Seasons Magazine
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Alpacas Alluring Alternative
For many lifestyle block owners who go in search of that perfect ‘lawn mower’ the alpaca is an increasingly popular choice.
Anya Walkington, who owns Silverdale Alpacas with her husband, Frank, says alpacas have become popular over the last 15 years in New Zealand. “They have great personalities, are generally easy to deal with as they are very intelligent and trainable.” The Walkington’s became involved with alpacas in 2003 when they purchased a 24-acre lifestyle block in Silverdale, just north of Auckland. “We were looking for something to graze our block and knew cattle weren’t what we were after. When we saw some alpacas on show at the Kumeu A & P we thought they might be a suitable alternative.”
From there they were hooked and now have a successful breeding business with more than 60 alpacas that are sold locally, with increasing interest from European breeders.“It started off as just a hobby, but then we realised there were opportunities with selling the offspring and now a slowly developing fleece market. It is a very dynamic and exciting industry to be involved in.” Anya says the fleece is valuable as it makes stunning garments. And while this market is in its fledgling stages she believes there is a great future for this luxury product.
“There are two breeds of alpaca, the more common Huacaya, which produces a merino-type fleece that grows horizontal to the skin and the rarer Suri, with a mohair-like silky texture that is very luxurious.” At Silverdale Alpacas the focus is on Huacaya as Anya says they find it is easier to concentrate on one breed and do it well – although there are a number of breeders in New Zealand with both. Many of the couple’s alpacas are sold to fellow lifestyle block owners as Anya says they become increasingly popular over sheep or cattle for grazing small blocks. “They are also relatively easy to care for and it’s fairly straight forward for people, many of whom may have had no previous animal experience, to learn to look after them. The main management is annual shearing, clipping of their toe nails on a regular basis, as well as vaccinations and parasite control as with other livestock.
“In terms of feeding regimes, if the alpacas are on reasonable quality pasture they probably wouldn’t require any additional feeding, however for pregnant or lactating females, or when pasture is short, in winter or during droughts, supplementary feeding such as Annandale Lucerne Chaff and Annandale Oatstraw Chaff is excellent.”
Pet alpacas (non-breeding males/ wethers) can be bought for from about $500 upwards, depending on quality. Breeding females and stud males vary greatly in price with elite quality stock selling at about $10,000 and over. At the 2009 National Alpaca Show and Auction, a female sold for $40,000.
“There’s a real ‘feel good’ factor about owning an alpaca and everyone who gets involved tends to become incredibly passionate about them.” Anya says they have a long life expectancy of about 22 years and they make such lovely pets.
To find out more visit: www.silverdalealpacas.co.nz
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Chaff
Feeding Out
