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2007 MOPACA
Board of Directors and Officers
Glenn Alpert, President
Steve Wolff, Vice President
Lisa Fererro, Secretary
Mary Licklider, Treasurer
Cindy Jasper, Director
Kim Baake, Director
Sandra Binder, Director

 

RESOURCES

Alpaca Owners and Breeder’s Association (AOBA)
www.alpacainfo.com

Alpaca Registry Inc. (ARI)
www.alpacaregistry.net

Kansas State University
www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/
VMTH/index.htm

Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA)
www.afcna.com

Ohio State's International Camelid Institute
www.icinfo.org/

Alpaca Research Foundation (ARF)
www.alpacaresearch
foundation.org/

 

 

 

ALPACA FAQs & NEWS

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF ALPACAS

Huacayas: (pronounced wa-KAI-ya) have the fluffy teddy bear appearance that many associate with alpacas. Huacaya is the more common of the two types. They comprise about 80% of the U.S. alpaca population. These beautiful animals are characterized by their fluffy fleece. The fiber grows outward from the alpaca's body. The fiber is soft and strong and generally crimpy throughout. Huacaya fiber can be commercially processed using either the woolen or worsted process and produces a soft, lofty thread or yarn. It's ideal for knitted wear or soft tweeds.

 

Suris: (pronounced SUR-ee) are the rarer of the two types of alpacas and comprise about 20% of the U.S. alpaca population. These elegant animals are characterized by their draping locks. You can see how the fiber hangs down rather than looking wooly and round as it does on huacayas. This fiber is slick and straight with little or no crimp and has a high degree of sheen. At the microscopic level, the scales of the suri fiber are smooth edged and one directional, which gives it this slickness. Suri fiber is almost always commercially processed using the worsted process, which results in a thin, hard thread which is used in making gabardines and crepes. Suri fiber brings a premium price on the world market because of its scarcity and unique characteristics.

  • Average Lifespan: 15-25 years
  • Average Height: 36 inches at the withers (shoulder)
  • Average Weight: 120-180 lbs. (about 1/2 to 1/3 the size of a llama)
  • Color: 22 natural colors with many variations and blends
  • Weight at birth: 12-22 lbs. avg.
  • Length of Gestation: 335-345 days
  • Pounds of fiber produced each year: 5 to 10 lbs. (sometimes more)

click here for
AFCNA NEWSLETTER

(requires Acrobat Reader)


Camelid Community 2007 Report "Celebrating Diversity, Sharing Goals"
Aug 3-5, 2007-Radisson Hotel, Kansas City, MO
By Sheila Fugina and Barb Baker, moderators

(requires Acrobat Reader)


Web Links-Camelid Community 2007:
Presentations and Discussions

(requires Acrobat Reader)


Information about Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) in .doc format


New Animal ID System Available
Show Me Missouri Farm Bureau Magazine
Jan/Feb 2005 issue

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that livestock producers across the state can begin registering premises online with the Missouri Animal Identification Program (MAIP), the first step in establishing a national animal identification system. Information gathered will be used solely by MDA and USDA authorities for animal health purposes to ensure disease investigations progress rapidly and efficiently. Premises identification numbers can be immediately obtained by completing the registration process online at www.mda.mo.gov . To receive a printed registration form or additional information, contact the Department's Animal Health Division at 573-751-7766.


National Animal Identification
System or NAIS

Chuck Purgason,
MO State Senator 33rd District

(click here for document-PDF)

 

 

 


MOPACA Invitational

Community Board

SPRING 2008 NEWSLETTER
click here [pdf]

UPCOMING MOPACA HOSTED SEMINARS:
“Basic Training/Contact” for Alpacas
with Marty McGee Bennett
“Introduction to Guard Dog Training”
by Jackie Wood
“Alpaca Nature Day Camps & Grants”
By Catherine & Richard Stickann
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

UPCOMING EVENTS
click here

Find A Herd Sire
Looking for a herdsire? click here!

 
 

Midwest Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association
phone: (913) 849-3738 - email: mopaca@mopaca.org
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