Making Money With Alpacas
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Alpacas offer a truly exceptional livestock business experience - one that can actually make money for you. There are many opportunities for the creative business person with alpacas. Those listed here are just a few - you will no doubt have your own ideas! Sale of Alpacas: At this point our industry is focused on the creation and sale of alpaca breeding stock. This is due to the young age of the alpaca industry in the U.S. and eventually we will see a shift toward the creation of fiber products once we have enough alpacas to satisfy a commercial market. The price an alpaca sells for depends on its sex and quality. The following price ranges represent current averages for the Southwest region. Pet (usually a male): $500-$2000 Jr. Herdsire (unproven male): $2000 - $5000 Proven Herdsire (show quality): $5000 and up Juvenile Female (unproven): $7000 -$15,000 Proven Female (pregnant): $12,000 - $20,000 Show Quality Female: $15,000 and up Sale of Breedings to Herdsire: Many farms have herdsires for hire. Breeding fees depend on the quality of the male, the quality of his offspring, and the degree of marketing the farm has done to promote their male. Fees range from $500 per breeding on the low end to over $3000 for a truly exceptional male. Sale of Fiber and Finished Products: Originally most fiber was sold locally to handcrafters and most products were imported from Peru for resale but with the continued development of our industry we are now seeing alpaca fiber cooperatives springing up and products made in North America are more common. Prices for raw fiber are based on weight, as follows: World Market: $5 a pound Cottage Market (hand crafters): $20 to $30 a pound
Finished products add value and are priced higher than raw fiber: Yarn: $30 to $50 per pound depending on quality Fashions range from $20 to $30 per pair for socks to $200 for a sweater to $400 and up for one of a kind high fashion garments. Sale of Services: There are many services which alpaca breeders need. Offering extra services can bring in additional income for your alpaca business. Do you have experience in any of the following: Livestock transportation Accounting Web site Development Photography Shearing Creative Writing Graphic Design Most breeders take advantage of some or all of these ideas to maximize their income for a successful alpaca business. Happy planning! |