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Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America in the Andean countries of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Alpacas are members of the camelid family and were domesticated about 10,000 years ago.
Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya (wha-KAI-ah) and the Suri (surrey). The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds which makes them about half to one-third the size of a llama. Their life span is about 20-25 years, with females reaching maturity around 18 months of age and males at 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.
Alpacas are hardy animals that do not require a lot of special care. They are thrifty as well, needing only about a bale of hay per month even if they are feed-lotted with no grazing pasture. Since alpacas are ruminants, and have triple-chamber stomachs, they are grazers who quietly chew cud all day. They require grass, hay, clean water, and if raised in captivity a modest ration of grain. This means that the average alpaca costs less to feed than the average dog! They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre.
Alpacas are most prized for their amazing fleece, also known as fiber. They produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. The demand for this fiber worldwide exceeds the current supply, making alpaca fiber command 10 times the price of virgin wool. It is clipped from the animal once a year without causing it injury and produces enough raw materials from each animal for several sweaters. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends). Rivaling cashmere in the fashion department, alpaca fiber is being woven into a myriad of durable, silky-soft products. You can find alpaca scarves, sweaters, capes, socks, hats, shirts, skirts, finger-puppets, teddy bears and other alpaca toys and accessories available for sale. Textile artisans seek out the precious alpaca yarns, rovings and raw fleeces for their projects on a regular basis. Many people who cannot wear wool can wear fine alpaca clothing in complete comfort. Alpaca garments are warm even when wet, making them ideal for outdoor activities. This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.
Alpacas are herd animals and should not be raised in isolation. They seem to learn by observing other herd members as much as being trained themselves. Alpacas seem to sense the need to be sensible and gentle with children and are great favorites for 4-H projects, pets, and therapy animals. Sometimes llamas serve as guard animals for the smaller, less bold alpacas. Llamas are more than twice the size of an alpaca and their fleece is not nearly as delicate and fine as the alpaca fleece.
Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry.
The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) accepts fleece from its members, and turns the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this every day luxury.
The Alpaca Registry has been established to help ensure accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document bloodlines. Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered. Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.
Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya (wha-KAI-ah) and the Suri (surrey). The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds which makes them about half to one-third the size of a llama. Their life span is about 20-25 years, with females reaching maturity around 18 months of age and males at 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.
Alpacas are hardy animals that do not require a lot of special care. They are thrifty as well, needing only about a bale of hay per month even if they are feed-lotted with no grazing pasture. Since alpacas are ruminants, and have triple-chamber stomachs, they are grazers who quietly chew cud all day. They require grass, hay, clean water, and if raised in captivity a modest ration of grain. This means that the average alpaca costs less to feed than the average dog! They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre.
Alpacas are most prized for their amazing fleece, also known as fiber. They produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. The demand for this fiber worldwide exceeds the current supply, making alpaca fiber command 10 times the price of virgin wool. It is clipped from the animal once a year without causing it injury and produces enough raw materials from each animal for several sweaters. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends). Rivaling cashmere in the fashion department, alpaca fiber is being woven into a myriad of durable, silky-soft products. You can find alpaca scarves, sweaters, capes, socks, hats, shirts, skirts, finger-puppets, teddy bears and other alpaca toys and accessories available for sale. Textile artisans seek out the precious alpaca yarns, rovings and raw fleeces for their projects on a regular basis. Many people who cannot wear wool can wear fine alpaca clothing in complete comfort. Alpaca garments are warm even when wet, making them ideal for outdoor activities. This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.
Alpacas are herd animals and should not be raised in isolation. They seem to learn by observing other herd members as much as being trained themselves. Alpacas seem to sense the need to be sensible and gentle with children and are great favorites for 4-H projects, pets, and therapy animals. Sometimes llamas serve as guard animals for the smaller, less bold alpacas. Llamas are more than twice the size of an alpaca and their fleece is not nearly as delicate and fine as the alpaca fleece.
Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry.
The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) accepts fleece from its members, and turns the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this every day luxury.
The Alpaca Registry has been established to help ensure accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document bloodlines. Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered. Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.
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THE HUACAYA
When most people think of alpacas, they see in their minds eye the huacaya. Huacayas (pronounced wa-KAI-ya) have the fluffy teddy bear appeal that many associate with alpacas and are the more common of the two types. They comprise about 80% of the U.S. alpaca population. The Alpaca Registry (ARI) showed about 33,000 huacaya alpacas registered in the United States as of December 2002.
These beautiful animals are characterized by their fluffy fleece. The fiber grows outward from the alpaca's body and is so thick and crimpy that it forms halo of fleece all around the animal giving them their "cuddly" appearance. The fiber is soft and strong and generally crimpy throughout. It looks a lot like Corriedale and Romney sheeps wool (without the lanolin). At the microscopic level, the scales on follicle of the hair of the huacaya fiber are irregular and slightly serrated (though still smoother than sheeps wool) which helps it "grip" in processing and take dyes well.
When commercially processed, huacaya fiber can be processed either using the woolen or worsted process and produces a soft, lofty thread or yarn. It's ideal for knitted wear or soft tweeds.
Huacayas come naturally in a wide array of colors with white, brown, and black being the most common.
When most people think of alpacas, they see in their minds eye the huacaya. Huacayas (pronounced wa-KAI-ya) have the fluffy teddy bear appeal that many associate with alpacas and are the more common of the two types. They comprise about 80% of the U.S. alpaca population. The Alpaca Registry (ARI) showed about 33,000 huacaya alpacas registered in the United States as of December 2002.
These beautiful animals are characterized by their fluffy fleece. The fiber grows outward from the alpaca's body and is so thick and crimpy that it forms halo of fleece all around the animal giving them their "cuddly" appearance. The fiber is soft and strong and generally crimpy throughout. It looks a lot like Corriedale and Romney sheeps wool (without the lanolin). At the microscopic level, the scales on follicle of the hair of the huacaya fiber are irregular and slightly serrated (though still smoother than sheeps wool) which helps it "grip" in processing and take dyes well.
When commercially processed, huacaya fiber can be processed either using the woolen or worsted process and produces a soft, lofty thread or yarn. It's ideal for knitted wear or soft tweeds.
Huacayas come naturally in a wide array of colors with white, brown, and black being the most common.
THE SURI
There's nothing quite like a suri in full fleece, with its locks blowing in the breeze. Suris (pronounced SUR-ee) are the rarer of the two types of alpacas and comprise about 20% of the U.S. alpaca population. The Alpaca Registry (ARI) showed about 7,200 suri alpacas registered in the United States as of December 2002.
These elegant animals are characterized by their draping locks. You can see how the fiber hangs down rather than looking wooly and round like on huacayas. This fiber is slick and straight with little or no crimp and has a high degree of sheen. It looks a lot like Angora goat fiber. At the microscopic level, the scales on follicle of the hair of the suri fiber are smooth edged and one directional giving it this slickness.
When commercially processed, suri fiber is almost always processed using the worsted process, which results in a thin, hard thread which is used in making gabardines and crepes. Suri fiber brings a premium price on the world market because of its scarcity and unique characteristics.
Because of the hang of the fiber, suris often look more delicate than their huacaya counterparts, but they are every bit as well boned and muscled. Weights and proportions are about the same for both types of alpaca.
Traditionally, most suris were white, but U.S. alpaca breeders have been selectively breeding since the animals were imported to the United States to produce colored suris and now many colored suri alpacas are available.
There's nothing quite like a suri in full fleece, with its locks blowing in the breeze. Suris (pronounced SUR-ee) are the rarer of the two types of alpacas and comprise about 20% of the U.S. alpaca population. The Alpaca Registry (ARI) showed about 7,200 suri alpacas registered in the United States as of December 2002.
These elegant animals are characterized by their draping locks. You can see how the fiber hangs down rather than looking wooly and round like on huacayas. This fiber is slick and straight with little or no crimp and has a high degree of sheen. It looks a lot like Angora goat fiber. At the microscopic level, the scales on follicle of the hair of the suri fiber are smooth edged and one directional giving it this slickness.
When commercially processed, suri fiber is almost always processed using the worsted process, which results in a thin, hard thread which is used in making gabardines and crepes. Suri fiber brings a premium price on the world market because of its scarcity and unique characteristics.
Because of the hang of the fiber, suris often look more delicate than their huacaya counterparts, but they are every bit as well boned and muscled. Weights and proportions are about the same for both types of alpaca.
Traditionally, most suris were white, but U.S. alpaca breeders have been selectively breeding since the animals were imported to the United States to produce colored suris and now many colored suri alpacas are available.
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Why do people in so many countries call alpacas "The world's finest livestock business?" For any business asset to be valuable, it must possess certain qualities that make it desirable. Gold is scarce, real estate provides shelter, oil produces energy, bonds earn interest, stocks are supposed to increase in value, and diamonds symbolize love. Alpacas share many of these same attributes.
Around the world, alpacas are in strong demand, and people pay high prices for them. They are scarce, unique, and the textiles produced from their fleeces are known in the fashion centers of New York, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. There are excellent profit opportunities and tax advantages available to alpaca breeders. Historically, the alpacas' value has sustained ancient cultures, such as the Incas of Peru. Today, alpacas represent the primary source of income for millions of South Americans. History has validated the value of the alpaca.
Livestock has been a traditional representation of wealth for many cultures around the world, long before financial stocks were sold on the New York Stock Exchange. The richest families of ancient times counted their wealth by the size of their flocks of sheep or herds of cattle. Today, wealth as a result of livestock ownership is not as common, but opportunities do exist for profitable farms and ranches. Tending to a graceful herd of alpacas can be an exciting way to earn a source of revenue and live a rewarding lifestyle.
Since 1984, alpacas have appeared, almost simultaneously, in several countries where they have never been seen before. The U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England and many European countries have all acquired the foundation for national herds. There are even beginning herds in Japan and South Africa, among others. What makes this animal so desirable? The bottom line: alpacas can be both profitable and enjoyable.
Finally, alpacas are easy to transport, which makes it easy to move them from one location to another. They have a relatively long and trouble-free reproductive life span, and alpacas can be fully insured against lost.
Around the world, alpacas are in strong demand, and people pay high prices for them. They are scarce, unique, and the textiles produced from their fleeces are known in the fashion centers of New York, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. There are excellent profit opportunities and tax advantages available to alpaca breeders. Historically, the alpacas' value has sustained ancient cultures, such as the Incas of Peru. Today, alpacas represent the primary source of income for millions of South Americans. History has validated the value of the alpaca.
Livestock has been a traditional representation of wealth for many cultures around the world, long before financial stocks were sold on the New York Stock Exchange. The richest families of ancient times counted their wealth by the size of their flocks of sheep or herds of cattle. Today, wealth as a result of livestock ownership is not as common, but opportunities do exist for profitable farms and ranches. Tending to a graceful herd of alpacas can be an exciting way to earn a source of revenue and live a rewarding lifestyle.
Since 1984, alpacas have appeared, almost simultaneously, in several countries where they have never been seen before. The U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England and many European countries have all acquired the foundation for national herds. There are even beginning herds in Japan and South Africa, among others. What makes this animal so desirable? The bottom line: alpacas can be both profitable and enjoyable.
Finally, alpacas are easy to transport, which makes it easy to move them from one location to another. They have a relatively long and trouble-free reproductive life span, and alpacas can be fully insured against lost.
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It’s just a simpler lifestyle that slows us down and helps us to enjoy the “little things”. Guinevere for instance, just three months old, sticks to her mother like glue and just about flips out when you touch her. I touch her anyway - everyday - I touch all of them as them pass by me on their way into the barn at feeding time. And I see them change and become more trusting. Yesterday I saw Guinevere playing with the other crias - she had actually left her mother’s side. It was just cool - it tugged at my heart to see her world get a little bigger as she ventured away from mom a little.
We “journey” to the barn each year on Christmas eve and sit in the straw amongst our alpacas for a reading of the Christmas story! Oh, we fire up the heater ahead of time and be sure we have hot chocolate ready to warm us. This year my six year old grandson read - it took awhile - there’s some tough words in that story - but he persevered. These times like many, many others on an alpaca farm are the times that memories are made of!
My ten year old daughter’s friend, Bailey, loves our alpacas! She spent the night over the weekend and the next morning the two of them asked if they could feed the alpacas - well, yes! They then proceeded to set up an obstacle course, January in Ohio, put a halter on several of our juveniles and spend the entire day outside with the alpacas. Bailey is working on her mom to let her ride the bus here on Tuesdays to work with our little ones - gotta get that “show string” ready!
This lifestyle is made possible for many since alpacas can be raised on relatively small acreage and they are clean, safe, quiet, intelligent and relatively disease resistant. Alpacas have soft padded feet, are gentle on the land, sensitive to their environment in every respect, and can be easily transported.
There are also plenty of family-oriented alpaca events around the country, including local and state fairs, alpaca farm open houses and auctions, and larger shows hosted by alpaca organizations. Some breeders also choose to get involved in selling products made from alpaca fiber as a hobby or an additional home-based business venture. The spinning and weaving of fiber is a skill that can lead to profits and is most enjoyable - I think of spinning as therapy!
Alpacas have brought impressive financial returns to families all across America, but it's the fun and hands-on nature of this lifestyle that has really captivated people searching for a simpler and more rewarding way of life. Even if you don't have the land and are presently committed to a full-time career, you can still begin your alpaca adventure by purchasing and boarding at a nearby alpaca farm or ranch. I would rather raise alpacas than anything I've ever done - it just doesn’t get much better than this!
We “journey” to the barn each year on Christmas eve and sit in the straw amongst our alpacas for a reading of the Christmas story! Oh, we fire up the heater ahead of time and be sure we have hot chocolate ready to warm us. This year my six year old grandson read - it took awhile - there’s some tough words in that story - but he persevered. These times like many, many others on an alpaca farm are the times that memories are made of!
My ten year old daughter’s friend, Bailey, loves our alpacas! She spent the night over the weekend and the next morning the two of them asked if they could feed the alpacas - well, yes! They then proceeded to set up an obstacle course, January in Ohio, put a halter on several of our juveniles and spend the entire day outside with the alpacas. Bailey is working on her mom to let her ride the bus here on Tuesdays to work with our little ones - gotta get that “show string” ready!
This lifestyle is made possible for many since alpacas can be raised on relatively small acreage and they are clean, safe, quiet, intelligent and relatively disease resistant. Alpacas have soft padded feet, are gentle on the land, sensitive to their environment in every respect, and can be easily transported.
There are also plenty of family-oriented alpaca events around the country, including local and state fairs, alpaca farm open houses and auctions, and larger shows hosted by alpaca organizations. Some breeders also choose to get involved in selling products made from alpaca fiber as a hobby or an additional home-based business venture. The spinning and weaving of fiber is a skill that can lead to profits and is most enjoyable - I think of spinning as therapy!
Alpacas have brought impressive financial returns to families all across America, but it's the fun and hands-on nature of this lifestyle that has really captivated people searching for a simpler and more rewarding way of life. Even if you don't have the land and are presently committed to a full-time career, you can still begin your alpaca adventure by purchasing and boarding at a nearby alpaca farm or ranch. I would rather raise alpacas than anything I've ever done - it just doesn’t get much better than this!
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Alpaca Meadows; 185 Bethel Lane; Mansfield, OH 44906; (419) 529-8152
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