ALPACAS COME OF AGE IN AUSTRALIA
In this the year designated by the UN as “The International Year of Natural Fibres”, the Australian alpaca industry is celebrating its 21st birthday. To mark both events, the Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) will be holding a National Alpaca Week, from 2-10 May 2009.
“Since 1988, when the first three alpacas arrived in Australia, the national herd has grown to 100,000 and the number of registered breeders to 2,300, of whom six are located in the Dayboro, Mt. Mee area” says Esme Graham, Immediate Past President of the Queensland Region of the AAA.
Those first few animals not only cost their importers a very large sum of money, but were also of poor fleece quality compared to the magnificent animals that are being bred today. Australian alpacas are now recognised as some of the best in the world, and this has been due to the efforts of many breeders who have worked hard on the genetic improvement of our national herd.
There are two distinct types of alpaca, distinguished by their fleece – the more commonly seen huacaya, with a crimped fleece similar to a merino, and the rarer suri, with a fleece which hangs in twisted “dreadlocks”. In addition, alpacas come in a range of twelve colours, in a spectrum ranging from white to black.
Those first few animals not only cost their importers a very large sum of money, but were also of poor fleece quality compared to the magnificent animals that are being bred today. Australian alpacas are now recognised as some of the best in the world, and this has been due to the efforts of many breeders who have worked hard on the genetic improvement of our national herd.
There are two distinct types of alpaca, distinguished by their fleece – the more commonly seen huacaya, with a crimped fleece similar to a merino, and the rarer suri, with a fleece which hangs in twisted “dreadlocks”. In addition, alpacas come in a range of twelve colours, in a spectrum ranging from white to black.
Adult Suri Alpacas (left) Adult Huacaya Alpacas) (at right) 
“The fleece of the alpaca is exquisite; it speaks a language, spoken through the fingers, which even the deaf can hear and the blind can see”, says Dr Ian Davison, President of the AAA. This fibre has a huge range of uses, from luxury cloth, through knitwear, blankets and doonas, down to top quality carpet made from the coarser fleeces.
The alpaca industry is now well established, but whereas the merino industry has 200 years of genetic improvement behind it, the Australian alpaca has just over two decades. There is still a long, upward road to travel, but the rate of improvement that has been achieved thus far is astronomical and shows what can be done by those prepared to invest their time and energy in this industry.
“The alpaca is perfectly suited to today’s environmentally aware farmer” says Fiona Vanderbeek, speaking on behalf of the Australian Alpaca Association. “Alpacas do not suffer from fly-strike (and so require no mulesing), have a non-greasy fleece and exert only half the pressure on the land through their soft padded feet compared to a sheep (39kP for an alpaca compared to 82kP for a sheep)”
Where once ownership of even a couple of alpacas was only feasible for well-heeled, middle-aged tree-changers, the expansion in numbers and increase in quality now means that good quality breeding stock is very much more affordable – with pregnant females now being available for no more than many families would happily pay for a pedigree pet.
“National Alpaca Week is the ideal opportunity for anyone thinking seriously about owning alpacas, or just interested in finding out more, to take part in the range of events we will be arranging in the Dayboro area” says Esme Graham.
During National Alpaca Week every state in which alpacas are farmed (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA, WA and Tasmania) will be hosting open days, educational events and opportunities for potential breeders to learn more about Australian Alpaca.
For further information on events in Queensland:
Contact Marc Mullette on 0419 691 929.
NATIONAL ALPACA WEEK
Saturday 2nd to Sunday 10th May 2009
The alpaca industry is now well established, but whereas the merino industry has 200 years of genetic improvement behind it, the Australian alpaca has just over two decades. There is still a long, upward road to travel, but the rate of improvement that has been achieved thus far is astronomical and shows what can be done by those prepared to invest their time and energy in this industry.
“The alpaca is perfectly suited to today’s environmentally aware farmer” says Fiona Vanderbeek, speaking on behalf of the Australian Alpaca Association. “Alpacas do not suffer from fly-strike (and so require no mulesing), have a non-greasy fleece and exert only half the pressure on the land through their soft padded feet compared to a sheep (39kP for an alpaca compared to 82kP for a sheep)”
Where once ownership of even a couple of alpacas was only feasible for well-heeled, middle-aged tree-changers, the expansion in numbers and increase in quality now means that good quality breeding stock is very much more affordable – with pregnant females now being available for no more than many families would happily pay for a pedigree pet.
“National Alpaca Week is the ideal opportunity for anyone thinking seriously about owning alpacas, or just interested in finding out more, to take part in the range of events we will be arranging in the Dayboro area” says Esme Graham.
During National Alpaca Week every state in which alpacas are farmed (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, SA, WA and Tasmania) will be hosting open days, educational events and opportunities for potential breeders to learn more about Australian Alpaca.
For further information on events in Queensland:
Contact Marc Mullette on 0419 691 929.
NATIONAL ALPACA WEEK
Saturday 2nd to Sunday 10th May 2009
