Killeigh alpaca farmer prepares to host first national show
Alpaca farming is relatively new to Ireland but Killeigh Alpaca farmer Paul McDonnell aims to change all that.
As chairman of the Alpaca Association of Ireland, Paul is helping to host the first ever show dedicated to alpacas this Sunday, April 22, in Mullingar Equestrian Centre.
“It's the first time 100 alpacas will be on show all under the one roof,” says Paul, who runs Hushabye Farm Alpacas just outside Tullamore. He started farming alpacas around nine years ago and now boasts a herd of 60.
“As an association we're very much in our infancy and our aim is to improve breeding and welfare nationally,” he explains.
“We're hoping to get more people involved in alpaca farming. There's only around 1,000 alpacas in Ireland, compared with 55,000 in the UK. So we've a long way to catch up with our neighbours, not in terms of breeding but in terms of numbers.
“Alpacas are ideally suited to the smallholder and they are lovely animals to deal with. They only weigh around 70 kilos, so they are a very light animal and are out all year round. Grazing-wise, there's between 6 - 8 on an acre, and we're not experiencing any of the fodder problems other farmers are currently experiencing at the moment.
“They've soft padded feet so they don't poach the ground. We shear them once a year and generally speaking they are very low maintenance.”
Originally found in Chile and Peru, alpacas are used to weather extremes, but Paul has field shelters on his farm for when there's very heavy rain.
“When we started we were looking for something unusual breeding-wise and alpaca fleece is highly sought after. Currently the fleece is processed in the UK, but we hope to promote its production here. We're also promoting the husbandry calendar.”
And if you're fond of the Royal families leading ladies, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are known to wear exquisite bespoke garments made from alpaca wool.
“Alpaca fleece was known as the 'fibre of the God's', and the Incas would determine their wealth by how many alpacas they had because their fleece was so highly sought after. It is one of the most luxurious fabrics, even more luxurious than cashmere or merino.
Lately you see the likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle wearing Alpaca fleece cardigans and throws. They are once-off bespoke garments and that's what we're aiming at in terms of our market. The fleece seconds make great hypoallergenic pillows and quilts.”
Looking ahead to Sunday's show, Paul says that up until now the Association”piggybacked” on other agricultural shows but this is the first show dedicated to alpacas solely, and aims to get everyone involved and spread information about the alpaca.
“This is our first standalone event and it's all about the alpacas. We will have 23 breeders there on the day with up to 100 animals present. We'll also have spinners and weavers there who will be making bespoke garments from Alpaca fleece.”
Trade stands displaying all the wares associated with alpaca farming will be on display, while shearing demonstrations will take place, as well as Q&As.
“Alpaca shearing is quite different to sheep shearing, there's a bit more to it and we'll be showing how to prepare the fleece for export. We'll give a narrative of alpaca farming, and there will be 28 different classes based on breed, age and colour. The supreme champion in each class will be selected before the male and female show champions will be chosen at the end of the day.”
The National Alpaca Show gets underway at 10am to 7pm and is free entry. For more information look up hushabyefarmalpacas.com