Windsong Valley Whole Herd Dispersal Sale

Auction Details:

Inspection Day: 18th September 2010, 10am-3pm

Auction: 19th September 2010, 11am

Click here to download the Windsong Valley Herd Dispersal Auction Catalogue

ABOUT CORICANCHA ALPACA STUD & INFO ALPACA

Coricancha Alpaca Stud was established in 1990 by owners Benoit and Philippa Ernst. The Coricancha stud is situated on 130 acres and runs a herd of approximately 200 Alpacas. Their son Anthony enthusiastically assists with many of the day-to-day farm activities and show preparations. Tracy Mellington helps part time

Benoit and Philippa are both passionately involved in breeding superior stud stock and producing fine Alpaca fibre. As early entrants into the Alpaca industry in Australia, they soon realised the necessity of using consistent male bloodlines from a selective genetic base and are successfully" line breeding", with part of the herd to achieve their goals. The necessity for this direction is to develop "flock stock." This is due to the immense diversity that currently exists in the female Alpaca gene pool in Australia. Coricancha Alpaca Stud consistently produce progeny with both similar phenotypic and genotypic traits allowing predictability in both animal type and fleece from on-farm bloodlines. This allows this fledgling industry to take the first steps towards commercial reality and away from subsistent farming of the past and away from pet breeding.

Coricancha's intensive breeding program enabled them to lower their micron count by well over 10 microns in less than 8 years. This dedication to fibre quality has enabled Corichancha to now consistently produce weanlings in the 16 to 17 micron range. Coricancha's success is evident in show results (see News) from progeny of the males at stud, their marketing and breeding programs. The next challenge for Coricancha is to increase the density of the Alpaca yield to an average cut of 6/7 kilos of lustrous young adult Alpaca fleece of below 20 micron per head on farm.

They've been asked to export 30 males back to South America.
Prior to entering Alpaca, both Philippa and Benoit achieved notable success in the fashion industry. Each having over 25 years experience in the rag trade at all levels from buying, designing, importing, co-ordinating, fashion showings, at both wholesale or retail levels, marketing and representing local and elite International designers

Philippa regularly travels to Peru, gaining much sort after knowledge attending veterinary and student seminars and IAA conferences on Alpaca. She speaks to breeders on industry topics. Benoit travels regularly to Europe visiting breeders and speaking at Alpaca and Llama conferences. He attended a screening course at the University of Corvallis in Oregon. Both have a strong desire to see the Alpaca industry reach its ultimate potential.

Philippa served on the National Committee of the Australian Alpaca Association for six years chairing two portfolios, International Affairs and Industry Alliances, Benoit was elected Regional President for Central Region Victoria of the A.A.A. for three years.