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| Alpaca Care and Diet |
| Of all livestock you can own, the alpaca is one of the easiest and most inexpensive to maintain. This factor contributes significantly to their overall investment value and the quality of life of those who care for them. Small wonder that the alpaca is now considered the world's finest livestock investment.
Linda K. Davis, Owner, Alpaca.com L.L.C. |
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| Associations |
| AOBA
The Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association (AOBA) began in 1988 and gained non-profit status in 1991. It serves the following purposes: (1) To promote public awareness and membership appreciation of the Alpaca's unique qualities; (2) To educate the membership on the care and breeding of the Alpaca; (3) To promote the growth of the Alpaca industry as a whole; and (4) To foster the establishment of the breed outside of its native land by encouraging husbandry and breeding practices based upon, but not limited to, herd health, overall soundness, and alpaca fiber production and products.
ALPACAINFO |
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| Business & Fiber |
| What does an alpaca cost?
Price, as always, is a reflection of demand. Interest in buying alpacas has grown steadily over the years.
ALPACAINFO |
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| Alpacas |
| Who raises alpacas?
Alpaca owners and breeders come from all walks of life. Many are doctors, financial advisors, educators, or cattle farmers, to name a few. Some raise alpacas as a full-time business, others commit part-time. From young families to empty-nesters, phased retirement to full-retirement, raising alpacas offers countless options for everyone.
ALPACAINFO |
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| General Info |
| Physical Characteristics
Two kinds of Alpacas: Huacaya (pronounced wah-KI-ya) and Suri (pronounced surrey)
Huacaya fiber is short, dense, crimpy and gives a woolly appearance
Suri fiber is silky and resembles pencil-like locks
Short and low set tail
Have soft padded feet with two toes ALPACAINFO |
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| The Earth-Friendly Alpaca |
| Alpacas have been domesticated for more than 5,000 years. They are one of Mother Nature's favorite farm animals. They are sensitive to their environment in every respect. ALPACAINFO |
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| The Lifestyle |
| The joy, ease of care and potential profitability of raising alpacas has attracted people from many walks of life to become breeders. For some, alpacas are a primary source of income,
for others a part-time business venture, but a source of pleasure for both.
ALPACAINFO |
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| A Brief History of Alpacas |
| Alpacas have coexisted with humankind for thousands of years. The Incan civilization of the Andes Mountains in Peru elevated the alpaca to a central place in their society. The imperial Incas clothed themselves in garments made from alpaca and many of their religious ceremonies involved the animal. Museums throughout the Americas display textiles made from alpaca fiber.
ALPACAINFO |
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| About Alpacas |
| Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. AOBA |
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