1. What is an alpaca?
2. Why raise alpacas?
3. What and how much do alpacas eat?
4. What kind of shelter and fencing do alpacas require?
5. What kind of equipment and supplies are necessary for an alpaca operation?
6. What are the financial risks?
7. How are the risks minimized?

What is an alpaca?
Alpacas are a unique type of livestock, and are not classified as "exotic animals." They are members of the camelid family and are prized for their luxurious fleece. Alpaca clothing and tapestries were first known to grace the palaces and burial tombs of the royal family and highest government officials of the Incan civilization. Because of its exquisite quality, the fiber was sometimes referred to as "The Fiber of the Gods." Natives of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, alpacas have been exported since the mid 1800's to such countries as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, England, and Israel. The Alpaca Registry, Inc (ARI) registers animals and issues certificates, which trace the lineage of each alpaca, including colors, dates of birth, and importation information. The registry has been closed to imports since 1998, effectively protecting the value of the animals that are in the United States. To be registered with the ARI, all present and future alpacas must be verified to have bloodlines that link them directly to animals already registered. The Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF) conducts essential research and documentation of nutritional needs, disease, and preventive medicine for alpacas. Many universities around the country have or are developing courses as part of their veterinary medicine programs.

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Why raise alpacas?
Alpacas are not raised for meat in the United States, therefore, they are not the end product. Alpacas are raised for their fleece, which is very soft and luxurious. They are sheared once a year and produce five to ten pounds of raw fleece. Their fleece is softer, lighter, warmer, stronger, and more resilient than sheep wool and does not contain lanolin, which means it is also dryer and cleaner and has very little waste.

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What and how much do alpacas eat?
Alpacas are very "efficient" eaters. They require so little food, 3 to 8 alpacas can be raised per acre of pasture. Where pasture is insufficient, they can also be raised on grass hay. Free choice mineral supplements are necessary to their good health and some grain can be added to their diet, depending on the availability of forage. Alpacas will eat mostly grass if available, only approximately two pounds per 125 pounds of body weight per day. A 60-pound bale of hay will feed about 20 alpacas for a day.

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What kind of shelter and fencing do alpacas require?
Alpacas are very hardy animals and require only minimum shelter from the elements. They adapt well to all climates. They prefer shallow three-sided shelters to large barns. Perimeter fencing to keep predators and disease-carrying wildlife out of the pasture is essential. Inside fencing can be short, minimal, and/or temporary as they will not usually make any effort to go through a fence.

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What kind of equipment and supplies are necessary for an alpaca operation?
For a serious ranch operation, typical helpful equipment would include a tractor, bush hog, trailer, manure spreader, and tools to build and repair barns and fences. Supplies include medications, scales, and birthing materials.

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What are the financial risks?
As with any livestock, animals can die, pregnancies can abort, disease or parasites can cause health problems. Weather is sometimes not conducive to the production of good pasture or hay. The market for animals or fleece could be less than desirable when they are ready for sale.

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How are the risks minimized?
Most importantly, alpacas are one of the few types of livestock that can be insured for mortality for their full value. This protects an owner's investment against any accidental death of the animal. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) provides two important support functions for its membership. (1) It has a strong national marketing committee working to continually increase public awareness of the livestock, lifestyle, and end products, and (2) it publishes an educational and marketing publication called Alpacas Magazine full of great ideas on how to care for the animals, market them, and turn the fleece into end products for value-added profits. In addition, AOBA provides educational support through conferences and shows throughout the country.

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