COUNTDOWN FOR AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENT

Only a couple of days to go, and Rob, Elyse and I will be delivering the first Alpaca Shipment from Australia, for over a decade to theairport to begin their flight to Vancouver.

Alot of planning, negotiations, committment, patience, and experience went into getting this shipment up and running. To understand the politics between countries when trying to export or import any animal, is difficult for people not in this business to understand. What seems normal and common sense to us, always seem to create a wall when talking or negotiatimng between governments, and at the end of the day, either Government can say Yes or No. So careful, planning, studying each countries requirements, and working out a way where we can meet these requirements and then get the countries Biosecurity departments to talk. Taking over 5 months of negotiations, was really fast, as to each country, exporting a small group of alpacas, was not high on their priority list.

Especially in Australia, the Alpaca in Industry is the sioze of a speck in the sand compared to the cattle, sheep and pig export trade, Alpacas seemed so insignificant.

15 Alpacas, compareed to 100,000's cattle and sheep. Why would they give the time to help put this together.

It seemed an uphill battle many times, but Raelene knew that some of these alpacas had already been purchased, and we had to get this into high priority.

Raelene requested a meeting with AQIS and Biosecurity, In Canberra, and travelled up to have these meetings, which each meeting ended up lasting 3 hours each, until, the governments would promise her they would put this high on their priority list.

Raelene (AQIS Accredited Exporter for Camelids, Sheep & Goats), http://www.mariahhillalpacas.com/ has exported alpacas now in in the sixth year of exporting and owner operating Mariah Hill Alpacas Quarantine Facility, in Nar Nar goon, with over 1000 alpacas having been exported to UK, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Germany, switzerland, Finland, Norway, Belgium, France, Holland, (through the Eu gateway), and New Zealand. Gaining a reputation for our export managment and High Biosecurity, and experience in over 50 shipments, Owning. operator of what is considered by Canberra as Australia's 5 star quarantine facility for Alpacas, gave Raelene a chance to even be heard by these usually closed Government authorities.

Raelene had also been working with both Australian Departments, on assistance with the Eu, and so is also respected by the heads of these Government authorities.

Meanwhile, midway through the first shipment, it was realised that an Envirmental assessment for each shipment of alpacas is required for Canada, which took a further 6 weeks to work successfully through, by Tannis of Hummzinger Alpacas, http://www.hummzingeralpacas.com/

Again, the committment was on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, In Australia and in Canada.

With Tannis Froese, and Raelene Strong, in almost daily communication, assisting each other with both governments, and meeting any requirements they requested.

The shipment being held up because of this enviromental assessment was back on track, and now we are seeing final days, as we are now planning our land transport to the airport.

Crates are built and delivered.

Paperwork has been finalised, hs been checked and re checked, and list of what is needed for the export has been listed and checked and re checked.

Meanwhile, Tannis has built a quarantine facility in Winnepeg Beach, Manitoba, and also had a huge float, sounds like a floating palace, all heated, to pick the alpacas up on Wednesday 28th January.

All excitment all round.

I think once Rob, Raelene and Elyse drops the alpacas off at the airport, we will sit down and have a glass of wine to celebrate, what at the beginning was a monamentous achievement, that Raelene was originally told...."Cannot DO".

Why are the alpacas being sought from Australia

world wide? With the exerience and the research for Australia's woolen industry, some of the aspects of breeding are being tapped into when selecting for herdsires, and dams, reconising the traits desired that tap into the qualities that we are acheiving. With the ultimate aim of breeding Ultra and Super Fine fleeces, without sacrificing denisty, crimp, staples, and all the other traits that is required for Elite fleeces.

Already the second shipment is under way with special requirements to be met for every shipment. If you need to find out these requirements an d you are interested in importing some alpacas for your own herd, please ontct Raelene, as these requirements are not published, but must be met.
some information is on my website, look under Canadian shipment.
Congratulations for those who have purchased in the first shipment, and i hope these alpacas will breed the genetics you are aiming for.

Thanks to canada

I also received my christmas present from Canada, a beautiful bottle of wine, and a red Canadian scarf, a lovely surprise.
We are getting closer by the day for the Canadians to go out, all the bookwork is now all done, and all the tests are in.
Looking forward to dropping the alpacas off at Sydney Airport.

Thank you Yvonne & Olivier

I had a wonderful surprise, just after Xmas, a beautiful floral delivery, from some very special people , Thank you, it did really cheer up my day. Some of my favourite flowers were in this bouquet, peruvian lillies, roses, big lillies, just a whole lot of different beautifully coloured flowers.

Andrew & Leesa are engaged

Sorry this is late being announced, it has been a hectic few weeks.

20/12/08, our son Andrew asked Leesa to be his wife, and she was so shocked she almost drove off the freeway.

We welcome Leesa as part of our family and love her very much...Congratulations

Thank you for your posts,

i am sure you do not mind me placing your notices.


Sorry for the late email just got in from work I'm so so so sorry to hear about STEFANO and I'm thinking of you all at this sad time and I'm only a phone call away if you need me for anything.

LOVE Ed

hilaryc has left a new comment on your post "In Memory of ""Stefano": I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounded a grand fellow,Best Wishes

Michelle has left a new comment on your post "........Stefano": Have just read your beautifully worded story and I have tears running down my cheeks for what was a beautiful alpaca and for your loss of not only a quality animal but for a wonderful friend in Stefano. The following refers to 'pets' and we dont think of alpacas as pets (neither do I think of my dogs in that way) however,,,I can picture Stefano happily playing in the grass over Rainbow bridge with some gorgeous girls! RIPJust this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown... Posted by Michelle to Mariah Hill Alpacas & Exports at January 16, 2009 1:22 PM

Raelene ,we are so sorry for that even when we did not now him we saw that you write about him a lot and also when people ask us questions about some girls and boys and he was grandfather of father we said all the time how great he is !Its very said and we feel with all the family for your loss.

Thank you for your posts, i am sure you do not mind me placing your notices.

........Stefano

Jolimont Stefano, died yesterday.
He was a fair age, and we were told when he arrived in Australia, most likely older than his birth date given from Peru, as he was aged by teeth over 7 when we got him in 1995.
It has been a very sad day, he came up as if to say his last goodbyes the night before.
You have to understand Stefano was more human than an alpaca, and his paddock was in front to the left of the house, and so if ever he wanted anything or as in last winter when he did feel the cold, he would come to us, to let us know.

He loved his paddock, it had a little shed for him, where the walls were filled in half way u, so he knew when it was going to be hot or cold, and he would go to his shed, and he had feed, water, and shade, and could still peruse over the surrounding paddocks, where he also would oversea his dams.

The past four years he has had this paddock, as the other younger males, knew he was top stud, and we did not want any males challenging him.

To keep him happy we would run a group of females, we wanted mated to him with him, so he always had company.

Last year he was depressed, as every female was pregnant, and so after doing spit offs one day, we placed the females in another paddock, He could still see them, but he had no one else in his paddock.

he was so depressed, and so we bought him up to an area we call the tent area, where we have these canvas shelters close to the house, and opposite the late pregnant females.

He seemed happier being near the females, and when there were some females available for mating we put him and the females in his paddock, and he picked up.

Over the years, i would not hesitate to say Stefano and I would have travelled, 30,000 kms plus, doing mobile matings, being toilet trained for the van, he would let me know when he wanted to go, i would pull over, and let him out on the lead.

Traffic never worried him.

He had Intelligence, and compassion, he knew he was head macho, so when it was time to go in the van for a mobile mating.

He would let the others know he was the one going and not them.

Reliable, dependable, he never let us down.

His consistent quality, that he threw into his offspring, created a demand for his services, with his last service 2 days prior to his death.

He has been bright, upstanding, and a gentleman to the end.

Elyse fed him yesterday Rob said he was looking really good, but at about lunch time, Elyse went over- he was kushing, and just looked old, so she sat with him and was talking to him, and he put his head on her shoulder and he died, she is devastated, and we are all very sad, we had a burial for him in our garden last night.,
We are still saddened.

This morning i got up out of bed, and overlooked Stefano's paddock as i would every other morning, the girls were still in his paddock, but it still seemed empty.

Thanks Stefano for the babies, the quality you consistently threw on, the many hours travelling together.

I have a picture of you when i went to Peru, not knowing then you would be mine, and then a picture of you when i visited Cocos islands, again not knowing you would be mine.

Many have said that you were one of the best males bought out of Peru.

Especially from that shipment.

The journey we had together was exciting, and fulfilling, and your heritage is being carried on today in many countries, where your offspring are still producing a quality that you stamped.

Our Farm, and Herd you helped to create, you have left us some excellent sons to carry on your name, they have been standing waiting for their turn.

Already one sons, Olympic Dream, has carried this dominant genes through producing that super fine, highly lustrous fleece you were known to produce.

Thank you Stefano.

We have found a beautiful spot in our garden for you, Elyse has gone especially to pik out a tree to plant to give you shade.

You can still peruse over the farm, and still keep an eye on our late pregnant girls.

And you are still close to the house.

MUCHAS GRACIAS PARA SIEMPRE NOS AMEGO

THANK YOU MY FRIEND WE LOVE YOU

In Memory of ""Stefano

27/8/1991 - 15/1/2009 --> -->
Mariah Hill is grateful to have the honor of such a prized, loved, MACHO.
Thank you Stefano for the beauitful crias you have given us,
and your friendship
It was an honor knowing you
Forever in our Hearts
Rob, Raelene & Elyse

Every

A Busy time

What a busy time, NZ alpacas in Quarantine, with testing full under way, renewing my Exporters Licence, which is always difficult, they are making it harder and harder, everyone says, but exporting livestock is so, so important. So everything is analysed and analysed, and analysed, but finally, my licences was renewed, and this time to include sheep.

In between time, i have been studying the Chinese protocol, and diseases that is involved in this protocol, for Sheep.

it has been 6 years since this type of sheep has been exported to China, and protocols change all the time. Speaking to experts in the field of these diseases being tested, talking to the chinese importer, and just updating paperwork, has taken a huge amount of my time.

Meanwhile the Canadian alpacas are doing really well, and we have in line another hipment to start going through to Canada, and will start their isolation in January.

The current NZ shipment is going really well, we have had to get some of the males in this shipment certified, as you can see above Bamdolero being checked for male certification. He is on his way the Belgium. Our summer has not really hit here, and so we are start to get days on mid 20's, but rain, so much rain, our driveway now is at the bottom of the hill, and there are big rutts in the driveway we have to be so careful driving up it. We had been waiting for our hay to be cut. The paddocks have been locked up, the grass is to the top of the fences, and we were already to cut the hay, but the rake broke on a previous property.

So dissappointment there, although they were coming today, the machines are here, but moe rain today, so it is put off until tomorrow.