Fiber/Scientific Data
2017-07-15 | AFD: 24.1 | SD: 6.4 | CV: 26.5 | %>30: 14.2 |
Vida Loca Big Bang
Huacaya, Female, Proven | Medium Fawn, Light Rose Grey
ARI# , D.O.B. 7/12/2010,
Sire: Vida Loca Nero ARI#
30993143 Medium Fawn Nero is a handsome Macho, with a regal presence, full coverage and a beautiful disposition.
Nero is really, almost everything we could ask for in a herdsire. Although we have never shown him, he had enjoyed a successful show career before his retirement into the stud barn. Nero placed 3rd at the Alpaca Odyssey in 2007, 3rd at Northlands Spring Show 2008, 1st out of 12 at the Keystone Classic in Brandon in 2008 under David Barboza, and a 2nd at the Lloydminister Alpaca Showcase under Dawn Brooker (who noted his exquisite handle, heavy bone structure and head style), showing that he had the capacity to impress the judges as much as he has impressed us.
Quality runs in the family when it comes to this boy. Nero's sire is Peruvian Captain Nemo, who is one of only 3 Peruvian Auzengate offspring in Canada; and his dam Shala Ben. His full sister, Sharona Ben and his half brother Bay Leif were both the high selling animals at the Canadian Nationals in 2004. Sharona Ben has gone on to produce champions such as PGA Hummer, PGA H2 and PGA Sawamara.
He has all the traits we look for in a breeding male-- density, fineness, colour, crimp, matchstick bundling, a soft handle and staple length (Really, our list could go on). He is maintaining these qualities well into his golden years. At 16 years old, he is still impressing us with a micron of only 22.6, and a fleece that is still exceedingly soft and retains its character.
We just love his phenotype which he passes onto his offspring. His cria are starting to hit the show ring, and are all doing their sire proud, winning ribbons and banners consistently. His 2011 son Tiger Loca Merdock, won Grand Champion Fawn at the 2012 Lloydminister Alpaca Showcase. We are very impressed with his 2015 cria, with his sons displaying just stunning fleeces already. Fineness, and longevity of fineness, is a trait that we are beginning to see in many of his cria as they mature into adults themselves. His son Heracles tested at 16 microns in 2016, and 20 microns in 2023 at 8yrs, while Apollo, at 4 years old tested at 16 microns, and at 6yrs is 21.7 microns. Merdock, at nearly 3 years was just over 21 microns. His daughters are sharing the fineness, with many of them maintaining sub-20 micron fleeces into maturity as well.
Update: It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Nero.It was love at first sight when Connie laid eyes on him, and his time with us has been nothing but treasured. Nero significantly influenced the direction of our breeding program, and he reinforced our love for these animals, setting the bar high. Always enthusiastic for walks, and easy to handle for any and all tasks, his chats with us while working were always appreciated. Somehow, the herd feels smaller without his presence, though we know his legacy lives on in his progeny, he will be missed.
Dam: M.R.S. April ARI# Beige
Service Sire: Northern Mystery's Khagan ARI#
31940474 Medium Brown Due Date: 8/9/2023 Khagan means "Khan of Khan's", and boy, do we think this boy is living up to his name. Not only is this guy covered from topknot to toes in a rich brown fleece, he is bright, dense, and uniformly fine and full of crimp across his blanket. Set on a compact, conformationally correct frame, Khagan is a herdsire in the making, and we could not be more pleased with how he is growing.
His dam is Shahkell, who produces some of the most consistent fleeces on our farm, leaving her fibre always feeling wonderfully soft in it's handle. Bocelli, his sire, consistently produces long, bright staples and heavy fleece weights— and between the pair, longevity of fineness is something we expect to see in Khagan's future.
Temperament wise, Khagan is friendly and quick to learn, but very much of a spitfire amongst his herd mates.
We are very pleased to report that we're not the only one's admiring Khagan, with him having been awarded Reserve Grand Champion to the gorgeous male who went on to win Supreme Champion overall at the A.L.P.A.C.A. Spring Show!
2023- Khagan's first cria are now on the ground, and wow!
Description
Paz was a surprise, having been born without anyone having any idea as to just who her sire was. However, we've since found out that he is the handsome Vida Loca Nero.
Somewhat a contradiction, Paz's call name means "peace", however, her pasture antics of explosive pronking and her large size, led us to register her as "Big Bang".
She has a nice, dense fleece with a beautiful handle, nice crimp and a pleasing heathery-fawn colour (and, interestingly enough, a rose grey spot on her shoulder). She has coverage to spare, and continues to produce a lovely, roan coloured fleece.
Conformationally, Paz has matured into a large, highly correct female with perfect legs and a fantastic presence overall that she passes on to her cria. She is an excellent mother with ample milk and the perfect disposition to raise well-rounded, friendly cria.
Awards
First Place, Produce of Dam, 2021 Majestic Alpaca Show