An Ainstable family is celebrating after their alpaca scooped a prestigious award in a national competition.
After launching Beck Brow Alpacas 12 years ago and achieving success at recent British Alpaca Society National Shows, this year’s award is something very different for the business.
Two-year-old alpaca Glory Daze was chosen as the National Supreme Halter Champion, a highly sought-after title which sees judges pick their favourite from all of the prizewinners.
“It is reward for the hard work and for making the right breeding decisions,” said Robyn Kerr, 38, who helps out her parents Paul and Barbara Hetherington who own the business.
“Moving forward, it gets them out there as a successful business that people want to use our stud males and buy breeding females from us,” Robyn said.
A key foundation of the business’ success centres around genetics.
“We do a lot of research into genetics and we try to take other traits that work well together to drive improvements of the breed,” said Robyn. The business was not always the sophisticated operation that it is today.
“My mum started breeding alpacas as a hobby and became obsessed with wanting to breed quality animals. We have finally got the prize we were all hoping for,” said Robyn. Although the family has reached the pinnacle in competition, the work doesn’t stop there.
“We are always trying to keep one step ahead,” said Robyn. “Glory Daze brings a lot of quality to our herd, but we are trying to improve him. If you are the best of the best you can easily get overtaken.”
With no competition in the previous two years, Robyn was delighted to return to the event.
“There were a lot of breeders up and down the country and many that weren’t able to show them for two years because of COVID, so there was a lot of anticipation,” she said. “There were new animals and a lot of new breeders.”
There are a number of factors that set Glory Daze apart from the other alpacas.
“He has a lot of presence about him and he stands well,” said Robyn. “He has the most incredible and fantastic fleece, it is very dense and very fine.”
In total, Beck Brow Alpacas won 14 awards in a competition which celebrates the best of the British alpaca industry.
