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Investing in Alpacas ~ a lucrative rewarding lifestyle!
The first time people meet an alpaca they are often captivated by their gentle demeanor, curious nature, pleasant humming, warm dark eyes and the touch of their silky soft fleece. Yet beyond their charming nature and ability to evoke a smile from anyone, alpacas offer a chance at a unique and successful lifestyle. Owning alpacas provides many tax benefits, including capital gains and the ability to depreciate your herd each year. With the recent crash of the stock market, many investors looking for a more secure way to invest their money, are turning to alpacas. Since alpacas reproduce at very slow rate (only one cria per year) and the imported alpacas are not eligible for registration, the alpaca market has remained strong and stable. Investing in alpacas offers people a more serene lifestyle with the potential to generate substantial income. Some city-dwelling buyers opt to agist (board) their alpacas at a farm for a small fee. Many breeders initially invest in a small start up herd consisting of 2 bred females and a male. Other buyers are focused on developing a fiber herd, consisting of several neutered males. Either way, because alpacas are herd animals, they should not be kept alone.
Basic Alpaca Facts
- Alpacas are members of the Camelid family, along with llamas, vicunas, guancos and camels. They are bred primarily for their luxurious fiber, which was once reserved for Incan royalty.
- Two types of alpacas: Huacayas (thick dense crimpy fleece giving them a soft teddy bear like appearance) and Suris (long silky fleece that hangs down in dreadlocks).
- These gentle gregarious animals are native to South America (Andean Mountain range) and are able to adapt to a variety of climates.
- Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984, and it is now estimated that there are ~100,000 alpacas in the country. Due to a ban on the importation of alpacas, their value has remained high for the past 24 years.
- Alpacas weigh between 150-200 pounds, and stand approximately 36 inches tall at their withers.
- Alpacas have soft padded feet with two toes, which minimizes their impact on the land.
- Like other ruminants, they lack upper incisor teeth, and chew their cud.
- Females can be bred once they reach 2 years of age, or at least 75% of their body weight. After an 11 month gestation period, they give birth to a single baby, called a cria. (Twins are very rare). An alpacas life span is ~20 years.
Alpaca Care
Alpacas require minimal effort to raise and care for. Up to ten alpacas can live comfortably on one acre of land. Their diet consists of hay and fresh water, although many owners supplement their diet with grain, minerals and vitamins, depending on the alpacas’ individual needs. Secure fencing is imperative (to protect them from predators) and alpacas require a three sided shed for shelter from the wind, rain and sun.
Alpacas require annual vaccinations, and depending on where you live, may need routine deworming medicine. As their teeth or toe nails grow, they will need to be trimmed. Alpacas are generally shorn once a year, in the spring.
Alpaca Fleece ~ Fiber of the Gods
- Very rare luxurious fiber, with cloud-like softness
- Incredibly soft, lacks lanolin and is hypoallergenic. Alpaca fiber can be worn next to the skin with no “prickle sensation”
- 4-5x warmer and lighter than wool, even when wet
- Environmentally friendly, all natural fiber-not produced with chemicals or petroleum products
- Will not pile, and resists tearing
- Available in 22 natural colors
- Woven into socks, scarves, hats, gloves and high end fashion garments.
- Alpaca fiber can also be used for felting.
Shearing
Spring time not only signals an end to the dark chilly days of winter, but it announces the arrival of the alpaca shearer. Most alpacas need to be shorn annually and their fiber is then skirted and sent to a mill to be spun into yarn, sold as raw fleece, or woven into luxurious garments.
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