Why are alpacas so valuable?
Alpacas are very rare in the United States. Breeders have been lucky enough to import quality instead of mass quantity, and are now concentrating on perfecting and expanding their superior stock. The animals available are some of the best worldwide, and they have incredible promise for immediate and future returns. Immediately, there are profits to be made by breeding and selling the offspring, and there is personal satisfaction to be gained by maintaining and showing a beautiful herd. In the future, when we have increased our herds’ sizes, and optimized the production of their valuable fiber, we will also profit largely in the textile industry. An alpaca’s fiber is quite possible the word’s finest, incorporating all the best qualities of all natural fibers.
As with all animals, poor quality individuals can be obtained at relatively low cost. However the British Alpacas Society has set screening standards for the importation and registration of alpacas to the UK so that high a quality of animals, with good conformation, fine fibre and dense fleece is maintained in this new and growing industry. It is hoped that we will soon have such an organisation in Ireland The total number of alpacas worldwide was severely reduced when they were driven up to the Altiplano Even now, top quality Alpacas are relatively rare, even in South America and they command a high price there. They then have to be transported to and maintained in quarantine stations for many months and subjected to a variety of tests and procedures before they can be imported (usually by air) to their final destination. We have been fortunate in being able to start with these high standards which will rapidly lead to an excellent industry both in breeding for future generations and
Small numbers… about 60,000 in the USA and no more importations allowed Stable prices for more than 25 years DNA verified and low cost registry (ARI) Strong national breeders association (AOBA) Superb fleece as soft as cashmere Alpaca fiber is stronger than wool and several times more insulating World wide sale of alpaca fiber for over 100 years Not an exotic animal… “alpacas are livestock” (IRS section 179) What farm management is appropriate for alpacas? One acre of pasture can typically support 6-8 alpacas Good supply of fresh water Appropriate horse type fencing Supply of good quality winter forage Shelter from winter wind Protection from feral dogs Yearly spring shearing What is the status of the fiber market? Strong world wide market for alpaca fiber Alpaca fiber has been known for over 2,000 year as a luxury fiber Alpaca fleece is very light, doesn’t itch or have “wet sheep” odor Alpaca fiber is not allergenic Processing mills are developing regionally Co-ops and fiber pools
