Interested in starting your own alpaca ranch? You are not alone. The alpaca industry has been thriving since the early 1980s, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel. One of the best things going for the alpaca industry is the alpaca rancher. I have never met a group so friendly and willing to pass on their knowledge to all the newbies joining. In keeping the knowledge flowing I share with you 10 steps to make your startup easier:

1. Attend Alpaca University or Seminars: There are numerous ranches that offer education on alpacas. There are classes on how to purchase quality alpacas, maintaining your alpacas, neonatal and birthing classes, through how to set up your own ranch store. These classes are very informative and give you a taste of what is needed before you make your first purchase. The classes run on average $150 each. It is well worth the investment since it will save you from making costly mistakes. Simply go to the Alpaca Nation or AOBA website for the list of classes being held nationwide.
2. Visit Ranches: Visiting ranches is not only a great way to make friends and connections, but you can take away with you ideas on how to setup your own ranch. You really need to think before hand how your layout will be. Did you leave room for expansion? How will the alpacas get from the stalls to the pasture? This is a great time to ask the rancher if they had to do it all over again what would they change and why? You can gain a lot of insight with this question.
3. Fencing: Alpacas require fencing. It is not so much as to keep the herd in, but to keep predators such as coyotes, mountain lions, bears, etc out. It is a good idea to speak with your county extension agent to learn which predators are in your area, so you can choose the appropriate fencing. Remember that dogs are the #1 killer of alpacas in the United States.
4. Shelter: Alpacas need shelter from the elements. 3-sided shelters will provide them shade from the sun and will act as a windbreaker in the winter. Depending on your budget you can decide just how extravagant you want your shelter to be. Please check with your local zoning. There may be a limit as to how many alpacas you can have on your property.
5. Feed: Alpacas feed on grasses. Orchard grass, bermuda, and timothy grass are all very popular with the alpacas. If you have a pasture with any of these grasses then you can easily feed 10 alpacas per acre. If you do not then you will have to bring the grass in by bales. Consider ahead of time where you can purchase the hay. For example in Arizona it is very difficult to find timothy grass. We pay additional monies in having it transported from Nevada and Colorado. The grass needs to be supplemented with minerals and selenium in order for the alpacas to survive. Although you can purchase these online you still need to consider the costs in your budget. Dont forget about water. Where will their access to clean water be and how will you supply it?
6. Veterinarian: I cannot say enough about the importance of having a camelid veterinarian in your area. Since alpacas are prey animals they hide their illnesses easily. By the time they allow you to realize they are sick there will be little to no time to react. Having an experience camelid veterinarian nearby can mean the difference between life and death for your alpaca.
7. Herd Management: Knowing how to care for your alpacas is key to their survival. Herd management does not require a lot of muscle. However you should be willing and able to lift feet and cut toenails, sweep out stalls, give shots and wormers, and clean up poop piles at the bare minimum. Weighing your alpacas, keeping records, and being hands on can help you to notice an ailing alpaca before it is too late. You can always hire people to shear your animals and cut teeth if needed. Please realize that it might not always be this easy. If you have a newborn cria whose mother has rejected it then you are now momma. This means going out around the clock every two hours to bottle-feed. Getting worried? There is no need since many ranches hold herd management day. This is where you can learn hands on what it will take to care for your herd.
8. Insurance: There are a few insurance companies that will provide full mortality on your alpacas. I highly recommend you getting insurance in case anything ever happens to your livestock. A couple to check out is Wilkins Livestock Insurers and Prairie States Insurance.
9. Transportation: Do not forget that you need some sort of vehicle for transporting your alpacas. Some people use mini vans since alpacas cush while traveling and others go for horse trailers. Make the best decision according to your budget.
10. Accountant: I recommend finding an accountant who is familiar with agricultural tax laws. It can make a difference to your overall wallet contents come year-end. Not to mention that they can offer you tax saving tips for your ranch.