a Suri Farm, ltd: Site Map

Alpaca Academy - www.alpacaacademy.com The Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) has put together a fantastic website of informative articles on all aspects of alpaca ownership. If you're looking for more information WITHOUT a sales pitch, log on to the Alpaca Academy and enjoy!

Miracle of Birth

Witnessing the birth of a baby alpaca, or cria, may be one of the most awesome experiences in the life of an alpaca farmer. Here is the story of the birth of ASF Peruvian Arthur. This was the first cria to be born to our HHSF Peruvian Pashmina, in alpaca terms, she was considered a maiden.

The Alpaca Registry, Inc.

ARI - www.alpacaregistry.com
The Alpaca Registry, Inc. maintains the pedigree of over 100,000 alpacas in North America and several other countries. We have been members of the ARI since first starting our farm. The ARI website is an invaluable research tool for all alpaca breeders and owners.

Show Season starts with a BANG for a Suri Farm, ltd.

The North American Alpaca Show was held in Springfield, MA during the first weekend in April. It was the first show of the season for a Suri Farm, ltd. show string of alpacas – and we started off with a bang!

MAPACA

MAPACA – www.mapaca.org
The Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association’s official site. Another valuable resource for information and show details on one of the largest alpaca shows in the U.S.

Alpaca Breeders Fiber School - All About Suris!

Dennis Balbac and Monica Kline, owners of a Suri Farm, ltd. attended an Alpaca Breeders Fiber School course entitled All About Suris.

PAOBA

PAOBA – www.paoba.org
We are proud members of the Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association and this is their official site.

AOBA

– www.alpacainfo.com
This is the official website of the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association. It is an excellent resource for people new to the industry as well as established breeders.

AFCNA

AFCNA – www.afcna.com
This is the Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America site. We are members of the AFCNA and carry their products from Americas Alpaca.

1. Our First Cria - "...I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies!"

No matter how many books you read or people you talk to or seminars you attend – nothing can prepare you fully for this exciting event. It’s one of those things in life you have to live through to comprehend completely.

2. The Alpacas Are Coming ... The Alpacas are Coming ...

Imagine if you will the panic that spread through New England, late in the night, as Paul Revere made that fateful ride warning everyone in the countryside about the impending onset of British troops…now you know what it feels like in the days preceding the delivery of your first alpacas! It is a very real and not so uncommon emotion.

Accoyo

The name “Accoyo” refers to an Alpaca that has been bred at Estancia Accoyo in Peru. In the United States, the name Accoyo refers to an alpaca imported from Estancia or to a direct descendant of an import from Estancia Accoyo. An alpaca is considered pure or “full” Accoyo if its parents are both pure Accoyo.

Alpacas Defined as Livestock in the 2008 Farm Bill

A momentous goal was reached for the alpaca industry during this year’s National Conference. While many of us were celebrating in Sandy, Utah, our farm businesses were being improved and positively impacted miles and miles away. And we didn’t realize that we had something much greater to celebrate than any show ring ribbon or championship banner. In Washington, D.C. on Thursday May 22, Congress enacted into law the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 – better known as the Federal Farm Bill. And with its passage … alpacas were declared livestock!

Amish World

The painting displayed on our home page was painted by Donald Patterson. The painting is called Amish World.

Customer Service - The 80--20 Rule

I have a brother (actually, I have four brothers) who has this goofy hypothesis he calls the “80:20 Rule.” I’m beginning to learn that my brother, John, may not be so far off base in his thinking. His rule says that in the world of customer service 80% of the time, you get a moron (his word, not mine) and 20% of the time, you actually get someone who knows what they’re doing.

FIRST IMPRESSION

The Importance of Your Farm Name, Logo and Website.

Fleece Testing - Yocom McColl Labs

Fleece Testing - Yocom McColl Labs
www.ymccoll.com

Get Your Money for Nothin' and Your 'Pacas for Free

What happens when a visionary Secretary of Agriculture gets together to brainstorm with the Department of Community and Economic Development? A loan program is born that can be described as nothing short of brilliant for the farming industry in the Commonwealth! That’s right; in Pennsylvania $100 million has been set aside for low interest loans to grow agribusiness – and ALPACA FARMS QUALIFY!

ICI

ICI – www.internationalcamelidinstitute.org
This website contains the latest information on veterinary health issues facing alpacas, llamas, guanacos and camels.

Llama Plasma - Triple J Farms

Llama Plasma - Triple J Farms
www.kentlabs.com/triplejproducts.html

Ohio State University

Ohio State University – www.vet.ohio-state.edu/ce.htm
This web link will take you to the continuing education course offerings at the Ohio State University’s Veterinary School. We highly recommend attending as a breeder and/or sending your veterinarian for a class on Camelids.

Ohio State University Veterinary Continuing Education Courses

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/ce.htm

Paris Sights

C’mon, be honest, if I really titled this important article “Parasites” as it should be, would you have clicked on it … I didn’t think so – but if you have alpacas or are interested in getting alpacas, you really need to learn about different parasites and the things available to control them.

Plasma & IgG Test Kits

This is an excellent resource to get your own llama plasma to have available at your farm in case it is needed. The folks at Kent Labs and Triple J Farms are extremely helpful and will explain what you need if you have questions.

Tea Tree Oil

This is the site for the Nambucca Tea Tree Oil Farm in Australia. They have bulk sizes and pricing available for this wonderful oil. We use it to treat some skin conditions on our animals and ourselves!

The Breeding Process

Breeding is priority number one at a Suri Farm, ltd. Whether it is the reproductive health of our dams or the selection of the appropriate herdsire, we take great care in planning for the breeding process.

Value of Owning

We'll begin this section with a question - when's the last time you hugged your 501k? Okay, how about your entire stock portfolio? Your broker? Take some time to read about the value of owning alpacas and you will see why some folks refer to them as the investment you can hug.

Web Design & Marketing - BreedWorks

Web Design & Marketing - BreedWorks
www.breedworks.biz

Who Owns Alpacas

Owners/breeders come from all walks of life. We’re pretty sure if you queried the AOBA membership you’d find a butcher, a baker and an honest-to-God candlestick maker. An issue of Alpacas Magazine highlighted a former rock band member, former Mayor, former military member and a former horse jockey. We say “former” for all of these because they are all now full time alpaca farmers.

William's Friendly Spirit Thrives with Pennsylvania Alpaca Farmers

I am quite sure that William Penn would've been an alpaca farmer. I am sure of this because, the more Pennsylvania alpaca farmers I meet, the more I realize that William Penn's "Holy Experiment" is alive and well nearly 326 years after the Charter of Pennsylvania was written. Let me explain ... first about Penn and then about the alpacas.

Yocom-McColl -- Fleece Testing

Fleece Testing – www.ymccoll.com
Yocom-McColl testing laboratories will send you a detailed report on the fiber of your animals.

Alpaca Supply and Demand

The supply and demand of alpacas has been moderated by the effects of relatively slow herd growth. In 1994, the population of registered alpacas in the United States was only 5,368. In 2004, that number had grown to around 70,000. In 2007, the count was just under 128,000. It’s important to note that it is the responsibility of the breeder to notify the Alpaca Registry, Inc. of the death of any registered alpaca so it can be removed from the national registered herd count. That doesn’t always happen and judging by the age of some of the registered alpacas, it can be estimated that around 5 to 10 percent are too old to be productive, either for fleece or breeding stock.

Body Scoring

Alpaca owners have to do many things to improve or maintain the health of their herd. The basics include providing clean water, fresh hay and fertile pastures. In addition to that, many farmers provide an alpaca chow filled with vitamins and nutrients geared toward our South American Camelids.

History of Alpaca Fiber, Suri Fleece

Suri fleece is comprised of high-luster fiber and drapes down the animal’s body in a twisted or flat form. It is highly desirable in the fiber market and commands a premium price in the range of four to six dollars per ounce. Hand spinners admire the fleece for its durability and its ease at accepting color through dying. The fashion industry desires Suri fleece because it has the softness of cashmere, the luster of silk and the featherweight and warmth of goose down. Suri fleece can be blended with wool and other fine fibers including silk to be knit, woven or crocheted into highly sought after garments.

Suri Alpacas

Suri Alpacas are the rare type of alpaca and represent only about four percent of the world population of alpacas. Suri account for nearly ten percent of the North American alpaca population and experts in the industry doubt that the percentage will increase making the Suri a rare and valuable, long-term investment.

A Routine Day

Our days begin as the sun rises and we greet these wonderful animals with which we share our lives. Mornings are a peaceful time at a Suri Farm, ltd. Cheech and Chong, the barn kitties run out to greet Dennis as he heads up the hill to do his morning chores. The alpacas run to the barn eagerly anticipating “chow time.” Most days, the work requires less then a half hour to put out the feed and refresh the hay and water in each stall. If we’ve got pregnant girls close to delivery, we examine them for signs of imminent birth.

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