Saskatchewan alpaca breeders are hoping a new mill in Hafford will lead to expanded sales of alpaca fibre.

The treasurer of the Saskatchewan Alpaca Breeders Network, Carol Poole of Edam says the Polytechnic Innovative Manufacturing Centre will find new methods to process a type of alpaca wool that previously had limited use.

She says alpaca fibre is mainly used for clothing and is known for its warmth.

Poole says the new manufacturing centre mixes lower grade alpaca fibre with flax straw to make a rug yarn.

Poole says there are about 2 dozen alpaca breeders in Saskatchewan with about 5 new members in the past year.

Carol and Trever Poole of Edam operate Tiger Lily Ranch.

Hafford is about 350 kilometers northwest of Regina.
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