Educational Alpaca Articles

The Importance of Dams (in Alpaca Breeding)

A few times I have been asked, "If I breed my dam to your multi-champion herd sire, can you guarantee me a champion cria?" I have to tell them, he can improve bone density on your cria over the dam and he can do wonders with the fleece. If you want improved fineness, brightness, density, awesome handle, uniformity of crimp then he's your man. But, what is the dam bringing in genetics to that breeding? (continue reading)

Read the full article
(PDF format)

What Will It Cost Me To Start My Own Alpaca Farm?

When starting your farm with the intention of raising alpacas to sell, or sell stud services, you are starting a business. It will pay in the long run to go about it in the most professional way possible. You need to have a clear, realistic picture of the cost of starting your farm and maintaining it through the first year. The federal government views alpacas as livestock so you will qualify for many tax advantages. Finding a good agricultural accountant who can advise you of those advantages, and help you set up your bookkeeping is a must. Next determine where you want to be with your business in a year, five years, and write up a business plan to help you stay on track. Remember if you aim at nothing you will hit it. (continue reading)

Read the full article
(PDF format)

Born in the Wrong Place

I have always said I was born in the wrong place. I was born in the city with a heart for the country. I spent the middle years of my life edging towards that dream. My husband Al and I found ourselves, at my insistence, living on 35 acres of rough, spectacular mountain property in the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Southern Colorado. Al built our dream home there, but what to do with the other 34 acres? In many discussions I had told Al, "I should have been born on a farm." We had seen an article about alpacas and thought, "What a perfect environment for them. It might work!" (continue reading)

Read the full article
(PDF format)