Simon Ingle – CALU and ADAS Livestock
Consultant
Fibre production from Alpacas could be an
alternative enterprise to conventional livestock on many smaller farms and
smallholdings in
The market for Alpaca fibre in
the
Alpacas will produce between
2.5kg and 5kg of fibre at each shearing. The fibres
can be sold to home spinners and weavers or to private companies for the
production of yarn. Mini mills will also process
fleece into yarn, so owners can produce products of their own.
Current example prices for Alpaca fibres sold to a company for the
production of yarn are – baby £7.50/kg, fine £4.50/kg and coarse £0.75/kg.
Alpacas can easily be kept using
existing facilities on farms and smallholdings, as normal stock fencing 4ft
high is adequate and buildings can be used for shelter against severe weather
conditions. Stocking rates should be around 14 per
hectare as long as adequate grazing is available, and can be reduced during
times of grass shortage. Hay and a constant supply of
fresh clean water must be provided at all times.
Female Alpacas will average 15
productive years producing one cria (offspring) per
year. Routine husbandry includes vaccination, worming,
feet and teeth trimming and shearing. Regular body
condition scoring is also essential to ensure the Alpacas are in good health
and not malnourished or diseased.
Start up costs will vary. For fibre production alone the geldings (castrated males)
are adequate as they will live comfortably in groups and provide a fleece each
year. On average a gelding will cost between £500 and
£700. If a breeding herd is the objective then females
can cost between £2,000 and £5,000. An absolute
minimum of two females and a gelding (with the gelding kept as a companion) are
required as Alpacas are herd animals and should never be kept on their own.