1. Alpacas are clean and intelligent.
2. They produce fiber that is as fine as cashmere, soft, silky and much warmer and stronger than sheep's wool.
3. Alpacas come in variety of colours, including white, black, brown, grey, fawn and any combination of these colours, the widest assortment of colours of any fiber bearing animal
4. Alpacas are indigenous to the High Andes of the South American countries of
5. Qualify as Livestock and as such may offer tax advantages and incentives.
6. Are ideal for Hobby Farms and small acreages since 1 acre of productive pasture can sustain 5-8 animals.
7. Alpacas are quiet, peaceful animals and make soft humming sounds to communicate.
8. Alpacas are easy to raise, can be handled by anyone and are safe around children.
9. Alpacas are extremely hardy and adaptable to most climates, elevations and conditions.
10. Alpacas get along with goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, cats and family dogs.
11. Alpaca adults weigh an average of 125 to 175 pounds. They live 20 - 25 years.
12. Alpacas require little space. 1/8 of an acre is fine for one alpaca, if rotational grazing is practiced. A 4-foot field fence makes a sufficient enclosure.
13. Are suited to pasture on marginal land.
14. Alpacas eat 2 pounds of hay per day and 0.75 of a pound (around a cup) of a supplement per day.
15. Female alpacas are usually first bred at 18 months of age. Their gestation period averages 11½ months. Males are usually ready to breed between 2 and four years of age.
16. As a rule, give birth during the day, usually between 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
17. Alpacas make cleaning the corral an easy task, as they "go" in only a few spots.
18. Alpaca droppings are practically odourless and are excellent for enriching soil.
19. Alpacas are easily transported in a pick-up, van or trailer. They usually lie down in transit.
20. Alpaca shows and competitions can promote a single alpaca or an entire herd.
21. Alpacas have a high aesthetic appeal.
22. Alpacas very rarely spit at people - usually only when nervous or overexcited.
Members of the South American camelid family, alpacas were bred over 6,000 years ago from the wild guanaco and vicuna. Pre-dating even the Inca Empire, alpacas, and their cousin, the llama, were the only domesticated livestock in the
Today these animals number in the millions once again, but outside their native
Alpacas are intelligent, highly social animals, easy to care for and handle, appealing to look at and fun to have around. They communicate mainly through body posturing and a gentle humming sound.
The sweet-tempered, gentle alpaca is prized for its luxurious fiber, which is stronger, warmer and more resilient than merino sheep wool. Alpaca fiber comes in an extraordinary variety of 22 natural colours, ranging from pure white through fawn, to a range of browns and a true jet black. Luxurious garments crafted from the silky fiber have the look and feel of cashmere.
Alpacas are relatively new animals on Canadian farms; but if we consider the steady past growth of this industry, these animals and their fleece production are not a fad, but are here to stay. This industry should, in the coming years, develop into a multi-million dollar business with the fleece being made into high-end fabrics suitable for use in both apparel and home decor and even in such things as aircraft. Other industrial applications are only an inspiration away. At the present time, manufacturers who want alpaca fleece cannot get enough for their customers’ application. In the next twenty years, as more farms take up collecting and marketing alpaca fleece, farmers can expect only faster growth as more and more volume of this superior fleece becomes available. Already, the Canadian Camelid Fibre Co-operative has begun to coordinate the fleece collection and the end goods manufacturing.
The adorable alpaca has found its foothold in
An abundance of industry related web sites provide detailed information on the North American Alpaca industry in general, its registries, associations, co-operatives and breeders.
Raising alpacas is a viable diversification for existing farmers. However, most new participants to this alternative farming opportunity come from a variety of professional backgrounds-business people, medical doctors, teachers and lawyers. They are looking to enjoy the rural lifestyle, raise animals that are fun to look after, are raised purely for their silky fleece and not for meat, and that have the potential for a good profit. These intelligent, fluffy, shy animals are an easy to manage livestock suitable for small acreages. Returns on alpaca farming can be rewarding with the sale of offspring as well as products from their luxurious fleece.
Alpaca farming is ideal for a stay-at-home parent, or for active retired people. Many people combine alpaca farming with work off the farm.
Alpacas also provide an excellent opportunity for individuals who would like an investment but not the day-to-day responsibilities. Feeding and daily care of the animals can be contracted out, while registration, showing and marketing can be handled by the owner.
Further more there is tax advantages related to alpaca investment. Expenses from the alpaca business can be written off against other income, which reduces your tax rate. Alpacas are fully insurable.
The Canadian alpaca industry enjoys a great deal of credibility because each animal that has been entered into the registry has been blood typed or DNA processed. This gives tremendous certainty to the pedigrees of Canadian registered alpacas. While this was an expensive first step for a budding industry, it has provided a very solid foundation for an industry Canadians can be proud of.
In 2005 The Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association decided it would best support its membership if it was to create two separate divisions. Alpaca
The Canadian alpaca industry has flourished from birth. In the last few years we have had additional importations from
ALPACA FIBRE
Today, in
Alpaca fleece is at the head of specialty fibre industries world-wide. They are clean, intelligent, peaceful animals that are easily handled and are safe around children; caring for them is not difficult. Fences should be designed to keep out dogs, coyotes and other predators. A three-sided enclosure or lean-to is adequate for shade, as well as winter wind protection. Alpacas require 2 pounds of low protein hay daily, and fresh water. They require little space; 1/8th of an acre per animal is often sufficient if you can rotate the pasture regularly, making them an ideal small acreage livestock. They defecate in fixed areas, thus clean-up and parasite control is a relatively easy job. Alpaca droppings are almost odourless, and are high in nitrogen and potassium, making them an excellent fertilizer. They are easily transported in a pick-up, van or trailer and usually lie down in transit. Alpacas are extremely hardy and adaptable to most climates, elevations and conditions.
Canadian alpacas are shorn annually and their fibre is processed into a number of products. Several mills in
A show circuit, as well as fleece shows for alpacas has developed in
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