In 2007, Beverley Baker began looking for an animal that would keep the grass down on her 4ha Summerhill Farm B&B at Main Ridge.  Enter the alpacas, and Summalon Alpaca Stud came into being.

Beverley, who operates the stud with her daughter, Fleur, says she was attracted to these animals for their endearing nature and protective instincts. “They are lovely to work with and relatively low-maintenance.  The B&B guests find them entertaining and quite a novelty, as their curious nature often tempts them to approach in the hope of a few treats.” 

Beverley’s alpacas are the Huacaya breed - “the ones that look like sheep with long necks” – and their fleece is soft and lustrous and makes beautiful and stylish garments. Beverley supplies the fleece and yarn you’ll find at the Little Alpaca shop in Flinders that is owned by her daughter, Trudy.

Farmers also use alpacas to prevent fox attacks on their chickens and new-born lambs.  The animals will chase intruders from the paddock and give a warning cry that Beverley describes as a high-pitched shriek.

So who is Beverley’s favourite?  At the moment it’s a youngster called Alfie.  “I think he is a good one, but we will soon know as he will be shown in the junior class at Berwick Show. It’s good to see how our animals compare to those of other breeders.”

Summalon Alpacas is a registered commercial stud, and much as Beverley loves her alpacas she can’t keep them all, so there are usually a few for sale.  Beverley can be contacted on 5989 6077.