Why alpacas from Australia?
Australia is the biggest alpaca market outside South America. Not only does the number of animals bred there exceed that of the United States, but the average quality has also reached the level found in the United States. The Australian breed possesses some of the best and most influential stallions of the world, among them the offspring of the legendary "BIG 6" stallions whose ranks include Highlander, who is considered the most influential stallion ever in Australia, and El Dorado, who can be found in 5% of the bloodlines of all animals in Australia. The offspring of these stallions, which were imported under the herd code "Purrumbete" in the nineties by Roger Haldane, the founder and pioneer of the Australian breed, continue influence the breed across the continent to this day. Meanwhile, however, a number of other brilliant stallions have been imported, making the Australian breed one of the best breeds in the world. Australian breeders' huge experience in the breeding of fibre-producing animals (150 years of merino breed) makes them experts in this area. Using Dr. Jim Watts' Soft Rolling Skin System, for example, Australian breeders apply their knowledge and experience of the merino breed to the alpaca breed to enhance the fibre production and to advance quality. By importing from Australia, the European market benefits from both the quality of the breeding animals and from the knowledge and experience of the Australian breeding industry.