Spring Happenings at the Farm
We’d like to provide some farm updates for everyone as our busy season of summer is kicking off. Babies are coming, shearing is happening, and we have a winner for our big giveaway.
Alpaca Farm Blog
Why Alpaca Products Are a Great Purchase
When you compare alpaca wool to sheep’s wool or cashmere, you’ll quickly see alpaca outperforms both types of wool. Let’s review why!
The Perfect Alpaca Gift for Everyone on Your Shopping List
In today’s buying guide, I’ll walk you through my favorite alpaca gifts and break the recommendations out so you can use the guide to purchase online or at your local alpaca farm store.
A Year of Growth and Blessings
Jason, Hunter, and I would all like to extend a big thank you to everyone who we were fortunate to encounter this last year. From our alpaca buyers and tour visitors to those who shopped in the store or covered our farm in the news – we are grateful to you.
Improving Breeding Outcomes Through Alpaca Color Genotyping
A lot of people assume if you mix a white alpaca with a brown alpaca you’ll end up with fawn alpaca. Well, that works in mixing frosting, but it doesn’t work in breeding alpacas. There is a lot more science that goes into the color outcomes of alpaca breeding.
Can I Raise Alpacas With Other Animals?
The question would seem straightforward, however, you have uniformed hobby farms raising these species together not realizing the mental, physical, and genetic issues they are introducing to their livestock.
What to Know About Buying Alpaca Socks
In today’s post, I’d like to walk through the amazing properties of alpaca fiber, why it’s a great material for socks, and what you should know about purchasing your first pair of alpaca socks.
Alpaca Histograms vs. EPDs
EPDs and histograms are tools available to the alpaca industry that help alpaca breeders improve the genetics and health of their livestock.
Do Male or Female Alpacas Make Better Pets and Fiber Animals?
This summer we’ve had a lot of farm visitors and we’ve sold quite a few alpaca. One of the questions we receive with each visit is which gender is better for pets and fiber animals – male vs. female?
What to Know About Alpaca Shearing Day
Wondering how alpaca shearing is done and what you should expect during your first shearing day? Let me walk through our 2020 shearing so you can get a good feel for the process, planning, and execution.
2020 Cria Calendar
It’s spring and that means the crias are coming! I absolutely love having births on the farm and I cannot wait for our crias to arrive. Check out our 2020 cria calendar to see who is arriving soon.
44 Tips and Resources for Creating a Successful Business Plan and Starting an Alpaca Farm
Starting an alpaca farm doesn’t have to be scary. Here are 44 resources and tips to help you create a business plan and get you started down the right path.
How to Understand Alpaca Behavior and Positively Influence It
You’ll have a very good understanding of each alpaca’s demeanor and temperament if you spend a lot of time interacting, listening, and watching.
Alpaca Birthday Parties are the Best Birthday Parties
Alpaca birthday parties can be great fun. No matter what the weather, you can have tons of fun just feeding and hanging out with the alpacas on the farm.
Welcoming the Ladies of Broken Arrow Ventures
It appears the larger our alpaca herd grows, the happier the alpacas become. I am apparently adopting herd mentality, because the more alpacas we own, the happier I become.
Buying Alpaca Yarn
The success of your knitting project depends heavily on selecting and buying the right yarn weight. Let’s review all that I’ve learned about buying and selling yarn.
Alpaca Cost and Understanding the True Expense of Care
The revenue opportunities of alpaca farming vary greatly from farm to farm, however, alpaca cost and care is fairly consistent. Let’s breakdown the numbers for startup costs and ongoing expenses.
Alpaca Facts, FAQs, and Other Strange Things You Didn’t Know to Ask
The most common questions we receive and provide some other alpaca facts you might want to know. These data points include everything from history and population to personality traits and tips on raising alpacas.
Alpacas vs. Llamas: 30+ Similarities and Differences Between the Two Animals
Not sure how to tell an alapaca from a llama? In this post we cover 30+ different elements from arrival to the US and fiber quality to lifespan and personalities.
Making Friends and Winning 4H Ribbons at the Northwestern Michigan Fair
Last week was busy and completely full of 4H fair activities for the Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City. It was our first year at the fair, and I can safely say, it will not be the last.
Alpaca are Like Shoes: You Can Never Have Too Many
On May 25th, Gina and Bill brought Princess, Dolly, and Reba to our farm. We were all thrilled with the new arrivals and were also excited for Princess to deliver her cria.