Alpaca news

Show dates:
The RASV has moved the dates of the Royal Melbourne Show. Instead of opening on Thursday 16 September and closing on Sunday 16 September, the 2010 show will commence on Saturday 18 September and close on Tuesday 28 September.

It is planned that alpacas will be required to arrive at the Melbourne Showgrounds on the morning of Saturday 25 September from 6:00am and are required to be in their pens for inspection no later than 10:00am. Judging of Huacaya Juniors will commence at about 1:00pm.

Age section judging is projected to be completed by the evening of Monday 27 September. It is anticipated that, while interstate exhibitors may wish to depart on Monday evening (or early Tuesday morning), the Tuesday will provide for a ‘spectacular finale’ for the final day of the show on Tuesday 28 September and, of course, provide a good opportunity for ‘marketing’ the alpaca industry to the general public.

The AlpacaFest Fleece competition was a truely international fleece competition with entries from auround Australia and from overseas. As well as the Supreme Huacaya and Suri winners, and fleece age section Championships, highest scoring entries in the various colour categories were awarded the Alpacas Coast to Coast Premier Fleece awards.

AlpacaFest at Werribee Park certainly proved its’ ‘tag line’ true – “AlpacaFest – Premier Alpaca Show“.

The show attracted record entries both in animals and in fleeces. Not just large numbers of entries, but also commented high quality entries.

Ron Reid (WA) and Kate Mander (NZ) undertook the task of judging the large classes in the ring, and Julie Bird (NSW), with Chris Williams (SA) as ‘apprentice’ judged the 117 entered fleeces. Alpacas were entered from all but one state of Australia, and fleeces from all states and overseas.