The Special Qualities of Alpaca Fiber

Fiber harvesting is perhaps the most delightful “side activity” in the world of alpacas. Only a few breeders keep alpacas purely for economic reasons. Alpacas represent a lifestyle. The strong community, well-connected associations, and ultimately the love for these wonderful creatures are usually the main arguments for keeping and breeding. There may be more lucrative investments—but is there a more beautiful way to invest your money? Still, no one involved in alpaca breeding can avoid the topic of fiber. It’s widely talked about—and rightly so. While fiber may not be the main reason for keeping alpacas, this “side matter” is of great importance.

The fleece plays a key role in almost every quality assessment, such as breeding evaluations or show results. It’s one of the defining characteristics of New World camelids. Fiber production is inseparably linked to the history and even the origin of alpacas. However, fleece should never be produced at the expense of animal welfare—which is why it is considered the most beautiful side aspect of alpaca breeding.

The top priorities should always be animal welfare and reproductive health. A stunning histogram means little if the animal is overbred, unhealthy, or unsuitable for breeding. An alpaca won’t have a better life just because it has a more valuable fleece. Health and fertility are the foundation of alpaca breeding—an exceptional fleece is simply the icing on the cake. As a natural fiber with excellent staple length and a very fine fiber diameter, alpaca directly competes with the prized fibers of cashmere goats, angora goats, and angora rabbits. Each of these luxury fibers has specific characteristics that distinguish them from other materials. For textile production, fiber diameter and staple length are key factors.

They determine the processing methods and give the yarn important properties such as durability, warmth, and the much-appreciated hand feel. Alpaca fleece boasts outstanding characteristics, making it especially suitable for textile production and duvets. For breeders, the relatively high annual fleece yield per animal is particularly interesting, while manufacturers focus on fiber length, diameter, and crimp. Ultimately, consumers appreciate alpaca for its tangible softness and long-lasting quality.

Excerpt from: PASSION FOR ALPACAS – CARE, BREEDING & SHOWS by editor and author Show Judge Robin Näsemann, 2020