Hi from Australia
OfflineI thought i would start this topic off, by introducing myself.
My name is Raelene Strong, and we farm approx 400 alpacas at any one time, with my husband ROb, and my youngest daughter, ELyse.We also operate a quarantine facility for export, and i am an Australian Accredited Exporter of Camelids.
We have successfully exported almost 1000 alpacas in the past 5 years.We have exported to many countries, mainly New Zealand, and Many coiuntries through europe. Italy, Uk, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, to name a few countries.
Of course we currently have a group of alpacas in quarantine destined for Canada for Hummzinger alpacas.
This is the first shipment to canada of Alpacas in over a decade. Why are Australian alpacas so popular around the world.
Firstly Australia has the largest herd of Alpacas other than their homeland of South AMerica.
Australia, through their fleece breeding research and husbandry practices with our SHeep Industry, we have been able to use these breeding practices in our alpaca breeding.
Fine Merino wool is one of Australia's biggest Agricultural Industry. Australia's herd is now approx 120,000 registered alpacas. Currently much of Australia have been suffering from Drought, being the 10th year so far in drought.
I do not know if you have drought in Canada, but it is a very depressing thing to drive through much of australia, and see how bad the drought has been.
Where Mariah Hill ALpacas & Exports is located, just 45 mins east of Melbourme,the gateway to Gippsland, which is one of Australias best farming land.
NAr Nar Goon, can you guess is Aboriginal, meaning. very, very pretty place. And it is a very pretty area.
We are noth by 1 km from Princess Hwy, which covers the coast line of Australia, (no 1 HWY).
If it is going to rain, it rains on our hill.So even though our raing fall is lower than in the good years, we do not do too bad.
We have 101 acres of volcanic soil, (Mt Ararat is an extinct volcano, and is also the smallest mountain in Australia 120 feet above sea level).
We have mainly a white herd, but we are also using our breeding practices succesfully in improving the coloured herd.
Curently most of our progeny will average between 14 and 17 microns, with our finest has been tested at 12.6 micron, currently the finest alpaca tested and bred in Australia.
How do i see the Australian Alpaca Industry.
Our industry have been through many growth spurts, and has survived through a depression, a drought and seeing other get rich schemes come and go, and it is still flourishing for those that are breeding for a certain type of fibre.
There are some phases, that some people will put a label to it, but over all, breeders will use the same triggers that are used in fine wool breeding. same terminology that has been used for over 100 years.
We identify the alpacas that display the qualities that will produce fine wool, but without sacrificing lustre, density, charachter, and not changing the physical side of the alpaca.
We have just finished shearing, and with 2/3rds of fleece tested currenlty, of our progeny from J Vallon De Oro', as ULtra fine, (18.5 micron and under).
This is a feat, as many strive to even send 1 fleece to the ultrafine bale.
I must go for now, but if there are any questions anyone would like answered about alpacas in Australia, please ask, and i will answer the best i can
Raelene Strong
Mariah Hill Alpacas & Exports
Comments
Hello Mariah Hill
We are Alpaca Acres a small farm in south western Ontario, Canada.
We don't have drought here, but we do have great snow squall storms from our great lakes also sometimes our crops are flooded from too much rain in spring time.
We live in what is called the snow belt area. Our alpacas love the snow but they don't like the high winds we can get.
We are very small compared to you we have 39 acres and currently 24 alpacas and loving every minute of it.
Warm Regards
Ann
www.alpacaacres.ca
Raelene,
You stated:
"Curently most of our progeny will average between 14 and 17 microns, with our finest has been tested at 12.6 micron..."
That is amazing! Are all of these samples from comparably aged alpacas? Are these Huacaya or Suri? We have a goal of fine fleeced suri alpacas but would be thrilled if we could state that most of our 2 year olds tested below 20 microns. Our farm is improving microns and CV's yearly but you certainly are far ahead of us! Our primary grey herdsire is 18.2 microns and his full sister is similar. Each year we have a few more that join the under 20 micron category.
Our judging system in the US actually somewhat discriminates against the ultra-fine fleeces since most judges seem to put more emphasis on the lock structure of our suri alpacas. The lower micro fleeces give the most beautiful yarn but that does not always translate into the show ring.
Thanks for sharing! You have certainly raised the bar.
Sheila Temple
Sun Spiced Alpacas
Homosassa, FL
Hi Raelene, it's nice to meet you. My name is Dena and my husband and I started raising alpacas in 2006. We only have fifteen right now. I have many questions, but I don't want to overwhelm you. :) Are your alpacas all Huacayas, Suris, or both? With a 14 to 17 micron range, what is the average fleece weight? What do you think is more important in your breeding program, the softness with less weight, or the density? My husband and I really love our alpacas and want to stay in this business and we want to make sure to make the right choices in our breeding program. We started off with whites and added a splash of a few colors. But I really do prefer the whites. Thanks
Dena Kotka-Holtz
Alpaca Clan Acres, USA
www.AlpacaNation.com/alpacaclanacres.asp
www.Alpacaclanacres.com
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