We are Mark and Sue Steele and together with our son, Gus we run Patou Alpacas from our home Budleigh House Farm, which is on the edge of the Blackdown Hills close to Taunton, Wellington and junction 26 of the M5 in Somerset..
We formed the herd in 2006 with the purchase of three pregnant females and the herd has grown from there.
Getting alpacas was the start of a journey that would lead to running Patou Alpacas as a business after I retired in 2013.
Mark Steele - this is now my full-time job and I love it! I manage the day to day side of the alpaca business. My main jobs are:
Looking after the health of the Patou herd.
As I write the herd is about 50 alpacas strong and all are fit and healthy. It is my main job to ensure they stay fit and healthy. A fit and healthy alpaca is a happy alpaca! This involves day to day husbandry including vaccinations, parasite control, vitamin supplementation, general feeding and anything else that involves keeping the herd healthy. I also speak to our vet regularly about herd health. It also involves a lot of standing about looking at alpacas!
Breeding and birthing.
I decide, after discussion with Sue, which males we will be using over which females each year. These decisions are based on several criteria but always with a view to improving the quality of the herd. I am also responsible for the mechanics of this procedure ensuring that matings occur in optimum conditions so that females have the best chance of conceiving successfully. I also take the males out for outside services when required. Basically the big important stud boys are my domain!
I am also the chief alpaca watcher during the birthing season, primarily because I am here most of the time. Any problems with birthing and I step in to assist. Together Sue and I plan and carry out any additional care that is required for newborn cria if there is a problem.
Fleece production and preparation.I organise the shearing each year, for not only our herd, but also the many smaller herds that we have helped set up over the past ten years or so. This may sound relatively simple but with the famous British weather, whereby anything is possible in May or June, it can be somewhat stressful! Alpacas need to be dry at shearing time!
I also organise the processing of the fleece from our herd. Skirting and sorting and so that it is ready to sell on.
Alpaca Sales.
I deal with all enquiries relating to alpaca sales. Foremost in my mind when selling alpacas is that they go to a good home. It is very important that anyone who buys from us has the knowledge to look after their alpacas as we would do. I spend as much or as little time as necessary with new clients to ensure that the alpacas are cared for properly. We are always here for advice and help, it is so important for us to know that new owners have the right amount of support from us.
Alpaca Shows and events.
It is my job to firstly select and then enter our show team into as many alpaca shows as I can go to, as I love it! Sue doesn't like towing the trailer so I get to go to all the shows! It is great fun and always good to chat to other breeders and look at other peoples alpacas.
As well as all that I have been the Chairman of the South West Alpaca Group (SWAG) for the past seven years and help organise several alpaca shows in the region. I also served on the committee for the British Alpaca Society National Show, the biggest alpaca show in Europe, for three years, my role there was to organise the halter show.
Sue Steele.
Sue's main role as I see it is ensuring I don't do anything silly. Sue is the calm head of the operation and after over 30 years of marriage, knows me better than anyone. Her advice and help over the years has ensured that I am still relatively sane and able to function. Without her I would be useless. Utterly useless.
Gus Steele.
Gus used to enjoy showing the alpacas and has grown up amongst them but now that he is 19 and about to start University his priorities have somewhat shifted! He will always help if asked and has a good way with the animals. Paying him helps.
If you would like to talk to us about anything to do with alpacas please give us a call and we will introduce you to some of the most interesting, gentle and productive animals in the world.
We believe that the future of the alpaca and that of the alpaca industry in the UK is very positive. The demand for alpacas and alpaca based products is increasing year on year.
