2010

Wow, has this come about quickly or what? I know I say it every year but it never ceases to amaze me how quick time goes by. At my age I need it to go a bit slower!!

It's been a hectic few weeks since we last sent out a newsletter. Jude had to rush home to Australia to attend to her ailing mother who had been very sick. Its the one draw back on living here and also a reminder about how mercenary airlines are. Jude has flown with this airline for 30 yerars, a frequent flyer, all that, the fare home because it was rushed was three times normal rates...but there were seats open on the flight!!!!

Enough of the whining.

We are off to Mexico for two weeks tomorrow so we thought we'd give you a quick update of where things are. I know I promised Tim would get that analysis out to you but its become a huge task with a lot of interruptions. At last it is ready and you'll see it shortly. It is eye opening to say the least. It shows to you our commitment to the program plus where it currently stands. I think its encouraging. It is interesting to also see how the original projected costs compare with what was incurred. It is a lot less!

Marketing and Sales

The interest in Pucara International has not slowed down too much. I expected a slump after the first big effort but things have managed to keep moving along. The interest has plateaued for sure but not dwindled. As a potentially exciting sign we are getting more enrollments for our on farm seminars than we have seen in a couple of years. They are more reserved but at least there are more of them!

I am still running much of the same sort of advertising as I have in the last 8 weeks but with less emphasis on the really cheap stuff. While we are away I have a series of ads for the seminars which traditionally have been a great way to sell because we can spend time nurturing the clients here on the farm.

A great development has been a relationship Jude and I have started since the last Nationals with Stone Brook Farm who are colored suri breeders. If we had a weak spot in the suris it was with color but now we have all bases covered through a unique venture called Suri Central. Our farms won nearly every championship at the Futurity and Nationals including Best In Show. What is particualrly pleasing is that Josh and Tonya are web tech. gurus so part of the agreement we have with them is that they do all our email blasts and follow ups from analysis they do for nix!!! I just organise what email subject and when and they do the mechanics. This is a fabulous development because their delivery system is more efficient and effecttive than I ahve been paying for and it means I don't have to spend hours doing the mechanics.

The Premium Reserve

This event is coming along better than I ever hoped it would. Whilst it is seven months off everything seems to be falling into place. Its a huge undertaking if its done well and besides being extremely expensive it is risky because it is toward the end of the season of shows and auctions but all our clients are genuinely excited and it has created a buzz in the industry. What particularly pleases us is that Don and Julie from Snowmass Alpacas have agreed to be involved. As you know our huacaya stud males come from there. It is acknowledged by discerning breeders that they have the best huacaya breeding program not only in the US but the world!!! They are good friends and Julie has accepted to be a feature speaker at the Premium Reserve. Despite hundreds of requests from all over the world she has never spoken at a public event! We are also featuring an Aussie suri breeder who has developed fiber in a line of suris that is being made into luxurious fabric in New Zealand. This is a first. US suri breeders are intrigued. We'll have models displaying the garments whilst Julienne gives the talk.

Of course the whole idea is to get bums on seats. We also have the event streaming live on the web and bidders will be able to bid by internet and phone. We even have "Buying at Auction" tutorials at the event plus experienced senior alpaca judges available to help buyers with their decsions. We are even flying in some of the big hitters from all over the country. This again is a first but these people want to feel special and they do return the favor!!!!...it is so important to have these people there bec the event photographer and video guy will have their pics plastered all over our promotions for the next year.

Jude and I and a few alpaca friends went to the CASA charity dinner in Portland Sat. night after having gone last year. What a wonderful cause. We will be auctioning off two breedings and donating that money to CASA so they can train more field 'workers" who act like best friends for these poor kids who get caught up in the foster home welfare system.

Whilst we have not reviewed all the farm animals yet for our show team we have started. We are doing four additional shows this year, because as our friend from Magical Farm, Tripp Forstner says, " the more shows he does the more luck he has"...meaning sales. Some of the barn animals are looking very good, Coco Ho in B2 and Pipeline in B3 are looking like champions altho Coco's fleece may get too long. Both look like big sellers at the auction if we can get some more ribbons on them.

Its been really wet here so thank heavens we put new tile drain in some of our lower paddocks that has worked really well. At last we are having some mild weather so the grass is growing a little because the ground is not quite as wet due to the new drainage.

A book keeping matter. When we get income for any barn sales or leasing we intend to credit that amount against any accounts we have in arrears with individual Barn members. If barn members are current we will send a check. Let us know if you have any issue with that.

So thats it. We hope you are all well and weathering the economy. We are seeing some positive signs so fingers crossed for you all. I can smell the tropical ocean air...just one sleep away!