Saturday, August 19, 2017
SUPERfine Huacaya: 7-8 crimps per inch
Every year Italian suit maker Loro Piana holds a contest to award the producer of the finest bale (100kg or 220lbs) of Merino wool. Core samples of the winning bale often test in the 11.4 to 11.6 micron range, with the finest ever bale produced coming in at an astounding 10.9 microns. The winning bale sells between $200,000 and $250,000, or roughly $900 to $1100 per pound and is used to make 40 men’s suits, starting at $35,000 each. On August 13, 2012, an Alpaca was born in Sandpoint, read more...
SUPERfine Natural Fiber
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Friday, January 6, 2017
I purchased my first Alpacas 12 years ago this week. So I’ve been thinking a lot about what the Alpaca industry was like back then, how it is now and what things will be like in another 12 years, in 2029. Back in 2003, I initially became interested in raising Alpacas for three main reasons. First, Alpacas produce a renewable resource that is both highly saleable and does not require the slaughter of the animal to harvest. Second, Alpacas are “browsers” rather than “grazers”, making th read more...
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Sunday, August 14, 2016
Crimp runs in the family
Phoebe 57 of AlpineRanch is the culmination of 4 generations of breeding efforts at Alpine Ranch, her powerhouse of a genetic lineup took 12 years and over $100,000 in seed money to build. The Sire: Snowmass Quechua’s Phoenix (S. Quechua x S. Highland Lass) I purchased my first three breeding female Alpacas in 2004 and a short time later, in February of 2005, a single Alpaca stud by the name of Snowmass Invincible sold at auction for a then record $585,0 read more...
Phoebe 57
Phoebe57 5-2016
Phoebe 57 5-2016
Phoebe57 Lineage Chart
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Thursday, June 30, 2016
I am of the opinion that when you look at any single Alpaca, concerning that animal’s level of “quality”, 51% comes from their inherited genes and 49% comes from their environment. (Or 51% from environment and 49% from genetic makeup, whichever you prefer.) You can take the best Alpaca on the planet, give them poor quality forage, marginal water, exposure to parasites, etc. and their quality (body score, fiber quality, density, staple length, general health, etc.) will most certainly read more...
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Wednesday, March 9, 2016
I read an article recently, “How America’s Middle Class Dug Its Own Grave” (by Sam Becker, 3/6/2016, cheatsheet dot com). The gist of the article is that over most of the past 35 years, even as production and efficiencies have increased, wages for the United States middle class have remained stagnant. Blame has been placed on Wallstreet bankers, politicians in Washington and even on emerging economies on the other side of the planet. However, “much like we are a read more...
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Monday, February 22, 2016
I received these 10 questions from a gentleman in Vermont who is considering getting started in the Alpaca business. I decided to post his questions and my responses because I think it is important for those who also might be considering purchasing Alpacas to see what sort of questions and concerns other potential new breeders have about the Alpaca business. 1. What is the biggest challenge you've had with the business of Alpacas?Buying high and selling read more...
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Wednesday, February 17, 2016
2015-16 Alpaca Fleece Blankets
I think Alpaca fleece is the best natural fiber and it is the reason I have been raising quality Alpacas since 2004. Here are eight reasons as to why Alpaca fiber pretty much beats every other alternative out there. As they say, when seeking out investment opportunities in new or emerging markets, always look for something that is a step above its competition at making people’s lives better. These are the specific areas where Alpaca fiber bests its competition. Natural read more...
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Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Alpaca Fiber: 7-8 crimps per inch
1. There is currently opportunity and great demand for natural fine fibers in high end fashion. Look up Loro Piana dot com and read about Vicuna, cousin to the Alpaca. These are not just pricey items; try a V-neck sweater for $4495, a classic bomber jacket for $8195 or a 38 inch topcoat for $20,495. 2. The market for fine fiber already exists. Look up any yarn website and typically the most expensive yarn will be 100% cashmere, regularly priced at $450 to $500 per pound. D read more...
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Friday, August 28, 2015
Mojo - dark silver grey
As someone who has been in the Alpaca business for 10+ years, I think Alpacas are one of the best, if not the best livestock opportunity for a small farm or ranch in Colorado. But before I get into all the reasons why, I’d like to discuss the question I get asked most often by folks interested in the Alpaca business and that is, “why is there such a large discrepancy in the prices for Alpacas?” In 2010 a single Alpaca stud sold at auction for $675,000. (You can look it up i read more...
Dark Knight w/ dam
Pixie - Hemi/Caligula Gdaughter
Pixie fleece
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