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Prior to the European colonisation of the Americas, Alpacas were already highly cherished. They were generally used as a source of meat, but clothing and blankets were also made from the soft thick alpaca fleeces, the animal skins were used, and the manure was also used for fuel.
Not much has changed since those times as far as their uses, but it serves as a good reminder to determine the added benefits of your investment in your Alpacas.
Meat - Whist the Alpaca is still eaten in some parts of the world, here in the UK they have not been added to any menus - yet. Given the financial investment in the Alpaca one could only imagine that the price of an Alpaca steak would require a good bank balance!
Fleeces - Alpacas are sheared once a year and at this time, care is taken in collecting the gorgeous fleeces. There are many ways of reaping the monetary benefits of a good fleece and choices rest wholly on the owner as to the way in which this is done. Many will sell the fleece in its entirety; some process it and market it for other people to spin (carding); a few spinning the fleece themselves, or it can easily be taken to a Mill and the yarn sold; and a few go as far as to produce beautiful luxurious garments for resale. Whatever the decision, there is the probability for monetary reward at shearing time.
Fertiliser - The Alpaca is a ruminant with three stomachs and this very efficient digestion system ensures very little organic matter in their manure. Because of this there is no need to compost the manure but it can be spread directly around plants. It can also be spread onto the ground, allowing the rain to seep it into the ground, or can be generally dug in like other sorts of fertilisers. On the other hand place some of the manure in water and use the liquid to water your plants. It really is superb, whichever way you use it. The manure is rich in nitrogen, and potassium, and provides an excellent source of nutrients for optimum soil and plant health.
Fuel - In the Americas dried out alpaca manure was, and probably still is, used as fuel. In contrast to most animal manures, the tiny pellets of the Alpaca manure, are easily gathered and dried. An amount is then squashed in to brick like shapes and left to totally dry. They can be used as a biomass fuel, burning for 1-2 hours. Thankfully, Alpaca manure has no smell!
As an aside from the above, there is much to be gained from breeding Alpacas and selling them. Making sure you are honest about the history of your animals, setting a good price and offering a good after sales support - will ensure that you have plenty of referrals.
Here in the UK, Alpacas (both Suri and Huacaya) are classed as pets, and therefore are subject to VAT. In order to recover the VAT on your animals and all the other items you need for them (shelters etc), you should become registered for VAT. The HRMC website is very helpful in this regard or your accountant can assist you. It does mean good record keeping of your financial income and expenditure, and filing quarterly reports on line, but the returned VAT helps with the expense of feeding your alpacas in the future.
The above are all monetary ways of having a return on your investment. There is however no monetary worth equal to the pure joy of getting to know your animal and becoming friends.
Not much has changed since those times as far as their uses, but it serves as a good reminder to determine the added benefits of your investment in your Alpacas.
Meat - Whist the Alpaca is still eaten in some parts of the world, here in the UK they have not been added to any menus - yet. Given the financial investment in the Alpaca one could only imagine that the price of an Alpaca steak would require a good bank balance!
Fleeces - Alpacas are sheared once a year and at this time, care is taken in collecting the gorgeous fleeces. There are many ways of reaping the monetary benefits of a good fleece and choices rest wholly on the owner as to the way in which this is done. Many will sell the fleece in its entirety; some process it and market it for other people to spin (carding); a few spinning the fleece themselves, or it can easily be taken to a Mill and the yarn sold; and a few go as far as to produce beautiful luxurious garments for resale. Whatever the decision, there is the probability for monetary reward at shearing time.
Fertiliser - The Alpaca is a ruminant with three stomachs and this very efficient digestion system ensures very little organic matter in their manure. Because of this there is no need to compost the manure but it can be spread directly around plants. It can also be spread onto the ground, allowing the rain to seep it into the ground, or can be generally dug in like other sorts of fertilisers. On the other hand place some of the manure in water and use the liquid to water your plants. It really is superb, whichever way you use it. The manure is rich in nitrogen, and potassium, and provides an excellent source of nutrients for optimum soil and plant health.
Fuel - In the Americas dried out alpaca manure was, and probably still is, used as fuel. In contrast to most animal manures, the tiny pellets of the Alpaca manure, are easily gathered and dried. An amount is then squashed in to brick like shapes and left to totally dry. They can be used as a biomass fuel, burning for 1-2 hours. Thankfully, Alpaca manure has no smell!
As an aside from the above, there is much to be gained from breeding Alpacas and selling them. Making sure you are honest about the history of your animals, setting a good price and offering a good after sales support - will ensure that you have plenty of referrals.
Here in the UK, Alpacas (both Suri and Huacaya) are classed as pets, and therefore are subject to VAT. In order to recover the VAT on your animals and all the other items you need for them (shelters etc), you should become registered for VAT. The HRMC website is very helpful in this regard or your accountant can assist you. It does mean good record keeping of your financial income and expenditure, and filing quarterly reports on line, but the returned VAT helps with the expense of feeding your alpacas in the future.
The above are all monetary ways of having a return on your investment. There is however no monetary worth equal to the pure joy of getting to know your animal and becoming friends.
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