Morvern valley Guesthouse now has two friendly alpacas named Sammie and Reggie.

Here is some iformation to interest animal lovers about to visit Morvern valley Guesthouse in The Southern Highlands. Accommodation for humans, ponies, chicken, alpacas, and even parrots and rosellas!!!

Tasmania’s cool temperate climate gives us the potential to become Australia’s foremost alpaca breeding region, believes Alan Froome, the regional branch secretary of the Australian Alpaca Association.

Just as Tasmania is noted for it production of high quality fine micron wools, Alan said local Alpaca herds seem able to maintain low micron levels.

“When alpacas are brought to Australia from Peru, they have low micron levels of about 16 or 17,” said Alan, who owns Chakaya Alpacas with his wife Coleen.

“Once in Australia their micron levels tend to blow out, due to our different conditions and the feeding practices of breeders.

“But I’ve had one female here, in Glen Huon, where her levels have remained constant in the 18 micron range. It’s just my opinion, but cooler climates seem to suit alpacas better, even though they’re being bred in Australia all the way up to the Sunshine Coast.”

The southern Highlands is particularly good for accommodating alpacas.

Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camelid family and are native to South America. Along with llamas, guanacos and vicunas, alpacas originate mostly in the Andean highlands of Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.

Of the two types of alpaca - the huacaya and the suri - the huacaya is the most common. It has a fleece similar to that of the merino sheep, with a defined crimp and a soft fluffy appearance. Reggie at Morvern Valley guesthouse is a huacaya.

The suri, which comprises only about 7% of the world Alpaca population, has a fleece that hangs down from its body in pencils, or locks. It is highly prized for its lustre and softness, and it is this fleece trait that distinguishes suri alpacas from the huacaya. Sammie at Morvern Valley guesthouse is a Suri.

“The suris are the ones we like, and unfortunately they’re the more expensive of the two,” Alan said, describing his own herd. “But when they’re at full fleece, and you see them run, they’re like curtains of silk – and that’s how the fleece feels. It’s more like hair than wool.”

But if Alan and Coleen are unusual in that they breed suris, they’re typical of the passionate people getting hooked by this young industry.

A decade ago Alan lived a suburban lifestyle in northern NSW, working for many years in tourism. But one day he and Coleen went to a trade show and saw alpacas. It was love at first sight.

“I think a lot of people feel the same when they first see alpacas,” Alan said. “The animals are so cute, with big bright eyes. They tend to get you in. We always say that to people – be careful, you’ll get hooked. And sure enough you do. Before we knew it we were down here in Tasmania, with more than 40 animals.”

And it’s not just Alan and Coleen who’ve become hooked. In the last calendar year, 287 people registered as breeders with the Australian Alpaca Association in most states of Australia.

Three years ago, when the Froomes moved to Tasmania, there were only 58 registered stud breeders in the state. Today there are 72 breeders registered with the national association – and this level of interest has been reflected at the show level.

At the Burnie Show last October there were 120 alpacas entered, including animals from several mainland studs. The Launceston Show later that month had 110 entries, and so on. In total, alpacas are now a feature of five Tasmanian shows, including, for the first time this year, the Huon Show – the most southern alpaca judging event in Australia.

“But not only do we have greater numbers of animals, the quality is also improving,” Alan said.

“Around the world there are problems with artificial insemination for the whole camelid family. So your female needs to be close to the male to become fertilised.

“For Tasmanian breeders, this means we have to take our females across to the mainland to access top quality males, which several of us have started to do. And the results have been evident at the shows this year, with some of the animals that won having come from mainland animals.”

“The quality of Tasmanian alpacas is really going ahead, which in turn encourages more people to get into the industry.”

In Australia, 80 per cent of alpacas are in herds of less than 10 animals. These figures also reflect the nature of the Tasmanian industry, although Serena Lodge Alpacas, in Stowport, has a herd numbering several hundred.

Classic Park Alpacas in Westbury also runs a herd of more than 60.

“Because alpacas are so easy to handle, it’s an industry that’s accessible for people like me, who don’t have a farming background,” Alan said.

“It also lends itself to farmers who want to diversify. A lot of enterprises in Victoria and NSW, which have big sheep herds, are adding alpacas to their flocks. It’s a chance to diversify, and the alpaca has also been proven reliable as a herd guard. There are always lots of stock losses on the mainland because of foxes killing lambs, particularly in the lambing season.” Morvern valley Guesthouse has purchased alpacas to keep away foxes from their show chickens.....

“But when they put alpacas in with the sheep, they bond and protect the sheep. They patrol the boundary and if anything enters the yard, they’re on to it straight away.”

The Australian Alpaca Association can provide information packages for anyone entering the industry, answering questions about:
Alpaca fibre, which combines softness with strength. The products made with alpaca fibre don’t have a scratchy feel against the skin, but retain the durability and warmth of heavier-feeling garments. The fibre, which dyes beautifully, comes in a range of natural colours, such as white, silver, all shades of grey and fawn, chocolate brown and black.
The care of the animals, which involves annual shearing and twice-yearly vaccinations. An occasional trim of toenails and teeth may also be required.
The fact that alpacas do less damage to the land than most other farm animals as they have pads, not hooves. Alpacas tend to graze gently, allowing faster pasture regrowth.
The shearing of alpacas, which is normally done with electric sheep-shearing equipment.
The low protein hay or pasture needed by alpacas, which chew cud like a cow.
The fact that alpacas spit, but generally not at people. When pregnant a female will spit at a male if she does not welcome his amorous attentions!
The ease of managing alpacas, which are quite relaxed with people. They can be moved around a farm without the aid of a dog, and don’t require special fencing, as they’re mostly happy in their home paddock.
To date, returns to alpaca farmers have largely been derived from sales of breeding stock. But several Tasmanian farmers are already looking to the future, setting up small retail outlets to sell doonas, jumpers, and other types of warm clothing.

Alan and Coleen are also looking at the prospect of putting in a fibre processing mill. At the moment all fleece needs to be sent to the mainland for processing.

“In Tasmania, we have a good basis of breeding stock,” Alan said.

“But the industry is still in a building phase. To have a viable industry, we need quantities of fleece. But like many people in the industry, I can only see good things for the future.”

“The animals are easy to look after, they don’t hurt pastures, and you can value-add to their fleece.”

Julie Peacock for Morvern Valley Guesthouse is pleased with the purchase of Reggie and Sammie for her Southern Highland Accommodation - Morvern valley Guesthouse.

Come and stay soon and enjoy this unique taste of the country.