Articles
By Kim Andresen

Everyone wants to help people get started in the alpaca industry, especially by selling animals to them; however, often experienced alpaca ranchers forget how it feels to just be starting. Remembering what the issues, concerns, and confusions that new-comers have can be a big help in your ability to sell to them. The following story is about Disappearing Creek, a new alpaca ranch, how they started and what they had to learn:

Two sisters - Juanita Kirschnick and Stephanie Schlegel - were looking for a way to change their lives from the fast-paced corporate setting to more relaxed lifestyles. Stephanie and her husband Dean already had the 40 acres of land with a small herd of Angus cows with four calves due this month and a couple of horses, while Juanita and her husband Ernie living and working in the city were starting to consider a retirement investment. After reading a feature article in a Seattle newspaper about a local alpaca ranch, Juanita brought the idea of alpacas to the table and the four seriously considered being entrepreneurs together, or should we say alpacapreneurs.

After serious research, discussions, and ranch planning, the four decided to visit some alpaca farms to see just what was so exciting about these animals and if raising them would be a good fit for them. But how were they to start? Call up a local farm or drop by for a visit? The solution came from one of Juanita's co-workers, Dennis Mullan of Rancho Alpaca U-Betcha, who gave Juanita a list of local alpaca farms.

They were unsure what to ask the ranches when calling them, so they put it off. The co-worker was persistent in asking Juanita how the alpaca search was going, and wanted them to come out to his farm and visit. Finally the two sisters went out and visited his farm and were instantly convinced. A month went by, and finally Juanita called the first person on the list of farms she was given, which by chance was an alpaca broker: Juanita DeSisto of Three Boys' Alpacas. Both Juanitas hit it off and Juanita DeSisto helped get the ball rolling. DeSisto had both the Schlegel/Kirschnick families out for a visit to her farm. She then assisted them, and made appointments for them to visit other nearby farms, and introduced them to many other alpaca people. Over time, DeSisto, helped them learn a lot about alpacas, what to look for and so much more. She became their friend and mentor. After visiting several farms, and many animals, the four partners decided to make the leap.

Now that they had decided that they wanted to start their own alpaca ranch they still had many questions and decisions to make. How would they go about finding answers to them all? They had to know about the care and feeding of alpacas, how to set up their farm, the financial and time commitment, and managing the business, along with dozens of other decisions. This is where they turned to many alpaca folks who have gone before them for advice, and instruction.

"Through talking with alpaca owners, listening to their wonderful stories, and visiting farms, we have learned so much," says Juanita Kirschnick. "We even were able to observe nail clipping and a breeding, which made us really see some of what we would be doing on our own. And after meeting and getting to know alpaca ranchers near us, knowing we can call them for advice or help makes a huge difference," says Kirschnick.

At the end of a long, sometimes frustrating but definitely exciting learning experience, they had learned about:

1. The two types of alpacas
2. Fleece - crimp, color, histograms, etc.
3. Alpaca vet care - do you take them in to a vet? Or do they do farm visits?
4. The importance of good fitting halters and training
5. Feed - types of grain, nutrients, etc.
6. Hay - types, and where to get it, how much per yr., how to grow your own
7. Vitamins and supplements
8. Alpaca care products - what products and brands should they use? Where to purchase them?
9. Equipment & fence panels
10. Pasture/Farm management - who goes where?
11. Choosing the right base herd animals - young or mature? Bred or open? Colors, so many colors….
12. Herd management - when do the boys get separated from the girls?
13. Marketing (website, brochures, business cards, etc.)
14. Shows - where to go? what to do?
15. Breeding, learning about alpaca reproductive systems, setting up a breeding program, timing, etc.
16. Care of pregnant females, labor, delivery, when not to move them, gestation period, etc.
17. Cria care and potential problems
18. Weaning - when and how?
19. Shearing and nail clipping
20. Dangers on your land (barbed wire, poisonous plants, potential predators, etc.)
21. Running and managing the business - strengths of each partner if more than yourself
22. Finding a tax accountant
23. Legal issues & finding a lawyer that is informative
24. Insurance for animals - should I or shouldn't I?
25. Business licenses and on-line registration process
26. How to keep track of your records, and finances
27. Office equipment needs - digital camera, scanner, printer, computer
28. Planning your business strategy - and making sure to allow for the bumps along the way

Now that they had all of the basics down they were prepared and ready. Soon they had three bred females, a website , a good plan for the future, and a determination to help others who are just starting.

We encourage you to get to know this unique foursome and to remember their journey when talking to potential new alpaca ranchers. To the seasoned breeder, the long list above may seem filled with many simple tasks and obvious information, but to the new rancher it is a long and daunting list; without a kind guiding mentor and friend, like Disappearing Creek had with Juanita DeSisto and Dennis Mullan, it can all seem insurmountable.