You'll discover everything you need to know from selecting a healthy alpaca, associated costs, housing, husbandry, health and breeding, plus useful frequently asked questions. Each section is covered in detail.

For many new entrants to the alpaca industry a major allure is the thought of breeding these beautiful, intelligent and easily-handled animals. The challenging question that new breeders must ask themselves is “Why do I want to breed alpacas?” This leads to other vital questions – “Huacaya, suri, or both?”; “White, coloured, or a bit of everything?”; “How much do I need to spend?”; “How many should I buy?” For some people purchasing alpacas, the initial reason is as a small-scale hobby farm. However for many of these people, as they begin to breed and learn more about their alpacas, their focus changes and they use their knowledge to improve the quality of their stock – whether for fibre production, for stud breeding, or with an eye to winning show ribbons. This book is a basic guide to some of the skills and practices of alpaca production. This guide covers information on alpaca production including health, breeding and farming, nutritional needs and breeding to improve fleece. Table of contents: · The Australian Alpaca industry in Australia · Alpaca breeds · Farming alpacas · Farming alpacas as a breeding enterprise · Farming alpacas for meat production · Alpacas as guardian animals · Alpacas as pets on small acreages · Farm infrastructure · The digestive system and how it works · Alpaca nutrition · Pasture and land management · Breeding to improve fleece · Fleece assessment · Preparation of fleece for processing · The genetics of alpaca breeding · Purchasing decisions · Health problems and preparing for the vet · Digestive disorders and dental conditions · Vitamin and mineral deficiencies · Poisoning and liver disease · Parasite worms, fluke and ticks · Extremes of heat and cold · Injuries · Pregnancy, birthing and neonatal problems · Biosecurity, record keeping and transport · Alpaca shows · Management planner

Th e Frugal Alpaca FarmerA Holistic Approach to Success defi nes the authors mission and purpose for writing the book. Ingrid Wood gives the reader important information on how to structure and manage an alpaca farm. The content of her book is wellorganized and off ers valuable insight based on her research, experiences, and lessons learned over more than two decades of owning a small farm. Ingrid candidly discusses thought provoking issues and clearly spells out positive as well as negative aspects of alpaca farming. I especially liked her exploration of various management styles and care protocols. An open mind, common sense, and frugality must prevail if you wish to build and maintain a viable farm business. Reading The Frugal Alpaca Farmer will help you reach your goals. Hugh Masters

Beef AgSkills provides a basic guide to some of the skills and practices of beef production. The book contains step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and full-colour pictures. Some of the skills included are: · Drafting and counting cattle · Vaccinating · Heat detection · Problems with calving · Dehorning calves

• A comprehensive guide to raising sheep, goats, angora rabbits, and alpacas for producing fiber • Provides practical information on housing, fencing, feed, grooming, shearing, plucking, basic health care, breeding and birthing • Includes a comparison of popular breeds and how their fiber differs from breed to breed • Features a frank discussion of the energy and commitment that it takes to raise livestock, and how much room and land each animal species will need • Contains essential biosecurity practices to prevent spreading pests and infectious animal diseases, as well as advice on hand spinning and crafts to utilize your homegrown fiber

**Selected for Doody's Core Titles® 2024 in Veterinary Medicine** Designed for the mixed practice large animal veterinarian, veterinary students, and camelid caretakers alike, Llama and Alpaca Care covers all major body systems, herd health, physical examination, nutrition, reproduction, surgery, anesthesia, and multisystem diseases of llamas and alpacas. Written by world-renowned camelid specialists and experts in the field, this comprehensive and uniquely global text offers quick access to the most current knowledge in this area. With coverage ranging from basic maintenance such as restraint and handling to more complex topics including anesthesia and surgery, this text provides the full range of knowledge required for the management of llamas and alpacas. "..an essential text for anyone working with South American camelids." Reviewed by Claire E. Whitehead on behalf of Veterinary Record, July 2015 - Over 500 full-color images provide detailed, highly illustrated coverage of all major body systems, physical examination, nutrition, anesthesia, fluid therapy, multisystem diseases, and surgical disorders. - World-renowned camelid experts and specialists in the field each bring a specific area of expertise for a uniquely global text. - Comprehensive herd health content includes handling techniques, vaccinations, biosecurity, and protecting the herd from predators. - Coverage of anesthesia and analgesia includes the latest information on pharmacokinetics of anesthetic drugs, chemical restraint, injectable and inhalation anesthesia, neuroanesthesia, and pain management. - Reproduction section contains information on breeding management, lactation, infertility, and embryo transfer. - Nutrition information offers detailed nutritional requirements and discusses feeding management systems and feeding behavior.

There has never been a better time to add a few camelid comrades to your camp—and in Llamas and Alpacas, author and expert Sue Weaver shows you just how to make it happen! With color photos, advice from experienced breeders and farmers, and a comprehensive appendix on common maladies, you'll learn the ins and outs of buying and caring for these remarkable creatures—and delight in what they can do for you in returns! The Hobby Farms livestock care manuals will help both experienced and novice hobby farmers realize their own dreams of life on the farm - for pleasure and profit.