Develop a Business Plan:  If you decide to move forward, develop your business plan first.  Decide what you want to do in the alpaca industry.  Will you start with pet-quality alpacas or begin with breeding stock?  Do you want to start producing offspring quickly by purchasing bred females, or do you want to start more slowly by producing younger maidens?  How will fiber production and products factor into your plan?  Where do you see your venture 5 and 10 years from now?

Evaluate Your Finances:  Step back and take a realistic look at your financial resources.  Get different opinions about the cost to purchase and maintain quality alpacas.  Consider other costs such as equipment and supplies.  Do you have adequate shelter and fencing?  Ask established breeders how long it took them to achieve profitability and how they did it.  Consult your local tax advisor and/or financial planner about how alpaca ownership will fit into your overall financial goals.

Find a Vet:  Locate a caring local veterinarian with camelid experience or one that is eager and willing to learn about caring for alpacas.  Schedule an appointment with him/her before you make your first purchase and ask what vaccinations are required for your area and what parasites to be concerned about.  Purchase a copy of Dr. Norman Evan's Alpaca Field Manual and carefully study it. Purchase a copy for your vet if he/she has limited camelid experience.

Focus on Quality:  When you are ready to make your first purchase, focus on quality, not quantity.  If you are purchasing pet quality alpacas, focus on temperament and ease of handling.  If you are buying breeding stock, focus on fiber quality (50%), conformation (40%) and temperament (10%).  For breeding stock, choose only ARI registered alpacas.

Locate a Feed Source:  Locate a local source for hay and feed supplements and understand how to obtain and interpret a forage analysis.  Go to your local farm supply store and inquire about purchasing buckets, feeders, gates and other equipment.  Decide which grain and mineral supplements you will use and where you can obtain them.

Heritage Farm Suri Alpacas | Tim & Beth Sheets | Flora, IN | www.OurHeritageFarm.com

You’re Almost Done:  Now pat yourself on the back for taking time to thoroughly research and prepare for this life-changing venture! Raising alpacas can be hard work at times, but for most it is a labor of love. Just wait until your first cria stands on her own for the first time and takes those first shaky steps. You'll know what we mean!

Ten Tips for Starting an Alpaca Business

Visit at least three farms:  The best way to learn about alpacas is to spend time on an alpaca farm! Visit at least three farms before you decide that alpacas are right for you. Each breeder’s philosophy and methods are a little different. Ask questions and take notes on barn and pasture layout, fencing, healthcare, nutrition, breeding and management. Ethical breeders will enjoy sharing information with you and will never pressure you to purchase before you have researched ownership thoroughly.

Attend Alpaca Events:  Attend alpaca events like open farm days, show ring competitions, the AOBA national conference and other regional educational events.  These events create great networking opportunities and are lots of fun.  Go to the AOBA website (www.AlpacaInfo.com) for a calendar of events.

Join AOBA (Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association):  Join as an affiliate member and upgrade your membership to Farm/Ranch status anytime you wish. This small investment entitles you to a subscription to Alpacas Magazine; a bi-monthly newsletter; access to the AOBA library; and other support services. This also gets your name into the “loop” so you can receive

information about farms, shows and educational events across the country.