel the heat too. But worry not, as there are ways to keep their water cool throughout the day and night.

Most importantly, make sure you have booked your shearer well in advance of hot Summer weather, but whilst you are waiting for your shearing day, do this….

Other options include sprinklers, hosing down their legs and having two or three extra water troughs that they can cool down or splash themselves besides ice cubes.

It is crucial to keep your alpacas cool during warm weather. The best way to do this is to shear them early in spring, depending on where you live. For us, spring is the best time. Therefore, it is essential to have your shearer's contact information at hand and book their services well in advance.

Follow Daniela from Little Valley Farm for some useful tips and tricks on alpaca farming in the Hunter Valley.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, or follow her for more updates, or even join Daniela on the farm for their monthly Sunday workshops.

Herding alpacas

Our YOUTUBE channel features an informative video on how we effectively move (herd) our alpacas from one paddock to another. We do this every two weeks to ensure our alpacas have access to fresh and nutritious grass, control parasites, and to never over-graze our paddocks. Watch the video below.

Tips on how to herd alpacas?

We advise herding the alpacas into a smaller enclosure or their usual handling area, where they feel more comfortable and settled for optimal results. We recommend gradually confining the herd into smaller numbers while ensuring that the illumination in the handling area is uniform and minimizing shadows and bright spots. Removing any items that may impede the animals' movement, such as clothing hanging on rails, is also essential.

You can use a moveable fence to confine the herd while working quietly and calmly. Our moveable fence method involves having a long rope held at waist height between two people and stretched across a paddock, allowing us to herd the alpacas to a specific location. We exercise extra care when handling pregnant alpacas, crias, machos, or isolated alpacas. We always ensure that an alpaca has one or more alpacas in close proximity to prevent them from becoming stressed.

Our alpaca workshops in the Hunter Valley are a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about our techniques and farming alpacas and of course, alpaca welfare. We conduct this activity at the start of every workshop. To participate, visit our website, choose your preferred date, and book online.

We are confident that our method for moving alpacas is effective and stress-free, and you can do this with two or more alpacas. Visit us at Little Valley Farm and experience farming alpacas in the Hunter Valley at our workshop. Thank you, Daniela

Spring time alpaca workshops in the Hunter Valley

We're so excited to invite you to our upcoming Spring time alpaca workshops, perfect for anyone new to owning alpacas.

You'll get to meet our amazing herd of Huacaya and Suri alpacas in the beautiful Hunter Valley and hear all about our journey into the world of alpaca farming. We'll cover everything you need to know about alpaca health and welfare and share some tips on creating shelters and shearing pens that are easy to manage.

Our workshops are kept small so everyone can get the most out of the day, and we'll be on hand to answer all your questions. You'll also get to learn how to handle alpacas with care, build trust with them.

We absolutely love what we do and can't wait to share it with you. Our Springtime workshops are held once a month on Sundays, so why not join us for a day of alpaca-filled fun?

Book via our website for adults and children. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Daniela at Little Valley Farm - Alpaca farm Hunter Valley

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In case you can't make it to the Hunter Valley, we've got you covered! You can always get your hands on our alpaca manual online. It's filled with valuable information on animal welfare, halter training, ear tagging, toenail clippings, collection of fleece, worm burden in alpacas, ticks, giving injections, eyecare, pregnancy diagnosis, cria care at birth, wearing crias, body condition score, and transporting alpacas. The book is designed to be user-friendly, with step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and full-colour pictures.

Alpaca Workshop for new owners

Discover the wonders of alpacas with our unique workshop that provides all the tips and tricks to make these magnificent creatures thrive on your small farm or acreage. You'll learn about alpaca management and health, alpaca breeds, and the importance of having a PIC before purchasing alpacas. We'll also cover topics such as livestock breeding, shed layouts, appropriate shade for livestock, feed and grass, husbandry and management and alpaca welfare.

Our workshop is suitable for anyone interested in owning alpacas, and we'll provide a copy of the AgGuide Practical Handbook - Farming Alpacas for you to take home. We're a registered breeder with the Australian Alpaca Association and have been working with alpacas since 2012.

The workshop takes place in Laguna, Wollombi Valley in the Hunter Valley, once a month. Join us for an unforgettable experience and secure your spot by clicking on the link below for the upcoming August and September dates. We'll wrap up the day with a cuppa and light refreshments at the house.

Daniela Riccio at Little Valley Farm Laguna, Wollombi Valley in the Hunter Valley

At Little Valley Farm, we have a deep passion for working with alpacas on a daily basis and take great pride in our stunning alpaca family. We're excited to share them with you soon.

If you are unable to attend our alpaca workshop, you may consider buying our recommended alpaca learning manual. This will provide you with the necessary information to make an informed purchase decision and help you identify key factors to consider when buying alpacas.

We are only two hours from Sydney along the M1 and one hour from the Central Coast. We also have two cabins for adults. If you book in advance, you may be able to secure one of our cabins to stay in so you can make a weekend of learning about alpacas.

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Stay up to date with us via our Facebook or Instagram page.

Alpaca workshop in the Hunter Valley

Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that we're hosting our next alpaca workshop on Sunday, 20th August 2023. It's an excellent opportunity to learn about these amazing animals! We hold these workshops once a month in the beautiful Laguna/Wollombi Valley, which is just 90 minutes from Sydney and an hour from the Central Coast.

Our alpaca workshops are open to children; each child will receive a special alpaca gift. We highly recommend booking online in advance for our monthly Sunday workshops, as spots are limited.

We hope to see you there! Daniela, Little Valley Farm

This is our BB, Suri weanling. Isn’t he lovely!

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We offer accommodation for up to four adults if you want to turn your visit into a weekend getaway. Alternatively, we can suggest one-night stays at Noyce Brothers Wine/Grays Inn Wollombi, located in the central area of Wollombi Village and just a ten-minute drive from our farm. The village has various dining options, including the Wollombi Tavern for dinner and drinks, the Myrtle and Stone Cafe for charming cafe vibes, and the Wollombi Kitchen for breakfast and lunch.

We look forward to seeing you at Little Valley Farm in Laguna for our alpaca workshop.

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Alpaca Workshops in the Hunter Valley

We would like to invite you to the upcoming alpaca workshop at Little Valley Farm. The spots for this event are limited, so be sure to book your reservation online before June 18th, 2023 to secure your place. During the workshop, we will introduce you to the majestic creatures from Laguna, and the event will begin promptly at 10:30am. This is an experience that you won't want to miss!

Meet Summertime Opal by Suki and Sire Richmond, Huacaya Alpaca

“Feeling intimidated by farm life? No need to worry! This starter guide gives you the courage and foundation needed for a successful farming adventure. Get ready - your journey begins here!”

— Daniela

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Learn about the different alpaca breeds.

The Suri breed, which is rarer of the two breeds, has long dreadlocked fleece that hangs from their body like tassels. Their fleece is vibrant in lustre and has a silky soft feel. This fleece is primarily used to make fine and luxurious cloth for high-end fashion garments.

Huacaya is the most common of the two breeds making up 90% of the world's population; the fleece is similar to that of Marino sheep and grows out from the body with crimp; it is bright and shiny but has no lanolin. The fleece is used in the production of knitted garments like jumpers and scarves and in the manufacture of luxury carpets, and seat covers through to duvets, doonas and pillows.

Llamas

We do not keep llamas. However, it is worth noting the difference between llamas and alpacas. The primary difference is their size. Alpacas are smaller, measuring around 90 cm at the shoulder and weighing between 55 and 65 kg. On the other hand, llamas are larger, standing at about 120 cm at the shoulder and weighing approximately 113 kg or more.

What do we do with all our alpaca fleece?

At Little Valley Farm, we hand-spin wool into yarn balls and send some of it to the fibre mill for skein processing. We also use the fleece to make our own cushions, and some of our clients use it for their soft toy making. We also make our own duvets, which you can find online. See them online here.

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Little Valley Farm is a unique alpaca farm located in the Hunter Valley. We take great pride in providing hands-on training to our friendly and adorable alpacas, and their care is our top priority. Our daily routine involves spending quality time with them, hand-feeding them, and frequently relocating them to new paddocks to ensure they have access to the freshest grass possible, which is essential for their overall health.

We want to invite you to join us at our next monthly alpaca workshop, where we will cover all aspects of alpaca health and welfare. You will learn how to enjoy and get the most out of living with these wonderful animals. We look forward to seeing you there! Any questions, drop me an email via the contact page. Thank you, Daniela

Farming Alpacas in the Hunter Valley

Have you ever wanted to learn more about farming and caring for Alpacas?  Do you have a small herd or recently purchased a property with an interest in livestock?  Little Valley Farm, based in the Lower Hunter Valley, has been working with alpacas since 2012. Our alpaca workshops are one of the most well-recognised and attended in NSW since being established in 2019. Workshops happen throughout the year, at least monthly. 

Little Valley Farm is based in the Wollombi Valley at Laguna, under two hours from Sydney and 90 minutes from Newcastle. 

Most attendees come because they love Alpacas and want to know more about them before purchasing their farm or acreage property. 

Little Valley Farm reviews essential topics such as Alpaca care, fencing, shelters, feed, shearing and all alpaca husbandry needs during these workshops.  People also learn how to handle alpacas carefully and confidently. It's a great insight into the world of a small hobby farm and the personalities and character of each alpaca. 

The workshop ends with a chat and morning tea overlooking the farm. This is a perfect chance to gain from other people's experiences and properties and to meet other alpaca and small farm enthusiasts. 

Photo credit Matt Hoorspol

Alpaca Workshops in the Hunter Valley

Sunday is our alpaca workshop day and another sunny weekend coming up. Learn before you purchase your alpacas so you know what to look for before committing to alpaca ~ 20 years of life. Yeap, they sure do live a long time so let's make it a happy one.

Learn about why Bio-Security is important, livestock welfare, and health, including your duties & responsibilities under the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for your hobby farm.

Places are left for Sunday, so book online and then our next one will be in January 2023.

Donkey shenanigans are part of the fun, as are morning tea and our alpaca manual for you to take home. Kids receive a special alpaca gift. It's going to be another beautiful weekend in the Hunter.

We are under two hours from Sydney so come join our alpaca network and make new friends along the way.

Euan & Daniela

We love what we do and are very happy to share it with you, so get in contact with us before you purchase any alpacas.

Frequently Asked Questions here

Thinking of Getting Alpacas? Attend our Unique Alpaca Workshop!

Alpacas are unique, intriguing animals that require special management. If you're considering adding alpacas to your farm, join us for our one-of-a-kind workshop. You'll gain valuable insights into whether or not alpacas are the right fit for your farm. Our workshop is perfect for people living on small farms or acreages.

What to Expect at the Workshop

At our workshop, you'll learn about alpacas and what it takes to care for them. We'll cover topics such as shelter, nutrition, breeding, fibre production, and more. You'll also get to meet some of our alpacas and see how they interact with us. Not only is this a great introduction to alpacas, but it's also a lot of fun!

Workshop Pricing Information

Adults: $159 includes our alpaca manual for you to take home.

Children $39 includes a special alpaca gift pack.

The price includes refreshments.

Dates available

Sunday 16th October and Sunday 13th November 2022 at 10:30 am.

Register early to reserve your spot as we are the longest-running workshop with attendees from all over NSW.

So, if you're considering getting alpacas, we encourage you to attend our workshop. It's a great way to learn about these amazing animals and find out if they're the right fit for your farm.

We hope to see you there!

Euan and Daniela

Photo of our adorable Oberon at last months workshop. Sweet as a button and gentle like a butterfly. I am sure she will come up to you at the next workshop.

Alpaca Workshops in the Hunter Valley

What a way to spend the weekend! Beautiful people, perfect sunny weather and lots of alpacas to talk about at our Sunday workshop.

Join us for our next alpaca workshop for new owners. Coming up Sunday 18th Sept, October 16th or Nov 13th. Book via our website for adults and children who want to learn more about alpacas and their well-being.

Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Nov 22 maybe our final event for 22 before we gear up for Christmas.

Contact Daniela via our website littlevalleyfarm.com.au

Don't forget to sign up to our mailing list for future events.

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Can't make it to our scheduled workshop? Ask Daniela, and we can arrange a private family event here or at your farm (if you already have alpacas).

Euan and Daniela have been working with alpacas since 2012 and are based in Laguna, Wollombi Valley in the Lower Hunter Valley. Just under two hours from Sydney. If you are wanting to stay in the area, let us know as we have accommodation for two nights (adults only), or can recommend some other wonderful places to stay close by. Just send Daniela an email.

Alpaca Workshop for August 2022 Hunter Valley

Ok, let's get back on track after two floods this year!

The July 2022 flood knocked us around, so we will resume our workshops early August.

We have a Friday edition on August 12th 2022, and then Sunday, August 21st 2022, starting at 10:30 am.

Workshops are a great way to find out if alpacas are suitable livestock for your farm and your lifestyle. We also have the free Alpaca Husbandry Hands-on, which is a deep dive into handling alpacas so you can gain confidence when handling them. We run the husbandry workshops only a couple of times a year and are exclusive to our LVF VIP members.

If you already have alpacas at your farm and would like Euan and me to run a workshop there, drop us a note and your location and number of people and alpacas.

Alpaca Workshop - The Starter Guide - come join us on Friday 12th August 2022 or Sunday 21st August 2022. It Starts at 10:30 am at our farm in Laguna. Adults $159 and including our alpaca book for you to take home and morning tea.

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Who is this good-looking stud?

Welcome the Lieutenant to Little Valley Farm.

He travelled from South Australia and arrived the weekend of the Hunter Valley flood!

Our third working stud as part of our breeding 2023 program. I love his fleece and gentle temperament.

Thanks to James of Kobler Alpacas for this lovely stud.

We are always doing something new and exciting at Little Valley Farm, so if you have any ideas or want to learn more, please get in touch with Daniela. We have a couple of females coming up for sale as pets, as well as our beautiful alpaca yarn that you can purchase online.

Don’t forget we have our adult accommodation at Little Valley Farm for four people. So you can have the farm to yourself (no other guests) and enjoy bonfire nights, wood-fired pizzas by the train and our new dry sauna in the Shearers Studio.

Book direct and save with us. Now taking bookings for October 2022 onwards.

HINT: Subscribe to our website and you will receive a discount voucher to use for your accommodation. Saving you over $100.

Alpaca Workshop for new and potential owners

We have been a little distracted after all the rain and the horrible March 2022 floods. We are currently re-designing our shearing shed and alpaca barn for the next lot of exciting cria births.

Our next workshop will be held on Sunday, August 7th 2022, at 10:30 am. This workshop will introduce you to the wonderful world of owning and caring for these majestic animals on your own farm.

There will only be six places available, so jump online to book your adults-only workshop. I will be working on a kids workshop shortly, but we need to get through the Winter days first.

In the meantime, subscribe to our website for quarterly updates.

Alpaca Workshops at Little Valley Farm Hunter Valley

Next adults only alpaca workshop: Sunday 7th May 2022

Alpaca Husbandry Hands-on

Hi everyone, we will be holding an alpaca 'Husbandry Hands-on' event next month.

It's suitable for people who would like to get hands-on experience in cutting toenails, body scoring, giving oral vitamins and checking eyes for health.

We will be going through the entire herd and checking each one. It's full-on and has lots of handling, so enclosed shoes, sun hat and a refillable water bottle to keep hydrated.

Then you can hang out with the alpacas and get to know them after the event. The time for handing is approx 1.5-2 hours. 

No charge if you have already attended our main workshop. It's really to give people the next step in hands-on / exposure to handling alpacas and being confident with them.

Adults only due to safety and insurance.

Only open to people who have already attended our main workshop. 

Only 2-3 people at a time for this event.

If you are looking for accommodation, we have the shearers studio for a minimum of two nights' stay ($600), or you can stay one night at Noyce Brothers Wine/Grays Inn Wollombi, about ten minutes away right in the heart of Wollombi Village. Check out the Noyce website for their rates. https://www.noycebros.com.au/

Date: early July 2022 — at Little Valley Farm - Alpaca Farm.

We will aim to make this a monthly event for our LVF VIP members.

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Photo of Karine as she is a real character. She loves neck rubs, and when she is bored, she walks off. Her cria is super sweet and confident just like her mum.

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How to become a LVF VIP member? Book in for our Alpaca Workshops for new owners.

If you have not attended our main workshop, you can check out our dates and prices here. 

Alpaca Workshops for new owners

Getting ready for our Sunday workshop the first for Winter 2022.

Warm coats, beanies and gumboots are essential. It will be well worth it hanging out with these adorable alpacas.

If you have missed out on your workshop place we will be running a special Saturday edition on 11th June 2022 at 10:30am - places are limited so jump online to book.

#littlevalleyfarm

Alpacas at Little Valley Farm Hunter Valley

At Little Valley Farm, we have been working with alpacas since 2012. We pride ourselves on friendly, healthy and absolutely adorable alpacas. Our workshops are beneficial for potential alpaca owners or people who want to learn more before starting their alpaca journey.

Come, learn and fall in love with our Hunter Valley based alpacas.

NSW DPI Get Ready Animals Evacuation Plan for Livestock owners

Euan talking to NSW Department of Primary Industries for the "Get Animals Ready" campaign right after the 2019/2020 bushfires.

How times have changed since the 2019 bushfires and this month the focus is on our flood evac plan - Let’s hope we and all the other livestock owners do not need to use it.

Have you updated your fire and flood plan this year?

NSW Department of Primary Industries NSW SES Australian Alpaca Association #littlevalleyfarm #huntervalley

Does every farm need to have biosecurity measures?

Does every farm need to have biosecurity measures?

That’s a YES, 100%.

A biosecurity plan for your farm is essential. You should practice some measures now, but this will only prepare you to the extent that it's effective if everyone can understand and use these tools properly.

We will discuss our bio-security measures at our workshop and how we manage it at Little Valley Farm with our livestock.

Jump on our waitlist for our February and March 2022 workshops.

$159 per adult and $39 for children.

We do run adult-only workshops the first week of the month (subject to change) and then the last week of the month, adults and children.

Our workshops are kept small and are held outside on the paddocks to be Covid safe. Small groups of 6 people means we get to know everybody and learn and question time is maximised. The workshop includes our alpaca guidebook for you to take home.

We have been working with alpacas for ten years now and would love to be part of your alpaca journey.

If you are on Facebook this is a video we were asked to do by Hunter Local Land Service a couple of years ago. Watch here.

Jump on our Little Valley website to read more.

Dates coming up:

Sunday 13th February at 10:30 am - adults only

Sunday 27th February 10:30 am - adults and kids.

Sunday 6th March 10:30 am - adults only

Limited spots so book early and do send me an email should you have any questions.

We love what we do and want to share it with you.

Contact Daniela here.

Also, don’t forget to jump on our LVF mailing list for special events, updates and previews. We don’t spam as we prefer to be outside working with the alpacas - its much more fun!

Do platypus live in our creek? How many wild dogs are roaming the hilltops?

With the help of Hunter Region Landcare Network, Wollombi Valley Landcare, and Local Land Service, we’ve set up a few motion-sensitive cameras in critical locations around our bushland and creek-line.

We aim to monitor and track wild dog, feral pig, feral cats, and feral goat activity and hope to monitor platypus activity.

This year we have noticed an increase in dog visits and several native animal carcasses have been left on our paddocks including wallaroos and a wombat. The most recent attack was a wombat found early on a Monday morning following an alert from the Alpacas. He had been badly mauled by a Dog so we took him to Cedar Creek Wombat Hospital for treatment. He survived thanks to the great work at the Hospital.

We have never seen the elusive platypus in our creek but know they were there once here. The good news is that they were spotted two kilometres down the creek last week and they are known to live further up Watagan Creek.

Over the next thirty days, the infrared cameras will hopefully pick up some activity. The programme is managed by HRLN and LLS and is accessible to Wollombi Valley Landcare owners. If you wish to get involved please drop an email to Victoria from Hunter Region Landcare Network on the email ~ lowerhunterlandcare @ gmail.com

Alpaca workshops in the Hunter Valley

Alpacas are fascinating animals, but they require special management. Join us for our unique alpaca workshop that is perfect for people living on small farms or acreage. A great introduction to see if alpacas are the right fit for your farm.

Date available:

Sunday 10:30 am November 14th - Now booked out.

Sunday 10:30 am November 21st - Booked out. *

Saturday 10:30 am December 4th - Booked out. *

• email us to be added to our waitlist

Click on the photo below to book.

Book online click here.

Why Miniature Donkeys?

Miniature Donkeys are a recent addition to the farm. They are cute, fun, highly inquisitive and just a bit silly. So why not have them! However, the main role of these little beauties is to help us in the application of a ‘regenerative system’ to manage the farm.

Alpacas are excellent small farm or acreage animals. But as the herd grows potential issues with animal health and pasture management becomes more problematic. When we started our journey on the farm we always had multi animals on the paddocks; free-range chickens, low line Angus and Belted Galloway Miniature cattle and even some Dorper sheep. Each had their issues and advantages.

Free Range Chickens; there is nothing better than real free range eggs and when chickens roam you really get to know their wonderful personalities. They were great at breaking down manure on the paddocks, especially older manure the dung beetles didn’t get to. But Chickens are excavating machines, we lost gardens, grassy areas and spent large amounts of time keeping them out of vegetable patches.

Sheep; we never really bonded with the sheep. If you eat meat they have an advantage, but our lush summer rainfall meant constant problems for their feet. They also leave manure everywhere which was ignored by chickens and dung beetles and an additional worm-risk when running alpaca. They also require different fencing, usually 6 plain wires with a low electric strand, which we did not have. It took a year but they figured that out and soon ate every edible tree they could find. They did not lost long.

Miniature Cattle; we loved having the cows, and even loved our temperamental and destructive lowline bull. We produced some wonderful calves and even experimented with on-farm butchering (with some purchased steers). Once you get to know cows well, you soon turn off meat-eating and just love being around them. Cattle manure is easily spread and the dung beetles did a beautiful job putting nutrients into the ground. In 2019 feed costs skyrocketed, and a small farm like ours with a heavy winter frost and very little winter rain does not stock cattle so easily. In good years we were fine, but bad years made it unsustainable.

We sold all our cattle in 2019 and have had a much larger Alpaca herd even since. But a single breed of animal has its own issues.

Alpacas have some incredible advantages, they are gentle on the land with soft feet, they eat comparatively little for their size, they have a couple of limited manure piles, they don’t break fences, are easy to handle with lower infrastructure costs and they are selective grazers who are gentle on the pasture. But from a regenerative process pov many of these advantages are disadvantages. Eventually the pasture has highly productive areas around the manure piles and very little nutrients is put back into the other areas. They also prefer shorter grass and when our summer grass gets to knee high they will often avoid it and over graze other areas. In a short time we noticed they were forced to eat closer manure piles and in March 2021 we had our first ever problems with intestinal worms.

The system we ran with the cattle and alpaca was perfect to help control worms and manage feed and pasture fertilisation with limited mechanical intervention. Bovines and Equines actually help break the worm cycle for the Alpaca. They also ate grass and hay the Alaca would not eat, and we ‘harrowed’ their manure, or it was spread out by dung beetles and chickens, returning nutrients more evenly to. the pasture. We did not strip graze, but we were able to use 22 acres split into 13 small paddocks very effectively for rotational grazing.

So why Miniature Donkeys? in short they will help us for the same reasons as the cattle, but with a few other advantages: they are wonderful with people, they are small (150kg vs a 300kg cow), and they have great personalities. In the end they are the next evolution of finding and perfecting a sustainable system on the farm. They are not the only part, our planting system is also key - but that’s for another post!