Sometime during the early stages of the U.S. alpaca industry in the phrase "Alpacas are the Worlds Finest Livestock Investment" was coined.
While this statement is absolutely true, the emphasis on the "investment" side of alpacas seems to have obscured the fact that alpacas offer a great home-based business opportunity.
As a business endeavour alpacas rate very highly especially if you already have a small acreage. They require little infrastructure, are inexpensive to feed and easy to care for. The cost of increasing your inventory is not only low but also very exciting when the babies start arriving.
Some alpaca businesses incorporate a ranch store as part of their business plan while others may offer an alpaca training service, breeding services or boarding.
Women make up a high percentage of alpaca owners and often play a pivotal role in the decision to "get into alpacas." The ease of handling alpacas is attractive to women, however it's their sense of fashion and appreciation for the alpaca fibre which often figures prominently in the decision to start an alpaca business.
When someone refers to alpacas as exotic livestock I feel compelled to point out that alpacas may well be the oldest domesticated livestock on the planet.
Llamas and alpacas have been a source of food, warmth and transportation for humans for thousands of years. They still seem exotic to us because they haven't been resident in North America for very long - about 10 to 15 years.
The market will never be flooded with alpacas as they reproduce slowly - one baby per year.
Less than three million alpacas exist worldwide. The registration of new foundation stock imported from South American has been terminated in both Canada and the U.S. however there is a reciprocal agreement between Canada and the U.S. so alpacas can move quite easily across the border.
For anyone just entering the industry all alpaca purchases in both the U.S. and Canada will have to come from the herds of existing breeders.
Demand for alpacas has been increasing steadily since their introduction outside of South America and we have barely scratched the surface in North America for potential owners.
Industry associations are nearly doubling their membership each year as more and more city-stressed people look to a home-based business with the potential to provide the lifestyle they seek.
Traditional farmers who have worked their land for generations are now finding the need for alternative land use and/or supplemental income. Some of these farmers are looking to alpacas because of their ease of care and good income potential.
Alpacas are hardy and adaptable and thrive in all climates. These gentle creatures are very safe around small children and easy to handle. They are very intelligent and can be taught to halter and lead and there is an active show circuit offering involvement for all members of the family. The quite humming of the alpacas provides a haven of peace in our otherwise hectic lives.
The alpaca industry is booming in Australia because of the earth- friendly nature of these animals. Alpacas have padded feet that won't destroy delicate terrain and they clip the pasture grass rather than uprooting it as some other species do.
To borrow a horse term, alpacas are easy-keepers. They eat between 1.3 and 1.6% of their body weight per day or in dry measure about 650 to 800 grams of forage. Five to seven alpacas can be kept on one acre of land.
Alpacas share a common dung pile, making clean-up easier and lessening the chance of disease as they don't eat around their dung pile. Alpacas do not require any elaborate housing - just a three-sided shelter and some good fencing to keep out predators.
Costs associated with an alpaca business qualify for the same tax treatment as any other business. Cost of stock purchase can be written off against earned alpaca income once you start selling your animals. There is also the potential for a farm tax rate from raising alpacas.
Fibre is the underpinning of the alpaca industry. Although sales of breeding stock is where the money is right now in alpacas, the goal down the road is for our own textile mill.
The demand for alpaca fibre is insatiable. Peru, the main exporter of alpaca, cannot supply enough alpaca fibre to fill the orders that come in from around the world. The qualities of alpaca are already recognized world-wide so there is no need to educate the consumer to a new product.
Whether your alpaca business is a part-time affair or an all consuming passion the rewards of alpaca ownership are many.