Alpacas are native to South America and have long been considered national treasures and prohibited from exportation. In 1984, however, exportation restrictions were lifted and a steady stream of gorgeous alpacas entered our borders until 1998. The U.S. national herd has grown to approx. 100,000 alpacas(2008).
For over 5,000 years, Alpacas have been raised as the world's finest fiber bearing livestock, used in the textile industry for some of the most luxurious clothing wear around the world. The alpaca fiber is most widely known for its "silk-like" sheen and extreme fineness.
Gaining in world awareness are the alpaca's unique fiber characteristics:
- doesn't have lanolin ( easier to clean) - has suint oil ( repells dust / water) - is flame retardant (naturallly) - has luster that can rival silk - low scale height on fiber shaft ( more people can wear it due to high comfort factor ) - stays warm even when wet. - Extreme fineness (Finer than cashmere with microns as low as 13 ) - Hypoallergenic qualities ( people cannot become allergic to this fiber) - extreme insulating properties - superior strength/lightweight ratios - natural beauty in 22 natural colors ( no dyes necessary).
The U.S. alpaca industry is in the building phase of its future foundation stock. We have many years before we have a national herd large enough to sustain an economical fiber industry. Meanwhile, it's a race among alpaca breeders , to produce the "Elite" alpaca in every color! And , therein lies the significant opportunities for alpaca breeders to profit.
************************************************************** A National herd of 1.5 million quality alpacas will be required to sustain a viable fiber industry. This gives alpaca breeders many years to focus on breeding for fleece enhancement. Fleece enhancement is desirable in many forms. Fineness, Density (quantity of fleece), Fleece Character, Color, Crimp, and Sheen are just a few qualities alpaca breeders are enhancing with each and every breeding decision.
Experienced alpaca breeders have learned that as much as 30% fleece enhancement can be achieved with one carefully selected breeding. We breeders are driven by this endeavor to breed the "ultimate fleece", with it's many rewards and challenges.
