Back from Australian Alpaca Conference

21 April 2008

Aussie Alpacas

Apologies for the 6 week gap in the news from Toft Alpacas. It's not that we've been hibernating, but have been off in Australia attending the International Alpaca Conference in Sydney. Business has continued as normal while I have been away, but I am pleased (if not a little cold) to be back in the UK.

In addition to attending the three day conference covering fibre, husbandry and genetics we visited our small herd of Australian animals in New Zealand. Maggie Mae. Tiger Lily, Buckthorn and the others are all looking great on-farm near Christchurch.

The International Conference was very interesting to go and visit, and I have returned re-motivated and even more enthusiastic about producing 100% Natural British Alpaca products. I am thrilled to be kicking off the 2008 UK Show Season having spoken to many breeders desperate to hear about small businesses like mine taking the fleece through from animal to garment on the customer’s back. Toft Alpacas is in an unusual position to be able to offer customers total traceability on products, encouraging environmental consciousness and exclusivity. Our British range of products is absolutely unique in that it carries such a minute carbon footprint with a guarantee of quality and source.

I will begin discussions with the Peruvian arm of our clothing range to ensure that everything that can be done to reduce the carbon footprint of import is done. Our Peruvian collection is currently created using a strict fair-trade scheme that ensures that wages and working conditions are being managed to care for the skilled workers involved in knitting the garments. Fair prices for fibre are paid to indigenous farmers, and this is reflected in the quality of the fleeces used in our garments.