There are a number of factors to consider when you are thinking about buying alpacas. The initial dollar investment in the animals can be significant, so spending some time setting goals and examining alternatives beforehand is extremely important. Learning the basic facts about the alpaca industry will also help you to make the appropriate choices for your particular situation.  There are two alpaca breeds - huacaya and suri; many natural colours; many quality levels; young, not so young and old - the choices seem endless. However, purchasing alpacas does not have to break the Bank - not all alpacas are expensive and there is usually a price to suit most pockets. In fact, there are perfect alpacas for everyone no matter what their preference.

Decisions, decisions!

One of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you want to keep a couple of male alpacas simply as pets or even for their fibre, or whether you would like to start breeding. If you are seriously considering the breeding option, then purchasing registered animals is essential. A registered alpaca will have a registration certificate that lists it’s lineage and you will be able to register the cria that are born to your own registered animals.  The alpaca industry views the ability to trace an animal’s lineage as a very important tool which can be employed as we continually strive to improve alpaca genetics and, subsequently, their fibre. This will serve to enhance the marketability of alpacas globally. Traceability helps breeders to identify desirable characteristics that may prove to be inheritable in certain bloodlines and to incorporate these characteristics into their own breeding programmes. It also allows breeders to phase out bloodlines that tend to pass on undesirable characteristics.

Phenotype and genotype - what they are and how to use them

Assessing alpacas from earlier generations of an animal's lineage and related pedigrees (its genotype) is the only way to get beyond the way an animal looks (its phenotype) and assess the genetic potential it has to offer. Lineage or pedigree information allows you to check out the parents and grandparents, siblings, half siblings and other related animals and from there establish, for example, whether the related animals have all tended to have denser fibre than average or whether the animal you are interested in is the first alpaca in its lineage to demonstrate higher density. Some other information you can ascertain from lineage includes such diverse indicators as whether the fibre of a particular bloodline has tended to become finer and denser with each generation, or even whether there are any physical or conformation problems that seem to be inherent in a particular bloodline.  

The ultimate decision

All of this data can be used to help you make your ultimate decision - in other words, which alpaca best suits your personal goals. Each alpaca must be considered on its own merits in the context of the goals that you have set for your breeding programme. Investing in this enjoyable and rewarding livestock should be done only after obtaining as much information as you can possibly gather but, as in any venture, the motto 'buyer beware' applies. There is no need to feel rushed or pressured into making a decision to buy. The value of visiting and talking to as many breeders as possible cannot be stressed enough. It is important to view as many animals as you can. Try to develop your own image of what constitutes good alpaca conformation and think about the flaws in conformation that you want to avoid. Put your hands into as many fleeces as possible to get an idea of the variations in fibre quality and density that are produced by different alpacas.

...and when you do decide to buy

Breeders should provide you with pedigree verification (registration), breeding records and fibre details, as well as medical records (vaccinations, etc.). Reputable breeders will also provide the benefit of their experience and information on alpaca care. Buying from a breeder who provides good after-sales support can make a tremendous difference to your chances of establishing a successful operation and enjoying the start-up process.

Raising these exquisite fibre producing animals is an investment that can be expressed in more than just dollar amounts. You have to experience it to believe it. However, certain common goals are important. We should all be breeding towards denser, finer fleeces, and away from major faults in conformation, so that our alpacas are healthy and have a strong body frame to bear their valuable fibre.