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The First Choice in Livestock for Small or Large Acreage
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 Alpacas are sometimes referred to as “The Green Livestock” because they are so easy on the environment. Rather than hooves, alpacas have two padded toes on each foot; this allows them to create less soil compaction. Efficient grazers, alpacas consume less food compared to most livestock; this efficiency allows alpacas to be grazed five to six animals per acre. The alpaca’s quiet nature, lack of strong farm odors, and respect for fencing make them good neighbors. Alpaca’s bean-like manure is easy to manage. Simply rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, and done! Well-balanced and low in nitrogen, alpaca waste will not “burn” plants, making it an excellent garden conditioner.
Alpaca fleece is a renewable resource; they are shorn once a year and it causes no harm or pain to the animals. Because there is no lanolin in alpaca fleece, it requires less detergent to clean and is more hypoallergenic than wool. It doesn’t itch! With availability in twenty-two natural fleece colors, the need for toxic dyes is also reduced. In addition to environmental considerations, alpaca fleece is warmer than wool, as well as many petroleum-based synthetics.
Raising alpacas can provide green business opportunities through sales of breed stock, offspring, fleece and alpaca merchandise. Many of the farms you will visit have on-site farm stores that offer a variety of alpaca products for sale. There are a number of excellent tax deductions available to support your farming enterprise. (For a good reference, see IRS Farm tax code 179).
Alpacas can provide an opportunity to start a business on your property, enjoy substantial tax benefits and raise wonderful animals that are friendly to both people and the environment. There is a certain pleasure in looking out your window and watching your investment grazing in your back yard!
Visit a MOPACA farm and experience the opportunities. |
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 The alpaca is raised only for its very fine fleece. Llamas, on the other hand, are raised as beasts of burden. Adult llamas weigh about twice as much as alpacas (who average one hundred forty to one hundred ninety pounds) and, on average, are two feet taller than alpacas.
Alpacas were imported from the South American countries of Chile, Bolivia and Peru. (At this time, there are no current plans for future imports.) Alpacas are herd animals; therefore, they must live with the company of at least one other alpaca. The expected life span for an alpaca raised in North America is around twenty years. Breeders have a choice of two distinctly different types of fleece, Huacaya (Wa-Ki-Ya) or Suri. While some farms specialize in one or the other, there are MOPACA farms that raise both alpacas. The choice is yours.
The alpaca’s gentle nature and its smaller size make them easy to handle; they can be haltered and put on a lead. Not having hooves also means that there is little danger of being kicked and seriously injured. Children tend to get along very well with alpacas and often are involved in the day-to-day farm chores and in the show ring.
Why not plan a visit to a MOPACA farm near you and meet the alpacas |
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Alpacas are prudent grazers; in fact, one acre of pasture can support five to six animals. Alpacas have only lower teeth and a hard dental upper plate, a combination that allows them to graze without tearing grass out by the roots.
Alpaca’s efficient food conversion goes a long way to help control feed bills. As an example, an adult alpaca will consume about two and a half pounds of hay per day, even less if they have good pasture. A cup of alpaca chow, clean water, plus grass and/or hay, and the alpaca is good for the day. This makes the alpaca ideal to live on a wide range of acreages. They are perfect for the farmstead of one to five acres or the ranch of many acres. |
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 Alpacas require shelter from the sun, heavy wind and rain, and extreme cold weather. They do not need stalls; in fact, they are happiest when they can come and go as they please. A building such as a three- side loafing shed or a traditional barn will do just fine. As for space requirements, a 12’x20’ barn or shelter will house seven or eight alpacas.
Clean up is made easier because alpacas use communal bathrooms where all alpacas in the herd will utilize the same areas. Dung is easy to handle, as it is made up of pellet-like beans and there is very little odor associated with the waste. When it's time to dispose of their waste, simply rake, shovel, wheelbarrow, and done!
Fencing is required for your alpacas. And while it is rare for an alpaca to challenge a fence, the prudent farmer will want to be sure to use fencing to keep predators out!
As you visit MOPACA farms, you will see a wide variety of shelters and fencing. These will provide great ideas for setting up your farm. Need time to prepare for your new venture? Most MOPACA farms offer free boarding for a period of time while you get your farm alpaca ready. |
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Alpacas need to be shorn once a year, a task usually done in the spring. The fleece grows about one-half inch per month. You can learn to shear yourself, or find a neighboring farm that shears for others or sign up with one of several traveling shearing companies.
 There are routine worming programs and vaccinations to be given and occasional toe nail trimming; however, these chores are quick and easy to learn. The farm from which you purchase your alpacas will show you how and when to perform these tasks.
Veterinarians can also handle these chores, if you prefer. Veterinary care is usually a small part of the farm budget; however, as with all livestock, there will be occasions when you require a vet.
Birthing mothers need attention to assure all goes well, however, alpacas routinely give birth unassisted. They are good mothers and the herd supports and welcomes the new additions. Clean water and barns, feed and safe fencing make up the bulk of alpaca care. |
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