Types of Alpacas

     There are two types of alpacas, the Huacaya and the Suri.  The main difference between the two is the types of fleece they produce. The Huacaya fleece is crimped, fine, dense, and comes in a range of 22 colors that are recognized by the alpaca registry.  With this type of fleece it gives you the “teddy bear” appearance.  The Suri fleece has dreadlocks and little to no crimp.  Their fleece hangs downward with individual fiber strands that cling together creating “pencil locks.”  Suri’s make up a small portion, approximately 10 %, of the worlds alpaca herd thus making their lustrous fiber more sought after and expensive.

Alpaca Characteristics

     Alpacas stand approximately 3’6” from the ground to the withers (the point where the neck and spine meet.)  They usually weigh between 120-180 pounds, however some males and females can weigh more.  Alpacas have teeth on the bottom and a hard gum pad on the top on which they can crush grain, hay, and grass in a back and forth grinding motion.  Their tongue is short and attached to their jaw. They cannot pull grass out by the roots like other livestock do.  Alpacas have soft pads on the bottom of their feet with two toenails on each foot.  Their toenails need to be trimmed every couple of months.  The combination of their low weight and soft pads makes it easy on the pastures.  

Management

     Alpacas are easy to care for being that they are small in size.  They need to be fed a small bit of grain and have free choice hay daily. The bigger the pasture and the quality of the grass makes the difference in how much you feed them.  Alpaca's poop in a single dung pile which makes it easy to clean up daily.  One acre of land can suit 5-7 alpacas and more depending on each individual situation. Since alpacas have long survived in the harsh cold of the Andes, they have the ability to be comfortable during the worst of our winters.  A three sided or run-in shed is usually more than adequate for the animals. There are many farmers that use old barns or build new facilities to accommodate their livestock to their needs.  In the warm part of the season, alpacas need airflow and shade, therefore installing fans in the barns will help them stay cooler.  Alpacas are very docile animals and have no interest in hurting anybody. This also makes it easy for handling them.

Fiber

     Alpacas produce one of the world’s most fine and luxurious natural fibers. It is as soft as cashmere and warmer, stronger, and lighter than wool. The fiber from these animals is so strong that the fine woven products last almost forever. It does not contain any lanolin or other oils in the fleece, but being extremely fine it is soft on your skin and hypoallergenic. The whole purpose of breeding alpacas is to have enough in the country to industrialize.

Lifestyle/Investment

     Alpacas present a lifestyle of their own such as living on a farm and being away from the corporate way of life.  As they only require a small amount of care and have minimal vet visits, you have extra time to do other things you enjoy.  They are hard to resist being around because they are so personable.  They enjoy the company of children and do not feel threatened because they are smaller.  If you don't already know, there is a high demand for alpacas because of the return on the investment.  It is typical to see return of 25-75% in the alpaca industry.  Alpacas only have one baby (cria) per year which helps keep the supply down and the market strong.  Alpacas have many tax advantages that allow you to have a farm assessment.  They can be depreciated over 5 years and in addition  Sec 179 will allow you take up to $108,000 deduction in the first year the asset is acquired.  Almost all of the expenses related to the alpaca business can be deducted.