Alpacas are what’s known as semi-ruminants. They have 3 stomach compartments referred to very excitingly as C-1, C-2 and C-3. These chambers are what allow them to make the most of very little, fermenting and absorbing plant fibres and absorbing nutrients super efficiently.

Shearing 2024 was the first day of my alpaca apprenticeship, a baptism of fire, so I knew what to expect but having since trained in CameliDynamics I couldn’t help but wonder how we could incorporate a more gentle and respectful approach to the massive task of restraining and shearing thirty four animals in one day.