Additional the ADDITIONAL Information INFORMATION IS basics Sources AVAILABLE AT: www.icinfo.org of www.AlpacaAcademy.com

Shearing Community • To get names of shearers in your area, go www.alpacainfo.com online and enter either llama or alpaca, then Alpaca shearing, then the name of your state. • Ask other llama or alpaca breeders and owners Llama for recommendations. & fiber Skirting and Grading INFORMATION IS ALSO • Check with processing mills, fi ber guilds and AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL other fi ber animal owners for information. OR REGIONAL ALPACA OR

• See what classes are available in your area. LLAMA ORGANIZATION: Camelid

Processing • Use the Internet to locate processors. A simple search of “alpaca and llama fi ber processors” will bring up more than 7,000 sites. Most processors will provide you with information on how they want your fi ber to be prepared for processing at their mill.

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Revised March 2013 developed by the Cover artwork by Paige McGrath Camelids are sheared annually for animal health reasons and tags, etc.) from the shorn fl eece. Skirting enables Each step in the production process adds value to also to harvest your fiber crop. If you are going to enter a the fi ber to be as uniform as possible. Unskirted your fi ber but also increases the dollar investment fleece contest or show, consult the governing body for rules fi ber adds weight and additional expense for you have in the product. Determine the best and procedures to follow regarding those programs before shipping and processing. options for your own fi ber and circumstances. You may have your fi ber processed into roving, batts beginning your shearing. Additionally, if you are sending Grading for End Product Use fleece samples for testing and inclusion in an Expected or clouds very reasonably—these forms can be Grading involves determining the quality of your used by spinners, felters and other fi ber artists. For Progeny Differences (EPD) program, please follow their fi ber and allows you to decide the best use for an additional investment you may have it further sample collection and submission guidelines prior to shearing. your fi ber. It increases your options because there processed into a variety of weights and types of are uses for each type and grade of fi ber. yarns that can be used by those who knit, crochet Before Shearing Storage or weave. Finished products—from garments to Be aware of your pasture and barn environments. rugs—are other options, but they will require even Store your fi ber in sealed paper (grocery bags, leaf Clean, quality, useful fi ber starts long before the more investment on your part. bags, etc.) until processing. Processing should be fi ber is harvested. Pastures should be free of burrs done as soon as possible. Deter moth infestation and weed seeds; no sawdust or wood chips should To Sell or Not to Sell using cedar blocks, dried lavender sachets or dryer be used as bedding. If possible, feed hay from a You may retain your fi ber products for your own sheets (some of these methods may scent the feeder set low enough so the animals cannot pull personal use or to give as gifts. If you have—or fl eece). Keep bags in cool, light, dry environment. hay down onto themselves. learn—fi ber art skills, you can create a variety of (If stored in plastic, either leave open so fi ber can end products yourself. breathe or vacuum air out.) Just Prior to Shearing There are consumers at every stage of the fi ber The animal must be dry. Clean the animal— Processing process should you decide to sell your fi ber. vacuum, blow or groom according to fi ber type. You may sell your raw fi ber just as it comes off Besides those listed above, other options to Be sure to acclimate animals ahead of time to the the animal, but when you have it processed, you explore for your fi ber products are yarn shops, noise of grooming and shearing equipment. add value that brings you a bigger return when you fi ber guilds and farmers markets. Finished Shearing sell the product. Home processing may include products can be sold at bazaars, boutiques, craft You may use either hand or electric shears. washing, carding, spinning and creating a fi nished shows, on-farm shops, fi ber events and fairs. Collect the fi ber type separately for each animal product (by knitting, crocheting, felting, weaving, There are many options for using your llama or (by coarseness, length, color). Fiber type may etc.). alpaca fi ber no matter what quality or quantity you also vary on an individual animal. It is essential Mini mills and fi ber cooperatives are other have. The possibilities are endless, but you need that at least the barrel section of the animal be processing options, and you need to determine to determine which quality levels of fl eeces you sheared to prevent heat stress. This is generally which best fi ts your needs. Research Internet sites have and select potential uses that fi t those levels. where the prime fl eece is found. Taking off even that can help you learn the basics of camelid fi ber Contact other livestock fi ber breeders more fi ber is usually better for the animal’s health processing. Make educated decisions and create a who could use your product in blends. Create a and increases your fi ber harvest—unless you are plan for the best and most profi table use of your unique product that no one else offers. If you concerned for an unusually light fl eeced animal or fi ber harvest. You will also learn a specifi c fi ber art want to earn some money with your fi ber, the one one that is older or compromised. vocabulary that will be helpful when working with option you don’t have is to leave it stacked up in a mill. Arrange to visit at least one mill located your barn. Skirting fairly close to you. It will help you understand Skirting is the removal of unwanted vegetable how important each step in the process is for matter (burrs, straw, etc.) or fi ber (matted, dung producing a quality product.