At Stoney Ridge Alpacas we are a family of three (Jude, Hans and Michaela) who are fortunate enough to farm and care for a herd of over 40 alpacas in the small township of Waipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. We fell in love with them at the beginning of the millennium and have farmed them ever since. Our attraction to alpacas was not only a love for the animal itself, but also a passion for the textiles and garments that could be fashioned from this exotic fibre and fleece. In breeding alpacas our aim is twofold – to produce high quality animals and to combine genetics in such a way as to produce the most luxurious fibre possible for the resulting garments. Hence we are BREEDING FOR STYLE.
At Stoney Ridge Alpacas, the relationship that we share with the animals is vital. Each is known by name and personality, and treated accordingly. Similarly, when any animals are sold to a new home, their personalities are matched to the environment and the family that they are going to.
In the early years, Jude was very active in the Alpaca Association New Zealand on both the Executive committee, including two years as National President, as well as on various sub-committees. Now that the herd has increased in size, more of her time is taken up with the day-to-day management and husbandry of the alpacas.
Michaela is now ten and has spent most of her life growing up with alpacas. Her first hesitant steps with a handful of pellets were rapidly replaced by becoming a confident handler at shows, and she has enjoyed many red ribbons in her young career. She is now of an age where she can be actively involved in the day-to-day routine of feeding out, weighing, birthing and neo-natal care, as well as helping Jude keep medication and body score records.
Hans is always a good sounding board for marketing ideas and is there to offer help when four adult hands are needed, rather than two.
We farm our alpacas on a 30-acre lifestyle block just on the edge of Waipukurau. Because it is in the heart of Central Hawkes Bay, many people ask if they can come and enjoy the animals. Of course, we like nothing better than being able to show off our latest babies (cria) and their doting mums. In this way we feel that we can share our positive experiences with the local community.
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