Alpacas. “What’s not to like?” – Brandon Sun

Alpaca farmers from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta came to the Keystone Center on Saturday for the Keystone Alpaca Classic. Laurie Owens, a semi-retired organizer who has been attending the event for more than 20 years, said the animals are judged on the quality of their fur and their body type. “What’s not to like about Alpacas?” she said. “They’re just the cutest animals… they’re friendly, they’re easy to work with, they’re cute to look at, fun to touch.” Owens said the Keystone show is the largest event for alpaca farmers in Manitoba each year. Winning can make it easier for farmers to sell their animals for breeding and is confirmation that their breeding practices are working. (Photos by Colin Slark/The Brandon Sun)