Alpacas and Llamas

Alpacas and llamas are alternative livestock species most often raised for the specialty fiber produced through annual shearing of their hair coat. Alpaca fiber is especially recognized for its softness and thermal capacity. Llamas are sometimes grazed with small ruminants to deter predators, although they are themselves a prey animal.

There are other, small niche markets for meat, pack llamas, and other live sales, such as show and breeding animals. Alpacas and llamas offer a comparatively low-impact livestock alternative because their padded feet do not have the same effect on the ground as hooves. In addition, they have efficient digestive systems and can thrive on marginal pasture unsuited to other livestock species.