|
What's an alpaca?
They are camelids, a family that includes the familiar
camel and
South American relatives: llamas, guanacos and vicunas.
What are they used for?
Alpacas are fiber producing animals. Their fleece is sought
after because it is stronger, softer and finer than wool
and hypoallergenic.
What's the difference between a llama and
an alpaca?
Alpacas are smaller, weighing between 150 and 200 lbs. when
fully grown. Llamas are pack animals. Alpacas produce fine
fleece. You could say the llamas and alpacas are the respective
equivalents of horses and sheep native to South America.
What are alpacas like?
They are beautiful, intelligent creatures with sweet and
gentle dispositions. There are two types of alpacas: huacayas
have crimp in their fleece and look fluffy while suris have
no crimp in their fleece. Their fiber forms beautiful pencil
locks.
How much care and attention do they
need?
They require decent grazing pasture, clean water, monthly
and yearly shots, occasional manicuring and supervision.
How much land and shelter is required?
One acre can support 7-10 alpacas. Shelter requirements
are minimal; a three-sided run-in shed will do just fine.
Alpacas are adaptable to almost any climate. They prefer
to be outside when it's cold and enjoy shade in hot weather.
You can also decide to treat your alpacas purely as an investment
by boarding.
What do alpacas cost?
Auction prices for bred females have been in the low to
mid 20s in thousands; exceptional animals can sell for upwards
of $30,000. Pet quality males can sell for as little as
$1000 while a top herd sire set the record this year at
$400,000. Stud fees range from $1500 to $7500.
Why are alpacas so expensive?
Largely due to supply and demand. There are not enough alpacas
in North America yet to support a large-scale fiber industry.
The latest census showed about 50,000 alpacas in the U.S.
compared to approximately three million in Peru, Bolivia
and Chile. A closed registry that uses DNA testing limits
the US supply. Only offspring of registered animals can
be registered and have value. Imports of alpacas are effectively
closed. Alpacas reproduce slowly, producing only one cria
per year, with gestation lasting almost one year.
What determines the quality of alpacas?
Judging in shows is based on two criteria: the conformation
of the alpaca and fiber characteristics such as density,
fineness and crimp.
Where is the business going?
The business has a clear vision: to grow a North American
alpaca herd of the finest quality based on selective breeding
to improve the desired fiber characteristics in a broad
range of natural colors. It is anyone's guess how long it
will take to reach the critical mass to supply the fashion
industry on a large scale. It is probable that at the current
rate of growth and selectivity it will take several years.
How are alpacas as an investment? What
are the risks? Are they a safe investment?
Alpacas should be considered as an alternative investment
for people dissatisfied with the performance of more traditional
investments such as stocks and bonds. By virtue of their
value, they offer more "bang for the buck" than
other livestock investments. The main risk is that prices
may decline; however, the fact that quality stock produce
offspring of value helps to offset this risk. The popularity
of auctions helps liquidity and provides price transparency.
Full mortality insurance is available at a reasonable cost.
The Alpaca Registry Certificate guarantees the integrity
of an animal's lineage using DNA analysis and serves as
a title document.
|
