Suris - Fibre
Introduction
Suri fibre has a handle superior to other fibres because the scales along the shaft of the fibre have a longer and tighter profile, providing a very smooth surface. Suri fibre also has very little medullation (coarse, hollow fibres that cause prickling and do not process or dye as well as normal fibres).
Research data has shown that suri fleece generally has a higher density and yield than that of huacaya. In processing, the yield of suri fibre is 90% compared to 43-76% for sheep's wool because it has very little lanolin.
Shearing and fleece preparation
Pre shearing:
- Do not feed alpacas chaff or loose feed within 24 hours of shearing.
- Keep animals awaiting shearing in a cleaned paddock.
- Using a piece of 1½-inch poly pipe or palm brush, brush fleece downwards to remove dirt and loose particles (brush for about 20 seconds).
- Remove all feedbags, chaff bags, garbage bags, bailing twine, wire or wire ties, string, staples or other possible contaminants from the shearing area.
- Sweep floor of shearing area (must also be done between animals).
- Alpacas to be shorn in colour order, lightest to darkest.
- Provide three bags for Good Pieces (white, brown, black/grey).
- Provide three bags for Hairy Pieces (white, brown, black/grey).
- Provide one bag for each Neck (shopping bag or similar).
- Provide one bag for Rubbish (all colours).
Pre-classing - packaging of the fleece:
| CUT | CONDITIONS | BAG TO BE USED |
| Lower legs | > 80mm long | Hairy pieces bags (NCV) |
| <80mm long | Rubbish bin | |
| Belly & apron | > 80mm long minimal guard hair & minimal VM | Good pieces bags |
| > 80mm long significant guard hair | Hairy pieces bags (NCV) | |
| Necks | Each neck separate | Neck bag |
| Middle legs | Minimal guard hair & minimal VM | Good Pieces bags |
| Significant guard hair | Hairy Pieces bags (NCV) | |
| Skirtings | Minimal guard hair & minimal VM | Good Pieces bags |
| Significant guard hair | Hairy Pieces bags (NCV) | |
| Significant VM and < 80mm long | Rubbish bin | |
| Saddle | One colour per bag, fleeces separated (e.g use sheets of newspaper) | Fleece bag |
Packing:
- Always fold fleece edge to edge to avoid contamination with edge fibre.
- Ensure that a bag identification slip is placed in each fleece bag and arranged so that it can be read through the bag.
- Complete all boxes on Fleece Consignment Form. One form per clip.
- Ensure that fleece bag is left open when placed in bale. (Do not: knot, tie, staple, tape, etc).
- Do not use bags that are torn or brittle. Do not use chaff bags or poly bags.
- Overgrown fleece is a major problem with Suris. Please note that the maximum length for fleece is 150mm (120mm for the SBP grade).
- Second style refers to fleeces lacking classic Suri characteristics, typical first cross and fleeces from some older animals.
The fibre from the suri neck is superior to huacaya neck fibre, being prime fibre that is often more even than the suri blanket fleece, although shorter and without primary fibres. Please ensure that you send your suri neck fibre, separated from the blanket fleece, to AAFL with your current consignment. AAFL will then combine the neck fibre with lines of shorter suri blanket, to be spun by the woollen process or mixed with huacaya or other natural fibres for blended yarns.
Suri fibre hotline
If you have queries or problems with your fleece sorting please contact:
- Julienne Gelber Tel: 02 4374 1233 or gelber@bigpond.com
- Fiona Laughton Tel: 07 4156 3364 or suris@blsurialpacas.com
- David Williams (AAFL) Tel: 03 9311 0933 or info@aafl.com.au