After a few years of excitement surrounding the existence of a new genetic colour test for alpacas, we finally got around to having our samples sent it! We ended up testing all our herd sires and potential up-and-coming boys as well as most of our younger females.
Our results are back, and we are delighted to start analyzing and incorporating them in our breeding program strategies. As expected, a large portion of our animals tested carry the double ASIP mutation “aa”, with most of them carrying either no dilution “EE” or a single dilution allele “Ee” of MC1R. One of the most fascinating discoveries made thanks to this test, is that the majority of our classic rosegrey subjects came back as “Ee aa”, one of the genotypes typically seen in True Black and Bay Black. This test also allowed us to confirm a few suspected cases of cryptic classic greys in our herd.
We have already included the genotype of all our animal tested in their respective Openherd profiles. You can consult them here: Alpagas Sutton Openherd
Below is a quick resume of our herd sires’ genotypes so you can have a look should you consider purchasing a breeding for your own program. Images below are linked to their Openherd profile should you which to consult details.
PLUM CREEK’S TAJI
Ee aa
Classic Grey
ARIYA PURE RESERVE’S JOPHIEL
Ee Aa
Non-Grey
SUTTON WINGMAN’S SIMBA
Ee aa
Classic Grey
SUTTON’S PURE SECRECY
ee aa
Classic Grey
OUR UP-AND-COMING RISING STARS
SUTTON WINGMAN’S RUSTY
EE Aa
Classic Grey
SUTTON XANDER’S TITANIUM
EE aa
Classic Grey
