The secret is rotating your fields and weeding whenever possible. Ihave three fields, but only use two. One is always resting. Right now, I'm renewing it wit grass seed and lots of watering, It looks much better now when we have lots of guests who want to visit the alpacas. Nothing like having good footing when you're walking in the fields instead of sloshing through the mud.
Also, I overseeded in March with 80% Orchard Grass and 20% Ky. Bluegrass. It popped right up and I kept it watered so it's growing in very nicely. The rotation really helps when it begins to look sparce.

Guess What!  *I'm halter training the little ones, Augie and Nero. Word to the wise... don't take two 90 pound "babies" on a walk in the woods at the same time. Together they weigh 180, so when they spooked, I got dragged down. From now on, it's one at a time!

*Our alpacas are sheared, and their fleece is being professionally sorted.
*Tess is pregnant by multiple champion Accoyo Riptide, YES! She's due in the fall.
*May 26th, I'm taking Phoenix and Chocolat to Green Elementary School's Environmental Field day as an instructor in SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.
* And Friday I'm hauling Firebird and Bella to Alpaca Bella Suri Farm so they can breed to Chakota (2010 Reserve Herdsire of the Year) and Fine Threads Jax, a beautiful, true black Suri champion.
*Let me know if you're interested in a visit, we love company : - ) All alpacas are for sale, and prices are negotiable.

Fall brought two beautiful additions to our herd.  A new white/fawn male, Augusts Finale a.k.a. Augie, and another beautiful dark brown male, Nero. They were both very healthy and so were their moms.

I learned the hard way not to put a cria coat on the baby right away because Bella had spent the day with Augie smelling like an alpaca, a very good smell.  But when the cool evening came, I put a cria coat on him because the weather was supposed to cool down to 43.  Big mistake.

Bella thought that bright green nylon critter was something else and decided not to nurse it!  Her udder became full and I new I had to do something.  I called my good alpaca mentors, and their advice was right on the money. 

I put Bella and Auguie in a small stall together, after taking off the cria coat of coarse!  They only had each other to stay warm.  Then I sweet talked Bella into letting me milk her a little to take the pressure off her udder.  Yes, it IS possible to milk an alpaca, she even seemed to appreciate it after she figured out what I was doing.  After all, I've nursed two babies myself, so I told her I knew exactly how she felt.

Luckily, Augie was still very interested in nursing, even though I'd given him a few ounces of warm goat milk.  He kept trying to show her he was her same sweet baby from that afternoon. 

I tiptoed outside 3 times that night.  I spied on them from behind a tree.  I felt like a private detective!  I milked Bella a little bit again, but didn't empty her because I wanted to leave some for Augie.

It worked!!!  By morning, they were back to nursing and nuzzling.  Thank heaven it was just a long night, not a long nightmare. 

Lesson learned, let mother nature work her magic.  43 degrees is not cold to an alpaca!

Here is a morning shot of the boys' barn.  Note that the gates/panels are folded back against the walls to give it a run in shed appearance.  Both gates can be pulled across the front to make it a closed in shelter for grooming, herd health management or to keep them out.  The 2 X 6 chute in the middle is perfect for doing shots, toenails, grooming, etc.

I really love these panels and gates from Light Livestock.  Check them out for more information.  http://www.lightlivestockequipment.com/