Let me ask you a few questions. Are you looking for a small farm business with big returns? Have you researched all the agricultural benefits of raising livestock on your land? Have you considered raising sheep, goats, or cattle in order to take advantage of the benefits? Have you hesitated to proceed?

Well, if you are like me (a city dweller until 2004) the thought of killing something, milking something or cleaning up after big animals stopped me in my tracks! So we never imagined ourselves as “farmers” until we met alpacas and the alpaca farm business idea launched.

The goal of many small farm businesses is to “just cover expenses.” We have been doing more than “just covering our expenses” with a handful of alpacas since our 3^rd year in the business. And now, over 7 years of alpaca farming, we are living proof… you can have a small group of very clean, cute, amusing critters, make a small profit with a relatively tiny up-front investment and you can even take time off for a little travel, see the grandkids, or go to a show if that’s your goal.

Presently we live in the country, deduct our legitimate agricultural expenses, use depreciation and other tools to offset other income and lower our property taxes through agricultural classification of our land.

Can you name another livestock business where you can make a profit with less than 20 animals? Can you do this with alpacas? Absolutely!

In 2009 our situation turned to “creative solutions needed” in order to keep our business growing. We started promoting “multiple services” from our ranch. We offered agisting (board & care), breeding and birthing services. We got a main stud and started filling his dance card with introductory breedings which have now grown in number, demand and dollar amount per breeding. We also increased our internet presence and educational products offered.

Another income focus we started is to proudly display, retail and wear alpaca accessories made from our own alpacas. Visitors to our farm love the idea they can take a photo of the alpaca which contributed the fiber made into the luxurious scarf or hat. And we are not alone, as word is spreading; more small alpaca farms are setting up “cottage industry” outlets and reaping the benefits of raising this gentle livestock.

So, whether you are looking for a business with numerous tax benefits, agricultural savings for your land use, an outlet for your creativity, or just pure enjoyment… alpaca farming could be in your near future.

If you are already a part of our industry, then take this opportunity to review your situation and make sure you are taking advantage of all the alpaca farming deductions you are legitimately entitled to at this time. Then go out in your field and smile at your alpacas.

In this photo, you can see that all are eating together peacefully... for a short time.

As I write this we are experiencing the 4^th consistent day of rain and preparing for SNOW. This fact alone may not be newsworthy; however, we live in southern California! What I’m observing with my alpaca females applies whether you live in moderate or extreme climatic regions. It applies whether you raise your alpacas on pasture or in a dry lot environment. At times you may have to change their eating conditions, make other arrangements and possibly crowd them in for a short time. Now the question is: how do you know if they are too crowded?

The simple answer… I listen! That’s right; I observe and listen from a distance to figure that out. What I’ve observed boils down to … if they’re crowded they’ll do a lot of quibbling, a lot of spitting and posturing over who’s going to get to the feeder first and stake their claim. 

I count on enough space so that every single alpaca can be at the feeders all at once, without feeling crowded.  Best advise – just keep adding feeders, creating multiple feeding stations until you achieve that. And when the rains came and they all wanted to be inside at once… that’s what we chose to do. Normally these 12 wander among 3-4 other feeding stations… and they come and go at their will.

If you find yourself questioning the crowding issue in small spaces, then just spread out the feeders so that every alpaca could eat all they want simultaneously. You might consider creating special feeding areas for the cria – if they get squeezed out from the adults. Alpacas are extremely adaptable and that is why they make a great livestock business. You can start out small and expand as your needs arise. Your alpacas will let you know if they have outgrown the feeding arrangements!