The owner's of the goats had just taken delivery of an alpaca and had placed the animal on the back porch to protect it from the glacial wind. When Jan Newman later visited to see the animal for herself, she was enthralled. "I had just taught myself how to knit and was quickly becoming a fiber fanatic," said Newman. "I began researching the husbandry needs and investment possibilities of breeding alpacas. Within two years, we purchased our first 4 alpacas and became a full-time alpaca breeder." According to Newman, there are only about 14,000 alpacas in the United States and less than 200 ranched on 14 Alaska breeding farms. About 20 of these animals currently live on Newman's property in Palmer, called Windborne Farm Alpacas.
Alpacas are actually smaller relatives to the camel and llama. They chew their cud like a cow and easily graze on pasture grasses and hay, making them relatively inexpensive to feed. But they have a long gestation period (about a year) and usually give birth to a single baby, called a cria. This means that alpaca herds grow fairly slowly compared to conventional livestock. This is one reason why alpacas for breeding stock are not cheap. They can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000, and considerably more for high quality males.
|
|
"They are gentle, curious and intelligent by nature, and are clean, safe, quiet and disease resistant. They are the easiest livestock I've ever raised. They are also very social animals and communicate to each other with humming noises, body and head movements. Alpacas have soft padded feet, are gentle on the land and can be easily transported." In addition to selling several animals a year, including some to the lower 48 states, Newman also sells their fiber. "Alpaca fiber is stronger than sheep's wool, and textiles fashioned from the raw fleece are soft and lustrous."
Newman has the animals sheared once a year at the end of May. "This allows them to put plenty of fiber growth on again before winter. They are sheared by a professional shearer who travels around the state from farm to farm. It takes him about 10 minutes to shear an animal."
An alpaca fleece will weigh between 6-10 pounds and comes in 22 natural colors with varying patterns.
"I send some of the fleeces to the National Alpaca Fiber Coop where they are manufactured into end products. Other fiber is combed into batts which I use to make items such as felted hats, insoles, bags and sweaters. I sell these through a clothing business 'A Twist Beyond' which I operate with a partner. I retain some fleece, and either spin it myself or have it commercially spun for hand-knit clothing for both my family and retail shops."
Newman has sold Alaskan alpaca products to customers all over the U.S., Canada, and overseas. "An alpaca hat can be purchased for $25-$50, scarves range from $31-$75 and sweaters from $35-$125. My philosophy is to make alpaca affordable to all."
Despite the high cost of getting into the alpaca market, alpacas are bringing impressive financial returns to families all across America.
"And it's the fun and hands-on nature of the lifestyle that has really captivated people searching for a simpler and more rewarding way of life," said Newman. "Even people without land and who are committed to a full-time career, can still begin an alpaca adventure by purchasing and boarding at a nearby alpaca farm or ranch. I have been raising alpacas now for nearly ten years and I don't regret a minute of it. Who would have thought it could all have begun with goat's milk!"
For more information visit Newman's web site at www.windbornefarmalpacas.com
Editor's note: Many photos for this article were taken at the Arctic Sun Alpaca Farm owned by Larry and Lorrie Dreese in Wasilla. Their farm can be
found online at www.arcticsunalpacas.com
Comments
7 comment(s)clhrislalonde wrote on Dec 5, 2009 8:58 AM:
kara wrote on Nov 14, 2009 5:03 PM:
jacin wrote on Oct 28, 2008 5:09 PM:
kaylee hubbard wrote on Jan 10, 2008 8:58 AM:
GO KNIGHTS! "
damodar suthar wrote on Jan 10, 2008 12:26 AM:
marlis@anatomyinclay.com wrote on Nov 14, 2007 1:46 PM:
R swartzfager wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:06 AM: