Sweet Water Alpaca Ranch
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All About Alpacas
| If you are new the world of alpacas, learning about the industry can be a bit overwhelming. Our goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to be a successful alpaca breeder. |
Why Alpacas?
Outside of their native South America, the number of alpacas found in other
countries is extremely limited. In fact, 99 percent of the world's approximately three
million alpacas are found in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
The US market needs more alpaca farmers to grow the herd large enough to
sustain a fleece industry. Currently, the focus of the alpaca industry in the United
States is on building the most genetically advanced herd and producing top
quality animals who will sustain the national herd over many generations. The
alpaca industry can be compared to other livestock industries, such as the Merino
wool industry in Australia. It takes many generations to develop genetically
advanced animals with predictable, preferable traits. The US alpaca industry is
just at the beginning stages and there is lots of growth potential!
The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months.
Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the
withers, five feet tall at the head, and generally weigh between 100 and 200
pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle.
countries is extremely limited. In fact, 99 percent of the world's approximately three
million alpacas are found in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
The US market needs more alpaca farmers to grow the herd large enough to
sustain a fleece industry. Currently, the focus of the alpaca industry in the United
States is on building the most genetically advanced herd and producing top
quality animals who will sustain the national herd over many generations. The
alpaca industry can be compared to other livestock industries, such as the Merino
wool industry in Australia. It takes many generations to develop genetically
advanced animals with predictable, preferable traits. The US alpaca industry is
just at the beginning stages and there is lots of growth potential!
The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months.
Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the
withers, five feet tall at the head, and generally weigh between 100 and 200
pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle.
After shearing
A Little History
Alpacas grow a long, ultra-fine warm and light wool that we call fleece. This fleece is
among the most rare in the world and the finished product commands a high price.
Alpacas were first imported into the United States from South America in 1984. The
first alpaca breeders took trips to Peru and Chile to select the finest animals. In 1988
the US import for new animals was closed and the American Registry, Inc. (ARI) was
created to track the animals in the United States.
After more than 20 years of selective breeding, the American alpaca herd has
improved by leaps and bounds. At Sweet Water Alpaca Ranch, we are committed to
breeding to only top quality animals and helping to improve the genetics of the overall
industry.
among the most rare in the world and the finished product commands a high price.
Alpacas were first imported into the United States from South America in 1984. The
first alpaca breeders took trips to Peru and Chile to select the finest animals. In 1988
the US import for new animals was closed and the American Registry, Inc. (ARI) was
created to track the animals in the United States.
After more than 20 years of selective breeding, the American alpaca herd has
improved by leaps and bounds. At Sweet Water Alpaca Ranch, we are committed to
breeding to only top quality animals and helping to improve the genetics of the overall
industry.
Alpacas in Peru
Female alpacas become sexually mature between 12-16
months of age, and males between 18-24 months of age.
The gestation period for a female is 11.5 months and she will
produce one offspring, called a cria. Crias generally weigh
between 12-18 pounds at birth and grow quickly within the
first year and weigh between 100-175 pounds in adulthood.
Alpacas are quite easy to care for. They eat grass or hay,
require minimal fencing, and use 'communal' bathroom areas,
making for easy cleanup!
months of age, and males between 18-24 months of age.
The gestation period for a female is 11.5 months and she will
produce one offspring, called a cria. Crias generally weigh
between 12-18 pounds at birth and grow quickly within the
first year and weigh between 100-175 pounds in adulthood.
Alpacas are quite easy to care for. They eat grass or hay,
require minimal fencing, and use 'communal' bathroom areas,
making for easy cleanup!
2 hour old cria
More Resources
Below are some other resources for you in learning about alpacas:
Alpaca Registry, Inc.
California Alpaca Breeders Association (Calpaca)
Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America
Alpaca Research Foundation
Northwest Alpacas - Alpaca Library
Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA)
Alpaca Breeders of Southern California (SoCalpaca)
Alpaca Registry, Inc.
California Alpaca Breeders Association (Calpaca)
Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America
Alpaca Research Foundation
Northwest Alpacas - Alpaca Library
Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA)
Alpaca Breeders of Southern California (SoCalpaca)
| Sweet Water Alpaca Ranch 35315 Glenwall Street Agua Dulce, CA 91390 (661) 645-1420 info@sweetwateralpacas.com |
Before shearing