WHY ALPACAS?

*Investment Lifestyle Herd Protection

*Macusani specialises in the Suri Breed of Alpaca

*The Natural and Effective Answer for Fox Control

INVESTMENT LIFESTYLE HERD PROTECTION

The alpaca industry in Australia has gone from strength to strength and is definitely here to stay. It is probably one of the last of the world’s great fibre industries yet to be fully developed. Australia is in a unique position to lead the world in realising the full potential of the alpaca. With the current world trend toward using natural fibres, there has never been a better time to be part of this exciting industry.

Alpacas are extremely easy to care for, do not require special fencing and are gentle, inquisitive and easy to handle.

Alpacas are principally grazers and are highly adapted at selecting a variety of natural grasses and plants.

Alpaca fibre is highly prized for its very soft feel, its thermal properties, its durability and its variety of natural colours. (alpacas come in 22 natural colours)

Alpacas are ideal for small acreages and for larger farmers, to value add or for fox and dingo control or for investors who can simply agist their alpacas.

The return from alpacas can be quickly gained. As alpacas live for up to 20 years, with a breeding life of over 15 years the potential for making good return on invested capital is significant.

Compared to other livestock, alpacas are relatively disease free. They require two annual vaccinations of the same " 5 in 1" vaccine which is used for sheep and occasional drenching.

Alpacas are easy to transport in a float or covered trailer and usually sit down for the entire journey.

Alpacas are highly socialised animals and therefore a single alpaca should never be kept on its own.

MACUSANI SPECIALISES IN THE SURI BREED OF ALPACA

The suri is a rare and precious breed of alpaca, which provides an exciting new livestock opportunity. There are at present, only a few hundred suris in Australia. The suri has completely different fleece from the more common huacaya alpaca. The huacaya’s fleece grows out from the body and has crimp, like a merino, giving the alpaca an appealing fluffy appearance. In contrast, the suris fleece is made up of defined pencil thin staples or locking, which parts down the backline, falling downwards. It has been described as "curtains of silk" and a suri running in full fleece is a wonderful thing to see. Suri fleece is in demand from processors requiring beautiful drape and lustre and a gorgeous fine soft feel to their garments. Suits, capes and coats made from suri fleece are exquisite and demand very high prices.

ALPACAS – THE NATURAL AND EFFECTIVE ANSWER FOR FOX CONTROL

It is hard to believe that such gorgeous, inquisitive and gentle creatures can keep foxes away from your lambs!. However it has been proven that alpacas can improve lambing percentages by 15 – 20 %. Alpacas are natural predators of foxes and are of great benefit to the Australian Sheep farmer While tolerating the family dogs, alpacas will chase and stomp on foxes and dingos. After initial attempts, foxes and dingos will not come near paddocks containing alpacas. Alpacas are easy to care for animals. They do not require special feed, crutching nor tail docking and are not prone to fly strike or foot rot. Male alpacas used for this purpose can be purchased for around $500 each and they certainly pay for themselves quickly with the increase in lambing percentages. Usually three to four alpacas per 100 acres for flat country are required and slightly more for rough country.