@conference {40851,
	title = {Brief Communication: Alpaca management in the Central North Island of New Zealand},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {56},
	year = {1996},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {342-343},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {The high South American altiplano is not the ideal environment for  alpacas but was forced onto them by the introduction of sheep and cattle to  the Inca pastures following the Spanish conquest. In New Zealand they are  being farmed in a variety of areas and seem to respond dramatically to our  normal farming methods. Warm, humid areas can cause problems with  eczema and staggers. Alpacas produce a semi-precious fibre of various colours, which at present  is causing processing difficulties in New Zealand due to the small quantities,  so we are concentrating on increasing herd numbers. Alpaca management can be closely allied to sheep farming, with the  exception of their mating and breeding. They are induced ovulators and can  be mated in either pens or paddocks. Pen mating gives better control but is  more work, while paddock mating has the disadvantage of prolonging the  breeding season. Alpacas will breed at any time of year, but we have found  that the autumn suits them best and they are remated two weeks after  birthing. Alpaca twins are extremely rare. They are a hardy, easy care animal  that will do well on untopdressed native pastures and when run in isolation  seldom get internal parasites, but can pick up lice or mites. We are still learning what suits alpacas best, bearing in mind that these are  very adaptable animals that do not need alterations to their environment to  suit any specific needs.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Nelson ID}
}
