Starting an Alpaca Farm
Getting started with an alpaca farm is very exciting, and so exciting that you may not have all your plans finalized before you jump in.
Research as many farms as you can; go visit these farms, look at their set up, look at their alpacas, and ASK QUESTIONS
Plan for your shelter, pasture and paddocks - contact your Cooperative Extension Office and have them come look for poisonous plants, do soil samples, help you decide what to plant for forages
Choose your farm name; purchase an alpaca magazine and look at some of the farm names currently, find a name that fits you
Currently, the alpaca business is in a breeders market; the breeders are working on increasing the national herd to get a fiber market. The demand for natural fiber is increasing and we need to also.
Do a business plan. If you are not sure on how to go about this, contact a SCORE office or Small Business organization in your area and they can head you in the right direction. Most of these services are free of charge.
Find out whether any special permits or licenses are required for raising alpacas in your state. Is your area zoned for livestock?
Figure out what you want: Do you want pets, fiber alpacas, or elite breeding alpacas? Do you want a couple alpacas to start or do you want an entire herd?
Find a ruminant vet in your area and talk with them. Have them come visit you and make suggestions
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