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Alpaca Show Highlight of Fall Season in Maine

Have you herd? For the 4th time in as many years, Maine will be hosting a fully certified alpaca halter and fleece show. Over 300 of New England's finest quality alpacas and their breeders will be exhibiting and showing their luxurious fiber bearing animals during this two-day event which will be open to the public.

Alpaca breeders and owners will be showcasing their alpacas in Maine's third industry certified alpaca show. Halter and fleece classes will be held as well as educational seminars for future owners and enthusiasts. Juried vendors will have their alpaca related products for sale as well. Mark the dates Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, 2005 on your calendars now and come see what all the humming is about.

Once only reserved for Incan royalty, alpaca fiber today is making its mark on the fashion and market scenes in America and beyond. Even cottage industry businesses have blossomed due to the increased production of alpaca useable fiber. Maine alone boosts the highest number of mini-mill wool processors with a large number of them dedicated to alpaca fiber processing and production.

The alpacas themselves, besides their valuable wool, provide many great advantages from taxable depreciation in business to personal enjoyment in rearing. Not too many other livestock species pay for themselves on an annual basis in wool production and even higher rates of return on breeding production. Alpaca farmers in Maine are generating a global pulse that has helped to drive an industry in Maine that last year grossed over a million dollars in sales alone. Described as the 'world's finest livestock investment,' alpacas have helped many farmers realize their limited acreage potential while bringing unlimited days of joy to their families in the process.

Alpacas are a growing industry in the State of Maine. With only two farms in Maine in 1993, over 45 farms can be found across Maine today. Farms are located across the state from Caribou to Kittery Point. From professionals to farmers of other livestock or crops, alpaca owners are invested in continuing to educate and promote the qualities of their beloved animals to the fellow citizens of the State of Maine and beyond.

We invite you and your family to the Pinelands Equestrian Center in New Gloucester, Maine on October 15th and 16th to learn more about the many, many advantages alpaca ownership.