By Daily Courier Staff
Jamie and Tracy Banner’s alpacas came home from the national alpaca show in Red Deer, Alta., covered in ribbons.
The Banners’ Sumaq Valley Alpacas won nine ribbons at the annual show, even though they have been raising the unusual animals for only three years.
A top alpaca can cost $25,000, but the number of alpaca farms in Canada and the U.S. continues to grow.
“Alpaca fibre is in great demand around the world because of its unique characteristics,” said Tracy. “It is warmer and stronger than wool, it is not itchy, so it can be worn next to the skin, and it contains no lanolin.
“Every year, the quality of alpacas in Canada increases as the level of competition gets tougher.”
The Peruvian animals get shorn once a year. They are expected to live about 15 years in Canada, although no one is quite sure at this point.
“In Peru, they get eaten, so it’s not clear what their life span is,”said Banner. “And they have just been in Canada for 15 years.”
Banner said an alpaca can produce five to 10 pounds of fleece a year, which commands between $60 and $100 a pound from weavers. The Banners will sell some of their fleece to a mill to produce socks, which they sell for $30. Good alpaca sweaters run from $200 to $400.
“Raising alpacas is not time consuming nor does it require any previous farming experience,” said Banner. “Alpacas eat very little compared to other livestock and require very little shelter in the Okanagan. Typically, you can raise three to eight alpacas per acre.”
The Banners purchased 14 females and bred them each year to the top males in Canada. They now have 21 females, seven males and eight more expected this summer.
The animals grow to about 36 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. Alpacas are quiet, animals and make soft humming sounds to communicate.
“They are easy to handle, even for children,” said Banner. “Alpacas have two toenails and a soft pad on the bottom of their feet, so they are extremely easy on the environment.”
Visits are welcome at the East Kelowna farm by phoning 861-5561.
