PROFILE ON IAN NELSON Compiled by Don Carter – Fernbrook Alpacas and Anne Rogers – Editor, NZ Alpaca

s Ian and his wife Virginia have recently announced their In 1989 he was a member of the group which was involved in Aplans to retire from the NZ alpaca industry it is appropriate the formation of ALANZ, the Alpaca and Llama Association to record Ian’s longstanding involvement with alpacas in New of New Zealand. Zealand, and to recognise his important contribution to the establishment of alpaca farming in New Zealand. In 1997, after discussions with Don and Jude Carter about new genetics, he travelled to Niue Island in February and spent a Born Ian Didsbury Nelson in Pahiatua in February 1929, Ian week there selecting for himself and two other breeders from a grew up on his parent’s farm in the Wairarapa. His initial shipment of Peruvian animals which were in quarantine there. education was by correspondence and then schooling at These were some of the first Peruvian animals to be imported Masterton and Wanganui Collegiate. Those formative years into NZ. This import was fraught with a number of difficulties, were difficult times through the Great Depression and rationing amongst which arose the need for a new import protocol and etc associated with World War 2. the fact that the animals were initially denied entry into NZ due to a mix up with a Q fever test, so the animals were sent He married Virginia Hyde in Dunedin in 1958 and they had on to Australia, where they spent a further month in quarantine two sons and one daughter. before coming to still more quarantine in NZ.

Ian became a sheepfarmer in the Alfredton area in the In 1997 Ian was also made an honorary life member of ALANZ Wairarapa, obtained his private pilots licence and served on for his contribution to the industry. the Ekatahuna County Council for 18 years. The May 2001 edition of NZ Alpaca & Llama contains his In 1984 he planned his retirement from the farm. He had article “An ex-Sheepfarmer’s View of Alpaca Farming” and been looking into the possibility of farming alpacas for some discusses criteria in breeding alpacas, i.e. selecting for stud time. They were very difficult to source as most outside South animals that have parents and grandparents with good records, America were in zoos. In 1981, after returning from two months not to buy sires on show performance records alone, be aware in South America assessing the potential for farming alpacas in of advertising hype, as well as advising against using females New Zealand, he drew up an Environmental Impact Assessment that are poor breeders. His article emphasises the importance for MAF setting up an import protocol. After four years of of improving reproductive rates and selecting stud stock with frustrating delays, finally the then Minister of Agriculture gave finer, heavier fleeces. Government approval for the farming of llamas and alpacas in New Zealand. This opened the way for the formation of city We wish Ian and Virginia a long and happy retirement and syndicates to bring alpacas out of Chile. hope that they will still continue to attend Alpaca Association functions when able. In 1986 Ian imported his first alpacas from the Chester Zoo in England. The New Zealand Alpaca industry certainly has a great deal to acknowledge and thank Ian for, as his vision and In 1988 Ian was presented with an award by the International perseverance established alpacas as a farming animal in New Llama Association of USA for “paving the way for private Zealand. 11 ownership of camelids in New Zealand”.