THE Australian Alpaca Industry took another major step forward over the weekend, with a champion stud male selling for a lofty $120,000 at the industry's premier national auction.
The annual sale of the country's most elite animals was held in Bendigo on Sunday as part of the Alpaca National Show & Sale and bidding was brisk.
The $120,000 alpaca - South Australian-bred EP Cambridge Streetwise - was awarded supreme champion Huacaya prior to the auction.
Stud owners Matthew and Cathy Lloyd say EP Cambridge Streetwise had the genetic excellence to produce quality progeny for many years to come and make a significant mark on the alpaca industry.
"He has a beautifully fine and consistent fleece and we are excited that he is going to be introduced into another fine quality herd here in Australia," Mrs Lloyd said.
The new owner of EP Cambridge Streetwise, Ian Frith of major Illawarra NSW Millpaca stud, says he is thrilled to introduce these fine genetics into his quality herd of 1500 alpacas.
"The global success of the outstanding team at EP Cambridge has been well documented and the Lloyds are a prime example of how this country is building an elite reputation around the world," Mr Frith said.
"Our studs both share the same big vision for Australian Alpaca as it evolves into this nation's next major primary industry."
The supreme champion Suri came from Strathbogie's Baarrooka stud, bred by Julie Wilkinson whose animals took out four of the 10 Suri sections.
"Baarrooka Durango's Echo was bred from unique American genetics we imported in 2010 and it is so rewarding to see the progeny of our exclusive males go on to champion, ' Ms Wilkinson said.
SHOW RESULTS
Champion Huacaya Junior Female: Softfoot Basinata Ch
Champion Huacaya Junior Male: EP Cambridge Total Command
Champion Huacaya Intermediate Female: Cambridge Influence
Champion Huacaya Intermediate Male: Riverport Hematite
Champion Huacaya Adult Female: Sunline Lacey
Champion Huacaya Adult Male: Ambersun Infusion
Champion Huacaya Senior Female: Futura Calamity Jane
Champion Huacaya Senior Male: Cambridge Streetwise
Champion Huacaya Mature Female: EP Cambridge Soloist
Champion Huacaya Mature Male: Ambersun Fortune Seeker
Champion Suri Junior Female: Baarrooka She's the One
Champion Suri Junior Male: Bumble Hill Ambleside Parsifal
Champion Suri Intermediate Female: Baarrooka Durango's Deborah
Champion Suri Intermediate Male: Baarrooka Durango's Echo
Champion Suri Adult Female: Kurrawa Just a Party Girl
Champion Suri Adult Male: Kurrawa I'm a Rockstar ET
Champion Suri Senior Female: Baarrooka Edelweiss
Champion Suri Senior Male: Kurrawa Man About Town ET
Champion Suri Mature Female: Kurrawa Jelana ET
Champion Suri Mature Male: Kurrawa Justa Rebel E5
Champion Suri Sire's Progeny: Kurrawa TariQ for Kurrawa
Champion Huacaya Sire's Progeny: Rosedeane Sayonara for Futura
Champion Huacaya Dam's Progeny: Nimbella Chloe for Ambersun
