Checklist for Alpaca Breeders

Firstly, identify your motives in wanting to breed alpacas.

Is alpaca ownership being considered for the purpose of ….

  • Having a nice pet to eat the grass and look nice without being too much trouble to look after?
  • To grow some fleece to spin - but without the intricacies of being in the breeding field?
  • A complete lifestyle change but not dependent upon alpaca income?
  • A long term approach as part of diversification of broad acre farming?
  • A commercial approach to breeding with the fibre and value adding as the end points?
  • Putting together the beginnings of a small alpaca enterprise with the long-term view of simply enjoying the alpacas and of being involved with breeding, but without the expectations of being in the show ring or at the leading edge of an expanding industry?
  • Beginning a serious breeding enterprise with the intention of being at the leading edge of the industry and an attendant suitable income?
  • The ownership of stud sires with genetic development of your stud and income from outside services?
  • Investment over the medium to longer term, without the intention of ever engaging in hands-on husbandry?

Once you have clarified your goals and directions, both short and long term, you can then consider …………

What alpaca/s do I buy and how much should I spend?

Keep your goals and directions in mind.

"If you change track midstream from your goals, the going can get tough while you re-arrange yourself and your enterprise."