| How much land do I need to have alpacas? For life with alpacas, you will need to anticipate their foraging needs. The general practice is 1/5 of an acre per alpaca, or 5 alpacas per acre. With proper pasture management in areas where pasture grows well, higher ratios may be supported. If you are unable to pasture, some alpacas are "dry lotted" with hay feed exclusively. Most northern alpacas require hay and grain in winter (hay is provided free choice in warm months too). However, this is a less natural state for alpacas, particularly breeding stock. I would not recommend this as a permanent care plan. |
| What is the difference between a huacaya and a suri alpaca? Huacayas are much more common than suris in numbers. Huacayas have a fuzzy appearance, while Suris have fiber that curls into locks. Suris may have a bit of a "weeping willow tree" look to them. Both Huacaya and Suri fibers are very valuable. Suris may command slightly higher market prices since they are not as common as Huacayas. Whichever you choose to focus on, alpacas can bring great enjoyment! |
| Can alpacas live anywhere in the US? They can, although they are cold habitat animals. Alpacas raised in southern climates need to be carefully monitored for heat stress during warm periods. Alpacas enjoy being cooled with wading pools and hoses during warm periods. In colder environments, alpacas endure winter well with their thick fleece. They will huddle together to stay warm, although many owners will add extra bedding, blankets and warmers as necessary. The primary winter concern is wind + wetness, which just like in people can result in hypothermia. |
| How many ARI registered alpacas are there? Approximately 100,000 |
| How do I get started? Read. Go to shows - there are fairs and shows all over the country. Email alpaca breeders with your questions. Ask to visit their farms and learn about what their objectives are. Join the AlpacaNation forums and ask questions. Make a business plan. Figure out what kind of money you can put in to get started, how quickly you'd need to get something back, and "what-if" best, average, and worst case scenarios. Attend some workshops on fiber or alpaca care. Read some more. If it still appeals to you, begin to look for those special alpacas to start your herd! |
| What are some of the industry organizations for a new breeder to get involved in? Two groups you''ll probably quickly encounter are the Alpaca Registry (ARI), which keeps track of all registerd alpacas in the United States (some Canadian alpacas are registered as well). To register an alpaca, both parents must be registered also, and DNA confirmed. The registry is closed to animals who do not demonstrate lineage. The registry also maintains ownership records. You'll also likely work with the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, or a similar regional group. These groups provide networking opportunities, as well as help set industry standard practices. |
| What is the goal of establishing a North American presence in alpacas? North American breeders are quickly establishing a fiber standard second to none, and are successfully raising the quality bar on all alpaca fiber shades. As the quality and number of alpacas in various colors become available, North American breeders will reap this benefit as our alpaca fiber is prized over competing fiber lots for goods such as sweaters, blankets, baby clothes, designer coats, scarves, mittens, rugs, stuffed animal toys, and more. Goods made out of high quality fibers are typically purchased by discerning shoppers today, and in time, the qualities of alpaca fiber will be appreciated by and accessible to a much broader market. The qualities of the North American fiber, as well as the appeal of the goods produced will increase demand for the fiber, which benefits those selling it. However, we still need more animals to sustain the fiber industry's growing demands at this point in time. Until then, the North American breeders will be busy bringing up numbers and improving the quality. This is why the market is often called a breeder's market, but it is important to always keep in sight the long term objective of goods made from alpaca fiber. The current value of a typical high quality breeding female alpaca is not uncommonly $20,000 - $25,000 and top quality herdsires can be much more when sold at auction (the topmost being a male sold for $580,000). However, if you are a potential alpaca breeder, it's important to understand not all alpacas are suited for breeding - in today's market these animals are sold much less, usually around $1000 dollars. Still, non-breeding alpacas often make wonderful companion animals, fiber animals, or 4H projects. So, the first step for anyone who is considering owning alpacas is what type of alpacas would you like to have, breeding or non-breeding alpacas. Once you have made the decision to become an alpaca owner and what your ownership goals are, you can look for the right alpacas to bring into your life. Note that alpacas are herd animals, and it is not recommended to have single animals. Alpacas can live quite comfortably on small acreage - it's common to have about 5-10 alpacas per acre, depending on the type of land you have. |
| How can I make money raising alpacas? Well, here are some of my thoughts on this. Financial goals will be specific to you. Certainly, raising alpacas should not be construed as a way to get rich quick, but it is sometimes presented that way. One way to make money is through fiber - fiber can be processed into yarns, roving, or finished goods (sweaters, socks, blankets, bags). These items are usually sold to discerning shoppers. The long term of the industry is focused on creating the finest fiber. If you decide to breed alpacas, sales of alpaca offspring can bring in money, depending on the qualities of the cria. Raising alpacas hands-on requires proper facilities, supplies, access to good veterinarians, daily chores of feeding, barn and pasture clean up, shots, talking to potential customers, preparing fleeces for processing. But for those involved, the moments of seeing a new cria take its first steps, or just quietly watching the herd at the end of a day is part of the return on the work that goes into it. You can also agist (board) alpacas with other farms, as we have done, and have some great perspectives on this. Many different approaches are possible, but to bring money back in, no matter what path you choose, takes dedication and work. |
