Alpacas have co-existed with humankind for thousands of years. The
Incan civilization of the Andes Mountains in Peru elevated the alpaca
to a central place in their society. The imperial Incas clothed
themselves in garments made from alpaca and many of their religious
ceremonies involved the animal. Museums throughout the Americas display
textiles made from alpaca fiber.
The Spanish conquistadors failed to see the value of alpaca fiber, preferring the
merino sheep of their native Spain. For a time, alpaca fiber was a
well-kept secret. In the middle 1800's, Sir Titus Salt of London,
England rediscovered alpaca. The newly industrialized English textile
industry was at its zenith when Sir Titus began studying the unique
properties of alpaca fleece. He discovered, for instance, that alpaca
fiber was stronger than sheep's wool and that its strength did not
diminish with fineness of staple. The alpaca textiles he fashioned from
the raw fleece were soft, lustrous, and they soon began making their
mark across Europe. Today, the center of the alpaca textile industry is
in Arequipa, Peru; yarn and other products made from alpaca are sold
primarily in Japan and Europe.
Outside of their native South America, the number of alpacas found in
other countries is extremely limited. In fact, 99 percent of the
world's approximately three million alpacas are found in Peru, Bolivia,
and Chile.
The Earth-Friendly Alpaca
Alpacas have been domesticated for more than 5,000 years. They are one
of Mother Nature's favorite farm animals. They are sensitive to their
environment in every respect. The following physical attributes allow
alpacas to maintain their harmony with our Mother Earth.
- The alpaca's feet are padded and they leave even the most delicate terrain undamaged as it browses on native grasses.
- The alpaca is a modified ruminant with a three-compartment stomach. It converts grass and hay to energy very efficiently, eating less than other farm animals.
- The alpaca does not usually eat or destroy trees, preferring tender grasses, which it does not pull up by the roots.
- South American Indians use alpaca dung for fuel and gardeners find the alpaca's rich fertilizer perfect for growing fruits and vegetables.
- A herd of alpacas consolidates its feces in one or two spots in the pasture, thereby controlling the spread of parasites, and making it easy to collect and compost for fertilizer.
- An alpaca produces enough fleece each year to create several soft, warm sweaters for its owners comfort. This is the alpaca's way of contributing to community energy conservation efforts.
The Alpaca Lifestyle
The joy, ease of care and potential profitability of raising alpacas has
attracted people from many walks of life to become breeders. For some,
alpacas are a primary source of income, for others a part-time business
venture, but a source of pleasure for both. Young couples with children
can enjoy the benefits of owning and caring for alpacas as a rewarding
family experience. People who have raised their kids and are seeking a
business and lifestyle to enjoy as they approach retirement are often
owners. Ultimately, whether making the switch from a fast-paced,
corporate way of life, or adding alpacas to an already established
rural setting, breeding these unique, gentle animals can provide both
income and pleasure, all included in a peaceful, stress-free lifestyle.
This lifestyle is made possible since alpacas can be raised on relatively small acreage and they are clean, safe, quiet, intelligent and disease resistant. Alpacas have soft padded feet, are gentle on the land and can be easily transported.
There are also plenty of family-oriented alpaca events around the country, including local and state fairs, alpaca farm open houses and auctions, and larger shows hosted by alpaca organizations, the largest and most impressive being the annual Alpaca conference and show presented by AOBA. Some breeders also choose to get involved in selling products made from alpaca fiber as a hobby or an additional home-based business venture. The spinning and weaving of fiber is a skill that can lead to profits.
Alpacas have brought impressive financial returns to families all across America, but it's the fun and hands-on nature of this lifestyle that has really captivated people searching for a simpler and more rewarding way of life. Even if you don't have the land and are committed to a full-time career, you can still begin your alpaca adventure by purchasing and boarding at a nearby alpaca farm or ranch. A retired doctor who is now a full-time alpaca breeder had this to say, "I would rather raise alpacas than anything I've ever done. Breeding alpacas is a labor of love and can be very profitable."
