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About Alpacas Are Alpacas in YOUR Future? by Cindy Lavan If you would have asked me ten years ago what I thought I would be doing for a living at the turn of the century, full-time alpaca farming would have probably been on the bottom of the list, if even on the list at all. However, through circumstances within and beyond my control, I now live on a 150-acre farm in Maine with my husband, our 4-year-old son, and a multitude of farm essentials such as sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, and the ever-ubiquitous donkey....read more (540K) Alpaca Frequently Asked Questions by Al Maloney I do not claim to be an expert on the needs of alpacas. The information you will find on this page is based on my own personal experience here on NEWAIM Farm. There are many books available on this subject and any new breeder should buy and read several of them. You should consult with your vet on any health related issues. That said, I hope the information provided here will help answer some of your questions. ...read more (10K) Business The Evolution of the Alpaca Industry by Cindy Lavan, Chase Tavern Farm I woke up the other day to realize that I was not a passive breeder of livestock, but a conduit through which an industry is building. Going into our 11th year of breeding alpacas, we have seen the industry change and turn in different directions. ...read more (10K) Planning for Success: The All-Important Business Plan by Deb Hill STARTING ANY BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY AN alpaca business, is exciting, challenging, and maybe a bit overwhelming. Possibly the most important investment you can make in your new venture is the time and energy you spend creating a business plan. ...read more (402K) Writing a Business Plan –How the Element of Time Will Affect an Alpaca Ranching Operation By Terence Callery Perhaps the most important ingredient of a successful alpaca ranching operation is time. I have spoken with many people during our open house events and at fairs where Village Farm has been an exhibitor, that were thinking of alpaca ranching as a “turn key” business opportunity. As if they could buy a pair of bred female alpacas, hang out a shingle, quit their day job and become overnight gentleman farmers ...read more (8K)

Alpaca Care WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR BARN BEFORE THE ALPACAS ARRIVE? By Leslie Bacon A Plan! This sounds simple enough – but if you think through every scenario you can think of prior to your alpacas coming home you at least have a starting point to work from and tweak.....read more (571K) WHAT TO BRING ALONG WHEN TRAILERING ALPACAS TO A SHOW… By Leslie Bacon After years of trailering horses all over the country and Canada, we have learned some valuable lessons when it comes to hitting the road with livestock! The first and foremost credo is ALWAYS be prepared for a worst case scenario. Mr. Murphy and his silly laws always come in to play at the worst times!! Accidents, prolonged traffic jams, breakdowns.....read more (656K) Building a "Buttress Style" Addition For Your Alpacas by Terence Callery, Village Farm Alpacas When my wife Bonnie and I purchased "Village Farm" in historic Waldoboro, Maine (home of the famous five-masted schooners), we did so because of the classic 1840 red three-story barn sitting on the hilltop pasture. The farmhouse built next to the large 30 x 40 post and beam barn was a secondary consideration in our decision to purchase the property. ....read more (12K) Spring Shearing by Al Maloney When spring arrives and the days begin to warm, it is time start harvesting that wonderful fiber that your alpacas have been growing all winter long. Shearing is an important part of the alpaca business and it benefits both you and your alpacas. You get fiber to use or sell and your alpacas get relief from the heat of summer. ...read more (49K) Groom Your Pastures, Not Your ’Pacas by Caroline Mixon Do you remember when you first saw an alpaca? Did the thought ever cross your mind, "how do they get them to look that way?" I had a burst of thought that it took a lot of "grooming" with curling irons, hair conditioners, or highlighting gels. I have come to find out that this is the antithesis of what really happens. You do very little to them if you will groom your pastures, not the animals. ...read more (249K) Basics of Alpaca Nutrition, Part 1 by Nancy Irlbeck, PhD Nutrition is one of the major keys to animal health. Without a sound nutrition program, an animal will be unable to produce fiber or a cria to its maximum genetic potential....read more (437K)

Fiber Knitting with and Caring for Alpaca Yarns Nicole Carter of Upper Farm Alpacas, Pownal, ME Pamela Harwood of Longwoods Alpaca Farm, Cumberland, ME Yarn Preparation Characteristics of Alpaca Fibers Techniques for Working with Alpaca Needles Well Suited for Alpaca Yarn ...read more (42K) Gimme Two Pounds of The ‘Good Stuff’ Assessing Your Fiber for the Handspinning Market by Cindy Lavan Quality fiber is the key in developing, maintaining, and expanding your cottage industry market.We have been breeding and raising alpacas for six years and have seen the quality of fleeces improve annually, both with breeding on our farm and across the country as well....read more (341K) Knitting with Handspun Alpaca Yarn Chris Switzer Knitting is the most popular of all the fiber arts. There are more knitters than spinners, crocheters, weavers, felters, and probably the whole bunch combined. We do knitting at different stages of our lives. I remember knitting a vest for my boyfriend as a teenager (now my husband!). Later, I made baby items for our two sons. Always small things for myself: such as hats, ear warmers, scarves, and mittens. Now, I am knitting for three grandchildren. ...read more (1120K) Young or Old:Luxurious Alpaca is Great for Everyone Kaye Collins Here are two projects that spotlight two of the greatest attributes of alpaca fiber: its diversity of interesting colors, and its exquisite softness. The first project shows how the artist contemplated pattern and color variations to produce a very striking sweater. Project #2, on the other hand, is designed for the "younger set." ...read more (749K) Lifestyle Past Lives Trading Life in the Limelight for Quieter Times With Alpacas By Cindy Lavan. Illustration by Nina Whyte As any alpaca owner knows, each alpaca is diverse – a unique entity unto itself. So, too, are we, their owners. One typical question we receive from farm visitors is "Who buys alpacas?" What a simple, yet loaded question that is. Over the years, we have seen alpaca owners ranging from young singles to young families to older singles and older families. In searching the alpaca herds of our country, I have stumbled across a few herds that have unique owners. These owners have held or currently hold very unique lifestyle and professional occupations worthy of a note or two. ...read more (831K)

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