CONTACT:
Cindy Berman, director of public relations
Office: (216) 831-0440, Ext. 105
ALPACA FARMS NATIONWIDE CELEBRATE NATIONAL ALPACA FARM DAY
On September 27 and 28, alpaca breeders from across the United States and Canada will invite the public to come to their farm or ranch to meet their alpacas and learn more about
these inquisitive, unique animals.
While most alpaca farms welcome visitors throughout the year, National Alpaca Farm Day is sure to include special activities and educational opportunities at a farm or ranch near you. For a complete list of participating farms and ranches, visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com.
“There are so many wonderful things to say about alpacas,” said Amy McCroskie, president of the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA). “However, the BEST way to learn about and really understand the beauty of these animals is to see them in person. I hope everybody takes this wonderful opportunity and visits an alpaca farm on September 27 and 28!”
About Alpacas
Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984. Since then, the alpaca industry has grown steadily, according to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA), the backbone of the alpaca industry. Current estimates total over 100,000 registered alpacas with the Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) in the United States and more than 4,000 AOBA members in North America.
There are two types of alpacas in the United States today. Although almost physically identical, what distinguishes the two types of alpacas is their fiber. The Huacaya (wa-Ki’-ah) 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.
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. Alpacas are alert, intelligent, curious, and predictable. Social animals that seek companionship, they communicate most commonly by softly humming.
Alpacas are shorn, without harm, every twelve to eighteen months. They produced five to ten pounds of luxurious fiber. Because of its soft texture, alpaca fiber is sometimes compared to cashmere. Alpaca is just as warm as, yet 1/3 the weight of wool. It comes in 22 natural colors, yet can be dyed any desired shade. Containing no lanolin, alpaca fiber is also naturally hypoallergenic. Additional performance characteristics include: stretch, water repellency, and odor reduction. For travelers, clothing made from alpaca is desirable because it is wrinkle-resistant.
To find out more about National Alpaca Farm Day and for a complete list of participating farms and ranches, visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com.
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