LETTER FROM NEW ZEALAND Brother and sister team Ros and Andy Scott, McKenzie Fields Alpacas, have been breeding alpaca since 2006. The herd is based on New Zealand’s North Island and is managed by Ros while Andy, who lives in Auckland visits regularly to look after the property.
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hen I moved up from Wellington to the family farm in 2004 I wanted to do something a bit different, writes Ros. The dairy farm has been in our family for over 140 years, not long by UK standards, but something to be proud of here in New Zealand (NZ). Like many, I first came across alpacas at a local show and instantly fell in love with these curious animals. I started breeding Suri, focusing on greys, however I quickly realised I was limiting myself in the market so I introduced Huacyas into the herd. Now we have more than 100 alpacas. The main emphasis is definitely Huacaya but we still run a small Suri herd. I certainly have a soft spot for the
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breed and there is nothing better than seeing a full fleeced Suri pronk around the paddock.
Silver grey genetics
Focussing on beautiful silver greys we aim to produce solid greys. Because of this, over the years, I’ve packed the herd with silver grey genetics and I am now introducing different solid colours predominantly roans (modern greys) and smoky fawns. I have been lucky enough to have some spectacular males join the herd and put their stamp on their progeny, whilst also using outside matings from other NZ breeders. Our latest addition, Empire Tapestry originally bred by a
