 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The Alpaca is a partially domesticated South American mammal, Lama pacos, of the
camel family. Genetic studies show that it is a descendant of the vicuña . Although the flesh
is sometimes used for food, the animal is bred chiefly for its long, lustrous wool, which varies
from black, through shades of brown, to white. Flocks of alpaca are kept by indigenous
people in the high altitudes (11,000 to 16,000 feet) of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia, Chile,
and Peru. They feed on grasses growing close to the snow line, and they require a pure
water supply.
The Incas had domesticated the alpaca and utilized its wool before the Spanish Conquest,
but subsequently the alpaca and the llama were extensively hybridized, leading to a gradual reduction in the amount of high
quality alpaca wool. Exporting of alpaca wool to Europe began after Sir Titus Salt discovered (1836) a way of manufacturing
alpaca cloth. Breeding alpacas is a small but growing industry in the United States, Canada, and some other non-Andean
nations.
Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas and unlike them are not used as beasts of
burden but are valued only for their fiber (wool), used for making blankets and ponchos in
South America, and sweaters, blankets, socks and coats in other parts of the world. The fiber
comes in more than 22 natural colors. In the textile industry, "alpaca" primarily refers to the
hair of Peruvian alpaca, but more broadly it refers to a style of fabric originally made from
alpaca hair but how often made from similar fibers, such as mohair, Icelandic sheep wool, or
even high-quality English wool. In trade, distinctions are made between alpacas
and the several styles of mohair and lustre. However, as far as the general purchaser is
concerned, little-or-no distinction is made.
camel family. Genetic studies show that it is a descendant of the vicuña . Although the flesh
is sometimes used for food, the animal is bred chiefly for its long, lustrous wool, which varies
from black, through shades of brown, to white. Flocks of alpaca are kept by indigenous
people in the high altitudes (11,000 to 16,000 feet) of the Andes Mountains in Bolivia, Chile,
and Peru. They feed on grasses growing close to the snow line, and they require a pure
water supply.
The Incas had domesticated the alpaca and utilized its wool before the Spanish Conquest,
but subsequently the alpaca and the llama were extensively hybridized, leading to a gradual reduction in the amount of high
quality alpaca wool. Exporting of alpaca wool to Europe began after Sir Titus Salt discovered (1836) a way of manufacturing
alpaca cloth. Breeding alpacas is a small but growing industry in the United States, Canada, and some other non-Andean
nations.
Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas and unlike them are not used as beasts of
burden but are valued only for their fiber (wool), used for making blankets and ponchos in
South America, and sweaters, blankets, socks and coats in other parts of the world. The fiber
comes in more than 22 natural colors. In the textile industry, "alpaca" primarily refers to the
hair of Peruvian alpaca, but more broadly it refers to a style of fabric originally made from
alpaca hair but how often made from similar fibers, such as mohair, Icelandic sheep wool, or
even high-quality English wool. In trade, distinctions are made between alpacas
and the several styles of mohair and lustre. However, as far as the general purchaser is
concerned, little-or-no distinction is made.
| This Website was created and is maintained by Chris Arnold of Good Shepherd Farm Design. All photos are the property of Orchard Hill Alpacas and may be reproduced upon obtained permission. For more information about how Good Shepherd Farm Design can design, built, and maintain a personal or farm website email Chris Arnold. |
Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of
Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100
and 200 pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is easy
since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5
t to 10 per acre.
Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it
injury. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing
animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan
royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.
Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional
Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry.
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 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. Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.
Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100
and 200 pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is easy
since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5
t to 10 per acre.
Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it
injury. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing
animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan
royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.
Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional
Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry.
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 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. Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.
