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First of all, what is an alpaca?
The alpaca is a member of the camelid family originating in South America and
dates back six thousand years. The alpaca, smaller than its cousin the llama,
weighs between 100 and 200 pounds and stands about 36" at the top of the back.
The alpaca is a gentle, inquisitive animal that has been successfully raised in
the United States since the first alpaca importation in 1984. Alpacas come in
two types: the huacaya (pictured below left) which has a dense, crimpy fiber and
looks like a teddy bear and the suri (below right) which has no crimp. Suri
fiber hangs in long, lustrous pencil locks that part at the spine. Both types of
alpacas have elegant fleeces that are highly prized in commercial and domestic
applications.
Huacaya |
Suri |
What do you do with alpacas? Basically, alpacas are
raised for their fleeces. Long considered one of the most desirable natural
animal fibers, alpaca fiber is enjoying a surge in popularity around the world.
Alpaca fiber is as soft as cashmere but is less expensive and easier to produce.
The premium grade yarns are considered to be hypo-allergenic ("non-itchy")
because of the low micron count of the fibers. Alpaca products appear in
specialty shops and are also featured by upscale manufacturers in the United
States, South America and Europe.
Why raise alpacas? Most alpaca owners are attracted
to alpaca farming because of the lifestyle and financial appeal. The ease of
care, gentle nature and profitability make alpaca farming an attractive
opportunity for people from all walks of life. Many alpaca owners are seeking a
transition from busy corporate lives while others are seeking a supplemental
income as their children leave home and they are approaching retirement. Young
couples with children find alpaca farming an appealing family oriented business
and enjoy the benefits of owning and caring for alpacas together. Breeding and
selling alpacas have proven to be financially rewarding over the past twenty
years and there are wonderful tax benefits associated with alpaca ownership. If
you are considering buying and raising alpacas, you should consult with a tax
advisor who is familiar with agriculture tax law and find out how alpaca farming
will fit into your financial plan. Whatever scenario fits your circumstances,
you will find alpacas delightful creatures and sure to bring a smile to your
face and a new attitude on life!
What is alpaca fleece? The fleeces of the alpaca
first captured the attention of Inca royalty in Peru hundreds of years ago. The
soft, luxurious fiber was used only by the royal family and highest government
officials and became known as "The Fiber of the Gods". The fleece of the alpaca
is sheared once a year in early spring without any harm to the animal and
typically weighs between 5 and 10 pounds. Alpaca fiber displays several very
attractive characteristics:
 * Very soft and luxurious and can be worn next to the skin
* Warmer, lighter and
stronger than wool
* Variety of natural colors – 22 basic colors with many
variations and blends – more than any other fiber producing animal
* Readily
combined with other fibers like silk, angora, mohair, fine sheep’s wool and pima
cotton to produce a wide variety of blends making alpaca extremely versatile.
*
Contains no lanolin and has less processing loss than other animal fibers Ideal
for knitters, spinners and weavers.
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