The Patagonia story

Getting involved with alpacas can change your life. For us it started back in 1996 when we first saw alpacas at an open day at UWS Hawkesbury where Ian was teaching at the time. It was love - or maybe even addiction - at first sight. We spent several months thoroughly investigating the market and evaluating the feasibility of alpacas as a future business and lifestyle.

In late 1996, Patagonia Alpacas was born with the purchase of three heavily pregnant black females that were placed on agistment initially near Portland and later at Meadow Flat (30km east of Bathurst). On one of our regular visits to visit the alpacas, we found a 94-hectare property for sale in Meadow Flat which we subsequently purchased. Initially Angus cattle were run on the property until the building of their house was completed in 2000. Then in April 2000 the alpacas joined the cattle. We have found that running the cattle an essential part of the operation due to their complementary grazing habit.

At Patagonia Alpacas we have a clear idea of the type of alpacas we want to be breeding. Our initial focus with alpacas was on colour, but experience in the industry has led to a change in direction over the years. With alpaca positioned as a luxury natural fibre, we realised the importance of focusing on the key attributes that reinforce this positioning - high lustre, softness and silky soft handle.

We have enjoyed success in a range of areas over the years. Highlights include the 2000 export sale of an elite female (a blue ribbon winner at the 2000 Melbourne Royal) to the UK. Her first male cria is now on stud duty in the UK. This was followed by a busy year of showing in 2001, with their stud male Patagonia Peter Pan taking out Grand Champion Male at the Sydney and Bathurst Royals and two elite females, Patagonia Celtic Rose and Patagonia Mietta taking out 7 championships between them.

In 2002 we were rewarded for our investment in genetics and careful attention to breeding when we topped the Fiesta auction, an annual auction showcasing elite females in the Hawkesbury/ Blue Mountains region. Our entry, Patagonia Batavia, offered with a three week old female at foot, topped the auction at $15,400 (auction average being $7,541).

A highlight of 2003, was the purchase of an elite female with an impeccable pedigree from Ron and Rose Reid of Swan Valley Alpacas. This female, Swan Valley Starlight was air freighted from WA with other West Australian animals competing in the 2003 National Alpaca show, and took out Reserve Intermediate Champion. Another Swan Valley animal that took our eye at the National Show 2003 was Swan Valley Achiever. In 2004 we bought Achiever in partnership with Joan and Tom Kent of Ngullaminya Alpacas in Little Hartley. His progeny are now dropping and we are thrilled with the results. We believe Achiever will continue our genetic progress, particularly in the area of lustre and fleece length.

The Sydney Royal has a special place in the heart of NSW alpaca breeders so it was a great thrill in March 2005 when Patagonia Celtic Triumph took out the supreme champion huucaya. This win was followed up Supreme Championship wins Hawkesbury (Autumn), Royal Bathurst, Hawkesbury (Spring) and Charles Ledger. We believe this young male is destined for great things!