2010 National Western Stock Show Reveals Big Jump in Alpaca Ranching

DENVER -- With overall livestock entries up 16% at the National Western Stock Show, optimism is clearly spreading in many sectors of agriculture. Both from numbers and from the enthusiasm of the participants, Alpacas were leading the pack with a 50% increase in numbers at the stock show this year. At the Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies booth I could see that products using their soft fibers were growing in popularity, and Deb Dorband of Berthoud, Colorado and Cheryl Swanson of Franktown told how their Alpaca investments literally grew on them.

Deb, of Mountain Sky Alpacas, said that purchasing her ranch was originally for a business training dogs. Alpacas were an afterthought, but they are becoming a big part of her life. Using a dozen or so acres, she's had a growing business for about six years, realizing that the potential for her herd includes tax advantages, government agricultural benefits, fiber and breeding businesses and some beautiful and friendly new residents on her ranch.

Cheryl, from King's Ranch Alpacas, had the same kind of accidental involvement on her land which totals about the same as Deb's as far as Alpaca acreage is concerned. They both are discovering the wide variety of offshoot businesses that Alpacas support, such as boarding and providing shearing services for city dwelling fiber artisans who want to own their own Alpacas but don't have the space.

While not as advanced and scientifically creative as the cattle industry, the Alpaca business involves many of the same protections of bloodlines and health, such as a national registry and standards-setting body. Reproductive technologies available for other species are being carefully considered by the Alpaca community before adoption.

For thousands of years, Alpacas have been bred and raised for their soft, durable fiber. Alpaca breeders are quick to point out that the luxurious fiber also doesn't contain the lanolin that sheep's wool does, so it is much less likely to cause allergies. In fact, one of the highly valued qualities when breeding Alpacas is the low 'prickle factor', producing soft fabrics without the itch that often accompanies wool.

Alpaca breeders, say Deb and Cheryl, generally love visitors. The animals are beautiful and gentle, though they aren't usually big fans of petting apparently. Many breeders have websites for their ranches, and a quick search engine scan will give you local ranches to visit, shops to shop, and events to enjoy. Speaking of events, the National Western Stock Show location, the National Western Complex, will be host to "The Great Western Alpaca Show" from April 30 through May 2, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. Admission is free, check out www.greatwesternalpacashow.com for details.

Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies, "Alpaca Quick Facts"