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Thinking of raising alpacas?
Attend a local farm's shearing day.
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Visit alpaca shows. |
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Start out selling and wearing alpaca products |
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Make plans to use your fiber! Don't store it up in the garage or attic! |
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Consider the following tips:
- Service is important – purchase animals from farms who will be there for you AFTER the purchase. You will have questions – you want a farm that will be able to help when you get your animals home. Don’t be afraid to ask for references.
- Visit regional and local association websites like the Alpaca Association of Western Oregon or Columbia Alpaca Breeders Association.
- Keep a journal of questions, notes, thoughts, etc. Also keep track of any tax deductable expenses you have during your research.
- Make a list of questions to ask experienced breeders you visit.
- Visit at least a few different farms. Every farm is unique.
- Attend a local or regional alpaca show to observe the halter and fleece competitions, attend workshops and visit with breeders and vendors.
- Talk to a tax accountant who is familiar with the tax benefits of raising livestock.
- Develop a written business plan. Start simple and then add detail so it's not as over-whelming.
- Plan to start a website (or a farm page from alpaca sites such as Alpaca Nation, AlpacaStreet or Open Herd) take notes on things you want to include on your own site.
- Plan to offer alpaca product for sale from the beginning such as yarn, rovings or alpaca socks from USA fiber co-ops such as AFCNA. Plan to use your fiber, don't let it pile up in the garage. You are planning to raise fiber animals.
- Ask other breeders what their successes and mistakes have been.
- Start a list of what kind of a farm you want to create and select farms that best match those qualities to do business with.
- Healthcare is IMPORTANT – purchase animals from farms with a solid herd health program. Talk to each farm about their program.
- Ask local farms if you can attend shearing or herd health days to observe or help with things like nail trimming, immunizations, body scoring, worming, weighing, breeding, etc.
- Ask what is included in the sale, ie: transportation, guarantees, breed backs, registration transfers, after the sale service and support, etc.
- Ask to see the ARI registration certificate of any alpaca you are considering for purchase. Be sure the animal is either registered or able to be registered. This requires a DNA blood test. Go to the Alpaca Registry website to learn more about registering alpacas.
- Gather information about local veterinarians who specialize in alpacas, local alpaca shearers, local fiber processors and feed/hay suppliers.
- Join a local alpaca association.
Updated April 10, 2013
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