ALPACAS
Lama pacos are native to South America and it has been estimated that they have been domesticated for thousands of years. The Quechuas and Aymaras used these animals for food, fiber and fuel. The Incas held special religious significance for the alpaca and clothing made from their wool was worn by royalty. With the arrival of the Spaniards in the 1500s the alpaca met a fate similar to that of the American bison. They were slaughtered by the thousands in the Spaniard's quest to gain control of the native people to obtain land, and came close to extinction. Today in the United States alpacas are valued for their fiber and as pets. Due to their small size and gentle nature they are easy to handle and do not require a large pasture. There are 2 types of alpacas, the huacaya and suri. Huacaya fleece is wavy, which give them a fluffy appearance. The Suri has fleece that hangs down from it's body in locks and has a natural sheen. After a gestation of 11 to 12 months the female alpaca gives birth to a single young which is called a cria. They come in a wide range of colors with the various shades of gray being the most sought after. The Alpaca Registry requires DNA testing for an animal to be eligible for registration ensuring accurate pedigree information. There are alpaca shows around the country where animals are judged on conformation and fleece quality. The fleece is extremely soft and is used to make clothing and blankets. We raise the huacaya alpacas.
OUR HERDSIRE
Isabel's Picasso
The fleece of Picasso's sire CPERUVIAN SILVINO 122 IMPF98 won 1st place in the 1999 AOBA fleece show, and 1st place in the 1999 Alpacafest in Spokane, WA.
Picasso's great grandsire ACERO MARKA'S MR KNOW IT ALL was the top selling huacaya alpaca of the Friendship Sale in Lexington, Ky.
The females
Midnight Angel
Sophia Ebony Breeze
Sheena Willow
Willow's sire is Acero Marka's Rockamundo a Bolivian import who is known for his heavy coverage of wonderful fine, soft, crimpy fleece. At the age of 18 months he had the finest fiber every screened under ARI rules at that time with a score of 13.6 microns and sheared 14.5 pounds of fiber. His fleece was still 20 microns at 8 years of age.