Alpaca success in Rotorua

(Left to right) Brenda Gainsford holding King William, international alpaca judge Peter Kennedy, New Zealand judge Sarah Busby and Sue Richards holding Surico Burton. Photo / Supplied

Two growing local studs win awards at major A&P shows

Alpaca farming is proving popular in Rotorua with two local alpaca studs reigning supreme at major A&P shows.

Alpaca studs Surico and Brenor increased their profile by winning the Supreme Championship award in their respective alpaca sections at the recent Franklin A&P Show, and have done so for the past three years.

With stiff competition, Brenor Alpaca took out the top award of Supreme Huacaya in their section with Brenor King William, an 18-month-old male destined to become a herdsire in the future.

Brenor Alpaca mostly breeds white huacaya alpaca. Surico Alpaca were awarded Supreme Suri with Surico Burton, an award he has won five times at various shows.

Owner of Burton, Sue Richards, said it was always a thrill to be awarded supreme because it was "a statement of recognition of your breeding strategy".

Ms Richards said there were several lifestyle blocks in the Rotorua district farming suir and huacaya alpaca.

"Alpaca are suited to the Rotorua area. They thrive in our conditions and are easy on the land and easy to farm.

"I really enjoy my alpaca and we have just added Alpaca Farm Tours to our family business, now I can share them with people from all over the world".

Brenor Alpaca is owned and operated by Brenda and Ivor Gainsford who also run an alpaca transport business with regular runs to the South Island to pick up and deliver alpaca.

"Our run is gaining popularity all the time as breeders discover what we do," Mr Gainsford said.

"We have just returned from delivering alpaca to Christchurch and Hawke's Bay.

"Alpaca exports to Europe all fly out of Auckland airport, so that creates a lot of business for us as they have to be transported under quarantine restrictions."

Mr Gainsford said they had been breeding seriously for the past four years.

"We are pleased to be recognised for the results we have achieved in that time, we have had several different alpaca awarded supreme now showing the depth in our herd".

National Alpaca Day is on Sunday, May 3 and Surico and Brenor will be open to the public for the day.