May2013_National Alpaca Week 2013

4th – 12th May

National Alpaca Week is returning again in 2013 by popular demand.

National Alpaca Week is an educational initiative of the Australian Alpaca Association.  It focuses on all that is fascinating and luxurious about alpacas and the advancements making Australian a world leader in the industry.

Alpaca farms across the country will open their doors in May (4th – 12th) to mark the occasion. 

Over the past few years National Alpaca Week has been a great success.  People come along for many reasons, some for a day out with the family and others who are thinking of owning their own alpacas.

The alpaca industry recognizes that it’s strength is the endearing nature of it’s animals.  The public appeal of alpacas has seen them take pride of place at many shows.  Where traditional livestock numbers have declined alpacas are now major show attractions.

Their ease of care and attractive personalities has seen them become popular pets and “lawn mowers” for small acreages.  No special fencing is required and very little in the way of infrastructure is needed.  They are shorn every year and many owners enjoy using the fleece for knitting and craftwork.

We live in a world becoming greener by the day, green as it relates to an environmental consciousness.  Alpacas have soft padded feet that put less pressure on our fragile soils than other livestock, they do not pull out grass damaging the roots or ring bark trees.  They need no crutching or mulesing and are very good converters of feed, so need little extra feeding apart from the native grasses in your paddocks.  Their fibre is produced in a variety of natural colours lending itself perfectly to producing products from undyed fibre, a process which requires environmentally damaging chemicals.

So look for an open farm near you and learn more about these endearing creatures.