Is that a Llama?

No, it's an alpaca. But it's a commonly asked question of alpaca breeders and it's understandable because they have much in common - both are part of the Camelid family which includes alpacas, llamas, vicuna and guanaco - and of course, a long way back in the evolutionary scale, camels. Alpacas and llamas share many attributes - they originate from the altiplano of Peru, Chile and Bolivia at altitudes between 2500-4500 metres above sea level and were domesticated by the Quechua Indians from their wild cousins, the vicuna and guanaco, about 7,000 years ago. They have a similar body structure - superficially they look alike - and both are intelligent, gentle animals, quick to learn and relatively inexpensive to maintain. However the most obvious difference is their relative size - llamas are much bigger than alpacas - almost twice as tall - and they have curved, banana shaped ears. They also have different uses. Llamas are alert and independent sure footed pack animals, trained to carry loads and pull carts, expected to carry a quarter of their body weight. They produce a coarser, hollow fibre which is light and warm, ideal for protecting the inhabitants of the altiplano from the extremes of the local climate.

Alpacas on the other hand have long been bred to produce beautiful fleece - the famed 'fibre of the gods' - it is a truly sensual experience. Even those who cannot tolerate wool next to the skin can happily wear alpaca garments. Alpacas are charming creatures, equally friendly towards humans and their environment as their soft padded feet do not damage the soil - easy care animals which do not require crutching or mulesing, only annual shearing, prospering wherever finewool Merinos flourish. They were most recently brought to Australia from South America in 1988 but the story goes back much further. Early in 1803 Governor King had instructed explorer George Bass to include a number of alpacas in a proposed shipment of cattle to be imported from Chile. Alas Bass sailed out of Sydney Harbour en route to the Spanish ports of South America and was never heard of again. A second attempt to introduce alpacas here was more successful when in 1858 after a hazardous journey, adventurer and entrepreneur Charles Ledger, imported 256 alpacas and llamas into Sydney. Nevertheless the experiment, mostly because of inappropriate husbandry and the opposition of rival business interests, lasted less than ten years.

Of course this region of New South Wales saw the initial push westwards of the sheep industry in the 1820s, with pastoralists seeking to expand and develop the industry in a more appropriate environment. And in so doing the Merino sheep industry in Australia was advanced. Now another fibre industry has been drawn to the Central West in search of the ideal conditions for the growth of the magnificent alpaca fleece. The contemporary alpaca industry is a vital and stimulating rural opportunity with enormous ongoing potential, especially with our advantageous local tablelands conditions. This cooler climate mirrors the high altitudes of the Andean Altiplano, resulting in greater density and fleece growth and giving protection from internal parasites, ticks and diseases.The alpaca habit of producing specific 'dung piles' reduces reinfection from parasites. They are easy care animals and the wide variety of native and improved pastures promotes general good health. Being browsers and grazers, they don't destroy the pasture and the comparatively larger acreages in our area - from 5 to several hundred hectares - allow the animals to roam and exercise in a low humidity environment.

A growing number of alpaca studs have been established in the Hartley to Meadow Flat area over the past10 to 15 years. These local studs specialise in huacaya (merino style fleece) and suri (the rarer, magnificent 'dreadlock' fleece) alpacas, in a wide range of colours from white, through shades of fawn, brown, grey and black. Some breeders value add with on-farm shops with a range of fashion garments, handicrafts, fleece for spinners and felters and spun fibre for weaving and knitting. Alpacas also make charming pets and wethers have become sought after guardians against foxes and other predators.

The alpaca breeders of the Hartley to Meadow Flat area are proudly supporting the 2010 National Alpaca Week to be held between 1st and 9th May. During this period a warm welcome is extended to all who wish to have 'An Alpaca Experience' - to see for yourselves alpacas producing fleece with their babies called 'cria', as pets or guardians for chickens or birthing ewes and does. Pick up a pamphlet detailing place, dates and times from your local vet, produce store or tourist centre. Visit as many studs as you can and learn how these professional breeders manage their animals and their farms.Having been up close and friendly with an alpaca, the local breeders guarantee you will never again have to ask 'Is that a Llama' because you will know....

'It's an Alpaca'!