The allure of the alpaca
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; mso-ascii- mso-ascii-theme- mso-fareast- mso-fareast-theme- mso-hansi- mso-hansi-theme- mso-bidi- mso-bidi-theme-} They”™ve roamed the mountains of the South America for more than two thousand years. Now, alpacas are roaming the hills of the Hudson Valley, slowly but steadily becoming the newest cottage industry in America.
“Prior to 1984, the only place you could see an alpaca was in a zoo,” said Cindy Berman, spokesperson for the Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association in Tennessee. “But because they are so relatively low maintenance and their fleece is so valuable, they were introduced into the U.S. and are becoming more popular with each passing year.”
Marsha and Wayne Oliver began Rock Ridge Alpacas in Chester six years ago, starting with a single alpaca that has grown to a herd of 24. “I came across a story on alpacas and did some research. We visited a farm in upstate New York to learn more. I was immediately in love but it”™s not something you jump into immediately. You have to be sure you”™re going to commit to it,” said Marsha Oliver.
“In terms temperament, cleanliness and the ability to raise them in a comparatively small area, they are wonderful animals,” said Marsha. “Males and females are kept separately. Female spend the bulk of their lives ”˜on the nest.”™ After 11 months of gestation, she”™ll give birth to a single alpaca and within two to four weeks will be ready for a new pregnancy.”
By the time shearing season rolls around in spring, a typical alpaca will yield about 10 pounds of fleece. “When you think about the weight considering how light and fluffy it is, that”™s quite a handful,” said Wayne Oliver, who helps manage the farm on weekends. Â
Unlike wool, alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic, softer and more resilient with several variations of color. The finer and silkier the crimp, the better the price. Â
After a tough day at the office, alpacas rule the roost when it comes to their ability help owners relax. “There”™s a real feeling of serenity when you are among them,” said Marsha. “If you”™re stressed, they really do alleviate tension. They are so mellow; it just rubs off on you.”
Every state has its own criteria as to what constitutes a farm, and in order to be classified as such, it must earn at least $10,000 a year in New York. Â Chester recently passed a zoning ordinance to include alpaca breeding on any property of three acres or more. Â “I take that as good news,” said Oliver.
With more than 140,000 alpacas in the U.S. and close to 4,000 farms in all 50 states, Berman says alpaca fleece is a valued commodity. “Alpaca fleece is three times warmer than wool,” said Berman.
The National Alpaca Show is next June 5-7 in Cleveland.
“That”™s our world alpaca conference,” said Berman. “We expect owners from all over the country, as well as their animals. The event coincides with the International Year of Natural Fiber, so you can”™t ask for better timing.”