Stud Business
by Philippa Ernst
A stud breeders role is to supply a market with genetically improved animals that will sustain the commercial needs of the market place.
The most obvious requirement is to have a good product, after this you need a seller and a client. The breeder/client bond is founded on mutual respect, trust and communication by both parties, with an understanding of the client's needs. It is important to realise that a stud breeder does not own his clients. In order to meet their needs they are free to move to another stud, be it local or interstate.
It is obligatory for the stud breeder to be honest and open with a client. He should be asking what the client wants and what animals exist on his farm. The client should be asking the stud breeder, what the stud genetics can provide to improve financial return. If both farms are non-productive, there is no profit. In order for the stud breeder to be viable, he needs his client to become a return buyer, not just a one off customer.
The stud breeder should pass on his skills and knowledge to all his clients and a client should feel free to ask advice on matings, criaing, lines and family trees without feeling he is imposing.
Is a stud breeder prepared to share its top genetics with clients? Many choose to retain their top genetics for a year or two.
Is this in the best interest of the client? Coricancha's view is that mating the best to the best and viewing multiple off spring, allow both stud breeder and client to evaluate the gene pool of both parents; thus making our top genetics more available to clients. The need for ownership of hundreds of animals of differing qualities and colours to evaluate genetic gain is replaced with this method and the stud breeder can concentrate on genetic gain with a herd of superior dams. The clients interest will soon be lost if enthusiasm is only shown when the cheque book comes out.
A client needs to be told the difference between a good or bad animal. This needs to be explained, especially if it isn't obvious. The aim is to produce more profitable lines and know the virtues of a sire by the predictability of his offspring not by chance.
Any fool can find fault in an alpaca but an astute breeder recognises its virtues. If the virtues out way the fault, it becomes a calculated decision and the fault tolerated or eliminated. Talk directly with the breeder, don't tolerate second hand gossip.
As well as 'walking the walk' a stud breeder must be able to 'talk the talk'. The stud breeder should be able to back up his talk with examples in his own (or managed) herd by micron, CV, SD, prickle or comfort factor, fleece weights and a pedigree certificate. This is all the information you need to start a Genetic Improvement Program. Seeing is believing invite your clients to shearing.
The stud breeder needs to constantly remain informed of the end consumers needs and the processors requirements. It is the breeders responsibility to inform his clients of these requirements, thus enabling everyone to stay profitable. If a breeder doesn't have the answers, he should say so, find out and inform his clients. Honesty is the most credible answer.
It's very important for the stud breeder to be aware of a clients financial situation and physical location. Environment counts for fifty percent in the genetic tables. In order to stay profitable both parties need to understand the environmental impact of the location change on the genetic gain in their herds.
If a client asks a stud breeder to class stock, clear parameters are needed. The stud breeder needs to be informed of how many animals the client wants out, (ten or twenty percent) and what the client is breeding for. The stud breeder should not over cull this could leave the client without income.
The client needs to have input in the culling (genetic or quant-itative). The Alpaca maybe wool blind and can't find water easily on the property, or the vegetable matter in fleece is causing contamination, or the animal is too small or barrel chested and will not survive under certain conditions, etc.
In order to be understood when classing animals. both parties should discuss details of attributes clearly (both positive and negative) eg. density, micron, suint (grease staining), great coverage, confirmation, keep, etc.
It is the stud breeders responsibility to look at an animals all round performance, micron of progeny, cut, doing ability and fertility. Look at the sires with the latest test data and weights in hand. If a male can't do the job, use an alternative. The client is not getting value for money.
If a client feels he is not getting the service he needs and is left feeling unimportant he will go elsewhere. New clients are often gained through another stud breeders mistakes or lack of attention.
Never under value a client. A client whose Alpaca are performing well, will not hesitate to tell others and vice versa.
Remember
a stud is only as successful as its clients.
