Commercial importation of alpacas into Australia commenced approximately thirty years ago and now there are over 175,000 registered alpacas in Australia, which is the largest population outside of South America. There are approximately 7,500 alpacas in New Zealand, 5,000 in North America and less than one thousand in Europe, making the Australian production of alpaca fleece a commercially viable business in the quantity and quality of fleece production.
Australia is today recognized as being a significant producer of world-class quality fleece. In fact, Australia exports some of its best quality fine micron alpaca fleece to Peru.
In Australia, alpacas are bred by approximately 2,500 breeders and each alpaca animal will yield approximately three to four kilograms of fleece each year when shorn. Alpacas are bred throughout Australia, except in the far tropical north and generally have a life span of fifteen to twenty years. An adult alpaca will be approximately one metre high at the shoulder with a long a graceful neck and thick luxurious fleece all over its body. They are a gentle and graceful animal and have a very curious personality. Very cute too!
In bedding, alpaca fleece is exceptional in its warmth to weight ratio, its softness and luxurious handle.
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We are very proud to have been advised that Kelly & Windsor is a finalist in the 2021 Hume City Business Awards, Small Manufacturing category.
We have previously won several awards under the Hume Business awards program, Export Award and finalist in the Small business category in 2016.
We are donating a day's production to make wool quilts and pillows for the Father Bob Maguire Foundation so that they can help and support those who are in need in our local community.
We are very proud to support such a great cause and look forward to another Father Bob day.
As part of our giving back philosophy, we are excited to announce that Kelly & Windsor Australia and the Alpaca Bedding Company has recently partnered with The Lung Foundation of Australia in a cause related marketing program.
Our goal is to contribute to a very worthy cause by donating to their Hope Research Fund program.