About alpacas.

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 above 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.

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.
• Variety of applications: Knitted garments for sweaters, hats, gloves, socks and throws; Woven applications for blankets, scarves and constructed garments; Felted applications for garments, accessories and home textiles.