NNNorthern Valley News
Norcia • Regans Ford • Wannamal
Around the region
Gingin Heifer competition
Page 6 & 7
Page 12
49
MAY
Anzac Day
2015
Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Gingin • Muchea • Mooliabeenie • New
Finessing the fleece
Chris Pietraszek was hooked the first time she discovered the unique softness and warmth of alpaca fleece. “I walked into the Toodyay Alpaca Shop (that is no longer) and put my hand into a bag of Suri fleece – and I instantly fell in love,” she recalls fondly. Eighteen months later, in 2005, after extensive research, alpacas joined the sheep on Chris and husband Stan’s Bindoon property and their stud Christan Alpacas was born. “We never wanted to be a large stud, but we wanted to breed for the best quality we could,” says Chris. Ten years later they seem well on their way, taking out championship and reserve titles along with a number of ribbons at the recent Whiteman Park Alpaca Show. However Chris’s motive to breed the boutique animal extends beyond ribbons or income. With 40 year’s experience at the spinning wheel, Chris transforms the fleeces grown on her farm into unique and intricate garments. Her passion for alpaca fibre is both as warm and as discerning as the delicately cosy scarves, heirloom shawls, rugs and jackets she creates. Until recently Chris was selling her garments exclusively through a shop in the Swan Valley, as well as teaching spinning classes in Bindoon. She hopes to soon launch a website to promote the farm and her garments. With a thirty-head herd, Christan Alpaca stud breeds both types – the suri and the huacaya, they plan and welcome a small drop of about four to six cria (baby alpacas) each year. Chris appreciates the unique qualities of both for different reasons; the mohair-like Suri fleece is silky-soft and beautiful for weaving, with a lock not a crimp, and has little fibre memory. The Huacaya has a more wool-like structure and with its’ elasticity or memory, which is ideal for knitting. “You’ll get a quality article if you start with quality fleece,” she says. Making an income out of breeding the native Peruvian animals has proved challenging for Australian enthusiasts, many of whom are small farm operators. However as the Australian Alpaca Association celebrates 25 years of the industry during Alpaca week from May 2-10, the industry looks forward to a great future.
Stan and Chris Pietraszek with Ronstan Regal the Huacaya (left) and Margamon Monaro the Suri (right) at the Whiteman Park Alaca Show on the 25-27 April.
Whilst the demand for genetics and fibre has kept the industry growing, many believe that the last crucial element is using the whole animal – alpaca meat may be the answer. It’s currently the only industry without a commercial meat avenue or a market for their culls. With only 5-6% fat alpaca is a healthy meat which sustained the Incas for centuries. Its rise in popularity locally could be the turning point for this boutique industry. Perhaps we’ll soon be seeing it at the local butcher! COUNTRY PROPERTY EXPERTS
cvcp.com.au
COUNTRY PROPERTY EXPERTS
thinking of selling?
Lennard Brook
$POA
bindoon
$349,000
cvcp.com.au gabbadah $530,000
SOLD • 34 Lefroy St Gingin • 15 Strathalbyn Way Gingin • 4 Quinn St Gingin • 62 Robinson St Gingin • 228 Bookine Road Neergabby For a free confidential Market Appraisal call Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864
GINGIN: 9575 2566
Westralian Fruits • 464 hectares (1146ac) - 10 properties • 3,185,070kl water license • Packing shed and cool rooms • 158ha citrus and mangoes • Suit horticulture frost free
286 Ridgetop Ramble Entry level hardiplank home on beautiful pasture/ parkland cleared block. House features 3 beds, RC Split system, wood heater, verandahs, 2 car carport, small storage shed, veggie patch and fully fenced. This is an ideal home to get started on the property market or as an investment.
148 Bluegum Cres • 5x3 home situated on over 5 acres of cleared land • 3 Paddocks, 3 Day & Night yards, 2 horse brick stable with power • Post and rail fencing • Brick round yard • Bore & retic • Outdoor Spa • Many established trees, orchard & vegie garden.
Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864
Amy McAuliffe 0400 298 884
Terri Mowle 0414 350 788
BINDOON: 9576 0626