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44 Tips and Resources for Creating a Successful Business Plan and Starting an Alpaca Farm

It’s springtime in Michigan and everyone is eager to emerge from winter and start something new. Barns are being cleaned out, 4-H animals are being sourced, and crops are being planted. This love for warmth and earthly things has led to many inquiries about alpacas and lots of questions about starting an alpaca farm.

We’ve sold six alpacas in the last few weeks and all six have gone to brand new alpaca farms. These farms had questions, our website visitors have questions, and I’ve realized I’m answering the same questions over and over again. I thought I would convert my knowledge and these answers into a how-to guide for future alpaca farmers.

Now let me qualify this information by stating I’m not a long-term alpaca farmer who has been in the industry for decades. Our alpaca farm isn’t that old, so it’s just the opposite. That said, I do have lots of experience with small business startups, operations, accounting, event management, sales, and marketing. So, while my alpaca farm isn’t decades old, this isn’t my first attempt at launching and managing successful businesses.

I’ve taken this experience and knowledge with me and applied it to other activities. While I still might blurt out hay when I mean straw, our country life and alpaca farm are both benefiting from all my city girl experience.

Success Doesn’t Just Happen, You Have to Plan for It

I launched my first business venture back in 2009 and it was right in the middle of a major recession. I will never forget sitting inside my CPA’s office and feeling slightly overwhelmed with everything that was in front of me. I asked her a question about future activities, and she told me not to think that far in advance because most small businesses never make it past the first year. My inner voice immediately told me it was time to find a new CPA.

My CPA underestimated me. It’s now 2020 and my digital marketing agency is still going strong. I knew I could do it and I never wavered. I stumbled a lot along the way, but with every stumbled I learned. With every mistake, I grew. With every success, I celebrated and rejoiced. And with each year, I’ve been incredibly thankful.

I was successful because I took the time to do research, create a strategy, formulate a plan, and methodically execute that plan. Success typically doesn’t just happen. It’s the person who makes it happen. And if you ask me, success is a core result of planning.

I’ve turned this love for strategy and planning into our alpaca business. I know my competition, my target market, my marketing channels, and plan for execution. Let me take you through the steps needed to research and plan for a successful alpaca farm.

Red Barn With Black Fencing

22 Steps for Starting an Alpaca Farm and Business

  • Visit local alpaca farms. Before you get too far ahead of yourself, take the time to visit local alpaca farms. Drive across the state if you have to, just make sure you get yourself acquainted with the animals and you have an opportunity to see the operations of a working farm. We visited three farms before making a purchase and I’m so thankful we did. It was immediately clear that one farm was worthy of our purchase and two were not even in the ballpark.
  • Go to a few alpaca shows. When we first started out, my husband and I drove all the way from Michigan to Pennsylvania to go to an alpaca show. We wanted to better what made one alpaca higher quality than another. I wanted to see the judges in action and hear their comments. I wanted to meet and touch those award-winning alpacas. It was worth the drive. In one weekend wee learned more than I thought possible.
  • Walk through key decision criteria. In the next section, I will provide ten criteria I believe all new alpaca owners should consider. They range from alpaca quality and budget to zoning and acres. As you contemplate these items, you’ll start to answer some of the key questions needed for formulating your business plan.
  • Validate your local zoning laws and regulations. Alpacas are livestock animals and they require agricultural zoning. In most areas, you will not be able to have alpacas living in your house or your backyard. We live in Northern Michigan and we are within Ag2 zoning. This zoning allows us to build barns, create elaborate fencing, and raise livestock. If you do not know what zone you are in or what restrictions you have, contact the local zoning board.
  • Verify farm tax deductions and benefits with your accountant or CPA . Starting an alpaca farm for profit will require a substantial investment. Before you start spending money, it is wise to speak with your accountant or CPA. Farm accounting is different than other small businesses, so you’ll want to talk through your options and verify your CPA is familiar with farm accounting, applicable deductions, and depreciation schedules.
  • Create a business plan. Yes, I said a business plan. Don’t skip this step. Think through your objectives and goals, your target market, your marketing plans, and your timeline. Since this is such a big step, I’ll walk through twelve elements of a solid business plan below.
  • Select a farm name and verify it is available. If you want to deduct your expenses on your income taxes, you’ll need to demonstrate you are a true farm that was created to generate revenue. This will require you to create a formal business. This means you’ll need a business name. You’ll want to verify this business name isn’t already taken in your state or protected with a trademark. You can check with your local state government or perform a free business name search
  • Create a farm LLC and designate a registered agent. Once you have your business name picked out, you need to register that with the state by forming a farm LLC . While you can opt for a sole proprietorship, I would not recommend it. A sole proprietorship does not offer enough liability and asset protection as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). To register for an LLC, you’ll need to submit articles of organization with your state. You can do this yourself or you can hire a third party to form the LLC for you. In many United States you will also need to establish a registered agent to manage the paperwork for you.
  • Get an EIN or federal tax ID. An EIN is short for an employee identification number. You need this for filing taxes with the IRS, to obtain a business bank account, and for business permits and licenses. You can obtain an EIN for free from the Internal Revenue Service or you can pay a third party to register an EIN for you.
  • Obtain a sales tax license. Depending on what you plan on selling, you may need to collect sales tax. Sale tax can be calculated at the state, county, and city level and it will have varying requirements for products, services, and ancillary items like shipping charges. In the state of Michigan, we need to collect sales tax for sales of finished goods like yarn or clothing products.
  • Review insurance options for liability and livestock. High-end alpacas can be very expensive, and some farms chose to insure these animals. While this insurance is optional, liability insurance should not be. If you plan on having any visitors on your farm, you need to obtain business liability insurance or an insurance rider for an umbrella insurance policy. Insurance companies like Farm Bureau specialize in these types of situations.
  • Prepare your barn or shelter. Alpacas need shelter from extreme cold and heat, so you’ll need to have a barn or similar shelter ready for their arrival. When we bought our first five alpacas the farm who sold them to us was very good about coaching my husband through barn setup. Thankfully, we had just built a brand new gambrel roof barn, so all we needed to do was configure the interior for adult females and a cria pen.
  • Install appropriate fencing to protect the alpacas from local predators. Alpacas need fencing, but it isn’t to keep them contained. Alpacas need fencing to protect them from local predators. In our area, this equates to bears and coyotes. We have a no-climb fence that prevents coyotes from entering and serves as a scratching post for our lady alpacas.
  • Locate available alpacas for sale and qualify farm owners. Like any industry, the alpaca industry has a wide variety of farms. Some are experienced and take great care of their animals and others, well, not so much. You want to locate a farm that has healthy alpacas, that are well cared for, and that are on a regular schedule for feeding, shots, and shearing. And be prepared for the farm to qualify you as much as you are qualifying them. If they don’t ask you about shelter, protection, and herd size it would in your best interest to find a new farm and a new set of alpacas for sale .
  • Obtain medications. Alpaca need to be protected from parasites and they will require medication for sickness. Parasite control varies by area, but it is a necessity. Meningeal worm (or m-worm) can quickly kill an alpaca, so you have to protect your herd. Your breeder can tell you what protocol is being used and what they recommend based on your geographical area.
  • Purchase hay, pellets, and minerals . Alpacas have special dietary needs and you’ll need to be prepared with specific hay, feed pellets, and free choice minerals. The pellets are optional if minerals are available, however, I recommend them because they make great treats for bonding and training your alpacas. Ask your breeder what pellets your new alpacas are used to and if they can recommend a local hay source. We started with a store brand pellet, and then once my husband was educated on the topic, he created his own feed formula that we have manufactured for us.
  • Purchase supplies like water buckets, feeding bins, and halters. These last minute items are the basic requirements for feeding, watering, and walking your alpacas. Tractor Supply Company or Light Livestock Equipment and Supply will have everything you need.
  • Locate a vet familiar with alpacas. Alpaca vets are few and far between. Most traditional large animal vets know very little about alpacas and they are hesitant to care for them. We are lucky to have an experienced alpaca vet close by and we also have access to university help within Michigan State University and Ohio State. Plan ahead on this step, because you may have a harder time locating assistance than you expect.
  • Locate a shearing team and secure a spot on their upcoming shearing schedule. Alpaca shearing is not for the faint of heart. It’s part art and part dexterity. Plan early and locate a qualified shearing team as soon as you obtain your first alpaca herd. They’ll have set schedules for moving through your area and they will book up months in advance. Your attention to detail and proactive planning will be well worth it when springtime comes, and the alpacas need their winter coats removed. Alpacas must be sheared annually and before warm weather arrives, so you cannot skip this step.
  • Sign up with the American Alpaca Association (AOA). The Alpaca Owners Association is the world’s largest alpaca association with around 4,000 members and over 270,000 alpacas in its registry database. The AOA oversees an internationally recognized pedigree registry, Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) program, alpaca show system, judge training program, and industry magazine (Alpacas Magazine). The AOA also provides education to current and prospective alpaca owners throughout the world along with a national marketing program for alpacas and alpaca fiber products.
  • Initiate the ownership transfer of your alpacas to your AOA account. While pet alpacas will most likely not be registered with the AOA, higher quality livestock will be registered in the national database. You’ll want to transfer these alpacas to your farm once you’ve paid for your alpacas in full.
  • Review business licenses and permits. For the most part, you do not need to have a business license for an alpaca farm. If you decide to sell the manure as fertilizer, this changes. As soon as the word fertilizer is mentioned, the need for a business license pops up. Research what you need with your local state’s government website. Browse through a list of Michigan business licenses and permits .

10 Considerations and Decision Points

While you won’t immediately have answers for all of these items, they are data points you need to think about as you embark on your journey into alpaca farming. From alpaca ownership to fleece usage and tax deductions, start thinking about these items sooner rather than later.

  • Huacaya vs. Suri – There are two types of alpacas. The most common is the Huacaya, which is a round alpaca that has fluffy fleece. The less common type is a Suri alpaca, which has fibers that hang and are silkier. About 80% of the United States’ alpaca population is Huacaya. Most alpaca farms will have either Haucaya or Suri alpacas. Few farms will offer both.
  • Rescue vs. Pet vs. Fiber vs. Show – When starting your alpaca farm, you’ll need to locate a starter herd. You have the choice of rescues, pet quality, fiber or hobby farm quality, or the high-end show quality. While rescue alpacas are generally free, they do have their limitations and can present with unexpected issues. Pet alpacas will be inexpensive, although they will not offer quality fiber for producing yarn or birthing crias. A hobby farm or fiber quality alpaca will be higher than pet quality, but lower than show quality. They will have strong fiber, but not high enough crimp, luster, or density to make the show circuit. Show alpacas are the most expensive and these will come with great fiber, solid conformation, and excellent genetics. Some farms will specialize in just one level of alpaca, while others (like our farm), will opt to offer a variety.
  • Boys vs. Girls – Male and female alpacas cannot live in the same area and a starter herd cannot have a mix of boys and girls, so you’ll need to determine your preferred sex. I’ll be honest in the fact that there is no perfect gender. Our girls include loving alpacas and divas and our boys do too. For us Captain and Levi are just as big of love bugs as my girl Nibbler. We can love on our boys and girls equally. That said, the decision for sex should be influenced by your business plan and budget.
  • Young vs. Old – The average alpaca lives to be in their late teens and some live over twenty years. This gives you lots of options when considering alpaca age. Young alpacas will live longer, and you’ll have more of an opportunity to imprint on them, but they will also be more expensive. Older alpacas will be more set in their ways, but they are also very relaxed, and they make lovely companions. The decision for age should be dictated by your business plan, the usage of your fleece, and the desire for birthing crias.
  • Fleece Usage – I always ask new alpacas farmers how they plan to use their fiber. This answer will help decide the alpaca quality that is needed. If you’d like to produce fiber for yarn and clothing, you’ll need an alpaca that has fiber under 30 microns. If you’re crafty and felt is more your style, an older or lesser quality alpaca will do just fine. Knowing how you’d like to use your fiber harvest will help you determine the quality and age of alpaca you’d need to purchase.
  • Herd Size – I cannot stress enough that alpacas are herd animals and they must be purchased in a minimum of three. Alpaca farmers should not sell you any lower number as the alpaca will be under undue stress and will eventually fail in physical health because of it. We started our herd with five alpacas so we could begin our farm with a number large enough to produce a strong and healthy environment. If your prospective breeder will sell you only one or two alpacas as a starter herd, look for another farm. This is a strong sign they are not educated on alpaca farming or they care little about the health of the animal.
  • Available Acres – Alpacas will need ample space to roam or they will need a solid source of hay. If the alpacas are going to free range on pasture, plan for one acre for 2-8 alpacas. If this isn’t available, make sure you have a solid hay source ready to deliver year-round hay.
  • Zoning Restrictions – I touched on this before and I’ll mention it again. Know your zoning for raising livestock, building farm stores, and operating an agritourism business. If you live in Michigan, research the Right to Farm program , which will give agricultural businesses additional rights for farm revenue generation. The Right to Farm program will support the usage or local farm stores and agritourism so alpaca farms can be sustainable for the long-term.
  • Tax Deductions – Farming does come with financial benefits and one of these great benefits is income tax deductions. The IRS has the Farmer’s Tax Guide that is available to help you dig through what is available for you and your new farm.
  • Budget – This is the hardest consideration for me to manage. I set a budget for an alpaca purchase, then I fall in love with a specific alpaca or lineage and my budget falls apart. Nibbler is a result of me ignoring my budget, because I fell in love with her silly personality. I’ve already written a lot on this subject and you can read through my alpaca farm budget at Alpaca Cost and Understanding the True Expense of Care .

Notebook With List

12 Elements of an Alpaca Farm Business Plan

A good business plan will guide you through starting and managing your business. You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, operate, and grow your new alpaca business. There are many different types of business plans, but I tend to stray towards the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) principle. I make sure I include everything to get me started and keep me on track. I also make sure I remove anything that doesn’t really fit with alpaca farming.

As you read through these business components, I’d like you to keep one important point in mind. The alpaca farms that are making substantial profits are doing so by design. They have solid business plans that support a variety of revenue streams. They don’t just sell their fiber. Instead, they offer animal sales, farm stores, and market their goods through local farm markets or craft shows.

People often say the alpaca industry isn’t profitable and I will rebuke that statement. Alpaca farms tend not to be profitable because they fail to run the farm like a business. They don’t create a business plan and they don’t have a strategy for reaching a specific target market.

You absolutely can be successful with alpaca farming if you take the time to formulate a business plan and execute on this plan.

Below are the 12 elements of my business plan and what my husband and I are using to guide us through our adventure in alpaca farming:

  • Description – This simply describes your business. Listing out who are you, who you serve, and what you plan to offer in the form of goods and services. This will all offer a nice overview of your farm and future activities.
  • Mission Statement – A mission statement is a short paragraph of why a farm exists and it provides an overview of the farm’s overall goals. These are usually a few sentences that provide the “why” behind the who. Our mission statement involves wanting to give back to the community around us. It’s important to us and it will be an important part of our future farming activities.
  • Target Market – Your target market is the groups of people you’d like to serve. Or, in other words, who will you sell goods and services to? Defining your target market, understanding their needs, and knowing their wants will help you craft an offering that will resonate with them. When you connect with and serve your target market, you set yourself up for success.
  • Competitors – Your competitors could include local farms, national farms, big box retailers, and virtually any entity that exists online. Once you define your mission statement and target market, you’ll be able to list your competitors. Researching and knowing your competitors is an important part of setting yourself up for success.
  • Market Analysis and Opportunities – You’ll need a good understanding of the alpaca industry and your preferred target market. Competitive research will show you what other alpaca farms are doing right, and it will help you see what you can offer that exceeds the current state of your competition.
  • Market Threats – Market threats could include the economy, competitors, technology, resources, environment, and really anything that could hamper your ability to execute your business plan. Knowing what these threats are will help you navigate around them.
  • Differentiators – Explain the competitive advantages that will make your alpaca farm and business a success. What sets you apart from other farms? What will you offer or do differently than these existing farms? How can you improve the alpaca industry or your local area?
  • Animal sales
  • Alpaca herdsire breedings
  • Alpaca boarding
  • Raw fiber sales
  • Onsite farm market sales of alpaca clothing, dryer balls, felt products, and yarn
  • Online store sales of products similar to farm market sales
  • Onsite agritourism events and activities – tours, alpaca yoga, camps, etc.
  • Offsite agritourism events and activities – weddings, parties, or even alpaca Zoom visits
  • Many farms also open mill activities to make yarn and felt since this is a very in-demand service in the United States
  • Revenue Goals – This doesn’t have to be exact, but you should list out how much revenue and net profit you’d like to obtain from your above revenue streams. I set this at an annual amount and then break down to a monthly amount. By knowing my revenue goals, I can better establish my priorities for purchases and operational activity.
  • Marketing Activities – My background is marketing and it is has become a large part of who I am. I would never have considered starting an alpaca farm if I didn’t have an idea of marketing options for attracting sales and revenue. Most farms don’t have this luxury, so let me give you a few options to consider for marketing your alpaca farm. These include word of mouth referrals, 4-H clubs, local events, craft shows, agritourism, Google My Business, Facebook business pages and groups, a website (I suggest WordPress), and an Etsy store.
  • Major Expenses – I’ve discussed costs and budgets above and on previous blog posts. With alpaca farming, the bulk of your expenses will include the alpaca herd, shelter, fencing, food, and ongoing care for shearing, medications, and an occasional vet visit. If you plan on converting your fiber into yarn, you’ll need to add in the cost for a fiber mill or plan on cleaning and spinning the fiber yourself. I’m not a crafty person, so we go the mill route.
  • Milestones – I don’t think any business plan can be complete without setting some milestones. These milestones are major events that must take place to execute your plan. This could include financing, barn build and fencing, alpaca herd acquisition, website build, creating a Facebook page, making your first sale, or farm expansion. Or if you’re anything like us, it equates to the first barn and the second barn, and so on.

Special Note on Agritourism:

If you are not familiar with the term agritourism, you should spend some time researching it. Agritourism is an alternative farm activity where you invite the public to your farm or ranch. It can also be defined as “a set of activities that occur when people link travel with the products, services, and experiences of agriculture.” The product itself can be an “experience.”

According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel and tourism is a $1,036 billion industry in the United States. In 2012, agritourism operations brought in $704 million in sales.  Farms with gross farm receipts of $25,000 or more, increased from 3,637 farms in 2007 to 4,518 in 2012. Americans love agritourism and this will only continue to grow in popularity.

You can learn more about agritourism at the Ag Marketing Resource Center .

Collection of Stacked Alpaca Books

Great Alpaca Books to Help in Your Research

Before we did anything, I bought a few books online to help me better understand the basics of alpaca farming. This was very helpful, and I suggest you do the same.

Below is a list of alpaca books I would recommend for new farms:

  • The Frugal Alpaca Farmer by Ingrid Wood – This is one of the first books I bought and I’m thankful I did. Ingrid gives no-nonsense information on raising alpacas. I would recommend you buy this book first and read through it before visiting farms or shows.
  • The Art & Science of Alpaca Judging – If you plan on purchasing show quality alpacas, this book is must-read. It will teach you about conformation, fleece quality, and genetics. It will help prepare you to review high-quality alpacas for purchase.
  • The Complete Alpaca Book by Eric Hoffman – I dragged this massive book with me on a business trip and when I turned away for a moment my friend Elena was reading it. Elena is not an alpaca owner, but the book drew her in just as it sucked me in. The book does a great job of walking you through the history of alpacas, alpaca management, fiber, genetics, and training.
  • Alpaca Field Manual by C. Norman Evans – This book is a must-have book for alpaca owners. It covers key elements of ongoing care, breeding, birthing, immunizations, and parasites.
  • The Camelid Companion by Marty McGee Bennett – This book will teach you about alpaca behavior, herd dynamics, and alpaca training. It’s a great read for newer alpaca owners.

Time to Start Your Alpaca Adventure

I hope my article has you thinking about starting an alpaca farm and doing so with eyes wide open. Alpaca farming is an amazing adventure and it can be profitable if done correctly.

If you have questions or comments, I’d love to hear them below. I try and reply to all comments within 24 hours, so just drop in a note if you have questions.

If you are in the midwest and would like a farm visit, my husband and I would love to host you. Jason will be happy to chat about farm setup and operations and I’ll be happy to discuss all things sales and marketing.

Bonus Content

I recently presented a business planning workshop for the MOPACA association. The presentation is embedded below.

About The Author

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Rebecca Gill

27 thoughts on “44 tips and resources for creating a successful business plan and starting an alpaca farm”.

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What a wonderful source of information! Well organized, and content-rich, this list and these tips are very helpful. Thank you! I am saving money to buy some land…so that’s first. But, in the meantime I have visited alpaca farms and have helped out on a few shearing days. I love the list of must-to reads; I have most of Ingrid Wood’s books, too. Thanks again!

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Thanks for stopping by and commenting Michelle! I’m thrilled to hear you are not only entering into alpaca farming, but you are researching well before bringing animals home. You’ll be an excellent alpaca mama with that planning in place.

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Hi, do you have any thoughts/advice on including alpacas in a farm that already has other animals, like a horse farm or cows or chickens?

Lisa it happens a lot and with great success. You just need to be knowledgable about parasites, animal behavior, etc, so you know which animals can coexist and which ones need to be separated via fencing. We have our chickens with our retired females without issue. I would not recommend horses or cows unless you have solid fencing in between.

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Rebecca thank you for writing this!! I have dreamed of raising alpacas for over 20 years!! But you know how life does sometimes…curveballs…but I’m ready again! Thank you for all of this valuable information! Beautifully written!

Cynthia, I hope you will be able to take the leap into alpaca farming. It has been a wonderful adventure and something I’m thankful for each day.

Alpacas are truly magical creatures and you cannot help but want to be with them 24/7. Or, at least, that is how I feel. No matter how tired I might be, I still go out to check on my babies before bed. That is a labor of love and one I wouldn’t have imagined I’d be doing.

Life takes strange turns and I’m happy alpacas were at the end of one of my pivots.

Thanks, Rebecca, for this encouragement! Since reading your article, I’ve got a whole new bookmark folder just for my agritourism business planning. I would love to be able to chat with you regularly as I, too, strive towards my life’s goal of being a woman farmer, caregiver, and hospitable hostess. I understand your expressions; we can always summons more energy from our “love” tank when needed!

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I am currently a real estate broker but planning to move back to our farm in Mount Holly NC. I am researching Alpaca farming and feel like it may be ideal for me. Would love to talk with you one day if you care to.

I’d be happy to chat!

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This is such a wealth of great information. Since being a girl helping out on my grandfathers cattle & horse ranch I’ve been patiently waiting to get back to my childhood roots. Now, soon to be empty nesters with my husbands retirement just a few short years away I’m soaking up every ounce of information to prepare us for MY Second life dream. After being a stay at home mom raising our children I’m so excited to bring my next dream to fruition. We are beginning to plan our retirement to Tennessee and are searching for the perfect land for our Alpaca and Sheep farm. I would love to Visit Cotton Creek farms prior to as I know we would learn a plethora of information from you all. I truly look forward to following your alpaca farming adventures. Thank you for writing and sharing such a great article that is easy to understand. I’d like to keep in touch and have a alpaca farm friend❤️

Michelle we would welcome you any time! We are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cottoncreekfarms/ and you’ll find me via that link as well.

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This website is so much fun, informative and one can just feel the love you have for Alpacas. I knew almost nothing about them, now I wanna buy some land, buy a few alpacas and spend my days shooting the breeze with them. thank you, you made a dreary Canadian late November day a little brighter.

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I am in the beginning stages of becoming a Alpaca farmer. I have visited several farms. I am looking for land now. I have loved Alpacas forever!!

You’ll love them even more when you own them. I just walked out in the cold rain to give them snacks before bed. And even though we now have over 50 alpaca, I seem to love them all as much as I loved our first five.

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i really LOVED reading everything you’ve written its so clear and answered so many of my question, ecxtept for this one one,” Which of the two breeds is normally taller?” from most of the pictures it looks like it would be the Suri. am I right? I too am in the process of looking for land but I’m afraid I might be biting off more than I can chew.I’m always telling my daughters to dream really big now I think I’ve dreamed too big!

Lori I do not believe there is a difference in height between Suri and Huacaya. That said, lineages within Suri and Huacaya can greatly influence height. We have certain ladies that are much taller than others and certainly ladies that are much shorter than others. We just purchased Snowmass XXXtreme Tribute and we used to own his sister Scarlett. Both alpacas from this lineage were tall and proud. They stood out in the pasture and just had a regal presence to them.

Don’t be afraid to chase your dream. I’m so happy we jumped into alpacas and I wouldn’t change the path for anything.

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I am just beginning the process and found this blog to be fantastic. As a disabled veteran stepping through the process to start an Alpaca business your information has given me a wonderful place to get on a path to success. Thanks!

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Thank you for your very informative article/information. I have always been intimidated about writing a business plan and you laid it out so simply! We have 8 Alpacas on a farm in Langley Washington and have had them for over 15 years. We have recently lost 3 of them. I at first believed they were dying from normal age progression. As I was looking up more information to find the cause of suchh coincidental deaths, I came upon your article and with great regret wished I had read it some years ago. Good luck in your farming endeavors. Our “pets” have been a wonderful addition to the quality of life to our farm for us, and many friends and neighbors.

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I too am starting my farm, I have an excellent resource person aiding me through my adventure. I have a very plain question. Is it reasonable to continue to work 4 days a week and run a farm with approx. 10 alpaca. There are two of us, but want a real answer. We have other smaller herd animals we care for and handle with no problem with our work schedule but adding a larger animal in and in a few numbers , I am curious your take on this.

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Ten alpacas is a very manageable number and this is especially true if they are not breeding females. Once you get to about 20 alpacas, you’ll find poop management is a bit more time-consuming. Forty alpacas require more time to address poop clean up, herd health, and general interactions. When we reached sixty alpaca, my 15-year-old declared it was time for the pasture vac (aka poop vacuum) to arrive.

When we had around ten alpacas, my mother-in-law and her partner were more than happy to stay at our house and manage the farm while we traveled. They viewed it as minimal work with a whole lot of alpaca love given in return. Now that we have sixty, she is smart enough not to volunteer. =)

Feeding and watering are really quick. Poop clean up, herd health reviews, and monthly shots in the summer take more time. If you are breeding and you have cria arriving, that brings in a new level of time commitment.

We had sheep for a hot minute and quickly learned they were a lot more work than alpaca, and in the end, they produced a lot less revenue. Sheep simply didn’t create a solid business model for us. Alpacas were a good fit for the required workload, and they offered a lot more in regards to revenue and agritourism. And what matters most to me, the love they give back to their humans is bountiful.

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Hi Rebecca, this is such a well written article, so helpful! We are in the planning stages of our alpaca farm and had a couple of questions. We live in a very rural area in Wyoming and arent sure of the best way to find buyers for fibers? Also, we were initially going to train our alpacas for light packing (no more than 20% of weight), but have come across advice to not do this. We are aware of a couple of alpaca farms in Montana that use their alpacas for packing, but wanted to get your opinion.

The general consensus is llamas have a body structure for packing and alpacas do not. However, an alpaca can actually carry a weight of 25 pounds or 1/4 of its body weight. You would have to closely review the body score, as a low body score would reduce the packing amount. This information was pulled from The Complete Alpaca Book by Eric Hoffman. This is an excellent book for all things alpaca. It is pricy but well worth the money.

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Hi Rebecca – Very few people are willing to volunteer information at this level of detail to help others. You were willing to share your talent and time to help others, that is a wonderful gift, to give of your time and experience to others-thank you for doing that!

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Thank you for all this charted information, Rebecca! You and your family have accomplished alot in the four years of alpaca farming. My husband and I are former Bed ‘n Breakfast owners and hosts. We are intrigued with the possibility of hosting alpacas.

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You have provided the most informative and helpful advice I have ever read in one spot. We bought a beautiful three acre farm that came complete with two alpacas, Jed and Ghost. They were rescues and although we new little about caring for them, there was no way we would have them sent back to the rescue. We read every book, followed the previous owner’s routine and now we are in love with our boys and the Alpaca community. Our next step is to become an official business. Tractors, fencing and all are expensive, but we enjoy the work and would like three more boys! Thank you so much, from Frolic Hill Farm🦙🦙

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Your article was most informative, including topics I didn’t realize I wanted to know about. Thank you. I do have a question that I don’t think you addressed: is there a better time of year to start an alpaca farm or increase the herd? And, is there any time of year when one should not add to their herd? Thanks for all your guidance.

My answer would really be time-based. When could you spend the most time with your new herd or additions to help them settle in and build trust with them? Or, if you were buying breeding females, you would want enough time before birth to bond, build trust, and learn about them before labor and delivery starts.

Our first five alpacas came in the middle of winter. I would put on snow pants and head to the barn each night to spend time with them. It wasn’t ideal, but I made it work. And, without question, it was worth every minute in the cold.

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Informed Farmers

Starting An Alpaca Farm (7 Things to Consider)

Starting An Alpaca Farm - What to Consider

So you’re thinking of starting an alpaca farm. We don’t blame you as alpaca farming can be both rewarding and profitable. Before you jump in, though, there are several things you should consider before you take the next step.

7 Things to Consider Before Starting an Alpaca Farm

1. learn about alpacas.

We hope that anyone who wants to start an alpaca farm has enough common sense to spend some time learning everything they need to know about alpacas.

While it’s true that only experience can teach you certain things, knowing all about the different types of alpaca breeds, their feed , health and nutrition needs, as well as what the day-to-day running of an alpaca farm involves is non-negotiable. Knowing what to look for when buying alpacas is of course incredibly important too.

2. Land Requirements

On average, you can keep between 5 and 10 alpacas per acre , though this depends on geography and pasture management. Because alpacas have strong herding instincts, at a minimum you need at least half an acre of land to support 2 alpacas.

There are also other things to consider including if you will be using dry lots or pasture (each has their own pros and cons), that you are able to separate male and females of breeding age, and whether you will have to clear the land as some plants are toxic to alpacas.

3. Fencing Options

Alpacas won’t try to escape nearly as much as other farm animals, but they still need to be fenced in, especially as they are often targeted by predators.

There are many styles of fences available, including “no-climb” fencing and multi-strand high tensile fencing. In any case, you will need to build a fence that is at least 4 to 5 feet tall, and make sure that crias are unable to roll underneath and adult alpacas are unable to fit their head through the spacing.

Alpacas may be resilient and can adapt to the extremes of hot and cold climates, but it’s still recommended that you are able to provide shelter, especially as the rain can ruin an alpaca’s fleece if it stays moist for a long period of time. This would spell very bad news if you want to profit from raising alpacas.

You have the option of using a three-sided shelter, four-sided shelter, or barn. Just make sure that you have the resources to build some kind of shelter.

5. Find a Good Vet

Before you start an alpaca farm, it’s a very good idea to first find a veterinarian nearby that has knowledge of alpacas. Even better would be if the vet is close enough to make any checkups, routine shots, and emergencies a quick, stress-free process.

6. Your Goals

If you’re thinking of starting an alpaca farm you probably already have a rough idea in your head of what you hope to achieve. You might just want to purchase a few alpacas to act as pets and produce fiber. This can only set you back a couple of thousand dollars.

On the other hand, if want to start an alpaca farm with the goal of breeding and selling the alpacas, this will cost you significantly more. The highest quality breeding stock doesn’t come cheap.

7. Develop a Business Plan

If you want to raise alpacas for profit, a business plan is definitely a must. From the very beginning, you need to make sure that the numbers work and that starting an alpaca farm is actually economically viable.

A typical business plan consists of a mission, the services/products you will offer, a marketing plan, your competition, any risks and opportunities, projected income, and a breakeven analysis, to name just a few things you should consider.

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alpaca farm plan

Alpaca Farming: A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Alpacas

  • Alpaca farming

Alpacas on the farm

Introduction

Alpaca farming has gained significant popularity in recent years, attracting both hobbyists and commercial farmers alike. These charming, gentle creatures are not only adorable but also offer various benefits to their owners. Whether you’re considering starting an alpaca farm for their luxurious fiber or simply want to enjoy their company, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to know about alpaca farming. From understanding alpaca behavior and nutrition to the basics of breeding and shearing, we’ll cover it all. So, let’s dive into the world of alpaca farming and explore these fascinating animals!

Table of Contents

Alpaca Farming

Alpaca farming refers to the practice of raising and breeding alpacas for various purposes, including their luxurious fiber, companionship, and even for show competitions. These South American camelids are native to the Andes Mountains and are closely related to llamas. Alpacas are known for their soft, hypoallergenic fleece, which comes in a variety of natural colors and is highly prized in the textile industry. Additionally, alpacas have a calm and docile temperament, making them enjoyable companions and pets.

Alpaca farming has gained traction around the world due to the numerous benefits associated with these endearing animals. Whether you’re interested in the financial potential of alpaca fiber production or simply want to immerse yourself in the joy of raising these gentle creatures, alpaca farming offers a unique and rewarding experience.

The Fascinating History of Alpacas

Before delving into the intricacies of alpaca farming, it’s essential to appreciate the rich history behind these captivating animals. Alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years by indigenous communities in the Andean region of South America, primarily in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. They were highly valued by the ancient Incas, who considered alpacas a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

The Incas carefully bred alpacas for their luxurious fleece, which was reserved for royalty and nobility. The fiber was woven into intricate textiles and garments made from alpaca wool were considered a status symbol. The Incas’ reverence for alpacas extended beyond their fiber, as the animals were also used for transportation, carrying goods across the mountainous terrain.

Today, alpacas continue to be revered for their exquisite fleece and gentle disposition. They are no longer confined to the Andean highlands but have found homes in various countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Alpaca smiling

Alpacas: A Unique Livestock Choice

When it comes to selecting livestock for your farm, alpacas offer a distinctive alternative to traditional options such as cows, goats, or sheep. Here are some compelling reasons why alpacas are a unique and advantageous livestock choice:

  • Fiber Production: Alpacas produce a luxurious fiber that is highly sought after in the textile industry. The fine, soft fleece is prized for its thermal properties and hypoallergenic nature, making it a popular choice for high-end garments and accessories.
  • Easy Maintenance: Alpacas are relatively low-maintenance animals, requiring minimal infrastructure and care compared to larger livestock. Their gentle nature and small size make handling and transportation easier, particularly for novice farmers.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Alpacas have a minimal impact on the environment due to their gentle grazing habits. They have soft padded feet and only remove the top portion of the grass, allowing pastures to regenerate more quickly compared to other grazing animals.
  • Companion Animals: Alpacas have charming personalities and are known for forming strong bonds with their owners. Their calm and docile temperament makes them ideal companion animals, providing emotional support and stress relief.
  • Diversification: Alpaca farming offers an opportunity for diversifying your agricultural ventures. Whether you’re already involved in farming or seeking a new venture, alpacas can add a unique dimension to your operations.

Now that we have explored the allure of alpaca farming and the reasons why these animals make distinctive livestock choices, let’s move on to understanding the different alpaca breeds and choosing the right one for your farm.

Alpaca Breeds: Which One Is Right for You?

Alpacas come in two distinct breeds: Huacaya and Suri. Each breed has its unique characteristics, and choosing the right one for your farm depends on your specific goals and preferences. Let’s explore the features of Huacaya and Suri alpacas:

Huacaya Alpacas

Huacaya alpacas are the more common and widely recognized breed. They have a dense, fluffy fleece with a crimped appearance, giving them a teddy bear-like appearance. The crimp in their fiber contributes to its elasticity and resilience, making it highly desirable in the textile industry.

Suri Alpacas

Suri alpacas, on the other hand, have a distinct fleece that hangs in long, silky locks, resembling dreadlocks. Their fiber lacks the crimp found in Huacaya alpacas but possesses a natural luster and drape. Suri fleece is highly prized by artisans and fiber enthusiasts for its elegance and silk-like qualities.

When choosing between Huacaya and Suri alpacas, consider factors such as your farming objectives, the market demand for each breed’s fiber, and personal preference. It’s also worth noting that some farmers choose to raise a combination of both breeds to diversify their fiber offerings.

Setting Up Your Alpaca Farm

Before bringing alpacas to your farm, it’s crucial to ensure you have the necessary infrastructure in place. Here are some essential considerations when setting up your alpaca farm :

Fencing and Shelter Considerations

Alpacas are highly adaptable animals and can thrive in various climates, provided they have adequate protection from the elements. When designing your alpaca shelter, consider the following:

  • Fencing: Alpacas are generally easy to contain, but sturdy fencing is essential to protect them from predators and prevent them from wandering off. A combination of woven wire and electric fencing is commonly used to secure alpaca pastures.
  • Shelter: Alpacas require a shelter that provides shade in the summer and protects them from wind, rain, and snow during inclement weather. A three-sided structure with a solid roof is typically sufficient, allowing alpacas to seek shelter as needed.
  • Pasture Size: Allocate enough pasture space for your alpacas to graze and exercise comfortably. A rule of thumb is to provide at least 1 to 1.5 acres of pasture per five alpacas, depending on the quality of the grazing land.

Alpaca Nutrition: What to Feed Your Furry Friends

Proper nutrition is vital for maintaining the health and well-being of your alpacas. Alpacas are herbivores and primarily graze on pasture grass, but their diet should be supplemented to ensure they receive adequate nutrients. Here are the key components of an alpaca’s diet:

  • Pasture Grazing: Alpacas are efficient grazers and thrive on good-quality pasture grass. Ideally, provide a mix of grasses and legumes such as clover and alfalfa to ensure a balanced diet. Regular rotational grazing helps prevent overgrazing and promotes healthy pasture growth.
  • Hay: High-quality grass hay should be available to alpacas at all times, especially during seasons when fresh pasture is limited. Hay provides essential fiber and helps maintain healthy digestion.
  • Supplements: Alpacas may require additional supplements to meet their nutritional needs, especially in regions with nutrient-deficient soils. A mineral supplement specifically formulated for alpacas can help provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Remember to consult with a veterinarian or an experienced alpaca farmer to determine the specific nutritional requirements of your alpacas based on their age, weight, and overall health.

Pasture Management for Alpacas

Maintaining healthy pastures is crucial for the well-being of your alpacas. Effective pasture management ensures a consistent food supply and reduces the risk of parasite infestation. Here are some key practices for managing alpaca pastures:

  • Rotational Grazing: Divide your pasture into multiple paddocks and rotate the alpacas between them. This allows for rest and regrowth of the grazed areas, minimizing the risk of overgrazing and soil erosion.
  • Fertilization: Regularly test your soil and apply appropriate fertilizers to maintain nutrient-rich pastures. Balancing soil fertility helps promote healthy grass growth and ensures optimal nutrition for your alpacas.
  • Weed Control: Monitor your pastures for invasive weeds and implement effective weed control measures. Some weeds can be toxic to alpacas and may negatively impact their health.

By practicing proper pasture management, you can create a sustainable and nutritious environment for your alpacas to thrive.

Alpaca Health and Care

Ensuring the health and well-being of your alpacas is essential for their long-term success on your farm. Regular care, vaccinations, and diligent observation are key to maintaining healthy alpacas. Let’s explore the crucial aspects of alpaca health and care:

Routine Veterinary Checkups

Routine veterinary checkups play a crucial role in preventive care and early detection of health issues. It is recommended to schedule annual or biannual veterinary visits to monitor your alpacas’ overall health and address any concerns. During these checkups, the veterinarian may perform the following:

  • Physical Examination: The veterinarian will examine each alpaca, assessing their body condition, teeth, eyes, and overall appearance. They may also check for signs of parasites or abnormalities.
  • Vaccinations: Alpacas require vaccinations to protect them from common diseases such as tetanus, clostridium, and respiratory infections. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for your alpacas based on regional risks.
  • Fecal Testing: Regular fecal testing helps identify parasite infestations and allows for timely treatment. Your veterinarian may request fecal samples to assess the parasite load and prescribe appropriate deworming medication.

Regular veterinary checkups provide an opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about alpaca health and care. Maintaining a good relationship with a knowledgeable veterinarian is essential for the overall well-being of your alpacas.

Common Alpaca Health Issues and Remedies

While alpacas are generally hardy animals, they can still be susceptible to certain health issues. Being familiar with common alpaca health concerns will help you identify potential problems and take appropriate action. Here are some prevalent alpaca health issues and their remedies:

  • Parasite Infestation: Internal and external parasites can affect alpacas. Regular fecal testing and deworming, along with proper pasture management, help prevent and manage parasite infestations.
  • Dental Problems: Alpacas’ teeth continuously grow throughout their lives, and dental issues can arise if they don’t wear down naturally. Regular dental checkups and occasional teeth trimming may be necessary to maintain good dental health.
  • Foot Health: Alpacas’ feet require regular attention to prevent conditions such as foot rot and overgrown toenails. Regular hoof trimming and proper pasture management, including avoiding wet or muddy areas, can help prevent foot problems.
  • Heat Stress: Alpacas are adapted to cool Andean climates and can be susceptible to heat stress in hot and humid environments. Provide shade, access to clean water, and misting systems to help them stay cool during hot periods.

It’s crucial to establish a good working relationship with a knowledgeable veterinarian who can guide you through preventative measures and provide prompt treatment when needed. Regular observation, thorough record-keeping, and maintaining a clean and hygienic environment are vital components of alpaca care.

Alpaca Reproduction: Breeding and Birthing

Understanding alpaca reproduction is essential if you plan to breed and expand your alpaca herd. Alpacas have a unique reproductive cycle, and successful breeding requires careful planning and management. Let’s explore the key aspects of alpaca reproduction:

Breeding Considerations

Breeding alpacas involves pairing a female (dam) with a male (sire) during the female’s reproductive cycle. Here are some important considerations when it comes to alpaca breeding:

  • Reproductive Maturity: Female alpacas typically reach reproductive maturity between 12 and 18 months of age, while males become sexually mature around 2 years old. However, it’s important to note that breeding at too young an age can have negative effects on the health and development of both the dam and the cria (baby alpaca).
  • Breeding Soundness: Before breeding, it’s crucial to ensure both the male and female alpacas are in good health and free from any reproductive abnormalities. Consult with your veterinarian to assess their breeding soundness and discuss any necessary fertility testing.
  • Breeding Methods: Alpacas can be bred through natural mating or artificial insemination (AI). Natural mating involves introducing the female to the male during her receptive period. AI allows for the use of superior genetics, but it requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
  • Gestation Period: Alpaca gestation typically lasts around 11.5 months (320-350 days). During this period, the dam requires proper nutrition, regular veterinary checkups, and a comfortable environment.

Birthing and Cria Care

Alpaca births, known as crias, are generally smooth and uncomplicated. However, being prepared for the birthing process and understanding cria care is essential to ensure a successful outcome. Here are some key considerations:

  • Preparation: Create a clean and private birthing area where the dam can give birth comfortably. Ensure that the area is free from hazards and provide clean bedding.
  • Signs of Labor: Alpacas typically show clear signs of impending labor, such as restlessness, frequent sitting and standing, and discharge from the vulva. Monitor the dam closely and be prepared to provide assistance if needed.
  • Assisting the Birth: In most cases, alpacas give birth without human intervention. However, if you notice prolonged labor or signs of distress, contact your veterinarian for guidance. It’s important to have a basic understanding of the birthing process to provide appropriate assistance when necessary.
  • Cria Care: Once the cria is born, it should start nursing within a few hours. Monitor the cria’s weight gain, ensure it receives sufficient colostrum (the first milk rich in antibodies), and observe for any signs of illness or weakness.

Breeding and birthing alpacas can be a rewarding but challenging endeavor. Seek guidance from experienced breeders or join local alpaca associations to learn from their expertise and ensure successful breeding outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Q: What is the average lifespan of an alpaca? A: Alpacas have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, but some well-cared-for alpacas have been known to live into their 20s or even 30s.
  • Q: Can alpacas be kept as pets? A: While alpacas are generally docile and can form bonds with their owners, they are livestock animals and require specific care and management. Keeping alpacas as pets requires adequate space, proper nutrition, and attention to their social needs.
  • Q: Do alpacas spit? A: Alpacas have a unique way of expressing their displeasure or establishing dominance within the herd by spitting. However, with proper handling and socialization, spitting can be minimized or eliminated.
  • Q: Are alpacas difficult to train? A: Alpacas are intelligent animals and can be trained to some extent. They can learn to lead, be haltered, and respond to basic commands. However, training alpacas requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Q: How often do alpacas need to be sheared? A: Alpacas should be sheared once a year, usually in the spring before the warmer months. Shearing helps prevent heat stress, maintains the quality of the fleece, and promotes overall hygiene.
  • Q: Can alpacas be raised for meat? A: While alpaca meat is consumed in some countries, it is not a common practice in most regions. The primary focus of alpaca farming is fiber production, and the meat market is limited.

Alpaca farming offers a unique and rewarding experience for farmers and fiber enthusiasts alike. From their luxurious fleece to their gentle nature, alpacas continue to captivate people around the world. By understanding the intricacies of alpaca care, breeding, and management, you can embark on a successful journey in alpaca farming.

Remember to establish a strong support network within the alpaca community, seek guidance from experienced breeders, and continue expanding your knowledge through resources such as reputable websites, books, and local workshops. With dedication, proper planning, and a genuine love for these charming animals, you can thrive in the world of alpaca farming.

Farm & Animals

What Do You Need To Start An Alpaca Farm?

October 13, 2022

Alpaca care can be pleasant, fun and lucrative. With their easy care needs and gentle personalities, these small, fleece producing members of the camel family can be the perfect livestock choice for an animal-loving hobby farmer. In this article, we share solid advice on how to start an alpaca farm. Read on to learn more on what do you need to start an alpaca farm.

What You'll Learn Today

1. Get to know alpacas

2. get familiar with the best alpaca pedigrees, 3. make sure you can have alpacas, 4. consult with your accountant about farm tax deductions, 5. devise a solid business plan, 6. give your farm a name, 7. register your farm name, 8. establish a federal tax id or employee identification number (ein), 9. contact your local authorities to get a sales tax license, 10. contact your insurance agent, 11. get everything ready, 12. stock your feed room, 14. locate a good veterinarian, 15. determine who will shear your alpacas, 16. go alpaca shopping, 17. become a member of the aoa, how to start an alpaca farm, frequently asked questions, 18 smart steps to help you get your alpaca farm started.

Steps To Help You Get Your Alpaca Farm Started

Look around your local area and find the nearest alpaca farms. Call ahead and make an appointment to visit, get acquainted and see what it’s like to live the life of an alpaca farmer.

You can pick up a lot of commonsense knowledge with these friendly visits. You can also determine whether or not you would really like to deal with alpacas day in and day out for a living.

You can do this by attending several alpaca shows. This is a good way to learn how to judge the quality of an alpaca and how to know which animals are better.

At an alpaca show, you can watch the judges and hear what they have to say and gain an understanding of what qualities you need to look for in a pedigreed, breeding alpaca . You can visit with the breeders, discuss their stock and get to know alpacas face-to-face.

Check with your local authorities to be sure that regulations and zoning laws will allow you to have alpacas. Even though they seem pet-like, alpacas are actually considered to be livestock.

To keep them, you’ll need to live in an area that has agricultural zoning. With this type of zoning, you’ll be able to erect the outbuildings and fencing you’ll need to keep your critters safe, healthy and happy.

If you’re going to farm alpacas seriously, you’ll need to take advantage of all of the deductions available to you. Make certain that your current accountant is knowledgeable when it comes to farm accounting.

If you’re going to farm alpacas professionally, you need to take the time to lay out your goals and objectives, determine your target market and create a marketing plan.

You’ll need to set all of this to a timeline and review it on a regular basis, making adjustments as needed. Here are few tips on how to make money with alpacas .

In order to be able to deduct your farm expenses, you’ll need to have an official farm/business name. Check with your state government offices to be sure that the name you have in mind has not already been taken.

Register your farm name with your state by forming a farm Limited Liability Company (LLC). Do this by submitting articles of organization to your state.

Consult a lawyer to determine whether these are steps that you can take yourself. You may need to hire a third party (attorney) to act as a registered agent.

This is necessary for obtaining your business bank account and for filing your taxes with the Internal Revenue Service. You’ll also need it to get business permits and various licenses. Obtaining an EIN is free. Contact the IRS to get the process started.

Rules, regulations and rates surrounding this vary from locality to locality.

You’ll want to have good insurance coverage for your livestock and your property. You’ll especially need comprehensive liability insurance. Talk with your agent about standalone policies and about riders which may be economically added to the homeowners’ policy you already have.

Before you ever purchase a single alpaca, get your pasture well fenced and build a three sided shelter or a barn. Be certain that you have good, secure storage for hay and grain and that you are able to provide plenty of fresh clean water every day.

You’ll need:

  • Feed & Hay
  • Water Troughs
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Medications
  • Alpaca Halters
  • Grooming Tools

Find a vet who actually has experience with alpacas or llamas . Large animal experience and/or livestock experience is not the same as alpaca experience. Talk with your local county extension agent for assistance in finding a good vet.

Alternately, or additionally get referrals from the alpaca breeders with whom you have become acquainted.

If you’re planning to do it yourself, you’ll need to learn how well in advance of having alpacas. If you’re planning to hire someone to do it, you’ll need to locate them and make arrangements long before your first springtime.

Since you’ve already visited several alpaca breeders and gone to a few shows, you should have a good list of possibilities now that you’re ready to buy your stock.

Follow through on these leads and be sure to purchase stock that has been consistently handled and well-cared-for, provided ample, proper feed and given the vet care necessary to keep them healthy and happy.

AOA is the American Alpaca Association/Alpaca Owners Association. If you are buying registered stock, as you should, your animals are probably already registered with this association. You’ll want to transfer the registration from the name of the previous owner to your name.

18. Be sure that you have all the right business permits

Check with your local authorities to see what permits you need for the services and products you intend to provide.

For example, if you are simply selling fleece and/or livestock, you may not need a business permit. If you decide that you want to sell manure as fertilizer, you’re very likely to need a business permit. Make certain that you have everything covered.

There are at least half a dozen ways to make money with alpacas. You can sell the fleece and meat . You can sell the babies as show animals or breeding animals. You can also sell young animals that are not show or breeding quality as sheep guards or as pets. If you have a handsome male alpaca, you can advertise him as available and charge breeding fees!

You can seek out information online, read books, join alpaca associations, watch YouTube videos and so on; however, the best thing to do is find a mentor. Befriend a successful alpaca farmer. Offer to help out. Learn by doing. This will greatly reduce the number of surprises that may confront you once you set out on your own.

When considering land, pens and buildings for alpaca care, keep in mind that you will need to keep breeding age males and females apart, so you’ll need two pens for keeping youngsters separated. If you plan to have herds consisting of one herd sire with several (up to ten) females, you’ll need a pen for each herd and space around to keep the male from wasting all his time challenging all-comers.

Alpacas usually respect fencing, but it must be good fencing that is well maintained. You can use board fencing or wire fencing, but no matter what, it should not have openings larger than four inches. Larger openings can result in an animal getting its head stuck. The fence should be four or five feet high, and it should fit securely against the ground to prevent youngsters from slipping out. Any fence you install should be strong enough, high enough and secure enough to keep out local predators.

When you are just starting out, you are better off investing in female alpacas. You can always have your females bred and then sell the offspring, as well as the females’ fleece, to raise money to purchase your own male (if you wish). Generally speaking, females are easier to deal with and more profitable than males.

2 thoughts on “What Do You Need To Start An Alpaca Farm?”

So many things to do. Maybe I should think of other animals rather than alpacas.

No matter what sort of animal you plan to raise, the number of things you need to do to provide a safe, healthy environment and have a successful enterprise will seem daunting. All-in-all, alpacas are really pretty easy to get started with and to achieve success.

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Nicky Ellis

Nicky has been an editor at Farm & Animals since 2019. She was raised on a farm in rural Michigan. She is a mom of three who spends all her free time with her family and friends, her mare Joy, or just sipping her favorite cup of tea.

6043 S Drexel Ave Chicago, IL 60637

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Alpaca Farm Set-Up

  • July 07, 2014

Alpacas farm setup

An Alpaca Farm Set Up

We have built   two alpaca farms   since getting into the business years ago, and visited many others along the way.  With over one hundred alpacas to work with every day, having the right set-up and layout is essential.  We found the fencing can be used as a tool if laid out correctly, and a frustration if things are not in the right place.

Every farm is unique, so you will have different requirements than we did living in the Rocky Mountains.  Draw out your plan in a couple of different scenarios to see what elements you like best.  Here are some important areas to consider when laying out your alpaca farm.

Key set-up elements on an alpaca farm

Alpaca Farm Fencing

Type of fencing

You will want livestock field fencing is some form (4” x 4” or 2” x 4”) at least 4’ high to keep potential predators such as neighbor dogs, coyotes and fox out as well as keeping crias in.  We found electric wire is only effective when alpacas are first shorn. Otherwise, many are willing to climb right through.  We do have an electric wire on the perimeter fence for extra protection from mountain lions and bears.

Guard Dogs and Llamas

If you will have guard dogs, keep in consideration how they will access each of the pastures without allowing alpacas to commingle. For our set-up, we put a 10"-12" gap at each fence cross-section, just large enough for a dog to squeeze through.  In the stalls, we installed a swinging "doggie door" attached to the livestock hog wire fencing.  The dogs can access the different pastures, but the alpacas have not yet figured out the system.

As an additional security system, you may want to consider a guard llama as a protector.  We found that our two llamas are very alert and protective of the herd.  They can defend against coyotes and other predators.  However, not all llamas will be willing guardians and it is important to find the right match for your herd, ideally a gelded male who has been raised to protect livestock.

You cannot have enough gates. If you are trying to push alpacas from one pasture to another, or trying to get to an alpaca quickly, the more gates the better. Six-foot gates allow our tractor to access all of our pastures.

We created a thoroughfare of 12' to allow our truck and trailer access to the back pasture. I would recommend having a   grate or mesh on your gates as well.  Crias can climb through pens they shouldn’t be in and the males can stick their heads through, raise gates and cause problems.

We use “Kiwi” locks on our gates.  They are easy to open with one hand and a good way to keep your gates shut even if an alpaca is fiddling with the latch.  

Alpaca Feeders

There are several types of very effective feeders available on the market. We have feeders that we fill with 400 lbs of orchard grass hay. I have seen some that will hold two 60-70 lb bales of hay with a 4” x 4” mesh (or hog wire) on top.

The right type of feeder will allow the alpacas to efficiently eat the hay. The wrong type can fill topknots and the back of the neck with hay as well as scattering the rest of it on the ground.

We also found   installing gutters   throughout the barn, 20" to 25” off of the ground for pellets is a great tool. This allows you to easily feed without setting out buckets to be kicked over as well as gives access to small bites without choking on the feed.



Setting up alpacas farm

Runs and Stalls

We put two runs / stalls on each side of the barn.  They serve as a catch pens, breeding pens and holding pens for health checks. I would recommend somewhere between 12’ x 15’ to 15’ x 20’.  You may want to create different sizes for different needs. If you get them too big, you will be doing a lot of ineffective and unnecessary chasing.

In this picture, the automatic water is used for both stalls / runs as well as the pasture to the left.  For the pasture in the back, we keep the back stall open so that the herd in the back can access the same watering system.

Please   contact us   if you have questions or would like some suggestions in setting up your own farm.  

Water installation on alpaca farm

Availability of water is essential. Automatic waterers are worth their weight in gold if you can afford them. With our layout of 5 pastures and 4 stalls, we only need 3 waterers on the entire farm.  We were filling 6 troughs of water every day in the Summer.

If using troughs, use the shorter ones that are 12”-15” off the ground (usually 50 gallons).  Otherwise, the babies cannot reach them when they are low.

Install several water faucets near your outbuildings.  You will need them to clean your trailer, water your pastures and spray down your alpacas 

on a hot day.

Alpacas of Montana barn setup and map

You do not need anything fancy for a barn. Alpacas are hardy and as long as they have protection from the sun when it is hot and the snow and wind when it is cold, they should be fine. We used 12 x 24 loafing sheds for several years. We now have a large barn with storage up above, but I have seen carports be just as effective in the hot sun.

We set our barn up in the middle of our pasture, so that we have a “wagon wheel” style layout.  This allows us to easily push alpacas from one pasture to another through the barn in a matter of minutes to rotate pastures.

The   right kind of flooring   is very important in allowing the urine to drain in the summer months.  We considered a cement floor for ease of cleanup, but realized it would become an ice-rink in the middle of winter with our climate. A solid dirt floor can become compact and won’t allow draining and /or will be very dusty and dry out the alpaca fleece.  So, we decided on ¾” fines over 12” of pit run. 

If you would like additional details, contact us .

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Getting Started Guide for New Farms

Research, research, research.

To get started the key to the game is research. Visit as many farms as you can, read as many books as possible, and learn as much as you can about the animals and their requirements.

First questions you should ask yourself before moving to buy alpacas:

  • Why are you buying Alpacas? Most important to start outright. Are you in it to make money, show, get resources from them, or just for fun to have on your farm to look at?
  • Do you have enough space? 1 acre of land can hold 12-15 alpaca if you have pastures and adequate hay for them to eat during the winter.
  • Do you have a good set up or can you need to put one in?
  • Types of animals – Huacaya or Suri Alpaca, which one do you want?
  • What quality of alpaca? Fiber, Pets (Alpacas are Livestock but people keep them as a pet on their hobby farm), Breeding, Showing, or Meat.

After you answer these questions and you still want to get a herd. Yes, herd. Alpacas do not do well by themselves. It is best to have at least three in a group of the same sex. Male and female alpacas should not ever be housed in the same field or same barn (except for the obvious breeding ritual). You should go through the below checklist and details to make sure you stay on track and learn as much as you can.

Checklist Before You Bring Them Home to Their New Alpaca Farm

  • Did you prepare a business plan/budget before you purchase? This is necessary no matter what type of farm or alpacas you are going to have. You need to fully understand the costs and time involved to have an alpaca farm.
  • Do you have a mentor? A person that has/had alpacas and can answer some of the startup questions you will have no matter how well you prepare. Usually, the farm you are buying your alpacas from will gladly mentor you through the process.
  • Do you have a hay source that will be able to supply you with grass hay? This has proven to be an issue even with established farms. Make sure you secure your source before you bring them home.
  • Do you have grain and or mineral plan identified and ready? Be sure you talk to the farm you are getting them from so you can follow their process or at least get enough of the products so you can slowly change over to your identified method.
  • Are your barn and fencing set up to hold your alpacas? Best to have a mentor or “Alpaca Person” audit your farm and make sure the setup and supplies are ready for their arrival. Fencing- With Alpaca fencing, it is used to keep animals out even more than at is to keep alpacas in. Depending on your area Predator proof fencing is important.  When planning your fences and barn layout keep in mind pinch points. Since alpacas are flight animals, they will not be cornered easily. Best to have areas that it will neck the animals down so they cannot get around you when you need to work with them.
  • Do you have a vet identified that is experienced with camelids? Most vets will not work on alpacas so you will have to make sure you find one that is willing to beforehand.
  • Do you have a startup kit of medications that you will need? CD&T, Deworming, Antibiotics, ETC? Depending on the time of year and the medication protocol you choose to follow will dictate the medicine toolbox you need to have ready.
  • Do you have barn supplies you will need first thing when they arrive? a. Rakes and shovels to pick up manure and clean the barn and pasture. b. Feed buckets/troughs- depending on how many alpacas and the type of feed you choose to feed will dictate the type of buckets you will need. c. Water buckets- In cold weather climates make sure you have identified how you will keep the water from freezing d. Leads and halters- Usually they come with some but if not you will need to have enough to handle the different size alpacas (small, medium, and large).

Alpaca Business Plan

Even if you are not going to treat having alpaca as a business it is always good to put one together. It is good to know what costs you will incur to have alpacas. Things like monthly feed costs, shearing, vet bills, and incidental supplies are all things that will way into the decision to get alpacas. Can you afford them, or how many alpacas to purchase will help be determined by do you a business plan.

On the other hand, if your intent is to treat alpacas as a business, a business plan is not only a good thing but a required activity. You may be required to show if audited. As soon as you decide on starting an alpaca farm as a business you should get a business plan together. It helps you stay on track and keep your plan in motion. It also will help you get in the habit of keeping receipts and other required documents when it comes to tax time on your farm.

Alpaca Hay Source

Hay is all over. At least that what it seems. But when you try and find a 2 or third cutting all grass hay it seems that the supply dries up. You will want to check the local area and see if you can find a farmer that sells all grass hay. Finding and securing a local source as soon as you can help you with not only the time of having to travel farther but also money. It is the law of supply and demand if you wait to find hay when you do the price will usually go up especially later in the season.

Grain and Minerals for Alpacas

The concept of grain and minerals in the alpaca world goes all the way from “you don’t need anything just hay” to “you should be feeding them each 2lbs a day of brand XXX”. The fact is, alpacas like any other animal, need a nutritional value more than what is in hay alone. Whether you are putting a salt block out for cattle or a mineral bucket for your sheep, you are providing the animal with a supplement of nutrition that is not in the food source used in the main diet. Alpacas are no different. whether you choose a free choice mineral or a grain supplement alpacas will need to get that extra nutrition.   Another fact is livestock will crave whatever is missing out of their normal diet, and if presented with that source they will seek it out and consume it to satisfy that craving.

As a general rule, alpaca feed is broken down into two factors:

  • Proteins, fats, and fiber which comes from your fillers like soybean hulls, soybean meal, wheat middling.
  • Vitamins and minerals for example Vitamin A, D, and E, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium.

A key factor with which grain you choose is local availability.  Your local feed source will use a certain alpaca grain as their only offered brand.

Preparing Your Alpaca Barn or Shelter

This is something that no matter how well you plan you will want to improve it. When we were planning our barn layout I planned, planned and planned some more. The original plan was to build custom fence and gates by welding exact to fit all the opens I wanted. I ran my plans by a mentor and was told it was great, but I might want to think about building it out of wood and screws (Screws so you could make changes and improvements easier). I was not convinced that it needed to be done because in my mind I planned so well I would not want to change or improve anything. Well needless to say I am now at the 1-year mark of the new perfect barn layout and I have ONLY changed it 6-8 times. This is why we feel it is so important to have a mentor to help you through the process. The advice I took against my better judgment has not only saved me on time but also a great deal of wasted money. Things you will want to plan into your layout

  • Is there enough room for the number of alpacas you plan on having?
  • Do you have a way to separate animals into different areas? Either due to feeding, Injury or different personality’s when not getting along.
  • If you are planning on birthing do you have a pen set up or can be set up to separate mom and new cria for a short period of time? This supports the bonding between mother and baby.
  • If you are going to have crias. Do you have a separate area set up that only the crias can get into (called a cria pen). This will allow a cria to get away from the herd and get extra grain without having to fight with the herd to get their share. Cria’s, in the beginning, need a free-choice grain they can eat at any time.
  • There are many different opinions on what type of shelter your animals will need. Some say a barn with 4 sides that can be closed up when needed to either protect animals from severe weather, predators or making it easier to do alpaca herd checks. Others say you only need a 3 sided shelter to protect from severe weather. The answer will depend on your climate and also your comfort factor on caring for your alpacas.
  • Hay Storage- This comes in handy especially if you have the ability to house a 1 year of purchased hay or if you plan to plant and harvest hay fields.  Every year the hay yield is based on mother nature. If the yield is low then you will have trouble finding it available in the later months, and if you do find it people usually will charge more with a lower quality available.  On the other hand, if the yield is high you would be able to buy it at a good price year-round.  Having the larger storage is not necessary but it is a nice thing especially in low yield years.

Alpaca Fencing

The fence is another very important thing to take into account. Again like other plans you will find, survey 10 alpaca people and you will get 10 different opinions. No climb fencing, no climb fence with an electric wire around it, 5 wire electric fence, or whatever is there already, is some of the more common opinions you will hear. The one thing I can say that was common with most of the people we surveyed, was to have a layout that will make it easier for you to get the animals into an area you can handle them. For example, if you have a large square area with a corner to get them into you will spend the majority of your time chasing alpacas around in circles. However, if you have a reason (feed) or an area with a funnel to get them down to a manageable level you will have a much easier time catching them.

Another thing that is even more important is predator control. As stated prior fencing is meant to keep animals in, but it this case it is just as important to keep predators out. Mountain lions, wolves, coyote, and bears are things to keep in mind when putting your fence plans together. Even with a plan that you believe is sound, many will say you will need a guard animal and/or electric fencing to help if you are in an area where a higher level of predator control is needed. We are finding that even with the predator control fencing we are still feeling that we need more to ease our own minds. This is overkill but there have been to many times I hear something and get concerned that there is something going to get them. Most of the time it is in the middle of the night and when woke up by something I feel I need to get up and check it out.

Alpaca Vets

An Alpaca Veterinarian is a very tricky and sometimes hard person to come by. Because Alpacas are relatively new to the U.S. and have some differences that set them apart from normal livestock. This confusion usually will get a normal vet to shy away from the work. There is a list of Michigan Alpaca Vets that will help with your search. There is a lot of alpaca farmers in Michigan that us one vet for the normal day to day issues that may come up, and if the issue is more complex they divert their issues to a place like OSU (Ohio State University) who has some great experience with the camelid family.

Alpaca Farmer Medication Tool Box

The alpaca medication toolbox can be as limited or as full as you would like it. The toolbox is not meant to cure all ailments but gives you a limited supply of treatments that you will be able to do on your own. Things like annual and monthly shots can get very expensive if you continually call your vet out (at $50 to more than $200 a visit) to administer them. It sounds like a scary thing to do but it is relatively easy.

This is also meant for more than just saving money. Sometimes you will call your vet with a problem and they will ask if you have some simple medications like an antibiotic or mite/fly spray that could be administered as soon as directed, and start the alpaca on the road to recovery. Once you gain experience, you will be able to treat simple ailments that will not need to call in support. The alpaca medication toolbox is just like your medicine cabinet at home. You have Antibiotic ointment, cough syrup, aspirin, etc. The toolbox is the alpaca version of medicine cabinets. The only difference is you will need the experience to diagnose the alpaca version of a cough, headache, or a scraped knee.

Educate Yourself!

When setting up the plan for starting an Alpaca farm research is the only way to educate yourself enough to make the decision to get your first alpacas. Most people that get started, quickly get hooked on them and no matter what the reason you chose for starting one, the details will ever be changing. If you first start as a hobby farm it may quickly turn into a farm with show animals or a farm that breeds and sells them. All that same line if you want to organize your barn a certain way you will always come up with better ways as you move down the path. Change will be the name of the game, and you should embrace the change as it is part of all the fun. Finally, the one thing through all of the alpaca industry, whether being an owner or visitor, is that they all say how calming and therapeutic alpacas are.

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Great Tips On Starting An Alpaca Farm

Great Tips On Starting An Alpaca Farm

When we first starting thinking about starting an alpaca farm, the first thing we did was find a mentor.  They taught us everything that we need to know and still answer questions to this day.  That, my friends, is your first tip.  Find a great mentor and learn as much as you can from them!

Alpacas are some of the most unique and most amazing farm animals in you can find. They prefer colder climates but easily adapt to the warmer summer climates across North America.  As long as you acknowledge extreme temperatures and adjust for them, with sprinklers or jackets, they will do just fine.

These great animals belong to the camelid family and originate from the Andes Mountains.  Now they are breed in farms all over the globe for their luxurious wool.  They are frequently mistaken for baby llamas but their are numerous differences between llama’s and alpacas, including size and ear shape.

If you are looking into staring an alpaca farm, we suggest that you do all of your homework ahead of time.  While it is possible to make money in this business, it takes a plan and clear goals in order to due so.  You can’t simply go out and purchase a few alpacas with the goal of getting rich.  I guess that you can, but the results aren’t likely to be what you are looking for!

Here is a look at some of the tips on starting an alpaca farm:

How Much Land?

First thing’s first! When starting an alpaca farm, before you even buy the alpaca, you will need to set up a section of land that will accommodate them. To accommodate their natural living requirements, you will want to have a decent amount of land. Depending on the farmer and the pack, an acre of land can accommodate from 10-15 alpacas comfortably if you are feeding hay and not expecting them to live off pasture.  If you are looking to have them live off of pasture’s, that number significantly decreases.

It is imperative that you separate male and females of breeding age.  That means you should expect to have at least two separate pens, but a study by The University Of Massachusetts suggests that you plan for three or four.  One for breeding aged males, one for breeding aged females, one for weening aged alpacas, and one for younger males that can’t yet stick up for themselves if placed with the breeding aged males.

When you are preparing the land, keep in mind that there are some plants that will be toxic to these animals. Some plants, like poppies, buckwheat, and acorns, are poisonous to alpacas. You will want to remove or avoid them being in or around the alpaca pens.

Build A Barn

Alpacas need a barn so that they have somewhere to eat and sleep

The next step in starting an alpaca farm, after your land is ready, is to construct a barn that will act as a shelter for the alpacas.  The barn will create a shelter that will keep them cool and away from the direct sunlight, which can be uncomfortable for them. It will also keep them dry during the rain.  They do not like getting wet, and it can ruin the fleece if it stays moist for a long period of time.  Heat is not necessary, because they have built in winter jackets!

Your barn can be as extravagant or as cheap as you would like it to be.  As long are you are giving them a roof that they all can fit under, they will be happy.  My only other advice is to avoid using metal roofing or siding because it heats up quickly.

You are going to need to put up a fence

You will also need to ensure that you have secured your land with the right fence. The alpacas will behave like any other animal, whereby, they would walk out of the secluded zone if there is nothing to stop them. For that, you will need to erect a fence around the land.

The fence should be between 4 and a half to 5 feet tall. You can either use boards or woven wire, which should be no more than 4 inches apart.  This will prevent the possibilities of having their head stuck in between the boards. You can use the no-climb fence, along with electric wire that is placed on the outside, bottom and top, for the sake of keeping intruders and predators away.

Most alpacas will not challenge a fence.  Therefore, it is more important to ensure that threats can’t get into the pen.  That means that they should be able to get over or under  whatever it is that you chose to use.

Find A Reliable Veterinarian

Before you think about starting an alpaca farm, you will want to find a local veterinarian that has knowledge about the alpacas. Ensure that the vet is close enough, for the sake of checkups, emergencies and other routine shots. It is advised to seek professional help, in case you are not capable of delivering such services yourself.

For the sake of routine checkups, you can learn from the professional and then perform these tasks on your own once you feel comfortable.  These days, we perform most tasks on our own and only call if their is an emergency. This will sill significant decrease the cost of starting and running an alpaca farm.

Training Alpacas

Typically, alpacas tend to be tolerant animals.  This means that they can bear many health conditions or discomforts for a long time, without you even realizing. This implies that if they have any disease, they will endure it and it can be too late once you notice symptoms. For that reason, it is highly advised to always perform routine checkups on the alpacas, to ensure that their health is good.

In order to do routine checkups, your animals need to be accustomed to being handled.  This can only be done by working with them an ensuring that handling isn’t always a bad thing.  We start this when they are young, by weighing them every day.  It helps us keep an eye on their overall growth while getting them used to being handled.

The Cost Of Starting An Alpaca Farm

Depending on what you are looking to accomplish, the cost of starting an alpaca farm can vary greatly.  You can purchase alpaca’s for a few hundred dollars, or you can get the best quality for tens of thousands.  Don’t forget to factor in the cost of setting up!

If you are looking at starting an alpaca farm with the goal of having a few cute animals that produce fiber and teach your kids some responsibility, then you can do that for a reasonable amount of money.  You can purchase a small herd of pet males for between $1000-$1500 total.  Then you can set them up with a cheap three walled shelter and some fencing for another $500.

The cost of starting an alpaca farm with the goal of showing and selling breeding stock is significantly higher.  You will also factor in how fast you want to get started because that will determine how many animals you will need to buy.  We always suggest that you start out by purchasing the best females you can afford and that is how we got started .  Therefore, the sky is the limit if this is what you are looking to do!

Create A Business Plan

When you have saved enough money, checked that the land is ready, along with the necessary features put into place, you will now be ready to start your business. A business plan will be essential if you are looking to raise your alpacas for profit .  Without a business plan, you will have no direction or focus. Without this, you are setting yourself up for failure!

Now that we have established that you will want to have a plan when starting an alpaca farm, lets talk about what should be included. • The mission – You will want to define what you would achieve from the alpacas, whether you will just keep them as pets, or sell them full-time. • Business service/product –  Consider what you are going to sell.  Are you looking to produce and sell breed stock or create products from the fiber? • The marketing plan – Determine how other people, who are interested in the animals, will know about them. • The competition – Ensure you know who your competitor is and what defines them.  You can learn a lot about the industry by studying what you competitors have done, both successfully and unsuccessfully. • Risks and opportunities – Specify the things that can go wrong and whether the risk is worth the reward. • The cost of starting an alpaca farm the way you want – Specify the number of alpacas that you will need to start an alpaca farm, in relation to the cost of each alpaca. Calculate the cost of fencing and other supplies. You should also include the calculation of the promotion and advertising as well as the creation of a website. • The Projected gross farm income – Here, you will include the expenses and revenue throughout the year. This will help you determine if you are making a profit or something needs to change. • The herd plan – You will need to categorize the herd of alpacas that you have, in relation to the female and male breeds. Ensure that you remember the alpacas that sells most, whether male or female. This will help you know what to invest in and recreate. You should also indicate the alpacas that require more attention, in terms of care and medication.  You may fine that you should avoid breeding certain animals. • The cash flow and break even analysis – This will be  vital to determining when you started making profits and if the cash flow is reliable enough top keep going.  Don’t get yourself too deep in a hole that you wont be able to dig your way out of!

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HOBBY FARMS

About alpaca farms, here's what you need to know about bringing these popular south american fiber animals to your farm., alpacas vs. llamas.

  • Alpacas weigh in at just 100 to 200 pounds, while llamas have an average weight of 280 to 450 pounds.
  • Alpacas grow to about 3 feet tall at the withers, and llamas can be twice that height: 5½ to 6 feet tall.
  • Alpacas are most often kept for fleece production or as pets. In South America, alpacas are sometimes used for meat production. Llamas are primarily used as pack animals and as guardian animals for herds of sheep or flocks of chickens in the U.S. They can also be raised for pets, meat and fiber.
  • Llamas and alpacas—both members of the camelid family—can interbreed. Their offspring are called huarizo.

Selecting Alpacas

  • Huacaya is the more common breed. Huacaya alpaca fiber is similar to sheep’s wool: It stands perpendicular to the animal’s body and is very dense.
  • Suri alpaca fleece is more like an Angora goat’s hair: It has longer locks of fleece that hang down against the body.

Preparing Your Farm For Alpacas

Poisonous plants, caring for alpacas, in the field, alpaca foot care, shearing alpacas, feeding alpacas, creating an alpaca business plan.

  • What, exactly, is the purpose of your alpaca farm? Do you want to breed alpacas and sell the offspring, sell fleece, create your own alpaca-fiber products, or just keep a few alpacas for your own enjoyment? Do you have other plans for your alpacas?
  • What is your budget?
  • What is the market for your alpacas? Where will you sell your alpaca fleece, your finished alpaca products and your alpaca offspring? How will you advertise each aspect of your business?
  • What permits do you need from your state, county and town to operate an alpaca business?
  • What is your breeding plan?

Who Buys Alpacas?

  • who buys alpacas
  • where buyers learn about and purchase alpacs
  • what sales strategies work in today’s marketplace

Marketing Alpaca Fleece

What to think about before raising alpacas.

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Start and Run the Alpaca Farm: 9 Important Tips

Gregory Gaines

  • September 19, 2022

Start and Run the Alpaca Farm

Table of Contents

9 Steps to Start and Run the Alpaca Farm?

What are alpacas.

First, for those who haven’t been around an alpaca yet, I’d like to describe the animal for you. The Alpacas are domesticated South American species of animal that closely resembles a miniature form of camel or llama in appearance and belonging to the biological family of Camelidae. A full-grown alpaca can weigh about 100 to 185 pounds and are 2.5 to 5 feet tall, which makes them slightly

Alpacas are truly unique animals in many ways. Even though they originated from South American continent, and they usually graze in herds on the level height grasses of the Andes of southern Peru, northern Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Chile at an altitude of 16,000 ft above the sea level, they can be easily raised in any state in the United States, from California to Maine and from Florida to Minnesota due to their ability to adapt to virtually any climate.

Types of Alpacas:

There are two types of alpacas:

  • T he Huacaya

Huacaya Alpacas:

Haucaya alpacas are fluffy with teddy bear-like fibers on them and because of their cuddly look, they have a more universal appeal. They are also hardy animals so they are a bit easier to keep and raise on a farm. Their fiber is also easily processed, silky and strong.

Suri Alpacas:

Suri alpacas have long shiny locks with very soft curly hair. They are much more expensive and rare. Fiber from Suri alpacas goes for a higher price on the international market.

Why Start an Alpaca Farm?

  • Alpacas produce fibers that are valuable around the world.
  • Alpaca fibers can be used for making clothing, toys such as teddy bears, and today.
  • They are also being used for making insulation for homes.
  • Because of their bone structure, they are less popular as a producer of meat but some have found success in this market.
  • Many people also raise alpacas as a hobby because they find it emotionally rewarding to raise alpacas as pets due to their warmth, friendliness, and trainability.
  • Alpacas eat very little , so the acreage per animal is also small. They can be kept with minimal veterinary costs, and they have the enduring quality of strength and toughness.
  • Raising alpacas for their fiber and breeding alpacas commercially for selling can be profitable and generate a steady income once you have a farm started and know how to raise animals professionally.

Steps to start an Alpacas Farm

Every business requires planning and proper procedures to be successful. You also need to ensure that your alpacas have a healthy environment to live in. Below are some steps are given to help you get started with your alpacas’ farm.

Step 1: Licensing and Planning:

The first thing you need to do to start your own farm is to obtain a license from the clerk’s office to the country that you reside in. For commercial farms , you will also need to name your business license from your state, if you plan on selling the alpacas and their fleece or end products made from the luxurious fiber. You may need to consult a business attorney to help you set up your business and help you with the paperwork and permits that you’ll need to define the nature of your business and get a business plan done. You’ll also need a feasibility report to define your goals, requirements, and overheads. You will need these to get financial support and tax breaks from the state.

Step 2: Gather Funds:

Make sure that you have enough funds to run your farm successfully . There are initial costs associated with buying land, transportation, hiring staff, and buying into the other steps. Purchasing alpacas land and supplies can be expensive, but don’t let a shortage of funds discourage you from starting your business. There are government subsidies and grants available for alpacas farmers. You may also try to obtain a loan from a bank.

Step 3: Choosing a suitable Location for your Alpaca Farming Business:

Starting an alpaca farming business comes with its own challenges; it is a business that cannot be started in any location of your choice. As a matter of fact, you will not be allowed to start an alpaca farming business in a residential estate in the United State of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The only location you can be allowed to start an alpaca farm is farmland designated for cattle rearing and it is usually in the outskirts of town- the countryside.

It cannot be overemphasized that the location you choose to construct your cattle ranch is key to the success of the business, hence entrepreneurs are willing to rent or lease a facility in a visible location; a location where the demography consists of people with the required purchasing power, and a location that has minimal predators and the right climatic condition for the types of alpacas you intend raising .

Step 4 Purchase Land:

If you haven’t got a land yet for farming, consult a realtor for purchasing land, suitable for alpaca farming. You can raise 7-10 alpacas on an acre of land. Alpacas do well on orchard grass or mixed grass flat fields or rolling hills or even terrain. Make sure you have enough room for grazing and storing your alpacas and also have room for expansion in case you want to increase the number of animals in the future. If you already own farmland, move to the next step.

Step 5: Ensure Safety for Alpacas:

Make sure that your alpacas safely on the grasslands and pastures that you own. Check for plants that can be toxic or poisonous to the alpacas, such as acorns, buckwheat, and poppies.

Step 6: Design a barn:

The next step in starting an alpaca farm is to construct a barn that will act as a s helter for the alpacas . The barn will create a shelter that will keep them cool and away from the direct sunlight, which can be uncomfortable for them. It will also keep them dry during the rain. They do not like getting wet, and it can ruin the fleece if it stays moist for a long period of time. Heat is not necessary, because they have built-in winter jackets!

Your barn can be as extravagant or as cheap as you would like it to be. As long are you are giving them a roof that they all can fit under, they will be happy. My only other advice is to avoid using metal roofing or siding because it heats up quickly.

Step 7: Get your Farm Ready for Alpacas:

Make sure that you have adequate tools and supplies for your farm. You need to purchase protective clothing, boots, and gloves for yourself.

You will also need to ensure that you have secured your land with the right fence. The alpacas will behave like any other animal, whereby, they would walk out of the secluded zone if there is nothing to stop them. For that, you will need to erect a fence around the land.

The fence should be between 4 and a half to 5 feet tall. You can either use boards or woven wire. Which should be no more than 4 inches apart. This will prevent the possibility of having their head stuck in between the boards. You can use the no-climb fence, along with an electric wire that is placed on the outside, bottom and top, for the sake of keeping intruders and predators away.

Most alpacas will not challenge a fence. Therefore, it is more important to ensure that threats can’t get into the pen. That means that they should be able to get over or under whatever it is that you close to use.

Step 8: Contact a Vet:

You must get help from qualified experienced vets and mentors in case a health issue or emergency arises. Once you get experienced and knowledgeable about your farm, you will be able to manage most health issues and pathogens yourself, with instructions form a vet. Parasites are the number one killer of alpacas in the United States , so it will be important to have fecal testing done periodically and to treat against worms and parasites on a regular basis. You will also want to get insurance for your alpacas.

Training Alpacas:

Typically, alpacas tend to be tolerant animals. This means that they can bear many health conditions or discomforts for a long time, without you even realizing it. This implies that if they have any disease, they will endure it and it can be too late once you notice symptoms. For that reason, it is highly advised to always perform routine checkups on the alpacas, to ensure that their health is good.

In order to do routine checkups, your animals need to be accustomed to being handled. This can only be done by working with them an ensuring that handling isn’t always a bad thing. We start this when they are young, by weighing them every day. It helps us keep an eye on their overall growth while getting them used to being handled.

Step 9: Get the Feed:

Alpacas originate from the South American continent and so they require free-choice minerals to make up for nutrients not readily found in the U.S. forage. Therefore you will have to provide them with high-quality nutrition filled grasses. You may also purchase hay to feed them, which may be a more expensive choice. Make sure that the hay you purchase does not smell musty or moldy and it should not look bleached or be dusty. Hay should look green and healthy.

Possible Threats and Challenges you will face when Starting an Alpaca Farming Business:

If you decide to start your own alpaca farming business today, one of the major challenges you are likely going to face is the presence of well-established alpaca farms who raise alpacas and other livestock for fiber and wool in your target market location. The only way to avoid this challenge is to create your own market; concentrate on cottage industries or fiber/fleece from alpaca farms on a regular basis.

Some other threats and challenges that you are likely going to face when you start your own alpaca farming business are global economic downturn that can impact negatively household spending, bad weather cum natural disasters, unfavorable government policies and the arrival of a competitor within the same location. There is hardly anything you can do as regards these threats and challenges other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for your good.

Strategies to Boost your Alpaca Farm brand Awareness and create your Corporate Identity:

If your intention of starting an alpaca farming business is to grow the business beyond the city where you are going to be operating from to become a national and international brand by opening chains of alpaca farms and franchising, then you must be ready to spend money on promotion and advertisement of your brand.

Here are the platforms you can leverage on to boost your brand awareness and create a corporate identity for your alpaca farming business;

  • Place adverts on both print(newspapers and agriculture and fashion magazines) and electronic media platforms
  • Sponsor relevant community- based events
  • Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google+ et al to promote your products.
  • Install your billboards in strategic locations all around your city or state.
  • Engage in road-shows from time to time in target neighborhoods to create awareness of your alpaca farm
  • Distribute your fliers and handbills in target areas
  • Contact fiber mills and textile and fashion companies and related business in the United State informing them about your business and the products you sell
  • List your alpaca farming business in local directories/yellow pages.
  • Advertise your alpaca farming business on your official website and employ strategies that will help you pull traffic to the site.

How to Shear an Alpaca

18 ways that alpaca farmers make money, alpaca owners association, regional alpaca organizations, alpaca breeders, related posts:.

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Diversifying Your Portfolio with an Alpaca Farm Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you considering diversifying your portfolio of investments to enhance your financial security? If so, have you ever thought about getting into the alpaca farm business? This comprehensive guide explores what it takes to create and manage a successful alpaca farm business, providing a unique and potentially lucrative addition to your investment portfolio.

Embracing the alpaca farm business can be a promising move, especially if you’re craving for something different and intending to create a different flow of income. And while you might be surprised at the suggestion, the alpaca industry has shown significant growth over the past few years and poses fascinating benefits worth considering in an investment portfolio.

Understanding the Alpaca Farm Business

Before diving deep into the alpaca farm business, it’s essential to understand these adorable, docile creatures. Alpacas are native to South America’s Andean regions and are cherished for their luxurious, warm wool. The wool, referred to as ‘alpaca fiber,’ is softer, lighter, and warmer than sheep’s wool, hence its increased demand globally. With proper care, an alpaca can live for up to 20 years and produce valuable wool every year.

Exploring the Profitability

The profitability of an alpaca farm business hinges on the value of alpaca fiber and the attendant high-end fashion products. Alpaca fiber is amongst the most valued fibers globally, with a kilogram fetching a considerable price in the international market. Plus, alpacas are available in over 22 natural colors, ranging from black to brown and white.

Alpaca breeders may also gain from selling these animals. Since alpacas have a long lifespan and are relatively easy to maintain, they’re quite desirable. Additionally, because they breed almost every year, investing in a few alpacas can swiftly expand your alpaca farm business.

Getting Started

Like any other business, starting an alpaca farm business requires thoughtful consideration and planning. Here’s how to get started:

1. Research: The first step is to understand the specific requirements of running an alpaca farm. Learn about their dietary needs, healthcare, housing requirements, and more.

2. Business Plan: Draft a detailed business plan outlining your strategy for marketing, managing breeding cycles, fiber production, and growth.

3. Initial Investment: You’ll need to invest initially in acquiring the alpacas, land (unless you already own some), shelter construction, and fencing. Remember to consider ongoing expenses such as food, healthcare, insurance and veterinary costs.

4. Education and Training: Join alpaca farming associations, groups, and workshops for knowledge, experience, and connections. Some alpaca farms offer mentoring programs to newcomers.

5. Marketing: Build your brand, create awareness, and network with other farmers at shows, exhibitions, and online forums. You can sell your alpacas, fiber, and other by-products at these events or through online platforms.

MAKING THE ALPACA FARM BUSINESS SUSTAINABLE Once your alpaca farm business is up and running, you need to ensure it remains sustainable. Keeping tabs on the health of your alpacas, changing market trends, and technological advancements in alpaca farming will guarantee the longevity of your business.

In conclusion, the alpaca farm business is a potentially lucrative investment that could offer an intriguing means to diversify your portfolio. However, like all investments, it’s not devoid of challenges, and you must be ready to invest time, effort, and resources.

With an understanding of the industry, constant learning, and passion, you could join the growing community of alpaca farmers. So, embark on this comprehensive guide to owning an alpaca farm business, and diversify your portfolio today.

Best Farm Animals

How To Raise Alpacas: A Beginner’s Guide to Owning & Farming

There are many reasons to raise alpacas. They make great pets, are wonderful with kids, and can turn a nice profit on the farm. Plus, they are gentle on the landscape and easy to raise. 

But, there are a few things you should know before getting your first alpacas. 

First, decide your purpose for keeping alpacas. Are they going to be primarily pets or are you hoping to make an income off of them? The answers to these questions will determine the gender, quality, and breeding of your future alpacas. 

Set Up For Alpacas: What Alpacas Need 

Alpacas need very little to be happy and healthy. They need a small amount of food, minimal shelter, annual shearing, and constant access to water. 

How much do alpacas eat? Alpacas eat very little food compared to other animals. 8-10 alpacas will eat about as much as a single horse. A 60 lbs bale of hay will last 10 alpacas for 2 days if that is their main source of food. It will last longer if the alpacas have additional grazing available. 

Alpacas prefer the second cut of hay that’s leafier. 

How many alpacas can graze on an acre of land? 5-8 alpacas can comfortably graze on an acre of land. If the land is more barren, then you will need to reduce the number of alpacas on the land. 

If you have more fertile land, you will be able to easily graze more alpacas. A conservative rule is to average 5 alpacas on each acre of land if you aren’t sure.

Shelter: Alpacas also need shelter from harsh elements. In moderate climates without harsh winters, alpacas will mostly need protection from wind. In nature, alpacas love to have a grove of trees to gather in for protection. 

A 3 sided shelter is usually more than enough for their shelter needs. Even in snowy winters and monsoon falls, a 3-sided shelter will provide a place to get out of the rain and snow and keep alpacas happy and healthy. 

Alpacas don’t need insulated or heated shelters, even in Alaska. 

Alpacas do well in cold weather (1)

What climate is best for alpacas? Alpacas are very adaptable to nearly any climate, but they may need a little extra care in extreme weather. Both extreme heat and cold can cause concern for alpacas, although alpacas do better in cold weather than in hot weather.  

Alpacas were bred in the highlands of Peru and South America so they can handle freezing temperatures. They have adapted to thrive in the cold without a struggle. 

But, they do struggle in the heat. So, you will need to shear them at the beginning of every summer to help cool them down during the heat of the summer. If you live in a hotter or southern location, you will need to make sure they have a shady place to cool down. 

Water: Alpacas need constant access to water. This is true in both the summer and the cold of winter. Dehydration will cause rapid health issues and possible death in your alpaca heard quickly. Do not neglect to provide water to your alpacas. 

  • 5-8 alpacas per acre of grazing 
  • 1 bale of hay feeds 2 alpacas for 10 days 
  • 3-sided shelter from extreme elements 
  • Constant access to water

What Do Alpacas Eat? 

Alpacas eat almost anything green. They are gentle grazers, only eating the very tops of plants so they aren’t considered a good “mowing” animal. But that means that they are very gentle on the landscape and easy on vegetation. 

Alpacas love to eat grass, herbs, and leaves and shrubs. They love hay and alfalfa, clover, and other meadow plants. Their split upper lip allows them to nibble around thorns. Alpacas do better on worse pastures than any other farm animal. They are very efficient with their feeding and don’t need a lot of food to thrive. 

There are two breeds of alpacas (1)

What foods can’t alpacas eat? Alpacas do not do well on grain-based foods. Do not feed alpacas bread, horse or pig nuts, or basic grains of any kind. Grains can cause ulcers and severe health issues in alpacas (including death). 

  • Grasses 
  • Alfalfa and various forms of hay and clover
  • Meadow plants and leaves
  • Leaves off thorny plants 
  • Scrub brush and other poor pasture plants

Fencing For Alpacas 

Alpacas are one of the easiest animals to keep fenced in. They honor fence lines and won’t try to push against them or get out like other livestock does. 

But, alpacas aren’t that great at defending themselves. So the fencing options you choose should account for the types of local predators likely to prey on your alpacas. 

Be very careful about using barbed wire or electric fences to keep alpacas contained. Both are likely to cause injury to alpacas and aren’t necessary. If you need to use an electric fence to protect your alpacas from predators, add the electrical wire on the outside of your regular fencing and away from where your alpacas can reach them. 

There have been cases of alpacas reaching out of the fence and then getting their heads wrapped in the electrical wire and being shocked until they die. It’s totally unnecessary for this to happen and can be easily avoided. 

Alpacas are friendly and docile (1)

What types of fencing work for alpacas?

  • Sheep fencing
  • Deer fencing
  • Wire fencing

How Many Alpacas? 

Alpacas are herd animals. They need at least one other alpaca to be happy. A single alpaca will be extremely lonely and won’t be happy. Ideally, you should keep at least 3 alpacas. They are happiest with a herd of at least 3. 

This also helps to protect you if something happens to one of your alpacas so you have at least 2 minimum. 

Caring For Your Alpacas: What Do They Need? 

Alpacas have few maintenance needs during the year. They do need to be sheared annually because they don’t shed their wool like other animals. It will continue to grow and will become unbearably hot to them and lose its quality. 

Alpaca fiber is usually sold in three main batches. The blanket section comes from the backs of the alpacas and sells for the most amount of money. It’s the highest quality of fleece. The second section includes the neck and upper legs of the alpaca. Thirds include everything else; around the bum, the lower legs where the fiber is dirtier and matted more. 

How much wool does an alpaca produce? Alpacas produce between 5-10 pounds of fleece a year. A fully-grown alpaca will generally average 10 lbs of fleece in the early summer shearing. 

Toenail Clipping: Alpacas also need to have their nails clipped. On average alpacas will need their toenails clipped every 6 weeks. More active alpacas on rougher ground may need their nails clipped less often than that- every 2-3 months. Older alpacas that don’t move around as much may need their nails clipped every couple of weeks. 

Maintenance Needs of Alpacas:

  • Annual shearing 
  • Toenails clipped regularly 
  • Minimal vaccinations  

What Shots or Vaccinations Do Alpacas Need?

Alpacas don’t need a lot of vaccinations, nor do they have many worrisome health issues. Alpacas need to be dewormed and they should have a tetanus shot and boosters to protect them from tetanus. They should also have a Vitamin D shot in the winter in areas that don’t have a lot of sunlight during winter months. 

When using vaccinations do not use live vaccinations in alpacas. Currently there are no live vaccinations developed specifically for alpacas and they pose a danger when used. Recombinant vaccinations are generally considered safe for use in alpacas. 

Alpacas are profitable animals (1)

Deworming : Alpacas should be dewormed once to twice a year. Many alpaca owners, especially those raising alpacas for meat prefer to deworm their alpacas twice a year. Currently, there are no vaccinations specifically developed for use in camelid animals. 

Meningeal worms can be spread to alpacas through white-tailed deer, snails, and slugs. It causes the alpaca to have issues getting up. 

That means that most alpaca owners use dewormers made for use in sheep, cattle, or horses. The off-label use of these products means that their effectiveness varies. It’s a good idea to talk to other alpaca owners or your local vet and farm stores to get a good idea of which dewormers work best in your climate and for the worms common in your area. 

Tetanus Shot: Alpacas should get a tetanus shot when they are young. They can receive the tetanus shot as early as 2-3 days old. Baby alpacas, also called crias, should receive their first tetanus shot no later than 3-4 months old. After the first tetanus shot, crias should receive a second booster about 4 weeks later. 

As a general rule, alpacas should receive a tetanus booster annual to protect them. In addition, pregnant alpacas should get a tetanus shot 1-2 months prior to giving birth. 

Vitamin D Shots: In areas that have a long cloudy season, or minimal sunlight during the winter, alpacas may need a boost of Vitamin D during the winter. This boost can be given once a month during the winter months. 

Other potential vaccinations for alpacas: Alpacas can be immunized against West Nile, Leptospirosis, Rabies, Coronavirus, and other diseases. But, most of these illnesses don’t usually affect alpacas unless the ranch or area has had issues with these illnesses in other animals. 

What Health Issues Do Alpacas Face?

Alpacas are generally pretty hardy animals. They can get sick when exposed to a specific illness. The best way to protect alpacas from disease and illness is to practice good husbandry. Don’t keep alpacas in a small space that is dirty with poor food nutrition. Make sure there aren’t things laying around that can harm or hurt your alpacas. 

As long as alpacas have space to roam, plenty of food to eat, and clean water, they will generally do very well and live a long healthy life. 

How To Make Money On Alpacas

Alpacas provide a number of ways to make a profit. Because they don’t eat a lot, they are one of the lowest cost farm animals to raise. Alpacas are profitable through the sale of their fiber, crias, meat, and dung. 

Alpaca Fiber: Alpaca fiber is considered extremely high quality and is fastly growing in demand. Alpacas produce about 10 lbs of fleece each year. Bag it according to the quality and you can sell it for a premium. 

Many alpaca owners will use the wool from their alpacas to create additional products including yarn or clothing. Alpaca wool is stronger, warmer, and softer than a sheep’s wool at the same weight. 

Before shearing, make sure to groom the alpaca fleece first. Brush it and pick out any burs and twigs out so the wool is clean. Alpaca fiber doesn’t have lanolin like sheep’s wool so it doesn’t need the intense cleaning sheep’s wool needs. 

alpacas are profitable livestock (1)

Alpaca Cries: Baby alpacas are also a profitable enterprise. A female alpaca can become pregnant at about 1.5 years of age. Alpacas don’t go into heat like other animals. Instead, the act of mating causes the egg to drop and become fertilized. This makes it very easy to breed alpacas. Mothers can be bred within a couple of weeks of giving birth. 

Alpacas are pregnant for a little over 11 months a year. They can have a baby annually. Selling the babies often brings in a good profit. Crias sell for various amounts depending on their breeding, paperwork, quality of fleece, and other factors. 

Meat: Alpaca meat is also becoming more popular. Alpaca meat is low in fat and high in protein. It’s also low in cholesterol. 

Dung: The dung is also popular. It’s not considered a hot dung so it’s safe to put directly on plants. If you plan to use the alpaca dung in a garden setting, it should be composted first to eliminate potential parasites that could be consumed by people. Otherwise, flowers, pastures and other areas can handle the dung without additional prep work. 

Alpacas like to have communal “bathrooms’ ‘ so their dung is easy to gather and find. It will all be in one common spot. 

Benefits Of Owning Alpacas

There are a lot of benefits to owning alpaca in addition to the benefits already named. Let’s cover some, but not all of the benefits of alpacas. 

  • Alpacas are extremely mellow animals. They are great with kids and don’t pose a danger. They are friendly and easy-going. Plus they are easy to care for, which makes them a great pet for children. 
  • Alpacas are really easy on the land. They don’t have hooves so they don’t wear trails in the land or kill vegetation. Their feed are toes with a soft under portion and a hard toenail on the top. This makes them easier on pastures than hooved animals. 
  • Alpacas are extremely good mothers. They have almost trouble-free pregnancies. Plus giving birth is a breeze. Because they are adapted to Peru, they don’t birth during the night-time. They give birth in the early morning to early afternoon, which means you won’t spend all night birthing alpaca babies. Their usual time to birth is between 7 AM and 1 PM. This gives the babies time to dry off before the cool of night sets in. 
  • Alpacas come with a lot of great tax benefits in the USA. There are amazing tax benefits for full-fledged alpaca farmers, and even for casual alpaca owners, there are several deductions available.
  • Alpacas are easy to halter trains : Alpacas are super easy to lead by a halter. This makes them easy animals for kids to ride on and to use in fairs and other entertainment. Some alpaca owners even show their alpacas. 

Differences Between Alpacas and Llamas

Alpacas and llamas are sometimes confused as the same animal. They are related as they are both a part of the camelid family. There are some big differences between these cousins. 

Alpacas are half the size of llamas. While an alpaca reaches 100-150 pounds, a llama will reach 200-350 lbs. Plus, alpacas have small ears that look like a rabbit’s ears. Llamas have long ears that are shaped like a banana. 

Alpacas produce a lot more fiber than a llama even though they are smaller. That’s because alpacas have been bred for hundreds of years for their fine wool, while llamas were bred to be a pack animal. 

Llamas have a course outer wool and a finer under the fiber layer. Alpacas have more fine fleece and it is only one layer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do alpacas spit? Alpacas do spit, but mostly at each other. They almost never spit intentionally at people, although people can get caught in the crossfire of an alpaca fight. Alpacas mostly spit to fight over food.  

What kinds of alpacas are there? There are two breeds of alpacas: the Suri and Huacaya. Most of the alpacas found in the United States are Huacaya. Huacaya has fuzzy wool and look like a toy animal. Suri alpacas grow long locks of fiber that can look like ringlets or dreadlocks! 

Huacaya Alpacas have longer fiber (1)

If I want to buy or sell alpaca products, where do I start? The Alpaca Owners Association maintains the broadest database of alpacas in the United States. They maintain a registry of alpacas and their lineage. They also maintain a list of alpaca manufacturers. Use it as a resource for finding outlets for your alpaca products, fleece, or to get useful tips and advice. 

How long do alpacas live? Alpacas live for 15-20 years. 

How much do alpacas cost? Alpacas cost as little as $100 for crias and as much as $1,000 per animal. It depends on the pedigree and quality of the animal. On average alpacas cost about $500 per alpaca. A nice breeding female can sell for as much as $10,000. Recently a very high-pedigree alpaca sold for over 700k! 

Are alpacas dangerous? Alpacas are not dangerous. They do not bite or kick. They do very little to defend themselves, which makes them susceptible to predators. Alpacas are very good with children but can get nervous around unfamiliar people. 

Merck Vet’s Manual

Washington State University Extension

Colorado State University Extension

My Favorite Alpaca Resources and Supplies

Heavy Duty Water Tank that I use for all of my animals. They don’t crack or break in the cold easily and don’t wear out from the sun in the summer. These are the #1 most important supply I have for my animals.

This Water De-Icer is another critical supply that I use for every waterer. I’ve tried the heated buckets, the fancier water defrosters and pretty much everything else on the market. But these work the best. Hands down, especially when we hit -20 below!

Hoof Trimmers that don’t rust or go dull as fast as other brands. Some of the more expensive options out there have dulled much faster. These will last well if you don’t leave them in the weather.

Organic Feed for when you need a treat. Alpacas are great for grazing and don’t need commercial food, but when you want to give them something nice, this is a great option.

Electric Coat Trimmer that will cut the thicker fur of Alpacas and help them cool off in the hotter summer days. These are a great cheaper option that don’t cost $400+ that the really nice ones cost.

Winter weather can lead to overeating, but this slow feeder helps to slow down your alpacas so they don’t overeat. I haven’t tried this one, but it’s on my list.

alpaca farm plan

Alpaca Farm: Everything You Need To Know

Alpaca Farm: Everything you need to know

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Ok, today we will talk about everything you need to know about Alpaca farms and farming. We will start with a few words about Alpacas, and then go to how much does it cost to start an alpaca farm, how much does it cost to buy an alpaca, how much is alpaca wool worth, is an alpaca farm profitable, and so on. 

The alpaca (Latin Lama pacos or Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated camel animal spread in the South American Andes. It is unclear whether it originates from Guanacas or Vikuns (hence the breed of one) or is a hybrid of the two species mentioned. It lives in large herds across the South American hills to the edge of the vegetation zone.

Due to its fine long wool and delicious meat , it has long been domesticated in South American countries. The wool of that animal and the wool fabric is called alpaca. They are extremely tame, dear animals whose wool is highly prized for its exceptional quality

The domestication of the alpaca began at the same time as the llama for about 3,000 years BC. Cr. While llamas served as a cargo animal in South American civilization, alpaca was grown primarily for wool. The Alpaca wool coat was considered a sign of prosperity by the Incas. The Inca rulers had large herds of alpacas as a sign of their power.

With the arrival of the Spaniards and their conquest of Peru, the situation is changing. The invaders bring with them sheep and show no interest in domestic useful animals. Thus the alpaca becomes the animal of the poor native, Native American, population. This eventually led to the extinction of these animals.

It is only with the independence of the South American countries that the value of the alpacas is recovered. They have grown again, and their wool is exported to the whole world. Today there are about 3 million alpacas, primarily in southern Peru and western Bolivia.

Alpacas are sensitive animals

Alpacas are animals that must be grouped. There must be at least three of them because otherwise, they will die of loneliness and fear. They are very sensitive and picky when it comes to food, so they choose which grass to fall and which hay to eat, and the problem can also arise in overeating which can be fatal. 

Alpaca Features

Like all other camels, alpacas have long, relatively thin legs, a long and thin neck with a small head, and like other American camels have no hump. They are slightly smaller than llamas, but with about 55 to 65 kg they are, above all, significantly lighter than them. Most often they are monochrome, usually brown, black, or bluish-gray, and in rare cases two-tone or spotty. Their hair is extremely long and can reach up to 50 cm.

Way of life

Like all animals in the camel family, alpacas are social animals and are best felt in a group. They are herbivores and feed almost exclusively on grasses, and like other camels, they are ruminants, so they have a stomach divided into four, which helps digestion. Females after the birth period of 240 to 345 days are most often fathered by one cub called in South America “Cria”. The female breastfed a puppy for 6 to 8 months, reaching sexual maturity at the age of 12 to 24 months.

How much Alpacas wool is worth?

Alpaca wool is the highest quality in the world, far more valuable than merino wool or cashmere. It is also anti-allergic so 99 percent of people can carry it without reaction. It is used just like ordinary wool – for clothes, accessories, toys, or carpets, and a kilogram of the final product made of alpaca wool costs up to $1,700 . Of course, just cropped wool costs far less – 10 to 30 dollars per pound, depending on the body part, but it is also much more than sheep’s wool. 

How much does it cost to buy an alpaca?

It depends, but the average price for a herd of quality male alpaca would be around $4,000 – $6,000 , while the best in the world male alpacas are around $500,000 . That’s only buying them. Don’t forget you have to feed them, but that’s now much, they tend to eat relatively poor pasture and can live outside for almost the whole year, but you have to have some shelter for them.

Are Alpacas profitable? 

Well, yes and no. It depends on many factors. First, it depends on where you are stationed, and where you plan to sell your Alpaca goods. Before the 2008 crisis, there were many Alpaca farms around, but most of them closed. Now, the trend is again starting, so you need to check your

competition and if there is a place for you in it. Then, of course, it is not the same if you sell only cropped wool or some final product. As we mentioned before, the final product will bring you much more money, but again, you have to invest more, or you can go with just cropped wool, but you will get much less money for it. It definitely can be profitable, but you have to check if it is not over-saturated in your parts. 

What do you do with Alpacas?

They can earn you a pretty good investment opportunity. They are a great source of very luxurious fiber, and their fleece is known in the whole world for its fineness and lightweight. You can make all kinds of products from them, like socks, hats, scarves, shirts, slippers, vests, ornaments, and many, many more. 

How the Alpacas Mate?

The alpacas mate in the supine sternal position, and the act itself lasts for about 20 minutes in which the male ejaculates several times. The length of copulation is influenced by the breed, age, season, frequency of mating, and presence of other females. Alpacas usually have one baby a year, and their gestation period lasts from 11 to 11.5 months.

What you have to be careful about Alpacas?

They love to eat, and they love to eat everything, so you have to be careful and see that they only have what is good for them. Most alpaca farmers modify their feeding sites so that grass can reproduce and fecal parasites can die before reusing the area. You should also supplement their food with selenium and other vitamins.

Also, they like to eat very much, so you have to look they don’t eat overeat, which can cause even the death of Alpacas. Then, there are poisonous plants, and there are many of those like, fireweed, some azaleas, acorns, African rue, agave, autumn crocus, carnations, bear grass, broom snakeweed, amaryllis, buckwheat, castor beans, ragweed, buttercups, calla lily, orange tree foliage, bracken fern, and many others.

Alpacas are therapeutic

Alpacas can be seen more and more in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and retirement homes for therapeutic purposes. So, forget about dogs and cats, if you are depressed or nervous, take yourself one Alpaca, pat it a few times, and everything will feel much better. 

The alpacas are fire and water-resistant!

Ok, they are not, but their fiber is, so they meet standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Systematization

Today, it is not yet clear which animal is the ancestor of the alpaca. Science has long considered guanaka a common ancestor of llama and alpaca. Earlier, theories emerged that alpaca originated in the Vikun, and according to new DNA research, it seems that this theory might be true.

The reason why this has not yet been determined with 100% certainty lies in the fact that the Vicuna, Guanacs, Llamas, and Alpacas are fruitful with no restriction, which has always resulted in their mixing again.

Accordingly, the scientific name of the species may be Lama pacos, as well as Vicugna pacos. Newer systematizations no longer give alpaca the status of a species, but consider it a race or mix.

In conclusion, should you go and buy yourself a herd of alpacas? Well, if there is no big competition, and you love working with animals, I don’t see a reason why not. They can live outside for a whole year and you don’t have many expenses except buying them (which is not so cheap), and they are easy to maintain (they eat all kinds of grass, maybe with few supplements). Also, they are therapeutic.

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Alpaca Business Plan & Recordkeeping Forms

Alpaca breeding, business plans & recordkeeping forms, breeding for fineness.

Breeding to improve fiber fineness has been one of the main goals of the alpaca industry ever since Peru started exporting alpacas in the 1990’s. Vigilant breeders have made great progress in achieving vicuna and cashmere quality production. However, improving fiber fineness can come at a great cost if you’re not paying attention.

Its generally understood that alpaca production will attain vicuna quality fiber characteristics as it was prior to the Spanish conquests and decimation of the SA culture over 500 years ago.  It would be nice to think that alpaca of that quality would fetch the  $250 per pound value that vicuna currently is bringing but due to greater production it is expected that as alpaca production attains 12-18 micron it should bring $90 to $125 per pound.

Breeding for fineness video can be found on this page: https://alpaca.net/alpaca-epd-herdsire-results   

Video Slide Handout   slide b-w handout

alpaca farm plan

Reducing fiber diameter or improving fineness is a fairly easy process as fineness genetics appear to be highly heritable, meaning progress is predictable. What is more difficult to achieve is fiber follicular density. As fineness improves if there is not at least an equal increase in density to offset the loss of volume the result will be a reduction in the weight of production. A 6 micron reduction in fiber diameter from 24 to 18 will require close to a 80% increase in fiber follicle to maintain the same production weight.  A reduction of 12 micron from 24 to 12 micron will require a 400% increase in fiber follicle density to obtain the same production weight.  There are a couple of  issues at play that will actually help that process.

One being that it takes several generations to achieve a 12 micron reduction. Second, is the availability of EPD’s that can help to increase fiber weight production with each generation.  Its relatively easy to select for breeding outcomes to improve fineness along with an increase of fleece weight production of 1/4 to 1/2 lb. or more with each breeding. The result being that by the time you reach a sub 18 micron fiber production you will also have achieved greater fleece weigh production. If it makes sense to get 4 to 6 times the value for each pound produced in achieving fineness it makes even more sense to increase production weight by 50% to 100%.  The result would be an increase in revenue of 400% to 600% from current rates.

Business Planning

We have developed an alpaca business plan proforma spreadsheet that is capable of helping you plan and predict start-up costs, herd growth, project sales to determine expected income and expenses.

If you’ve been doing some research into raising alpacas you have discovered by  there are a lot of variables involved in projecting outcomes for herd size expected expenses and income. The spreadsheets I developed are very versatile and lend themselves to projecting outcomes while exploring the many different variables. Not only the variables of what is involved in an alpaca herd but also the evolution of the typical alpaca breeder.

The spreadsheet will calculate to 10 years out for herd growth, income and expenses to arrive at optimal herd size needed to reach a targeted income. It will also project revenue from goods based upon expected net income per pound produced whether sold raw or value added.

alpaca farm plan

RECORD KEEPING FORMS

These record keeping forms are copyrighted and are made available for private/individual use only. (Please obtain authorization if considering use for Commercial purposes.)

Over the last 20+ years, we have looked at many computer-based, herd management, record keeping systems available on the market. We found they were excellent for recording information/data but were ineffective to use in time sensitive decision making situations or to easily review an animals history of any stand out issues. In general they are great for archiving information but pretty cumbersome to use as a management tool to aid in diagnosis. 

Cindy’s background as a critical care RN helped us design the following forms. These forms provide a quick retrieval of information without the need of reading through dozens or hundreds of line items in a report. Plus they eliminate the need for dual entries (jotting info onto a piece of paper in the barn and then transferring those notes into your computer when you get into the office.)  Ideally, these forms were designed to be kept in individual animal files such as a 1 or 2 divider, side tab, classification files that provide a section for each form, placed in order year after year, as well as registration, show records and fleece/epd data. We would use blue for boys and red for girls and kept in a portable tub that is divided by paddock population.  Amazon Classification folders

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS

PDF Health Record Form

PDF Breeding Record Form

PDF Gestation Table

PDF Birthing Checklist

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  • Alpacas as a Business
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Alpacas as a Business Considerations

Congratulations on beginning your journey toward potentially adding alpacas to your world!

Being an alpaca owner provides unique and wonderful life experiences. People in many countries call alpacas “the world’s finest livestock.” Valuable business assets of any kind possess qualities that make them desirable: gold is scarce, real estate provides shelter, oil produces energy, bonds earn interest, stocks may increase in value, and diamonds symbolize love. Alpacas share some of these same attributes.

Alpacas are scarce and unique, and the textiles produced from their fleeces are in demand at fashion centers in New York, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. There are excellent profit opportunities and tax advantages available to alpaca breeders. Historically, alpacas sustained ancient cultures, including the Incas of Peru. Today, alpacas still represent the primary source of income for thousands of South Americans. History has validated the value of the alpaca.

Long before stocks were sold on the New York Stock Exchange, livestock was a traditional form of wealth for many cultures. The richest families of ancient times counted their wealth by the size of their herds. Today wealth as a result of livestock ownership is not as common, but opportunities do exist for profitable farms and ranches. Tending to a herd of graceful alpacas can be an exciting source of revenue, and a rewarding lifestyle.

A key question to answer before starting a new venture is, WHY? Why are you considering becoming an alpaca owner?

Are you interested in?

  • Development of breeding stock?
  • Producing alpaca fiber for the commercial or cottage industry?
  • AOA Show System participation?
  • Augmenting an existing fiber production business?
  • The farming lifestyle?
  • The potential tax benefits of owning your own livestock business?

Alpacas offer an outstanding choice for livestock ownership. Alpacas have a charismatic manner, they do very well on small farms, and they produce a luxury product which is continually increasing in demand.

In researching the opportunities and gathering information to help with your decision making, it is recommended you visit as many farms in your local area as possible. Review the farm environment and operation of each, and ask the owners about their views of the alpaca industry. The AOA website, www.alpacainfo.com , and AOA's Alpaca Owners Guide  are great tools to help you locate farms near you. In addition to researching the alpaca industry and relevant statistics , it is strongly recommended that you spend time with a business consultant or tax advisor to discuss your interest in starting an alpaca business.

Alpaca Ownership

Many breeders will work with you to develop a plan designed for your particular situation; however, you are encouraged to independently develop your own financial analysis utilizing professional support if necessary. As a buyer you need to be certain that starting an alpaca business is an appropriate use of both your time and financial resources.

Analyzing the feasibility of alpaca ownership requires making a set of assumptions. Determining the costs associated with raising the animals and how much revenue they might generate in the future are the basic elements used in projecting a return on the investment. The assumptions found here are based on many breeders’ experiences.

The hands-on method of raising alpacas, as either a part- or full-time business, requires that the alpaca breeder own a small ranch or acreage, properly fenced with a small barn or shelter. Many farms already have outbuildings suitable for alpacas. The alpaca owner is presumed to supply the day-to-day labor.

A second approach is to purchase the animals and place them in the care of an established breeder. This arrangement for care and boarding of an animal on behalf of another is known as “agistment.” Under this method you, as owner, typically make the important decisions about care, breeding, sales, etc.

Farm/Ranch Operation

You may have an existing farm to use for your alpacas, or you may be starting new. If you are starting new, please check your local and county ordinances to ensure that starting a farming operation on your selected property is allowed, and whether there are any constraints you need to keep in mind as you develop your business plan.

The organization of your farm will impact the efficiency of your day-to-day operations. As you are visiting other farms, take pictures of their set ups and ask questions about what they like about their setup, and what would they love to change.

Here are some considerations when planning your farm

Shelter for your animals.

Will you have a centralized barn or will you have multiple portable style shelters?

Paddocks and Pastures

  • Will you have grazing areas or will you feed hay every day?
  • What is the maximum number of alpacas you will have on your farm?
  • Will fencing be portable or fixed, or a combination of the two?
  • No one enjoys carrying water when they don’t have to; how will you deliver water to your alpacas?
  • If you have pasture available for the alpacas, you will want to plan on proper irrigation, fertilizing and potentially over seeding to keep the grasses growing as well as possible, and have a plan for keeping weeds under control.

Electrical Power

Think about putting electrical outlets close to your water tanks if you have freezing winters (unless you enjoy breaking ice), and close to your shelters in case you have very warm days and need to plug in a fan to help keep the alpacas cool.

Hay Storage

Hay Storage will be driven by the form of hay available to you and the type of equipment you have available for moving the hay—small square bales (55–100#); large square bales (3’x3’x8’); or round bales. It is important to ensure hay does not mold due to exposure to moisture, so proper storage is essential.

Manure Management

Have a plan for the disposal of your manure. It may be a stock pile you spread on your pastures and fields, or selling it to gardeners or nurseries. New manure will be created daily by the alpacas, and should be removed from their living area on a regular basis to minimize the risk of parasites.

Annual Shearing

Alpacas need to be shorn yearly for their health, and the collection of your annual fiber harvest. The shearing event is something you may hold on your farm, or you may take your animals to another location for shearing.

Feed Storage

In addition to pasture and hay, alpacas require supplements to guarantee they get essential vitamins and minerals. Some owners also provide extra supplements in the form of grain or pellets. Some farms will purchase pellet supplements in 50# bags, while others will buy in bulk and store the feed in large bins.

Herd Health

Alpacas need to have their toenails cut on a regular basis. In some areas they will need routine immunizations. Teeth trimming may be required. Assistance with birthing may be necessary. The ability to weigh alpacas is important in managing their health. Having an area where a scale and restraining chute can be set up is important.

Veterinary Support

Do you have a local vet to call on when required? Are you willing to administer injections or draw blood yourself?

Livestock Trailer

Every farm should be prepared for the need to get an alpaca from the farm to a veterinary office or local animal hospital for treatment. If you plan to participate in the AOA show system, the style and size of trailer maybe oriented to the number of animals you plan to show and the distance you are willing to travel to show them.

Consider the use of tractors, UTVs, hay elevators, manure spreaders or brush hogs as tools for helping to manage the farm environment.

Pasture Irrigation

Retail farm store.

Will you have a farm store where you can sell your fiber and fiber products? Will local zoning regulations allow retail sales from your location? Do you have a building that could be renovated to a store, or will you need a new structure?

Fleece Processing

If you are thinking of processing some or all of your own fiber, do you have space for washing, drying, dying or other value-added activities you may perform?

Prices for shelter, fencing, equipment, and labor vary widely based on geographic location, as well as individual needs and tastes. For example, some alpaca breeders will opt for a $500 carport structure as a shelter for their animals, whereas others might spend upwards of $100,000 or more for a state-of-the-art breeding facility and showplace. Additionally, fencing could add several thousand dollars to your budget. If you manage the herd yourself, you’ll require an inventory of halters, shears, toenail clippers, lead ropes, and other miscellaneous gear. These items could add $500 – $1000 to your initial costs.

Revenue Generation

A great advantage of the alpaca business is there are multiple opportunities for generating revenue. As you visit other alpaca owners, be sure to ask them about their revenue generation activities.

  • Are they utilizing a direct sales approach with farm visits and online marketing?
  • Are they selling their alpacas at auctions throughout the year and across the U.S.?
  • Are they selling fiber animals to fiber enthusiasts or as pets?
  • Are they using the cottage industry approach, putting personal time and energy into transforming raw fiber into sellable products?
  • Are they using a more commercial approach by sending raw fiber to the national collection process or one of the fiber co-ops across the USA?
  • Are they selling manure or manure products to garden enthusiasts?
  • Are they selling the meat and hides of alpacas they have culled from their fiber producing herd?
  • Are they caring for (agisting) alpacas owned by someone else?
  • Do they have herdsires others use for a stud service fee?
  • Are they helping others to sell their alpacas for a small percentage of the sale?
  • Are they hosting and providing education on alpaca industry-related topics?
  • Are they providing transport services to move alpacas from one farm to another?
  • Are they providing shearing services to other alpaca owners?

Any of these methods can work to generate income with alpacas. The key to success is finding the method(s) that work best for you.

Operational Expenses

Every business owner has operational expenses necessary to run their business. These are areas of expenses that should be considered as you research the alpaca industry .

Food and Nutrition

  • Alpacas are grazing animals, and the environment they live in will dictate the amount of hay they require. As an estimate, one ton of hay should be sufficient to feed two alpacas for a year, assuming there are no pasture areas to graze in.
  • Pellet supplements are often provided to ensure alpacas are getting vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy lifestyle.
  • Mineral supplements made available for alpacas to consume when they choose are provided by most alpaca owners.
  • Every alpaca needs to be sheared once a year. It is for their health as well as for the annual fiber harvest. Ask alpaca owners in your area about the cost of shearing and for suggestions on credible shearers.

Veterinary Costs

  • While the need for veterinary support will vary from farm to farm, it is safe to say that every farm needs to be prepared for emergency care.
  • Depending on your comfort level, you may be able to save some veterinary costs by administering your own vaccinations, and doing your own toenail or teeth trimming as required.
  • If you participate in the show system, plan on the need for a certificate of veterinary inspection for the animals traveling to the show.
  • The cost of insurance needs to be considered to ensure your farm is covered from a liability exposure standpoint.
  • Alpacas are also fully insurable against theft and mortality. Insurance can be purchased for your stock. Average insurance rates are 4.25% of the value of the animal, or $425 for every $10,000 of insurance for one year.

Business Management

  • All businesses face the need to pay taxes. Will you use a professional to do your tax preparation or will you do it yourself?
  • Proper accounting is something the IRS is keen on, and is a best practice for any business venture. Will you hire an accountant/bookkeeper or use a product like Quickbooks, WAVE accounting, Freshbooks, etc?
  • The registration of your alpacas allows the industry to know that your alpacas exist and can be included in the national statistics. There is a fee to register alpacas.
  • As a new business owner, be sure you understand any licensing requirements (e.g., tax licenses, federal and state business identifiers, seller’s license or permit, etc)
  • Be aware of your local zoning regulations regarding a livestock business or opening a farm store for your fiber products.

If you are viewing this new relationship with alpacas as a business, it is essential to treat it as a business.

Other business considerations include

Will you be doing all of the manual labor, or will you be hiring individuals to help you, either occasionally or on a daily basis?

General Repairs

Plan on the need to repair equipment, fencing, water lines, or other items you and the alpacas regularly depend on.

Show System Participation

The AOA show system is a great way to market your alpacas and your farm. As a participant, you will have show entry fees, stall fees, and travel costs to plan for.

Fiber Processing

The alpaca fiber is your annual harvest and you should have plans for how the fiber will be utilized. How you have it processed is a personal preference, but everyone should consider having it processed in some manner.

  • If you plan to use a mill, there will be the cost of getting the fiber to the mill (e.g., shipping or personal drop off).
  • The cost of processing into batts, roving, or yarns will vary from processor to processor, so discuss processing costs with the mill owner you select. On average, this will be $25–$50 per pound, depending on the type of product created for you by the mill.
  • You may plan to process your fleece yourself. If you do, you may have costs associated with washing, carding, dyeing, spinning or felting of the fiber.
  • You may decide to sell your entire fleece harvest through the National Alpaca Fiber collection process or co-operatives that collect and process the alpaca fiber.

Every business needs to market themselves and their products to attract new customers.

  • There are the traditional methods of marketing such as placing ads in magazines and local newspapers.
  • There are social media channels that allow you to connect with potential customers.
  • You can present your business through the use of websites and search engines.
  • Becoming involved with the local 4-H and school programs is a method of marketing to your local community.
  • Participating in local farmers markets, county fairs, craft shows, etc., are methods of presenting your alpaca business to new customers.

Financial Observations

The major tax advantages of alpaca ownership include depreciation, capital gains treatment, and, if you are an active hands-on owner, the benefit of offsetting ordinary income from other sources with expenses from your ranching business.

It is important to make a purchase decision using assumptions that reflect your personal tax and financial situation, as well as your own assessment of the alpaca industry.

Financing terms are available from some breeders, and range from a few months to two years or more.

It is always wise to consider both the upside and the downside of any potential purchase. It is important to feel comfortable with a range of possible financial returns, in case your actual experience differs from your assumptions. Quality, color, gender of alpaca offspring, and strength of the overall industry could influence income results positively or negatively.

Tax Consequences of Owning Alpacas

Those considering entering the alpaca industry should engage an accountant for advice in setting up bookkeeping and determining the proper use of the concepts discussed in this brochure. A very helpful IRS publication, #225, “The Farmer’s Tax Guide,” can be obtained from your local IRS office.

Raising alpacas at your own ranch in the hands-on fashion can offer the active owner some very attractive tax advantages. If alpacas are actively raised for profit, all the expenses attributable to the endeavor can be written off against your income. These expenses can also help shelter current cash flow from taxes.

The less active owner using the agisted ownership approach may not enjoy all of the tax benefits, but many of the advantages apply. For instance, the passive alpaca owner can depreciate breeding stock and expense the direct cost of maintaining the animals. The main difference between a hands-on, or active, rancher and a passive owner involves deducting losses against other income. The passive investor may only be able to deduct losses from investment against gain from the sale of animals and fleece. The active rancher can take the losses against other income.

Alpaca breeding allows for tax-deferred wealth building. An owner can purchase several alpacas and then allow the herd to grow over time without paying income tax on its increased size and value, until he or she decides to sell an animal or sell the entire herd.

To qualify for the most favorable tax treatment as a rancher, you must establish that you are in business to make a profit and are actively involved in your business. You cannot raise alpacas as a hobby rancher or passive investor and receive the same tax benefits as an active, hands-on, for-profit rancher.

Once you’ve established that you are raising alpacas with the intent to make a profit, you can deduct all qualifying expenses from your gross income.

It is strongly recommended that you spend time with a tax and accounting specialist to understand the current IRS regulations and their applicability to an alpaca business.

Can Alpaca Ownership be Profitable?

Every startup business wants to know if they can be profitable and alpaca ownership is no different. The answer to the question is the same for any business: IT DEPENDS.

Can you keep the cost of ownership low and the revenue high? Reducing the cost of owning and raising alpacas is a key element for generating profits.

As for revenue, there are many potential methods of creating revenue and alpaca owners will choose the ones that they are most comfortable with. Generating revenue will require marketing and effort in order to acquire customers. The cost of marketing can be reduced by partnering with other farms.

With focused effort and the willingness to learn new skills, alpaca ownership can be profitable.

Many alpaca owners have found the alpaca lifestyle both personally and financially rewarding. As is true of any business start-up, owning alpacas involves a willingness to work and take financial risks. Your ultimate success will be determined by your ability to market your animals, fiber and finished goods, as well as your available resources, your communication skills, and your ability and willingness to provide top-notch customer service that results in a good reputation.

Work with your family, selected mentors and professional business advisers to develop an alpaca ownership plan that is best for you based on your current situation and goals. Although this article discusses different considerations for alpaca ownership, it is, of course, impossible to guarantee the ultimate success of any business.

AOA is dedicated to providing information and resources to help with research and decision making. AOA's website is a valuable tool in researching the industry.

  • Learn about alpacas through online articles and education .
  • Find an alpaca farm or business in your area to visit.
  • Contact a regional alpaca organization to connect with alpaca owners in your area.
  • Search for and attend a regional alpaca show .
  • Search for upcoming events in your area.
  • Search registered alpacas that are available for sale or stud.
  • Read stories from successful business owners who have experience in the alpaca industry.
  • Read the latest news from the national alpaca organization .

Other Sources of Information:

  • Small Business Administration — visit your local chapter for information on classes and possible mentors.
  • Your local county or university Extension Service office.

Business & Legal Articles

Alpacagram 3.83 — things to consider when starting or operating an alpaca related business: part 3 of 3, alpacagram 3.81 — things to consider when starting or operating an alpaca related business: part 2 of 3, alpacagram 3.76 — things to consider when starting or operating an alpaca related business: part 1 of 3, preparing for the irs and lessons learned, avoid transfer troubles, boarder disputes, disputes over alpaca ownership, alpaca business faqs, with apologies to paul simon: there must be fifty ways to sell your fiber, planning for success: developing a business plan, building your alpaca store: beginning steps for retailers, improve your bottom line: diversify, change your life with alpacas, the alpaca spirit & win-win purchase agreements, what are the agreement terms.

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Green Acres Senior Living visited by alpacas from G&D Alpaca Farm

Green Acres Senior Living visited by alpacas from G&D Alpaca Farm

MANISTEE — The residence at Green Acres Senior Living in Manistee had some special guests that brought lots of smiles on Friday.

G&D Alpaca Farm brought their wooly friends to the community center to spread joy and warmth. It’s the first visit of its kind, not only for the residence, but for the farm as well.

The alpacas enjoyed lots of pets and did their best to answer questions.

Green Acres said it was a great way to enjoy the day.

“We were all excited. Looking forward to it after lunch. We we love to have guests, whether it’s the ups man or whether it’s somebody’s family member or a special guests like Today gives us something to look forward to, peaks our interest and learning. You know, we’re asking good questions. And I learned stuff today, and I think so did our residents,” Eric Kinzinger from Green Acres Senior Living said.

But this will not be the last chance they’ll get to visit with the alpacas. Green Acres is planning a field trip to G&D Alpaca Farm in the warmer months.

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Plans for passenger train connecting southeast and Northern Michigan on track

VirginiaLiving.com

Alpaca Love

by Peggy Sijswerda

June 27, 2023

Adorable and friendly, alpacas are big business in the Commonwealth.

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It’s impossible not to smile when you hike with an alpaca. On a blue-sky day, I’m strolling along the edge of a forest with Elkton, a white alpaca, at Double 8 Alpaca & Llama Ranch in Purcellville. We duck under a tree branch in unison, and when I turn to look at him, he smiles back at me—or at least, I think he does. 

After bottle-feeding a 10-day-old cria, a baby alpaca, I watched these adorable animals scamper across a meadow, and now, as I lead Elkton on a gorgeous trail in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, I find myself falling in love with these doe-eyed camelids.

The first time I saw alpacas grazing on a Virginia farm two decades ago, I thought I’d taken a wrong turn and wound up in South America. These gentle animals arrived in the U.S. from Peru in 1984, with Virginia welcoming its first alpacas in the 1990s. Today there are more than 380 alpaca farms in the Commonwealth.

A Sound Investment?

Maybe you recall the “huggable investment” infomercials on late-night TV in the early 2000s? They promised viewers that breeding alpacas would put them on the path to prosperity. Many people responded, including Doug and Bonnie Kittrell, owners of Double 8. 

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Turns out the get-rich-quick scheme didn’t exactly pan out. But when the alpaca market crashed in 2008, it was too late—the Kittrells had already become enchanted by these unique animals. At each of the three Virginia alpaca farms I visited—Double 8, Skyfiber Ranch, and Meadowgate Alpacas—the love between the animals and their owners was palpable.

Each farm has a slightly different focus, although breeding, showing, fiber production, and agritourism are common threads. Even when alpaca prices fluctuate or a pandemic rears its ugly head, these farmers exhibit a remarkable ability to adapt to changing market trends and create new ways to make their farms profitable. 

When the Kittrells decided to jump into alpaca breeding in 2005, alpacas prices were at an all-time high. “In that early period, there wasn’t a fiber market,” Doug Kittrell explains. “It was all about breeding and selling alpacas.” The couple began by investing in four alpacas, three “very expensive” females and one male, who became the herdsire. 

Before long, they’d sold the offspring and recouped their initial investment. By the end of the third year, they had 20 alpacas and the future looked bright. “They’re like potato chips,” Bonnie says. “You can’t have just one.” Unfortunately, the same pattern of rapid herd increases was repeating across the country so, Doug recalls, “all the alpaca farms were ending up with huge numbers and the prices dropped.” 

Fleece and Agritourism

Around the same time, the market for alpaca fleece began to grow. A luxurious fiber, alpaca fleece is lighter and warmer than wool and, because it doesn’t contain lanolin, it’s hypoallergenic. Today many alpaca owners breed for fiber, and an animal that produces quality fleece can fetch high prices. 

Most farms don’t rely on a single avenue to keep them afloat financially. Doug and Bonnie keep their 32-acre farm in the black through multiple business tiers. One herd comprises show alpacas who compete in categories such as halter, fleece, performance, and walking fleece (where the fleece is evaluated while still on the alpaca). Bonnie says the average selling price for champion show stock is $12-14,000.

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The Kittrells also have a fiber herd and selectively breed for fleece color and quality. “A fantastic fiber producer can sell for $2-$4,000 each,” says Bonnie. As part of this business tier, Bonnie harvests the fleece, which is processed into yarn at a mill. Then she sells the yarn or knits it into accessories, all of which are available at her farm store as well as online. “I can make several hats a day,” she says. Socks are also a big seller.

Last but not least is Double 8’s agritourism business. In addition to hiking with alpacas, the Kittrells offer farm visits and wedding packages. Apparently, weddings that feature alpacas are a thing. They also host the local 4-H Club twice a month. “This is their chance to be around animals,” says Doug. The 4-H members learn how to care for the animals and sometimes show them at the Loudoun County Fair. 

Skyfiber Ranch: Science is Key

Tucked amid hills in pastoral Fauquier County, Skyfiber Ranch spreads out over 30 acres and is home to 60 alpacas. Owner Aimée Matheny greets me at the gate as two huge dogs bound across the pasture toward us. “These are our alpaca guard dogs,” Matheny explains. “They keep the herd safe from predators.” These ace livestock guardians are Kangal shepherds, a Turkish breed, and members of Skyfiber’s troop of five: Fiona, Seamus, Lyra, Stella, and Sebastian.

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Matheny and her husband, Mark Minorik, a technology consultant, moved from Texas to Virginia with their herd of alpacas in 2016. “It’s a better environment for alpacas,” Matheny explains and shudders slightly when she recalls the Texas heat. We sit inside her barn, where chickens come and go and cats sleep peacefully nearby. 

Soon Matheny and I are deep in a discussion about genotyping, dominant-recessive genes, histograms, and microns—scientific terms that are important in her breeding program. I madly take notes and ask lots of questions because these concepts are beyond my liberal arts background. Matheny studied biological anthropology and is currently pursuing a master’s certificate in genetics at Stanford University. 

“We breed for fleece and conformation,” she explains. Skyfiber’s goal is to produce alpacas that are true blue-black with fleece that lacks any reddish tint. “This year every alpaca born that we bred for true black is true black,” she says proudly.

Science is key. Matheny collects blood samples and sends them to a lab in Canada, where they are tested for color genotyping. “It’s very challenging because the fleece characteristics of blue-black are different,” she says.

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Fleece characteristics are paramount when you’re breeding for quality fiber. Matheny shows her top alpacas at competitions across the country and explains that judges look for uniformity of micron, or fiber diameter; uniformity of color; and staple, or fiber, length.

Like other alpaca farmers, Matheny has several revenue streams. Besides showing her alpacas, she sells breeding stock, offers stud services, boards alpacas, and harvests and sells her fiber. “The market is good particularly for blue-black fleece,” she says.

We walk across the pasture to meet a few alpacas, who look up curiously as we approach. “For me there’s something very peaceful about the alpacas,” Matheny says. “I can come out here and sit and listen to them having conversations with each other.” What she’s referring to is the humming sound alpacas make when they’re feeling content. It’s almost like a quiet kazoo.

Alpacas are very earth-friendly, Matheny says. “Because they don’t have hooves, they don’t tear up the ground when they walk.” Alpacas also “trim” the grass when they graze, instead of tearing out roots.

The alpaca business is very show-centric, Matheny says, but she’s hoping to spread the word that these animals are perfect for small farms. She also wants to promote the fiber’s unique characteristics and why it’s “worth the money to buy something made out of alpaca fleece.” SkyfiberRanch.com

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Meadowgate Alpacas: A Family Affair

When Nicole and Stephen Phillips made the difficult decision to sell their horses, they didn’t plan to start an alpaca farm. But as Nicole says, “We missed seeing faces in the field.” Living in Ashland at the time, they began visiting alpaca farms and “immediately fell in love with them,” says Nicole.

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They bought Cinnamon, a reddish-brown alpaca, and shortly afterwards, Nicole’s mom and sister discovered a 10-acre farm about an hour north of Richmond that was ideal for starting Meadowgate Alpacas. Nicole, Stephen, and their four children moved onto the farm in 2018, and it’s been an adventure ever since.

“We envisioned a farm that the family can participate in,” Nicole explains. The two younger children, Grace and Daniel, help with social media, farmers markets, festivals, and marketing, and attend biannual meetings to discuss business goals, all while enrolled as full-time students at William & Mary.

“The last couple of years have been an evolution,” Nicole says with a smile. The farm started out with an emphasis on breeding, showing, and selling. Eventually, the Phillips’ decided to emphasize alpacas that have a good disposition as well. This would come in handy when they decided to expand the agritourism side of the business and welcome visitors to the farm.

“The industry is shifting that way,” Nicole continues. “It needs to shift. The world is different than it was 10 years ago. People feel the need to go back to basics and have interactions with people and animals.”

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When the pandemic hit, the Phillips saw an opportunity to engage with people virtually. They offered free alpaca Zoom visits with frontline workers. “The feedback we got from team leaders was great,” Nicole recalls. They also began welcoming virtual alpaca visits from corporate groups, schoolchildren, families, and individuals. “People were looking for unique ways to break up the monotony,” says Stephen.

Another important branch of their business is alpaca therapy. They bring their alpacas to assisted living communities and schools with special needs students and watch the magic happen. “They come up and touch and pet and hug the alpacas,” says Nicole. “There are a lot of smiles.”

The Phillips don’t charge for the therapy visits. “We believe strongly that there are things in life you shouldn’t have to pay for—like joy,” Nicole says. 

In the pasture, I meet their original alpaca, Cinnamon, who’s calm and patient while I give her a hug and Nicole snaps a photo. A sense of serenity seems to surround these noble animals, and as I say goodbye to the Phillips and their alpacas, I can’t help smiling and feeling joy. MeadowgateAlpacas.com

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SIDEBAR: A Million Alpacas?

Alpacas became a running theme during actor Johnny Depp’s defamation trial in Fairfax in 2022, when Andrea Diaz of My Pet Alpaca in Lorton turned up among fans at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse with her alpacas, Teddy and Truffle. In homage to Depp, the animals sported pirate hats and pom poms.

“I've grown up watching his movies,” she told the Law and Crime network. “So when I heard the trial was in Fairfax, I grabbed the two alpacas, and I just decided to go. I take my alpacas everywhere.” What Diaz didn’t know was that alpacas would be part of the conversation inside the Fairfax County Circuit Court proceedings. 

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Sipa USA / Alamy Stock Photo

Referring to Depp’s comments about future work with Disney, lawyer Ben Rottenborn, a member of Amber Heard’s team (Depp’s ex-wife), “The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with 300 million dollars and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film.”

Depp replied, “That is true, Mr. Rottenborn.” 

“I didn't know about the million alpacas quote,” Diaz noted. “I just went for it. I know he's seen them twice,” she said, referring to Depp. “And the third time, he said, ‘It's alpaca day!’”

This article originally appeared in the  April 2023   issue.

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Russian Alpaca Farm

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Farm project sows seeds of hope

Shareholders and supporters of Seeds of Hope pose on the land after a Saturday harvest. Organizer Andy Millman is second from the left. Source: Personal archive

Shareholders and supporters of Seeds of Hope pose on the land after a Saturday harvest. Organizer Andy Millman is second from the left. Source: Personal archive

Andrew Grenfell didn’t expect to spend much of the spring looking for a tractor. Grenfell and his colleague Andy Millman thought they had a pretty clear understanding of the challenges they would face in starting Russia’s first community supported agriculture (C.S.A.) project, but finding someone to actually till the land wasn’t one they had anticipated.

“Of course we didn’t know how the seed varieties would do, we didn’t know the yield, the weather,” said Grenfell, but the answers to all those questions depended on getting the seeds in the ground in the first place.

“We rang people renting tractors, selling plows, and we couldn’t find anyone! If they had a tractor, they didn’t have a plow. If they had a tractor and a plow, they were working their own land,” Grenfell said. Eventually the former director of the collective farm that used control the land the C.S.A. rents agreed to do the tilling.

Grenfell and Millman both work for Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (M.P.C.), an interdenominational Christian church supported by five major American denominations, and they were responsible for putting into action an idea that had been floating around the church for at least two years – a farm that could provide work for some members of their congregation and produce food for its food bank.

alpaca farm plan

Throughout the summer, groups of 10-20 people made the 5-hour round-trip from Moscow to the farm on Saturdays to take care of the 150 hectare plot. Source: Personal archive

“Originally the idea was ‘let’s start a farm. Let’s get a bunch of corn and grow it and bring it in because they don’t have corn here,’” said Millman. “But there are lots of reasons why you don’t grow corn in the Moscow Oblast [region].”

The idea of using a C.S.A. model as a basis for the farm, which is called Seeds of Hope, came with the arrival of Millman, 26, a Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist Church, who had experience working with a C.S.A. in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. “When I got here, I was asked to build a broader business plan and model out what it would look like. Seeing as there aren’t C.S.A.s in Moscow, we kind of made it up along the way.”

Going back to the Land

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a C.S.A. is a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm. C.S.A. members buy a “share” of produce at the beginning of a growing season and receive produce in the late spring or summer as it becomes available. A C.S.A. may have a set number of weeks, or farms may provide produce to members until the growing season ends.

The system gives farmers a safety net against a poor harvest as well as better prices for their crops overall. Shareholders benefit from fresh, often organically grown produce. Additionally, in the words of the U.S.D.A., “all have at their center a shared commitment to building a more local and equitable agricultural system, one that allows growers to focus on land stewardship and still maintain productive and profitable small farms.

These ideas dovetailed well with the social mission developed for the project by M.P.C., which was to provide employment; bring together diverse communities and foster understanding; subsidize and support other projects and raise awareness about diet.

As the Moscow C.S.A. developed, the importance of shared commitment to the project became more important. After some of refugees who worked on the farm were harassed by the police, many of them were afraid to continue to work there.

To get the growing crops weeded, watered and harvested, Grenfell and Millman turned to their shareholders. Throughout the summer, groups of 10-20 people made the 5-hour round-trip from Moscow to the farm on Saturdays to take care of the 150 hectare plot.

“Most of the farm members have been understanding of the situation,” said Grenfell. “Their feeling is ‘I signed up for this to support the mission of what you’re doing, not because I expected a certain level of service.”

The organic produce, however, is an important side benefit. At the height of the season, the farm was producing nearly 400 pounds of vegetables a week – providing a decent share for the farm’s approximately 40 members and additional produce that farm volunteers sold at a stand on Sunday afternoons.

As the project developed, interest in the C.S.A. grew and now there is a waiting list for shares. The farm members, who are almost entirely members of the expat community, don’t generally have gardens or yards where they could grow their own vegetables, and certified organic produce in Russia is very expensive because of complex legal regulations.

Grenfell and Millman said that reaction to the C.S.A. concept among the Russians they have worked with has been positive, but they were careful to note that the people they approached about the project were already invested in the locally grown, small-scale farming movement.

For example, when the C.S.A. consulted the Moscow organic food cooperative LavkaLavka  about where to buy seeds, Grenfell describe the reaction of their contact to the initiative as “astonished delight.” Farmers at the Nikola-Lenivits organic farm in the Kaluga Region just south of Moscow also contributed advice, and a farmer in the southern Russian city of Volgograd contributed seeds because he was interested in the social aspects of the project.

alpaca farm plan

A virtual tour of the dacha

The only Russians who are C.S.A. members are friends of Grenfell and Millman. Many Russians have weekend houses, known as dachas, where they grow their own produce, so the demand isn’t as great.

Will a reliable source of organic produce become more appealing as the effects of Russia’s ban on fresh food from the U.S. and the EU become more evident?

“Some people have mentioned them [the sanctions], have said ‘this is great news for you.” Grenfell said. “But I think it’s going to be more great news for large agribusiness in Russia than it is for us.”

For more information about Seeds of Hope including how to support the project, visit the web-site of the Seeds of Hope project or the official Facebook page .

Read more: Reindeer farm looks to expand beyond Santa season>>>

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Business Insider

Business Insider

The 10 biggest cities where you can view the 2024 Great American Eclipse, from Texas to Indiana, Ohio, and New York

Posted: February 16, 2024 | Last updated: February 16, 2024

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In April, millions of Americans can experience a total solar eclipse as it sweeps across the US.</li><li>NASA says choosing where to watch is important because eclipses rarely occur in the same place twice.</li><li>Here is a list of the 10 largest US cities in the path of totality. </li></ul><p>On April 8, more than two dozen US cities will plunge into darkness when a total solar eclipse completely blots out the sun. </p><p>These cities are in what's called the "path of totality," which will run from southwest <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-where-when-see-solar-eclipse-united-states-nasa-map-2023-3">Texas to northern Maine</a>. </p><p>Those not in the path of totality won't experience a total eclipse but can still witness a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/partial-solar-eclipse-in-august-2018-8">partial one</a>. However, experts say it's worth traveling to see the total eclipse if you can make it. </p><p>"In choosing your location, you really are choosing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-2024-total-solar-eclipse-cool-best-special-nasa-2024-1">something that's special</a>," Kelly Korreck, NASA's program manager for the 2024 solar eclipse, told Business Insider. </p><p>Solar eclipses happen relatively frequently worldwide, but a total eclipse will only pass over the same city every 400 to 1,000 years, Korreck said. "You probably won't see another one there in your lifetime," she added.</p><p>Here are the 10 largest cities located in the path of totality for the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tips-how-to-take-pictures-photos-solar-eclipse-2024-2">Great American Eclipse of 2024</a>.</p><div class="read-original">Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/great-american-total-solar-eclipse-where-view-see-cities-visible-2024-2">Business Insider</a></div>

  • In April, millions of Americans can experience a total solar eclipse as it sweeps across the US.
  • NASA says choosing where to watch is important because eclipses rarely occur in the same place twice.
  • Here is a list of the 10 largest US cities in the path of totality. 

On April 8, more than two dozen US cities will plunge into darkness when a total solar eclipse completely blots out the sun.

These cities are in what's called the "path of totality," which will run from southwest Texas to northern Maine .

Those not in the path of totality won't experience a total eclipse but can still witness a partial one . However, experts say it's worth traveling to see the total eclipse if you can make it.

"In choosing your location, you really are choosing something that's special ," Kelly Korreck, NASA's program manager for the 2024 solar eclipse, told Business Insider.

Solar eclipses happen relatively frequently worldwide, but a total eclipse will only pass over the same city every 400 to 1,000 years, Korreck said. "You probably won't see another one there in your lifetime," she added.

Here are the 10 largest cities located in the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse of 2024 .

<p><strong>Population size:</strong> 137,571</p><p><strong>Total eclipse begins: </strong>3:09 p.m. local time</p><p><strong>Duration of totality:</strong> ~2 minutes 43 seconds</p><p>This will be the first time since 1806 that Ohio has seen a total solar eclipse.</p><p>In Dayton, eclipse watchers are invited to gather at the National Museum of the US Air Force for free. The museum will also offer free parking, viewing space, and access to the museum's collection featuring more than 360 aerospace vehicles.</p>

Population size: 137,571

Total eclipse begins: 3:09 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~2 minutes 43 seconds

This will be the first time since 1806 that Ohio has seen a total solar eclipse.

In Dayton, eclipse watchers are invited to gather at the National Museum of the US Air Force for free. The museum will also offer free parking, viewing space, and access to the museum's collection featuring more than 360 aerospace vehicles.

<p><strong>Population size:</strong> 139,594</p><p><strong>Total eclipse begins: </strong>1:38 p.m. local time</p><p><strong>Duration of totality:</strong> ~4 minutes 12 seconds</p><p>Waco, Texas will celebrate the eclipse with a full day of fun activities for the whole family.</p><p>You can purchase tickets for $20 to join astronomers from Lowell Observatory and Baylor University<span> at McLane Stadium. The event will include </span>telescopes, educational programming, and food trucks.</p>

Population size: 139,594

Total eclipse begins: 1:38 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~4 minutes 12 seconds

Waco, Texas will celebrate the eclipse with a full day of fun activities for the whole family.

You can purchase tickets for $20 to join astronomers from Lowell Observatory and Baylor University at McLane Stadium. The event will include telescopes, educational programming, and food trucks.

<p><strong>Population size:</strong> 146,103</p><p><strong>Total eclipse begins: </strong>3:23 p.m. local time</p><p><strong>Duration of totality: </strong>~1 minute 24 seconds</p><p>After this one, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/home-renovation-greater-syracuse-land-bank-photos-2023-6#-1">Syracuse, NY</a> won't see another total solar eclipse for a whopping 379 years.</p><p>The city's Museum of Science and Technology will host a free eclipse festival open to the public with food trucks and tabling activities.</p><p>But if you plan to be in Syracuse a couple of days before, you'll be just in time for a lecture about the 1925 solar eclipse that inspired eclipse research at the Colby Radio Research Lab. This event will be hosted on April 6 at the Cayuga Museum of History and Art.</p>

Syracuse, NY

Population size: 146,103

Total eclipse begins: 3:23 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~1 minute 24 seconds

After this one, Syracuse, NY won't see another total solar eclipse for a whopping 379 years.

The city's Museum of Science and Technology will host a free eclipse festival open to the public with food trucks and tabling activities.

But if you plan to be in Syracuse a couple of days before, you'll be just in time for a lecture about the 1925 solar eclipse that inspired eclipse research at the Colby Radio Research Lab. This event will be hosted on April 6 at the Cayuga Museum of History and Art.

<p>Arkansas is the third least-safe state in WalletHub's metric for both road safety and workplace safety.</p><p>It has the third-most fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, and it tied with Alaska, Louisiana, Tennessee, and New Mexico for most assaults per capita.</p>

Little Rock, AR

Population size: 201,998

Total eclipse begins: 1:52 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~2 minutes 29 seconds

Solar eclipses have been shown to cause some unusual animal behavior .

At the Little Rock Zoo, you might witness this mysterious phenomenon for yourself. The zoo invites eclipse watchers to join them for a Party on the Path Picnic featuring food, games, and included zoo admission. Tickets are $20-$32.

<p><strong>Population size:</strong> 210,606</p><p><strong>Total eclipse begins: </strong>3:20 p.m. local time</p><p><strong>Duration of totality: </strong>~3 minutes 38 seconds</p><p>Rochester, New York is celebrating the eclipse with a whole week of events.</p><p>Among them is a live performance by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra featuring music from "2001: A Space Odyssey," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and more of your <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sci-fi-movie-predictions-2019-5">favorite retro space movies</a> on April 7.</p><p>On the day of the eclipse, spectators can watch from a variety of different venues, including Rochester Public Market, the Seneca Park Zoo, and Lazy Acre Alpaca Farm.</p>

Rochester, NY

Population size: 210,606

Total eclipse begins: 3:20 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~3 minutes 38 seconds

Rochester, New York is celebrating the eclipse with a whole week of events.

Among them is a live performance by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra featuring music from "2001: A Space Odyssey," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and more of your favorite retro space movies on April 7.

On the day of the eclipse, spectators can watch from a variety of different venues, including Rochester Public Market, the Seneca Park Zoo, and Lazy Acre Alpaca Farm.

<p><strong>Population size:</strong> 276,807</p><p><strong>Total eclipse begins: </strong>3:20 p.m. local time</p><p><strong>Duration of totality: </strong>~3 minutes 45 seconds</p><p>Buffalo is New York's third major city in the path of totality.</p><p>Eclipse watchers in Buffalo can raise a glass to this unforgettable experience at Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, a German microbrewery and music venue. The brewery is now taking reservations for its eclipse watch party in its Biergarten featuring live music, food, and drink specials.</p>

Buffalo, NY

Population size: 276,807

Duration of totality: ~3 minutes 45 seconds

Buffalo is New York's third major city in the path of totality.

Eclipse watchers in Buffalo can raise a glass to this unforgettable experience at Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, a German microbrewery and music venue. The brewery is now taking reservations for its eclipse watch party in its Biergarten featuring live music, food, and drink specials.

<p><strong>Population size:</strong> 367,991</p><p><strong>Total eclipse begins: </strong>3:15 p.m. local time</p><p><strong>Duration of totality: </strong>~3 minutes 50 seconds</p><p>Watching the total solar eclipse in Cleveland is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This city won't fall within the path of totality for another 421 years.</p><p>Be sure to get there a few days early to enjoy, for free, all three days of Cleveland's Total Eclipse Fest, hosted by the Great Lakes Science Center. Visiting NASA scientists, engineers, and educators will be offering educational programs and activities for eclipse enthusiasts of all ages.</p>

Cleveland, OH

Population size: 367,991

Total eclipse begins: 3:15 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~3 minutes 50 seconds

Watching the total solar eclipse in Cleveland is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This city won't fall within the path of totality for another 421 years.

Be sure to get there a few days early to enjoy, for free, all three days of Cleveland's Total Eclipse Fest, hosted by the Great Lakes Science Center. Visiting NASA scientists, engineers, and educators will be offering educational programs and activities for eclipse enthusiasts of all ages.

<p>Indiana is ranked as the 16th-safest state in the US. It came in 11th place for personal and residential safety and for workplace safety, respectively.</p>

Indianapolis, IN

Population size: 882,039

Total eclipse begins: 3:07 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~3 minutes 47 seconds

If you miss the 2024 total solar eclipse in Indianapolis, you might be able to catch the next one in 2044.

But you won't want to miss out on the city's celebratory Eclipse Weekend filled with parties, films, and games. Eclipse watchers are invited to gather for the event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. General admission tickets are $20. NASA experts will be there and ready to answer all your questions about the eclipse.

alpaca farm plan

Population size: 964,177

Total eclipse begins: 1:36 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~1 minute 46 seconds

This is the first total solar eclipse in Austin, Texas in over 600 years.

The Long Center and the Simons Foundation invite Austin eclipse watchers to join them for a free Eclipse Viewing Party on the Long Center Lawn, hosted by Radiolab's Molly Webster.

At the Moody Amphitheater, the band Vampire Weekend will play a live concert during the eclipse. Ticket prices aren't cheap, though.

Or, spectators can venture just outside of Austin to watch the eclipse in the picturesque Hill Country of Texas. This region is known for its picturesque rolling hills and valleys and attracts over 5 million visitors each year.

<p><strong>Population size:</strong> 1,288,000</p><p><strong>Total eclipse begins: </strong>1:42 p.m. local time</p><p><strong>Duration of totality: </strong>~3 minutes 49 seconds</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-johnson-mayor-says-californians-moving-texas-big-reasons-2024-1">Dallas</a> is the largest city in the path of totality.</p><p>Several of the city's ticketed viewing events are already sold out, but you can still purchase group tickets to watch from the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden while the gardens are in full bloom. Or, head downtown for a lunchtime watch party featuring live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.</p>

Population size: 1,288,000

Total eclipse begins: 1:42 p.m. local time

Duration of totality: ~3 minutes 49 seconds

Dallas is the largest city in the path of totality.

Several of the city's ticketed viewing events are already sold out, but you can still purchase group tickets to watch from the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden while the gardens are in full bloom. Or, head downtown for a lunchtime watch party featuring live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.

People watch a partial solar eclipse in Diyarbakir, Turkey. <a>Sertac Kayar/Reuters</a>

Watch responsibly

Wherever you choose to watch the Great American Eclipse, remember that it is never safe to look directly at the sun without protection.

Moreover, sunglasses are not dark enough to protect your eyes during a solar eclipse, NASA eclipse program manager Kelly Korreck told BI. You need ISO-certified eclipse glasses to watch it safely.

Eclipse watchers who plan on traveling for the event should make sure to take general safety precautions, Korreck said.

"Make sure you know where you're going, you have enough gas, you have enough food, you have water, especially because there might be traffic when you're leaving the event," she said.

Korreck encourages anyone who can watch this event from the path of totality to take advantage of the opportunity.

"It really is a full-body experience," she said.

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  4. How to Raise Your Own Alpacas on the Homestead

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