Alpacas, Yes!

Not everyone who wants to own and breed alpacas has acreage for pastures and a barn.  Many times, searching for the right piece of land takes a long time, and meanwhile, lots of fun is being missed.  No need to miss anything!

In ancient law, to agist meant to take in and feed strangers’ cattle in the king’s forest.  Today, agistment, or boarding, is a contractual arrangement between animal owners and caretakers.  It’s a perfect solution to “Property, no?  Alpacas, yes!”

Agisting alpacas is an attractive way to enter the business for at least four more reasons.  First, there are many prospective owners and breeders with absolutely NO animal husbandry experience, who don’t know the withers from the wethers.  Those in this category can learn the day-to-day details of raising livestock under the watchful eye of the experienced breeder.

The tax benefits of being a farmer are still available so long as the owner/breeder operates “hands on” with the animals, making the breeding, feeding, and medical decisions.  Everybody’s favorite tax collectors will still want to see a profit in a few years, or some good reason why not ~ consult your tax advisor.

Purchasing an animal or two requires less capital outlay than acquiring property and building a barn and fences.  There may be greater liquidity in the animals than in property should such a need arise.

Finally, if life is busy, as it is for most of us, there is great comfort in knowing that someone else is pitching the hay and scooping the poop every day.

Our personal recommendation is a convenient location with friendly people.  See a member of the Columbia Alpaca Breeders Association!

 Copyright 1995-2003 by Val Black, Black Acre Alpacas