Business Rural Autumn 2021

| 5 RURAL PEOPLE » Shamarra Alpacas: Anya & Keith Walkington fleece production go hand in hand that we processed at one time was four tonnes, which is quite a lot of alpaca.” The fleece runs through the Canterbury Wool Scourers and then goes through either the Design Spun mill in Napier to become worsted yarn, which is then knitted up into a selection of ponchos, jump- ers, scarves, beanies, and shawls. Or it is processed into woollen yarn by Woolyarns in Lower Hutt,from which blankets are woven by a weaving contractor in Auckland. “We’ve had to learn a lot along the way,” says Anya with a laugh. All their products can be found in the shop and Visitor Centre on their farm, as well as through their online shop. One thing that hasn’t suffered through Covid is their export of stud animals to satisfy the demand from Europe. “They’re transported in the same way horses are with a groom, “ says Anya. ‘In fact they’re often on the same cargo plane. We keep our top stock for our own breeding as you’d expect, but this year we released 16 high quality alpacas for export, and could have sold more.” For anyone wanting to see the quality of the Walkington’s Shamarra Alpaca Knitwear, for them- selves they’ll be at the South Island Agricultural Field Day in Kirwee from the 24 th to 26 th of March. “So we want fleece that is fine – fineness is an important aspect of Alpaca; uniform in micron, and because we only process natural colours and don’t dye our fleeces we also breed for colour. We concentrate on whites through fawns and beiges, to brown.” Alpacas enjoying the climate and surroundings at Wainui, in Banks Peninsula. Because of their dense fleece they do better in low areas of low humidity, like merinos, says Shamarra Alpacas’ Anya Walkington. For more information call 0800 835 367 or visit www.sit.ac.nz/Telford YOUR NEW CAREER STARTS HERE. -RLQ XV LQ IRU &HUWLȴFDWH DQG 'LSORPD OHYHO VWXGLHV LQ $JULFXOWXUH 5XUDO 9HWHULQDU\ 7HFKQLFLDQ (TXLQH DQG PRUH /LYH RQ FDPSXV RU DV D GD\ VWXGHQW DQG EHFRPH SDUW RI WKH 7HOIRUG H[SHULHQFH Take advantage of the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund that will allow you to study select sub-degree courses at no cost. Telford committed to a year of improve- ments in 2020. The Balclutha campus of SIT carried out infrastructure upgrades, technology and programme development, to ensure the continued successful delivery of a quality education for its students. The provision of government funding through the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) in mid-2020, means there’s never been a better time to train or upskill for a career in agriculture. Telford’s core rural programmes remain the same, and the purpose-built facilities are tailored to provide a current and relevant learning experience. With a strong tradition in producing graduates capable of entering sectors where practical skill sets are required, Telford’s emphasis in hands-on learning sees work placements incorporated into a number of its programmes. Allan Roxburgh is Telford’s Work Experi- ence Coordinator, and tutor; he is passionate about placing students into the right work experience, then helping them find employment after they graduate. While it’s not unusual for Telford students to graduate with their employment secured, he’s noticed increasingly, Telford students are valued in the workplace because they have such a strong practical component during their training, where applied skills are taught from day one. “Farmers from Canterbury will ring us looking for graduates, saying they prefer to take our students because of the practical element taught here” he said. MID-YEAR START AT TELFORD There’s no hanging around until 2022 to start that qualification! Check out the Telford programmes which start in semester 2. The New Zealand Certificate in Wool Technology and Classing (Level 4), is available by blended delivery; most of the programme is completed online, with 5-day block courses available in the North and South Island. TTAF Selected programmes are available to study in semester 2, under the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF). Study any of these programmes with no course costs: • New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) - blended delivery and online distance learning • New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4) (Crop Production) • New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4) Keep an eye on the website for further programme additions with a semester 2 start at Telford. Secure your place at Telford, enrol for a mid-year start. Enquiries welcome, phone 0800 835 367 or visit www.sit.ac.nz/campus/Telford to view the full range of courses available. Telford - 498 Owaka Highway, Balclutha The SIT Zero Fees Scheme (ZFS) is subject to NZ government policies. YOUR FARMING FUTURE STARTS AT TELFORD