There are two aspects to the ALPACA industry - the breeding of quality stock for sale and the end product FIBER (Check the Fiber Potential site)

ALPACAS are exquisite little creatures that turn out another exquisite little creature in 11 1/2 months. With good husbandry and some knowledge of genetics one can recoup their entire investment on one alpaca within a couple of years and still have the original alpaca to continue producing cria for many years. The exact number of breeding years of North American ranched alpacas is not known but in our own case - one of the original alpacas that we bought in 1985 for $10,000 (Miss Black Magic) produced a Cria every year until 1997 (that cria sold at AOBA auction for $27,500). We have no idea of her age when we bought her and she died from malnutrition secondary to 3 abscessed teeth which prevented her from feeding well or chewing her cud. These abscessed teeth had been missed by our local vet, the Veterinary School at UC Davis and ourselves when we were investigating her weight loss. In hind sight, one wonders how such a health problem could be missed and we have since instituted a basic herd health management program. Good husbandry and management are essential for profitability in any industry.

Of course not every alpaca is worth large sums but even in the odd year where a non-descript male is produced he can be sold as a fiber quality alpaca for a minimum of $500 - 2,000. Each year he will produce sufficient fiber to pay for his own feed and veterinary bills and if the fiber is made into salable products - a very sizable profit can be realized.

Even folks who start out purchasing a fiber quality gelded alpaca often decide they want their own breeding alpaca herd after finding out that ALPACAS truly are gentle, lovable, easy to care for, sturdy and economical to raise. THESE ARE POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS and in our own case have returned to purchase many more alpacas.

It takes marketing skills just like any other industry but Alpacas help sell themselves, The potential for profit is undeniable while the lifestyle, ease of care, grace and gentleness of the alpaca add immeasurable benefits.

Analysts have produced graphs depicting the potential profit- For further information just Email or call as we have years of experience in sales, tax savings information, herd health, etc. and are willing to share (by the hour) all the benefits as well as mail out brochures on topics of interest.

Actual average costs per year per alpaca: $300-1000
     Feed, shots, vet fees, insurance, registration, AOBA, ads, shearing

Actual Income per year: Sale of alpaca (or progeny) + fiber.