Agritourism continues to grow, and alpaca farms are well positioned to offer safe, memorable experiences. From guided tours to hands-on encounters, these activities help educate the public, support local agriculture, and create new revenue streams.
But inviting guests onto your property also introduces new responsibilities. As the preferred insurance provider of Alpaca Owners Association, Farm Family offers coverage options designed for agricultural operations, including those that welcome visitors.
When Red Granite Ranch gifted Logan Youngblood an alpaca named Persistence, the moment became more than a surprise. It became a story of mentorship, encouragement, and the power of helping youth find their place in the alpaca community.
What happens when your alpaca needs medication, but you don’t have a Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) established? A VCPR is more than paperwork. It is the foundation of responsible herd health, emergency care, and access to medications that now require veterinary oversight. Learn why every alpaca owner should build a relationship with a veterinarian before an emergency occurs and how that partnership can support the long-term health and success of your herd.
Every registered alpaca strengthens your herd, improves decision-making, and helps build a more reliable future for the entire industry.
Many people are drawn to raising alpacas because it is a business the whole family can take part in. Alpacas have soft, padded feet and a generally calm, curious nature. While proper handling remains important, these traits make them manageable livestock for youth working alongside experienced adults.
Three days. Hundreds of fleeces. Focused conversations about what makes alpaca fiber exceptional—and how we judge it with consistency.
Learn how to get more visitors, more attention, and more value from your National Alpaca Farm Days event using tools, timelines, and tips included with your registration.
Understanding the genetic foundations of desirable traits in alpacas, such as fiber quality, coat color, and the prevention of inherited disorders, is vital for the continued success of breeding programs. In a study led by Dr. F. Abel Ponce de León and his colleagues, researchers are exploring a relatively uncharted area of alpaca genetics: structural genomic variation (SV). These large-scale DNA alterations, which can involve insertions, deletions, inversions, or duplications, often have a greater impact on phenotype than single-nucleotide changes. Utilizing long-read DNA sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics, the team has identified nearly 50,000 SVs across alpacas of varying coat colors. Among these, one particularly compelling inversion involving the ASIP gene—a key player in pigment production—may offer new insights into the genetic basis of coat color variation. This blog post provides an overview of these findings and their potential implications for genetic testing and selective breeding in South American camelids.
Alpacas are stoic animals that instinctively hide illness until conditions become serious. By the time symptoms are obvious, the animal is likely much sicker than it appears. This is why establishing baseline health indicators and being vigilant about changes are critical for alpaca owners.
Wondering what to pack in your alpaca birthing kit? Discover the essential tools and supplies we rely on during cria season at our three-generation alpaca farm. From towels and thermometers to colostrum replacers and navel care, here’s everything you’ll want on hand before labor begins.
