Syke House Alpacas. Alpaca sales, stud services, fibre producers, consultancy.

Economics of the alpaca

Indication of the costs and profit per head alpaca per year, calculated on a herd of 65 alpacas on 10 acres (1997 figures).

Costs, per head

1 bale hay per head/month @ £2/bale, for 6 months per annum	£12.00
500g concentrate ration per head/day @ £0.10 per day for 180 days p.a.	£18.00
Profilaxis (Heptavac 2ml @ £0.65 plus worming (Ivomec 2 x 2ml) @ £4.00	£4.65
Contract labour - grass care, muck spreading, organic fertilizer, repairs etc (approx)	£20.00
Vet (1 visit and treatment)	£25.00
Shearing	£5.00
Daily care, say 1/2 hour per day @ £8.70 per hour, x 365 days divided by 65 head	£24.46
Estimated average annual costs per head	£109.11

Income from breeding
Each female could have 14 cria in a lifetime (say 14 years), perhaps 7 males and 7 females. Assuming all were sold:

One male of stud quality @ £10000	£10000
6 males into fibre herd @ £1000 per head	£6000
7 females @ £9000 per head	£63000

Total Income from sale	£79000

Estimated average annual breeding income per head	£5642

Income from Fibre
Each female will clip about 3.5kg fibre per year:

3.5kg fibre per year/animal @ proven £30/kg (socks)	£105
Estimated average annual fibre income per head	£105

Summary

Average annual income per head (breeding)	£5642.00
Plus average annual income per head (fibre))	£105.00
Less annual average costs per head	(£109.11)

Possible annual profit per head	£5637.89

Merits

Fibre