History

Glossary of Terms Cria – baby alpaca Agist - board Dam – alpaca mother, in Spanish is Hembra Fiber – alpaca hair Sire – alpaca father, Macho in spanish Gestation - pregnancy Pasture – fenced area for grazing Pronk – a playful bouncing run Herd – group of alpacas Fleece – the fiber from an alpaca once it is sheared Shear – remove fiber from an alpaca Handle – the cool feel of the fleece Lock or Staple – a group of hair that twists into a ringlet Crimp – the zig-zag quality of huacaya fiber, does not apply to suris Luster – the shininess of the fleece Fineness – the thickness of individual fibers, measured in microns References The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) Alpacas An Educational Activity Book, 1997, AOBA, Able Publishing, USA. Alpacanet.com/alpacahistoryandfuture.cfm, 3/30/04, Davis. “A Guide for New Llama & Alpaca Owners,” Chlarson, 1999, Quality Llama Products & Alternate Livestock Supply, Lebanon, Oregon. “Alpacas Financial Aspects of Alpaca Ownership,” AOBA “Secrets of The Alpaca Mummies”, April 2001, Pringle, Heather, Discover Vol 22, No 4. “Lost Llama’s Fine Fiber,” Kruszelnicki, Karl, 2003 Evans, Norman

Alpacas are an ancient livestock animal from the mountainous regions of South America. The alpaca was to the ancient Andean civilizations as sheep or cattle are to modern society. Alpacas were so important for their fiber products and meat, that they were used to measure an individual’s wealth. When the Incas conquered the Andean Indians they adapted the alpaca into their culture where it became a cornerstone in the Incan empire. The alpaca population suffered much after the Spanish invasion in the 17th century AD. The alpaca had been revered for almost 4000 years as a source of highly prized fiber, but to the Spanish it was a nuisance competitor for grazing lands allocated for Spanish sheep. Consequently they slaughtered the great alpaca herds for meat. The alpaca would likely be extinct if it the surviving Incans had not fled to the highest reaches of the Andes with their most prized alpacas. It wasn’t until the mid 18th century when Sir Titus Salt of London began to promote the use of alpaca fiber in the finest textile mills and fashion houses of Europe.

Today, alpacas are found natively only in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The first alpacas were imported into the United States in 1984. In 1999, the boarders were closed to further importation. As of 20--, the US alpaca population is estimated to be #.

The modern alpaca has changed drastically from the time of its Incan ancestors. Out of necessity, the Indian farmers began to breed for increasing animal size. This allowed for increased meat and fiber quantity at the sacrifice of fiber quality.

Alpacas are part of the lama family, which consists of three other species: llamas, vicunas and guanacos. The guanaco and vicuna are the wild counterparts to the llama and alpaca, respectively. Vicunas and guanacos are all tan with white underbellies and inner legs while llamas and alpacas have a wide range of colors and markings. These animals are part of the larger camelid family which, of course, includes the camel.

Behavior

Alpacas are docile, intelligent and clean animals. Well-trained alpacas are gentle enough for children to handle. They instinctively urinate and defecate in communal areas. While spitting is a natural defense, it is rarely unprovoked. When threatened, their primary defenses are to run away or spit. The sound an alpaca makes is a hum. When alerting the herd to possible danger, alpacas make a bugling call that sounds stangely like a dog’s squeeky toy gone crazy. This is not to be confused with the orgling sound a male alpaca makes during mating. Alpacas are very social creatures with a strictly defined hierarchy within the herd. They should never be isolated away from other alpacas.

Suri alpacas exude a natural grace and regal elegance. There is nothing more soothing than the inquisitive hum of a herd of females, nor more graceful than a full-fleece juvenile playfully pronking through the field.

Fiber

The true value of the alpaca is their exceptional fiber. There are 22 recognized distinct fiber colors, though it is easily dyed. The fiber is strong and resilient with a high thermal capacity. It can be as soft as cashmere and smooth to the touch, and naturally lustrous. Our favorite feature of alpaca clothing is its ability to keep you warm without trapping in moisture, unlike wool.

There are two sub-species of alpaca: the Huacaya and the Suri. The Hyacaya has fuzzy fiber that sticks straight out from its body. The Suri fiber hangs down in long ringlets called locks or staples. Fiber is shorn once a year in the spring. If you are interested in learning more about our shearing day, visit our calendar. If you are interested in attending on shearing day, send us an email request and we can contact with details. As both types of fiber are desirable for spinners and weavers there is much information available either on-line or at most alpaca shows.

In 1984, the first alpacas were imported to the United States from Chile and Bolivia. In 1993, alpacas were imported from Peru for the first time. Only the finest quality alpaca was allowed to be imported into the U.S. Therefore with selective breeding programs, superior husbandry, and ideal nutrition the alpacas of the future will have finer, stronger and denser fiber than the first imports. Some day, we hope for the American alpaca to reach or surpass the quality of alpaca that was so strongly revered by the Incan civilization.

Conformation

Conformation refers to the body structure of the animals. Things to look for in the appearance of an alpaca are a strong body, straight legs, normal mouth and teeth, clear eyes, and fiber that does not look stressed. The ideal alpaca would also have a fairly straight top line, well-proportioned body, and overall balance and symmetry. The use of the animal should come into consideration. If it will be for fiber production only, the straightness of it’s legs would not be as important as the quality of it’s fiber. Conformation is more important for the show-ring and for breeding programs.

Benefits of Ownership

Alpacas are wonderful animals. Most are gentle or timid enough to be around the smallest children. Alpaca ownership can truly be a family affair. They are relatively easy to care for, compared to other livestock.

The goal is for the fiber industry to really take off, but it has a ways to go yet. Since the alpaca population is still relatively small, the alpaca industry is currently a breeder’s market. Many farms incorporate fiber sales and alpaca clothing products into their businesses. Knitters, weavers, felters and spinners are all excited about this great fiber. And alpaca products make great gifts.

While we are not accountants, there are tax advantages to owning and operating a for-profit farm business. Some of the tax advantages include the ability to depreciate your herd and other farm-related purchases, use capital gains treatment, and owners actively operating a for-profit farm business can offset ordinary income from other sources with expenses from the ranching business. For more information you can request AOBA’s brochure “Financial Aspects of Alpaca Ownership” or ask your accountant about the IRS publication #225 called “The Farmer’s Tax Guide”.

Health & Nutrition

We feed our alpacas all grass hay that we grow and bale from our own fields. They have access to pasture year-round. We supplement with Dr Norm Evan’s formulated feed as well as the E mineral and fiber supplements. We vaccinate and deworm as recommended by camelid veterinary specialists, along with general health wellness checks. We have a large scale on site for accurate weighing.

Other Things to Consider

So you have spent hours researching alpacas and you think the lifestyle and investment possibilities sound attractive. What else do you need to know? If you plan to board your animals, your job is easier, but you will need to decide where that will be. If you plan to keep your animals you have many things to consider. You will need some sort of shelter, fencing, a way to dispose of or compost manure, a way to bring fresh water to your herd and a place to store feed and hay. Do not panic. Talk to as many alpaca owners as you can. Go on as many farm visits as you can stand and attend an alpaca show. We all have different routines and different solutions that may work for you. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. It is tough starting out and there is lots to learn. In fact, most of us learn something new every day. The good news is this industry has plenty of really nice people that really do want to see you succeed.