People always want to know what in the world made us get in the alpaca business? Looking back, I think it was just one of those things that God put in our path, along with the people and the trials He has placed in our lives at just the right time. It keeps us humble, helps us realize we are not in charge, gets us outdoors to enjoy the beauty of God’s world, and teaches us compassion.

My best alpaca-friend today is a little boy we call “Nightrider”. He laid on my lap several hours, (sedated of course) for a plasma transfer when he was just a few days old. I think he remembers!    He comes to see me and we “eskimo kiss” and he makes my day. Even after a round of antibiotics and shots twice a day, he still likes me. I think animals know when we’re trying to help them - this little guy touches my heart.

We invite you to come sit under a shade tree and watch the alpacas pronk around the pasture. Listen to them hummmm. Watch their beautiful fleece move elegantly with the wind when they run. See the babies play! Smell the smells and feel the sun on your back. Be surrounded by the wonder of nature as you witness these gentle creatures and see why we enjoy the lifestyle that alpacas provide. Who would have guessed we could have found a business to be involved in as a family and have so much fun. For us these awesome animals represent a lifestyle change that we craved - to be in the out-of-doors, to have a simpler life, and to care for animals. For the independent spirit, it just doesn't get any better than this!

THE BUSINESS

Now a little about the business opportunity that the alpaca lifestyle has to offer. The return on our investment in the alpaca business has been better than in any other business we've been in and so have the tax advantages. We bring to you thirty years of experience in the business world. We've been involved in many different kinds of businesses - we know how to write a business plan, market a product, and sell. We will share this expertise with you.
We invite you to browse through our website, we are constantly updating and adding to our website. So please check back often and contact us for any questions you might have.

OUR GOALS

We are committed to breed quality bloodlines for excellence in conformation, that grow an abundant exquisite fleece, and exhibit a pleasing temperament.

We are committed to developing a family business where each member might find their area of expertise and flourish.

We are committed to sharing our passion with others and helping the new owner get off to a good start.

We are committed to the Fiber Arts, to explore the endless possibilities of all grades of alpaca fiber, to indulge in the creative processes as well as seek out the work of other fiber artists, and to offer unique alpaca items for purchase in our farm and on-line stores.

CHOOSING A BREEDER

Choosing a breeder that has good business sense, is honest and forthright, and is educated in this market, is as important as choosing the right alpacas. Sage advice passed on to us such as “stick with the winners" and “find someone who is a success and emulate what they have done" has proven to be most beneficial in making this business work. Find a breeder who has the time and the inclination to listen to your questions and answer them in a timely manner. Look for animals that excite you, and look for people who will work with you to build a successful business. We started with quality alpaca breeders, have a quality foundation herd, and we now offer to you our knowledge and experience in getting started or adding to your own herd.

Everyone has their own reasons, motivations, and budgets when deciding to get into the alpaca business. We can help guide you, at your own pace, through the alternatives that need to be considered. Do you like Suri or Huacaya? White or color? Breeding quality or pets?

One of the most critical decisions you will make involves the selection of breeding stock. The decisions you make at this stage will be with you for many years and directly affect the cria you produce and the income that you can generate. Let us help you find the ideal alpaca for you. Our advice and guidance will help you make the right choices for your alpaca business.

THE NEW CUSTOMER

Our commitment to the new customer is to share with you what we have learned and offer our support to help you get started as new alpaca owners. To get you started we offer:

·    Package discounts on multiple purchases.
·    Assistance in selecting your foundation herd.
·    Flexible financing.
·    Agisting available - first 60 days free!
·    Full reproductive guarantees.
·    On your farm consultation.
·    Workshop for new owners that includes hands-on training.
·    Free delivery within Ohio, and discounted transport fees to other states.
·    Detailed outline of routine daily care.
·    Questions answered and/or information and resources provided as needed.
·    Support for all those “first times” including, but not limited to, breeding, birthing, shearing, 
   and showing.
·    Discounted breeding fees.
·   Assistance with marketing your alpacas.

SALES

Alpacas Meadows offers you an extensive sales list and a diverse herd of alpacas to choose from. Our transport service has enabled us to see alpacas from all over the country and brokering has enabled us to offer for sale a wide variety of bloodlines from many different parts of the United States. Sales contracts are available for review and we encourage you to do so - this way there are no surprises down the road.   Sales may be by cash or check. Financing is available. All alpacas financed by Alpaca Meadows need to be fully insured by the new owner before the alpacas leave our farm. Once paid in full, insurance is at the new owner’s discretion. All purchases of maiden females come with one complimentary breeding to one of our fully owned herd sires. Bred females are sold with a "live birth guarantee" meaning that they will deliver a cria that survives for at least 7 days. If, in spite of proper care, the cria dies within 7 days, Alpaca Meadows will provide a free rebreeding.  Maiden Females who are unable to conceive will be exchanged for a similar female at Alpaca Meadows, if available, or have their purchase price refunded.

Breeding vs. Non-breeding Males
Alpaca Meadows has three quality levels of males; pet/fiber quality, junior herdsire, and herdsire. Males sold as herdsires and junior herdsires are sold with their registration papers. Males sold as herdsires are sold with a guarantee of fertility. This guarantee is good until the male is "proven". Pets and Fiber Males are sold without their registration papers since it is assumed they won't be breeding.

BREEDING

We offer breedings to several award winning herd sires. The fees vary depending on the herd sire and include confirmation of pregnancy by ultrasound. DISCOUNTS will apply to multiple bookings and our customers. There are no agistment charges for females or their crias for the first 60 days in our breeding program. Medical and diagnostic costs will be billed to the owner. The health and safety of your dam is our primary concern when you bring her for breeding to one of our herdsires. She will receive the same care that we give our own alpacas, clean and secure quarters plus top quality hay and nutrients. To protect your alpacas, as well as our own, we do require that any animals sent to our farm for breeding have the following:

        ·     The appropriate state required medical tests.
        ·    BVDV testing using a PCR test for both dam and cria including a copy of the lab report.
         ·   A negative fecal test within 10 days of arrival, centrifuge-spun test rather than a fecal float. 
         ·   Worming and CDT shots must be current. Please worm your dam 2 weeks before arrival.
       ·   Mortality insurance or a waiver.

BROKERING

Any animal purchased from Alpaca Meadows, including its offspring, may be added to our sales list and website. This is free of charge including any associated advertising - we will market your alpacas as we do our own including putting them in packages with our own animals, including them in e-mail marketing campaigns, and selling breedings. If one of your alpacas sells as a result of our brokerage efforts, our fee is 10% of the sales price. This is a quick and easy way for you to begin offering animals up for sale.

We take limited on-farm consignments from Spring to Fall. Brokering service pricing for animals boarded with us is straight forward – 15% of the sale price, board included, or $1000, which ever is greater, due at the time of contract signing. On-line consignments and brokering services are year round and commission is 10% of the sale price. Financing for buyer must be available. Sale of breedings is 50% of the stud fee and includes management of breedings while male is on our farm.

As much of the following that you can provide on each alpaca to be brokered with us will aid greatly to our ability to sell:
        1.        Alpaca registered name, Sex, DOB
        2.        Copy of ARI Certificate
        3.        Animal Pictures – good conformation views, bite, full fleece, shorn
        4.        Micron Test Results
        5.        Offspring Info (color, gender, pictures if available)
        6.        Show Record
        7.    Sale Price – must be within average market value

FINANCING

We are acutely conscious of the fact that capital outlay for alpacas - especially for breeding females - is a decision that cannot, for most of us, be taken lightly. We are all trying to grow our herds, and bring new and exciting genetics into our pool, and doing so means significant spending up front.
In an effort to help, we offer the following options:

·          Negotiable down payments. 
·          Paying the balance over twelve months, at ZERO interest.
.     Finance the balance over 24 months @ 3%, 36 months @ 4%, 
      48 months.   
·          Cash buyers - 5% discount. 

Contracts are always available for your review and we encourage you to do so.

FIBER ARTS

We are committed to the fiber arts, to explore the endless possibilities of all grades of alpaca fiber, to indulge in the creative processes as well as seek out the work of other fiber artists. . .
More on Fiber Arts . . .

AOBA—Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association
This website is the best one for the most extensive information on alpacas, investments, and how to get started with capital, equipment, and even financing.They answer many of the questions you may have in a comprehensive manner.

Alpaca Nation - A centralized marketplace for the alpaca industry - alpaca breeders, alpaca products and services.

Alpaca Street - Brand new web portal specializing in the alpaca industry.

Alpacaficionado - Alpaca resource and marketplace.

ARI—The Alpaca Registry, Inc.
Visit here for information on registration of the animals and DNA blood-typing for bloodline confirmation.There is also information on funded research studies, number of animals registered by color, etc.The statistics are great!

MOABA—Mid Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association
This is our local association of alpaca breeders with members from Richland, Ashland, Morrow, Wayne, and Crawford counties. We are responsible for overseeing the Alpaca Barn at the Richland County Fairgrounds as well as hosting the OABA Pen Sale and Herdsire Showcase. Our group meets periodically for educational seminars, to plan our events, and for an annual winter party! If you are in our area, please join us.

OABA—Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association
Among all the states that alpacas are raised in, Ohio leads the nation with the largest number of alpaca farms and the greatest number of alpacas. With nearly 12% of the alpacas raised in the USA being registered to Ohio alpaca owners, there is no reason not to visit an Ohio alpaca farm today. Contact one of the OABA farms members to schedule a farm visit. The breadth and quality of alpacas you will find will amaze you.

The Suri Network
Visit here for information on an organization that is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Suri alpaca breed.This organization promotes the breeding of the Suri alpaca and defines the desired fiber characteristics as a breed standard. This network of Suri breeders across the US and Canada provides a forum for discussion on the promotion of the breed and breed characteristics.

North Union Farmers Market
Crocker Park
Westlake, Near Trader Joe's
9am to 1pm
ALPACA FIBER, YARN, and PRODUCTS FOR SALE!

2010 MARKET DATES
April 10 OPENING DAY with the Alpacas!
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 7
September 11
October 9
October 23
November 13

North Union Farmers Market
Cleveland Clinic
Crile Mall on the Cleveland Clinic Campus
10:30AM - 2:30PM
ALPACA FIBER, YARN, and PRODUCTS FOR SALE!

2010 MARKET DATES
June 9
June 16
June 30
July 7
August 4
August 18
September 8
September 22
October 6


Historic Downtown Powell STREET Markets
Powell, Ohio
9AM - 5PM
May 2
July 25
September 12


Historic Downtown Powell FARMERS Markets
 Powell, Ohio
3-6 PM
June 3
June 24
July 8
August 2
September 23

A Wool Gathering
Young's Jersey Dairy Farm
Yellow Springs, Ohio
September 18 & 19
Saturday 10-7
Sunday 10-5


Need alpacas transported to a show? Contact Matt Petty by e-mail
or phone at (419) 610-4281 for availability and a quote.  Can’t be at the show? We can show your alpacas for you!


For a list of AOBA-certified alpaca shows, visit www.alpacashows.com.
For alpaca community events, visit www.alpacainfo.com.



BIRTHING SCHEDULE

We are located in Richland County in Mansfield, Ohio, and are centrally located midway between Columbus and Cleveland. We own 10 acres at the end of a residential street just four minutes from the Richland Mall, but come visit and you’re apt to feel like you’re in the country! Our farm is adjacent to Annette’s Alpacas so you can visit two farms in one - make a day of it and visit many of the other attractions in our county. Call us at 419 529-8152 or
e-mail at mandj@alpacameadows.com to arrange a visit - we'd love to show you around!

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