Alpacas are grazing animals and can be run under the same climate and conditions as merino sheep. Alpacas are relatively easy to care for and cause minimal damage to fragile soils as they have soft feet rather than hooves. In addition to farming for production, alpacas can be run with sheep and goats as guards to protect the herd against predation from foxes.

The industry organisation for alpacas, the Australian Alpaca Association (AAA), can provide comprehensive information on all aspects of alpaca farming including sales and marketing.

Facts and figures

• Alpacas are a grazing herd animal native to South America
• There are two main types of alpacas – Huacaya and Suri
• In Australia, alpacas are farmed mainly for fibre production, with small markets for meat and leather
• The national herd size is estimated at more than 200,000
• Alpacas thrive under similar conditions to merino sheep
• Alpacas are considered ‘green’ as their soft feet cause minimal damage to fragile soils, they do not suffer from flystrike or require mulesing and have similar nutritional requirements to sheep

In Australia alpacas are farmed mostly for their fleece which is categorised as a luxury fibre and used to make a range of garments and home wares.

There is increasing interest in Australia in farming alpacas to produce high-quality lean meat and leather. As most parts of the alpaca can be used for meat, alpacas offer a high yield with little wastage

Housing

Alpacas are herd animals and can be farmed under the same conditions as other livestock. Some form of shelter against extremes of heat, cold and rain is required, either in the form of trees or man-made shelters.

Alpacas will bond with other animals and can be run with other livestock such as sheep and goats. However, there is a risk of alpacas being kicked by larger animals and so caution should be taken with cattle and horses. If running alpacas with other livestock, particularly ruminants, they may pick up the internal parasites spread by those animals, and so will need to follow the same drenching regime as those livestock.

Alpacas bond well with sheep and goats and can be used as guards against predation of lambs or kids by foxes, to which they will naturally show aggressive behaviour. Alpacas are not, however, able to protect other livestock from attack by dogs, whether domestic or wild.

Alpacas can be moved around easily without the aid of a dog or other herding assistance and can also be loaded for transport without difficulty.

Feed requirements
Alpacas are principally grazers, eating a variety of plants including native grasses, but do best on good quality pasture. Alpacas also benefit from having access to plant material with long fibres, such as hay, and there are commercial alpaca mixes available as a way to supplement vitamins and minerals.

As with most livestock, growing suitable pasture is a key part of alpaca production. Land suitable for growing good quality pasture with reliable rainfall or water supply is essential and as alpacas are susceptible to the same poisonous plants as other livestock, care must be taken to monitor weeds and other unwanted plants. The stocking rate for alpacas is equivalent to sheep and can be measured using the standard unit of Dry Sheep Equivalent per hectare (DSE). A dry 70kg alpaca has a DSE rating of 1.4.

Feeding can affect fibre quality and reproductive performance and alpacas can eat excessive to their needs, so herds may need to be managed for over-feeding. Excessively rich pasture may lead to coarsening of the fibre (known as "micron blowout") and obesity. Underfeeding due to high stocking rates, or very poor quality pasture, may cause weight loss and deterioration in fleece quality. If farming alpacas for fleece, it is also best to avoid pastures with seeds that contaminate the fleece such as Bathurst, noogora and horehound burrs.

Alpacas need ready access to good quality, fresh drinking water requiring between 2-10 litres per animal per day, depending on temperature, feed conditions and physiological status (lactating females require a much greater volume per day).

Breeds and breeding

Alpacas live for 15-20 years, with an adult weight of about 70kg. The more common breed of alpaca is the Huacaya which accounts for around 90% of the registered herd in Australia. The huacaya has a soft crimped style of fleece, not unlike that of a merino sheep, which grows perpendicular to the skin, giving the animal a well-rounded appearance. Ideally, fleece coverage is even and extends down the legs showing a uniform crimp along the length of the staple.

The less common type is the Suri, representing around 10% of the Australian (and world) herd. The suri has a fleece which grows in long locks hanging straight down from the animal’s backline. The fleece has high lustre and its feel is more silky than that of the huacaya.

Paddocks and fencing suitable for sheep can also be used for alpacas. Barbed wire is not necessary to contain alpacas which are generally easily contained by a standard sheep mesh or hingejoint fence. If plain wire is used then 7-strands is recommended. Electric fencing is not commonly used, except perhaps when temporary subdivision of a paddock is required. A small yard or pen is required to catch and confine alpacas for shearing, vaccinations or general husbandry.

Prices for alpaca fibre differ according to fibre diameter, length and colour – fine, white fibre will typically command the highest price. Commercial processors primarily want only white fibre, which is fine and uniform in micron and staple length. Alpaca fibre is graded by professional classers under the auspices of the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX).

Alpacas are shorn once a year in spring.  Standard electric sheep shearing equipment is used and there are many shearers now specialising in the shearing of alpacas.  Alpacas need to be tethered on the floor or shorn on a special shearing table.

There are many processors who purchase alpaca fleece direct from the grower.  Some processors will purchase all grades and colours, while others have particular requirements in terms of micron or colour.  A list of fleece buyers is available on the Australian Alpaca Association website.

Some alpaca fleece producers value-add by processing their own fibre and selling tops, yarns or finished products direct to the public.

Risks/challenges

The alpaca industry in Australia is still transitioning from a breeding/stud stock industry to a commercial fleece and, to a lesser extent, meat industry. Although there is a very strong industry body, the Australian Alpaca Association, the industry faces the challenges associated with a large number of primarily quite small herds, with differing foci, leading to some fragmentation.

Not only are there the two distinct types (huacaya and suri) but also a wide range of colours, which raises challenges in achieving a critical number of alpacas for a viable fleece industry. The commercial fleece industry demands high quality, uniform fibre with white the desired primary colour. There are currently also challenges associated with a lack of fibre processing facilities in Australia. Growers need to understand the market demands for the product/s they are producing (fleece, meat, stud stock etc.) in order to select the right alpacas for the purpose. As the industry is transitioning into different products there is also a need to develop the markets and marketing for these different products in order to grow demand. As such there is always a risk in securing a market and buyer for products.

If alpacas are grown in climates in which they do not naturally thrive – particularly in areas of high rainfall/humidity and summer heat – then they will require a much higher level of input by the farmer in order maintain their health status.

As in any livestock industry, biosecurity is key to managing risk; new stock should always be drenched and quarantined; boundary fencing should be secure and animal health monitored regularly to detect a sick animal early. The Australian Alpaca Association takes a pro-active approach to biosecurity through its membership of Animal Health Australia and use of the Alpaca Market Assurance Program (AlpacaMAP) and Quality Assurance Program (Q-Alpaca) on which further information can be found on their website.

Publications/information

Studies on gastrointestinal nematodes (“worms”) of alpacas – AgriFutures Australia Publication (2018)

Therapeutic antibodies from Alpaca: A new market opportunity – fact sheet – RIRDC Publication (2013)

Quantitative Genetic Analysis of Micron Blowout in Alpacas – RIRDC Publication (2013)

Emerging Animal and Plant Industries – Their Value to Australia (2nd Edition) – RIRDC Publication (2009)

Alpacas page on the Animal Health Australia website

Australian Alpaca Association – Australian industry representative body. The site provides comprehensive information on all aspects of alpaca farming including sales and marketing. The AAA website also has links to the network of AAA Regions across the country. The AAA Regions will be able to offer advice specific to that part of the country and most organise regular training events for the new alpaca breeder.