My introduction to alpacas came when I was driving in the country and saw a sign for an Alpaca Open Day.   Not even sure what an alpaca was, I entered and spent a couple of hours soaking up information, and enjoying my first experience of handling these beautiful animals.   Sometime later I attended a few regional shows, and read all the information about alpacas I could find.   I became intrigued with the idea of owning alpacas as I learned more about them.

Avon Park Alpacas was established in October 1997 when I purchased my first (very) pregnant female, followed shortly thereafter by a weanling female.   Within 2 weeks of my purchase, Snow Blossom presented me with a lovely fawn and white cria with outstanding fleece.   Ambassador went on to take out a Blue ribbon at the 1998 National Show - the first show I had entered!

From the beginning my aim has been to breed for fine fibre, good conformation and temperament.   I also try to breed to true colour where possible, resulting in several of my alpacas now having solid one-colour pedigrees, going back three or four generations.   I use the best sires available to ensure that the quality of crias is constantly improving.

My herd has now grown to over 25 alpacas, and most of my herd is agisted with Pinjarra Alpacas at Strathbogie, where there is lots of room and lots of company for my animals, and they absolutely thrive out there!   After starting out with only huacayas, I have now expanded into suris.   As my herd grew I have purchased 3 magnificent stud males in partnership with other breeders to ensure access to quality genetics at a reasonable cost.

In 1999, I purchased a property at Upper Beaconsfield, where some of my entire males and wethers are located.

If you would like to talk alpacas, I can be contacted on 03 9421 1259.

Happy alpaca-ing!

Alan Steele