tcalpacas@hotmail.com
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Tom and Carolyn Cline
Alpaca
Farm
Investment
Show and
Investment
Case
1 A small farm, full time alpaca breeders, and personalized support.
2 Award winning Peruvian alpacas at a fair price.
3 Financing to qualified alpaca buyers.
4 Comprehensive assistance to new alpaca breeders.
5 Boarding of alpacas.
6 Hands on training for new alpaca owners.
7 All of our alpacas are guaranteed.
The Alpaca originated in South America with the heaviest concentration in Peru, Chile and Bolivia. The Inca civilization, which lived in the Andees mountains many years ago, prized the Alpaca for the fiber it produced. Inca Royalty were the only citizens allowed to wear clothing made from Alpaca fiber.  When the Spaniards invaded Peru and Chile the Alpaca sought refuge in the higher mountain regions. They adapted to the harsh conditions and low protein vegetation, and only the strongest survived. Today, the Alpaca is a very strong and healthy animal that adapts to almost any climate. They are raised on farms from Alaska to Florida.
Alpacas were not imported into the United States until 1984. There are about 25,000 Alpacas in North America today.; The Alpaca registry was closed to any more imports after 1998. Any additional growth in the Alpaca population of North America will come from newborns.
Alpacas are sheared every 12 to 18 months. The yield is approximately 5 lbs.from a female to 8 lbs. from a male. Alpaca fiber is made into beautiful garments of many different colors. It is easily dyed and may be blended with other natural fibers. Alpaca fiber is found in 22 different natural colors.
There are two types of Alpacas. The Huacaya and Suri. Of the total world population about 90% are Huacaya and 10% are Suri. The Huacaya has very soft crimpy fiber which stands out from their body. The Suri fiber has no crimp, but hangs in very defined pencil like locks.
The USA Alpaca industry is now in the breeding and growth stage. We are now developing the best quality Alpacas in the world. The next business stage will be fiber production. Before the North American Alpaca fiber industry can become a reality the number of Alpacas must dramatically increase. The present 25,000 animals must grow to several hundred thousands before there will be enough fiber production to attract a fiber processing mill.
ALPACA FACTS
Average weight female 100-150 lbs.
Average weight male 140-180 lbs.
They are about 36 tall at the shoulders.
Lifespan is up to approximately 20 years.
Gestation is 11 to 12 months.
Babies are called crias. Multiple births are very very rare.
Virtually all Alpacas in the U.S. are registered. The registry was formed in 1998 with a highly sophisticated system of documenting blood lines. Each animal is blood typed prior to registry to verify parentage and bloodlines. A cria cannot be registered unless both parents are registered.
Non-registered Alpacas are very difficult to sell.
There is also a very well organized and active National Alpaca Breeders Association with many state affilieates, including one in Ohio, and a newly formed Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America.
For more information on Alpacas contact the following organizations.
Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association, OABA web page: www.alpaca-farm-breeders.com
Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, AOBA web page: www.aoba.org
