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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
www.etsy.com/shop/BigLevelAlpacas
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