Alpacas are known for their soft, lush wool

Nov 11, 2022

Years ago, Glenda and Tim Shotter attended the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina.

As they strolled past the livestock, they came across the alpacas, which sparked an interest with Glenda.

Shotter also attended the trade show and purchased a pair of alpaca mitts. It was then that Shotter was hooked.

In 2011, Shotter began to purchase her registered alpacas for their farm northwest of Creelman, where she lives with her husband Tim and four sons.

There are two kinds of alpacas. Suri produce a longer, cylindrical locks, similar to dreadlocks. The huacaya produces curly, dense and soft wool. Shotter owns huacaya alpacas.

Shotter is very particular when she purchases livestock. They need to be the right size and have a great temperament. Their genetics need to be strong and have excellent fiber.

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Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.