Alpacas are cherished treasure of ancient Inca civilization. Alpacas have been domesticated from some 5,000 years! Alpacas produce fine cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Inca royalty. Alpaca numbers worldwide are small with perhaps 2.5 million in Peru, .5 million in Bolivia, and a mere 50,000 of Chile and Argentina. Alpacas were first imported into United states in 1984. They quickly spread to Canada. Imports into the U.S. from South America are required their quarantined for 90 days at facility in Florida can only handle 300 camelids at one time, making each import risky and expensive. Compared to millions of sheep, cattle and horses found the U.S. and Canada, to alpaca is rare and precious resource. In North America it around 10,000 alpacas as compared to 100,000 llamas.
Alpaca fiber as cellular structure similar to hair. It much more resilient and much stronger it merino sheep wool. Prized for unique silky feel and superb handle, is highly sought after buy textile makers for Britain, Europe, and Japan. Are 22 natural colors of alpaca, and the annual fiber yield is about five pounds from single female, and more that eight pounds from larger male.
Are two types or breeds of alpaca: their Suri, which has lustrous fine fiber with no crimp, and the Huacaya, whose fleece has crimp or wavy quality the enhances in spinning. The world population of alpacas approximately 90% Huacaya and 10% Suri.
North Woods Farm produce Huacaya alpaca.