11 replies to this topic

[che]

Hi anyone considering Alpacas big brother? Seem to have the same attributes that Alpacas have but at a lower entry price. Dave C

[barrymoore]

Hi Dave,
the price of Alpacs can be quite good if purchased carfuly, a guilded male can go for as little as £350 or a pregnant female for £1,000.00 just being in the right place at the right time, when someone is closing down there herd!
regards Derek

[che]

Hi Derek,
Thanks for that info, did not think you could purchase stock at such resonable prices, much the same as llamas. Frankly alpacas would probably be more appropriate considering our work with children. Amazing what you learn on this forum.

Dave C

[faarm]

Hi,

I am confused by the whole alpaca business it seems that they are bred for their fibre (hence all the fuss about their blood line and quality) but actually (if what I have read is correct) produce 2-6kg of fibre per year which sells for not much compared to keeping them (man hours and vet care and shearing) and so the "real" money to be made from them is selling them on to others...? It sounds like pyramid selling - I'll buy one for 6k if I can sell one for 6k each year for next few years... I am just not sure how the market works for something like this - all other animals discussed pigs, cows etc have value based on meat/milk etc....

Any explanation?

Thanks!!!

[barrymoore]

Hi,

I am confused by the whole alpaca business it seems that they are bred for their fibre (hence all the fuss about their blood line and quality) but actually (if what I have read is correct) produce 2-6kg of fibre per year which sells for not much compared to keeping them (man hours and vet care and shearing) and so the "real" money to be made from them is selling them on to others...? It sounds like pyramid selling - I'll buy one for 6k if I can sell one for 6k each year for next few years... I am just not sure how the market works for something like this - all other animals discussed pigs, cows etc have value based on meat/milk etc....

Any explanation?

Thanks!!!

HI Faarm,
I own 9 now and I think you are right! but in this instance with the field to farm system they tick all the box's surly that is enough to own them! they are great animals and good fun they also keep the grass down and cost very little to keep.
regards Derek

[che]

Hi faarm
In an ideal world devoid of planners we would be able to build a house and tend our patch, perhaps earning extra working part time for others. Sadly the present system requires us to jump through hoops and hence we need to think outside the box. In addition to helping with the functionality test they could be used for farm diversification, ie trecking, animal assisted therapy, petting farms and eventually there will be a market for the meat.
As I look at our village I see the quaint individual houses built before planners were created. The planners legacy will no doubt be the proliferation of portal frame barns(will these ever need presevation orders) and infill(how many houses can you build in your garden?).

[faarm]

Thanks guys, so it is as I thought! Was hoping they had an "objective value" so the value is in selling them to others for a price that makes the viability test work (and functional because of not having a season like sheep) so if I bought them I have to depend on others buying them for the same reason ie to get planning! Am worried that I will buy them and be left holding the baby with no one to sell them on to!!!! (Is the market for them really other people looking for planning permission? How many do we already have in the uk?)

Also one other aside the sites I have looked at sometimes state sire: unknown peruvian and same for dam, and people talk about having made trips to peru/australia for them does this mean they can be imported??? If so how does this work with quarantine and things?

Thanks!

[Cornish Gems]

There is no reason why Alpacas should not become a fixture on our farms. The meat is fairly popular in countries such as Australia and New Zealand as the article in Meat Trader Daily indicates (http://www.meattrade...lpaca_meat.aspx). That page then helped us search for http://www.laviande.com.au/ but apparently you can also find out about LaViande via a Jamie Oliver forum. An internet search for alpaca meat produces some interesting articles. Indeed, someone actually asks where they can buy alpaca meat in the UK to be told that LaViande is hoping to export it to us.

Our (as in Devon) nearest slaughterhouse for alpacas is in Dorset:-

UK 8354 EC
C and S Meats, Sherborne, Dorset
Facilities: slaughterhouse, cutting plant, minced meat, meat preparation
Species slaughtered: cattle / goats / farmed game (farmed bison, farmed boar, Alpacas and dressing of) / sheep / pigs ).

If you are not going to be selling the meat in your own farm shop, then perhaps there is a nearby butcher who would be interested. We know that there is a butcher in Launceston which specialises in rare breeds meats. Even eating places might wish to try it out.

We note that dishes using things like pigeons and rabbits are reappearing on certain menus. Indeed, as reported on the BBC on 19 May this year, one pub in North Yorkshire (Nag's Head at Pickhill) served rook pie. Another (this time in London at the Chop House, Butler's Wharf) offered a grey squirrel and bacon pie. How about The Lion and Unicorn in Thornhill, Central Scotland which offers ostrich medallions in a Madeira sauce and wild boar in apple gravy? The list is endless.

For us, one of their biggest selling points is the fact that they don't have a 'season'. Derek, we think you have the right idea. And as we intend keeping chickens, reports that alpacas deter foxes sounds good to us.

[che]

Hi All,
Thanks for all the contributions. I was considering Llamas as an alternative to Alpacas purely on a cost basis. It would appear that Alpacas can be bought at reasonable cost, similar to Llamas. In other words I now know I do not need to pay artificially inflated prices and I thank those who provided this information. It will enable me to make a more informed decision and goes to prove how valuable this forum is.
Dave C

[Burl]

Hello
We have based our whole buisness and planning applications around Alpacas,It does require people on site 24hrs money to be made ?definatley, we have done it, They are far cheaper to buy now than when we started and we have started two other smallholders on our trail so far, see my post in Finacial test etc.
Good Luck
Burl

[Wiseowl]

Hello
We have based our whole buisness and planning applications around Alpacas,It does require people on site 24hrs money to be made ?definatley, we have done it, They are far cheaper to buy now than when we started and we have started two other smallholders on our trail so far, see my post in Finacial test etc.
Good Luck
Burl

hmm...far cheaper to buy now, because prices have fallen as the national herd has increased, and they are now proving far more difficult to sell on for ££££s ... The problem is there is little underlying support by way of a viable end product - prices would probably need fall still further, and to be more akin to sheep prices, for alpacas to be a sustainable farming option.

[happymanoftheworld]

Obviously all you kids are young un's - I remember the ostrich farms all over the UK - sbout 30 yers ago - 20 years ago just a couple left but some people made big money - some went bust.

The tging with alpacas is that they are lovely (in my opinion), for planning they are a great help but buy at the bottom end of price and don't expect to sell at top end. The top-end sellers are very established and very knowledgable. The fleece is not going to make much money at all unless you learn to make things yourself for a niche market.

The imported animals are new genetic lines and believe me, if you could afford to buy one of those imports then you can buy a farmhouse ready built with acres of land!!