About Alpacas

Alpacas have existed in the harsh environment of the South American Andes since approximately 1000 BC. Native Andean herders domesticated the alpaca and a culture emerged that focused on the care and products produced by this incredible animal. The alpaca provided meat, hides and textiles that were traded for agricultural products grown at lower elevation in river valleys. Clothing created from alpaca fleece provided the warmth and protection necessary to survive. Sophisticated breeding techniques developed by the Incan people produced fiber far superior to that of lower elevations and subsequently was reserved for Incan Royalty. Its use by commoners was punishable by death.

Characteristics driving the demand for alpaca fiber include:

• Incredible lightweight and fine structure, with fiber measured in microns, the best being in the below 20 micron range.
• Incredibly soft nature rivaling cashmere
• Hypoallergenic (due to the lack of lanolin, which holds dust and microscopic allergens, which is found in wool)
• Tremendous thermal capacity (hollow fibers insulate from cool and warm temperature extremes).

Importation of the alpaca to the US began in 1984 with the last importation being in 1998. The registry subsequently closed to registration of animals born outside of this country. Today, in the US, the alpaca industry is still breeder based as there continues to be a high demand of animals. The next 10 - 20 years will bring an increased focus on fiber production. The importance of breeding the finest quality fleece animals to support the future of our fiber industry can't be stressed enough. The current demand for exquisite alpaca fiber in the design houses of Europe far exceeds current supply. Alpacas are being raised in Australia, Europe, Japan, South America and Canada.

Alpaca Glossary

agist

To board alpacas on someone else's ranch.

cria

A baby alpaca, usually younger than 5 months.

dam

An alpaca's mother.

fiber

The fleece of an alpaca.

hembra

female

gelding

Castrated male used for fiber.

huacaya

A type of alpaca with fine fiber and a wooly appearance.

fiber quality male

A male alpaca whose overall physical plus fiber characteristics would not contribute to the betterment of the herd. Gelding preserves his fiber quality.

sire or herdsire

An alpaca's father, or a male alpaca with the ability to pass on his desirable physical and genetic characteristics that would contribute to the improvement of the herd through the offspring.

suri

A type of alpaca with tightly-wound fiber that looks like dreadlocks.

weanling

A weaned alpaca, younger than 1 year.

yearling

An alpaca between 1 and 2 years old.

See the Alpaca F.A.Q. for more information about alpaca breeding.

Are you ready for the next step? Call us at 505-466-2945 or use our Contact form to set up an appointment with us.