An Alpaca bad hair day.

There are two types  of alpacas, the Huacaya (wak-ki-ah) and the Suri (sir-ee) The difference is obvious by the appearance of the fleece.  The Huacaya has a dense, crimpy plush fleece giving it an irresistible "Teddy Bear" huggable appearance. This crimpy fleece when spun into luxurious yarns and woven into fabrics has a unique memory and the ability to retain its shape. It is warm, four times lighter than wool and practically wrinkle-free. It has a great value in the future fashion industry.

The Suri alpaca fiber hangs in long, softly waving dreadlocks with little or no crimp. Without crimp, the Suri fiber cannot retain its shape when knit into garments and stretches so much that it can produce a "consumer unfriendly  product." To utilize Suri fleece, 50% to 60% super fine Merino wool must be added to provide sufficient  crimp so the garment is able to have this memory and retain its original shape. However, now you have defeated the purpose of creating knit fashions from 100% luxurious alpaca. Although Suris make up only 16% of the World's Population and are very rare and expensive, the future value and commercial use of their fiber is very limited. We feel Huacaya Alpacas are a much wiser investment. After all - the end product we are raising alpacas is for Fleece.

Alpacas, The World's Finest Livestock Investment

Most newcomers to this breed naturally assume alpacas are cutesy pets, similar to llamas and with no real value except as a novelty pet that is here today and gone tomorrow. WRONG, VERY WRONG!

They are inexpensive to maintain at only approximately $400.00 per year per alpaca. They require minimal feed, shelter, fencing, vet care and labor. Alpacas are in high demand throughout the United States and Internationally from investors who have already read and learned the true value and investment potential that these animals offer. Returns and special tax benefits on even a small group of alpacas are very high and offer owners of all walks of life an opportunity for a successful home business your whole family can enjoy. Most people who invest in alpacas do very well and are making good profits. This high rate of success increases the demands for alpacas. The limited supply available for sale, an 11-month gestation and a closed registry helps secure and make raising alpacas a sound promising investment for many years to come. Add all of this, that alpacas are 100% insurable and provide fantastic tax benefits and you'll understand why the demand for alpacas is growing faster than we can produce them!

Crias are very curious

ALPACA BUSINESS DIFFERS FROM RAISING OSTRICHES AND EMUS

Please remember, the $ amounts we use in this information is the conservative prices we earn
in our business, and is approximately 40-50% less than what most other breeders charge.

SECURE PROTECTED BUSINESS
ALPACAS ARE A SOUND LONG TERM INVESTMENT

The Alpaca breeders of the United States have always worked toward the goal of producing the World's finest quality alpacas and fleece. Every step of establishing this breed in  the United States has been carefully planned and monitored since the first importation in 1984! The United States Alpaca Registry Inc. (ARI) is not run by the government. It is a private member-owner run registry contr4olled by its voting members and board of directors. Every alpaca owner-member has an equal voice in all aspects of the registry which ultimately will determine the future of the Alpaca Industry in the United States.

     We are creating a completely new breed in America and only the finest alpacas were selected for screening by a panel of United States Registry officials. The top 1% of the South American herds from Peru, Chile and Bolivia were screened with only approximately 60% of these passing our demanding standards for confirmation and fleece quality. Only these top quality, screened alpacas were granted importation and inclusion in the United States Alpaca Registry. As of January 1999, we had imported about 15,000 alpacas and the United States Registry was voted closed by its members. No more alpacas were allowed importation and inclusion in the United States Registry. We now had imported enough diversified bloodlines for this breed to stand and flourish on its own and truly produce the World's Finest Alpacas. This closure of the registry helped secure the market for the United States alpaca Breeders and actually protected the alpaca breed, as inferior animals could not be imported in the future. Closure of the registry also protected the future sales and created a stable market for the United States Breeders. As we breed and increase the population of alpacas, we do so with only the finest quality stock. Investors and breeders throughout the World already look to the United States breeders for the finest quality alpacas to establish their herds.

The Alpaca business is actually protected. Closure of the registry, no more importation of alpacas, high ever-increasing demand, limited availability, an 11-month gestation, producing only one cria per year are all factors that make raising alpacas one of the most secure and enjoyable livestock businesses in the world!

Crimp, density and sheen

ALPACA FLEECE - FIBERS OF GOLD

The unique qualities of alpaca fleece make it one of the most luxurious fibers in the world, even more valuable than cashmere. Alpaca fiber is thirty times finer than our own Human hair and does not contain lanolin or dander, unlike

sheep wool that requires harsh detergents to remove the lanolin and often leaves irritant residues. Alpaca fleece washes easily with a mild gentle soap and rinses clean. Most people who are allergic to wool can wear alpaca because it is hypo allergenic.

Luxurious Alpaca products such as blankets, sweaters, knitwear and fashion are widely known Internationally and demand is rapidly growing throughout the United States. Unfortunately, we just do not have enough alpacas in the United States to yield the amount of fleece needed to supply commercial processors. The United States alpaca breeders are working diligently toward this goal but it does take time when you are founding a new breed and increasing the population at one cria per year.

Ultimate silky-crimpy fiber

     Investors see alpacas as a rare and precious new resource. In addition, we are raising alpacas to fill an exciting new luxury fiber industry. The alpaca breed is truly in its infancy, yet the end products, fleece and yarn, are already known as the softest most luxurious  fiber in the world.
     Spun alpaca yarns sell for up to $100.00 per pound to specialty shops throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. By having your raw fleece spun into yarn, it can return up to $500.00 profit per year per alpaca.
     Alpacas do not shed and therefore are shorn once yearly to maintain optimal health. Here in the Northeast, Mid-May is an ideal time to shear our alpacas, which usually yields 5 to 8 pounds of heavenly soft fleece. This spring shearing of the fleece helps the alpaca enjoy a cool comfortable summer yet completely renews itself for winter warmth and a beautiful fleece for the next years fiber crop.

BREEDING ALPACAS
CRIA-TION PREGNANCY AND GESTATION

Female alpacas are usually ready to breed at 14-16 months of age. They do not have heat cycles but are induced ovulators that can be bred any day of the year. Females must be bred while lying down in the kushing position because of the contour of their reproductive system. This mating (covering of the female) induces the female to ovulate. Within the next twenty-four hours, the egg is usually fertilized and the female will actually know she is pregnant. Once she becomes pregnant, she immediately begins to produce Progesterone and will not kush or mate with the male again. She will actually reject the male by spitting and refusing to kush. This "spitting off" is a wonderful way to behavioral check your females and gives you a very reliable answer; is she pregnant or not.

Breeding alpacas is very simple. Just put the female in a stall with your male for thirty minutes every other day for 3 times. Often, on the 2^nd or 3^rd mating, she will spit off and is already confirming pregnancy. Behavioral checking once every two weeks for the first sixty days of pregnancy assures you that the pregnancy is maintained. At 48-60 days, the fetus attaches to the uterus lining and at this point is a solid ongoing pregnancy.  No further behavioral check is required. Gestation is about eleven months and twins are extremely rare. Two weeks after giving birth is the ideal time to rebreed your female for the next year's cria. Alpacas have evolved to steadily produce a cria each year. She will actually be nursing a cria at her side for the next 4 1/2 months and already be pregnant, growing next year's cria. The female gives birth quite easily while standing up and usually picks her ideal delivery hours between eight o'clock a.m. and three o'clock p.m. A live birth rate of about 95% is not uncommon and is much higher than other domestic livestock. They are great mothers and gentle with all the other "girls" crias, often cross-nursing a hungry cria. You can expect about 15 crias during her 20 years of productivity.

"MALE STUDS ARE REAL LOVES"

     Male alpacas, known as "Machos," used for studs, are very handsome, proud and impressive. Yet, they are gentle, should be well-mannered and never challenge or hurt you. They actually tend to be a bit shy and are totally dominated by the "girls," especially the pregnant females. Male alpacas are very neat and clean. They have no odor nor will they wet or mark their territory. They are truly gentlemen and a joy to have on the farm. Machos are extremely fertile and could easily settle two hundred females per year... definitely super studs! In general, alpacas are some of the most gentle, fertile and easiest animals to breed. Infertility problems are very rare with proper care, and if they occur, is usually a result of an accident or man-made by misuse.

Showing is fun for all ages.

BASIC CARE

     Despite the harsh environments of the Andes Mountains, poor nutrition, lack of health care and shelter, the gentle Alpaca has survived in its native homeland of Peru, Chile and Bolivia.
     Here in the United States, our alpacas thrive on our lush pasture land and nutritious grains. With our knowledge of animal husbandry and health care, the United States breeders have taken a leadership role in improving the breed and producing the finest quality Alpacas in the World. Even the fleece of the United States alpacas is far superior to South American fleece, thanks to the steady  year round nutrition and care our animals receive. The Alpacas of South America endure 5 months of near starvation in the Andes Mountains. As the winter months close in, these animals have no shelter, hay, grains or subsidized nutrition. They actually scrape moss and lichens off the rocks to survive. Therefore, their fleece is very fragile and uneven in quality per inch of fiber. Unfortunately, this is the way of life the South American Alpaca has endured for centuries and will continue to do so. Because of the lack of farmland, equipment and knowledge, the South American Alpaca rancher cannot produce hay and grains to provide steady nutrition for his herd. Even if crops could be grown and harvested in the scarce farming lowlands, the only way to transport this produce into the highlands would be via helicopters. This expense is far beyond the means of the South American ranchers and so the gentle alpaca must endure, as it has in the past and as it will in the future.
     The alpaca is a ruminant with three stomach compartments. It is one of mother nature's most efficient food processors and every ounce of nutrition is utilized. It is astounding how little feed and hay are needed to sustain an alpaca at optimum health.

Our Rose Grey Peruvian Macho Lucio

Total yearly expense for feed, hay, sand bedding, monthly deworming medications and routine yearly Tetanus and CD shots is less than $400.00 per alpaca. Chore time per day is minimal at about thirty minutes for ten to twenty alpacas. The alpaca practically takes care of itself. They have a keen sense of self-preservation and are highly intelligent. Alpacas prefer the security of their shade building or barn to spend the night. At daybreak, they return to the open meadows to graze. The requirements of the alpaca are simple. Shelter - Feed - Water - Pasture and Kindness.

SHELTER

Alpacas do not require a heated barn, but do need a shelter to protect them from winter's harsh winds and freezing rain. They can actually tolerate the cold better than excessive heat. They love our "North Country" winters and the freedom of playing in the snow, yet will take shelter as needed when in sub-zero temperatures. They are very intelligent, self-preservative and practically take care of themselves. Depending on your region, an ideal shelter can be a simple, three-sided shade building (warm climates) to small barns or enclosed shed (cold climates). Most breeders use economical three sided pole barn (shed type run-ins) enclosures that provide protection in the winter, and most importantly, provide shade in the summer. During hot summer days, even shorn alpacas require protection from the heat and sun.
     "Our Girls" spend the hottest part of the day resting in the shade buildings. Early to midday and again in the late afternoon until dusk, they graze the meadow taking advantage of the cooler temperatures. Portable aluminum carports sold at Wal-Mart for about $700.00 make ideal shade buildings and can easily be converted into enclosed shelters. Alpacas naturally seek the security of their barn or shade buildings come nightfall. This is another natural self-preservation quality of the alpaca that helps protect them from predators that usually hunt at night. As dawn breaks, your alpacas will go out to their pasture to graze and will come eagerly when you call.

Movable shelters are non-taxable!

FENCING

The alpaca's peaceful, gentle nature, combined with the fact that they do not challenge fences, makes containment in a designated area economical and easy. Your fencing can be as simple or as decorative as you wish. It is important to avoid barbed wire, which is dangerous to any animal. Simple 4-5 foot high woven wire(known as American fencing)is ideal.

It is economical, long-lasting and easy to install. Remember, "smaller is better." Alpacas need a small manageable pasture where if needed, you can keep the native grasses mowed to about 6 inches high to maintain a tender crop of forage. Acres and acres of high tough grass is not ideal pasture and actually ends up making you more work by having to mow pastures.

GRAIN

     Alpacas only need about 6-12 oz of grain per day when pasture is available. That is about as much grain as would fit in your morning coffee cup. Our "universal measure" here at our farm is a "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" container. Specially prepared alpaca feeds are available at your local feed mill or store, but can be pricey and not the best for your alpacas. These pellet feeds tend to produce "choke" and are hard for the alpaca to digest as they deplete the natural moisture from the digestive track. We prefer to feed a natural whole grain feed that is easy to mix, more economical and much easier to digest than pellet feeds.
            IDEAL ALPACA FEED MIXTURE
            Two 50 lb bags crimped oats with molasses     100 lbs
            One 50 lb bag cracked or roasted corn            50 lbs
            One 50 lb bag roasted soy pieces                     50 lbs
            Costs about $50.00                                         200 lbs
            Mix appropriate amounts of Dr. Evans Blend E and Fiber Nutrients (Refer to "Best of the Best")
            (Double Mix Feeds one alpaca an entire year for about $100.00. Yes, $100.00 per year for grain!!!)
This mixture smells delicious and the alpacas love it. It's about 18% protein feed, so a little goes a long way. This grain is usually fed at 6-12 oz per day. During the winter months of December through March, our pregnant females receive 6 oz in the morning and 6 oz in the evening. They need this extra protein to help produce extra body heat to keep warm and to grow a wealthy cria. During the last three months of gestation, pregnant females need this extra feeding of al least a total of 16 oz of grain daily, no matter what season it might be. During spring, summer and adult males that are on lush pasture, usually maintain ideal body weight on grazing alone. Even 4 oz of grain daily may produce overweight males during pasture season.

THE TRUE BENEFITS AND REWARDS OF RAISING ALPACAS

     When Bill and I first considered raising alpacas, we contacted nearly every breeder in the United States. Basically, they all said the same thing - "Buy my alpacas - Buy my alpacas." No one had taken the time to explain or share the true financial aspects of raising alpacas. Without this knowledge, like most people first looking at alpacas, we assumed they were a cutesy-pet type animal with a limited market and short-lived business future. Combined with the high prices demanded at  $18,000.00 to $35,000.00 each for bred females and $5,000.00 to $25,000.00 for stud quality males, we went into cost shock.
     For the next 12 months, we put our "Alpaca  Dreams" on hold and did our own market research. Before we invested in alpacas, we wanted the assurance that there was a world wide demand and viable future for the alpaca fiber both in the USA and in European fashion industry.

Tails up - we got milk!

Granddaughter Jackie loves the crias.

A year later, armed with a better knowledge and understanding about these animals, we felt confident that raising alpacas was a secure and sound business investment. We then started collecting beautiful quality alpacas throughout the USA to build one of the largest unrelated herds in the East. We also vowed to share our knowledge and the true "Dollars and Sense" of the alpaca business with our customers, so they would have all the important financial information and be able to make a knowledgeable decision about raising alpacas. As potential Alpaca Investors, you cannot begin to realize how important our private source and business guide, "Best of the Best" truly is.

Within the next few pages is information that if you have an open mind and are willing to learn, may change your whole lifestyle. Raising alpacas has been a "Fantastic Livestock Investment" for us and can be a tool for you too!

     Alpacas truly are more than a great investment. To us, alpacas are some of God's most precious creatures. They are so gentle, peaceful and kind that everyday joys they give you mean so much more than the bottom line. It is important to us that our alpacas go to loving homes and that you enjoy all the rewards and the wonderful lifestyle these precious creatures bring to your family.

Our son Kris and a quiet moment.