The British Alpaca Society is keen to promote education and training for its members and the general public in all aspects of alpaca ownership and management. The society offers two types of training:
Many BAS members offer courses for people interested in alpacas and alpaca fibre. Scroll down to see what’s on offer in your area.
Introduction to Alpaca Assessment
A one day course on alpaca conformation and fibre.
Basic conformation including teeth, stature, genitalia, legs, gait and body scoring;
Fleece – how to recognise the different qualities and traits of fibre including weight and value, fineness, density, crimp, uniformity, length, colour, amplitude and frequency and an introduction to histograms. You will have the opportunity to assess fleeces and discuss the merits of different qualities and styles.
Course notes will be provided including a glossary of terms.
There will be a maximum of 12 people on the day.
Cost: BAS Members £ 65 + VAT Non Members £85 + VAT
This course will only run if there is a minimum of 8 people.
Intermediate Alpaca Assessment
Intermediate Alpaca Assessment (was Foundation): A three day course for BAS members, non members or overseas guests on assessing alpaca conformation and fleece. This course is a comprehensive package in basic alpaca assessment and applicable to all, as well as being a prerequisite for those wishing to enter the BAS judge training scheme.
Date: TBC
Venue: TBC
For full details click here
Cost: The course costs £395 + VAT (BAS members) or £495 + VAT (non-members).
Advanced Alpaca Assessment
This course builds on the intermediate alpaca assessment course.
Follow this link for more details
Date: 16/17 November 2024
Venue: CS Alpacas
Cost: The course costs £450 (BAS members)
Regional groups are encouraged to arrange for this course to be held locally for the benefit of their members.
The next evaluation course: TBC
BAS Affiliate Courses*
Courses offered by BAS Affiliate Trainers are from the set of 9 approved by the Society:
Module 1: Feeding and basic management
Module 2: Vaccination, Supplements, Illness and Ailments
Module 3: Handling Alpacas
3a) Herding and catching
3b) Fitting a head collar
3c) Basic Halter Training
Module 4: The Alpaca – What to look for
Module 5: Understanding shearing day
Module 6: Fleece – what to do with it
Module 7: Breeding and mating
Module 8: Birthing
Module 9: Marketing your alpaca business
*(This course was revised and updated in October 2022 and was formerly 11 modules. The content remains the same)
Upcoming Courses
There are affiliates all over the country to find someone near you click here
Further contact details are available here – names, emails, and telephone numbers.
Apply directly to the breeder concerned.
Date/Time | Saturday 23rd March 10:00 – 16:30 |
County (Postcode) | Shrewsbury (SY4 5PR) |
Modules | 4 – 9 |
More Info | www.clivewoodfarm.co.uk |
Contact | becciusherwood@clivewoodfarm.co.uk |
Date/Time | Saturday 6th April 10:00 – 16:30 |
County (Postcode) | Carmarthenshire SA20 0UW |
Modules | 1-3 Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling |
More Info | https://fancythatalpacas.com/events-education/ |
Contact | tanya@tanyarussell.com |
Date/Time | Saturday 20th April 2024 10.30 – 15.30 |
County (Postcode) | North Yorks (YO61 4PD) |
Title | Alpaca Breeding, Birthing and Cria Care |
Modules | 7 & 8 |
More Info | Jacki Barlow. 07716917315 |
Contact
| beacon.alpacas@yahoo.co.uk |
Date/Time | Saturday 27th April 10:00 – 16:30 | |
County (Postcode) | North Somerset (SY4 5PR) | |
Title | Spring Essentials: shearing & fibre, mating and birthing | |
Modules | 5 to 8 | |
More Info |
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Contact | cadburyalpacas@yahoo.co.uk |
Date | Sunday 28th April 2024, 9.30am-4.30pm | |
County | Wrexham (LL13 0NA) | |
Title |
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Modules | 1,2, 3 & 4 | |
More Info | www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk | |
Contact | harry.mulberry@me.com |
Date/Time | Sunday 28th April |
County (Postcode) | Monmouthshire (NP16 6NS) |
Title | 1-3 Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling |
More Info | uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk |
Contact | info@uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk |
Date/Time | Saturday 11th May 10:00 – 16:30 |
County (Postcode) | Carmarthenshire SA20 0UW |
Modules | 4-8 Fleece, shearing, breeding and birthing |
More Info | https://fancythatalpacas.com/events-education/ |
Contact | tanya@tanyarussell.com |
Date/Time | Sunday 26th May 10:00 – 16:30 |
County (Postcode) | Wrexham (LL13 0NA) |
Title | Introduction to Alpacas : Shearing, fleece and breeding |
Modules | 5,6,7 & 8 |
More Info | www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk |
Contact | harry.mulberry@me.com |
Date/Time | Sunday 9th June |
County (Postcode) | Monmouthshire (NP16 6NS) |
Title | Introduction 4-8, Fleece, shearing, breeding and birthing |
More Info | uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk |
Contact | info@uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk |
Date/Time | Saturday 15th June 2024 10:00 – 16:30 |
County (Postcode) | Devon (EX34 8NA) |
Title | Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling |
Modules | 1,2 & 3 |
More Info | www.mullacottalpacas.com |
Contact | Katebrookes2@gmail.com |
Date/Time | Sunday 16th June 2024 10:00 – 16:30 |
County (Postcode) | Devon (EX34 8NA) |
Title | Introduction to Alpacas: Breeding, Fibre and Conformation |
Modules | 4,5,6,7,& 8 |
More Info | www.mullacottalpacas.com |
Contact | Katebrookes2@gmail.com |
Date/Time | Sunday 23rd June 2024 10 – 16.30 |
County (Postcode) | Wrexham LL13 0NA |
Title | Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health and Handling |
Modules | 1,2,3 &4 |
More Info | www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk |
Contact
| harry.mulberry@me.com
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Date/Time | Sunday 29th September |
County (Postcode) | Monmouthshire (NP16 6NS) |
Title | 1-3 Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling |
More Info | uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk |
Contact | info@uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk |