Monthly Archives: December 2015
Kensmyth Alpaca Farm looking back at 2015 part 2
As usual in the farming world, there were issues with both land and livestock amongst other things and of course friends and family. We lost several of our dear friends over the course of the year to a variety of things and we remember them with love, cherishing the memories.
We had the inevitable in Alpaca breach birth and a leg back with an extremely premature cria in two dramatic evening births, luckily in both cases saving the mothers and cria…
in this case a strong girl cria…
and for the leg back a male cria who born so prematurely took a long time to catch up…
few understand the “round the clock” care premature cria need. Both females were remated later in the year amongst the many others so fingers crossed for those two females having a better time birthing in 2016…
as we wander through the years memories – with 80 mph winds as I type today – I recall the winds of the Autumn before we received the inevitable rain. The weather has not been too bad this year but with such a mild December I wonder if we will pay for it with snow in April as previous years… meantime guying down the marquees in SUMMER in preparation for storms…
We have castrated umpteen males (you can look back for that one) with many non stud quality going for Flock Guards and we have improved the herd quality no end – along with the land really coming to its own this year. Being part of the BPS scheme has given us the opportunity to meet so many new friends and Alpaca customers we really would recommend it.
In the family, Mitchell won an award for his film making going from strength to strength with his passion…
he looks so different now and all the lads exceed 6ft three plus with size 14 plus shoes its crazy…
we had a difficult time with some purchases over a very sad period in our lives with the discovery of our Flat Coated Retriever having a nasal tumour. We had just weeks with her before she was put to sleep on farm with her friends round her… we do have a new dog which we will introduce in the New Year but a few memories of Spirit over her very brief not even 8 years with us …
tears were shed for weeks as only those who have dogs can know how they “get you”… but that’s life with livestock…
one time consuming issue with a piece of hay ended in an ulcerated eye which luckily made a full recovery and the female went on to give a superb cria to no ill effect but it was pretty gruesome at the time…
with the inevitable land work, our flail has done us proud and the shearers this year were amazed at how the fleeces had improved so much since we moved here three years ago…
Really – is it three years, yes it is over that now, thank you to those in the nearest villages who have welcomed us and joined us too in our celebrations of 2015 this year…
Goodbyes are always difficult and the first month of the New Year will see many Alpaca leave for their new homes sold this year but either awaiting collection, recovery from castration or halter training!!!
so that just leaves a little goodbye to be said from a few of the Alpaca who modelled for the catalogues this year…
and to wish all our Clients, Friends and family a fantastic New Year 2016 – with love from the Alpaca
Kensmyth Alpaca farm in 2015 – a look back at the year Part 1
looking back at 2015…
Well 2015 has been a hectic one for sure. With our Alpaca producing some outstanding cria and fleeces,
these went off inevitably to the Natural Fibre Company to be turned into yarn.
This was a “new break out” for us into dyed Alpaca yarn and what a success it has been. With our new bright blue, matt black and racing green colours, in addition to all our natural colours, we have gone from strength to strength in our product range. With the addition of a machine crafted range, the Alpaca Fashion world is our oyster…
it was exciting filming for Kubota and their advertisement of the machines we use here along with their support for our disabled visitors in the form of the all terrain vehicles… also useful for apple picking for Kensmyth homemade chutneys…
and our first cherries from trees we planted in 2012…
and for fun watching Fairford Air Tattoo in the all too short summer from the Hot tub. 
and so many husbandry courses and waving goodbye to Alpaca off to their new homes in the first half of the year … and farming the land…
with visitors from many different groups including the South Cerney Beavers…
and a quick trip out to support Cirencester Rugby Club of whom Kensmyth are also sponsors…
these are just a few of the highlights of the year – it was not without its normal farming pitfalls…
Christmas 2015 at Kensmyth
Well Christmas is always busy with livestock and as we approach the New Year 2016 and in the next few days look back at what we have and have not achieved over the year… before we do this a few thanks are always in order…
thank you to our friends, family and clients for your support throughout the year… you know who you are and thank you to all of you sending wishes, cards and gifts and –
mum – for a great Christmas Pudding…
and a great Christmas cake
Wishing all our Clients and friends Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2016
we have been busy halter training madly – so many to do and already many sold, due to go at the end of January. With this along with all normal chaos – not to mention downpours requiring daily hay replenishing – we are almost there.
Just time to say a Very Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year 2016 to all our Clients and friends
I wonder who this could be…
Alpaca castration under anaesthetic – graphic photographic content not for the sensitive
The following post contains extremely graphic photographs of a variety of differently aged male Alpaca under anaesthetic for castration. The purposes of this blog is to help new Alpaca owners understand the options of castrating when putting under anaesthetic or to “cut standing” (castrate without anaesthetic standing up) and what to expect. Whilst more expensive by the use of more drugs, it is our policy here at Kensmyth Stud to castrate only under anaesthetic. I would like to thank George Vet Group not only for their skills but also for being happy for these photographs to be posted for educational purposes. * please note we have avoided excessive use of veterinary terminology so that all can understand the procedure easily… DO NOT SCROLL DOWN IF SQUEAMISH.
once the Alpaca has been put under anaesthetic it will lie down and one vet will hold one hind leg out of the way for the duration of the operation…
the area will be sterilised and cloths used prior to the first incision…
the first incision will be made in order to access the testicles…
The testicle must then be removed and brought through the access hole…
the testicle then needs to be physically cut off…
the access hole must then be stitched…
with dissolvable stitches…
this leaves a very small area which must be sprayed with antibiotic spray and kept reasonably clean (no wet mud)
the age of the Alpaca dictates the size of the testicles although some males are naturally larger, we castrated several age groups at this time of year to avoid excessive flies which can cause infection. under anaesthetic the Alpaca are also given antibiotics.
recovery is just a couple of days with swelling decreasing within 24 – 48 hours.
the “attitude” of the male varies once castrated depending on if it has been used as a stud male or not.
most will settle within a few weeks after castration and never look back!
please note this is the opinion of the writer and Alpaca farmers vary in their methods of castration and opinions.
the testicle must then be cut off… the same procedure applies with the second testicle immediately afterwards…
Christmas Alpaca jumpers at the Corn Hall Cirencester
crazy busy here and manic last Saturday … packing the car late Saturday and off at 7.30 am for the Corn Hall.
Corn Hall was crazy busy and folk are delighted with the new blue yarn and jumpers. Next blog will cover castrations of umpteen males performed under anaesthetic in the past weeks so if squeamish – advance warning to avoid!
last chance for Christmas pendants posting shortly
just a few of our second order remaining – last posting dates coming up – ideal present for the Alpaca addict
rain and wind in Cirencester
well we were forecast 6mm today of yet more rain but it did not come. unfortunately for those ooop North they had it bad so we spare a thought for those who are flooded once more for Christmas
so a happy summer thought instead:
Weaning cria 2015
well hectic is not the word and I don’t mean just the shops. We have been field sorting, paddock rotating, ADE jabbing, faeces testing (clear) and its all full on. Managed some Christmas Shopping and waved goodbye to numerous Alpaca to new homes too.
Weather? well time to experiment with that marvellous meat the YAK.
Yak Thai curry from remains of…. YAK silverside – Yum Yum
