Background

In 2005, AAFT drove a wedge into the world’s premium fibre industry by creating Australia’s Ultrafine Bale Scheme for top grade alpaca fleeces.

While AAFT has handed the role of ultrafine alpaca marketing to other entities, the firm has now changed its focus to developing opportunities for all alpaca fibre types in what will be called ‘Premium Alpaca Fleece’.

The ideal behind Premium Alpaca Fleece is to produce fleeces with attributes that are most valued by fibre buyers, spinners and processors.

Using latest technology, methods and research combined with AAFT’s extensive background in the premium fibre market, we are pleased to offer fibre trait analysis aimed specifically at producing premium alpaca fleece. We call it Genetic Improvement Fleece Technology or GIFT.

What is premium Alpaca Fleece

The feedback we continually receive from businesses that use high grade alpaca fibre is that there are three crucial qualities they place a high value on.

Firstly, the finer the diameter, the higher the price per kilo (all other things being equal).

Secondly, luxury garments cannot tolerate significant amounts of coarse fibres. A useful guide is that there should be 100% comfort factor (no fibres above 30 microns) These coarse fibres become extremely problematic in latter stage processing.

Thirdly, there should be minimal variation in fibre diameter over the fleece area. High variation makes it extremely difficult to produce uniform, ‘soft to touch’ products. Fibre testing has tended to concentrate on just the midside sample location. As a consequence, the variation in diameter over an alpaca fleece can be as much as 10 microns.

How Does GIFT work

Monitoring Fibre Diameter
A GIFT test will provide the breeder with a regular fibre measurement report using a ‘certified’ scoured test. The report includes histogram and micron profile graphs for all tests.

Reducing coarse fibres
Fibre research conducted in WA over the last 10 years has shown that genetic improvement in fibre diameter variation is enhanced by measuring the average diameter of individual fibres within a staple or fibre bundle.

Normal fibre testing methods do not differentiate between variation caused by environmental influences and variation influenced by genetic factors.

GIFT utilises research measurement technology to extract the variation between individual fibres, thereby placing increased focus on genetic factors. Furthermore, it also increases the number of measurements on any sample by about 250% (using OFDA2000 equipment). We call this our Genetic Test

Reducing variation over the fleece
GIFT testing involves the taking of three different samples from the same alpaca. The shoulder, midside and hip areas are used as they have been shown to give an excellent indication of variation over the fleece area.

Bringing it all together

For GIFT Plus*, the regular OFDA test and Genetic Test are provided for all three sample sites as well as an individual fibre analysis report. Furthermore, we benchmark or rank each test using our database compiled from all other GIFT testing.

Benefits of GIFT

GIFT is simple to use, yet incorporates leading edge technology and methods. It focuses on market drivers for fleece qualities and relies on fleece traits that are highly heritable. GIFT testing can be carried out on fibre samples with only 30mm of growth.

How can GIFT be used

GIFT is highly suited to:
* Selecting key breeding stock
* Monitoring herds aimed at ultrafine production
* Promotion of high value breeding alpacas
* Monitoring breeding strategies that use indirect selection such as follicle traits
* Fast tracking genetic improvement

Finding out more

Supporting Alpaca Breeders
GIFT Plus* test report

Owner/s:  Sample Alpaca Stud
Alpaca Name/Number:  Sample Alpaca IAR 1234567
Description:  male, white huacaya
Age at sampling:  1 year, 8 months DOB 08-11-07
Growth of sample:  7 months

Pedigree

Sire: Dad, IAR 25162 Grandsires:
Dam Mum, IAR 121423 Granddams:

Midside Test Data

AFD: 22.4 microns SD: 4.5 microns
CVD: 19.8 % Comfort Factor 95.3 %
Length: 40 mm Curvature: 27.6 dg/mm
SD ‘Along Fibres’: 0.80 microns
SD ‘Across Sample’: 4.31 microns

Shoulder Test Data

AFD: 21.7 microns SD: 4.9 microns
CVD: 21.2 % Comfort Factor 95.1 %
Length: 50 mm Curvature: 33.2 dg/mm
SD ‘Along Fibres’: 1.60 microns
SD ‘Across Sample’: 4.36 microns

Hip Test Data

AFD: 21.6 microns SD: 5.1 microns
CVD: 21.3 % Comfort Factor 93.4 %
Length: 45 mm Curvature: 28.7 dg/mm
SD ‘Along Fibres’: 1.60 microns
SD ‘Across Sample’: 4.82 microns

Analysis and Comments

Data indicates fibre diameter over saddle area varies by 0.8 microns (21.6 to 22.4). This is well below the variation experienced by most alpacas and therefore, this alpaca is regarded as highly suitable with regard to breeding for reduced variation of FD over fleeces.

The average ‘across sample’ SD is 4.5 microns. This is about the average for alpacas. To achieve genetic improvement for reducing variation between fibres and reducing incidence of coarse fibres, it is suggested that this alpaca be mated with an alpaca of significantly low ‘across sample SD’. A suggested preference would be an alpaca with ‘across sample SD’ of below 4.0 microns.

The average fibre diameter currently places the alpaca in the ‘fine’ grade. Given the age of the alpaca, it is suggested that this alpaca be eventually mated with an alpaca exhibiting significantly low fibre diameter in order to breed for Premium grade fibre.

The Micron Profile indicates a decline in nutritional intake by fibre follicles. This indicates a current loss of available feed or increased demand for nutrition. The micron profile indicates the current overall standard deviation of fibre diameter is being significantly affected by environmental factors. Further, there is currently a downward trend on average fibre diameter due to a declining level of nutrition reaching the fibre follicles.

The curvature at 29 dg/mm indicates ‘boldish’ crimping fibre, relatively consistent for this fibre diameter. However, this may be influenced by either environmental or genetic causes.

Summary

To achieve genetic improvement in breeding progeny for premium type fleeces, it is suggested that this alpaca be mated to alpacas exhibiting low fibre diameter and ‘across sample SD’.

As the above information is based on interpretation of individual data from supplied fibre samples, no responsibility can be accepted for any liability arising from reliance on the whole or part of this information. All GIFT testing is carried out on fully scoured samples under a controlled environment.

Australian Alpaca Fibre Testing
PO Box 246, Crookwell, NSW 2583.
Australia
Ph (61) 2 48342132
Website: www.aaft.com.au
Email: info@aaft.com.au