Abstract

The high South American altiplano is not the ideal environment for alpacas but was forced onto them by the introduction of sheep and cattle to the Inca pastures following the Spanish conquest. In New Zealand they are being farmed in a variety of areas and seem to respond dramatically to our normal farming methods. Warm, humid areas can cause problems with eczema and staggers. Alpacas produce a semi-precious fibre of various colours, which at present is causing processing difficulties in New Zealand due to the small quantities, so we are concentrating on increasing herd numbers. Alpaca management can be closely allied to sheep farming, with the exception of their mating and breeding. They are induced ovulators and can be mated in either pens or paddocks. Pen mating gives better control but is more work, while paddock mating has the disadvantage of prolonging the breeding season. Alpacas will breed at any time of year, but we have found that the autumn suits them best and they are remated two weeks after birthing. Alpaca twins are extremely rare. They are a hardy, easy care animal that will do well on untopdressed native pastures and when run in isolation seldom get internal parasites, but can pick up lice or mites. We are still learning what suits alpacas best, bearing in mind that these are very adaptable animals that do not need alterations to their environment to suit any specific needs.

ID, Nelson

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 56, , 342-343, 1996