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AlpacaNation Q&A with Tanglewood Farm (Ohio)
Christiane Rudolf
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19741 Victory Lane, Fayetteville, OH 45118
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(513) 875-3739
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): I think my slogan: "Up close and personal" says it all. My animals receive frequent, individual attention, and that is what buyers will also receive.
That is what has given me an international reputation with my dogs, and I apply the same principle to my Alpaca business.
AlpacaNation: What is your greatest achievement or favorite memory since you started raising alpacas?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): Breeding my first three alpacas and having confirmed pregnancies.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): First I visited four different farms before picking my first alpaca. Then I had a barn and a shelter built, electric and water lines laid, and fencing put up. It was three months before my animals came to Tanglewood Farm.
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): I started Tangleood Farm in August of 2003.
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): I saw a brochure about alpacas from a nearby farm at my local feed mill.
AlpacaNation: What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): When you begin to breed animals, you can expect almost anything. No two deliveries will ever be the same, no dams will ever deliver exactly when you expect them to, and if you breed long enough, you will encounter both good and bad days.
AlpacaNation: What has been the most helpful advice you have received from your veterinarian?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): When you set up your farm, put in gates, gates, and more gates, and make sure they are the same size(10ft is nice)
AlpacaNation: What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): That the industry is young, the tax advantages good, and that the money is to be made in the breeding and bettering of the breed, to produce ever better fiber and healthier animals. That it is a luxury product, and not one you will find in Wal-Mart type stores, and that the work with the animals provides satisfaction, knowing that you have produced something beautiful and useful as well.
AlpacaNation: What unique challenges do you face as a small, mid-size, or larger breeder?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): As a small farm, it is important to make many personal connections especially with other small farms. Large scale farms have the money to adverise, which small farms like mine cannot afford. The important thing is to become recognized as a reputable breeder who stands behind his animals, provides feedback, and bends over backward to help out his clients. I have been a successful German Shepherd breeder over the past 15 years, and I do not need to advertise. People contact me for puppies and I have a waiting list. My reputation has spread over the US. borders, and it was not through advertising, but through an excellent reputation and recommendations from people who purchased animals from me. I intend to have the same kind of reputation as an Alpaca breeder.
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): I have always loved animals and have raised German Shepherds for the past fifteen years. I currently own/co-own five American Champions and one American/Canadian champion. Having had experience with dogs, I felt that I would not have any trouble adding alpacas to my crew.
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): I had chosen Tanglewood as my Kennel name , so it was logical to continue with a name that had developed an outstanding reputation for beautiful champion German Shepherd Dogs.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): Talk to as many alpaca farmers as you can and visit as many farms as you can to discuss the physical aspects of laying out your farm. Go to as many shows as possible to get a "feel" for what is a good animal. Talk to vets about health issues and vaccinations. Farming is hard physical work. Be sure you are up to it and enjoy working outdoors. You need to be able to do your work in all kinds of weather. Be sure that the climate of your region can support alpacas. They can't take too much humidity and heat. They do well in cool, even cold climates.
AlpacaNation: Describe your first alpaca purchase... would you do anything differently today?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): Since I have raised and shown dogs, I feel that I have a good eye for an animal that looks good, so I did not have a problem deciding on which animal I liked. However, I did have an experienced alpaca person with me at the time of purchase and I bought my animal from a reliable breeder who had been in the business for some time and provided a good guarantee.
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Tanglewood Farm (Ohio): Quality, rather than number, is my goal. To keep improving upon what I currently have through very selective breeding.
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