So you want to begin raising Alpacas

 

First:  Learn the standards in effect by Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board

Second: Visit website of alpaca owners in Ohio and other areas

While there is a wealth of information on websites of alpaca owners you must always remember that most websites are designed to sell alpacas and the information contained these websites will paint the best picture possible about the alpaca industry.

Third: Talk to Alpaca owners in your area.

Find alpaca owners in your area. Talk to the smallest alpaca owner you can find first. These owners are often the most honest about what they see as the future of the alpaca industry. Ask them about the current prices and the demand they are seeing for alpacas. After you talk to a couple of small farms talk to the larger operations and compare what they say to the comments of the smaller farms.

 

Have a list of questions available. A few questions you need to have on your list are:

  • What is the yearly feed and veterinary cost for an alpaca?

  • What does it cost to shear an alpaca?

  • Where can you sell the fiber?

  • What will it cost to have an alpaca bred?

Fourth: Visit the "Plain Talk Page" - Click Here