PARRINDI ALPACAS

 
When purchasing the Parrindi property in 1999, eighty pregnant ewes were included in the sale.   We had heard  about alpacas protecing new-born lambs from foxes so we purchased two black wethers.   These two boys were excellent sheep guards as well as being lovable characters so very soon some females and young alpacas joined the herd.

We specialised in breeding fine  black and coloured alpacas and the Parrindi alpacas soon began to make a name in the showring winning many championship and 'best colour ' awards.

The farm setup was perfect for alpacas with 30 paddocks, laneways, catching and holding pens and ample shedding.  Every paddock had troughs fed from the pure underground spring water.  There was a two-stand shearing shed which was used for training purposes for alpaca shearers.

The farm, run on biodynamic principles with sown and native pasture, resulted in HEALTHY alpacas.  Over the years, more than 110 cria were born naturally and unassisted and not one cria needed to be bottle-fed.

When the decision was made to move to a new adventure, Landmark was engaged to hold an alpaca dispersal sale.    The auction was held in a large marquee in the Parrindi garden and each alpaca was paraded in the show ring during the auction.  

More than 100 buyers from Victoria, NSW and South Australia attended with telephone bidding from UK buyers.   Seven alpacas were sold to Houghton Hall Alpacas in Cambridge UK including top price Parrindi Joseph ($45,000) and a black stud male was sold to Sierra Vista Alpacas, Rangiora, in New Zealand.   All 96 alpacas offered were sold at the auction. 

Catering for the event was provided by the Ruffy Hall Committee with the large crowd enjoying the country fare under the shade of the huge old elm tree in the Parrindi garden.  Over $600 was raised to boost Hall funds.

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