Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, a brief update on what's happening in the valley - snow features quite highly - mainly because of its rarity and surprising nature. Plus, hear about our new vet and unloading a feed delivery. Also, a shout-out to our listeners in Norway - I appreciate you listening; thanks to our old vets St James ; and to Kris Cody and the team at https://www.pakaapparel.com/. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in to...
Mar 08, 2023•16 min•Ep. 218
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I bring you some sad news about Nia - one of the older girls (almost 15) who we lost this week. Fascinating to see how the herd responds at times like this. They are all thrown and are significantly subdued. Nia was a favourite. They all are of course, but she was a particular one. She will be missed but has been greatly loved and appreciated, and we have many happy memories. Loss is also part of the package deal of keeping alpacas. Than...
Mar 01, 2023•17 min•Ep. 217
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I resume my conversation with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. It is incredible how much is the same even at the other end of the world. We talk about climate change and being responsible and knowing when to intervene and when to try to restore balance a little. And spider webs in the home! Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com ...
Feb 22, 2023•25 min•Ep. 216
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I have a catch-up conversation with Rita in Australia with her 37 alpacas. We have had similar questions and musings about what we could do compared to what we wanted to do. When you start keeping alpacas, it is helpful to have an idea of the scale you want to grow to and the kind of activities - such as farm visits - that you want to do while keeping the balance of family life and happy alpacas. More to come next time Thanks to Rita Soa...
Feb 15, 2023•23 min•Ep. 215
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I invite you to think a bit more about making decisions while keeping your alpacas and some of the things I had to respond to this week. This includes: Do you need to do it now? How are you? How are they? Is it leaning in the right direction? Let me know your decision-making process so we can all learn together to be better alpaca shepherds. I hope you have a good week. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to...
Feb 08, 2023•14 min•Ep. 214
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we hear Jeremiah tell his story of the new arrival on their farm. I also consider some foundational skills for alpaca shepherds. We need to know specifics such as moving alpacas; holding an alpaca steady without wrangling or strangling; and trimming toenails so they think they have had a spa-treatment pedicure. But underlying those are my suggested foundations of: How to make decisions. Noticing and understanding what you are seeing. How...
Feb 01, 2023•20 min•Ep. 213
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we catch up with my old friend Jeremiah Owen in California. We swap notes on a few things and get to hear what his biggest learnings have been this last year. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of T...
Jan 25, 2023•24 min•Ep. 212
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we talk about those subtle interactions between alpacas - and us! Some people like people-watching, but I prefer alpaca-watching. There is also a catch-up on what has been happening with the girls. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Goo...
Jan 18, 2023•17 min•Ep. 211
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we recognise the need to take a long view of almost everything to do with alpacas. They live a long time for livestock; they have a long gestation; the single cria a year means breeding decisions take a long time before you can judge success and repeat or vary for the next round. We need to think in seasons and years rather than weeks and months. It is a different timescale and rhythm but has its advantages. Thanks for listening and I ho...
Jan 11, 2023•17 min•Ep. 210
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! I find myself craving normal in this episode, but it might have to wait a week. Don't get me wrong, I like special but plain food and less sugar, along with some routine, is all I want right now. The holidays are over but we haven't quite got back to normal. How about you? Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca...
Jan 04, 2023•13 min•Ep. 209
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am thinking about how we live in the in-between. Between holidays, extreme weather and what may be coming in 2023. We do what we can, what we need to, and plan for better times - though for many it is too early for planning for better times, we just hope for better times. I have also included a clip from a Carbon Sessions episode from the Carbon Almanac Collective, a project I am involved in. Here I am part of a roundtable talking abou...
Dec 28, 2022•12 min•Ep. 208
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I imagine that stable and that baby, but with some of my alpacas around too. Who would be the first to advance and check out the new arrival? I think I know. What do you think? Hoping your celebrations of the season and the year-end are full of love, thankfulness and hope for the coming year. Enjoy old Christmas memories and make new ones too. Happy holidays everyone! Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to b...
Dec 21, 2022•18 min•Ep. 207
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I remember some winter stories, particularly Hermione and her Bambi impersonation. In the cold weather, it is good to be indoors with a hot chocolate. Take care of your alpacas and yourself in the challenging weather, and see you again soon. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hoste...
Dec 14, 2022•20 min•Ep. 206
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I muse on keeping the alpacas fed and watered and keeping me warm via mucking out. Feed prices continue to rise - over the last year, hay went up by 15% and feed-wheat by 40%. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/animal-feed-prices). It works it's way through to the bags of feed and bales of hay we need to buy. Stay warm, stay well and if you can, spend some time with an alpaca. Thanks for listening and I hope you...
Dec 07, 2022•15 min•Ep. 205
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, you can come and join me as I spend some time with the alpacas. Why do we do what we do, and more importantly, why do we continue to do things the same way? I am not starting from the position of saying that what you are doing is wrong - not at all - but just encouraging you to reflect and think about what you are doing, how you are doing it and if there is a new way. I discovered today if I open the gate the other way when I am taking t...
Nov 30, 2022•18 min•Ep. 204
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we mark the start of the holiday season and wish our listeners in the US a happy Thanksgiving. With a valley update, I muse on the first frost, the joy of the sun on your back and the need to be more alpaca by being present in the moment and watching out for each other. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your b...
Nov 23, 2022•16 min•Ep. 203
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we continue the musings about a roadmap you might develop for your alpaca journey. There are things to aim for and things to notice on the way. All are useful in becoming a seasoned alpaca traveller. And the great thing is that you get to travel with companions. Reach out when you need to - alpaca owners are a generous breed. Breeding decisions https://alpacatribe.com/podcast167/ Birthing - https://alpacatribe.com/podcast78/ Thanks for l...
Nov 16, 2022•11 min•Ep. 202
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we consider a road map for keeping alpacas. Wet days sometimes bring out melancholy - or is that just feeling sorry for myself? I got a bit wet - no I don’t need a coat - but I did. Thankfully in a moment of sheer brilliance, I had left a spare waterproof coat and baseball cap in the tack room down at the stables - outstanding idea - for just such a moment as this. I learned early on being here in the valley that you can’t outrun a rain ...
Nov 09, 2022•12 min•Ep. 201
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we are celebrating 200 episodes of the podcast. Thank you for your support and encouragement. It is appreciated. I have indulged in some reminiscing from where we started and a few of my personal favourite episodes. Episode 1 - an introduction Episode 27 - Alpacas as a Metaphor for Life Episode 97 - Be more alpaca Episode 117 - Breakfast with the girls. I hope you enjoy the tasters, and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Steve Than...
Nov 02, 2022•32 min•Ep. 200
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am musing about wisdom. That alchemy of knowledge and experience that allows for good decisions to be made. Wisdom is something we all want and aspire to - even if it is only accessing it somewhere convenient when we need it. I wonder if we can get it from being around alpacas - listen in to find out more. An old episode also springs to mind... Be more alpaca Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in to...
Oct 26, 2022•15 min•Ep. 199
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I will try to help you talk alpaca, or at least understand it. We will start by reading the ruffles and watching the ears. It is also a good reason to spend time with your alpacas. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Work...
Oct 19, 2022•15 min•Ep. 198
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we find Hywel catches me out with a lump on the jaw and the gravity levels seem up in the valley Read about Little Grebes here https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/little-grebe/ Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherin...
Oct 12, 2022•16 min•Ep. 197
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I talk about feeding and what I noticed this week. Olaf and Joseff are sort of getting along. Hermione has an inscrutable stare. Rhoslyn fools me with some food. Spend some time with your alpacas and stay safe in the wild weather. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produ...
Oct 05, 2022•17 min•Ep. 196
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am joined by my wife Sue, as we talk about how the characters of alpacas in our herd are so different. Sue met them on the green path, and they all revealed themselves in their typical behaviours. Hear about Millie the Matriarch and Amelia, who always brings upon the rear - and everyone in between. It is fascinating the way behaviours seem to be passed down the generations Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would li...
Sep 28, 2022•21 min•Ep. 195
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I talk bout fear. Yours and the alpacas'. Big fears - heights, fire etc are healthy and keep us safe. Lower-level fears of what people will think, what if we make a mistake, what if we don't do the right thing, can debilitate, lock us up and cause us to disengage. Alpacas can get locked up too, or opt-out of situations. We can do things to cause this or minimise it. Things that can help our alpacas engage and be present. I share some exp...
Sep 21, 2022•18 min•Ep. 194
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, the story continues with part 2. What a thrill it is when dreams become reality. Listen in to Errin's story of her new arrivals on the farm in Indiana. Three male alpacas - five days before we spoke. Two suris and a huacaya. Delightful animals from the rescue farm run by April and Bryan, Fabled Farm Rescue and Sanctuary https://fabledfarmrescue.org/ Errin did her research, including listening to the podcast and finding herself a mentor t...
Sep 14, 2022•17 min•Ep. 193
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we hear about when dreams become reality. Listen in to Errin's story of her new arrivals on the farm in Indiana. Three male alpacas - five days before we spoke. Two suris and a huacaya. Delightful animals from the rescue farm run by April and Bryan, Fabled Farm Rescue and Sanctuary https://fabledfarmrescue.org/ Errin did her research, including listening to the podcast and finding herself a mentor to support her early days as an alpaca o...
Sep 07, 2022•18 min•Ep. 192
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, two of my favourite things are seasons and noticing. When we notice something, we need to hold it long enough, until we are sure. We seem to be changing seasons. Yellow leaves dropping from the trees - or is it just from the heat wave a few weeks ago? The brambles seem to be confused and are producing new flowers and fruit at the same time - at least near each other, even if not on the same plant. There are also other flowers returning t...
Aug 31, 2022•16 min•Ep. 191
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I have a question for you about what keeping alpacas is all about for you. No right answers but yours. We have been having some welcome rain of late - why don't you come for a walk with me, in the rain! Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington o...
Aug 24, 2022•19 min•Ep. 190
Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I want to help those of you who are thinking more seriously about keeping alpacas. It is not for everyone and is not a decision to be taken lightly. It is one of the best things I have ever done and, at times one of the hardest. There are many things to learn and most will be on-the-job experience. The alpacas will teach you. A friendly breeder is also important. Three things to bear in mind: Land - enough of the right kind and remember ...
Aug 17, 2022•19 min•Ep. 189
