Alpacas From Peru to the Bayou

Presenter: Maryanne Anthony

Big Level Alpacas

Introduction

Alpacas in full fleece

History of Alpacas in U.S.

First major import

was from Peru in

1984

23,000 today in

United States

3.5 million in

Andean Highlands,

most in Peru

History of the Scientific Name

In 2001, the alpaca genus classification changed

from Lama pacos to Vicugna pacos, following the

presentation of a paper on work by Dr. Jane

Wheeler and others on alpaca DNA to the Royal

Society showing the alpaca is descended from

the vicuña, not the guanaco.

Farm Setup No more than 10

alpacas on one acre

Shelter from the weather – barn or lean-to

Fields of native grass

Storage for hay & grain

Water source

Future – solar energy garden project

Magic Beans!

Alpaca beans naturally have all three

primary nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus

and Potassium) and can be used for very

special soil enhancement. Beans also

have calcium, magnesium and sulfur that

supplement the feeding needs of plants.

Green bean tea bags – great for your

garden

Alpaca Registry, Inc.

Physical Facts

Life Span: 15- 20+ years

Height: 32"- 39" at the shoulder

Birth Weight: 10 - 17 pounds

Adult Weight: 100 - 190 pounds

Soft pads on feet – no hooves – nails may

need to be trimmed, just like dogs

Teeth continue to grow and need to be

trimmed annually

Susceptible to parasites and worms

Biology Reproduction, Birth & Babies

Male alpacas reach sexual maturity at about 2 1/2 years of age. Females are first bred at 16 - 20 months of age. Like other South American camelids, alpacas do not have a heat (estrus) cycle and can be bred any time of the year. An average gestation of 335 days produces a single baby (cria) which is usually delivered from a standing position during daylight hours. Twinning is extremely rare and rarely compatible with life.

Alpaca Health Alpacas graze on local grasses, eat hay and grain

which is a mixture of horse and all stock grain. They

need plenty of water and free choice minerals.

While hardy and generally disease resistant, basic

care of yearly vaccinations, worming, and regular

toe nail trims and occasional dental care. Alpacas

are shorn annually to harvest their exquisite fleece,

and for health and management purposes.

Some farms do their own fecal analysis for worms and parasites, we use MidAmerica Agriculture Research Lab. Dr. Donald Bliss is compiling data

from alpacas farms around the country.

Body Score

For alpacas, BCS should be done by firm palpation of spine and

ribs. Fiber can distort body contour and be misleading. Only by

hands on BCS can one determine if the animal is fit, fat or thin.

Values based on a scale of 1-10, or 1 to 5, palpate backbone in

mid-back & ribs behind forearm.

One stomach – three parts

Breeds, Fiber & Color Similar to sheep’s wool, alpaca fleece is warmer, not

prickly and has no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic.

Alpaca is naturally water-repellent.

Huacaya (95%) - soft spongy fiber, has natural crimp, thus

making a naturally elastic yarn.

Suri (5%) - The lustrous, straight fiber of the suri fleece

hangs down in "dreadlocks", giving the suri alpaca an

entirely different appearance.

Yearling alpacas provide the finest fleeces. Depending

upon its weight, quality, and cleanliness an alpaca

blanket fleece commands $150 - $400.

Seven basic colors are white, fawn, caramel, black, gray,

brown, and red.

Huacaya & Suri

Genetics

Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) are

the future of the alpaca industry and are

used in most all serious livestock breeding

to help owners make better breeding and

buying decisions. The calculation, called

Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) is

the same in all industries. They only

difference is the traits that are utilized. (source: Alpaca Registry, Inc.)

Genetics?

Shearing Day

Fleece Processing

Skirting

Washing

Dyeing

Carding

Spinning

Products

Raw alpaca fleece

Organic soil

enhancer

Naturally dyed

roving

Hand spun yarn

Handmade

garments &

household products

Classes in fiber art & processing @ The Mary C.

Classes in spinning, knitting and crocheting

Birthday parties for children

Seasonal organically grown vegetables.

Thank you!

Tony & Maryanne Anthony

Big Level Alpacas

40 Wallace Road, Perkinston, MS 39573

601-514-5150

BigLevelAlpacas@gmail.com

www.etsy.com/shop/BigLevelAlpacas

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