MORE than 650 alpacas from across Australia have packed out the Prince of Wales Showgrounds.
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As part of the Australian Alpaca Association National Show and Sale breeders and visitors from around the country have come to Bendigo.
The four-day event began on Thursday, with state Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh officially opening preceding’s.
This Bendigo event is the 20th national show and sale.
As part of the milestone festivities, organisers celebrating the winners from the past 20 years and advances in alpaca breeding.
Mr Walsh said the event would bring a range of great benefits to Bendigo and central Victoria.
“We are all very proud of the facilities here in Bendigo and of the events that are now held here,” he said.
“There is something like 670 animals, 300 fleeces in Bendigo.”
Mr Walsh said the program of events for this year’s show was fantastic.
“It all culminates into the best of breed auction where I am told alpacas can make anything between $50 and $70,000.”
Mr Walsh said the event was an important one for breeders to get the most up to date information on the industry.
He said the agriculture industry was evolving quickly in Australia.
“I think about 500 of the approximately 2000 breeders in Australia are in Victoria,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is an opportunity for those who may not be able to travel interstate to come to this event.”
Show co-convener Steve Pate said Bendigo last hosted the event about eight years ago.
"We have held the event in Adelaide and Sydney the last couple of years and the event doesn't have the same affect," he said.
"Having it in a regional town is important. "We get a lot of support in Bendigo."
The show ends on Sunday.