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There are many
references to the "Alpaca Lifestyle" in magazines, television, and Alpaca
websites. So what is the Alpaca Lifestyle?
In our case, the Alpaca Lifestyle
includes:
Working with livestock on a personal basis
that does not require it to be slaughtered to provide value. The Alpaca's
worth is in it's fine fleece, not in it's nutritional
value.
Living in the country where we can see the
stars at night. By investing in Alpacas we were able to obtain more land,
facilities, and equipment than we could have had we not been in an agricultural
business.
Traveling the country meeting interesting
people through Alpaca shows and educational events.
Seeing the looks of people, children and
adults alike, the first time they look into the large round eyes of an Alpaca,
feel their fine fleece and listen to the quiet humming or
clucking sound that they make when communicating with each
other.
Seeing a cria (baby Alpaca) being born, and
watching it stand, nurse for the first time, and then run around the
pasture, usually in just a few hours.
Involving our children in a family run
business, where they learn to take care of not only an animal, but an
investment.
Watching our livestock investments
roam the grounds, and occasionally coming up to us for a kiss, instead of
watching the stock market rise and fall.
Understanding that all life is precious,
and mourning the loss of one of our herd as if they were a member of our family
and trusted companion, not simply an animal or an
investment.
Recognizing that our future is in our own
hands. We control our own destiny, and with the help of the Alpaca
community that have been proven to be helpful, considerate, and truly care about
the success of every member and the industry as a whole.
As with any venture, we have had good times
and bad. We have lost members of our herd without warning. Our forecast
for new additions to the herd have been wrong due to longer than expected
breeding periods, a disproportionate number of male births, and pregnant animals
that have lost their baby, either early in their pregnancy or during
delivery. We watched helplessly when one of our animals died from a
rattlesnake bite and the vet was unable to save her since no anti-venom was
available. Our experience with Alpacas has been overwhelmingly good, but
we have also seen the bad and the ugly side of the
business.
We often tell people that we
traded Dell stock for Livestock. So, would we do it again with what
we know now? In a heart beat!
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