Alpacas Afield Online

The belly area of the wrong female, an older cria who happens to be too rough an electric fence or a two-legged can all be significant lessons in what to stay away from. These early lessons can be pivotal experiences and shape future behavior in very significant ways. 

If you have been around for the birth of even a few baby alpacas you may have noticed how non-reactive they are to almost everything for the first few days.  You can sneak up on these little blank slates pretty easily for two maybe three days… handy for those early weigh-ins or just snuggling… STOP!  This is exactly what NOT to do!  When you capture, restrain and pick up newborn alpacas you immediately put yourself in the category of “things” to run away from. You will now have to work very hard to get a new benign designation. 

To read this article in it's entirety view it in Alpacas Afield online Magazine Volume 2, Issue 4 June 2011.

ALPACA UNITED: THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

By Dr. John G. Ferrante, Ph.D.

 What is Value?

Diamonds are considered valuable because they are relatively rare, beautiful and in high demand not because they have an intrinsic value – it’s because we impart value to them. Some natural fibers like cashmere are considered valuable for the same reasons. Alpaca fiber has been valuable since the time of the Incas and is still so for Peru because it represents a significant source of income to the owners of alpacas and is a substantial source of revenue as an export commodity for the country. Peru has more alpacas than any other country (millions) and globally produces the most alpaca fiber. The United States on the other hand has relatively few but high-quality alpacas numbering approximately 210,000.  We began importing alpacas in the late 1900s and as the industry grew the primary market was in breeding stock, relegating fiber to a secondary importance. This resulted in an under-valued commodity, uncompetitive on a global scale, fragmented processing and market infrastructure, and instability due to a single product market – a breeding stock paradigm.

As the economy began slowing down many business sectors in the U.S. including the alpaca industry, were negatively impacted and the breeding stock paradigm began to shift to a more multiple product industry. This in turn is leading to a greater recognition of the importance of alpaca fiber but the value was not obvious to many and the infrastructure for managing a fiber industry was not in place. However some visionaries saw the shift coming and took action.

To read this article in it's entirety view it in Alpacas Afield online Magazine Volume 2, Issue 4 June 2011.