Llamas first to be farmed
PA Wellington The first llamas to be farmed in New Zealand will be imported next week.
A Walrarapa farmer, Mr lan Nelson, has bought three llamas and three alpacas from British zoos. A breeding pair of llamas or their smaller cousins, alpacas, could cost up to $lOO,OOO, Mr Nelson said. The animals are valued for their superior wool and will be farmed on the central North Island plateau to avoid the danger of facial eczema at lower altitudes.
“They do very well on inferior grasses and are used to rugged, high country,” Mr Nelson said. “Alpaca wool is very fine, but a special machine must be used to get rid of the hair in llama wool,” he said. Test consignments will be sent to the nearest dehairing machine which is in Australia. The six animals will be used as the nucleus of a breeding herd. If they are successful, more animals will be imported. Llamas and alpacas are available only from zoos. The Andean Pact nations of Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina banned exports in 1840.
Importation of llamas and alpacas to New Zealand has been allowed since October last year. A permit from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division requires a 30-day quarantine period in the country of origin, and another 30 days on arrival in New Zealand.
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Press, 13 February 1986, Page 2
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225Llamas first to be farmed Press, 13 February 1986, Page 2
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