LOCAL NEWS
Thursday May 5, 2016
Adorable alpaca fun for the whole family
Greg and Judy Barlow have been breeding alpacas for the past five years after learning about the animal at a local agricultural show. They have since setup Kallaroo Alpaca Stud, which is a side project at the Kingscliff Nursery and sells the alpacas to new owners or potential breeders. The stud farm includes 35 alpacas and the Barlow family are eager to share the benefits of owning and raising alpacas, which are native to South America. “It’s a free event for the whole family,” Judy said. “We’re really keen to get as many people along as possible to experience the friendly nature of alpacas, as well as having a browse around the nursery and a free sausage sizzle.” Tweed Spinners group will also be on hand spinning the alpaca fleece and offering a range of products for sale, as well as activities for kids. Judy said the benefits of owning alpacas includes their ability to breed easily and the sale of the alpaca’s highly sort after fleece. “They are very easy to breed, while they also bond easily with cattle, sheep or horses,” Ms Barlow said. “Their fleece is amazing and doesn’t have the rough edges wool has, which means it can be
worn next to the skin, while it can also be used to make carpet or other fabrics.” Greg and Judy are now in the process of officially launching the Kallaroo Alpaca Stud, which will allow others to purchase the animals at amazing prices. “When the alpaca industry first started the prices for these animals was up to $20,000 for a single alpaca, but these days the prices have plummeted to as low as $400 for a land pet and up to $3500 for a show quality animal,” she said. Greg and Judy got into alpaca breeding after passing off most of the nursery business to their son. “It was a great move – we’re really enjoying meeting new people in the alpaca industry,” Judy said. Greg and Judy are not the only ones hosting a special alpaca weekend with Sphinx Rock Alpacas, owned by David and Margot Vincent, also opening their farm to visitors as part of Australian Alpaca Week. Kallaroo Alpaca Stud is located at the Kingscliff Nursery at 438 Cudgen Road, the alpaca event will open to the public from 10am to 3pm this Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8. Sphinx Rock Alpaca is located at 3221 Kyogle Road, Mount Burrell, will open at 10am to 4pm on Sunday, May 8, and will offer alpaca feeding, farm walks and waterfall visits.
73296
IT’S alpaca week and everyone’s invited to Kingscliff Nursery this weekend to get up close with one of the world’s most lovable creatures.
37
Kingscliff Nursery and Kallaroo Alpaca Stud owner Greg and Judy Barlow
KALLAROO ALPACA STUD
Open Weekend
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 3pm Come and see our friendly Mothers and Babies at the Kingscliff Nursery See their fleece being spun on wooden spinning wheels. Alpaca and wool products for sale
kinnur@optusnet.com.au – 438 Cudgen Rd, Cudgen NSW – (02)
6674 1022
73699
Free
Sausage Sizzle, Drinks, Tea & Coffee and Home Made Cakes and Slices