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I’ve been wanting since June to share some exciting news with you about Ace but felt it was premature to start talking about it. Now that summer is behind us, I feel more comfortable sharing that Joe and I have given Ace the opportunity to become our first herdsire. Yep, we’re planning on having some cria next summer. This is a new experience for him and us. As Ace was approaching his 3rd birthday, he showed signs that he’s mature enough to get the job done:
A few of the girls have been bred before (of course, that’s how Baxter, Ace, and Indie got here), but we would bring them to another farm that would take care of the breeding process for us. We were never fans of having the girls off farm for so long (at least a month) because we missed them. So, we knew one day we would attempt breeding ourselves when Ace was old enough. We knew who we wanted to pair Ace with, and to our great fortune, the girls told us they were ready and interested as well.  Needless to say, but we’re pretty excited about what’s in store next summer.
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Lately, Ace and I are having more one-on-one opportunities to do training sessions. Usually, Rocky is right beside him, and any attempt to interact with Ace is disrupted by - you guessed it - his little buddy, Rocky! Rocky always wants what Ace or Baxter has, so he inserts himself with a “me too! me too!” look on his face and breaks any encounter I’m trying to have. I don’t fault him. Rocky is the sweetest and most enthusiastic boy, but sometimes Ace and Baxter appreciate a break. 😉 So, I have to be crafty about it and distract Rocky with some food and sneak Ace out of the paddock so we can train. This video begins with our early days of training, and my gosh Ace was so little!! It was Spring 2024. Baxter and Ace had spent the winter in the main paddock, and I could tell that Ace was bored. It was at least six weeks before we could open the pastures up for grazing, so I thought I would engage with Ace with some enrichment games, knowing it would stimulate him if he was interested. Ace took to the challenge and liked the one-on-one focus as well as the reward: alpaca “cookies” — his favorite! Jump ahead to now, and we’re still at it with our enrichment training. Ace can perform five actions:
During our farm visits, when Ace finds out we have alpaca “cookies,” he’ll start turning around or will take a bow to solicit being rewarded - talk about a smart alpaca! (Let me know if Ace did that for you when you visited our farm!) With winter looming on the horizon and pasture grass becoming dormant, the alpacas will spend more time in their paddocks. Despite the onset of winter, Ace will still enjoy opportunities to get out of his paddock (and away from Rocky) to spend time practicing with me.  They are here! Ready, and waiting to be hung on your wall. Our calendars include important dates (alpaca birthdays) and seasonal reminders such as shearing time and standard holidays. It wouldn’t surprise me if a number of people stop to admire your calendar when they notice all the sweet alpaca faces looking back at them. Maybe there’s someone on your gift list who would love one. However, we only have a limited supply, and I want to make sure you get yours before they disappear at our upcoming holiday markets. |
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