Abstract:
The Alpaca (Lama pacos) was re-introduced into Australia for fibre production in 1989 and numbers have steadily increased since that time to reach a population of approximately 30,000 in 2001. Alpaca fleece is graded on the basis of fibre diameter (FD), length and colour. Subjective appraisal of alpaca fibre diameter is largely based on a combination of visual fineness and handle, but it is desirable that all fleeces be objectively tested (Knox 1998). In this study, we determined the constituents of alpaca fleeces and measured fibre parameters in greasy and cleaned alpaca staples.
