The Alpaca Registry, Inc., located in the University of Nebraska Technology Park, reached a milestone recently with the registration of the 100,000th alpaca.
On August 18th at about 7:30 p.m., a 15 pound female cria (baby alpaca) named Dee Lux was born at Alpaca Palms in Wildomar, California. BDAP Accoyo Dee Lux is not only special to her owners, Dennis and Bea Miller because of her beautiful pure white fleece, her beautiful big dark eyes, or her feisty personality. She is also special to them (and to the entire alpaca industry) because she holds the title of being the 100,000th alpaca registered by Alpaca Registry, Inc.
The Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) is an organization that manages a database housing pedigree and parentage information for registered alpacas. ARI registers alpacas born in the United States and Canada who are offspring of two other ARI registered parents. ARI maintains a database of alpacas and DNA records as well as managing a list of animals owned or sold by owners.
“The ARI staff is very excited to reach this important milestone,” Darby Vannier, Executive Director of ARI. “We were counting down the days! Although it took many years to get to this point, the next 100,000 will arrive much more quickly.”
The Millers began helping the North American herd grow five years ago when, during a sleepless night, Dennis saw a commercial about alpacas on the television. His curiosity piqued, Dennis began researching the animals.
Alert and curious, adult alpacas stand at approximately 36 inches at the withers and generally weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. They do not have horns, hooves, claws or incisors. Social animals that seek companionship, alpacas communicate most commonly by humming.
In February of 2002, the Millers purchased 9 female huacaya (wah-KI-ya). There are two types of alpacas bred in the United States, the suri (surrey) and huacaya. Although almost physically identical, what distinguishes the two types of alpacas is their fiber. The huacaya is the more common of the two and has a fluffy, extremely fine coat. The suri is the rarer of the two and has fiber that is silky and resembles pencil-locks.
Today, the Millers have 29 Huacayas with 5 crias due by the holidays.
Alpacas are relatively easy to care for and many who start their alpaca business are new to farming. Dennis, however, grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania raising and caring for cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and rabbits (to name a few). In comparison to other livestock, Dennis says, “Alpacas are much more unique in that they each have their own personalities. They have a calming, relaxing effect on you.”
During the day, Dennis is a full time manager at a metals plant and Bea is an elementary school teacher. “We look forward to coming home to these beautiful animals after a hard day’s work,” said Bea.
Unlike some other livestock, alpacas do not have to be killed to be profitable and usually live to be 15 to 20 years old. Alpacas are shorn ever 12 to 18 months. Most breeders shear in the spring, but in cooler climates this may be extended to two years. One shearing produces approximately 5 to 10 pounds of fiber. Variables such as age, genetics, environment and nutrition may alter fiber production.
Alpaca fiber is as warm as wool at 1/3 the weight. It is a specialty fiber, being both rare and extremely fine. Pure alpaca fiber is hypo-allergenic. Additional alpaca performance characteristics include: stretch, strength, wicking properties and odor reduction.
Alpacas were first commercially imported into the United States from South American in 1984. Since then, the alpaca industry has grown steadily. What began as a small, intimate alpaca community has blossomed into an official national breed registry, Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) and a national marketing organization, the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA).
“Emotionally, the business has united us even more as a couple and team as we do so much together and reap the joys of our hard work,” said Bea. “We are especially thrilled when we know our alpacas have made others happy through a sale.”
The birth of the 100,000th alpaca is an exciting milestone for the alpaca industry.
“An all white and full Accoyo from Titan and Camilio bloodlines, Dee Lux shows off a teasing spectacular presence with her impeccable conformation,” said Bea of the 100,000th alpaca. “At only 2 months old, her fine cria fleece looks promising. Her dam, Titan’s Accoyo Lady Lucille, is a bragging beauty by way of her coquettish strut. And what can I not say about her sire! Camilio’s Accoyo Kahuna has put out quite a few show winners in the last couple of years.”
Dee Lux is a feisty little one. She loves her freedom and would much prefer not to be “messed with”. This little spitfire holds much promise to live up to her celebrity status.