Inquisitive cousins to llamas, alpacas first commercially migrated from the mountains of Andean Mountain range of South American to the United States in the mid-80’s. According to the Alpaca Registry, there are currently over 180 thousand alpacas thriving in North America today.
“They are some of the warmest, friendliest animals we’ve ever raised,” says Dawn H, farmer and Alpaca owner in southern GA. “Our neighbors were startled at first, but now everyone wants to visit !”
Eco-friendly in habits and attune to their environments, alpacas are easy to care for, making them an ideal livestock option for farmers seeking green business opportunities. However, as with all livestock, alpacas do need a shelter or somewhere they can go when it’s raining or if they need some protection from the sun. Many farmers have been known to try and find an affordable building that these alpacas can enter as and when they need to. Companies like ArmstrongSteel.com can provide customisable steel buildings that might provide adequate shelter for these animals. Perhaps it’s worth visiting their website or trying to find another company similar. There is a lot of variety in steel building design, so the options are pretty endless. Either way, it’s probably a good idea to have somewhere for these alpacas to live throughout all weather conditions. Other than that, alpacas don’t ask for much and are simple to care for.
With 22 natural colors and a range of textures, alpaca wool fiber used for a variety of purposes clothing, home decor, arts and crafts, and weed mats for gardening. Each year, the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association invites vistors onto farms and ranches for National Alpaca Farm Days. 2013 events will be hosted September 28th and 29h.
Don’t miss the chance to celebrate and meet alpacas in your area. For a complete list of participating farms and ranches, visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com.
