How To Make Money Off Alpacas

Raising Alpacas How Farmers make Money

As a General Rule Alpaca Farmers Make income in Three Main Directions 1) Fur / Wool Production Fleeces 2) Breeding Stock – Pedigrees 3) Stud Fees 4) Guard Animals

Alpaca Farmers make Money – Making Money Alpaca Farming – Alpaca Farmers can be profitable, but it is a challenge and a work of love. Alpaca farming is usually not sustainable on its own from wool / Fleece production. We will Explore Creative ways that an Alpaca Farmer can begin raising alpacas on an alpaca farm – may diversify and grow his business. It's like having a Tree, and the Trunk is his Alpaca Farm, The Branches are a different smaller business that he can develop and grow the Whole farm

How much do Alpaca Farms Make

Generally, Most Alpaca Opens in a new tab. farmers are part Time or Hobby Operations. We want to lay out here some alternatives that you can add to your Alpaca farm, for extra income to work toward your alpaca farm becoming a stand-alone business. We are hoping this will wet your whistle and get your creative juices Moving and you can add to our list.

For a Detailed Guide on What Alpacas Eat – we have it here

Types of Alpacas

Today there are two types of Alpacas that are bred today. The Huacaya, and the Suri. These are members of the Camelid Family other of their cousins are

Vicuna
Camels
Llamas
Guanaco

Alpaca is originally from the Mountains of South America. They graze in the higher altitudes. They Have been bred for their wool-producing abilities. The average Alpaca weighs 100 – 175 lbs.

When in Distress Alpaca's Spit. Can Direct and Target with their gastric juices, the causes of their distress. There are no known Wild Alpacas today, all we have are domesticated. It is also called "Sour Mouth". Not all spit, but they are all able to do so. When afraid, annoyed. unromantic, fighting over food, they can launch their juices.

Alpacas are easy to train and are very intelligent animals. They make large-excellent pets. In recent years Hospitals and Recovery programs have been using them as emotional support animals because they are so docile and friendly. They have been trained to ride in cars. in the Kush Position

Some of the Common Characteristics that all Alpaca's have been

Soft Padded Feet – easy on Pastures
Runiment – with three-compartment stomachs
Average Height 35″
The average weight of 150 lbs
Average Lifespan of 20 Years
Easily adaptable to small acreages
They do not have Horns, or Claws, Hooves, or Incisor Teeth

They are naturally very sanitary. They prefer to use a Communal Feces / Dung/poop Pile. They will not poop where they eat and graze. This makes manure collection a lot easier.

Huacaya

The Huacaya Alpacas represent about 90% of the Worlds Alpaca Population

Fiber – Wool is Short and dense
Teddy Bear in Feel
Need Sheared Yearly

Suri

Suri brings up the tail with 10% of the Domesticated Alpacas.

Fiber is Silky, Clings together
Dreggs appearance
Usually Sheared every two years

We also Have a detailed Guide on Alpaca and Llama Crosses – Huarizo / Misti Here

Alpaca Industry

Value Wool Fleece Raw Fiber

Alpaca Wool is five times warmer than sheep's wool

7 Times Stronger than Sheep's wool

State of Alpaca Fleece	Value per Lb
Raw Fleece	$ 4 – $10
Skirted and Sorted	$ 4 – $28
Roving and Bats	$ 50 – $ 75
Yarn	$ 150 – $ 150

How Much Fiber does an Alpaca make

Raising Alpacas Opens in a new tab. for Their wool – Alpaca Wool is in some areas is superior to sheep's wool. Insulation and Softness, are two but many of its characteristics as sheep

Alpaca does not Shed
Alpaca are Hypo-allergenic
They need to be Shorn – Yearly – Bi-Yearly
Alpaca Coats can grow 5 – 6 inches per year
Average 7-10 lb Fleece when shaved
The smaller the Micron Alpaca Fiber Diameter the softer it is

Prepare the Roving

These are the Steps in Preparing the Alpaca and Changing it into spun wool Opens in a new tab. ready for weaving – sweaters, clothes, Blankets – are normal activities

Sorting – the Alpaca fiber is cleaned (Alpaca Wool does not Have Lanolin in it, so it is reasonably clean when shorn) and sorted into similar Microb sizes. bagged and labeled sent to the mill
Wool is washed – sometimes two washes and Debris is physically removed
Wool is fed into Pin drafter – Fed into this machine to be combed into various thicknesses
It is then ready for Roving – Combining the raw wool into – gently twisting the fibers into strands of Yarn

Future Alpaca Comercial farming Australia

Yarn and Weave or Knit it into a Rug, Hat, Sweater, Blanket – Highest Value

After the Alpaca wool has been Shorn and prepared into wool it is then ready to be converted into merchandise to be sold. The highest value of the alpaca wool is when it is made into a finished product.

In any of the processes, you are able to increase the value of fleece from $ 50 In its raw state to a finished Alpaca sweater. Ranging from $250 – $1000

Some Alpaca farms prepare the wool and spin it. They then send it to seamstresses that make it into garments. They then bring it back to sell in their own on-site store. Where you can shop and Buy products made right there.

See Our Extensive Guide – 22 Benefits of Raising Alpacas

What is the Difference between Alpaca Wool and Sheep Wool

Softer

Alpaca wool has superior qualities to Sheeps Wool. Alpaca Fleece is softer than Sheep's wool. It also is 2 – times warmer than sheep wool.

Warmer

Alpaca Wool has hollow hair, this air inside the Alpaca wool causes it to have great insulating qualities. In comparison sheep's wool has smaller air pockets, not being completely Hollow. That is what gives its warmth

Hypo-allergenic

Alpaca Wool is Hypoallergenic – It does not contain Lanolin as sheep wool does. So even affects people with allergies even less

More Water Resistance

Alpaca wool is more waterproof than sheep's wool. Sheep's wool will absorb 50% of its body weight. Alpaca wool has unique wicking properties, so it allows water to be pushed off and evaporate easier.

Why is it Softer

Alpaca Wool is softer than sheep's wool, even Merino Sheeps Wool. Some Alpaca farms concentrated on Breeding the softest fleece as possible. Alpaca wool that has a thickness of 16 – 18 Micron size is the softest

Royal Alpaca = 16 – 18 Micron
Super Fine baby Alpaca = 20 Micron
Fine = 25 Micron
Medium = 30 Micron
Strong = 30 + Micron

Alpaca's are Used for Guarding Sheep.

Alpacas make excellent Guard Animals Opens in a new tab. . They will protect and Guard against Foxes, Coyotes, other Predators, and Dogs. They are used by farmers to protect their livestock. The Types of Stock Alpaca will protect are

Sheep
Goats
Chickens
Poultry

Alpacas are very fast. They easily outrun and can Run down any predatory that threatens its flock. They can kick

They can Spit –

They will Screech – loud shrill sounds

Stamp with their front feet

Learn about Spitting Alpacas

Alpacas using to Guard Free-range Chickens

Sale of Alpaca Babies, called "Crias

Alpacas are sold for breeding. They can have one Cria per year.

Alpacas have a gestation period of around 330 days, The Female Alpacas are called "induced ovulators" which means the male will mount the female, and the presence of Male sperm, causes the female to release their eggs.

Also when a female thinks she is pregnant she will discourage any more romance from the male by Growling and spitting at him.

The majority of Alpaca Births happen in daylight. After Giving birth the mothers and young babies Opens in a new tab. will hum to each other.

An alpaca Mother will self-wean her baby at 7 – 9 months of age. Then the Alpaca Cria can leave their mother.

Young Alpacas can be purchased at a price ranging from $ 250 – $1500. we would suggest finding local breeders to buy from if possible. This gives you a resource if you need advice as you work with your animals.

On the Flip Side, if you are selling Aplaca's this will give you an idea of just what your selling might get you if you are selling stock.

We have a Detailed Guide on Raising Baby Alpaca's Here

Money from Alpaca Stud Fees

When you have your own male Alpaca's you can sell stud services Opens in a new tab. . The prices vary but as a rule of thumb you are looking at the following

$500 – $750 for unknown healthy good shape male
Pedigree starts at $ 750++++++ depending on History, Show Wins
Travel you will need to take Dam to Stud
Some Alpaca Farms – have to Drive by Stud Services
Guarantee on Live Births, Birth defect Free
Some because of High Cost provide Payment Plans

Some Alpaca owners have specialized in improving their Breeding Herds. This type of Genetic Management will result in Commanding Higher prices for Stock. Higher prices for Stud fees.

Some Owners Work as Transporters or Handlers bringing Alpacas to Competitions

There are many services, that by virtue of raising your own alpacas, you will have equipment that you can use for other smaller farms. Animals need to be moved and transported for sale, breeding. Alpaca owners often need a local resource to move their animals around.

Also for Breeders that are shoeing their animals into Show Competitions. They will need to not only be transported but will need people to manage and stay with the show stock. This can be a very Highly Responsible Service.

Web store

A web store can be created to sell the Alpaca Items that you locally produce some of them are

Alpaca manure
Alpaca Raw Fleece
Alpaca Yarn
Alpaca Fiber
Alpaca Garments
Alpaca Books

Udemy – classes

Udemy is an online educational platform. Experts from many different professions have Audio and Video Classes that you are able to purchase to further your education. I personally have taken over 50+ courses over the last 5 years. you can find topics that are specific to what you want to learn. The pricing is very reasonable. many of the classes are in the $150 – $200 range – But if you put them on your wish list – you will get monthly offers to take courses for $9.99 – $19.99 very reasonable. If you have Alpaca Expertise, you can record it. Then make passive income for years on that course.

Topics Could be

Alpaca Industry
Starting an Alpaca Business
Building an Alpaca Owners Business plan

Ranch Consulting

Alpaca Ranching is heavily dependent on Experience. You could easily offer a consulting Business for Alpaca farming – targeting Alpaca Owners, can have various sections of help you provide

Farm Startups – Equipment – Stock – Land – I could easily see this as you working as distributer for needed items
Breeding Alpacas
Feeding Alpaca's
Shearing Alpacas'
Showing Alpaca's
Could have an Hourly Consulting Charge using Skype. So You would not be Location dependent

Raising Breeding Stock – Most Expensive

The cost and profit of Breeding Alpacas for their lineage can be very lucrative. We started out that Alpaca's can be bought for a reasonable amount of $500 – $ 1500. But When you are now raising Purebreds the cost of Stock grows quickly

Females – $ 180,000 was the most Expensive sold in the United States ( 2013 )
Great Pedigree Sire – $ 675,000 – was the most expensive Male ( 2013)

Showing Alpacas

Showing Alpacas Opens in a new tab. Takes many forms. Here is a brief Outline of the [possibilities if you would like to increase the value of your animals by the Show Ring

Attending Alpaca Owners Shows – Check for Entrance Fees
Animals are staged in Show Barn for Viewing
Show Ring – Owner, or person showing will lead his animal according to the judge's direction. he will be judging the Animal, look, size, gate, responsiveness, leash Training
Divided by Age groups and Colors
Performance Show – Here Trainer and animal will be a judge on their handling of a prepared obstacle course
Production Classes – Judges animals – animals displayed from beginning to end in the betterment of Breed and Lineage
Fleece Shows – Alpaca Fleeces are Judged and graded for Quality, Color, Texture

Tax Benefits

There are many tax benefits to the Alpaca industry,

Reduction in many areas of Property taxes
Depreciation
Treatment of capital gains
If you work – your deductions
Offsetting other sources of Income

Alpaca Shearing

This is something that you will need to do to take care of your herd to manage it well. The average fleece sells for $350 – $500. Alpaca has an unlimited variety of colors, which can give more demand for its fleeces.

Sheep Farmers have to do the same in shearing their sheep Flocks. Many of the big Commerical Sheep farms bring in international Teams for their shearing season

For a complete understanding of how Commercial Sheep farmers handle this part of their operation, you will enjoy our Article. Commercial Sheep farming for Wool. A lot of the same info can be applied toward Alpaca fleeces.

As looking at it from an alternative Income stream. You have to do it we could see here opportunities in possibly the following areas

Alpaca Shearing Service – Also Sheep Shearing – This is a Learned Trade
Alpaca Shearing Education – Classes – Info Book having a Guide to Alpaca Shearing
4 H Shearing Training

This only happens once a year, Usually by the End of July, but that might bring in some cash as an extra. You could go to farmers, or have them bring their Animals to you

It takes approximately 6 Minutes to Shear an Alpaca for an experienced Shearer

There is a National Shortage of Alpaca Shearers
British Alpaca Society

Selling Manure – Black Gold

Alpaca poops about 4 lbs per day. They are a very neat animal so they generally poop in one spot. This makes manure collection easier. A year's Poop is about 1500 lbs.

An Important Part of any farming is Manure Management. Manure needs to be removed from your Alpacas Pens for several reasons

Sanitary -Disease
Odor Control
Control of Parasites Eggs – Flies

Since you have to manage manure from your Alpaca Herd, some alpaca businesses, capitalize on raising young alpacas by offering to sell their manure You can fertilize your own fields, gardens if you like. In working with Rabbit Farmers, we have seen some creative ones that are selling Rabbit Manure for people to use in their garden. Some farms sell their manure that way. It has extra labor, handling (which you have to anyway) but they

Cool it – manure can be hot until it ages
Bag it – 1,3.25 lb bags – selling $8 – $ 10lbs a bag
Market it – Amazon – Garden Stores –

This is a little labor Intensive – but looks to be an open market for the creative farmer. Translating that into dollars for an extra business and revenue source, to add to your Alpaca Farm

1 Alpaca – 4lbs a Day / 1500 lbs a Year
Averaging $10 per Lb / $40 per day / $ 15,000 Per Year

Many Rabbit Farms and we have seen several Sheep Farms that have successfully Added this extra source of Revenue.

We researched it Here on Ultimate Guide to Rabbit Poo Opens in a new tab.

What Range is Alpaca Fur Price? / How much is Alpaca Fiber Worth?

Alpaca fur price can be found on the low end of $25 per ounce. The alpaca will produce approximately three ounces of fiber each year which is about how much an average woman's scarf weighs. There are some farms that charge more for their alpacas, while others sell them at a lower cost to attract customers.

Worm Farming using Alpaca manure

Also, check out the info in the above article, but there are many Worm Farms that have to purchase Manure or different types of Feeds for their Night Crawlers. This could be an outlet. But usually, worm farmers don't have to pay much for it, because it is a problem that farmers have to remove.

But for an extra source of Revenue, check out the Worm Farms – Selling

Worms – Breeding
Worms – Fishing Bait
Worm castings – 10 lbs = $25.00 here on Amazon
Natural Organic Fertilizers

Selling Alpaca Meat

You would have to do some more Extensive Research, But Alpaca Meat Opens in a new tab. can be very Expensive – $ 40 per lb

Each Alpaca when Dressed will yield about 60 Lbs of Meat. I have not seen any farms specifically for growing alpaca for Meat. But the possibilities look Juicy. $40 x 60lb = $2400 per Animal

Each Alpaca sold just for meat would yield $2400, just looking this could be expanded into the Exotic Meat Market. We say this with Deer, Caribou, Elk, Moose, etc.

The advantage is this is a very docile Animal – easy to take care of.

Education Services

In looking at training that is available. It seems like the training is very limited on some of the skill sets needed for Alpaca farming. This would make opportunities in building some Training Materials.

YouTube Alpaca Training Videos
Informational Products around Alpaca farming
Training Materials on How to House Train Your Alpaca
Training Videos on Getting Your Alpacas for Shows

How Many Aplpacas Worldwide

Alpaca Association

Alpaca Shows for Breeders – AOA Certified

Alpacalooza – Ridgefield Washington
Heart of Virginia Alpaca Show – Lexington Virginia
North American Alpaca Show – West Springfield, Massachusetts
NorthEast Alpaca Expo – West Springfield, Massachusetts
Futurity – Kansas City, Missouri
Mid Atlantic Alpaca Gala – Harrisburg Pennsylvania
Great Midwest Alpaca Festival – Madison, Wisconsin
Mapaca Jubilee – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Wisconsin Alpaca and Fiber fest – Madison, Wisconsin
Great Western Alpaca Show – Denver Colorado
CABA Classic – Portland Oregon
NW Alpaca Showcase Fleece Show – Kennewick, Washington
AOA National Show – Lebanon Tennessee
The Suri Networks All Suri Fleece Show – Gallatin, Tennessee
Michigan International Alpaca Fest – Dimondale, Michigan
NEAOBA Alpaca Fall Spectacular – Syracuse, NY
Illinois Alpaca & Fiber Fest – Springfield Illinois
A-OK Alpaca Blast Off – Shawnee, Oklahoma
VAOBA Alpaca Expo – Fredricksburg, Virginia

Alpacas For Sale

Farm Name (Open Herd) Over 1200 Alpaca Farms in United States	Herd Size	Location	Contact	Price - Open Females	Males	Stud Fee
Flatland Farm	18	Kansas	Dian and Steve Trainer 21302 SW County Line Rd Rose Hill, KS 67133 316-469-9816 316-250-2231	Open Female $2,000 - $ 6,000	$2,000 - $12,000	$1000
Lizard Hill Suri Alpacas	25	Colorado	Kent and Sandy Murray 351 PURDY MESA RD Whitewater , CO 81527 970-250-7335 970-243-3520	$ 500 - $650	$500 - $1,200
Alpacas of Paca Meadow	26	Washington	Berne and Linda Thorpe 354 Bickleton Highway GOLDENDALE, WA, WA 98620 2535089757	Call for Pricing	Call for Pricing	Call for Pricing
Oden Falls Alpacas	67	Oregon	Odin Falls Alpacas Allen Kallel 9101 NW 31st St. Terrebonne, OR 97760 Call Us 5414102324	Call for Pricing	Call for Pricing	Call for Pricing
Circus City Alpacas	23	Indiana	Richard/Andrea Hammersley 2642 W 200 N Peru, IN 46970 765-863-3701 765-863-3702	$ 4,000 - $5,000	$1,000 - $5,000	$750
Alpaca Bella Fina Ranch LLC	39	North Carolina	Della, Shelby, Mercedes Wagnon 00000 Rocky Mount, NC 27801 1-208-315-5843	Call for Pricing	Call for Pricing	Call for Pricing
Zodiac Ranch	53	Michigan	Linda Lundstrom 2791 North Wixom Rd. Milford , MI 48381 (248) 685-0403 248-202-0178	$1,500 - $12,000	$3,000 - $25,000	$500 - $1,000
Redhaven Ranch	20	Utah	Red & Marie Armfield 4008 W 1800 N West Point, UT 84015 801.791.7579 801.549.7779	$ 500 - $2,500	$ 1,000 - $3,000	$1,000
Exotica Farm Alpacas	15	New York	James Ward 4636 State Route 13 Truxton , NY 13158 315-289-5078	Call for Pricing	Call for Pricing	$500

Chapters on Alpacas and Llamas

Alpaca Fencing – Helping You Find the Right Type
Alpaca Sounds and Language
How to Buy an Alpaca: A Comprehensive Guide
Llama Healthy or Sick
Do Alpacas Protect Sheep?
The Ultimate Guide to Alpaca Fiber
Alpaca Care: How to Simplify a Complex Topic
The DIY Guide to Gaining an Alpacas Trust
You Didn't Know Alpacas Come From Peru: A Brief History
Raising Goats and Alpacas Together
The Comprehensive Guide to Alpaca Parasites
Pet Alpacas: Exhaustive Guide
Alpaca Health Care: Nutrition / Diseases / Parasites
Where are Llamas From: Ultimate Guide
Guanaco: Ultimate Guide
Wool from Alpacas: Exhaustive Guide
Camelids: Exhaustive Guide
Alpaca Farms : Exhaustive Guide
Breeding Alpacas: Exhaustive Guide
Suri Alpacas: Exhaustive Guide
Alpaca Teeth: Exhaustive Guide
Sheared Alpacas: Exhaustive Guide
What's the Difference Alpaca vs. Llama
22 Reasons for Raising Alpacas
Llama as Guard Animals
How to make Alpaca Gain Weight?
Huarizo / Can you Cross a Llama with an Alpaca?
Alpaca (What Do Alpacas Eat?)
Newborn Alpacas – Extensive Guide
Do Alpacas Spit? "Sour Mouth"
Why Does an Alpaca Spit ( With 4 Videos)
Llama Sounds and Language
How to Buy a Llama: A Comprehensive Guide
Llama Healthy or Sick
Llamas: 26 Inca Myths and Legends
Can You Ride Llamas?
Pet Llamas: Complete Guide
Where are Llamas From: Ultimate Guide
Guanaco: Ultimate Guide
Llama Height: Guide Physical Size
Camelids: Exhaustive Guide
Guard Llamas: The Exhaustive Guide
Understanding The Different Types Of Shelter To Provide For Alpacas
Alpaca Lifespan: How Long do Alpacas Live for?
Do They Kill Alpacas For Their Fur!
Do Alpacas Bite or Kick? Helping You Understand Alpaca Behavior
How to Sell Alpaca Poop: A Definitive Guide
Pregnant Alpaca Behavior
Alpaca Feet, Hooves, and Toes
How Far can Alpacas Spit?
How to Give Alpaca Shots
Are Alpacas Good Animal Guardians for Goats
Are Alpacas Good Animal Guardians for Sheep
Do Alpacas Like to be Petted?
Difference Between Male and Female Alpaca
How to Tell an Alpacas Age
Alpaca Sleeping Habits
Do Alpacas Need Worming?
Common Alpaca Eye Problems