So, you want to raise alpacas. Good for you! Here’s a few of the things you must consider.
- What is your goal by raising livestock?
- Are you looking for immediate financial return?
- Looking for long term retirement income?
- A lifestyle for your family?
- Self gratification?
- Just a love of animals?
- A need to nurture?
Alpacas can fulfill many needs- emotional and financial.
- Are you prepared for the initial costs of farm setup? Are you willing to wait to recover that investment over a period of at least 3 years?
- How much acreage do you have? Are you planning to purchase other acreage? Alpacas are best spread to about 5 per acre.
- Maintenance. Alpacas are cute, but are you prepared for the maintenance that is involved:
- Tooth trimming
- Nail trimming
- Shearing
- Birthing
- Worming
- CLEANUP
- Finances
- Are you planning to get loans? There is farm credit available
- Animal purchases- best if you can pay cash. You will generally get a substantial discount from breeders. However, many breeders will finance for you. Terms vary farm to farm.
Also, look for breeders who will offer 6 months free board while you set up your farm.
- If you purchase bred females close to term, consider leaving her at her farm until she gives birth and have her rebred before transport. This will save transport costs in the future.
- Transportation
There are transporters available to transport your animals anywhere in the country for breeding or for sales. They have air conditioned units and break frequently to check on the animals.
- Breeding Goals Consider your marketing niche and what your breeding goals are.
- Are you breeding for show animals?
- Are you breeding for healthy female breeding stock? Pet quality animals?
This will determine to what kind of males you will breed your females to. Class A or Class B malesdepending on your market.
- Remember, you can always breed up.
- Your breeding goals should consider breeding for traits- crimp, luster, conformity, color, fineness of fiber.
These are the things that buyers look for.
- If you are new to the industry, you can purchase good quality, healthy females for your base herd and breed them to high quality stud males from strong genetic backgrounds and have a good, solid foundation for your herd growth.
- Marketing Expenses
If you plan to sell your animals, you will need to lay out monies for advertising and marketing. This industry sells nationwide. It is very important to have a website and other marketing supplies. Initially, to save on expenses, there are breeders who will post your animals for sale on their website for a commissioned sale.
- Fencing
Fencing for alpacas is designed to keep enemies out not the alpacas in. Alpacas will not challenge fencing, only that cria may go under it. However, DOMESTIC DOGS are the number one killer of alpacas. Your faithful friend can turn into a vicious predator in the presence of alpacas. DO NOT TAKE THE RISK! Invest in 5’ no climb WOVEN
fence. Spaces 2x4---not4x4-animals can get their heads stuck.
- Livestock Mortality
Livestock insurance is recommended and most often required by breeders. This is an investment that is protected. The stock market is not insurable.
Having considered these areas, you are ready to move forward on your alpaca business plan. This is a great lifestyle for your family-the WHOLE family. It is an investment that is insurable. The tax benefits for anyone owning 5 acres or more is fantastic. The expenses of alpaca ranching can be expensed against other income.
Most livestock is slaughtered for market. Alpacas are a livestock that you do not have to ultimately take to market-only their luscious fiber. They are safe to be around and child friendly animals. They are easy for women and children to handle.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF ALPACAS! You
will find the people in the alpaca industry are a superior breed themselves-always willing to help each other and especially new breeders with LOTS of questions.
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