 About Alpacas
Alpacas are wonderful and exotic animals native to the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. The alpaca are valued for their fine fiber. Alpacas are sheared once a year and the fleece can be used to make luxurious textiles and yarns. Alpacas and their fleece come in approximately 22 colors. Female adult alpacas are known as dams and the reproducing males are herdsires. Baby alpacas are referred to as crias. Adult animals are approximately 36” tall and weigh between 100-200 pounds. Alpacas eat grass and chew a cud. They are gentle and easy to handle. They are environmentally friendly. Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Currently there are over 100,000 registered alpacas in the U.S.
 The Alpaca Lifestyle
Alpaca farming is an enjoyable, rewarding and profitable lifestyle for many families. The lifestyle is possible because of the relative ease of care of the alpacas, their gentle nature and financial benefits. Alpaca breeders come from many walks of life with a wide variety of experiences. One of the rewards of alpaca ownership for us at River Mist Farm in Stanardsville, VA are the friendships that we have forged with other alpaca breeders. For some, alpaca farming is a sole source of income while for others it is an additional source of income. Ask your accountant about tax benefits of alpaca ownership.
Alpaca Breeder Associations
 The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) is the national organization providing resources on every aspect of alpaca ownership.
The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) accepts fleece from its members, and turns the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this every day luxury.
The Alpaca Registry Incorporated (ARI) has been established to help ensure accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document bloodlines. Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered. The majority of alpacas in the U.S. are registered. |
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