Blaine alpaca takes national win
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Richard Porter
SPUDLAND ALPACAS took top honors at the National Elite Alpaca Auction held in Oklahoma in November. Nutmeg, a fawn-colored animal, won first place in her category. This was the first national competition owner Richard Porter, pictured at right, had attended with his wife Pauline. The couple sold both animals they’d taken to the event but came away with a number of new acquaintances and additional knowledge of the business of raising alpacas.
BLAINE — Spudland Alpacas has garnered national recognition, after taking top honors at the National Elite Alpaca Auction in November in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Richard Porter and his wife, Pauline, owners of Spudland Alpacas, made the trip not anticipating a win, given the fact there were dozens of others bringing alpacas to the show from all over the U.S.
“There were 70 animals in the sale, including entries from Maine, Washington, Texas, Indiana and Florida. The auction was held Saturday and the show was on Sunday,” said Richard Porter.
Porter explained that the event is age specific.
“It’s for what’s considered a yearling — anything up to 2 years old. I took down two: a brown one named Laila Ali and a fawn-colored one named Nutmeg. There were different categories for showing the animals, based on their characteristics,” he said. “Things like parentage and they’re judged on fiber — 30 percent confirmation and 70 percent for fiber quality.”
Laila took third place in her class, while Nutmeg took first in hers, according to Porter.
“Nutmeg’s class had two divisions and she took first place in her class,” noted Porter.
Porter explained that animals placing first and second in their categories then moved on to another round of the competition.
“Nutmeg went back and took the championship in her color,” Porter said. “We didn’t expect to place, let alone win. It was a nice surprise.”
This was the Porters’ first trip to the National Elite event. To help pay for the venture, they provided delivery service for another breeder in Vermont who wanted animals transported to the auction.
“She offered to pay us to pick them up and drop them off at the event. This was the first time we’ve gone to the national level. It’s our second color championship in two years. It’s good for a business our size. We got one two years ago at the regional level,” said Porter.
The experience proved to be fruitful not just because of the win.
“The connections we made were unbelievable. We’ve received e-mails from other breeders, including a lady from Missouri,” he said.
Following the win, the Porters finished business at the auction by selling both animals.
“One guy from Oklahoma bought both animals. He planned to show them in Arkansas. All our animals are registered with ‘Spudland’ in the name. The name of our business follows the animals wherever they go that way,” said Porter.
The business currently has 50 animals. Sales are made periodically to ensure a good bloodline.
“We sold two breeding males this fall downstate. The guy who bought them has a good bloodline. We’re thinking of working with him come spring,” said Porter.
Of the 70 entries, Porter said he was the only breeder from Maine to attend.
“You have to be accepted to take part. You have to send in an application. Organizers make a list and you have to wait for approval. You can’t just show up,” said Porter. “Laila had been in three shows, earning two seconds and a third. Those were sows in Massachusetts, Vermont and Oklahoma. This was Nutmeg’s first show.”
Porter said such events are attended by a lot of couples.
“You see a lot of husbands and wives at these events. It’s a family affair. A lot of couples work farms and the kids show the animals. The guy who bought my alpacas looked at them, then brought his wife back to look at them before deciding to buy them,” said Porter.
The Porters have been in the alpaca business for about five years and find them to be easy to maintain.
“They’re clean, easy to raise. But like any livestock, you need to keep rotating to keep the bloodline strong. If you plan to show them, it helps improve what you’ve got. This year was the best year we’ve had,” he said. “We don’t regret doing this. We enjoy the animals and the grandkids love them.”
In addition to raising animals, Spudland Alpacas also carries some alpaca wool products and can special order items as well.
“We have a limited supply of goods available but can place orders too. We sell our wool to a woman downstate who cleans and processes it, then ships it south to be made into socks and other items,” said Porter.
Porter encourages others interested in getting into the alpaca business to contact him.
“I always have animals for sale. I’d be happy to discuss the business if anyone’s interested,” said Porter.
For more information, visit the new website at www.SpudlandAlpacas.com or call 551-3002.
