Domesticated some 6,000 years ago by the native people of the Andean Altiplano, the alpaca was cherished for its luxurious fiber. Derived from its wild cousin the Vicuna (the family of South American Camelids includes Vicunas, Guanacos, Llamas, and Alpacas) through generations of selective breeding, the modern alpaca is now equally at home in North America as in South with registered animals numbering approximately 30,000 in the United States & Canada. These gentle and wondrous animals can be found in all regions of the country with farms located in locales as disparate as Alaska and Florida.

Both as an investment and a lifestyle, the alpaca is unmatched. Blessed with gentle dispositions and high levels of intelligence these animals are truly a joy to keep. The cycles of life that transpire on an alpaca farm also make a wonderful environment for children, all while working with non-aggressive animals that are easily trained and handled (our son Sam was leading geldings at age 2!).

Alpacas are earth friendly animals, consuming very little feed and having a minimal impact on the land. Compared to cattle that routinely consume 50+ pounds of feed per day, the alpaca's daily consumption of just 4 pounds of hay seems a pittance.

From a business perspective the alpaca is attractive as well, with the sale of breeding stock returning handsome profits for breeders throughout the country.

When one considers that breeding age females routinely sell for more than $20,000 as well as the growing domestic market for alpaca fiber you start to see just how promising the alpaca business can be. Few investment commodities split once a year (11 month gestation), and are fully insurable against loss, yet provide such a potentially lucrative return. It is a business that can be done at home, part time or full time. Anyway you cut it, the future of the alpaca industry in North America is a bright one.

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