Feb 12
19
Alpaca Shearing For The Beginner
If you have an alpaca farm and want to learn about alpaca shearing, it’s important to learn as much about it as you can before attempting it yourself. If you do not shear an alpaca properly, you risk damaging the fleece, which greatly lowers its overall quality, and stressing out your alpaca, which will make the shearing even more difficult the next time.
Before shearing your first alpaca, you should try to attend a shearing workshop. You can also ask other farmers to teach you, so you know that you are doing it correctly. You will also need to have the best equipment possible. Sharp blades that work well will ensure that the fleece comes off neatly and cleanly. Dull blades that are not positioned properly can damage the fleece, cutting back on your profits.
It is important to be prepared to collect your fleece. You should have thin but sturdy bags prepared for each alpaca. There are two types of fleece an alpaca gives, firsts and seconds. Firsts are on the saddle area and body of the alpaca, and are the high quality fleece that can be used for yarn. Seconds are on the neck, legs, and belly, and may be used for other types of crafts, or can be added to other types of fleece. Each bag should be labeled with the alpaca’s name, the date, and what type of fleece it is. This is important for tracking the quality of the fleece given by your alpacas, which will go into breeding choices.
When collecting the fleece, it is best done from light colors to darker colors, and from finer fleece to thicker fleece. This way, there is less of a chance of contamination. If shearing multiple alpacas, be sure to thoroughly clean the area in between alpacas. If shearing outside, lay a tarp down to keep the fleece from falling onto the ground.
There are basically two methods of restraint when shearing an alpaca. You can do them while they are simply tied to a post and standing, or you can have them on the ground with their legs and head restrained so that they cannot move at all. If you do them standing, be prepared for them to lay down at times, and move with them. You should also be prepared for them to fight you, as some will protest the alpaca shearing process even when they are normally very easy going.
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With greater environmental safety measures impacting on various industries, it may be good news to know that an alpaca farm is greener than most. Since their footpads leave only light imprints on the ground, alpacas effect less erosion on their pastures than either horses or cows would.
Although much is made of the modest dietary needs of alpacas, at least some of that belief is based on a misconception. Alpacas can and do survive on low protein grass during the dry season in South America, but it has to be born in mind that during the rainy months, the protein content of those same grasses are significantly higher. Most South American alpacas are born at this time. In pregnant dams, malnourishment can lead to fatty liver disease.
Although alpacas are fond of water, they require less of it, being of the camelid family. If you live in an area where the sky is often overcast, you may want to consider a vitamin D supplement for your alpacas, particularly the younger members of the herd.
Alpacas derive security and comfort from the presence of the herd, particularly when startled. They are social and docile. Even males show far less hostility to each other than with other types of herd animals.
Clever and gregarious, alpacas conform strongly to the activities of the rest of their herd. One alpaca taking a dust bath will soon see its companions rolling around. The breeding activities of one female will be arousing to the others. This copying of behaviour can be helpful, if a shy young male proves a reluctant breeder. Just let him observe an older male at work. Another trait that fascinates owners is the diligent use of the communal dung heap, often in concert with the rest of the herd.
Alpacas do not usually escape their enclosures, but the inhabitants of your alpaca farm may need protection from the wild hunters of nature. They are hardy, as far as the climate of their environment goes, but may require shelter, in the form of an open barn to protect against hard rain or very hot weather.
According to at least one source you can cut down on the time you spend getting your alpaca fiber up to grade, by paying closer attention to the condition of your herd’s pasture. A lot of nuisance with weeds such as thistle, foxtail and blackberry-vines can be avoided by eliminating them from the grazing area. The word is to groom your pastures before you even look at your alpacas. If you think the process of shearing may traumatize some of your alpacas, give them a few drops of rescue remedy to calm them down.
Although alpacas are known to adapt to climate and other challenges, it should be remembered that their homeland differs vastly from an alpaca farm where they live today.
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For at least three thousand years, this camelid species has been bred for the quality of alpaca fiber. In ancient times, the Incas referred to it as ‘Fiber of the Gods’. Alpaca cloth was even used as a currency by the Incas. In Peru, where alpaca farms contribute significantly towards the gross national product, over 40,000 tons of fiber is exported annually, some of this to the manufacturing houses of top fashion designers. Armani uses alpaca, as does Ralph Lauren.
According to one owner of an alpaca farm, the best quality fiber can be found on the blanket area of the alpaca. It features the smallest micron and lowest hair contamination, making it ideal for crimping and felting. The leg and belly hairs contains a higher degree of the coarser guard hairs, but this can still be employed for other uses such as duvet fillers or carpet grade yarn.
alpaca fiber is measured in microns. By using a histogram, the number of microns per single fiber is measured. A finer fleece can command a higher market price. The fiber microns vary from about 16 to 20 in young animals. Baby alpaca is sought after for high end products and it is said that the quality of some Peruvian alpaca farms matches that for baby alpacas, in the output of older animals. In older alpacas, you can expect 30 to 32 microns. You can also expect a longer staple in younger alpacas, which could be up to 5.9 inches (150mm). As they age, this progressively shortens to about 2.3 inches (60mm).
After the shearing, you can decide on a number of processes. The fiber can be spun by hand, at a small mill or a large commercial textile mill. The latter option may not be available to everyone. In Australia, a textile mill dedicated to alpaca fiber was acquired fairly soon after alpacas were first introduced to that country. Unfortunately, it was later liquidated. In Peru, on the other hand, where alpaca farms have existed for thousands of years, the first textile mill was only set up in the 1940s. Before that time, the raw fiber was exported or hand processed in traditional ways.
In preparing the fiber for commercial application, one of the first steps is to card it. The fibers are separated and equalized to form a web. Some of the impurities and short and broken strands are removed. The process is completed with the combing stage. After this, the fiber is spun to create stretchable and consistent yarn.
Although tedious and precise, the work of transforming raw alpaca fiber into usable yarn is a necessary part of the creation of alpaca products.
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Feb 12
7
The World Of Alpaca Farming
There was a time when alpaca farming was largely restricted to the heights of South America. Nowadays, however, alpaca breeding has migrated to the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia New Zeeland and China.
Alpacas are reared in several South American countries, among them Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, but the center of the alpaca world lies in Peru. With over three million alpacas, the country is well known to deliver the most outstanding quality of alpaca fiber, most of it to be used in the fashion industry in Europe. Although the alpaca farms were once isolated and remote, advancement in Peru’s transport network resulted in new innovations in the processing of alpaca. A textile mill was completed in 1947 and two local firms, the Michell Company and Grupo Inca now play a leading role in an industry which earns $50 million annually.
The early alpaca farms of the United States, Canada and Australia were set up in the 1980s.
In the early days in the United States, alpaca breeding was closely related to llama farms. Initially the Alpaca Registry and the Llama Registry were linked, and today the genetic heritage of nearly each alpaca in the United States is charted. In 1993, alpaca breeders in the USA were finally able to secure Peruvian stock to boost the North American alpaca herd.
North American focus has consistently stayed with breeding, rather than the fiber trade.
The mark of a sound breeding programme lies in the calibre of crias that result from the stud’s animals. This can specifically be said of the sire that services the herd. The lay of his bones and the fineness of his fleece can be taken as indications of his excellence, but the most important criteria of a sire will be that he produces good alpaca stock for the future.
There are different approaches to breeding. One is to work towards concentrating the good traits of a herd. If the genetic heritage is too wide, it becomes difficult to predict the results from any pairings. An approach that opts for diversity, however, can introduce fresh characteristics to your alpaca herd.
The alpaca industry showed a very different growth pattern in Australia where wool played a significant part in the economy. For one, the focus shifted far more speedily from breeding to fiber trade as the prime potential of alpaca farming. Likewise, the approach to stock growth strategies is very different. Australian breeders think nothing of pairing Suri with Huacaya alpacas and they regularly employ artificial insemination. Their alpaca industry has benefited from trade with Europe and also with China in fiber as well as livestock.
In most parts of the world, alpaca farming is still in its infancy, but the industry already has a number of dedicated fans.
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The color of your alpacas can be quite an important consideration when setting up an alpaca farm.
There are 22 distinct colors of alpaca fleece, although at agricultural shows, judging occurs in 16 color categories. White is obviously one of the most sought after colors, as it is easiest to dye. It occurs most frequently in Peru, their native region, which boasts an alpaca population of around three million animals. In that country, breeders observe very strict standards of color purity since many of their customers for alpaca fiber are top fashion designers such as Ralph Lauren and Armani. No color contamination is allowed. This is the term used, when the fleece of, for example, a white alpaca, contains a few errant hairs of fawn, grey, black or brown.
The grading of color may not be as strictly adhered to, when the manufacturer of yarn is a co-operation of small breeders, who produce and distribute their own yarn. A designing house on the other hand will easily return a shipment of cloth, if even a few rogue hairs are found. It may reject a complete consignment and demand a refund, an outrageous discount or even sue for lost labour hours. This represents a great loss to the breeder in question. Some Australian owners of alpaca farms are so cautious that they keep no colored animals on their land, for fear that a few stray hairs caught in a fence, may contaminate the fleece of another alpaca.
Color is not always a bad thing, though. Those who appreciate natural undyed yarn are often inspired by the beautiful natural shades of alpacas. Apart from natural black or white, there are two different greys, rose grey and silver grey, which each occurs in light, medium or dark. Other colors such as brown and fawn can also be found in light, medium or dark. Some manufacturers utilize these natural tints to create an attractive range of earthy colors.
In the United States, each new alpaca cria is entered in the national Alpaca Registry and there is a slot for assigning it to an existing color group. A color chart can be ordered from the Alpaca Registry to best match a newborn cria’s fleece to an existing color group. A sample should be clipped as close to the skin as possible and the cut end of this must be compared to the chart. A rule states that if the color falls between two color gradients, the darker should be assigned.
In the management of an alpaca farm, the right color combination can be very important.
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When first preparing to set up an alpaca farm, one of the key considerations must surely be which type of alpacas to breed. There are two types of alpaca, namely Huacaya alpacas and Suri alpacas and the main difference between them lies in the type of fleece they produce. Since the fleece is what will ultimately turn your herd into a profit, this decision should not be taken lightly.
In many aspects, the relationship between Huacaya and Suri alpacas is clear from various physical traits. Both tread on soft footpads, rather than hoofs or claws. Both share the three-stomach system, an average weight of 150 lb (approximately 68kg) and an average height of 36 inches (91.4cm). Their diet and needs for care are the same. Both have a life expectancy of around twenty years. The main distinction lies in the appearance of the fleece. There is even a school of thought that asserts that they are merely two variations of the same type, originally created by selective breeding.
Approximately eight to nine out of every ten alpacas is a Huacaya. It looks a little like a huge, cuddly teddy bear, which adds to its international appeal. The fleece is crimpy like the wool of a merino sheep and this type of alpaca can be shorn annually. Its fleece is excellent for spinning yarn for knitting, which also contributes towards its popularity. Since this is the more common type of alpaca, the cash yield on its fleece is not as high as that of Suri alpacas.
Suri alpacas represent less than a tenth of the total population to be found on alpaca farms around the world, but they produce a fleece that is as silky as mohair and highly suitable for weaving. The designer Armani uses Suri fleece for its alpaca range of products. Suri alpacas are only shorn every two years. This means that although its fleece commands a higher market price, there is less opportunity to claim back on the investment. In recent years the price of Suri alpaca fleece has risen to up to three times the amount of Huacaya fleece. While these factors make Suri alpacas seem like an attractive buy, it also contributes towards making them expensive.
While many spinners prefer the easy workability of Huacaya when they spin yarn, Suri can be spun in this way too, but it is often blended with wool, silk or cotton.
Most alpacas are intelligent and endearing. Regardless of which type of alpaca you choose for your venture, you will no doubt find the exercise of running an alpaca farm deeply rewarding.
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Jan 12
26
Successful Alpaca Breeding
When we understand the breeding cycles of alpacas, and their individual needs, we can achieve a successful alpaca breeding program. We can buy the best alpaca stocks we can afford, keep records of each alpaca, and give them the best chance possible, not only to breed, but to do so successfully, with the best offspring possible. Building an alpaca herd is a tedious process, because the offspring are seldom twins, and the gestation period is 11,5 months. But although slow and tedious, it is well worth the while.
Alpaca dams do not have a set ovulation cycle, but rather will ovulate when stimulated, either by the calls of a buck or the actual mating. This has a few implications for the alpaca farmer. Firstly, males and females always need to be separated to ensure that females only fall pregnant when the farmer desires so. This should best be timed in such a way that the cria are born in spring. Also, young alpaca males should be removed from their dams at between 12 and 16 months at the latest, to ensure that the female does not succumb to his amorous overtures.
Alpaca dams are mature enough to breed from 15 months of age, but it is advisable to wait until they are at least 99 lbs. (45 kg.) before breeding for the first time, to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery. Although studs will feel amorous, and certainly try to breed, they do not have viable sperm until they are between 2 ½ and 3 years old. In the first 6 months the studs can be used for breeding two days a week at the most. By the time they are fully matured at 3 years old, they can successfully breed twice every day, with a rest period every tenth day, without affecting their sperm production.
Alpacas are also susceptible to breeding and reproducing difficulties, as any other creatures are. It is important to have any new breeders checked over by a veterinarian before purchase. The vet needs to check for any visible or hidden illnesses, defects and signs signalling infertility. It is also important to monitor productivity of all alpacas in your herd by thorough record keeping.
Even top breeders can suddenly stop performing well or at all. This can be due to a number of factors, including heat stress, illness, moving the animals, a change in diet, environment and climate or even normal stress. Try to find the cause of under productivity, and treat these causes. If the alpaca remains unproductive, it needs to be removed from your breeding program, and be moved to ether the fleece or meat production side of your farm.
As far as is possible, you should ensure a safe and stress-free environment to keep your alpacas healthy and happy. If you do this for them, there is a greater chance for your alpaca breeding to be successful.
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Jan 12
22
Alpaca Products For Profit
Alpaca products are as varied as the manufacturers and countries they come from. The Peruvians are famous for their beautiful and bright ponchos and rugs. Some companies are famed for their exquisite jewellery, and others for their cuddly soft toys. Yet others manufacture magnificent sweaters. And all these are made from the finest of alpaca fibres.
The range of products made from alpaca fibre of fleece is varied:
Ponchos: The earliest of uses for the alpaca fibre is probably the making of ponchos in Peru. The ponchos are usually brightly colored, and are very warm, able to withstand the cold climate that the Andes Mountains have.
Rugs: Alpaca rugs are beautiful and in high demand in many homes.
Throws and bedspreads: These are a great addition to the winter wardrobe. They are warm, and yet are not prickly or scratchy. They are hypo–allergenic, and safe for toddlers and babies to use.
Garments: Garments made from alpaca fibre include everything from hats and socks to ponchos and scarves. Sweaters and coats are also equally in demand. Slippers are also very popular.
Felt sculptures: Crafters are using the alpaca fibre to make felt, which in turn is used to make one-of-a-kind sculptures which are sold at art markets.
Stuffed toys: Many different stuffed toys made of alpaca fibre are available on the market. These range from cuddly rabbits and teddy bears, to alpacas, lions and pandas. These animals are not only beautifully crafted, but are luxuriously soft to the touch and child friendly too, as they are hypo-allergenic.
Jewellery: The market is also seeing a fare amount of exquisitely crafted jewellery made from alpaca fibre and Peruvian silver.
Hen marketing your alpaca products, it is important to stress the benefits of alpaca fibre to your potential customers. Alpaca fibre is allergen-free due to the fact that the coat of an alpaca contains no lanolin. Alpaca wool also fares much better than sheep’s wool, when it comes to thermal qualities. An added benefit is that the fibres of an alpaca are soft and not prickly like many other natural fibres.
When marketing your alpaca products, it is also important to stress the correct care of alpaca fibre products. Without the proper care, the products will loose their luster, not last as long, and possibly stretch out of shape, without the ability to go back to the original shape.
Alpaca products should always be hand washed with a mild soap in warm water. The products should never be washed by machine. Once washed, the product should be gently squeezed, not wrung – to rid it of excess water. The garment needs to be supported and not hung, when moving it. It should be laid flat to dry on a towel, and gently pulled into shape. Never stretch the fibre, especially not when the garment is wet, as this will ruin the garment. Streched fibres cannot return to their original state. Even storing the product should be done on a flat surface, and not from a hanger. Ensure that the garment will not make creases along the centre, as these are impossible to get rid of. Stubborn stains may require extra attention, and if need be the alpaca products can be dry cleaned.
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Jan 12
18
Understanding Alpaca Fiber
For many centuries alpaca fiber has been deemed of the best, if not the best quality natural fiber, and has been used in the making of garments, rugs and many more items. Alpaca fiber is hypo-allergenic, has excellent thermal qualities, and is silky and luxurious to the touch. The fibers do not house as many microscopic allergens as many other natural fibers do, as the fibers contain no lanolin.
Before use, alpaca fleeces are sorted and classified. This is usually done by the alpaca farmer, and the buyers and manufactures of the fiber may classify and grade the fiber even further. The fiber is graded and classified by three criteria:
Color: The most sought after colors in alpaca fiber are usually also the least common, and also the easiest to sell. Black and grey are at the top of this list. White is also very popular as it is so easy to dye. There are at present 22 internationally recognized colors in the alpaca range, but there are also alpacas that supply fleece that does not fall directly into one of these colors, but rather falls between shades.
Roaning: Many alpacas have fibers which are solid in color, while others have a white or lighter tip, and this is known as roaning. These can range in color from light to dark grey. The greys also often have small dark spots.
Fineness: The fineness or coarseness of the fiber is also classified by measurement in microns.
Other factors influencing the grading of the alpaca fiber include how clean the fibers are, how long the fibers are, and how glossy and healthy the fibers are. Stretching of fibers also affects the grading negatively. Alpaca fibers have the ability to stretch, because their scales all point in the same direction. After being stretched, the fibers cannot return to their original state. It is therefore not advisable to brush or pet an alpaca before shearing. If the fibers need cleaning, use an air cleaner to blow the dirt out.
A few more tricks of the trade can be used successfully to ensure a good quality fiber at shearing. Firstly, maintaining good records of each alpaca, their sires, their offspring and the fiber type and quality they produce, will help you to ensure choosing the correct sires for future offspring, ensuring a good genetic balance for a high quality fleece of the desired color.
It is also important to ensure that the alpacas are let out o pasture in a clean fresh field of grass at least three weeks prior to shearing. This is especially true if they were housed indoors for the winter. Allowing them into pasture will ensure that their coats have a time to blow clean in the outdoors, to free them of dust, dirt, bits of hay and other dirt that may stick to their coats.
Lastly, it is imperative to keep fleeces dry and clean after shearing. Especially in humid conditions it must be ensured that each fleece is totally dried before sorting and packing. Mold can easily grow on the damp fibers, and damage the whole bale of fleeces with the mold and odors. Bug repellent should also be used around the bales to ensure that no moths or other unwanted critters come close to your alpaca fiber, where they can do a great deal of damage.
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Jan 12
14
Alpaca Shearing Made Easy
When you begin with an alpaca farm, you will soon see that the major event of the year happens on alpaca shearing day. Most farmers try to finish shearing in a day if they can, in order to keep the labor costs as low as possible. Once the coldest weather has passed, in the early spring, alpaca shearing takes place. Waiting for the warmer weather is very necessary, as the alpacas would not survive extreme weather without their protective coats.
It takes a lot of patience and practice to learn the art of shearing alpacas. It is useful to employ a professional alpaca shearer and his team, especially until you have mastered the art, and even then you might find that it is worth the money to employ professionals because of the time that is saved. Shearing an alpaca must be done in the least stressful manner to the alpaca, and without causing injury to either the alpaca or the shearers. Although some shearers do the job with the alpaca standing up, most prefer to lay the alpaca down on his side. The feet are tethered as well, to prevent injury to the alpaca and the shearers.
Some alpaca males can produce in excess of 10 lbs. (4.5 kg.) of fibre per shearing, but this is exceptional. Most alpacas produce between from 3 – 10 lbs. (1.36 – 4.5 kg.) of fibre each year.
When shearing alpacas, it is best to work in a two-person team. The handler restrains the alpaca, and keeps a firm hand on the alpacas head during the whole shearing process. The other does the shearing. The handler also moves and turns the alpaca as needed so that the shearer can reach all spaces. Some shearers prefer working on a raised table, to eliminate bending over all day. Other shearers work on a clean area on the floor, usually with a rubber mat underfoot.
The alpaca needs to be restrained with belts especially around the feet, to prevent injury to the alpaca and the shearers. After the shearing is complete, it is advisable to blow clean the alpaca, to remove any loose fibres from the coat. It is necessary to wear a mask during the shearing process, to prevent the inhalation of the fine loose fibres. These can cause a respiratory problem.
Remember that to have good quality fibre, these guidelines will help
• If the alpaca is clean to start with, the fibre will need less cleaning after shearing. Blow the alpaca clean with an air cleaner.
• Separate the alpacas by color and shades before shearing begins. This will help with sorting the fibre after shearing is complete.
• While the alpacas are restrained for the shearing is a good time to administer medication, vaccinations, tooth and toenail trimming and any other difficult to administer treatment. This is also a good time to check the over-all health of your alpacas.
By planning this day in the year well, and calling in professional help, you will find that alpaca shearing need not be such a daunting task.
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