The Science of Breeding Alpacas

Alpaca fleece is harvested to make the finest garments in the world. The fleece of a vicuna (where the Alpacas came from) has sold for as much as $2,000 per square yard. Alpaca fleece prices are not too far behind that. This is where the Accoyo began…

ACCOYO BLOODLINES

North American Alpaca Companywas formed with an initial herd of the highest quality bloodlines. Careful study and selection was conducted prior to purchasing any alpacas. We wanted to develop a unique market niche, so we were drawn to the finest alpacas available with a vision of continuing to build on that quality using the science of breeding.

This quest for the finest fleece led us to the Accoyo, a line of alpacas created by a Peruvian, Don Julio Barreda. He is known to be the finest Alpaca rancher because of the way he used genetics to produce a superior alpaca. He culled the poor animals out of the herd and matched up fine sires with good females to produce these improved alpacas. Don Julio Barreda of the Accoyo Ranch started this nearly 60 years ago. He selected only the best in various lines to breed alpacas that would yield the highest density of fleece, the finest crimp and the greatest amounts at shearing.

Alpaca fleece lacks the drawbacks of wool that cause allergic reactions. There is a low, almost non-existent, amount of oil in the fleece. It is made into beautiful items from high fashion dresses, coats, sweaters, hats, babywear and toys to practical, everyday wear and whatever imaginations conceive. It's lightweight. So the fleece quality is important for bringing the highest dollar amount. And of course, alpaca breeders want to harvest the most fleece possible at shearing time. The Accoyo alpacas were genetically crafted to achieve these goals for fleece harvests.

Don Julio said "20/20." His goal was 20 pounds of shear weight and micron counts measuring fineness below 20. That is what the Ideal Alpaca Community is seeking and finding by harnessing the science it takes to get there. We are using EPDs (Expected Progeny Differences) as a scientific means of advancing the quality of our alpacas.

Ribbons are great, but science is greater!

HEMICCOYO BLOODLINES

The Hemiccoyo name evolved from introducing the bloodlines of a very famous Peruvian sire, Hemingway, into the Accoyo line. The Hemiccoyo line has been proven to produce some of the finest fleece both in crimp and density, as well as harvest weight, which is what we are working to achieve. Many years of careful selective breeding brings these results.

The alpaca fleece is fine, with strong crimp, great shine and a variety of colors. The Hemiccoyos tend to maintain this quality fleece throughout their life span and with their cria. Speaking of color, they range from pure white to silver grey, soft and darker fawn, all shades of brown and pure black with all the shades in between.

Because of the high quality and limited availability of these Accoyo and Hemingway animals, North American Alpaca Company has put its focus on the Accoyo and Hemiccoyo lines. We enjoy owning and propagating the exquisite qualities of these ancestors. Most of our herd has Accoyo and/or Hemingway blood in it.

Before we purchased an animal, we conducted considerable research. Alpacas have traditionally lived on the Altiplano high up in Peru, Chili, and Bolivia. The weather is fierce there. Temperatures range from three digits in the daytime to below freezing in the night. In these conditions, the alpacas forage on very little grass. This is why alpacas are so well acclimated to nearly every weather condition. You can find them living today in Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada, and throughout North America.

We are working to take the alpacas we own and sell to the "next level." We will continue to improve our herd, building upon the above with quality herdsires bred to a quantity of good dams. It doesn't seem to be too distant in the future to achieve "20/20."


Hemiccoyo Hazel	Accoyo UltraBronz	Hemiccoyo Adam	Hemiccoyo Jasmine