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What is an Alpaca
Members of the South American camelid family, alpacas
were bred over 6,000 years ago from the wild guanaco and vicuna. Pre-dating even
the Inca Empire, alpacas, and their cousin, the llama, were the only
domesticated livestock in the New World before the arrival of the Europeans.
They were an integral part of the culture and lifestyle of their Andean
caretakers, serving as a source of food, fuel, clothing and transportation.
With
the Spanish Conquest of the Incas came the almost total annihilation of the
alpaca and llama, along with much of the human population. But, bred to be survivors in the
unforgiving conditions of the Altiplano, these hardy camelids prevailed.
Today these animals number in the millions once again,
but outside their native South America, their populations are still very small.
Alpacas are intelligent, highly social animals, easy to care for and handle,
appealing to look at and fun to have around. They communicate mainly
through body posturing and a gentle humming sound.
The sweet-tempered, gentle alpaca is prized for its luxurious fibre, which is
stronger and more resilient than merino sheep wool. Alpaca fibre comes in an
extraordinary variety of 22 natural colours, ranging from pure white through
fawn, to a range of browns and a true jet black. Luxurious garments
crafted from the silky fibre have the look and feel of cashmere.
As companions or investments, these elegant camelids offer heart warming
and rewarding experiences.
Alpaca Farming as an investment
If retirement to the small block with a few friendly,
majestic creatures to keep you company and supply enough fine fibre to home
spin/knit jerseys for the family is all that is desired, a few wethers (gelded
males) will fill the bill.
If however, return on investment, and a serious source of income are desirable,
the more involved breeder status should be considered.
A primary investment benefit of owning alpacas is based on the concept of
compounding. Savings accounts earn interest, which if left in the
account, adds to principal. The increased principal earns additional interest,
thereby compounding the investor's return. Alpacas reproduce almost every year,
and about one-half of their cria (babies) are females. When you retain the
offspring in your herd, they begin producing more cria.
Alpaca compounding is a method of tax-deferred wealth building. As your herd
grows, you postpone paying income tax on its increasing value until
such time as you begin selling the offspring.
Alpacas have, for more than a decade, been consistently sold for very high
returns in New Zealand, Australia, and The United States. Much of the
reasoning for this high price level is because of the desirable attributes. They
are quite simply, lovely animals to farm. Beyond the emotionally based high
values, alpaca breeding has generated high returns because:
Alpacas are scarce. There are only about 3 million alpacas in the world and only
about 40,000 outside of South America.
Alpaca numbers will grow very slowly.
New cria are born after an 11 1/2-month gestation period. Twins are extremely
rare.
Embryo transplanting may be possible in the near future, however, another alpaca
is probably the only suitable host. Hence, if transplanting is
achieved, quality will be improved, however, the numbers are not likely to be
increased.
Artificial insemination has not been achieved.
Exports from South America are very restricted, costly and can be risky.
Alpaca fibre is of superb quality and in high demand on world markets.
Alpaca farming is economically viable; on a small block, thus the operation can
typically qualify as a farming business for Inland Revenue
purposes. Expenses typically incurred in the farming venture, from the computer
to the Ute are deductible expenses. In the initial start up years, a tax loss
incurred on the farm can be offset against income generated from other sources.
Attributes of Alpacas
Having survived the Spanish conquest and
adapting to the
inhospitable conditions of the Altiplano where daily temperature ranges between
+ 20C during the day to -20 C at night, the alpaca has evolved to one of the
hardiest domesticated animals on earth.
ALPACAS ARE:
- Easily farmed on a small block, with
- stocking rates of about 5 to the acre.
- Low impact stock. With soft, padded feet, the alpaca has an
- extremely low impact on fragile landforms.
- Very low level carriers of internal parasites.
- Stimulated ovulators, thus they can be mated at any time of the year.
- Accustomed to using a communal dung site.
- Parasite infestation is therefore very low.
- Paddock cleaning (if desired) is expedited for use in the compost
- bin. Alpaca dung is a rich fertilizer perfect for growing fruits and vegetables.
- Alpaca droppings are almost odourless, and are low in nitrogen.
- Grazers and like cattle, they chew their cud. They have a split upper lip
- which prevents them from damaging the vegetation's roots
- Consistently trouble free when birthing. The birth of a new cria virtually
- always occurs during daylight hours, on a fine day.
- Long-lived -- approximately 20 years.
- Naturally docile and are typically mustered by calling them. Dogs are not
- required.
- Modified ruminant with a three-compartment stomach. They convert
- grass and hay to energy very efficiently, eating less than other farm animals.
- Safe; they don't bite or butt.
- Small and easy to handle.
- Intelligent, which makes them pleasant to be around and easy to
- train.
- Considered disease-resistant animals, which lowers insurance and
- veterinarian costs.
- Adaptable to varied habitat, successfully being raised around the
- world from 15,000 feet to sea level.
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