The best way to learn
about the joy of owning Alpacas is to visit the farms. People who are already in the business. Alpaca breeders
are friendly and they enjoy sharing their Alpacas with the public. You will find that each breeder has his own
individual style and method of operation. You can learn a little from each breeder and decide how you personally
would like to participate in the Alpaca industry, and at what level.
Alpaca breeders
come from many walks of life. For some, Alpacas are a source of income, for others a source of pleasure. Young
couples with children might own three or four Alpacas and enjoy caring for them. Retired couples, who have raised
their kids, sold their business, and retired to the country are often owners. The family whose members include
a hand spinner might own two or three animals for fiber production. Several larger breeders are veterinarians who
found the ownership of Alpacas to be more rewarding than practicing veterinary medicine. Many herds are owned by
families, where the husband has a city job, and the Alpaca business is managed by the wife on their small acreage
in the country. A large number of breeders are working couples who tend their herd in the evening after work. All
of these Alpaca breeders, big and small, enjoy their animals and feel good about owning an investment they can hug.
Some investors
don't actually raise their animals, They live in the city, and are building their herd toward the day they might
change careers, or retire to the country life. Some investors invest solely for the exceptional returns Alpacas
provide. For all investors, Alpacas offer a great way to diversify their investment portfolio with a commodity
that is both rare and in demand worldwide.
There are big ranches
with over 100 Alpacas, and small farms of only two or three Alpacas. The average Alpaca herd is made up of about
eight to ten Alpacas. Most herds start out small and evolve to the size which fits the breeder's farm and financial
goals.
The developing market for Alpacas has been restricted by the lack of
supply. There are about 15,000 Alpacas in the U.S. Canada also has an active Alpaca market, and many Canadians
have invested in Alpacas which are cared for on farms in the U.S. and Australia.
Supply will continue to be restricted in the near future for a number
of reasons:
- Alpacas reproduce slowly.
- Many breeders retain their offspring, building their herds.
- A.R.I. our registry, has closed it's registration to imports as of 12/98
- Mass production of "cria," or babies, via embryo transplant is not feasible, since there is no available
supply of suitable host females.
- The limited size of the national herds in each country outside of South America will restrain growth
for some time to come.
Demand for Alpacas
has increased dramatically every year since their introduction outside of South America. The American associations
have over 1500 members, while only a few short years ago there were none. Each association publishes a full-color
Alpacas magazine which is available to its members.
Almost all breeders
are in business for the long haul; they believe in the future of the animal. With the small number of animals available,
there will be an extended, steady process of raising breeding stock, to a time hundreds of years from now, when
the Alpaca will be as plentiful as sheep.
We recommend that you join our Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association,
or AOBA as it is generally known. Each member receives a subscription to Alpacas magazine, a membership directory,
access to the AOBA library, and many other breeder support services. AOBA's membership has grown dramatically each
year. Currently they have 1500 members, with a goal of 2000 which is way ahead of their projected
schedule.
Each year, AOBA holds a national convention, a halter class show and
an Alpaca sale. There are many educational opportunities provided at these events, and best of all, you'll make
new friends who share your enthusiasm for Alpacas.
You should read
Alpacas magazine; you will gain insights into the Alpaca industry and many breeders advertise Alpacas for sale
in its pages.
Some ranches
offer first time buyers clinics, I highly recommend this.
Halter class shows are
being held across the country. Breeder enthusiasm for the shows creates additional show venues each year. There
will be a show near you sometime this year--plan to attend. You can obtain a show schedule by writing ALSA at:
Alpaca & Llama Show Association, Inc., P.O. Box 10, Ocate NM 87734.
For more information
about your first step, send us an
e-mail, or better yet, call us so we can talk Alpaca! We look forward to hearing from you.
John & Tina
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