Here is list of some resources that have been very helpful to us as we have started and grown our alpaca business. Just like any venture in life, continuing education is critical to success. Let us know if there are any questions.
Llama and Alpaca Neonatal Care by Bradford B. Smith, DVM, Karen I. Timm, DVM and Patrick O. Long, DVM.
This is a great educational document. It is a must have if you will for every farm and with each reading something new will surface. In a short 112 pages, the authors have provided a wealth of great information taking care of your pregnant dams, the birthing process and the potential problems and finally the care of the new born.
Caring for Llamas and Alpacas: A Herd Management Guide by Clare Hoffman, DVM and Ingrid Asmus.
An Excellent health and management guide for every alpaca owner. It is constructed in a way that it is easy to read and comprehend. Great illustrations dispersed through the book providing excellent visual representations for the hands on care processes. The authors address basic health care items like injections, toenail trimming, parasite controls and challenging plants in the pastures. This is a wonderful overview book and a great gift to send along with the sold Alpacas as they venture to their new owners.
ALPACA Field Manual by Norman Evans, DVM with contributions by Tom Cameron, DVM, Steven Hull, PhD, Patrick Long, DVM and C. Edgar Sheaffer VMD.
An Excellent health and management guide for every alpaca owner. It is constructed in a way that it is easy to read and comprehend. Great illustrations dispersed through the book providing excellent visual representations for the hands on care processes. The authors address basic health care items like injections, toenail trimming, parasite controls and challenging plants in the pastures. This is a wonderful overview book and a great gift to send along with the sold Alpacas as they venture to their new owners.
A great place to learn more about alpacas and the industry, is to become active in your local breeder and owner organization. We are members of multiple organizations and appreciate the value we get from all of them.
Alpaca Breeders and Owners of Arizona
Home of the Southwest Regional Alpaca Show.
Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies
Host to the largest alpaca show in the US. The Great Western Alpaca Show.
There are also some excellent larger organizations to be a part of. These groups provide great support for all alpaca breeders and owners.
Alpaca Breeders and Owners Association
Information that compliments and extends the information on this website describing the alpaca business and the value of this great creature.
Alpaca Registry
A great aspect of the alpaca business, is the controlled registration. The alpaca registration organization is central to past, current and future success of this industry.
Yocom-McColl Fiber Testing
A great resource for helping you know the characteristics of your fleece from a scientific point of view. Most people evaluating one of your animals will request this report on the animal of interest.