National success for Toffeemont Alpacas

TASMANIAN alpaca stud Toffeemont has had success at the Australian Alpaca National Show at Bendigo.

The Orielton-based alpaca farm took home four first-place ribbons at the show.

Toffeemont Alpaca owner Janelle Jago said she was proud of how her animals had done at the show.

“About a week before the show, we moved them to clean paddocks, and then a few days out we moved them into the big sheds with fans to help clean the dust and debris out of the fibre,” Ms Jago said.

“We do a little bit of trimming, but we don’t bath them or groom them in any other way.”

Ms Jago said Toffeemont also sold some alpacas over at the show.

“The show is a good opportunity to promote the pedigree and quality of your stock across the nation.

“Every state was represented, so it’s the elite of the elite.

“You get to have a look at what other states are doing with their stock and see where you sit against the quality of the stock.

“We hold our own being a Tasmanian breeder, but we also look at other genetics, potential future males for breeding, and buying and selling stock.”

The Australian Alpaca National Show was also somewhere where Ms Jago said she was able to meet people and develop relationships.

“Other breeders will come into your pens and look at your animals.

“We’ll discuss fibre characteristics and what we can offer them, and find out what they’re after and what we’re after too.”

Ms Jago said they are heading to the Royal Melbourne Show in about a month.