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‘Majestic Farm Frequently Asked Questions’
 What do you do with 'em?
Shear them! Alpacas are raised for their incredibly fine fiber (also known as "fleece"). Alpaca fiber is a rare specialty fiber. Alpaca fiber
does not contain lanolin like sheep's wool so it doesn't produce an allergic reaction in people sensitive to lanolin. The fiber structure is
smooth and does not itch. There are more than 22 natural colors. Alpaca fiber is easily dyed and it is strong and resilient. It has more thermal capacity than almost any other animal fiber.
Are they like emus? Are they baby llamas?
No and no. Although alpacas are at least related to llamas (they are both in the camelid family), what you do with alpacas is very
different from what you do with llamas. Alpacas only grow to about 3 feet at the withers and about 150 pounds. They do not make good pack or guard animals like llamas. And unlike emus, you do not have to slaughter them for their product.
Why are alpacas so expensive?
Alpacas were expensive to import when originally brought to the U.S. at a cost of $18,000 - $20,000 per animal. Today, the rarity of
the alpaca in the U.S. also influences the price people are willing to pay. Alpacas produce one offspring ("cria") every 11 ½ months.
Artificial insemination is not feasible with alpacas due to their reproductive physiology. Also, the breeding association voted to not allow
future importations. Limited supply and growing demand for alpacas in this country are factors that keep prices high.
How long will prices hold?
While this is not an easy question to answer, the numbers speak for themselves. Reviewing prices in the last several auctions in 2002
and 2003, the average price has been $18,000 - $20,000 (similar to the price of importation in the early 1980s!). That is excluding
the lowest and highest priced alpaca. While the lowest priced breeding alpaca at a recent auction has been near $5,000, the highest
priced alpaca has been $265,000! Surely the person who purchased that alpaca has some faith in the price stability of alpacas!
What do I do with the fiber?
Fiber co-ops have formed in the U.S. to collect fiber and process it into products such as sweaters, hats, socks and mittens.
Breeder-members who submit fiber can then benefit from value-added products made from alpaca and showcase the products at their
farms. Raw alpaca fiber is also highly prized by local spinners, knitters and weavers as a soft, lustrous material that works up into a
wonderful garment that will wear beautifully for many years. Prices vary with the color and quality, but generally raw fleece sells for
$20-25/lb., with washed and carded fleece selling for $2-2.50/oz. Since most alpacas will yield approximately 5 lbs. of fleece per shearing, a breeder can expect to get $100-$150/year from each alpaca's raw fleece sale.
Can I make money by selling fiber?
You can make money by selling fiber, but return on investment is realized through the sale of breeding stock. Fiber sales may cover the costs of raising the animals, but will never return the cost of the animal itself.
What Kinds of Care and Shelter do Alpacas Require?
Alpacas are "easy keepers" by most farm animal standards.
Feed: Alpacas are modified ruminants. This means they have a three compartment stomach. They convert grasses and hay to energy
very efficiently, and eat much less than typical farm animals. Essential minerals and supplemental pellets to include selenium should be
provided in addition to high-quality hay. Regionally-specific supplementation requirements should be discussed with your local veterinarian. Alpacas enjoy treats such as apples and carrots.
Pasture:
Pasture requirements are minimal. They can be pastured at 5-10 animals per acre. The health of the herd and pasture are
the ultimate factors when deciding how many animals to pasture per acre. If at all possible, farm management should include rotating pasture so that alpacas can feed on pasture grasses as much as possible throughout the year.
Shelter: Alpacas are hardy, and in most portions of North America only require a three-sided structure for their shelter needs. Relief
from heat is very important so shade is necessary in the summer. Alpacas love water and enjoy swimming pools. They will make due
with their water bucket, if necessary! Fencing: Alpacas seldom challenge fencing. However adequate fencing is very important for their
security. Fence planning should focus on keeping out potential predators, including domestic dogs and coyotes. Many breeders incorporate livestock guardian dogs into their farm management plan as added protection.
Health Care:
Alpacas are generally disease resistant but do need preventive medicine and ready access to veterinary services. Annual
vaccinations and regular worming can be done by the breeder under the supervision and advice of a veterinarian. Nail care and trimming is important; nails should not be allowed to grow long and curl.
Alpaca Terms:
Micron:
The unit of measurement that describes the diameter of an individual hair. Alpaca fiber is a combination of "fleece" and guard ("medulated") hair. Any fiber that is less than (<) 30 micron is named "down", any fiber that is greater than (>) 30 micron is called
"hair". Most alpacas are bred to minimize the hair in the blanket area. Typically, alpaca fiber ranges from15 to 45 microns. Fiber that
averages 21 micron or less makes a nice fabric that does not itch next to the skin. For comparison, cashmere down ranges between
11-18 microns. It is important to note that although micron measurement is a principal consideration, it should not be the sole deciding factor in a solid breeding program.
Histogram:
A statistical analysis of the fiber resulting in a graph that shows the average diameters of the fiber sample.
Cria: A young alpaca, usually called "cria" until weaning age (about 9 months).
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