Future Of Alpaca Industry Survey

What do you feel about the future of the US alpaca industry?

What is your main concern for the US Alpaca Industry?

Please be honest.

Please include the state you are in and how long you have raised alpacas.

No names will be included in the survey

Email you response to: survey@alpacasr4u.com

 

 

Survey Responses

CO

Breeder

I am becoming very concerned about our future. There seems to be a different spirit among fellow breeders and those considering starting in the business. I know several breeders who are considering selling out or cutting the size of their herds.

 

MI

Breeder

While I believe there are some issues within our industry, I am optimistic about the future. Average prices seem to have come down but if we can improve he fiber end they could come back. We all know that the average alpaca price will come down in the future because more animals will be considered fiber producers but this should be a few years away form happening.

 

OH

Breeder

I started raising Alpacas as a hobby. I always enjoyed showing livestock and found many new friends in the alpaca industry. So I am not as concerned about the market as most breeders. But last year was the first time  I decided not to breed my alpacas. I have too many that I was trying to sell to keep my herd size in check and just did not have much interest. Even though it is a hobby for me I need to sell some to make ends meet.

 

?

Business

While I expect to see interest in alpaca to continue, I have seen a change in the attitude of many breeder I have talked lately. If the government would leave business alone the alpaca industry would become as strong as ever.

 

?

Breeder

We must face reality. The glory days are over. I am one of the lucky ones. My foundation animals have long been paid for and I do not have get the high dollar anymore. I do miss the big bucks. What about those who started a couple of years ago? They cannot stand to sell at today's prices  

 

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From AlpacasR4U

Today  (4-23-10) I was talking to one business who mentioned the need for owners to come to the reality that a market for alpaca meat must be developed. I have considered discussing this on "The Outside Looking In" page for quite some time. Others seem to be thinking about this. I just received an email from a breeder who has as slaughtered a couple of young alpacas. Read the email below.

 

?

Breeder

What I am about to tell you would have made me sick and very angry a few years ago. We have now killed a couple of young alpacas that we just could not sell and afford to keep. We killed and processed them on our farm and ground most for burgers. What we have eaten and gave to others was much better than I thought they would be. Maybe we (alpaca lovers) must realize that we can't look at all of them as part of the family. A friend is looking at tanning the hide to see what we can do with them. I did not dream that this would become real when I started. Maybe you (alpacasr4u.com) could research this.