About Alpacas, Raising Alpacas in West Virginia

In January 2005 a television ad for alpacas caught our attention. Neither of us had ever seen or heard of these adorable creatures but they were so intriguing we had to know more. After "googling" alpaca online the price to purchase one caught us by surprise. What was so special about these animals? Thanks to the Internet we were able to research the animal and the industry extensively. When we finally visited an alpaca breeder, it sealed our destiny; we were hooked! And each farm we visited we came away even more convinced that this industry was exactly what we were looking for in an investment as well as a life style.

Alpacas are native to the Andean countries of Peru, Bolivia & Chile. They have been domesticated there for thousands of years. Prized for their fleece, it clothed Incan royalty and continues to be a valued commodity among the rich and famous. The gentle alpaca is a member of the camelid family, and a cousin to the Llama. They stand on average about 3 feet at the withers & 5 feet at the head. Average weight is 120-180 pounds. Females are generally bred according to individual farm policy with many beginning breeding at 14 months. At BGF, we begin between 18 months -24 months depending on the body maturity of the female. Alpacas are induced ovulators and can be bred year round. Ovulation occurs within 26 hours after breeding. The female will "know" when she is pregnant and will aggressively "spit off" the male when reintroduced to him. The gestation period averages 11 ½ months and the offspring is known as a cria (kree-ya). Males generally enter into the breeding program between 2-3 years of age. The majority of males are castrated as only the crème de la crème should be allowed to contribute to the gene pool. Castrated males are sold as companion animals and/or fiber animals.

In their native country the average lifespan is 15-20 years, however with the improved nutrition the U.S. alpacas receive we anticipate extending that average. The females can be rebred within 10 days of giving birth and are typically kept bred as long as they are healthy. They possess a strong herd instinct and cannot be kept alone, they must have a buddy. They communicate with body posture and a variety of calm, humming sounds. They spit at each other for various reasons but are rarely aggressive to humans and spit only if mishandled. Fencing requirements are minimal as they do not challenge fences and rarely will jump. The fencing challenge is to design a fence to keep predators out (including neighborhood dogs). Pasture maintenance is also minimized as they defecate in a small number of community dung piles which they avoid grazing around thereby reducing parasites. The manure makes wonderful compost and it's low nitrogen enables it to be top dressed on the garden right away.

There are two types of alpaca, the huacaya (pronounced wa-kaya) and the suri. The rarer suri has long pencil like "locks" that hang down from its body while the huacaya has a "teddy bear" look and feel with dense, crimpy fleece that creates a very durable yarn. They are extremely hardy animals and have minimal veterinary needs. It is a livestock breed that can thrive on a small farm, easily accommodating 8-10 animals per acre. They possess three stomachs, making them very efficient at converting all of their food into energy. They eat very little in relation to their size and are low maintenance. Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) estimates that feeding, vaccination and general health requirements of the average alpaca are approximately $169.00 annually (2007). They don't overgraze a pasture (they mow not rip the grass), nor do they create deadpan paddocks from packing the ground down (they have soft pads and not hooves). Alpacas must be sheared annually as they do not shed their "coats."

The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) was established in 1988, and upon inception, created the Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) to undertake blood typing, DNA testing, and the registering of animals being imported into the United States. In 1998 the US borders closed to importation of alpacas and the ARI restricted all registrations of a cria to those born to a registered Dam and Sire. Animals without this distinction have minimal value.

Hailed as the "new cashmere," alpaca fibers cellular composition closely resembles hair. It has a medullated core made up of air filled cells that contribute significantly to its insulating properties and strength. It is second only to silk in strength. It is stronger and more resilient than even the finest sheep's wool. The alpaca possesses no lanolin so is ready to spin right off the animal! The minimal number of scales and the way in which they lie down against the shaft on each individual fiber is one reason why many people are able to wear it who cannot wear wool. The fineness of the fleece is measured in microns and generally falls within the 20-35 micron range; the lower the number, the finer the fleece. There are 22 recognized natural shades from 7 basic colors, something no other natural fiber can claim. In addition, it readily takes dye and blends wonderfully with other fiber. These characteristics are what have cottage industry artists (handspinners, knitters, weavers, etc.), as well as leaders in the commercial fashion industry in love with the fleece.

While there are several North American spinning mills, there currently is not enough fleece harvested to support a manufacturing plant designed to process it. In order to process on the scale of the operations in Peru, we need more alpacas. We have years to go before that goal is attained. It is estimated that it will take approximately 1.2 million alpacas to provide the amount of fiber needed for a US alpaca textile industry. And that is somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 years in coming as each alpaca has only one cria a year.

In the Andean mountains the gentle alpacas diet borders on the brink of starvation during the extreme winters there. This is reflected in the frailness of the fiber when spun. In the US alpaca nutrition is continuously being researched and improved so that the quality of fleece we provide is not only incredibly soft, but also very strong and elastic. Better fleece=better garment.

Today numerous prominent fashion designers are using alpaca in creating fabulous garments. It is becoming known in the athletic world for the socks created from the fleece as they provide superior insulation and are naturally water repellent. And in 1999 Clint Eastwood's Golf Sweater collection converted to 100% alpaca, and Polo, Ralph Lauren and many others now offering 100% alpaca and alpaca blend fashions. Alpaca products are showing up in high end stores such as Saks, Lord & Taylor, etc., as well as upscale catalogues including The Peruvian Collection and Neiman Marcus.

Bear Garden Farms is doing it's best to put West Virginia alpacas and their fiber in the limelight. In 2010 we became partners in and helped to launch two new companies, Silken Alpacas, LLC (www.SilkenAlpaca.com), an upscale, custom, home décor business and Capon Bridge Fiber Works, LLC (www.CaponBridgeFiberWorks.com), a full service fiber processing and custom weaving mill. One day, in the very near future, alpaca products will be common place in mainstream department stores but until that day, there is the breeding market! And that market shows no signs of cooling off. Alpaca prices have remained relatively stable over the last 20 years. According to an article in the Alpacas Magazine (Summer 2006 pg. 206), there are approximately 65,912 breeding huacayas and 14, 012 breeding suris in the US and Canada combined. This leaves a lot of room for growth for there to be a viable fiber industry. "Sheeps wool dominates the market worldwide. Australia {alone} is home to over 120 million sheep, so it's apparent that there is still a long way to go in growing the US alpaca herd before there's anywhere near enough fiber to satisfy demand from the mass markets." (article The Alpaca Advantage, By Adrian Stewart in Hobby Farms July/August 2007)

It's truly an exciting time to be in the "cria-tion" industry! Wouldn't you like to join us and be a pioneer in the next industrial revolution? One that is environmentally friendly, sustainable and gives you pleasure in your work? If this sounds like a dream, please call 304-856-1502 or email to find out how to make your dream come true!