Education

Alpaca Education

The British Alpaca Society is keen to promote education and training for its members and the general public in all aspects of alpaca ownership and management. The society offers two types of training:

  1. BAS Affiliate modules that cover items such as alpaca handling and welfare. Details of courses currently on offer are detailed below.
  2. BAS Breeder and Judge training. These items are restricted to BAS members only and details can be found in the Members Area.

Many BAS members offer courses for people interested in alpacas and alpaca fibre. Scroll down to see what’s on offer in your area.

BAS Training Courses

Introduction to Alpaca Assessment

A one day course on alpaca conformation and fibre.

Covering:

Basic conformation including teeth, stature, genitalia, legs, gait and body scoring;
Fleece – how to recognise the different qualities and traits of fibre including weight and value, fineness, density, crimp, uniformity, length, colour, amplitude and frequency and an introduction to histograms. You will have the opportunity to assess fleeces and discuss the merits of different qualities and styles.

Course notes will be provided including a glossary of terms.

There will be a maximum of 12 people on the day.

Cost: BAS Members £ 65 + VAT Non Members £85 + VAT

This course will only run if there is a minimum of 8 people.

Regional groups are encouraged to arrange for this course to be held locally for the benefit of their members.

The next evaluation course:

 

Intermediate Alpaca Assessment

Intermediate Alpaca Assessment (was Foundation): A three day course for BAS members, non members or overseas guests on assessing alpaca conformation and fleece. This course is a comprehensive package in basic alpaca assessment and applicable to all, as well as being a prerequisite for those wishing to enter the BAS judge training scheme.

Date: 2, 3 and 4th December 2022
Venue: Toft near Dunchurch

For full details click here
Cost: The course costs £395 + VAT (BAS members) or £495 + VAT (non-members).

Advanced Alpaca Assessment

This course builds on the intermediate alpaca assessment  course.

Click here for details 

Date:
Venue:
Cost: The course costs £450 (BAS members)

Training offered by Affiliates

BAS Affiliate Courses* 

Courses offered by BAS Affiliate Trainers are from the set of 9 approved by the Society:

Module 1:  Feeding and basic management
Module 2:   Vaccination, Supplements, Illness and Ailments
Module 3:   Handling Alpacas

3a) Herding and catching

3b) Fitting a head collar

3c) Basic Halter Training

Module 4:   The Alpaca – What to look for
Module 5:   Understanding shearing day
Module 6:   Fleece – what to do with it
Module 7:   Breeding and mating
Module 8:   Birthing
Module 9:   Marketing your alpaca business

*(This course was revised and updated in October 2022 and was formerly 11 modules. The content remains the same)

 

Upcoming Courses

There are affiliates all over the country to find someone near you click here

Further contact details are available here – names,  emails, and telephone numbers.

Apply directly to the breeder concerned.

Date/Time Sunday 30th March 2023 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode) GL53 9NJ (Gloucs)
Title Basic Alpaca Husbandry
Modules Modules 1-3
More Info www.cotswoldalpacas.co.uk
Contact  07799 785 719

Date/Time 1st April 2023 9.30 to  4.00 pm (approx.)
County (Postcode) Yorks, YO61 4PD
Title Birthing modules workshop
Modules Modules 8
More Info & to book beacon.alpacas@yahoo.co.uk.
Contact Jacki Barlow  07716917315

Date/Time Saturday 1st April 2023 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode) Devon (EX34 8NA)
Title Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling
Modules 1,2,3
More Info www.mullacottalpacas.com
Contact Katebrookes2@gmail.com

Date/Time Sunday 2nd April 2023 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode) Devon (EX34 8NA)
Title Breeding, Birthing and Cria
Modules All modules (Breeding, Birthing & Cria only)
More Info www.mullacottalpacas.com
Contact Katebrookes2@gmail.com

Date Wednesday 19th April  23  10am-4pm
County Hertfordshire
Location Yew Tree Alpacas, Anstey near Buntingford, SG90DA
Title Shearing Day Essentials & uses for your Fleece
Modules 5 & 6
Info & Booking Alpaca Courses & Workshops (yewtreealpacas.co.uk)
Contact Penny Wylie on   penny@yewtreealpacas.co.uk

Tel: 01763 848257

Date/Time Sunday 30th April 2023     10.00 -4.30
County (Postcode) Wrexham (LL13 0NA)
Title Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling
Modules 1,2, & 3
More Info www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk
Contact harry.mulberry@me.com

Date/Time 21st May 2023 9.30 to  4.00 pm (approx.)
County (Postcode) Yorks, YO61 4PD
Title Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry & Handling
Modules Modules 1 – 5 workshop
More Info & to book beacon.alpacas@yahoo.co.uk.
Contact Jacki Barlow  07716917315

Date/Time Sunday 4th June 2023     10.00 -4.30
County (Postcode) Wrexham (LL13 0NA)
Title Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling
Modules 1,2, & 3
More Info www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk
Contact harry.mulberry@me.com

Date/Time Thursday 27th July  2023 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode) GL53 9NJ (Gloucs)
Title Basic Alpaca Husbandry
Modules Modules 1-3
More Info www.cotswoldalpacas.co.uk
Contact  07799 785 719

Date/Time Sunday 30th July 2023     10.00 – 4.30
County (Postcode) Wrexham (LL13 0NA)
Title Introduction to Alpaca Management 2
Modules 4, 5 & 6
More Info www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk
Contact harry.mulberry@me.com

 

Date/Time Sunday 3rd Sept 2023 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode) GL53 9NJ (Gloucs)
Title Basic Alpaca Husbandry
Modules Modules 1-3
More Info www.cotswoldalpacas.co.uk
Contact  07799 785 719

Date/Time Thursday 9th November  2023 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode) GL53 9NJ (Gloucs)
Title Basic Alpaca Husbandry
Modules Modules 1-3
More Info www.cotswoldalpacas.co.uk
Contact  07799 785 719

Call affiliates directly to book your place

Practical alpaca owners and breeders affiliate scheme & workshop

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