Alpaca news

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 the judges also commented on the high quality of the 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. 

It was particularly pleasing to see the large classes of coloured animals being presented to the judges – indeed, the black alpaca classes were some of the largest of the weekend.

Supreme Suri was awarded to Kurrawa Red Hot So What ET (White Adult Male)

 and the Supreme Huacaya was Shanbrooke Accoyo Sensation ET (White Adult Female).

A feature of the show was the Premier Colour.   The importance of fleece within  the alpaca industry was recognised by the award of Premier Colour within the Alpacas Coast to Coast International Fleece competition, with awards for each qualifying colour Huacaya and Suri Fleece.  Each winner was awarded a 1/4 page advertisement in one of the next three issues of Alpacas Coast to Coast – a valuable prize indeed.

Premier Colour was also a feature of the show ring with the Premier Colour being judged from the Best Male and the Best Female for each colour Huacaya and Suri.  The competition was very well received bythe judges and by all breeders at the show.

Alpacas VicWest expresses its’ thanks to the many sponsors who provided such great support which added greatly to the event.  Laucke Mills supported Champions in the show ring with a bag of their Alpaca Blend.  Brumosa Azul supported the Supreme Champions in the halter classes with beautiful halter and lead sets, and in the fleece competition with fleece bags.  (More detail of the fleece results will be posted shortly).

The Alpaca Breeder Hamper raffle, comprising a wonderful array of items of great value to the breeder donated by the sponsors indicated below and drawn by our judges, was wone by Diane and Paul Boede of Wattle Grove Alpacas – new breeders to the industry so the prize was doubly appreciated.  Second prize was wone by Blackgate Lodge and Third by Alpaca Marengo.

Special thanks are due, of course, to the team that made the show a reality and such a success – Reg Smythe – convener, Jeff Hill – shed logistics, security and marshall, Andrew McCosh – transport, Trina Pohlner – Fleece Steward, Jo Ham & Tracy Krupa – MC’s, Susan Dennis – Results. …..  and to the many others who assisted as Ring Fleece Stewards and in the big business of setting up and post-show clearing of the pavilion.

Sponsors who supported the raffle included Micron Man Fleece Testing ($200 value of fleece testing), Baarrooka Alpacas, Alpaca & Llama Essentials, Australian Alpaca Fleece Ltd, Brumosa Azul, Cow Shop, Colac, Grande Verge Alpaca On-Line Shop, Innobiz Internationa, Think Livestock, Laucke Mills, and Andmar Alpacas.  Sponsors supporting the sections and Premier awards included Blackgate Lodge, Knitalpaca, Mannagum & Wimmera Skies Alpacas, Wildflower Alpacas, Ambleside Alpacas, Ambleside Pastoral, Merealma Alpacas, Belladobe Brae Alpacas and Comfort Inn, Werribee.