4 Generations to the Finest Alpaca Fleece
Continuing History at North American Alpaca Company
Here at North American Alpaca Company, we’re continuing the pursuit of the finest alpaca fiber started over 60 years ago by Don Julio Barreda at the famous Accoyo Ranch in Peru.
It took decades to lay the groundwork for the exquisite alpaca fiber we can now see emerging from the pure bloodlines so carefully crafted by Don Julio. In 1994, his average fleece harvests annually yielded the following fine, dense alpaca fiber statistics:
| Age | Micron Count | Fleece Weight |
| Baby, 12-14 mos | 19-21 | 5 to 7 lbs |
| Tui, 24-28 mos | 20-22 | 8 to 10 lbs |
| Adult, 28 mos+ | 25-26 | 8 lbs, plus |
Source: Alpaca History: A Conversation with Don Julio Barreda
Don Julio’s aim was to reach "20/20”: 20 pounds of shear weight and micron counts below 20. That is what we are seeking as part of the IDEAL ALPACA COMMUNITY, and we are using the science of breeding alpacas to get there.
Fine alpaca fleece such as this is prized for its soft, strong and hypoallergenic qualities. The finest alpaca fiber can be found woven into fashion designers’ collections in haute couture and used for creating clothing for the most sensitive of skin.
What this means for alpaca breeders just starting out is that with attention to the science of genetics, you can also reap the rewards of fine alpaca fiber in as little as four generations of alpacas.
Why four generations to fine fiber? Why not right from the start, if Don Julio has done all the work sculpting the genetics of magnificent alpacas?
There are a number of things that have to happen in order to get to the finest alpaca fiber. First of all, purchasing your own herd completely composed of the highly prized full-Peruvian/Chilean, Accoyo, or Hemiccoyo alpacas is near impossible. But we are part of a strategy to help even the smallest alpaca farm see excellent returns in a short time span, with the introduction of these bloodlines into a more common herd of alpacas.
Adhering to Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) and the guidelines of the Ideal Alpaca Community has proven to produce a herd that improves each generation, reaching a pinnacle of excellence within four generations. (Each generation is about two years.) Second of all, enough alpacas with fine fleece must exist in order to build the infrastructure for processing this fleece.
This is happening right now across America. In fact, not far from our alpaca farm in Washington State, machinery to process this fine fleece is being built.
In many cases, yarn and fabric producers have been mixing wool so the alpaca fleece can be created using existing machines. We will never do that. And neither will the other members of the Ideal Alpaca Community who are committed to producing the finest alpaca fiber. And now the pieces are coming together as the volume of this fine fleece increases.
It takes work and commitment to meet the standards that will produce the finest alpaca fiber: Four generations to $1500/lb. We support our buyers to help you achieve this, with the entire Ideal Alpaca Community standing behind us.
