Education

Alpaca Education

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:

  1. BAS Affiliate modules that cover items such as alpaca handling and welfare. Details of courses currently on offer are detailed below.
  2. BAS Breeder and Judge training. These items are restricted to BAS members only and details can be found in the Members Area.

Many BAS members offer courses for people interested in alpacas and alpaca fibre. Scroll down to see what’s on offer in your area.

BAS Training Courses

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

Training offered by Affiliates

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.

23 March 2024

Date/TimeSaturday 23rd March 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode)Shrewsbury (SY4 5PR)
Modules4 – 9
More Infowww.clivewoodfarm.co.uk
Contactbecciusherwood@clivewoodfarm.co.uk

6 April 2024

Date/TimeSaturday 6th  April 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode)Carmarthenshire
SA20 0UW
Modules1-3 Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling
More Infohttps://fancythatalpacas.com/events-education/
Contacttanya@tanyarussell.com

20 April 2024

Date/TimeSaturday 20th April 2024  10.30  – 15.30
County (Postcode)North Yorks (YO61 4PD)
TitleAlpaca Breeding, Birthing and Cria Care
Modules7 & 8
More InfoJacki Barlow. 07716917315
Contact

 

beacon.alpacas@yahoo.co.uk

27 April 2024

Date/TimeSaturday 27th April 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode)North Somerset (SY4 5PR)
TitleSpring Essentials: shearing & fibre, mating and birthing
Modules5 to 8
More Info
Alpaca Walking – Visit Our Farm – Cadbury Alpacas (alpacaemporium.co.uk)
Contactcadburyalpacas@yahoo.co.uk

28 April 2024

DateSunday 28th April 2024,  9.30am-4.30pm
CountyWrexham (LL13 0NA)
Title
Introduction to Alpacas – Husbandry & Handling
Modules1,2, 3 & 4
More Infowww.mulberryalpacas.co.uk
Contactharry.mulberry@me.com

28 April 2024

Date/TimeSunday 28th April
County (Postcode)Monmouthshire  (NP16 6NS)
Title1-3 Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling
More Infouskvalleyalpacas.co.uk
Contactinfo@uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk

11 May 2024

Date/TimeSaturday 11th  May 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode)Carmarthenshire
SA20 0UW
Modules4-8  Fleece, shearing, breeding and birthing
More Infohttps://fancythatalpacas.com/events-education/
Contacttanya@tanyarussell.com

26 May 2024

Date/TimeSunday 26th  May 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode)Wrexham (LL13 0NA)
TitleIntroduction to Alpacas :  Shearing, fleece and breeding
Modules5,6,7 & 8
More Infowww.mulberryalpacas.co.uk
Contactharry.mulberry@me.com

9 June 2024

Date/TimeSunday 9th June
County (Postcode)Monmouthshire  (NP16 6NS)
TitleIntroduction 4-8, Fleece, shearing, breeding and birthing
More Infouskvalleyalpacas.co.uk
Contactinfo@uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk

15 June 2024

Date/TimeSaturday 15th June 2024 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode)Devon (EX34 8NA)
TitleIntroduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling
Modules1,2 & 3
More Infowww.mullacottalpacas.com
ContactKatebrookes2@gmail.com

16 June 2024

Date/TimeSunday 16th June 2024 10:00 – 16:30
County (Postcode)Devon (EX34 8NA)
TitleIntroduction to Alpacas: Breeding, Fibre and Conformation
Modules4,5,6,7,& 8
More Infowww.mullacottalpacas.com
ContactKatebrookes2@gmail.com

23 June 2024

Date/TimeSunday 23rd June 2024  10  – 16.30
County (Postcode)Wrexham LL13 0NA
TitleIntroduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health and Handling
Modules1,2,3 &4
More Infowww.mulberryalpacas.co.uk
Contact

 

harry.mulberry@me.com

 

29 September 2024

Date/TimeSunday 29th September
County (Postcode)Monmouthshire  (NP16 6NS)
Title1-3 Introduction to Alpacas: Husbandry, Health & Handling
More Infouskvalleyalpacas.co.uk
Contactinfo@uskvalleyalpacas.co.uk

Call affiliates directly to book your place

Practical alpaca owners and breeders affiliate scheme & workshop