The Best Duvets are made with Alpaca Fleece

When it comes to finding the perfect duvet, there are a lot of factors to consider. But if you're looking for the best of the best, you can't go wrong with one made from alpaca fleece. Alpaca fleece offers superior insulation and is naturally hypoallergenic, making it the perfect material for those with sensitive skin. Plus, alpacas are curious and sensitive animals, making them a pleasure to breed and manage. Here at Little Valley Farm, we're well-known for our national parks and Australian wildlife. We're off-grid and sustainable in our on-farm practices. Alpacas fit that perfectly with a very low impact on the land.

There are a lot of reasons why alpaca fleece makes the best duvets. Firstly, it's a natural hollow fibre, which means it has superior insulation properties. It's also relatively lightweight, making it easy to move around when you're trying to get comfortable. Also, alpaca fleece is strong and durable, so you know your duvet will last for years. And finally, it's Hypoallergenic! This is perfect for those with sensitive skin who often have problems with other types of materials.

The Best Duvets are made in Australia.

When it comes to finding the perfect duvet, it's important to find one that's made in Australia. This is because Australian standards are some of the highest in the world when it comes to quality control. That means you can rest assured knowing that your duvet was made with the highest quality materials and construction methods.

If you're looking for the best duvet possible, look no further than one made from alpaca fleece. Alpaca fleece offers superior insulation and is naturally hypoallergenic, making it the perfect material for those with sensitive skin. Plus, alpacas are curious and sensitive animals, making them a pleasure to breed and manage. Our duvets are made in Australia to the highest quality standards. Visit our shop cart today to learn more!

Comes in Double, Queen and King sizes.

Which Duvet weight is right for me?

Duvets use ‘Grams Per Square Metre’ or gsm to indicate the product’s relative warmth. It refers to the weight of the quilt filling. So, the higher the gsm of filling, the warmer it is.

• 200 gsm is good for Summer (roughly equivalent to 1-2 blankets)

• 300 gsm is good for both Autumn and Spring (roughly equivalent to 2-3 blankets)

• 500 gsm is good for Winter (roughly equivalent to 3-4 blankets)

Afterpay is a great way to get your purchase today and enjoy interest-free payments over time. Simply purchase online, sign up for AfterPay if you have an account - it's easy!

“100% Alpaca Pure Duvets have been tried and tested by the Queen of sleep, my wife! ”

— Euan

Thinking of Getting Alpacas? Attend our Unique Alpaca Workshop!

Alpacas are unique, intriguing animals that require special management. If you're considering adding alpacas to your farm, join us for our one-of-a-kind workshop. You'll gain valuable insights into whether or not alpacas are the right fit for your farm. Our workshop is perfect for people living on small farms or acreages.

What to Expect at the Workshop

At our workshop, you'll learn about alpacas and what it takes to care for them. We'll cover topics such as shelter, nutrition, breeding, fibre production, and more. You'll also get to meet some of our alpacas and see how they interact with us. Not only is this a great introduction to alpacas, but it's also a lot of fun!

Workshop Pricing Information

Adults: $159 includes our alpaca manual for you to take home.

Children $39 includes a special alpaca gift pack.

The price includes refreshments.

Dates available

Sunday 16th October and Sunday 13th November 2022 at 10:30 am.

Register early to reserve your spot as we are the longest-running workshop with attendees from all over NSW.

So, if you're considering getting alpacas, we encourage you to attend our workshop. It's a great way to learn about these amazing animals and find out if they're the right fit for your farm.

We hope to see you there!

Euan and Daniela

Photo of our adorable Oberon at last months workshop. Sweet as a button and gentle like a butterfly. I am sure she will come up to you at the next workshop.

The best Duvets are filled with Alpaca Fleece - the Warmest and Softest bedding for any Climate

Blog Introduction: Are you looking for a new duvet? Do you want something that is soft, warm, and perfect for pretty much any climate? If so, you should consider investing in a duvet filled with alpaca fleece, the ultimate natural fibre for comfortable bedding.

Alpacas are domesticated animal that is part of the camelid family. Alpacas are native to South America and were first domesticated by the Inca civilization over 6,000 years ago. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri. The vast majority of alpacas in the world are Huacaya, and these beautiful animals have amazing fleece perfect for duvets and bedding.

Alpacas are bred for their fibre which is extremely soft, warm, and durable. In fact, alpaca fibre is often compared to cashmere. Alpaca fiber comes in over 20 different natural colours including white, fawn, brown, black, and grey.

Alpaca fleece is the perfect filling for duvets because it is soft, warm, and lightweight. It is also hypoallergenic which makes it a great option for people who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Alpaca fleece is a sustainable resource since it can be shorn from the animals, right here on the farm, without harming them. Alpacas are very gentle on the land due to their soft feet. Their fleece does not contain lanolin so it does not need to be treated with harsh chemicals like other types of wool.

If you are looking for a new duvet, I highly recommend considering one filled with alpaca fleece. It is the warmest, softest, and most sustainable option available. You will love snuggling up under your new duvet on cold winter nights!

If you are in the market for a new duvet, be sure to look into alpaca fleece as an option. Alpaca fleece is soft, warm, and perfect for any climate. It is also hypoallergenic and sustainable - making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a new duvet!

Suki says - Alpaca Duvets are clearly the best

Every guest enjoys these amazing and valuable Duvets when they stay in our Cabins.

See our Shop for more details on these beautifully made ‘Alpaca Pure’ Duvets.

Alpaca Pure Duvets by Little Valley Farm

We are highly excited to say our very own Alpaca Duvets are ready for people to take home with them! 

For eight years, we have toyed with the idea; we've made prototypes and experimented with various samples and ways to professionally manufacture them at a cost-effective smaller scale. 

We have now done it to a standard far beyond our original expectations and equal to the best in the market.

For the last three months, our guests have enjoyed our very own "Alpaca Pure" duvets in our cabins - but now we have produced a wide range to sell via our webstore.

We only use 100% Alpaca fleece with a 100% Sateen Cotton casing. This makes the most beautiful Soft & Warm duvet we have ever experienced.

Take a look online & let us know your thoughts!

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Little Valley Farm is based in the Lower Hunter Valley. We have been working and breeding alpacas for ten years.

Take a read on what Hunter Hunter has to say about our farm in Laguna.

10 Of The Most Charming Farm Stays In NSW by Urban List

By Jessica Best and Sammy Preston
29th Aug 2022

https://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney/a-list/best-farm-stays-nsw

Bedroom in T4615, our 1950’s Red Rattler

Located about 90-minutes north of Sydney in Laguna, this charming farm brings together two great concepts: getting off the grid and alpacas. Little Valley Farm is all about getting in touch with your surroundings and minimising your environmental footprint. The owners are also registered alpaca breeders (so yes, you could potentially go home with one of these fluffy beings).

There are two rustic accommodation options to choose from and each gives you the freedom to be completely surrounded by bushland, paddocks (filled with the aforementioned fluffy ‘pacas), and fresh produce depending on the time of year. The T4615 Red Rattler is a converted 1950s train carriage. This guy packs a spacious bedroom with a queen bed, a camp-style kitchen, an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, an outdoor bath with hot water, hammocks, and two yoga mats that you can roll out on the deck.

Alpaca Workshops in the Hunter Valley

What a way to spend the weekend! Beautiful people, perfect sunny weather and lots of alpacas to talk about at our Sunday workshop.

Join us for our next alpaca workshop for new owners. Coming up Sunday 18th Sept, October 16th or Nov 13th. Book via our website for adults and children who want to learn more about alpacas and their well-being.

Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Nov 22 maybe our final event for 22 before we gear up for Christmas.

Contact Daniela via our website littlevalleyfarm.com.au

Don't forget to sign up to our mailing list for future events.

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Can't make it to our scheduled workshop? Ask Daniela, and we can arrange a private family event here or at your farm (if you already have alpacas).

Euan and Daniela have been working with alpacas since 2012 and are based in Laguna, Wollombi Valley in the Lower Hunter Valley. Just under two hours from Sydney. If you are wanting to stay in the area, let us know as we have accommodation for two nights (adults only), or can recommend some other wonderful places to stay close by. Just send Daniela an email.

Afterpay your alpaca yarn purchase

Did you know that you can now Afterpay your alpaca yarn via our website? There is no better time to stay at home knitting away with this glorious 100% alpaca yarn.

Our handspun yarn balls are done in the Wollombi Valley and our Fibre Mill skeins are processed on the Central Coast and we are so happy to be able to process it locally. The mill is under one hour from our farm and love the fact that I can just zip down there when I need, being so close.

Our next shearing day will be September/October 2022 where we will have a lot more fleece available for all the spinners out there. Stay tuned for updates and once our shearing day is complete. For now, we have our fingers and toes crossed for no more rain - can’t shear wet alpacas!

For now, get shopping online as we only have limited white/fawn yarn and skeins available and you don’t want to miss out.

Alpaca Workshop for August 2022 Hunter Valley

Ok, let's get back on track after two floods this year!

The July 2022 flood knocked us around, so we will resume our workshops early August.

We have a Friday edition on August 12th 2022, and then Sunday, August 21st 2022, starting at 10:30 am.

Workshops are a great way to find out if alpacas are suitable livestock for your farm and your lifestyle. We also have the free Alpaca Husbandry Hands-on, which is a deep dive into handling alpacas so you can gain confidence when handling them. We run the husbandry workshops only a couple of times a year and are exclusive to our LVF VIP members.

If you already have alpacas at your farm and would like Euan and me to run a workshop there, drop us a note and your location and number of people and alpacas.

Alpaca Workshop - The Starter Guide - come join us on Friday 12th August 2022 or Sunday 21st August 2022. It Starts at 10:30 am at our farm in Laguna. Adults $159 and including our alpaca book for you to take home and morning tea.

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Who is this good-looking stud?

Welcome the Lieutenant to Little Valley Farm.

He travelled from South Australia and arrived the weekend of the Hunter Valley flood!

Our third working stud as part of our breeding 2023 program. I love his fleece and gentle temperament.

Thanks to James of Kobler Alpacas for this lovely stud.

We are always doing something new and exciting at Little Valley Farm, so if you have any ideas or want to learn more, please get in touch with Daniela. We have a couple of females coming up for sale as pets, as well as our beautiful alpaca yarn that you can purchase online.

Don’t forget we have our adult accommodation at Little Valley Farm for four people. So you can have the farm to yourself (no other guests) and enjoy bonfire nights, wood-fired pizzas by the train and our new dry sauna in the Shearers Studio.

Book direct and save with us. Now taking bookings for October 2022 onwards.

HINT: Subscribe to our website and you will receive a discount voucher to use for your accommodation. Saving you over $100.

Startect

We have ordered a five litre bottle of STARTECT to use on our alpacas. If you would like to find out more please do drop me a line. Thanks Daniela

Find out more and how it will assist with your worm control program here.

Farm Bio-Security Foot and Mouth Disease

Bio Security at Little Valley Farm - PLEASE read before coming to our farm.

From one disaster straight into another. We have had two years of non-stop action. As I write this blog, we have just encountered our worst flood impact and are recovering from the March 2022 flood and the 2021 Flood and La Nina events. So now, with news from Indonesia this month, it's time to think and act on FMD - Foot and Mouth Disease and stop it from entering Australia and our farmland.

And if you haven't learnt anything from the 2019 fires and 2021 - 2022 floods, learn one thing ~ preparation. #everybitcounts

What is FMD - Foot and Mouth Disease?

Image Animal Health Australia

With Australian borders freely open international travel is now back on the cards. If you're travelling to Australia from Indonesia, including Bali, you must take the appropriate precautions to help prevent Foot-and-mouth disease from reaching our farming communities.

The steps you can take include:

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect your shoes and boots before returning to Australia, or even better, leave them behind in Indonesia.

• Inform Customs if you've been in contact with cattle, pigs, sheep or goats, if you've been to rural areas, and/or if you're carrying animal material or food.

• Do not bring into the country any food, or medicine, including any alternative medicines. 

• If in contact with cattle, pigs, sheep or goats overseas, stay away from these species for at least 28 hours after contact – the virus can survive in your nasal passages

Things to do now for your farm:

1. Have your farm Bio-security plan in place.

2. Ensure all visitors are registered before entering your farm.

3. Limit the number of access points for visitors.

4. Shoe bath upon arrival and ensure all genuine hygiene practices are in place.

5. Ask the question if your farm visitors have been to Bali, Indonesia, since June 2022.

6. Ask all visitors to bring boots or indoor and outdoor shoes.

7. Jump on the Animal Health website for more things you need to do, as they have some great resources.

There are some great resources on the Animal Health Australia website, so make sure you take the time to protect your farm, your animals and the whole of Australia. 

If FMD does enter Australia, thousands, if not millions, of livestock will be euthanized and then burnt. It also means that infected farms will not be able to have livestock on their lands for many years - this includes hobby farmers.  Yes, FMD does affect alpacas and llamas.

Keep up to date via the Agriculture Gov Au Bio-security and Animal Health website.

Euan and I were working and living in the UK when FMD broke out, and it was devastating and a reminder of how things can go so bad so quickly. Article from BBC on the 2001 UK FMD.

What is means to us?

Death to all our alpacas in the area and the ban on farming for many years. Heartbreak and heartache watching our beloved livestock being put the death.

Frequently Asked Questions and our BIo-Security Polcy read here.

Hunter Valley Alpacas

For those needing help or advice after the Hunter Valley July 2022 floods.

We are there for our amazing animals through fire, flood, drought, and illness. If you have alpacas and are stuck in the current Hunter Valley flood, please contact me for support or advice. No question is too big or small or silly - just ask as someone else may have the same question as you.

I am not a vet but may be able to offer some guidance and pathways to other experts.

Floods for us are a way of life here, but this one was huge. We were prepared; donkeys and alpacas are all up at the house. The water covered our paddocks and took out the use of some sheds for now. It's raining today, so fingers crossed we will see some more sun tomorrow.

Feel free to DM me.

Daniela Riccio Little Valley Farm - Alpaca Farm

Laguna, Wollombi Valley, Hunter Valley

Photo of Miss Abs - the look on her face says, it all!

If you would like to direct message us or email dani (@) little valley farm.com. au

Alpaca Husbandry Session

Alpaca Husbandry Session

Suitable for people wanting to learn how to trim alpaca nails, conduct regular body scoring, carry out drenching and administering vitamins.  The essential hands-on experience for potential alpaca owners or current alpaca owners. 

Your animals deserve to be happy and healthy. With that in mind, you have an ethical responsibility toward their welfare by providing a safe and caring environment such as good food sources, clean water, and shelter  - so they can always reap the benefits of living on your farm. 

The best way to keep your herd healthy and productive is by keeping them vaccinated, with updated vaccinations and parasite control. It's important that you watch the herd constantly so they don't get sick especially as we now are experiencing dramatic seasonal changes. 

 You may think that alpacas are indestructible, but they're not. When one of your alpacas becomes sick it can be difficult to tell how much damage the illness has done because these animals will rarely show any signs of being ill or injured. This makes prevention more important than cure!

Alpaca Husbandry what we will do:

• Quietly move alpacas into the holding pen 

• Learn how to safely and quietly herd them  

• Pen, handle and hold each alpaca 

• Handling difficult alpacas. 

• Trimming their toenails 

• Vaccination, Vitamins, Drenching (oral or injection) 

• Body Scoring each alpaca 

• Checking eyes 

• Recording notes for each alpaca 

This is only for adults and for people who are interested in owning alpacas or current owners who want to know more. It’s a great introduction to see if they are the right fit for your farm and become confident when handling them. You will see the good side and the not-so-easy to handle alpacas and how we do it. 

The morning is around 1.5 hours and we will end the session up at the house with a relaxing morning tea. 

What you need:

- Closed shoes for safety 

- Please wear long pants/jeans for safety

- Sunhat 

Time: Approx 1.5 Hours (one and half hours). 

This event is not suitable for children and please do not bring your dogs to our farm.  We run this event only 2-3 times a year. We keep the numbers limited so hands-on learning time is maximized.  There is also our alpaca management manual if you would like to purchase that also on the day.  We will go ahead in moderate rain and would only cancel if there is a threat of fire, flood or deluges. 

Alpaca Husbandry Session exclusive to Little Valley Farm

This workshop is free of charge for people who have already attended our Sunday alpaca workshop and is the next step to gaining hands-on experience and confidence in handling alpacas.

Expect to get a little farm dirty at this Alpaca Husbandry Session.

Alpaca Workshop for new and potential owners

We have been a little distracted after all the rain and the horrible March 2022 floods. We are currently re-designing our shearing shed and alpaca barn for the next lot of exciting cria births.

Our next workshop will be held on Sunday, August 7th 2022, at 10:30 am. This workshop will introduce you to the wonderful world of owning and caring for these majestic animals on your own farm.

There will only be six places available, so jump online to book your adults-only workshop. I will be working on a kids workshop shortly, but we need to get through the Winter days first.

In the meantime, subscribe to our website for quarterly updates.

Alpaca Workshops at Little Valley Farm Hunter Valley

Next adults only alpaca workshop: Sunday 7th May 2022

Alpaca Husbandry Hands-on

Hi everyone, we will be holding an alpaca 'Husbandry Hands-on' event next month.

It's suitable for people who would like to get hands-on experience in cutting toenails, body scoring, giving oral vitamins and checking eyes for health.

We will be going through the entire herd and checking each one. It's full-on and has lots of handling, so enclosed shoes, sun hat and a refillable water bottle to keep hydrated.

Then you can hang out with the alpacas and get to know them after the event. The time for handing is approx 1.5-2 hours. 

No charge if you have already attended our main workshop. It's really to give people the next step in hands-on / exposure to handling alpacas and being confident with them.

Adults only due to safety and insurance.

Only open to people who have already attended our main workshop. 

Only 2-3 people at a time for this event.

If you are looking for accommodation, we have the shearers studio for a minimum of two nights' stay ($600), or you can stay one night at Noyce Brothers Wine/Grays Inn Wollombi, about ten minutes away right in the heart of Wollombi Village. Check out the Noyce website for their rates. https://www.noycebros.com.au/

Date: early July 2022 — at Little Valley Farm - Alpaca Farm.

We will aim to make this a monthly event for our LVF VIP members.

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Photo of Karine as she is a real character. She loves neck rubs, and when she is bored, she walks off. Her cria is super sweet and confident just like her mum.

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How to become a LVF VIP member? Book in for our Alpaca Workshops for new owners.

If you have not attended our main workshop, you can check out our dates and prices here. 

Alpaca Workshops for new owners

Getting ready for our Sunday workshop the first for Winter 2022.

Warm coats, beanies and gumboots are essential. It will be well worth it hanging out with these adorable alpacas.

If you have missed out on your workshop place we will be running a special Saturday edition on 11th June 2022 at 10:30am - places are limited so jump online to book.

#littlevalleyfarm

Alpacas at Little Valley Farm Hunter Valley

At Little Valley Farm, we have been working with alpacas since 2012. We pride ourselves on friendly, healthy and absolutely adorable alpacas. Our workshops are beneficial for potential alpaca owners or people who want to learn more before starting their alpaca journey.

Come, learn and fall in love with our Hunter Valley based alpacas.

Regional Travel is ON in NSW from June 1

Richmond says it’s ok.

Regional NSW travel from June 1st.

Come back to the Hunter Valley soon and stay with us.

Read all about the Riparide experience by Charlotte Curd here.

Alpacas for Sale - Perfect for Your Hobby Farm! 

Looking to add alpacas to your hobby farm? Little Valley Farm in the beautiful Hunter Valley has a select number of alpacas now available! 🦙💚 Established in 2012 by Daniela, we’re passionate about raising friendly, well-handled alpacas. Our alpacas are perfect for hobby farms and new owners, with wethers and females currently for sale.

👉 Plus, we offer hands-on alpaca workshops to help new owners learn how to care for these amazing animals. Visit us in Wollombi Valley or contact us to learn more!

🌱 Little Valley Farm - Sustainable Farming Since 2012

Alpaca Yarn Get it online

I love Suki and all of the girls; they are my life. We spin their fleece into amazing wintertime jumpers that keep me warm every season!

Suki's personality is quite an original. She is quirky, inquisitive, and the first one to push the other girls out of the way so she can eat out of your hand. You can hear her saying nom, nom, nom whilst happily chewing away. She has lovely dense, soft fleece and has passed on her lovely fleece to her offspring.

She is also a snake bite survivor, and we are lucky to have her and her cria, Oberon, with us today.

How blessed we are to be able to hand spin the fleece, knit it and wear the garments that will last a lifetime. Thank you, Suki, our quirky alpaca.

The many funny faces of Suki above.

For a limited time only, you can purchase Suki’s yarn online from our shop cart.

We are selling the yarn in 2, 4 or 6 yarn balls in our kraft Gift Case.

These photos were taken on my iPhone today and I have tried to capture its natural colour. They also come in this handy kraft gift box. 8 PLY approx 75-80 g each yarn ball. Get it now before they disappear and you have to wait until we shear and spin again. It’s all handspun so expect rustic and many variations.

Daniela

Hunter Hunter

IN THE MEDIA

The super cool people of Hunter Hunter recently discovered our farm and we are so proud of the fabulous feature. Thank you, Hunter Hunter!

A Hunter Valley farm-stay unlike any other

Looking for accommodation in the Hunter Valley that’s completely unique?  Somewhere private with plenty of nature to explore and completely unwind in?

Click here to continue reading.

NSW DPI Get Ready Animals Evacuation Plan for Livestock owners

Euan talking to NSW Department of Primary Industries for the "Get Animals Ready" campaign right after the 2019/2020 bushfires.

How times have changed since the 2019 bushfires and this month the focus is on our flood evac plan - Let’s hope we and all the other livestock owners do not need to use it.

Have you updated your fire and flood plan this year?

NSW Department of Primary Industries NSW SES Australian Alpaca Association #littlevalleyfarm #huntervalley

10 Dreamy Places to Stay in NSW This Summer with Outdoor Baths

“We are so happy and excited that Little Valley Farm has been added to the list of Top 10 Dreamy Outdoor Baths in New South Wales! 

It’s an absolute honour for us, as we know all other places on the list and how wonderful they are.

We are also lucky enough to share our home with amazing guests. Thank you Urban List!”

— Daniela, Little Valley Farm. Laguna Hunter Valley

Read the full article on URBAN LIST click here 

Located about 90-minutes north of Sydney in Laguna, this charming farm brings together a trifecta of great concepts—getting off the grid, alpacas, and outdoor baths (of course naturally). There are two main types of accommodation here but if you’re keen to slip into an outdoor tub of bubbles and essential oils for total relaxation, you’ll want to knock on the door of the T4615 Red Rattler. This converted 1950s train carriage packs a spacious bedroom with a queen bed, a camp-style kitchen, an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, hammocks, deck yoga, and a trusty outdoor bath that overlooks paddocks of cute ‘pacas. Book your stay here. 

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Book your next glamping experience for four adults on our eco-farmstay.

Read more here or jump on sign up to waitlist for availability.

New Little Valley Shearer’s Studio coming up Autumn 2022 so don’t miss out on this and get in now so you can enjoy our preview special rates.