Learn a little more about alpacas in this article by Marianne Bradley of 4 Season's Alpacas.

(al.pa’.ka)

The alpaca is a mild-tempered, inquisitive and much valued member of the camelid family indigenous to South America.  “Old world” camelids include the dromedary and bactrian camels.  “New world” camelids include the:

• Llama – the llama was a crucial part of Andean culture.  Often used to carry heavy loads in the mountainous regions, the llama can carry 30% of its’ own body weight.  The llama is still used by hunters and fishermen to “pack-in” to areas unreachable by vehicles.  Approximately 300 pounds full-grown, they are larger and more aggressive than alpacas.  Some alpaca ranchers use llamas as guard animals.
• Guanaco – a wild cousin of the llama mainly living in the Andes mountains of South America.  Similar size and build to the llama.
• Alpaca – the alpaca was domesticated thousands of years ago by the South American people due to the ease of care and the valuable fleeces sold on the world market.  The Incan society paid homage to their nobles with cloth made from alpaca.  Very closely related to the Vicuna in it’s smaller size, shape of teeth and ears, fleece quality and genetic characteristics.
• Vicuna – the most prized of the New World Camelids for fleece quality.  The vicuna is still wild in South America, rounded up only every two years for shearing and then released again.  They are all the same coloring and pattern – white chest and belly with medium fawn on head and back.  The South American Treasure.

During the time of the Incan Empire, alpacas were revered for their many colors (20+ natural colors) and exceptionally soft fleeces.

The first alpacas were imported into the United States from Chile in 1984, then Bolivia in 1989.  Peruvians consider alpacas to be a national resource and resisted exportation until 1993.  A very restrictive alpaca registry was set up and alpacas included in these importations were blood-typed and registered with unique numbers.  This registry closed to further importation in 1998.  This protects the North American rancher by limiting the size of the American herd and controlling the arrival of animals with no known genetic or medical histories.  Alpaca breeders in North America focus on improvement of alpaca health and conformation and in quality fleece production.

There are two different breed-types: the huacaya (wah.Ki’.ya) and the suri (“surrey”).  Huacaya alpaca fleece grows straight out from the skin and has “crimp” or waviness.  This gives the huacaya a fluffy, teddy bear look.  The suri alpaca has no crimp in their fleece, it tends to hang down in beautiful, lustrous locks either flat or twisted upon itself looking like ringlets.  The suri has a beautiful luster to the fleece and is very silky.

Alpacas stand about 36 inches at the withers and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds.  The baby alpaca, or cria (cree’.ya) is born after approximately 11 ½ months gestation, completely covered with fleece and weighs between 10 and 20 pounds.  The mother alpaca is equipped to nourish only one cria at a time.  Twins have been produced but do not normally live long.

Highly intelligent, alpacas respond to training and handling techniques.  They learn to halter and lead within a few sessions and even children find most alpacas to be safe and easy to handle.

Alpacas have a very strong herding instinct and need the companionship of other alpacas to thrive.  A small herd of 2-10 alpacas can easily be raised on one acre.  They require only modest amounts of food (approximately 1 ½ to 2% of their body weight in hay/day), plus free access to fresh water and free-choice minerals.  Alpaca supplements may be added based on specific nutritional needs and/or owner preferences.  Alpacas need basic shelter and protection from predators.  Alpacas are gentle, serene creatures that do not disturb neighbors or destroy the environment. 

The alpaca has always been raised for the gorgeous fleece it produces.  They are shorn once a year, usually in spring, and yield roughly 5-10 pounds.  Alpaca is a rare, specialty fiber due to the scarcity (production is approximately 4,000 tons/year as opposed to 15,000 tons of cashmere or 1,851,000 tons of wool) and slow herd growth.  Specialty fibers need to possess special characteristics to bring value to the fiber.  Alpaca fiber is very soft, rivaling cashmere and angora for fineness, based on industry micron measuring methods.  It is not necessary to de-hair the fiber, it is hypoallergenic (free from dander and lanolin) and due to the physical characteristics of the alpaca fiber construction, there is little or no “prickle factor” with alpaca.  Alpaca fiber is also very warm and lightweight compared to wool and resists staining, pilling and maintains luster for decades.  The purchase of a fine alpaca garment is truly an heirloom to be passed on to future generations.

Supply and demand for alpacas as livestock has been maintained for several years due to:

• Slow herd growth (11 ½ months gestation for one cria)
• Just over 170,000 head in North America as of 2007
• Retained offspring to build personal herds
• U.S. alpaca registry is closed to further importations
• Tax benefits

Raising alpacas is a very rewarding family business that provides consistent yearly end products (fleece and offspring) and the opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle as simple or complex as the rancher chooses.  Be careful!  Alpacas will capture your heart!

Article by Marianne Bradley of 4 Seasons Alpacas, Tehachapi, CA.  Jeff and Marianne have been alpaca ranchers since 2001 and have 38 alpacas on a lovely 20 acre ranch in Cummings Valley.  The ranch offers educational tours, spinning and weaving  demonstrations, alpaca sales, and beautiful finished garments both handmade and imported.  For an appointment to visit call Marianne at 661-822-1803.