Aragon Alpacas

Overview
Ranches
Alpaca Cams
Classes & Seminars
Associations
Alpaca Fleece
Alpaca Products
Camelid Health
Training
Business Aspects
Shows & Events
Publications

Alpacas ~ an overview

About Llamas & Alpacas
Llamas and alpacas come from Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, in the high plains areas called the "Altiplano."

Alpaca: Llama pacos
The alpaca is part of the camelidae family and is closely related to the well-known llama.

Alpacas vs Llamas
The Alpaca was domesticated and carefully bred for over 5000 years as a luxury fiber producing animal.

Llama & Alpaca Behavior
Thinking of becoming the proud owner of a llama or an alpaca?

Camelidirectory links for Llamas & Alpacas
A resource for the Camelid Community: links for Alpacas and Llamas, associations, breeders, farms, products and more.

Alpaca Farm Basics
The alpaca possesses qualities that make it an ideal animal for a small to medium acreage farm. (Gateway Farm Alpacas, Oregon)

Ranches

Canzelle Alpacas/Carpinteria, CA
This ranch is small enough so that each animal is hand-fed and personally cared for, and large enough to offer a selection of colors and prices. Canzelle Alpacas and their offspring boast many championship ribbons.

Eclipse Alpacas Arrayz /Oxford, MI
A high quality family farm with generations of elite genetics.

Alpacas of Cusco North/Santa Ynez, CA
A working ranch with jewels bred into the fleece. Fiber and its many uses is the focus of their breeding program.

SpinningStar Alpacas/Santa Barbara, CA
From champion bloodlines to handwoven accessories, this mini-ranch puts the fleece to work.

Silver Sun Alpacas /Santa Ynez, CA
This family ranch is as passionate about their alpacas as they are about their service, and their animals are almost as friendly as they are.

Alpacas of Ireland
They're everywhere!

Alpacas of Cusco North

Alpaca Cams

Stargazer Ranch/CO

Lone Juniper Ranch/CA

National Associations:

Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association (AOBA) national US association
Search for ranches in your area to visit.

Alpaca Registry (ARI)
National registry of alpacas; members can trace the lineage/offspring of animals

AlpacaNation ~ over 14,000 Alpacas and 1500 farms

Small Alpaca Farms of America ~ representing the small American alpaca farm and its ongoing role in the agricultural future.

Regional Associations:

Emerald Valley Alpacas (EVAA) ~ central Oregon association of alpaca farms

Pacific Northwest Alpaca Association (PNAA)

State of Jefferson Alpaca Association ~ ranches in northwest California/ southwest Oregon

California Alpacas (Calpaca)~ includes northern and southern California farms

Southern California Alpaca Association (SoCalpaca)

Farm/Fiber groups :

Alpaca Breeders Connection (ABC) ~ Big farm variety with small farm rewards.

Local Harvest ~ national organization promoting farmers and their crops

Oregon Wool ~ an association of small Oregon family farms and fiber artists, offering the many products their fiber animals provide.

Aragon Alapcas is a proud member of ABC, AOBA, ARI, EVAA, and LocalHarvest

Alpaca Fleece

Fiber Mill at Ranch of the Oaks ~ high quality roving and yarn, in Lompoc, CA

Morro Fleece Works ~ fiber mill on CA's central coast

Simpler Time ~ fiber mill, near San Diego

Undertanding Micron Reports ~Yocom-McColl Wool Testing Labs

Village Spinning & Weaving ~ much more than a yarn store, in Solvang, CA

Alpaca Products

Alpaca Blanket Project

Camelid Health

Oregon State University Camelid Program

Ohio State University Camelid Program

Cornell University Veterinary Medicine ~ emerging health issues

Canadian Llama & Alpaca Association ~ timely articles on Camelid health issues

Camelid Identification Working Group ~ developing a viable plan for permanent ID

Morris Animal Foundation ~ various health studies

Alpaca Health Information/diseases
Alpaca & Llama Health Information ~ Dr Purdy, New England Camelid Services

Alpaca Husbandry Hints ~ Fantasy Farms Alpacas
Archives: Alpaca Husbandry Tips

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) ~ indicator of health status

the Weaning Process ~ Gentle Spirit: whose baby is it anyway?

Alpaca Chute ~ for ease of handling on vet days
or build-your-own Chute Plans

Training (for alpaca whisperers!)

Behavior & Training with a Gentle Spirit
'Understanding behavior is the key to herd management.'
~ Cathy Spalding

CameliDynamics
~ Marty McGee

T-Team & T-Touch Training
~ Linda Tellington-Jones, creator of equine behavior and training methods

Business Aspects

Alpacas: the World's Finest Livestock Investment
Aside from being quite adorable, with highly sought after fiber, alpaca can provide diversified income streams and tax advantages. (~Indian Chimney Farm)

Getting Started in the Alpaca Business ~ HaSu Alpacas

Agisting (boarding) Your Herd ~ Soft Hearts Farm

Ranch Set-up ~ Alpaca de la Pacifica

Tax Planning & Benefits ~ Alpaca Digest

Alpacas Investing ~ hands-on, beyond Wall Street (NW Alpacas)

Alpaca Business Resources ~ Alpaca Marketing

Wilkins Alpaca & Llama Insurance Coverage

AlpacaEase ~ Herd Management System for Mac & PCs

HerdLogic 3000 ~ computer tool for managing your herd