If you have created a Facebook farm page, you can add your alpaca sales list to it by using Openherd’s free ListMirror Sync code and a free Facebook app. By doing so, you will increase your farm's exposure on social media and show off your alpacas t

When we boarded the bus in Chivay that morning, I had no idea what our medical team was going to encounter that day other than to expect a long, bumpy bus ride to the tiny village of Tisco high in the puna (grasslands) near the source of the Colca Ri

Purely Suri Summer 2011Open publication - Free publishing - More alpaca

Below are five modules from Kansas State University's distance learning program on camelid health. This starter series was selected and underwritten for free distribution by the Mid America Alpaca Foundation. The modules cover much of the basic inf

This Suri Fiber Harvesting Code of Practice has been developed for Suri alpaca breeders by the Suri Network Product Development Committee in order to provide producers with clear and concise guidelines to maximize value. It can be implemented regardl

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Think about the concept for your ad. What do you want to convey with this photo? Are you striving to capture an adorable baby alpaca? An elegant face? A herd sire with terrific presence? A close-up of fleece? A warm and inviting farm scene?Once you d

This article from our Getting Started Guide discusses the importance of follicles and the corellation to fiber fineness.Follicles are the skin structures from which the fiber grows. Alpacas have two distinct follicle types: the primary follicles and

“Business is not about theories or the testing of revolutionary ideas. It is about practice. Ideas and intelligence and creativity, yes, but with a lot of sheer practice thrown in…When in doubt, ask. When not in doubt, ask.” — Paul Hawken (of Smith a

Google has become more than a search engine -- it is the gateway to the Internet for most users. In discussions with other alpaca farmers, we come to the consensus that we are not exactly clear how Google works and how our farms gets listed on this

No matter how frenetic outside life becomes, or indeed how much the sun shines, it is important to take time for the "boring" bit! Record keeping! No matter whether you have 2 or 200 alpacas, record keeping is essential. Not only will good record k

A guideline to determine whether alpacas are at risk for heat stress is to add together the ambient humidity(%) and temperature(F). If the number is less than 120 there is minimal risk of heat stress. If the number is 150 or more it is wise to employ

In the alpacas' natural environment, it is virtually impossible for them to over eat and get fat. Unfortunately, that is not the case in North America. As well as the obvious risk that this poses to health, obesity also leads to lower reproductive

During show season, many alpaca owners will be loading our alpacas into trailers and hauling them off to win all those blue ribbons! Since we invest a lot of time and care and money into our alpacas, it makes sense to make sure our trailer is in good

Many people may be skeptical about raising suris in harsh winter environments because suri fleece offers less protection for the elements than that of the huacaya. Suri fiber forms a part that lies flat down the back of the animal exposing skin alon

1. Shelter: Camelids must be provided with a shelter from which they can seek protection form environmental extremes. These facilities should have sufficient width, length, and height to allow protection from wind. If three-sided shelters are used, a

Treatment of hypothermia involves warmth, nutrition, and correction of underlying problems (e.g. milk supplements for crias whose dam is not lactating). Critical hypothermia occurs when core body temperature drops below 90 F. Consider the following t

The history of Suri alpacas in the USA started with the first importation of 100 white Bolivian Suris in 1991. Prior to that event this breed was unknown in this country. Even to the few camelid fanciers who had recently imported the more commonly kn

"Good livestock photography stands out because of its rarity," Darol Dickinson noted in the introduction to his book, Photographing Livestock: the Complete Guide. Why? Because photographing livestock is so tricky. It seems an infinitely complex mix o

The initial signs of heat stress may be quite subtle and apparent to only the most astute observer. The most common early signs of heat stress may include:PantingDepression or dullnessAnorexia or off feedRectal temperature of >104° FRespiratory rate

From Dr. David Anderson, here are the TOP TEN things to do to prevent heat stress in your alpacs this summer. The list is not all inclusive, but these are some of the most important things you need to do to protect your alpacas from serious overheati

The first difference between huacaya and suri fiber is that cuticle cells of the Huacaya protrude slightly more than the Suri, Having less scale frequency and a lower cuticle height, the Suri fiber feels more slippery and is more lustrous than huacay

Alpaca fiber is composed of three distinct elements; the cuticle or scale, the cortical cells and an intracellular binder to hold it all together. A complex protein called keratin forms the composition of the fiber. The fiber itself is a complex asse

Indiana celebrates its 200th anniversary as the 19th state in 2016. Last year, a contest was launched to honor Indiana's rural heritage and its future by recognizing barns. Any Indiana barn that was built prior to 1950 was eligible. The over 200 en

Choosing the right address for your website is very similar to choosing a site for your farm -- it needs to be flexible for any future changes you may make, you want to know if there were any harmful toxins used there in the past, and you'll be spend

In order to make informed decisions on selecting quality foundation herd animals with desirable fiber characteristics, the new alpaca breeder must understand basic fiber anatomy and physiology. This section provides information that will help you un