Between their cartoon faces, fluffy bodies and gentle disposition, what’s not to love about alpacas? Alpaca farming in the United States is still in its infancy having only been introduced into the US in 1984, but the industry is catching on like crazy. While alpaca farming isn’t a get-rich-quick business, the industry's future is stable, and the demand for alpacas is strong.
The profits from alpaca farming are two-fold. The biggest are secured through the alpaca’s offspring (cria) to other farmers. The second is the alpaca’s lush coat that has wool spinners paying handsomely for the finely-textured fiber.
Cooperatives such as The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) is working hard to get major textile companies in the US involved in processing fiber in a commercially-viable size; the cottage industry remains the primary market for alpaca fiber.
Alpaca farmers can’t say enough about how simple it is to care for these gentle animals. They are safe, virtually odorless, charismatic, compact in size, and easy keepers physically. Those qualities along with being able to keep ten to twenty per acre, makes them extremely well-suited for the small farm.
Raising Alpacas or Llamas?
There are a few important differences between raising alpacas and their more familiar cousins, the llama.
- Llamas are almost twice the size of Alpacas. Alpacas range from 120 lbs. – 200 lbs.
- Alpacas have a very fine single coat. Llamas have a very coarse outer coat over a softer under coat.
- Alpacas were bred for thousands of years to produce luxurious fiber. Llamas were bred the same amount of time as a pack animal.
- Despite its smaller size, alpacas produce far more fiber than the Llama.
Alpaca's Have Fabulous Fiber
Alpaca wool is a luxurious product that is high in demand by wool spinners.
- Alpaca wool as soft as cashmere only lighter.
- An advantage that alpaca has over sheep’s wool is that it is finely textured, so it doesn't itch.
- It’s also three times warmer than sheep’s wool.
- Spinners enjoy the fact that alpaca fiber doesn’t contain lanolin (a natural grease). So unlike sheep's wool that spinners normally work with, alpaca doesn’t have to be washed up to twenty times before being spun.
Alpacas are Easy Livestock
Alpacas are naturally curious and gentle animals, making them enjoyable for children to be around and easy to handle, especially while shearing. They are easily trainable and don’t spit all that much. Honest. Spitting is rarely aimed at humans. Usually spitting occurs between alpaca arguing over food or establishing herd order among themselves. Instead of hooves, alpacas have two padded toes, which makes them environmentally-friendly on pastures.
Other Nice Perks That Come with Alpaca-Raising Include;
- Pregnancy and birth is nearly trouble-free.
- Alpacas enjoy a naturally strong constitution (health-wise).
- They can be fully insured against theft or mortality regardless of their age.
- There are huge tax benefits. For instance, income tax is deferred on alpaca herds’ increasing value until you start selling their offspring.
- Family members can show their alpacas, enter parades and some 4H clubs and FFA have Alpaca projects for their members.
- Alpaca manure composts beautifully and quickly for the garden.
Begin at the Beginning
Before deciding that alpaca farming is right for you and your family, come up with a preliminary plan and get a pro and con list together. Do you want to farm part- time or full-time? How much help can you expect from other family members? The daily chores would include feeding, watering, general health watch and manure clean up. Wool shearing would be once a year.
Go to: Alpaca Info to get more information and meet some alpacas!
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