This course is delivered by Kim Murray, BAS Affiliated Trainer, Official BAS Judge and Co-owner of Skin Imprint, meaning you can trust that you are gaining trustworthy, proven and reliable knowledge.  ​​​

​​

Whether you're a new breeder looking to understand the basics or an experienced breeder aiming to refine your breeding programme, this comprehensive Alpaca Colour Genetics Course will give you the knowledge and confidence to make informed breeding decisions and achieve your colour breeding goals.

At Capital Alpaca, we specialise in understanding and breeding complex colour traits, particularly greys and rare colour patterns. Through decades of practical breeding experience and continuous study of modern genetic research, we have developed a deep understanding of the genetic principles that influence colour outcomes while maintaining quality, conformation, and fleece excellence.

As an award-winning breeding programme with Supreme Champions and Championship winners across a wide range of colours, including grey, we understand that successful breeding is about much more than chance. By understanding the science behind colour inheritance, breeders can significantly improve the likelihood of producing desired colours (out of all 22 of them) and traits within their herd.

​

Key topics include:

​

• Basic principles of alpaca colour genetics

• Understanding dominant and recessive inheritance

• Phenotype vs genotype

• The role of MC1R and ASIP genes

• Hidden colour carriers and cryptic genetics

• Predicting colour outcomes from pedigrees

• Understanding and interpreting DNA colour genotype test results

• White spotting, patterning and colour modifiers

• Black, brown, fawn and white breeding strategies

• Grey genetics from foundation to advanced level

• Roan genetics and rare colour outcomes

• Colour probability and breeding predictions

• Using colour history to make informed mating decisions

• Combining colour genetics with fleece quality and conformation goals

• Understanding Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs)

• Building a long-term colour breeding programme

• Avoiding common breeding misconceptions

• Practical case studies and real-world breeding examples

​

​​

The course explores how modern DNA colour genotype testing can reveal the hidden genetics within your herd. We will help you understand what these test results mean in practical breeding terms and how they can be used to support more informed mating decisions. These tests can identify colour-associated gene variants and uncover hidden black, grey, and other colour influences that may not be visible from phenotype alone.

You'll learn how genotype testing can help:

• Predict colour outcomes more accurately

• Reduce breeding guesswork

• Identify valuable hidden colour genetics

• Make more informed purchasing decisions

• Build targeted breeding programmes for specific colour goals

​

While colour is often a key breeding objective, successful breeding programmes must also consider fleece quality, conformation, and long-term genetic improvement.

The course introduces the role of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and how they can be used alongside colour genetics to help breeders make balanced decisions that improve both colour outcomes and overall herd quality.

​

Why Learn with Capital Alpaca?

• Award-winning breeders with Supreme Champion success across multiple colour classes

• Extensive expertise in grey alpacas and complex colour inheritance

• Practical, real-world breeding experience

• Science-based teaching grounded in current genetic research

• Suitable for beginners through to advanced breeders

• Professional, honest and reliable guidance

​

Whether your goal is breeding elite greys, producing quality blacks, understanding hidden genetics, or working towards rare outcomes such as roan patterns, this course will provide the knowledge and tools needed to breed with greater confidence and purpose.

​

Stop guessing. Start understanding.

Join us and unlock the genetic potential within your herd.​​​​​​​​​​