Experience the Alpaca Lifestyle while producing luxury products - through Alpaca Fiber Farming
This online resource will teach you how.
Ultimate Guide to Alpaca Fiber Farming
The Alpaca Fiber Farming material consists of four interrelated sections:
Section #1 – The Current & Potential Value of Alpaca Fiber
Section #2 – Alpaca Fiber Evaluation– The Objective & the Subjective
Section #3 - Histograms, Follicular Skin Biopsies, & EPDs
Section #4 – How to Make Money with Alpaca Fiber and the Value Chain
The material in these sections will all work together to bring about a comprehensive introductory understanding of alpaca fiber, the pros and cons of the industry, how it can be faithfully compared to competing wools, and objective findings, both good and bad, to maximize potential profit.
The included sections will explore more objective and quantifiable facts that will help breeders reach a deeper understanding of how to keep and maintain a herd.
We've prepared this e-book guide to share the lessons learned in the US Alpaca industry and help small farms get started with their own alpaca adventure. This is a resource that will continue to grow as we learn more, and hopefully help you in the exciting and ever-growing industry of ‘Alpaca Fiber Farming.’
Alpaca Fiber Farming - Table of Contents
- Section 1.1: Introduction: Alpaca Fiber Farming
- Infographic: Value of Alpaca Fiber
- Section 1.2: Current & Potential Value of Alpaca Fiber
- Section 1.3: Breeding Goals For Fiber Farmers
- Section 1.4: Alpaca Fiber Form And Function
- Section 1.5: Alpaca Fiber – The Magic And The Myth
- Section 1.6: Alpaca Fiber – The Eco-Friendly Choice
- Section 1.7: Alpaca Vs. The Competition
- Section 1.71: Alpaca Compared To Sheep Wool
- Section 1.72: Alpaca Compared To Cashmere
- Section 1.73: Alpaca Compared To Angora, Mohair, Or Silk
- Section 1.74: Alpaca Compared To Cotton, Bamboo, Or Linen
- Section 1.75: Alpaca Compared To Synthetics
- Section 1.76: Suri Fiber Compared To Huacaya Fiber
- Section 1.77: Alpaca Fiber Benefits Summary
- Section 1.8: Section Summary
- Section 2.1: Alpaca Fiber Evaluation – The Objective & Subjective
- Section 2.2: Primary Fibers
- Section 2.3: Secondary Fibers
- Section 2.4: “Guard Hair”
- Section 2.5: Medullation
- Section 2.6: The “Halo Effect”
- Section 2.7: Fiber Evaluation
- Section 2.71: Density
- Section 2.72: Fineness
- Section 2.73: Huacaya And Crimp
- Section 2.74: Luster In Suri
- Section 2.75: Handle
- Section 2.76: Consistency Or Uniformity
- Section 2.77: Alpaca Fiber Strength
- Section 2.8: Section Summary
- Section 3.1: Measuring Alpaca Fiber
- Section 3.2: Basic Histogram Terminology
- Section 3.3: Skin Biopsies And EPDs
- Section 3.4: EPDs
- Section 3.5: Benchmarking
- Section 3.6: All About Biopsies
- Section 3.7: Section Summary
- Section 3.8: Example Histogram And Biopsies
- Section 4.1: It’s All About The Fiber
- Section 4.2: Separating Fact From Fiction
- Section 4.3: Current State Of The North American Fiber Market
- Section 4.31: Cottage Industry And Custom Mills
- Section 4.32: Challenges To Building A National Alpaca Fiber Market
- Section 4.4: Building An Alpaca Fiber Industry
- Section 4.5: The Niche Market
- Section 4.6: Alpaca Fiber For Profit
- Section 4.7: Section Summary
Special thanks to Jim Tomaszek for the original composition of this material to benefit the alpaca community.
Important Husbandry Links:
- Body scoring chart
- Off-label dosages for alpaca meds
- Cria gestation table
- Cria growth charts
- Importance of vitamin D supplementation
- Vitamin D dosage recommendations
- Castration techniques for alpaca
I just perused the table of contents and a couple of sections…what an amazing resource! I am definitely going to recommend this publication to my friends/clients and those interested in the alpaca fiber industry.
I just read (and scanned) your publication. Do you have a hard copy for sale. It seems quite accurate and it is wonderful to see all of this information in one place.
Thanks! We’re working on a print copy but don’t have it ready now. We’ll let you know when it’s available.