Alpaca Farming a Hot Farming Trend

Alpaca farms across the country opened their barn doors to the public last weekend to celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days. Owl Brook Alpaca owners Bev and Bruce Carpenter of Holderness were just one of the many alpaca farm owners across the country hosting an alpaca "meet n' greet" at their farm, allowing curious visitors an opportunity to interact with these cousins of the camel. In New Hampshire, there are 27 alpaca farms registered at Alpaca Nation, the most popular national registry for alpaca owners. Most of the farms have been in business less than ten years. Growing in popularity, alpaca fiber is lighter and stronger than wool. Alpaca farms have exploded across the United States since 1984, when the first alpaca was imported to the U.S. from its native habitat of South America.

Because they are known for their gentle nature, the Carpenters felt comfortable allowing children to reach out and feed their alpacas. "Experience that warm & fuzzy feeling," is the motto at Owl Brook Alpacas. The alpacas, however, see it differently and remain skittish when people try to touch their soft coats. Bev showed visitors her spinning wheel and presented a sample of raw fiber, soft as a cloud, for touching. The Carpenters have a rustic shop set up in their barn with knitted hats, yarn, mittens, and other alpaca products for sale.

Bev Carpenter, who uses the "luxury fibers" from the alpacas in her needlework, started her herd of "pacas" in 2006 with only four animals at her home on Perch Pond Road. She now has a herd of seven Huacaya-type alpacas, including a three-week old baby, or "cria" as the newborns are known and another cria on the way. "New Hampshire is an ideal climate for the alpaca," Bev said as brushed a piece of hay from the face of Harrison, a male alpaca with a "true black" fleece. "Warm weather and too much food actually make for a poorer quality fiber."

In celebration of Alpaca National Farm Day, the Carpenters gave cups full of pellet grains to visitors to feed to their hungry herd. "Normally they [the alpacas] won't voluntarily come into the barn, even in the worst blizzard, " said Bev as the alpacas vied for the best spot in the barn to nibble treats from the hands of their young visitors.

Alpacas are also for sale or stud at Owl Brook Alpacas, starting at several thousand dollars. "Alpacas can no longer be imported into the U.S. from South America," Bev explained to a sticker-shocked visitor, "it's been that way for about ten years and I think it's driving up the price [of the alpaca.]" Although Alpaca fleece is a trendy fiber with a cashmere-like texture, the real market for alpaca products appears to be on the sale of the animals itself, which easily sells for tens of thousands of dollars. An animal with an especially nice fleece can easily fetch even more.

For more info on this farm contact: Owl Brook Alpacas, LLC, 227 Perch Pond Road, Holderness, NH. Phone: 603-536-5404. Website: www.alpacanation.com.